My name is Denise McCroskey, and I write this Breast Cancer Blog to help others. My Breast Cancer Journey began on a Saturday in September, 2011 when I found the lump. The minute I felt it, I knew it was Breast Cancer. Tears and terror happened upon me. I had no other symptoms except breast pain. If you have breast pain and think it cannot be cancer because Breast Cancer doesn’t hurt, don’t believe it! Get it checked out immediately! My body was trying to warn me, and I did not pay attention. Unfortunately, I believed what I read. In other areas, I felt healthy, energetic and full of life. Many women say they just know. Immediately, I knew I was not ready to die and would fight to live with everything I had.
On October 17, 2011 I was diagnosed at the University of Michigan Breast Care Center with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. It was later determined that I had Stage 3, Triple Positive Breast Cancer, which means I am ER+ PR+ and Her2Neu+.
On November 23, 2011, I had a Mastectomy of the left breast because tumor size was 2.3 inches or 6 centimeters and a Lymph Node Dissection of 14 Lymph Nodes. I completed five (5) months of Chemotherapy on May 15, 2012 and completed 33 Radiation treatments on July 27, 2012. I continue to receive Herceptin intravenously every 3 weeks. ( I had heart damage from Herceptin and had to stop after only 3 months).
This is my story. If you are fighting Breast Cancer, I hope and pray you will find some solace in my experiences and strength to keep up the battle. . .feel free to email me at b4Denise@hotmail.com
Thank you for your blog. I am facing my first chemo treatment tomorrow. I wish you well
Oh, I will be thinking of you and praying for you. If I can be of any help or
assistance, please feel free to contact me at b4Denise@hotmail.com
I wish the best..Denise
Thanks for your blog. I just started my journey 5 weeks ago. Thanks for the heads up. I really appreciate the honesty and advice. So helpful
Hi – I wish you the best on your journey. It is such a challenging road, but you learn more about yourself and others
than you could ever imagine. Take it in small increments, try not to think too far ahead (which is so hard to do), and
you will get through it!! I finished Radiation yesterday. I didn’t think I would make it through. But I did and you
will too! My best, Denise
Love your blog! Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the info.-very helpful. I just started losing my hair. I am taking Taxol also, but for Ovarian Cancer. The port info. was great too.
Suzette, best of luck to you. I am thankful I could be
of help to you. You will make it through! Denise
Hi Denise,
Thank you for being so brave and sharing your story.
I am 32 years old with 2 young kids and was diagnosed with Stage 3 triple positive IDC last spring. I have had 3 surgeries (lumpectomy, large excision lumpectomy and then rad lymph node dissection), 6 mths of chemo and am now halfway done 30 rad treatments.
I receive IV treatments from my naturopath of high dose vit C, peroxide and many other vits and minerals 3 times per week. My faith is firmly planted in Christ and really believe in this adjuvent therapy. (Same as what dr. Bryzinski does in Texas)
I have 9 more Herceptin treatments (once every 3 weeks) and am taking tamoxifen (for 10 years)
Lots of love and prayers,
Lisa
Lisa, thank you for sharing your story with us. I am so sorry you have had
to go through this at your very young age with 2 great young kids! It breaks
my heart when I hear of young women like you. I am so glad you are almost done.
I will definitely check into your IV treatments you are receiving from a Naturopath!
Good for you!!
Thinking of you with love and prayers back, Denise
Just had a lumpectomy, all is clear, yay. Will start rads soon. I am so glad to find your blog. It lets me feel connected.
Maria, so glad to hear all is clear after Lumpectomy. Good luck in Rads.
My best, Denise