In August during a daily routine shower, I noticed a small lump in my right breast.  I then called my OB and got in within a week and from there they referred me to have a diagnostic mammogram and ultra sound of the entire breast.  This took about 2.5 weeks to get in and I had a great experience at the Carilion Breast Center- Rita my stepmother came with me.  While they couldn’t diagnose me at that point, they did share this was ‘highly suspicious’ of cancer.  I was then scheduled for two breast biopsy’s which happened about week or so later.  Nick was kind enough to join me to that and took to Waffle House (yes, I love their cheesy eggs) after even with ice packs in my bra.  A few days later the news came in that it was Invasive ductal carcinoma.  The sweet nurse navigator to call and was amazed at how well I was handling the news- but she hasn’t seen all the other obstacles I’ve already overcome! At that point they set me up an appointment with the breast surgeon and scheduled a breast MRI.  Nick came with me to the MRI- not my favorite experience but at least they played my favorite band- Goose while in the machine.  This scan showed some concern the cancer had spread to my liver.  I then met with my oncologist with Blue Ridge Cancer care that my sweet Daddy joined me on.  From here, she wanted to do a pet scan and anything cancerous in my body would light up.  If it was contained to my breast- we would be at stage two.  If it had spread- stage 4. My pet scan was scheduled about a week after that and Nick came with me for that- quite the experience to be radio-active- but a much better experience than the MRI.  Sure enough it had shown that the cancer had spread to my liver and possibly my right ovary.   At this point, my breast surgery was off the table and that appointment was cancelled as it had metastasized.  Next step was a liver biopsy to see if the cells were the same in my breast- they were close.  I am mainly estrogen positive, progesterone positive and showing HER positive.  Nick came with me to the liver biopsy and enjoyed my loopiness - he even took me Waffle House! To my surprise, such a dear amazing friend- Sara flew in from Alaska to support me in this new journey and I can’t express the gratitude I feel.  She has helped me organize, clean, prepare (emotionally, financially, and appropriately with Everett) for this journey.  She helped assist me with a second opinion at Duke! As of today- still with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer- we are having Duke run pathology again to ensure accuracy and should start of my treatment plan if Herceptin, Parajetta, and Docataxol at the beginning of December- do not put me in a spelling after this season. I am on the books for some holistic support and it will be a journey for 18 weeks on the chemo and scans to follow.   I’ll have lots of fun side effects including loosing my hair but I have one adorable cute boy and strong faith that the Lord has a plan.   I trust in his plan and will keep you all posted as we go along! Grateful, blessed, and remaining joyful! 

With gratitude, 
Megan