Stage IV

I'm pretty sure I knew from the beginning.  When I started having pains in my hips and legs that were nothing I ever experienced before, I knew the cancer had spread.  Trying to remain optimistic was tough, so others did it for me.  I appreciate everyone who tried to find alternative explanations or who believed it had to be a fluke.  But it is what it is, and it is metastatic breast cancer.

The biopsy procedure went well.  I was incredibly uncomfortable most of the day due to not thinking about bringing my pain medication to the hospital with me.  It took longer than we expected to get me set up, but I was only under for 30-45 minutes.  The doc who did the procedure, an interventional radiologist, punctured a spot down by my knee and drilled my bone. Because he had the help of CT equipment, he chose the furthest spot away from baby.  When I woke, I was surprised and impressed with just how little my "wound" was.  It was actually smaller than a couple of scars from biopsies they did of my breast.

After the biopsy was over, they monitored me for a while.  Due to the previous day's activity, I had been having contractions before I even showed at the hospital.  Due to being in pain and being dehydrated, they continued on after.  Knowing the signs and symptoms, my anesthesiologist ordered a fluid bolus.  By the time I got to labor and delivery and got hooked up, there was nothing to be concerned about.  We stuck around for a couple of hours anyway and I was released in no more pain than I went in with.

I waited over a week and then got tossed into a whirlwind.  I met with my oncologist yesterday for my results.  He told me what I already knew, but he also laid out the next steps.  He gave me the plan of action which involves starting chemotherapy all over again- TOMORROW.  There will be no more sitting around growing a healthy baby, waiting until it's time to do something.  The time is now.  I will be infused once a week with a drug called carboplatin. As long as no other complications arise, we will continue this regimen until about 34 weeks when we will deliver my son in order to get even more aggressive.

Other complications are very likely to arise.  I also saw the radiation oncologist yesterday as we were hoping to start radiation as soon as possible as well.  They were going to focus on the spots that are in my distal femur (by my knee), but after he reviewed my latest x-rays, he realized the worst spot was way too close to baby to radiate.  My femoral head, right where my femur meets my hip, appears very thinned.  So much that he is concerned about it breaking, leaving me in need of a hip replacement.  This is the area that is causing me that most amount of pain, so it makes sense, but is still pretty scary.  I absolutely have to have this area radiated as soon as possible, and so the question was raised- how soon is to soon to deliver baby?

After talking with my OB and my perinatologist today, I am still too soon.  So as of now, we go with the chemo plan and pray it slows the cancer growth really well.  I also have movement restrictions so as not to put too much pressure on that area.  Obviously, since I have a growing baby snuggled right in there, it will be harder than hard.  I was bumped up to a small dose of morphine in order to help control the pain, as the previous med I was on just wasn't providing enough relief.  I pray that once treatment starts, the pain will lessen as the growth stops.

My friends have reinitiated the Strength for Courtney campaign.  If you were interested in purchasing a t-shirt but missed out, you have another chance.  https://www.booster.com/strengthforcourtney2

Wish me luck and strength as I face the next steps tomorrow...