To do list: Kick Cancer’s Ass.

Written By Maggie Shipman

Over the past SIXTEEN DAYS I have cried, laughed, and been poked too many times to count. I thought it would be interesting to make a point to show how much me and my family have already successfully accomplished!

Kicking off on Jan 3rd up until today we have…

  • Met my surgeon and love love loved her.

  • Visited the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center <3

  • 1 MRI (showed a swollen lymph node that was concerning.)

  • 2 CAT Scans

  • Genetic Testing (I do not have a gene mutation = WEIRD!)

  • 1st fertility preservation consult = BIG THUMBS DOWN.

  • 1st Haircut to prep for chemo.

  • 1 Bone Scan (they injected my pinky finger with a controlled radioactive isotope ~ which was WACK ~ b/c they couldn’t find an unused/unbruised vein)

  • 1 Mammogram

  • 2 Ultrasounds on the concerning & swollen lymph node

  • 2nd fertility consult & exam that was with a new FABULOUS doctor

  • 2nd opinion from a surgeon (just to do our homework)

  • 1st Oncology Appointment

  • Met with the Moncrief Cancer Institute fertility resource director

  • Started IVF injections so I can freeze my eggs

  • Biopsy of the misbehaving lymph node

  • Chemo 101 Education Class

  • FOUND OUT THAT THE LYMPH NODE ISN’T CANCER!!!

  • 2 Fertility Monitoring Appointments

  • 1 Echocardiogram = clean & healthy heart for chemo.


It sounds like a lot and honestly has been, but at times I have often found myself frustrated that we haven’t really done anything yet! While all of these steps are necessary in order to begin, I couldn’t help but grow frustrated that this alien thing was still growing unchecked inside me. However, we have finally made it to the starting line and have

some ~ lovely ~ things to look forward to…

Friday 1/20

  • Day 10 of IVF home injections (these are the WOAT)

  • Fertility Monitoring Appointment

  • Chemo Port Placement

Sunday 1/22 or Monday 1/23

  • Egg retrieval surgery for fertility preservation.

    ** This is done in an attempt to create an “insurance policy” due to the harmful effects of chemo on reproductive capabilities.

Wednesday 1/25

  • FIRST DAY OF CHEMO!! (woo?) I will first see the doctor and then will receive a chemo cocktail through an IV for at least 7 hours.

In the far future…

  • 5 more rounds of chemo (for a total of 6) with 1 dose every 3 weeks, for the next 4.5 months.

  • Surgery + Reconstruction

  • Possibly/most likely radiation treatment for a few weeks

  • Hormone blockers for an extended period of time during remission

Maggie Shipman
Previous

Chemo Round #1
Next

Blindsided by Breast Cancer