Author Archives: surviveber

Sensory Overload

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In addition to talks of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, mastectomy and reconstructive surgery I had another important issue to tackle. Since one of the possible side effects of Chemotherapy is early menopause, we also decided to meet with a fertility doctor to discuss our options.

After receiving all the information we decided to proceed with the egg retrieval process of IVF. We will be working with Shady Grove Fertility.  This involves about 7-10 days of giving myself shots and having daily appointments for blood work and ultrasound. Once the eggs are at a desirable size, I go in for a minor surgery to have them extracted and frozen. All in all its a really wonderful reassuring feeling knowing we can still have a baby when all this treatment is said and done.

Next stop surgery then our first meeting with my oncologist to discuss my chemo schedule. Time to get down to business. First things first, I am in need of a nap. So much information.

My New Normal

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Doctors appointments. Everyday practically. First stop meeting with the surgeon. Dr. Tafra was the surgeon I selected. Chris and I met with her to discuss my diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plan.  I have Infiltrated Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 1 Grade III, Triple Negative Tumor. Ok, so stage 1. It can’t be too bad? I mean a lumpectomy and maybe some radiation. I’ll be good to go in a couple weeks, right? Wrong. The key word or words in my diagnosis are Grade III and Triple Negative. The staging has to do with the size of the tumor and how far it has spread. So for right now (yes it could change) its a 1. The grade shows how rapidly the cells change.  Grade III is aggressive.  Great. Triple negative means that it tested negative for the three main hormones that usually fuel cancer growth.  In a nutshell, they don’t know what fuels it.

And because of these two lovely things my doctor utters the words I’ve been dreading to hear. Chemotherapy.

The Shock of the “C” word.

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As I drove home in hysterics, calling Chris to tell him to come home from work, I was in a complete state of shock.  When I pulled into the driveway the wave of emotions exploded. How could I have Cancer? This couldn’t be happening. WHY was this happening to me? I lost my son for Christ’s sake. Hadn’t we been through enough? (somehow I believed that since Cameron had been taken from us too soon, Chris and I were I exempt from having to endure any further heartache in life).

I finally pulled it together enough to call The Breast Center and make an appointment with the surgeon.  They were understanding and set up an appointment for me right after our vacation.  I was given strict instructions to try and enjoy myself while away.  Yeah, ok.  I’ll see what I can do.

I’m sorry doc…… Can you repeat that????

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On August 21st I went to AAMC Breast Center in Annapolis to have them check out the lump I found in my right breast. After a mammogram and ultrasound the radiologist was pretty convinced the mass was a Fibroadenoma. But decided just to be sure they wanted a biopsy. So the next day I had the core needle biopsy done. This radiologist said the same thing. Looks like fibroadenoma. Results would be back in about 48 hours. So on Friday, as usual,I did my running around of errands. Prepping for our vacation to Ocean City, MD. On my way back from the post office I realized I had a missed call from the hospital. Finally! Now I can relax and enjoy my vacation! I called the doctor back and he said “Hi Amber. I’m really sorry. I wish I had better news for you. The pathology report shows it is in fact CANCER.”

I’m sorry doctor……can you repeat that?

Hello world!

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Welcome to my blog! My name is Amber Blose (formerly Amber Hart). I’ve lived in Maryland my whole life, graduating from Queen Anne’s County High School in 1998.

In my early 20’s I moved to the Annapolis area. While working at a downtown bar I met my future husband Chris. After 8 years of growing and learning much about ourselves, we finally tied the knot in February 2011. We were also expecting our first child together. The honeymoon phase was cut short when two months later we unexpectedly lost our son. He was born premature at only 24 1/2 weeks.

16 months later we are doing better and actually looking forward to trying again for a family. That was until I went to the doctor after I found a lump in my right breast.

The following is my personal story with breast cancer. No sugar coating will be found. That’s just not my style.

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