The Agwuocha Family: What a Week!

This has been a packed week! I got my MRI results, talked with nutritionists, met with Radiology Oncology, got my port, and decided on what I am going to do with my hair.

First things first. My MRI results. I am just going to copy the summary here for those of you who are interested. Just a side note...the size of my tumors are 2.4 cm at the largest and the others are much smaller. Ok so bare with me. If you are not into all of the technical stuff then scroll right on past this.

IMPRESSION:

1. Locally advanced breast carcinoma in the central right breast with

2 sites of biopsy proven invasive ductal carcinoma at the 5 and 6:00

positions as detailed. There are three additional tumor foci of

anterior to the primary mass in the retroareolar right breast with

abnormal intervening enhancement. The largest anteroposterior distance

between the mass at the 6:00 position and the most anterior tumor

nodule is approximately 4 cm. There is diffuse skin thickening

involving the lower right breast.

2. Abnormal enhancing focus, favoring an internal mammary lymph node,

in the right upper outer quadrant, approximately 11:00 position, that

measures 8 x 4 mm. This could also represent an additional focus of

tumor.

3. At least 2 abnormal left axillary lymph nodes, the largest measures

16 x 8 mm. At least one abnormal internal mammary lymph node that

measures 5 x 11 mm. See discussion.

4. No evidence of malignancy in the left breast.

So all that to say I have possibly some lymph node and internal mammary lymph node involvement. I will have my PET Scan on Monday to confirm these results and determine if there is any more involvement anywhere else. After the PET scan then the stage of my cancer will be 100% confirmed. As of now they are saying I am at Stage 3c. This sounds scary and did put me and my family through some anxiety but I decided to put that aside and just keep my eyes fixed on God. He loves me, He knows me and he will see me through. Period!

Second...I had an appointment with the radiology oncology department. Usually you do not see them until chemo and surgery are completed but my oncologist wanted me to see them because there was a question as to whether or not my skin was involved in the cancer. The outcome of that appointment left them concluding that they do not believe my cancer is in my skin. I'll take that! It was a very encouraging appointment. The two doctors that we saw that day were fantastic! I told them about this blog. I hope they check it out! One other cool thing they told me is that the oncologists have a conference once a week with all of the other oncologist in the network. They said that my case will be discussed in their next conference. I liked that because that means that they will work diligently to provide for me the best care possible! Not one single detail will be missed!

My sweet mom was able to come
to this appointment with me.
She loved my doctors and
felt so relieved after leaving
that I am in good hands!

Today I had my port placed. That, my friends, is quite the dramatic event for a "simple" port. Let me tell you, basically I had surgery today. Never in my life have I had surgery, been sedated, had oxygen going up my nose. I survived and it wasn't really painful, but it is the real deal. Some people tried to warn me that once the port is placed you may have an emotional reaction. I really don't feel bad about it, yet anyway. It is what it is and I'm ok with it.

Port is in!

So that leaves me with my hair. Yes I am supposed to lose my hair. Yes I can do it. Yes I found a wig. Yes their is another option. Yes it may not work. Yes I'm going to try it! I got the go ahead from my team of doctors to try this therapy called cold cap therapy. I will basically be wearing a ice cold cap on my head throughout all of my chemotherapy. This will then freeze my hair follicles during treatment and give me a better chance at not losing all of my hair. Some hair loss is expected but many women who have done this have had great success. I look forward to documenting this journey with all of you and to share the results. I am prepared to lose my hair and do have a wig ready to go, but am wanting to give this a go and see what comes of it. Here is a link to all that goes into cold capping...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBJkRgHrpkw

Finally I want to share with all of you how very grateful I am for all of your love and support. The cards have been coming in, meals have been arriving, sweet visits from old and new friends, beautiful text messages of encouragement, wonderful childcare, house cleaning services, and donations to my fund that so greatly ease the stress of all of this. I love reading all of the little notes that you all are leaving me in the fundraiser. I read all of them and feel so loved by you. God has been revealing His GRACE to me!

My aunt and uncle sent
me this great book
on healthy ways to
eat and fight the cancer!

And they even put a dollar in
every crease of the book! So fun!

Next week Monday I get my PET Scan and then Wednesday I start Chemo. Prayers are appreciated and please keep the cards and texts or emails coming! They really do help me along the way!

My address is: 3979 Brandon Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

If you would like to help me with my medical costs you can follow along at https://www.youcaring.com/barnabas-and-amanda-agwuocha-602767/update/504850

This is also shown on the upper right hand corner of my blog at all times.

One more final thing... I want to wish my sweet baby boy Toben Joseph a sweet, sweet happy first birthday. He will be one on Sunday! What a sweet little boy he is!