To bring everyone up to speed

January 23, 2023

In about September of last year, I felt a lump on the side of my right breast. I figured it was just a cyst but had my naturopath take a look. She was pretty confident that, due to its pliability, that it was most likely benign. She still wanted me to have a mammogram. It had been 5 years, so definitely it was time.

The mammogram included an ultrasound. Three suspected tumors were found. Two on the right, one on the left. The radiologist described to me that a cancerous tumor has blurred edges or that it looks like an exploded star. He then showed me what mine looked like. The one on the left sure looked like an exploded star! That was the first clue that cancer might be more than just my star sign. I felt confident that the other two lumps on the right breast were just cysts.

Nope. After the biopsies, it turns out that they were all cancerous. The interesting and complicated part is that the tumor in the left breast is different from the tumors in the right breast. As I understand it, breast cancers can be fed by the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and the protein called HER2. The left one is fed by estrogen and progesterone. The right is considered triple negative, none of those substances feed it. All of the tumors are invasive ductal carcinomas.

Right now we are focused on the right side because it’s growing fast and is in the lymph nodes. I believe this is why it’s considered a stage 3 cancer.

For the past couple weeks Matt and I have been ferrying across the way, mostly to Everett, to meet with the surgeon, radiology oncologist, and the oncologist, then for a breast MRI (they want to biopsy another area), a bone scan (all good), a CT scan (all good), and a brain MRI (all good again!). So far I feel confident in my doctors and with all the staff who have conducted all the scans.

This Friday we meet with my oncologist and on Monday, February 6, I get a port for chemotherapy. Welcome to port D’Arcy? My oncologist is happy that I get to benefit from a successful clinical trial that ended just last year. It includes immunotherapy along with chemotherapy as treatment.

Today was the first time I felt part of the cancer club. The MRI technician, who has had cancer three times, wished me well on my journey. It is a journey and I realize that it’s a shared journey. Thank you to everyone who has supported and wished the best for my health and healing. 🥰

D’Arcy

16 Comments

  1. Noel on January 23, 2023 at 11:25 pm

    Hi D’Arcy, Thinking of you and holding you in the Light.
    Surrounding you with good healing Qi, and also working to contain the cancer growth.
    Please let me know when the first round of chemo/immuno therapy starts so I can infuse some other good energy into the mix.

    • D'Arcy on January 23, 2023 at 11:51 pm

      Thank you so much Noël! I will let you know when the chemo and immunotherapy begins. I think it will be once a week.

  2. Carmen on January 24, 2023 at 6:11 am

    Dear one. Thank you for opening your heartmind to all of us. Giving us the opportunity to support you and love you up to the max! I will be checking in weekly with this site. (I may cheat a little and check more often because I’m just plain nosey). Sounds like a stellar medical team supporting you also. Go Team D’Arcy. XOXO

    • D'Arcy on January 24, 2023 at 9:14 pm

      Of course, Carmen! Cheat away 🙂

  3. Barbara Baker on January 24, 2023 at 6:34 am

    Hi D’Arcy

    We are praying for you. We love you. Love and blessings of healing always, Barbara Baker

    • D'Arcy on January 24, 2023 at 9:15 pm

      Thank you dear Barbara!

  4. Rose on January 24, 2023 at 11:02 am

    I am so glad you are doing this site as this will be much easier for you to keep all those that love you and care about you up dated. You are going on a new journey but just know we will be there with you. Hugs and prayers. XOXO

    • D'Arcy on January 24, 2023 at 9:16 pm

      Thank you so much Rose! I’m scooping up the hugs and prayers right now 🙂

  5. LaRae Hickman on January 26, 2023 at 6:38 pm

    Darcy, you don’t know me. I am an old friend of your mother-in-law and Matt. We attended the same church way back in Troutdale, OR.
    Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I will surely pray for you and Matt as you go through all that is ahead. Our God is the great physician and we can appeal to Him.

    LaRae Hickman

    • D'Arcy on January 26, 2023 at 10:53 pm

      Thank you, LaRae.

  6. Peggy Riley on January 28, 2023 at 10:04 am

    What a wonderful picture of you and Matt!
    Sooo Many fond wonderful memories of Matt and his family at Troutdale Baptist Church. I am praying for you and Matt.

    Much love.
    Peggy and David Riley

    • D'Arcy on January 28, 2023 at 12:53 pm

      Thank you, Peggy and David! Matt was able to take that photo with his phone. 🙂

  7. Alan and Lois Lynch on January 28, 2023 at 10:41 am

    Dear D’Arcy sending you Love and Prayers and the brightest of good thoughts. We have always thought of you as and Angel so the Angles can find it easy to work with you now.

    The person that you are D’Arcy, the kindness, the radiance, your depth of understanding brings so much good to you.
    You are a treasure to us D’Arcy and may the wings of love wrap around you now.

    • D'Arcy on January 28, 2023 at 1:22 pm

      My Dear Alan and Lois! Thank you so much for your kind hearts and words. Both of you are treasures tucked into my heart. Love, D’Arcy

  8. Minh on February 13, 2023 at 6:21 pm

    I have been thinking of you🙏🙏🙏 I’m looking forward to your good news and see you again soon. Sending positive energy to you and Matt!!!

    • D'Arcy on February 13, 2023 at 7:45 pm

      Hi Minh, Positive energy accepted! 🌟 😃