Chronic Lymphoma Leukemia (the second cancer)

I was told my whole adult life I had dense breasts. I really didn’t have a chest before kids. I breastfed both my kids. At 37 years old, I saw a doctor who diagnosed me with fibrocystic breast disease (FBD). Whatever breast tissue I had was dense. I felt like it was my fault.

The Mammogram That Changed Everything

Fast forward to 55 years old, I went for an annual mammogram and was told I had breast cancer. I had a biopsy done by a guy with no clue. They used an ultrasound to locate a cyst (he had 22 to pick from), and he was upset I kept flinching. He should have numbed me up better. The biopsy came back with no cancer. I was upset the male doctor, who had no clue what he was doing, biopsied the wrong cyst. He left a marker.

After three weeks of being totally hostile, I made an appointment with my general surgeon. Her annoying front office staff asked what the results of the biopsy were. I stated, “negative.” They proceeded to ask me why I was there. I stated I needed to see the doctor. In front of the doctor, I let my emotions out. The biopsy doctor missed, but he left a marker. She broke out her ultrasound. She found his marker yet kept going. The surgeon found the cancerous lump. She conducted a biopsy with an 18-gauge needle, and it didn’t hurt. I left vindicated but upset that there are people who do their jobs poorly: the admin team for the first doctor and the other guy who did the first biopsy.

Finding the Right Surgeon: A Turning Point

From this point, the admin folks changed their attitude and scheduled me for lumpectomy surgery. In May of 2017, I started radiotherapy. Twenty-eight rounds and two months later, I got to ring the bell.

I was put on Anastrozole, and 7.5 years later, the team found enlarged lymph nodes. I was assigned a hematologist-oncologist and started the watch-and-wait program. I monitored my bloodwork as it was processed. I didn’t understand why you had to watch and wait!

Enlarged Lymph Nodes and Treatment

In May 2024, my white blood cell count was very high. I think you are supposed to be in the 4.0-11.0 range. I was 15.9. I sent a note to my hematologist-oncologist and asked him to review the results. He called me. In the 2.5 years he had never called me. He told me to schedule to see him in eight weeks and see what the results are. They could go up or go down. They continued up.

In September 2024, I went on medical leave and started infusions. I am on Obinutuzumab, and next week I start Venetoclax for a year.

I officially retire on December 31, 2024. At 62 years old, I can just bug my husband and see who dies first!