023- Cancer picked the wrong girl A-G-A-I-N!

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PSA coming-- see below....

So yeah, I have cancer again. It's not breast cancer, though. However it WAS caused by the radiation treatment I received for breast cancer in 2018. Its called Radiation-induced sarcoma (RIS). Apparently it's a very rare form of cancer that has a very tiny chance of occurring in radiation patients. And it usually happens 3-5 years after radiation, if it's going to happen. August 8 would've been my 5-year cancer-free anniversary. Would I still get radiation or recommend other breast cancer patients get it? Yes! If the oncology doctors told me this would be a potential side effect or possibility, I probably wouldn't remember it now anyway. There's a lot of that time in my life that I honestly don't remember. I'm glad I have my previous blog, Sarah Squishes BC, as a journal of sorts.

There is one thing I would do differently, though. If I would've know this was a potential possibility, I would've kept a better eye on the part of my body that was radiated.

Where the lump is now has been tender to the touch for a long time. It had a "thickening" of the skin, I guess you'd call it. But we all just thought it was scar tissue from the surgery and uneven skin from radiation. I don't blame the doctors and wouldn't change anything about my breast cancer treatment. I had amazing doctors and medical providers throughout 2018-2019 when I went through chemo, surgery, and radiation.

What will my treatment plan be? I will tell you what I know at this point. I had a CT scan and the cancer has not spread which is awesome news! We think its considered to be Stage 1. I've been referred to UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. The first (and hopefully only) part of treatment will be surgery. This will include removing the tumor with wide margins to make sure they get it all. They might have to remove part or all of the breast, a rib or two, some muscle, and skin. Then they will do reconstruction to put me all back together. We are hoping surgery happens in the next couple weeks. I shouldn't have to do chemo, but we won't know that for sure until after surgery. It all depends on the actual size of the tumor.

This has all happened in less than a week and let me tell ya, it's been a whirlwind! Everyone has been so amazing offering support and prayers. I appreciate it more than you know. My husband, kids, bestie, sister, and parents have been so awesome making sure I am doing okay as we all deal with the roller coaster of emotions that a cancer diagnosis brings.

Here comes the PSA part...

PLEASE if you've had radiation treatment or know someone that has, please forward this to them. I don't think most people know that this is a possibility; I sure didn't. I want everyone I know (and everyone they know) to be aware of this risk factor and take preventative steps to keep this from happening, or at least catch it as early as possible. Radiation is a very important part of cancer treatment for a lot of patients- I wouldn't advise anyone to skip this. Keep an eye on your body parts that have been radiated and report anything strange to your doctor. And always advocate for yourself and your body.

I don't plan to make this an "all about my cancer" blog. I will probably post a few updates, but I want to keep writing about other things that I find interesting or things I want to share with others. That being said, I have one last thing to say about cancer. Fuck you cancer... you picked the wrong girl AGAIN. I am going to make myself proud and kick ass!

Photos by the amazing Jen Rozenbaum.