Deadly Breast Cancers Are Rising In Younger Women, Sadly Too Late For Many

At a time when the USA is making progress overall against cancer, a new study suggests a worrisome rise in the number of young women diagnosed with advanced, incurable breast cancer.

The number of American women ages 25 to 39 diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer - which has already spread to other organs by the time it's found - rose about 3.6% a year from 2000 to 2009, according to a study in today's Journal of the American Medical Association.
 Read more:  http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/usatoday/article/1949157

This is very scary!  I think women at any age need to start getting mammograms to prevent premature deaths which can be prevented.  Do you think cancer hurts?  I always thought it did, I was wrong! Cancer is a silent killer which can metastasize (spread) quickly!  In a months time, my tumor has doubled in size and it has metastasized into my lymph nodes.  I beg of you, no matter what your age, get a mammogram ASAP!  It can also be a baseline for them to compare in later years of your tests.  

Traci Watkins Medical Expense Fund

Tom and Traci Watkins have devoted their lives to helping families who face unknown fears when dealing with paranormal experiences. They go above and beyond when they are called upon for help. They ask for nothing in return for their expertise and the services they provide. All they receive is the satisfaction that they can help people in need to understand what they are facing and maybe gain a few good nights of sleep.

On September 23, 2013 Traci was diagnosed with breast cancer. She now faces a scary journey herself battling Stage 1, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, on October 23, 2013 her cancer was upgraded to Stage 3B, which means it has metastasized to her lymph nodes. Traci is a strong and fearless wife and mother of four children. Her work is never done but still smiles through it all. Her family stands behind her as she begins her battle.

The sad fact of the matter is that cancer is expensive. It only adds insult to injury. This family who asks for nothing now needs help to get through this difficult process. There are costs incurred that health insurance just does not cover. These costs include certain tests and treatment co-pays, nutritional and supplemental and transportation costs. One genetic test alone costs close to $4,000. Even though Tom and Traci are proud members of the hard working class, costs like this can break a family.

When Breast Cancer Spreads & Staging

I was originally given the diagnosis on Sept 23, 2013 with STAGE 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.  Here is the pathology report:

One month later, after multiple tests, my cancer is much worse than we thought. This past week I was told by Dr. Gillott at my follow-up post Sentinel Node Biopsy surgery appointment on 10/24/13, I NOW have been upgraded to STAGE 3B (IIIB). 

I have copied some information I found online about the stages of breast cancer so you can understand how its rated according to size of tumor and metastasis.  I will be posting more information this week regarding all the tests I had to take over the past month in order for the oncology team of doctors to create a game plan to get me healthy again.  I am so blessed to have such loving friends and family, thank you sooo much!

"Cancers are staged according to how advanced they are and how much they've spread. Here are the progressive stages of breast cancer, and how they specify breast cancer spread:

• Stage 0. This is the earliest stage of breast cancer, when the cancer cells have formed a tiny tumor that is not invading any neighboring breast tissue. This is referred to as non-invasive breast cancer.
• Stage I. This is considered invasive breast cancer, in which the cancer cells have formed a small tumor up to 2 centimeters (cm) in size, and finger-like projections of tumor cells have reached out into the normal breast tissues surrounding the tumor.
• Stage II. This stage is used to characterize one of these situations:
  • The tumor is 2 cm in size or less, and breast cancer cells have spread to the nearby axillary (armpit area) lymph nodes
  • The tumor is between 2 and 5 cm in size without spread to axillary lymph nodes.
  • The tumor is between 2 and 5 cm in size and breast cancer cells have spread to the axillary lymph nodes
  • The tumor is more than 5 cm in size, but has not spread to the lymph nodes.
• Stage IIIA. The tumor may be under or over 5 cm, and breast cancer cells are in the nearby lymph nodes, which are either are matted together or sticking to adjacent body structures.
• Stage IIIB. The breast cancer cells have metastasized and affect the wall of the chest and may also reach the skin that covers the breast; or they may have spread into other, non-axillary lymph nodes in the chest area.
• Stage IIIC. The breast cancer has metastasized to the lymph nodes around the collarbone and breastbone, as well as to the axillary lymph nodes. A tumor may not even be found in the breast, but breast cancer cells are found in these lymph node areas.
• Stage IV. This is very advanced breast cancer in which the cells are found in other major organs, like the brain, lungs, bones, or liver.

The more breast cancer has spread and the more places in the body that it affects, the more advanced the cancer is, the more difficult treatment becomes, and the poorer the prognosis."
Original Article Source

The Journey Begins...

Hello Friends! Welcome to my cancer journey blog!! I decided to document my journey, if this helps save at least ONE LIFE, its worth it!       ~Traci Watkins

Here is a little information about me and what is currently happening in my life:

"On Sept 23, 2013 Traci Watkins, 44 yr old wife and mother of 4 beautiful children, grandmother to a 2 year old, was originally diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. After further testing, one month after original diagnosis, it was discovered on October 22, 2013 this unusually aggressive cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and diagnosis was upgraded to Stage IIIb (3B).

Game Plan: 20 weekly chemotherapy treatments commence November 1, 2013. In 3 months, surgery will follow with continued chemo & radiation treatments along with more tests to see if tumor is reducing in size.

Blessed with the grace of God and a caring support system, she has blessed us by documenting her journey through the toughest fight for her life!"

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