Courtney Parker

Survivor

Wife Mom Daughter Survivor

In July 2017 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast cancer, after being told three months prior it was just changed in the breast tissue from breastfeeding. At this point, my primary tumor was the size of a softball and it was grade 3. When all the tests and scans over the next two weeks came back I had Her2+ in my left breast and we found another tumor in my right breast that was Triple Negative. Throughout the early days, I honestly thought this was a lumpectomy and I could go back to breastfeeding my 13-month-old. It took a while for me to fully understand how large this was for my body. I had chemotherapy first, started with Carboplatin and Taxol, then added Herceptin and Perjeta. When I went in thinking I was starting AC, my oncologist said she was going to do something different because of how different my cancer had been and she kept me on Carboplatin and Taxol. Ended up doing 18 Taxols, 6 Carboplatin, and 18 Herceptin/Perjetas. I had several weeks, 3-4, that I had to skip my treatment because my numbers were so low. When I finally finished the chemotherapy I was able to have my DMX in January 2018. I was able to go straight to implants, which would later cause issues. After about 6 weeks after surgery, I ended up in the hospital for a week due to septic shock. This pushed my radiation start back a week. After 28 radiation treatments, I thought I was done forever. Little did I know that it was only the beginning. Effects from the chemotherapy drugs and additional surgeries due to BRCA status and then follow-up appointments after follow-up appointments occurred. My anxiety and depression got worse and I honestly didn’t know how to handle everyday life. I still don’t know if I have figured it all out, and the doctor appointments and tests and scans continue but I feel like now I am just happy to be here most days. I have seen too many friends have reoccurrences and past away since 2017.