Timeline

  • August 21. Routine mammogram.
  • September 9. A second mammogram and an ultrasound.
  • September 16. Biopsy at KU.
  • September 17. Diagnosis.
  • October 2. Met the oncologist.
  • October 6. Met the surgeon.
  • October 7. MRI.
  • October 15. More biopsies.
  • Ahead
  • December 3. Surgery.
  • The 4 weeks after. Rest and recovery at home.
  • December 20. Our kids are home for the holidays.
  • January. Back to the classroom.

What's next

Surgery is set for December 3: a lumpectomy, followed by about a week of radiation.

We're not currently planning on chemotherapy, but we won't know for sure until the full pathology comes back after surgery. We'll update this page as soon as we know.

Once surgery makes her cancer-free, the long-term plan centers on hormone therapy. Rachel will be back in the classroom in January.

The details, for those who want them →

The details

For those who want the specifics.

Diagnosis
Invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common type of breast cancer. Grade 1, meaning slow-growing. About 1 cm, in the left breast. Found on a routine mammogram.
Lymph nodes
No abnormal nodes on imaging.
What drives it
Estrogen and progesterone. The cancer is strongly positive for both hormone receptors, which is why hormone therapy is the main long-term treatment. It is HER2 negative, and its growth rate (Ki-67) is low, about 5 percent, meaning slow-growing.
Genetics
Genetic testing came back negative. This is not an inherited cancer.
Surgery
A lumpectomy on December 3 at KU. The surgeon will also remove two nearby spots as a precaution.
Radiation
About one week of radiation, once she has recovered and healed from surgery.
Chemotherapy
Not planned right now. The final pathology after surgery will tell us for sure.
Long term
Hormone therapy, usually a daily pill for 5 to 10 years. It blocks or lowers estrogen to keep the cancer from coming back.
Care team
The University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Kelsey Larson, breast surgeon. Dr. Yiduo Hu, medical oncologist.

You found the Easter egg

Nothing serious lives here. This is the fun page, a way to keep things light.

So, a game. Leave your name and your top three Corbin Bronze sculptures for Rachel and Roper's back yard. Come spring, when all this is behind us and we're ready to finish the landscaping, we'll see who had the best eye. No wrong answers, no prizes, just bragging rights.

Browse the collection below. Tap a sculpture to open it at Corbin Bronze, or hit the + to put it in your picks.

CopperCopperOver the MoonOver the MoonGirl on Trapeze IIIGirl on Trapeze IIIGirl on Trapeze IVGirl on Trapeze IVDancer Pose IDancer Pose ITwistTwistTree Pose ITree Pose ICrescentCrescentSeated Figure IVSeated Figure IVSeated Figure VSeated Figure VSeated Figure VISeated Figure VIGood BoyGood BoyDownward DogDownward DogBook FigureBook FigureOliviaOliviaHorse Study #5Horse Study #5Nude DescendingNude DescendingDiva VIDiva VIDiva VDiva VAurora IXAurora IXThe Conversation IIThe Conversation IIThe Tipping PointThe Tipping PointStanding Man IVStanding Man IVAvion IIIAvion IIIStanding Woman IVStanding Woman IVMan on Diving Board IIMan on Diving Board IIJoie de VivreJoie de VivreHorse and Rider IIIHorse and Rider IIIHorse Study #4Horse Study #4Seated Figure ISeated Figure ICapricornCapricornArbre StudyArbre StudyHigh DiveHigh DiveFemale Walking IIFemale Walking IIAurora VIIIAurora VIIIBoomerang IIIBoomerang IIIBoomerang IIBoomerang IIBoomerang IBoomerang IPassage TotemPassage TotemColumn 88Column 88The Deep EndThe Deep EndAurora VIIAurora VIIGirl with Apple II TallGirl with Apple II TallFemale Walking StudyFemale Walking StudyAurora StudyAurora StudyWoman in Gown TallWoman in Gown TallBodie StandingBodie StandingBodie SeatedBodie SeatedGirl on CanoeGirl on CanoeNovaNovaKairosKairosChronosChronosColumn 89Column 89Pear as a Figure TallPear as a Figure TallColumn 84Column 84Column 82Column 82Seated FemaleSeated FemaleReclining Nude IIReclining Nude IIBouvierBouvierColumn 94Column 94Standing Woman IIIStanding Woman IIIStanding Man IIIStanding Man IIIBull BustBull BustGirl on Trapeze IIGirl on Trapeze IISkyward StudySkyward StudySkywardSkywardAvion IIAvion IIBuddyBuddyColumn 85Column 85Column 80Column 80HelenaHelenaSeated Figure Study IIISeated Figure Study IIISeated Figure Study IISeated Figure Study IISeated Figure Study ISeated Figure Study IJacquelineJacquelineCounterbalanceCounterbalanceFemale Reveal IIFemale Reveal IIBallerina IBallerina IDiva IVDiva IVDance Moderne VIDance Moderne VIGirl with Pear StudyGirl with Pear StudyBallerina IIBallerina IIDance Moderne VDance Moderne VFemale Reveal IIFemale Reveal IIMale Reveal IIMale Reveal IIMale Reveal IIMale Reveal IIJacqueline StudyJacqueline StudyDance Moderne IVDance Moderne IVHorse and Rider IIHorse and Rider IIBronze BunneeBronze BunneeTall Female TorsoTall Female TorsoFemale WalkingFemale WalkingRoxyRoxyMan on Diving BoardMan on Diving BoardWoman’s RitesWoman’s RitesElliElliWoman StretchingWoman StretchingThe TrudyThe TrudySashaSashaRoxy IIRoxy IIRoman FootRoman FootReaching TorsoReaching TorsoMannequin IIMannequin IIMannequin IMannequin IHiero-WomanHiero-WomanHiero-ManHiero-ManGirl on SwingGirl on SwingGirl in HeelsGirl in HeelsLeopardLeopardLeopardLeopardLeopardLeopardLionLionSteerSteerTurtleTurtleFrogFrogGirl in BikiniGirl in BikiniCalfCalfHorseHorseBearBearWoman LeaningWoman LeaningModestModestGirl with PurseGirl with PurseGirl WaitingGirl WaitingDancer’s BustDancer’s BustDancerDancerCover UpCover UpCome HitherCome HitherBride and GroomBride and GroomWoman StudyWoman StudyWoman in GownWoman in GownVenusVenusTorso with AppleTorso with AppleThe ConversationThe ConversationSunbather with HatSunbather with HatMarsMarsMan StudyMan StudyLuna IIILuna IIILittle Black DressLittle Black DressJe SuisJe SuisJazz IIJazz IIJazz IJazz IGood KittyGood KittyGirl with SunflowerGirl with SunflowerGirl on RaftGirl on RaftGabrielleGabrielleCatherineCatherineBikini BunneeBikini BunneeAdamAdamWoman Walking TallWoman Walking TallWoman IWoman IThaliaThaliaStanding Woman IIStanding Woman IIStanding Man IIStanding Man IISarah with CupcakeSarah with CupcakeRenaissance ManRenaissance ManRenaissance WomanRenaissance WomanMan in ReposeMan in ReposeMan IMan IEvolutionEvolutionLyricLyricLuna IILuna IIHand on Hip TallHand on Hip TallMale RevealMale RevealAmelieAmelieArms OverheadArms OverheadWoman with ChildWoman with ChildGirl with LawnmowerGirl with LawnmowerEmmaEmmaBronze BunneeBronze BunneeSpringSpring

Where things stand

We're optimistic. Every doctor we've seen has been positive about the prognosis and about how treatable this cancer is, and we expect a full recovery.

Getting through surgery is the number one priority. Number two is supporting Rachel through her first semester at Johns Hopkins in their Doctorate of Education program. She's doing it while maintaining a full-time job as a gifted facilitator in the Shawnee Mission School District. She wants to stay in the classroom as long as she can and get back as soon as she can.

Leave a note

If you'd like to leave a note, send it here. We'll read them all. If we don't respond, know that we appreciate all the kind words and prayers.

How to help

Two doors, both open.

Food after surgery. Laura Pace is organizing meals through Jacob's Well. The sign-up has the dates and the details.

Support a local family. We are well supported. Not everyone is. Rachel and Roper support the Jacob's Well CarePortal team, which meets specific needs for Kansas City families in crisis: a crib, a car repair, a month's rent. The form has no "in honor of" line. Just know Rachel appreciates every gift to the team.

Questions people ask

Where will news go?
Here. We'll update this page instead of sending group texts.
Can we visit?
Text first. Some days will be good for company and some won't.
What can I send?
Your kind words and care. If you want to do more, offer to bring a meal, or fill the need of another family through the Jacob's Well CarePortal.
What about the doctorate?
She plans to keep going. Getting through surgery comes first, then back to the classroom, then the next semester.