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About Me
chelee
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About Me
I'm married and have two step-kids which are grown and out on their own. Life was going pretty good till one day it was turned upside down when I was diagnoised with a very aggressive breast cancer. It was stage IIIA, Her/Neu, 3+++, 5 of 16 positive nodes. Went through 3 surgeries, chemo and a year or Herceptin. I'm now 3 yrs out from my diagnosis and NED. (No evidence of diease) Knock on wood. While going thur cancer treatment my Mother/best friend in this entire world was DX with advanced lung cancer. It was a nightmare...she has passed away. The last 3 yrs have been very difficult for me but I keep moving forward. One thing cancer does is it "cleans house". Meaning you find out who your friends are real fast. I joined this board in hopes I can help others that are newly dx with breast cancer. And hopefully I can learn much from them. :)
I'm married and have two step-kids which are grown and out on their own. Life was going pretty good till one day it was turned upside down when I was diagnoised with a very aggressive breast cancer. It was stage IIIA, Her/Neu, 3+++, 5 of 16 positive nodes. Went through 3 surgeries, chemo and a year or Herceptin. I'm now 3 yrs out from my diagnosis and NED. (No evidence of diease) Knock on wood. While going thur cancer treatment my Mother/best friend in this entire world was DX with advanced lung
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Hugbook
Hug
Just read your recent post. I am sorry for all that you've been through. Thanks for taking the time responding to my post. Jen
Moment of Peace
Chelee,
I was recently diagnosed with HER 3+ invasive aggressive breast cancer. I am scheduled in three days for a double mastectomy with sentinal node biopsy prior. Only one breast is affected but the second one is being taken as a precaution. I can not have reconstructive surgery for at least a year because I am premenopausal and have to have chemo and Herceptin as well. I am BRCA 1 and 2 negative, so the doctor said we might not have to do the hysterectomy. I am 40 years old and beyond childbearing but still scared to death. Any insights you could share would be extremely helpful. Thanks.
Prayer
I have been thinking about you a lot lately. Please keep in touch.
I’m With You
Breathe deeply and listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk_...
Flower
just wanted to take the time to thank you for the time you took to respond to my post - it was very helpful - I have a problem with opening up about things, I deal with my heath problems alot better than I do with my mom being sick - thanks for your help - hope you have a great day
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Support Groups
Close Breast Cancer
Stage: IIIA (T3 N1)Beadawn, I'm new here so I hope I'm doing this right. I don't know of any store that deals with this issue you mentioned. Wish I did as I know many women have problems finding clothes that fit right as you mentioned. But I did want you do know I ENDED up getting what they call a "weighted" prothesis. They feel pretty real and are soft to the skin and since their weighted...they STAY in place. Their really nice if you have to wear one. They DON'T ride up. Maybe that would work for you?
Treatments
- Chemotherapy Working / Worked
- I did TCH. Which was taxotere, carbpotin, & herceptin. Worse side affects where low white counts, severe aches and pains all over. Felt terrible and found it very difficult to do much. Lost 35 lbs because I couldn't eat.
- Femara Considering
- Oncologist wants me on an AI but my doctors don't know why I still have too much estrogen running around even after ovaries were removed. So I've been on and off femara.
- Herceptin Working / Worked
- I did a yr of "weekly" herceptin and the side effects weren't bad. Herceptin was a cake walk after chemo. But I did have constant sinus problems, running nose and headaches. The first two days after my herceptin infusion I felt a bit tired but other then that it wasn't bad.
- Mastectomy Working / Worked
- I had a modified radical mastectomy on breast cancer side and a prophylactic mastectomy on the other since I had such an aggressive cancer and positive nodes.
- Reconstructive Surgery Considering
- This is a subject that really upsets me. I was so shook up when diagnoised that reconstruction never crossed my mind and NOT one of my doctors even brought it up to me. My surgeon SHOULD have told me about it before my first mastectomy. Rather I wanted it or not it SHOULD of been offered to me. That was my choice to make...not theirs.
- Surgery Working / Worked
- I had a MRM on breast cancer side and 5 positive lymph nodes removed. That was over 2 yrs ago so I will assume it worked.
- Taxotere Working / Worked
- Taxotere was pretty rough but I got through it. Low white counts and ended up in hospital. But that was my oncologist fault! Had alot of aches and pains while on it and was extremly tired all the time. It was hard to do much. Did not want to eat, food tasted awful. Got a few black finger and toenails and eventually fell off. Sore mouth at times, & headaches.
Close Bereavement
Type: Loss of a ParentMy Mother passed away last yr in August 2007 to lung cancer. She found a hard battle and went through so much. I can't even begin to explain how close my Mother & I were. When I lost her that day, nothing has been the same. I'm lost without her. I miss her so much it hurts.
Treatments
- Crying Somewhat Helpful
- I've always believed it's good to cry and let out those feelings. Holding things in will literally kill you. So yes, crying helps but it will never get rid of the pain I feel from the death of my Dearest Mother/best friend.
- Getting Angry Not Working
- I got angry but I really don't think it helped? Maybe a little because it releases your feelings. Holding feelings in will kill you.
- Grief Counseling Considering
- Did not do this but wish I had...I would highly suggest this to everyone. I had too much going on with my own health issues that I just could not fit it in with all my doctor appts at that time. But I am considering it even now at this late date.
- Helping Others Somewhat Helpful
- I do think this helps. For one I've always helped others if I can. It keeps you busy and gives you less time to sit and dwell on your loss.
- Keeping Busy Working / Worked
- Keeping busy does help but I feel this can also be one of the WORSE things you can do when you lose someone close to you. I kind of went into a denial by staying busy. You stay so busy that you TRY not to think of it. But this is NO WAY to DEAL with the loss of someone you love. So I really would NOT suggest it. JMHO It's been a touch over a yr since my Mother passed and I'm dealing with MORE pain now then I was when she died. So staying busy can be bad...just DEAL with the pain right away.
- Music Somewhat Helpful
- Music always helps in most all situations I've been in...even the death of someone. Although certain songs we shared can bring up alot of emotions...which equals lots of tears.
- Pets Considering
- Pets always help in ALL situations in my opinion. Animals give you so much love. They are always there for you and they are GOOD listeners. :) Thank God for animals...I can't imagine life without them in my household.
- Prayer Working / Worked
- Prayer ALWAYS works...higly recommend it.
- Psychotherapy Considering
- I've been thinking of doing this for a long time. I really need someone to talk to since i have no one that cares about my loss. I feel SO ALONE.
- Reading Not Working
- It helps in the sense that it takes your mind off the loss of your loved one for a few minutes. But it sure isn't the most affective thing you can do.
- Remembering Somewhat Helpful
- I do believe this is helpful. I try to focus on all the good memories...which I have alot of them. Plus remembering is a good way to DEAL with your loss...its not good to tuck it all away and try not to think about it. So hold your memories close. :)
- Support from Friends & Family Not Working
- I don't have alot of family anymore...and the ones I do have won't talk about it nor do they seem to care. I've had to deal with the death of my Mother/best friend since the day she passed away which has been over a yr now. My husband doesn't want to hear it nor does anyone else. I feel like I'm the only one that cared about my Mom. But IF you do have friends & family there is NO doubt in my mind it would be of GREAT help to you.
- Support Groups Considering
- I wish I had tried a support group. But I was going through my own treatment for cancer at the time with too many appts with doctors, scans, lab work and you name it. I just couldn't even think about ANOTHER appt with a support group. But since I had NO ONE to talk to here at home that cared...that would of been a blessing...I just know it. Having people that can relate and understand is worth a million bucks.
- Talking Not Working
- I only picked "Not working" statue because NO ONE will listen to be or will talk about it. But TALKING ALWAYS helps in all situations. That is probably one of the MOST important things you can do.
- Time Too Soon to Tell
- Its been 1 yr & 4 months since my Mother passed away and I will be honest...the pain seems to get worse for me. Time has NOT helped me at all. :( I hear time heals all wounds...its not working for me.
