yuyueno

Maryiz,

Good News!  It is great to hear about IBC survivors.  I feel like my life has just stopped after diagnosis. Everything is on hold.  I am hoping that I can aslo move on with my life after treatment. 

Hi, everyone.  Just wanted to update.  Current Chemo combo (Taxotere, Caborplatin, and Herceptin) has not been as effective as expected.  My breast mass continues to grow despite chemo treatment every three week.  So I am starting new regimen with weekly Taxol and Herceptin for 6 weeks followed by 4 rounds of 5FU, Epirubicin, Cytoxin, and Herceptin.  Not looking forward to it, but I gotta do everything to beat this nasty cancer...

Lovemymum, I'm glad chemo has been effective, and it must be a good feeling that she is almost done.  She can do it, she can  beat this!

Elizabeth, I know how frustrating and sad it is that so many people, including health care professionals, are not aware of IBC!  It is rare but 1-5% of Breast Cancer are IBC and because of aggressive nature of this type of cancer, at least doctors and nurses should be more aware of the symptoms. 

Yuyu

Joyce,

I'm sorry to hear that your mom has been diagnosed with IBC.  I have been on chemo since first week of September.  I am doing TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin) every three weeks for 6 rounds.  I am done with two, and four more to go.  I was planning to continue working full-time during chemo, but I finally had to stop working last week due to severity of side effects I get right after chemo.  I usually get very very tired for 5-6 days after chemo.  I also get little bit of everything (nausea, diarhea, headache, etc).  As Bette was saying, I have terrible mouth sore/weird taste, too!  Oh, I also get bad joint pain after a shot of Neulasta a day after chemo.  My hair loss, by the way, started exactly on Day 14 after my first chemo. I hope these infor are somewhat helpful for you.  Update us on you mom's treatment plan and progress.

codylynn,

I was also dismissed by a doctor first.  It did not really show up in my mamo or ultrasound.  The doc kept telling me it is a mastitis and I am "too young" to have a cancer.  It took three months from first been seen by a doctor to finally being diagnosed.  And, in these three months, my breast mass grew three times in size!  I wish more doctors are educated and informed about IBC.

Juli, love the new pic & hair cut!  Did you do it yourself or have someone do it for you?  I get terrible joint pain after Neulasta shot.  I heard taking claritin beforehand can help a bit.  I take claritin daily now and it did help with pain somewhat this time.   

Hi, everyone.  I had my second chemo on Friday, and boy, I am having a hard time.  Nausea, diahrea, bone pain, fatigue....  Worse than the 1 st one...  I am also having hot flashes that interfere with my sleep, and I am only 34!  Doctor told me that estrogen has stopped producing so I am having manapousal symptoms.  Great!  I am bald, sick, and menapausal! 

Juli, I am from San Fernando Valley.  We are neighbors!

Yuyu

Hi, Everyone.  I have not been here for a few days, and wow, a lot is going on and I can't keep up with everyone's posts!

Singapore Chris, I love your new pic!  Cotton caps sound really good.  I myself take off my wig as soon as I get home!  It gets really hot and itchy when you're wearing it all day.  Boy, it was 103 degree here where I live, and I couldn't wait to go home and take it off!  I too scare my neighbors with my head since I often forget I am bald!  BTW, my hair is 85% gone, they fell out in matter of a few days!  Hair loss started exactly on Day 14, and today is Day 22 majority of hair is gone, wow!

Wink, Thank you for checking in with me re: my 2nd TCH chemo.  I am actually going in this morning.  I am not thrilled about it, but I gotta do what I gotta do!  I will update you on how it went.

Singapore Chris,

I will feel the same way!  If anybody says anything about my hair, I know I will feel strange about going on a conversation pretending this is my hair, then I of course hate to be honest and let them know it's a wig!  Something to prepare for!  Thanks!

Yuyu

Guess what?  My hair started to fall out in clumps this afternoon.  I can't believe how suddenly this is happening. I thought this was a little more gradual process, but it is falling out like crazy.  I am actually freaking out...  I guess I have to get a buz cut this weekend.

Hi, Priane

I experienced the similar way through Day 3 to Day 6 after my first chemo.  When did you have your first chemo?  I was sick with everything from headache, digestive problems, nausea, to feverish and flu like feeling, etc.  I started to feel much better on Day 8 and today is Day 13 I feel almost normal self.  I had a terrible diaahrea up til Day 11.  I will have my chemo #2 on 09/26.  I am dreading to go through the same hell all over again... I hope you will feel better soon.

klfh,

I am glad your chemo went okay today.  It sounds like you are on same drugs/schedule.  I am on TCH with 5 more to go!  Hope you are getting plenty of rest tonite.

Regarding hair topic:

I am so nervous about losing my hair, I sometimes wonder if it's better for me to shave it now.  I live alone and don't have anyone who can be "on call" to come and shave it for me.  I hate to wake up one day to get ready for work and have bald spots everywhere on my head!  Also, how do you feel about showing your bald head to significant others?  I am already nervous if my boyfriend will be able to accept and still find me attractive.  He kept telling me not to worry about it, but it does make me feel nervous and worry...