August 2010...anyone starting chemo besides me?!
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Information on radiation -the source is a professional with 16 years public safety experience, hazardous materials specialist, nuclear/biological/chemical emergency specialist, chemistry of hazardous materials instructor, as follows:
Not all radiation is the same. Not all radiation has the same effects. Not all radiation lasts the same length of time. And different kinds of radiation pose completely different degrees and kinds of hazards, as well as benefits.
There is nuclear radiation that can generate electrical power to light our homes and power our computers, or that can be used (like it was in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan during World War II) to kill and injure millions of people.
The sun is a source of radiation. Every day that we are in sunlight we are getting some radiation - a very small amount. In fact, that's what causes us to get a sunburn if we stay out in the sunlight for too long without sunscreen on. Radiation that comes from the sun is called "cosmic radiation".
There is also radiation that comes from the earth - some areas more than others - called "background radiation". Every single one of us gets a very tiny amount of radiation exposure every day from background radiation. And we even have a very tiny amount of radiation that comes from inside us - all of us.
You will get to learn more about radiation in science classes - particularly chemistry and physics classes.
Basically there are 4 types of radiation (but lots and lots of radiation sources): Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and X-Rays. Alpha and Beta are called "particle radiation" because they emit little particles (kind of like dust particles).
Gamma and X-Rays are called "penetrating radiation" because, unlike particle radiation, they travel as invisible beams and can penetrate through objects like buildings, trees, and human bodies. That is why doctors can use X-Rays to see inside our bodies and dentists can see inside our teeth to check for cavities.
X-Rays pass through us, they don't stay inside us. But, even though they don't stay inside us, they still can change us on the inside as they pass through. That's why it's a good idea to not get any more X-Rays than are needed to help doctors diagnose us and treat us.
The chest x-ray is the most commonly performed diagnostic x-ray examination. A radiologist (a doctor specifically trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations) will analyze the images and then send a report to your primary care doctor. Your primary care doctor can give you the results of your X-ray examination and answer questions about it.
X-rays taken to help diagnose what's going on inside us usually produce no side effects, but all radiation - even X-rays - if we get too much all at once or a little bit at a time for a very long time can cause cancer. Cancer is a word that means the tiny cells that make up our bodies get stirred up and get out of control and start growing in ways that they aren't suppose to.
Lot's of things can cause cancer. People who smoke cigarettes are at higher risk for getting lung cancer. People who chew tobacco are at higher risk for oral (mouth) cancer. People who get a lot of sunburns or who are out in the sun all the time are at higher risk for skin cancer. A lot of the chemicals that we use around the house or in industrial processes cause cancer.
So people that have to get more x-rays than other people should try to avoid as many of the other things that are known to cause cancer.
You are to be commended for wanting to learn all you can about everything related to your health. The X-rays that you get are part of what helps your doctor take the very best care of you that he can. I'm sure he (or she) can answer any questions you have about X-rays and all the other aspects of your treatment.&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Your FEARLESS Leader!
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Martina Navratalova was dxd in March or April 2010 with bc. She is on CNN @ 7:30 EST Sunday night to discuss her battle with bc. I thought it might be of interest to some of you. I am curious to hear from, what some would consider to be, one of the most fit, athletic women in the world and what she has to say about this disease. If anyone thought it might be caused by sedentary lifestyle, diet and/or lack of exercise, Martina is living proof that most of those preconceived notions don't hold up.
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And the kind of radiation you receive for cancer is different also - it is a beam directed only at that particular area, which is unlike a CT or whole body scan that exposes the entire body.
In the 1940's and 50's, women who had breast cancer were treated with a radical mastectomy and a series of x-rays to the chest area. At that time, they didn't know how to target it they way they do today with special radiation.
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Sweeney - I had a CT of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest and a bone scan before my node biopsy. I think they ordered it because the oncologist had already told me I would definitely need chemo if there was any lymph node involvement and based on tumor size and pathology from my first surgery, he was fully expecting positive nodes. So maybe the node involvement is what triggers the need for scans.
Lisasinglemom--Good luck during Hell Week! And I second the nomination for this week's cape for you. We all know how much it took for you to show up and stand up for hours at that rehearsal! And unfortunately most of us who keep going every day also know how people seem to forget that you really don't feel well, and don't appreciate the effort that it takes to pretend everything is fine.
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I vote the the cape for Lisa too!!
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Yeah once it's in the lymphatic system, it's "outta the barn" and free floating, looking for a new home! =:O Stinks for sure......
I had such a small contained area of BC in my breast I still wonder how it landed in two lymph nodes. 0 -
RADIATION! You all-I try desperately to be supportive and never to complain on these boards but I have to chime in on this radiation matter!!!! In the past 2 weeks I have had a bone scan, CT scan (abdomen, pelvis area), chest xray, skull xray, dental xrays, muga scan and NOW I am being told the head xray was not definitive enough now I have to GO DRINK THAT CHALK again next week and have a CT scan of my head!!!! If the freakin' cancer was not in my head already, there is pretty good chance after all this radiation exposure that it is going to be there now. This also means chemo is pushed off until September 16th b/c they have to get the results, meet with me, mix up my cocktail and get it all going. To be honest, I saw a mark on the back of my skull after the head xray yesterday but that is also a spot where I split my head open in the back and had to have 35 stitches. Now this is going to be a long ass weekend and a long freakin' weekend until Tuesday when the scheduling of the CT scan begins.
I try to be supportive at all times so I am sorry for this little tangent but I am just so aggravated right now and I, too, am (now not so secretively) concerned about how much exposure to radiation I have. GRRR! I am getting worn out. Between the scans and the cancer-inviting radiation exposure, I am probably going to glow and die by the 16th!!!!! Gadzooks!
Sorry girls...I will get over this but am sufficiently frustrated right now. I know this is being done to help me but I do have a life to get back to!!!
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little update: Went to the plastic surgeon today for a follow-up visit. It has now been almost 8 weeks since my free TRAM flap reconstruction. Three weeks ago I had a scab across my abdomen but it started to ooze(sorry for the TMI) so dr. took scab off b/c he said wound needed to drain in order to heal and that it would heal "from the inside out" and that it wouldn't get infected b/c it was able to drain. Surgeon knew I was starting more chemo last week and never said it was a concern. Oncologist knew I was 6 weeks post-major surgery last week when I started additional chemo(that he had recommended just to be ultra proactive) but never asked about how incisions were healing on chemo day and me being a patient who has trusted all of my doctors so far, didn't even think to tell onc that incision was still open and healing. Okay so anyway, after yesterdays appt where I found out WBC was less than 800 and being put on antibiotic I saw surgeon today and he told me not only is incision not healing it is actually getting worse and he feels it is because of the chemo and that I need to stop chemo immediately. He seemed very concerned that I may not heal on my own b/c chemo is killing good and bad cells therefore making it impossible for my body to heal itself and said if it doesn't heal he may have to do more surgery to reclose it. Are you kidding me??? I am so pissed! At my surgeon for not telling me to wait on chemo till incision completely healed. At onc for not following up to make sure incision healed before putting my already weakened body and immune system through more chemo as a precaution. And at myself for going along with all of this and now compromising my body, my health and my recovery. I feel like I have just taken giant leaps backwards. I am so worried right now b/c I am so succeptible to infection and don't want to end up in the hospital. I have had enough already and am not sure how much more I can take physically or emotionally. This has been such a long journey for me and I feel like all along I have made decisions that I felt were right for me and now I am questioning my medical team, myself and quite honestly I think God & I are even due for a little conversation. Sorry for such a downer post; I just don't know what else to do with all of this anger,frustration, and saddness.
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Youngmom: We are definitely flying the same flag of frustration tonight, sister! I am really sorry and that sounds like a mess. Try to get a lot of protein this weekend in the form of meat or protein drinks etc.. as protein is the catalyst for all healing and try to really, really take it easy this weekend. The body needs protein and rest to heal. Obviously you were going to eat this weekend and you don't a prescription to eat more protein than anything else. I would eat salad and meat(I hate meat!) all weekend and try to put a call into the onc or ps to see about an antibiotic or ecchinacea. You tell everyone no more chemo until that incision is healed and tell that PS he needs to fix this. The only thing you can do is try to build up your immune system through diet. Don't be down on yourself for going along with it; don't forget, the one we all want is our doctor's to like us (learned on CNN last week!) and we also trust them. They are not super heroes as what you are in is just a very unfortunate confluence of events but, bottom line, no one should have marched you off to chemo with so much as even the potential for an infection to be lurking. They did all your pre-chemo bloodwork and scans, right? This incision might have just not been "as healed" as they thought and chemo ate up your ability to keep a moderately healed wound in a healed state. I think chemo triggered a reinfection of an area that was struggling to heal. I am not sure anyone is to blame and certainly not you for taking your marching orders. Take it easy, though, because stress, as you know, takes it toll on the body. Egg white omeletes are super bland and with a little cheese are not terribly tasty but that is one nutritional powerhouse of protein consumption.
I am sorry you are going through this. I think your docs thought you were good to go and chemo decided differently. Try not to get too worked up about this as your emotional state matters.
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Lizzy--Rant on...you deserve it. The worst part of this whole thing for me was the endless testing and waiting!! I am soooo sorry that you have to have more tests. And thanks for always trying to be positive, but we all understand that is not always possible and its nice to know that you are human, just like the rest of us, and are sometimes a little less than fearless,
Youngmom--The whole situation sucks! I am so sorry.
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thanks Lizzy & sptmm62: I have been trying to eat lots of good foods for my body this week esp eggs,peanut butter and fruit but will try to eat some meat as well. I did have pre-chemo bloodwork done and all looked okay but the reality is my body has already done 18 weeks of chemo followed by a 13 hour surgery and lengthy recovery and I guess none of us really thought about how much my body has already been beaten down especially since i did pretty well the first time i did chemo. It is all very frustrating but I am going to try and just take it easy and not stress too much. I was just looking forward to hopefully feeling well this weekend and spending time with DH and kids b/c they go back to school on Tuesday and I feel like so much of this summer has been consumed by BC.
Lizzy, I think I am definitely in need of more mindless tv and just my luck Jersylicious season finale is on tonight. Have you seen this gem of a show yet? Not quite a dramatic as Jersey Shore or those crazy housewives but enough to keep me entertained.
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Both of you deserve the rant! This type of thing has been one of my huge issues through out the treatment! I have been luck and caught each issue before something happened, but to be honest a lot was stuff I found around this site!
I actually had the same wound/chemo issue, but I brought it up. I was disgusted that neither dr brought it up.
Lizzy, as you pointed out, these are targeted x rays, and as much as we don't like all of this stuff, we can just hope that they are finding what needs to be found. That being said.....this is the place for the rants! who better to understand than your fellow travellers!
And re posters vs watchers, I am glad most people are comfortable to post. Come out lurkers--come out!
Now that lower dose test, somewhere in Jersey-- I swear I have heard that commercial, but can't think which place is doing it. I don't think it is in my area tho'. I kind of thought it was close to philly, or maybe in Philly....there was some place advertising a full body cancer scan for 2k or so 6 months ago maybe. Not sure if that was the same or different.......who knew I was ever gonna care.....
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Big hugs to Lizzy and youngmomof3!!!
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Just a quick note. I had my first chemo on 8/26 and just haven't been able to get on to post sooner. On the same day I had first chemo we took temp custody of 4 grandchildren, so needless to say I have been busy between kids and SE.
The first few days after chemo was no big deal, then gradually the SE started. I know its going to get alot worse. Mostly, its the bone pain from the neulasta shot. Also some abdominal pain, I think probably from bowel issues, although I am being very careful to not get constipated.
I will try to give more information later. I am way behind on reading posts too, which I hope to get a chance to catch up on.
Deb
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Deb- I am going to have to take an extra cape out of the closet this week as Lisasinglem definitely deserves one as do you!!!! That is unbelievable on the first day of chemo to take temporary custody of 4 grandchildren. That is sooo much to deal with. I hope your SE's are as manageable and minor as possible. Geez, woman, my heart goes out to you. I wish you the best. That is so much to deal with at once.
Youngmom- thanks for the reminder on Jerseyliscious!!! I never saw that one. Perhaps I will make a Long Island Ice Tea to enjoy while I get my NJ fill of junk TV!!!! That rant felt really good btw!!!! Thanks everyone-
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lizzy - you're allowed to vent and go off on a tangent! I swear the red tape and waiting is one of the worst parts of BC - you think you're done and then it's something else. Can they do an MRI instead- if you voice your concern? I know it's frustrating -I thought I'd panic on the table when I had my CT scans. But remember, there are many MANY people who get many many more of these scans and do just fine for years and years and years.
I think, like what you said, it's probably an old injury, but it will be good for your peace of mind to know for sure!
You're allowed to jump on and vent as much as you want!
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Totally off topic - but up against a long weekend -- I know many of us have small kids, or grand kids and keeping them busy while we're feeling under the weather is a great help! Here's a recipe for play doh that my kids love and it keeps them busy for hours - even my 12 and 13 year old will play with this! :
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 tablespoons cream of tartar (you can get this in the baking aisle - you'll need a couple of jars since the jars are tiny! Or some places sell it in bulk.)
2 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons cooking oil
Mix dry ingredients together in pot, add the boiling water and cooking oil. Stir over medium heat until it forms a ball. Let it cool. Keep in air tight container in refrigerator
This can be colored using food coloring OR packets of Kool Aid is REALLY fun for kids to use for all different colors (and cheap - I got an off brand at Aldi -- I think it was like 10 packets for $1 or something) to color it. Just work it through and it will also make it smell good. You have to keep stirring this as it will be really gloopy at first and then it will become more solid like mashed potatoes.
Here is another one that my kids had fun with:
1 cup liquid starch
1 cup elmer's school glue Mix together and it makes sort of that slime stuff we used to have as kids in the 70's that came in little garbage cans. I will preface this by saying that I wasn't able to get this recipe to work using the 1 to 1 ratio. I used less starch and kept adding. but I don't think I used a full cup You will have to work it in with your hands, sort of stretching and pulling it to work in more and more starch. The starch, although thinner than the glue, will actually help thicken it and get to the "slime" sort of stage. It can also be colored with food colorings. Glue is super cheap this time of year - 25 cents a bottle at Walmart for back to school.
Sometimes once you make this stuff, it keeps kids busy for hours!
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Hi Sweeney, thanks for sending the SE good wishes to me. Tired today, chemo brained (but aren't we all) I went in to work today 'cause at home I would have laid on the couch and felt worse. Lots of support and work and I made it fine. Came home at 3 and hit the couch. Hope the tummy stays well...good so far. I upgraded from Pepcid to Prilosec and started it the day of chemo. Hair is cut really short and looks like a gross pelt. I've told the Mr. he must shave the nubbins off this weekend. LibrayLil
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Youngmom: Sorry about your problems. My chemo got delayed because we were waiting on my BMX w/TE surgery to heal. I had one drain that just didn't want to heal. But before my first chemo Tues, I saw my onc and the first thing he said is "no open sores, right?" and he examined me. He was very aware of the need for me to be comletely healed. And my PS kept saying "no chemo till you are healed". So, while I agree we are responsible for our care, it is ridiculous for doctors who are following your case to not be on top of things. THEY are the experts. We are just scared, stressed women, some with chemo brain. Give us a break, we can't remember all this crap.
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Sorry havent posted in a few days, been coming home from work, doing school work, eating dinner and going to bed. Started coughing and hacking Tuesday, and was worried I was gonna get pneumonia when I started coughing up yucky stuffs. But It seems that all that coughing helped eliminate it, but left me feeling sore in the rib area. I have been falling asleep early, but then wake up every few hours for whatever reason, toss and turn and then finally fall back asleep. Not sure what keeps waking me up, but I am tempted to just take my Tylenol 3 to knock me out this weekend so I can get a full 8 hours of sleep. I have still been a bit dizzy when I move to quickly, and I really think its my blood pressure. The research nurse I speak with told me that they will prolly give me a shot for the nausea instead of the emend and that the compazine I was taking may have been also causing my blood pressure to go wonky. Someone actually posted the name of it somewhere here, but now I cant seem to find it, started with an A.
I love the research nurses I talk to, they both have been thru this and know exactly what its like. So when I explain this is how I am feeling, they dont look at me like I have 3 heads.
I have been reading and keeping up on how everyone is doing, and praying for all of you.
I noticed alot of you have been having the pains with the Neulasta, and was curious at where everyone was getting there shot. LadyinBama and I both did the tummy (yes I have extra too), and neither one of us has had too many SE's from it. Could it just be our bodies, luck of the draw or coincidence. Lets see where your getting your shots and compare. Its just a thought. I also take the claritin daily regardless of the shots because when I started my first chemo in March I ended up with a perpectual runny nose.
YoungMom - I am so sorry to hear about your surgery healing. I cant even imagine how it must feel. I pray for speedy recovery and peace of mind.
Lizzy - I am curious as to why the ct scan is needed before you start chemo. Will they change what chemo you get if something is showing up or do something differently? I know that the waiting and is driving you crazy, but I would imagine that the dr's have a good reason... or at last I hope they do for extending the timeline for you. I hope you get the answers you need fast and that the tests show nothing at all.
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Thanks all... I needed to vent tonight!
Kimmie: the CT scan is because the bone scan showed several areas of uptake per the initial radiologist who read the results. My onc was on vaca and, upon his return, he looked over the bone scan. He felt, based on what he saw, my bone scan was average and would have been the same for most any human healthy skull. I think the radiologist might have been a recently-released student! In any case, my onc was pretty sure it was nothing but just to be sure, he had me have a skull xray. So many at Yale are getting to know me, I was familiar with the radiologist who did the skull xray on Weds. I asked her if I could look at it. Sure enough there was a spot in the back of my head that was about the size of a dime and was a darker "white" than the rest of the skull xray. Right then it dawned on me something could be there and I was only pretty sure my onc would require more testing. Sure enough, that spot, or so I assume, led him to require another scan, only this time a CT scan, of my head. I don't know, from a doctor's perspective, what the difference is between seeing a bone scan, a skull xray and a CT scan of someone's skull but I can only assume, in this case, all 3 together will either make or break the case for skull mets. I was so elated on Weds when he told me he really thought there was nothing to worry about. Oh well....they are only doctors, not super human beings. I will just have to see what the CT scan says.I appreciate everyone's support tonight. It is so unlike me to crack under these circumstances but tonight was the night when I officially reached the point of true frustration.
Have a great weekend all!
Your (most of the time and now GLOWING) FEARLESS Leader!!!!
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Lizzy - dont give up hope, cause like you have said many times already, you have had some injuries back there and it could just be from that. I hope the time goes quickly for you, keep yourself busy, sometimes that helps.
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Hi, I have been busy playing with my grand daughter she is here from Wednesday until Monday. We painted ceramics, had ice cream, went to a book store where a lady blessed me. (that was weird for me but I know she meant well and I will take all the blessings I can get.) I must look pretty unusual with my pre gathered scarf on.
Scans, I have had only the Mugga scan.
Newlasta, give myself my Newlasta injection in the side of my pudge, sort of lower waisline.
Chemo Brain Last night I could not remember where we put our dirty clothes! We have a huge three bag stainless laundry sorter thingy with a hanging rack. It is impossible to miss and I couldn't even begin to think of it until morning.
Neuropathy Fingers and toes. Hope it doens't increase, it is annoying and fingers hurt a little in addition to the tingling.
Rants Rants can bring you validation on this board. I say rant away as needed ladies.
Discovery of lump until 1st chemo. I thought my schedule had been compromised because I had surgery in Illinois and then chemo in Seattle. I now can see I was treated very speedily and began chemo way way ahead of many of you. Perhaps my tight schedule induced the Docs to get me in when I was there.I found the lump on friday night May 21 saw the doctor on Monday May 24th. Left for Seattle to find house on the 25th, Found out I had cancer on the 27th while in the car with the realtor. Had a sterotactic biopsy on June 2nd and lumpectomy on June 7th. My friend and her daughter help with packing. Then get on an airplane with two cats, a dog and my husband on July 10th.
I arrived in Seattle on July 10th and had big Doctor Clinic appointment here on the July 13. That is the app where all of your doctors meet, review all of your records, all examine you together, then they meet again, decide on treatment and then each one meets with you individually and they record it all for you to play beck as needed. This is a 4 hour appointment and worth every second. My chemo began on August 2.
Our furniture arrived on July 28th, Our daughter had a c section on August 13 due to placenta praevia and all went perfectly. Beautiful new granddaughter.
May 21st find lump, August 2nd begin chemo.
I have my chemo, #3 on Tuesday, blood draw at 12:30 P.M., Doc at 1:30 P.M., and chemo at 5:30 to 9:30 P.M. This is not the schedule of my dreams for sure. I got lost last time I left the hospital trying to get back on the freeway. I do not want to do the Seattle tour again, especially in the dark.. There was no learning from my last tour because I don't know where the entrance is where I finally got on.
I learn a lot on the message board. I don't always post but I do read every single post every day.
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LIZZIE--you definitely should rant---you keep the rest of us (unfortunately, steadily growing) together and provide useful information. If its any consolation, 2010:Coposcopy of Cervix, MRI, CT Scan, CT Scan Repeat, Radical Hysterectomy, Mammo, Breast US, Sentinel node biopsy with radioative dye, CHEMO, bone scan--with added touch of radioactive dye ("you're not planning on leaving the country anytime soon?) and Pelvic US. I am sure we don't need fireworks this weekend, just put in the park--I am guessing I will light up.
Finished #2 FEC--1 more FEC to go and the T X3. They changed my meds to Emend ($40 per pill) but they have worked wonderfully. Highly recommend. I am hoping that my SE will be less than first go around.
I asked Doc today about Neulasta and he mentioned that it is only given if your white blood cells cannot climb after 1st chemo--mine went down to 800 after first chemo and he mentioned to get rest, eat protein and leafy greens and it should work--sure enough was fine for chemo. He said that if I had gone back to chemo today with low WBC--the shot would have been in my future. I am just curious why some have had it before chemo even started--wouldn't doc wait and see? strange--different protocols.
I sat beside a lady at chemo today who is on her 2nd year of chemo due to BC. She is currently undergoing 18 infusions of Heperin. She really had spirit. I walked away from chemo today with a little more spunk in my step (could also be that bone scan and US were 100% cancer free). Celebrate this weekend! No need for fireworks.
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Very interesting how the treatment is *almost* the same, but not quite. I don't think the Neulasta can be given prior to the chemo, because them the chemo would kill the cells it was creating. I can say that I got nuelasta the day after the first chemo, prior to any check of bloodwork. Wonder if the pain is related to how much the dose is or how many bone marrow (cells or something) ar being activated. I get my shot in the arm, tho' do not lack pudge in the belly area (actually had 'too much' to do a flap procedure--go figure). I can't for the life of me remember to check the blood counts, since the wonders of valium that allow me to show up do not allow for any sense (yet another reason I have everything sent to my non-scary regular doc).
Each time they do my bloodwork they say "it's great", and then my dh leads me to the next chair...my job is to stay in the chair.
I know they do the chemo mix by weight of the person, but I wonder if there are 'high' dose and 'low' dose. I kind of thought I was on a 'lower' dose, f/i I am getting taxetore and cytoxin together, total of 4 doses, I will have 5 years of tamoxi after, and possibly something to put me in/keep me in menopause, if it hasn't happened (not clear exactly on that part yet). But I had a masectomey for a 1.8cm idc with negative lymph nodes. I will not have rads. Each onc I spoke with indicated that if I was older, they would most likely just ave skipped to the tamoxi, and that they did not recommend that now, but it was a legit option I had.
So I wonder--is this where the differences are? I have a friend who was diagnosed about 2 months before I was with a 3cm mass in situ not in a lobule or duct, we have completely different drs, even though being treated in the same hospital system. She did a lumpectomy, and has already had a&c 4x and now is in taxol 4x, then will have rads. She is suffering pretty bad wth se, and has had the blood count issues many of you mention.
So many decscions! So many medical people to second guess and try to explain our entire histories to.
Happy labor day all (does that means the oncs are closed on Monday!)
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((((Lizzy))),
I am sorry they are putting you through the ringer. Sending lots of positive vibes and prayers that it is just from some hard knocks to a hard head;-). I don't know if it's any consolation but so many times when I worked we'd have to put patients on the scan roller coaster b/c the docs just didn't know if that patient was born with that lung nodule vs. shadow vs scar...and only found it when someone happened to look. It happened to my dad who had St 3 Melanoma and a potential 5 year survival of 5-10% with chemo. He did a vaccine protocol and 13 years later watches my kids while I get chemo:-) He smoked 2ppd from age 9 until he was 42. So when they did a chest CT (his melanoma was on his chest, he had the equivalent of a mastectomy w/ ALND and 2 + LN) and saw that shadow/nodule he was put on every 3 mo chest CT's then 6 mos...After a while I spoke to his med onc, explained my dad would never admit it but he was terrified. He said he was so tired of the fact that b/c everyone was scared of litigation we were scanning people for things they were probably born with. Mind you this man was brilliant but had the personality of a dishtowel - he said I'm stopping your dad's scans and I could've married him on the spot. Everything's been fine and I wish the same for you.
You have been such a source of strength and humor to the rest of us, please let us know whenever you need a pick me up. I panicked when I saw your chemo might be pushed to September and am so glad you stuck around, you are a great leader and you don't have to be fearless all the time. This disease could scare the cr&p out of anyone. Some days I'm fine and others I roll over at 4am onto my cement tissue expanders and my heart does into overdrive when I remember why they're there.
hang in there,
Carolyn
PS - I originally started working at MSKCC b/c my mom had been treated there when I was 23. I had my dad and a boyfriend get melanoma while I was working there and now here I am. Sounds strange but I always loved oncology; partly b/c the people I loved were cured and also because it's an incredible gift to be able to make someone smile or comfort them when you know they are frightened. But now..not so much. (the loving oncology, not comfort part, lol)
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Rachel - ask your cancer center if they have any free Emend. Mine has samples - but not always! Last time they forgot to send me home with any. I frantically called the oncologlist even though the center had closed and she got hold of someone still there who rummaged around and found a sample pack, which my brother picked up for me first thing next morning. I can't afford to buy it since our prescription drug plan stinks. It comes in a two pack sample thing and this time I just took one pill the next morning - I wanted one for next time if I need it. But maybe if you ask them even ahead of time, they can get samples in and save them for you.
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lisa - she had to have more chemo because of the size of her mass, also, her grade could have been higher, but even still, I think chemo is recommended because a 3cm mass is considered a stage 2. I think. This is what my midwife had - no node involvement but 3cm, so she had the full rounds of chemo but I think she did ACT every three weeks for six treatments, which is sort of the same as the 4 and 4, studywise.
It was explained to me that the tamox blocks the estrogen receptors used by the cancer cells to grow. I'm not happy about being on it but plenty of women go on it and are just fine. I dread the weight gain...I lost nearly 20lb since January and it was hard work. I don't want to gain it back!
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lisa - she had to have more chemo because of the size of her mass, also, her grade could have been higher, but even still, I think chemo is recommended because a 3cm mass is considered a stage 2. I think. This is what my midwife had - no node involvement but 3cm, so she had the full rounds of chemo but I think she did ACT every three weeks for six treatments, which is sort of the same as the 4 and 4, studywise.
It was explained to me that the tamox blocks the estrogen receptors used by the cancer cells to grow. I'm not happy about being on it but plenty of women go on it and are just fine. I dread the weight gain...I lost nearly 20lb since January and it was hard work. I don't want to gain it back!
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adding my sort -of schedule to the rest -
May - found lump in my sentinel node ; ran to the midwife who ordered a mammogram and ultrasound. I'd never had one before (mammo.) Got called back for a second mammo and met withe the radiologist who told me there was nothing to worry about; that the thing in my pit was just a "cyst" and not worth biopsying, but to have a breast MRI due to the calcifications present in the breast; but most like it was nothing, just fibrous tissue.
Instead, I got myself an appointment with a breast surgeon three weeks away. That day came and I called to confirm and they had NO RECORD OF ME at all! I was livid - and panicked. No appointments available until the end of that month. (Meanwhile, I have cancer......)
Called another breast surgeon recommended to me and saw her within three days. She knew right away - biopsied the node and the breast there in the office and found cancer in both - June 12.
Opted for a mastectomy even though it was very small and very contained. Didn't need the sentinel node injection since we already knew it was there. Surgery on 7/7 - 2 out of 12 nodes positive.
I was told I was a stage 2B by the first oncologist I saw, and my breast surgeon since that is the box that was checked off, But when the 2nd oncologlist examined the report, she found that it was a typo - that all the tumor markers and even the "summary" stated that it was a 2A. A bit unsettling that they can make "typos" on a path report!
First onc recommended AC X4 and Tax X12 weekly. Second one recommended 4AC and 4TX - a slightly shorter treatment possibly because my staging "changed". I called her on it and she felt completely confident that it's well within standard recommendations.
Started chemo on August 16. Hoping to finish in November.........
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