Need Friends/New to site

You've come to the right place if you're looking for friends who understand what you're going through. I had both breasts removed on February 6, 2003 with no reconstruction, yet. My chemo following surgery was 4 cycles of AC, no radiation required. My stage 2 grade III invasive ductal carcinoma was estrogen receptor positive so I'll be taking Arimidex for 5 years (1 down 4 to go). I had neulasta shots to promote production of white blood cells after each chemo but was lucky that the bone pain was minimal. The pain I did have made me fully appreciate what some friends in my Reach to Recovery group were going through. Hang in there. Sooner than you realize you'll be replying to someone else's request for help or advice by saying, "it does get better."

Hi Vanetia ... I responded to your earlier post but did want to add my 2 cents about the pain. I had to take 5 shots of Neupogen (1 a day for each day following chemo) and my joints hurt so bad that sometimes I cried. I talked to my oncologist and was told that the Taxotere also can cause joint pain. But the good news is that the joint pain was really bad only the first 2 Taxotere treatments. I had discomfort for the last 2, but not as bad.
I'm premenopausal too, but I'm not hormone receptive so I will not have the hormone therapy.
It's a lot to go thru all at one time. It's nice to have support.

Hi Vanetia, I too was diagnosed in Oct. 2003. I just had a lumpectomy. i've had 4 rounds of A/C and have 4 rounds of taxol...i only have ONE more taxol thank heavens. I've really had alot of muscle/bone pain with taxol. I've found that taking extra strength tylenol BEFORE treatment and taking regular helps alot with pain...don't wait till the pain starts. I need to have more surgery on lymph nodes and then i'll do radiation.....hang in there....it is hard not to get discouraged....but this site is wonderful.... you can find most answers you need from women that live the problems.... best of luck

Hi, I just had a mastectomy with removal of 18 nodes 10 days ago for Stage IIIb breast cancer. I am 35. I had 4 rounds of AC followed by 2 doses of Taxotere. I had no significant response on Taxotere, in fact the tumor seems to increase on it so surgery came up fast for me. I am doing well now, just anxious to resume treatment. I can't get more chemo til 3-4 weeks postop even though I feel fine. I only logged onto this site a couple of days ago after seeing a tv commercial for it and have found that already it helps. You will feel better just checking in here and seeing what others have to say. I go by "twicebitten" on this site because I had cancer when I was 12 years old also. I had synovial sarcoma and had my leg amputated below the knee. At that time, I had 10 months of chemo as well. This time it is different though. Now I am married with 4 young children! I pray everyday that I make it through this one!
Good luck and God Bless!