Cancer Survivors Network

And, no one disagrees with me that I had a fairly awful oncologist. Bless the insurance system...lol...

Hugs, Kathi

I didn't know anything when going through treatment. It would have helped if I had known about this message board. Some doctors don't like it when we self-diagnose and look for answers but hey if they aren't doing their job who is going to look after us? I had treatment in 2003/2004 so I guess if there were something wrong with my heart it would have shown up by now?

I'm certain they are watching...

I never had one, and this infusion was after already having Cisplatin chemo (also known for heart trouble) for the rectal cancer, barely 6 months earlier...

We actually skipped the last AC (I only had 3) because my heart became so irregular. Sigh, she should have ordered an echo then...or referred me off to a cardiologist.

Hugs, Kathi

Thank you for your kind words!

I have been 'behind the scenes' lurking for awhile...so much going on with my life with managing 2 houses, in 2 countries...and my health, and my beau's health...lol...

I'm glad that the 'greater' oncology community takes better care of their patients...I'm trying hard not to complain...I am, after all, alive and kicking!!!

Hugs, Kathi

My onc was such a pain! She YELLED at me when I said, on a Friday afternoon, that I was losing the hydration battle and needed some IV fluids...."Why didn't you call me earlier???" said she, in a voice full of accusation and frustration...I replied "Well, because I didn't feel bad earlier!". I guess I ruined her schedule, although even if it HAD been and earlier call, she had no one in her infusion center on Fridays, anyway...sigh...

I'm so glad you are on top of this with your family troubles...when Hans was diagnosed with cardio myopathy and eventually heart failure, it was a surprise to us...then, all the family history started coming out of the woodwork...

Hugs, Kathi

And I can exercise (we bought a stationary bike), so it can't be THAT bad...

Maybe just getting old...lol...55 this coming July. A magazine in the cardiologist's office talked of women and aging and heart troubles...he's thinking I should start baby aspirin, just like a man, once a day...lol...

Hugs, Kathi

I had an echo before the adria and was told i would not need another because i was not going on herceptin. The cardiologist said to do one a month off the adriamycin and I plan on it . I have to have another minor surgery and i want to be checked before I exersize also because I have heart disease in my family. and I am paranoid.

I HOPE it's nothing more than stress. But, considering I self-diagnosed the non-reality of my cancers to begin with, I have learned to check with the experts...so, I'll keep you all posted!

Hugs, Kathi

But as soon as they do, my doctor is going to schedule them as many as they can together...

I will ask about any recommended protocol...he just seemed surprised that an echo cardiogram wasn't done...

Thank you for the kind words, dearheart!

Hugs, Kathi

I told my doctor that he could just pat me on the head and tell me it's just a stress reaction...just as long as it isn't the start of something more sinister. I'm a bit freaked out just because of the near-death experience this past March with Hans...I KNOW that heart disease is real...

Sigh...I just wish I would have known then what I know now...lol...

I guess that's why I volunteer so much to help 'newbies' thru the process...On top of all the red tape and insurance hassles, we have to deal with 'You have cancer' and all of the trappings...

Thanks for the warm words of encouragement!

Hugs, Kathi

It's probably a non-issue...lol...

Thanks, dear soul, for the warm words!

Hugs, Kathi

RIGHT! hahahahaha! Well, I did do the Santa Barbara Half Marathon today, so if my heart was going to stop, today would have been a good day! So far, so good.....

Hugs,
C♥

Kathi
You are one of our true angels. My prayers are that this is stress related (with all you have had going on that wouldn't be surprising). And you are indeed one of the best guides to the newbies and to all of us. You have had much on your plate and I hope that this will not be something new to deal with because gosh knows enough is enough. Positive thoughts and hugs are beaming your way. I have always admired your strength and your support for all of us.
Stef

Kathi,
I had an echocardiogram before I started A/C and then one after I finished A/C and then another after I finished Taxol w/Herceptin and I developed chemo induce cardiomyopathy so they gave me echos every three weeks until my ejection fraction was back to normal. Now that my ejection fraction is 60% my oncologist will have me have an echo every three months unless something comes up and then she will do one sooner.

Margo

ALL of us should have a baseline cardiac evaluation. You are never too young to have cardiac problems regardless of cancer treatment!
As I have posted previously, listen to your body and report nagging symptoms no matter how seemingly benign. Cardiac symptoms can be subtle discomfort between the shoulders, arm heaviness, jaw pain, shortness of breath, nausea, increased fatigue, and may not be mid-sternal crushing chest pain. Physicians often dismiss these symptoms and blame it on stress especially the stress of a cancer diagnosis. Coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy can come early or late. It is essential to have an annual cardiac evaluation from a cardiologist as a part of your long term follow-up.
I had some of the above symptoms, was told I was too young, too fit and not at risk. MY TREATMENT placed me at risk. and not until my heart attack did anyone listen. We are teaching our physicians as we go along on this journey........and we must inform one another so that we can be our own best advocate. And the heart can be as insidious as cancer.......GET CHECKED EVERYONE! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
(I also speak as a cardiac nurse)

One of the reasons I love this site. Thanks for the well-written "call to action." I will be sure to talk to my oncologist at my 3 month checkup in a couple of weeks. xoxoxoxo Lynn

It's one of the best sources for information around!!!!

Hugs, Kathi

I know that many women are misdiagnosed with heart attacks because the symptoms are different. That is why I'm not messing with this....let the cardiologist tell me I'm just a bit too cautious!!! ROFL!

I hope everything is smooth sailing for you now....thank you for sharing!

Hugs, Kathi

WOW! I can't tell you I was the same, because it's 4 years later...but I sure hope we can clear it now....having just gone thru the cardiac mess with Hans...

Hugs, Kathi

I sometimes lose my footing, but I always find my way back to you all!

I, too, hope this is nothing a good cruise can't fix...lol...

And thank you for your warm encouraging words!
Hugs, Kathi

I'm keeping the faith that it is nothing, but I won't make the mistake I made the last time, with cancer, of just laughing the whole thing off....

And thank you for the supportive words about my posts...I hope to be able to go more places so I can post from there, too!

Hugs, Kathi

Hi Kathi, Wow, I have had 3 echo's so far. One before starting treatment. Another before starting Taxol & Herceptin and another just a few weeks ago. It was my understanding that the heart must be watched and anyone on herceptin it must be watched often.

...and he was even more irritated when I told him that I couldn't have my 4th AC because I was having irregular heartbeats, etc...

Especially after my first chemo round for the rectal cancer with cisplatin...also known for stressing the heart...

I will keep you posted, maybe all it will take is a bit of babying... with baby aspirin...ROFL!

Hugs, Kathi

Hi Kathi,
I had a MUGA before I started on the A/C - an eco after, as I ended up in the hospital with a totally different issue after my first round on taxol. (nothing to do with heart problems) No tests when I was done with chemo however. It's amazing to me how many different protocols there are when we all have a similar disease.
take care and keep us posted -
-Jenny