What a helpful place

smalldoggroomer
smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello Everyone!
I am new here my name is Kay, I am 52 and diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, on March 23,2010. So far I have had Mammogram, Ultra sound, Ct scans, E-rays, Biopsy of breast,Blood work (a few times). Allot of poking and prodding. Skin biopsy, Still have to have Biopsy Lymph nodes. Surgeon says I will need Chemo, ( 2 to 3 months ) Then Surgery (Mastectomy right side). Radiation after that. The thing that scares me most is not knowing what will happen. How I will take it? If I will get sick? If I will be able to work?
( I need to work ) I go to the oncologist this week. I will find out about Chemo then. Everything has gone pretty fast. But sometimes I wish it was faster. I would just like to get started. After finding this board and all the wonderful women on it I feel allot better. You all have answered allot of my questions and concerns. Thank you all so very much. You are all in my prayers and thoughts. I look forward to talking with all of you amazing women. Kay,

Comments

  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #2
    Kay, a big, warm welcome to
    Kay, a big, warm welcome to you to this amazing group of caring, supportive, knowledgeable and loving individuals. You are in the initial stages of setting up your treatment and I know how it seems like things are just going along slowly. All the testing and treatments do take time. I have been through a lumpectomy, chemo, radiation and am now on the 5-year pill, Arimidex. I worked throughout my chemo and rads and also managed to continue to exercise 5 times a week. I believe that the exercise actually gave me more energy. I'll be the first to admit that some days were better than others but all-in-all everything was tolerable and do-able. The wonderful women on this site helped me tremendously. Anytime you have a question, just ask. Anytime you want to vent, go ahead. No one judges anyone on here and we all know that slaying this beast can, at times, take the best out of us. Continue to post and let us know your treatment plan.
  • heidijez
    heidijez Member Posts: 441
    #3
    You are so right! This is an
    You are so right! This is an amazing place to ask questions, find answers (to the questions you were afraid/embarrassed to ask), to vent, and to get the support of women going through the same (similar) things you are! I didn't find this until I was just about done with chemo, but what a blessing this site is!!!

    I have IBC, and trust me, it's a whirlwind. Finished chemo and am waiting to have surgery scheduled. Everything went so fast at the beginning, my head was just spinning. Now I wish things would move a little faster. Mastectomy was scheduled for this Thursday, but now a brain scan and a pet scan were ordered. That means surgery will be next week (I hope). I was hoping to be done with this before summer, now it appears I will be getting radiation in July and August.

    Hang in there, you will find that you are stronger than you think, and remember we are all here for you!
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #4
    heidijez said:

    You are so right! This is an
    You are so right! This is an amazing place to ask questions, find answers (to the questions you were afraid/embarrassed to ask), to vent, and to get the support of women going through the same (similar) things you are! I didn't find this until I was just about done with chemo, but what a blessing this site is!!!

    I have IBC, and trust me, it's a whirlwind. Finished chemo and am waiting to have surgery scheduled. Everything went so fast at the beginning, my head was just spinning. Now I wish things would move a little faster. Mastectomy was scheduled for this Thursday, but now a brain scan and a pet scan were ordered. That means surgery will be next week (I hope). I was hoping to be done with this before summer, now it appears I will be getting radiation in July and August.

    Hang in there, you will find that you are stronger than you think, and remember we are all here for you!

    Welcome
    This is an amazing place to be. I have IDC. I had all the tests your having. I had a lumpectomy, chemo, rads. I am currently doing herceptin and Tamoxifen. Everyone is different in the way the react to the drugs, but for me I can tell you that it was all doable. Just make sure your doctor gives you anti nausea meds before you start chemo. I was on a drug called emend and it worked get. They will probably tell you you need a port put in for chemo. This is again not a real big deal. It's scary, but it really is not that bad. The hair thing, on day 14 of chemo the hair started falling out. I shaved it off the very next day. There is some good sites for wigs and scarfs. I liked www.headcovers.com and there pre tied scarfs. With summer here make sure it's cotton, because it gets hot under the scarf. Were all here if you need us for anything.
  • greyhoundluvr
    greyhoundluvr Member Posts: 402
    #5
    Hi, Kay!
    We're right there with you every step of the way. I have IDC also - had bilateral mastectomy in January (prophylactic on the other side) with insertion of tissue expanders. I just finished #5 out of 6 rounds of Cytoxan and Taxotere (Woo-Hoo!) and then will move on to radiation at the end of June. I know how slowly things can move at the beginning - you just want to find out what it all is and what it is going to be like. I was very impatient to get things moving and now I just want to start checking something off on the other side of the equation (finish the chemo, get the port out, etc., etc.) I watched my Mom go through chemo many years ago and they have come light years since then. I had my first chemo a month after surgery, worked part time for 2 weeks and have been back full time since. Since my 4th round, I have taken one day off after my chemotherapy (chemo Friday and off on Monday) - it's not that I have felt that bad or couldn't do it, it was just my sleepy foggy day and less stressful. I hope all goes well for you - we're all here any time you have questions or just need support!

    Chris
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
    Before you know it....
    You will be like me, over 4 years out of treatment, and all is just a bit of a dream...

    I worked (had to, self-employed single mom) thru both cancers (rectal followed by breast). I was very honest, tho...if I felt tired, I went home (a perk of being the boss...lol). The only time that was tough for me was during chemo, day 2/3. I had the infusion on Wednesday, Thursday was my 'hampster-on-a-wheel' day (soooo much energy from the steriods for anti-nausea), Friday am was fine, but by Friday pm, and all day Saturday, I was down for the count. Sunday am I felt better, and by Monday I was out working again. Working had the added benefit that it was a bit of a distraction, and a slice of 'normal'!

    Everyone is different, many people don't even slow down...here's to you being one of those lucky ones!

    Welcome to the sisterhood!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • marilyndbk
    marilyndbk Member Posts: 238 Member
    #7
    Welcome Kay to an amazing
    Welcome Kay to an amazing place to be thru this. I have received so much support and courage from the pink sisters. One day--sometimes one minute--at a time was about all I could handle. I had recurrance of bc last Aug-my reconstruction process still continues and I look forward to all my procedures being complete. I had bi-lateral mastectomy with Lattisimus flap reconstruction. Every step has its difficulties but every step is closer to the end and I am grateful for every day I am given. We are stronger than we think. God Bless and Take care. Marilyn

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