Hi! I'm new to this discussion board stuff.
i'm 29. i'm a vet tech. i'm a breast cancer survivor.
nice to meet you.i was diagnosed with stage 2breast cancer in may. i found the lump on a self exam. of course i waited a few months, because, i'm 29! how could i have breast cancer?!?
well, i'm glad i got checked out. my gynecologist sent me for an mri and an us. then to the surgeon. he gave me the options to have it aspirated or just to do a biopsy. i chose, to just to rid of it! he seemed so confident, that it was nothing. so, when i woke up from my simple, "twilight" surgery to see my mom crying, i was surprised and upset/angry.
i vowed on this day to be strong through all of this. AND BE POSITIVE!
the next few months were rough. my mom wanted to take me to the best. i went to a breast surgeon oncologist at University of Pennsylvannia. (so glad i have excellent insurance!)
i opted for a lumpectomy. (after the mri said this was an option) while i was under, they removed the sentinel nodes. found out 1 was affected, so they had to go back in and remove the rest of my lymph nodes. the surgeon was not happen with 1 of my margins, so at that time he removed more breast tissue.
which basically brings me to this point. started my a/c cocktail about 1 1/2 weeks ago. my next treatment is on friday. i'm really nervous, i felt so bad after my first treatment. i'm typically a very active, healthy 29 year old woman! i think the exhaustion brought me down the most. this is the first time since may, when i was diagnosed, i felt sick
i'm more prepared for the next treatment, (knowing what to expect) hope it's easier!!
positive thoughts and energy to all!
Comments
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Welcome newest Pink Warrior.
Welcome newest Pink Warrior. I Hope you will enjoy hanging out with us. What is important for you is that you can connect with other young women. We need more support available to younger Warriors. As you say, your age always catches people off guard about this disease. We laugh, cry, get mad, learn new stuff no matter how long we've been a survivor. It is a safe place to come to with emotions. As you see it is 4 am my time, can't sleep, and have someone to talk to. God bless you, and let us know how we can help, or feel free to help others...love, shy0 -
Welcome to the board Carrie,
I am sorry about the reason your here but glad you found us. We will all do our best to help you all the way trough you journey. The best part of all this is paying it forward for me. I know it is never what you expect especially at 29 years old! Did you get clear margins the last time? I know about the fatigue for sure. I have never got sick. Thank God. I will have my last chemo Oct 12. I have had 6 infusions three weeks apart. Then I have surgery then Radiation. Do you do Rads after you chemo? There are some things you can try to help with the side affects. First talk to you Dr and let them know. Also I drink Ensure and eat protein bars the extra protein helps. Take Vitamins with iron in them. And d-3 helps also. Do they do blood work each time you go? Keep a eye on that. some times you can get mouth sores Biotene or any kind of alcohol free mouth wash helps with that. If you get muscle cramps heating pads or deep heating rub helps. Drops for dry eyes if needed. Some times you can get very dry skin. Neutrogena hand cream is great stuff. I was also a Vet Tech for years until I hurt may back with a shepherd bigger then me lol. Now I groom small dogs for a living. Well I hope you are feeling better. And all goes well for you. Take care Kay. need anything just holler OK.0 -
Hi Carrie sorry you have
Hi Carrie sorry you have to be here, but the amount of support on here is tremendous. I'm 34 & was diagnosed this June, and last month my mom was diagnosed also - believe it or not we have no family history but i guess we're making some...i felt the same as you, i didnt feel "sick" until i started chemo. Fatigue is my worst side effect. At first it took me 3 or 4 days after chemo until i started feeling better, not it's more like a week. I have 2 kids too so i'm extra tired! The positive, though, is that it goes by so fast. I was diagnosed middle of June. Since then, i've had bilateral mastectomy, ongoing reconstruction, port surgery, and 4 rounds of chemo. 2 round left and I'm done. Staying strong & positive will only help you sometimes it can get hard but sitting around crying & feeling sorry for yourself doesnt work either (i know this -I've tried it!!) Good luck to you Carrie with the rest of your chemo treatments. I hope they are gentle on you!
*hugs*
Heather0 -
to allHeatherbelle said:Hi Carrie
sorry you have
Hi Carrie sorry you have to be here, but the amount of support on here is tremendous. I'm 34 & was diagnosed this June, and last month my mom was diagnosed also - believe it or not we have no family history but i guess we're making some...i felt the same as you, i didnt feel "sick" until i started chemo. Fatigue is my worst side effect. At first it took me 3 or 4 days after chemo until i started feeling better, not it's more like a week. I have 2 kids too so i'm extra tired! The positive, though, is that it goes by so fast. I was diagnosed middle of June. Since then, i've had bilateral mastectomy, ongoing reconstruction, port surgery, and 4 rounds of chemo. 2 round left and I'm done. Staying strong & positive will only help you sometimes it can get hard but sitting around crying & feeling sorry for yourself doesnt work either (i know this -I've tried it!!) Good luck to you Carrie with the rest of your chemo treatments. I hope they are gentle on you!
*hugs*
Heather
thanks everyone!
having support from other women who have been through this, feels really good my friends and family are awesome. you just don't understand 100% unless you've been through it.
heading to work, just wanted to say a quick thanks and i'm glad that i found my way to this site.
xoxo
carrie 0 -
It happenscarriesoup said:to all
thanks everyone!
having support from other women who have been through this, feels really good my friends and family are awesome. you just don't understand 100% unless you've been through it.
heading to work, just wanted to say a quick thanks and i'm glad that i found my way to this site.
xoxo
carrie
Some are able to skip through without it seems, much difficulty. I was amazed 14 years ago at just how bad off I seemed to be compared to those around me being treated at the same time. I was stage 3 though and 11 out of 21 positive nodes with triple negative for estrogen sensativity. I was very ill by the time I was diagnosed and not that strong so being diagnosed at earlier stages can be a big help.
I was 36 at the time diagnosed and had found my lump just six months prior and it was dx'd as fibrous. I had been sick for years yet too well built and athletic to have something more than exhaustion or fatigue.
So if you can, do what you did because some don't even miss a beat when it comes to their jobs so that too is a possibility...
Tara0 -
Welcome fellow sistercarriesoup said:to all
thanks everyone!
having support from other women who have been through this, feels really good my friends and family are awesome. you just don't understand 100% unless you've been through it.
heading to work, just wanted to say a quick thanks and i'm glad that i found my way to this site.
xoxo
carrie
I am so sorry that you are going through all of this, but you have come to the right place. The Pink Warriors here will try their best to help and welcome you.
As one onc nurse told me, it takes a strong poison to kill the lethally poisonous cancer. This is not always true (especially with the newer treatments), but thinking that helped me get through the side effects. I knew I was fighting cancer, so I could deal with the awful side effects. However, if the side effects got too bad, I asked my onc nurses what to do and they were wonderful. When I was overwhelmed with nausea, they suggested taking my nausea meds every day of treatment (instaed of waiting until I was nauseated). That did the trick and I was able to continue working without missing a day!
So don't hesitate to stop and ask for help.
I was diagnosed in 1987 with Stage 3A and am an "old-timer." So fight the fight and never surrender! We are here to help along the way.0 -
Welcome CarrieCypressCynthia said:Welcome fellow sister
I am so sorry that you are going through all of this, but you have come to the right place. The Pink Warriors here will try their best to help and welcome you.
As one onc nurse told me, it takes a strong poison to kill the lethally poisonous cancer. This is not always true (especially with the newer treatments), but thinking that helped me get through the side effects. I knew I was fighting cancer, so I could deal with the awful side effects. However, if the side effects got too bad, I asked my onc nurses what to do and they were wonderful. When I was overwhelmed with nausea, they suggested taking my nausea meds every day of treatment (instaed of waiting until I was nauseated). That did the trick and I was able to continue working without missing a day!
So don't hesitate to stop and ask for help.
I was diagnosed in 1987 with Stage 3A and am an "old-timer." So fight the fight and never surrender! We are here to help along the way.
I am sorry that you need to be here but so glad you found us. I did not have the same chemo as you I had TC. My 2nd round was easier though. Overall I did well with mine. I am praying that it will be easier for you next round. I am glad you have supportive family and friends that helps so much, but talking to ladies and some of the guys who have been there done that helps a lot. Drink lots and lots of water and rest when you can. Keep us posted. God Bless
(((Hugs))) Janice0 -
Could use support too so I completely understand!
I'm new here too. Just joined 9/20. I'm considered "young" for breast cancer although I am much older than you (turned 44 on 9/1). My diagnosis was a complete surprise to me and my surgeon. Like you, I just started chemo. I go for my second round tomorrow. Hang in there and feel free to send me a message anytime. I'm trying to work through this as much as possible too so if it takes me a bit to respond, don't think I forgot you 0 -
Hi Carrie,
I'm pretty new to
Hi Carrie,
I'm pretty new to these boards as well, but have been reading them for weeks. The warriors here a truly amazing, and will provide unconditional support. Ask all your questions, someone here will have insight for you.
As for your second treatment, (I'm on the uphill climb from my second too) I start drinking lots of water and something with electrolytes two days before. I also eat lots of iron rich foods and protein two days before. I feel like it helped. I was nervous about the second one too...would it be worse? how would it be different?
And ask the oncology nurses, I have sometimes gotten better information from them than from the onc. The nurses spend more time with the patients, my treatments take about 3 hours and my onc visits are 20 to 30 minutes. When I have a question, I ask both the onc and the nurses. Sometimes I have to hear things more than once. LOL.
And rest whenever you can. I usually push myself, and in these two treatments I've found that when I push through I end up feeling worse. If I allow myself time to rest when my body needs it, the side effects aren't as bad.
I hope this helps you. Keep posting.
Linda0 -
Hi BrooklyncheleBrooklynchele said:Could use support too so I completely understand!
I'm new here too. Just joined 9/20. I'm considered "young" for breast cancer although I am much older than you (turned 44 on 9/1). My diagnosis was a complete surprise to me and my surgeon. Like you, I just started chemo. I go for my second round tomorrow. Hang in there and feel free to send me a message anytime. I'm trying to work through this as much as possible too so if it takes me a bit to respond, don't think I forgot you
It seems like there are a few of us on the second chemo round, me too. I get chemo first then surgery, then rads...I'm triple neg and IBC. Did you have surgery first?
Keep us posted and let us know how you're doing.
Linda0 -
Sorry you need to be here
You can get great support from this site. My wife is nearing the end of her chemo treatments; 4 rounds of AC followed by 4 rounds of Taxol. The AC was rough, but she made it through. For her, the first two rounds were the worst, then the next two were a little easier. The Taxol is having different side affects; not so much a fog as a knocked out flue feeling.
Hugs and Prayers
Bob0 -
Hello and welcome! I seeHubby said:Sorry you need to be here
You can get great support from this site. My wife is nearing the end of her chemo treatments; 4 rounds of AC followed by 4 rounds of Taxol. The AC was rough, but she made it through. For her, the first two rounds were the worst, then the next two were a little easier. The Taxol is having different side affects; not so much a fog as a knocked out flue feeling.
Hugs and Prayers
Bob
Hello and welcome! I see that you went to U of Penn, so i am assuming you are from the Philadelphia area. I live in Philly, i was being treated at Einstein, but i transferred to Fox Chase Cancer Center about 6 weeks ago. I am still in chemo treatment right now. Having a rough time, so i can understand what you are going through0 -
Yes, 2nd chemo roundGabe N Abby Mom said:Hi Brooklynchele
It seems like there are a few of us on the second chemo round, me too. I get chemo first then surgery, then rads...I'm triple neg and IBC. Did you have surgery first?
Keep us posted and let us know how you're doing.
Linda
Linda,
I had a lumpectomy 6/30 that was expected to be negative but wasn't. Path came back 7/5. I had a sentinel node biopsy and partial mastectomy 7/14. I delayed chemo because I had a hard time finding an oncologist I liked and that would respond to my questions and then I wanted to wait until after my birthday which was 9/1. My onc told me I could wait b/c standard protocol allows for up to an 84 day wait between the last surgery and chemo (I have no idea where they come up with that number).
Are they doing your chemo first to help shrink the mass?
Keep me posted as to how YOU'RE doing too!
Michele0 -
Soft Place to Fall
Hi Carrie,
You've found a soft place to fall on this discussion board - everyone is supportative and caring and can answer questions. I just want to send you positive thoughts as I really can't help you with other info. I'm 2 1/2 years out from my dx. I had a masectomy and didn't need the chemo, just the AI drugs at first (they didn't agree with me) and now I'm on Tamoxifen. Plus, you could be my daughter as my youngest daughter is now 30! I completely understand your mother wanting the best treatment for you - we mothers are like that and I can only imagine how hard this is for her watching you having to go thru this.
Stay tough and hang in there! Hugs, Sally0 -
Welcome Carrie with a C from
Welcome Carrie with a C from Kari with a K. I'm sorry you had to find us but yet so glad you did. This board is an amazing place to get the support you need. I love your positive attitude and you will get through this. I'm 13 months out from diagnoses and have had all the treatments and surgeries imaginable. I too had the A/C cocktail, it's a rough one but we get through. You seem like a strong young woman with support on this journey we didn't ask for. Anyhow, just wanted to say hello and welcome pink warrior.
Hugs,
Kari0 -
Gabe N Abby MomGabe N Abby Mom said:Hi Carrie,
I'm pretty new to
Hi Carrie,
I'm pretty new to these boards as well, but have been reading them for weeks. The warriors here a truly amazing, and will provide unconditional support. Ask all your questions, someone here will have insight for you.
As for your second treatment, (I'm on the uphill climb from my second too) I start drinking lots of water and something with electrolytes two days before. I also eat lots of iron rich foods and protein two days before. I feel like it helped. I was nervous about the second one too...would it be worse? how would it be different?
And ask the oncology nurses, I have sometimes gotten better information from them than from the onc. The nurses spend more time with the patients, my treatments take about 3 hours and my onc visits are 20 to 30 minutes. When I have a question, I ask both the onc and the nurses. Sometimes I have to hear things more than once. LOL.
And rest whenever you can. I usually push myself, and in these two treatments I've found that when I push through I end up feeling worse. If I allow myself time to rest when my body needs it, the side effects aren't as bad.
I hope this helps you. Keep posting.
Linda
hello. it's comforting to know others are on the same schedule together! we aren't alone lol
oncologists are hard to find, the big guys, don't seem to want to take the time to go through things with you. it's a lot of information! so much is happening! answers are necessary.
i tried not to push too much. after my 1st treatment, i rested all weekend. monday, received my neulasta injection. that made me feel so much worse! being a vet tech, my job requires so much go, go, go! they are very understanding about everything, i'm so lucky! if i need to rest, i can. if i have to take a half day, i can. by thursday i started to feel like me again!
thanks for the support
*hugs*0 -
Miss MurphyMiss Murphy said:Soft Place to Fall
Hi Carrie,
You've found a soft place to fall on this discussion board - everyone is supportative and caring and can answer questions. I just want to send you positive thoughts as I really can't help you with other info. I'm 2 1/2 years out from my dx. I had a masectomy and didn't need the chemo, just the AI drugs at first (they didn't agree with me) and now I'm on Tamoxifen. Plus, you could be my daughter as my youngest daughter is now 30! I completely understand your mother wanting the best treatment for you - we mothers are like that and I can only imagine how hard this is for her watching you having to go thru this.
Stay tough and hang in there! Hugs, Sally
hugs to you!
i will have to take the tamoxifen too, for 5 years. from what the oncologist said, there are really no side effects. has that been your experience?
carrie 0 -
Hi carriesoup,Jean 0609 said:Hi carriesoup,
Welcome. I'm glad you found us but sorry that you are here. This is a wonderful place to get answers, ask questions, or just vent. Remember we are all here for you.
Love your
Hi carriesoup,
Love your name! Sorry that you're here but you found the right place if you're looking for comfort and support.
Sorry you had a hard time with the first rounds of chemo and I pray it gets better for you.
Hugs,
Wanda0 -
I"m so sorry Carrie.Jean 0609 said:Hi carriesoup,
Welcome. I'm glad you found us but sorry that you are here. This is a wonderful place to get answers, ask questions, or just vent. Remember we are all here for you.
I will say that my first was my worst. AND each treatment had different side effects. Make sure to chew ice during the administration of the red devil. AND drink water ahead of time, like you were preparing for a marathon. It definitely seems to help if you do those 2 things. I tried to go without and found out.
My favorite comment lately: "LIFE IS NOT FAIR!"0
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