mother recently dx

tom29mi · January 2004

hi all.my mom was recently diagnosed and goes to see her oncologist today to set up her treatments.weve been told that it will be chemo with radiation.i was just wondering if anyone could give like a walkthrough as to what to expect and how the whole course is run treatment wise.im taking it that chemo comes first and then radiation from what ive read on the board but thats about all i know.my question is how do they do the radiation and what are the side affects.myself being a hodgkins survivor can relate to the chemo but fortunately didnt have to endure radiation.ill update later today when i find out all the information such as stage and treatment.

sassysally · January 2004

Hi Thomas, chemo stinks!!! although you know that. With the chemo, have your mom drink lots of water, that will flush the chemo through her system faster. I was on adriamycin and taxol last time....nasty stuff. She will probably feel alittle sick 2-3 days after the chemo. Have her ask for anti nausea medication before she starts chemo. Then have her take it before chemo as it will help with that part of it. Radiation .... First what they will do is "tattoo" little dots on her chest. These will be the outline for where they are going to shoot the radiation. Radiation isnt really bad until the end after so many, your skin starts to turn really red and burn. Ask the radiation technologist for aloe vera gel or the gel that they use. Have your mom use LOTS of it. Also shirts and bras will become uncomfortable. Have her go braless and wear cotton t shirts. Probably, the larger the better as this skin will be really sensative. Again have her drink lots of H2O as this will help in somewhat keeping her skin hydrated. I have had breast cancer 3 different times, and all of the treatment is no picnic, but she and you will make it through. Take it one step at a time. Ask all the questions that you have. If you dont get an answer keep asking and come here for there is alot of knowledge here. Im and 42 and still going..... Hang in there and know that many have walked in the shoes you must now wear. We are with you every step of the way. Prayers and hugs to you and your mom.
Sara

jrowe · January 2004

Hi..I agree with all of Sally's comments on how things will progress. The only thing I would add that she should let them know about any side effects she might be having. Just because they don't mention it or it is not in the books doesn't mean it won't happen to her. This site is also a wonderful place for experiences of others...which is so much more valuable than books ....I have found anyways. As far as your part....show her lots of love...hugs and phone calls and asking her what you can do for her. God Bless You both and take care.

tom29mi · January 2004

well just to update we went to the oncologist today and he told me that she is stage 3b and the tumor is big.after some discussion she decided to go through the treatment and starts chemo next week.he wants her to do four courses and then see what it looks like and most likely will do a masectomy then and possibly radiation and more chemo

shoop · January 2004

tom29mi said:
well just to update we went to the oncologist today and he told me that she is stage 3b and the tumor is big.after some discussion she decided to go through the treatment and starts chemo next week.he wants her to do four courses and then see what it looks like and most likely will do a masectomy then and possibly radiation and more chemo

I sounds like your Mom's case is somewhat similar to mine. My tumor was over 5 centimeters and I was also stage 3b. I had a bilateral mastectomy (because of family history) and then about 6-7 weeks later started chemo. I had 8 chemo treatments (4 of A/C and 4 with Taxatere). I then had about 6 weeks of radiation. Everyone is right about drinking lots of water and usually that is all you really want to drink because other things just don't taste right. The other thing I did was that I found some nutritional supplements that also helped me a lot. Also like everyone else said is take the anti-nausea medicine that make a big difference. Let your Mom know that even though they tell you that the tumor is big or that she is a stage 3b doesn't mean that this can't be beat because it can I'm proof of that.

vac · January 2004

shoop said:
I sounds like your Mom's case is somewhat similar to mine. My tumor was over 5 centimeters and I was also stage 3b. I had a bilateral mastectomy (because of family history) and then about 6-7 weeks later started chemo. I had 8 chemo treatments (4 of A/C and 4 with Taxatere). I then had about 6 weeks of radiation. Everyone is right about drinking lots of water and usually that is all you really want to drink because other things just don't taste right. The other thing I did was that I found some nutritional supplements that also helped me a lot. Also like everyone else said is take the anti-nausea medicine that make a big difference. Let your Mom know that even though they tell you that the tumor is big or that she is a stage 3b doesn't mean that this can't be beat because it can I'm proof of that.

shoop i had stage 3b but my tumor was 2cm. but i had 10+ lumph nodes how many did you have.in nov 2002 i had bilat mas with reconstructive surgery,oct 2003 i had stem cel transplant did great with that, now i am having 4 weeks of radiation. can't wait to go back to work

shoop · January 2004

vac said:
shoop i had stage 3b but my tumor was 2cm. but i had 10+ lumph nodes how many did you have.in nov 2002 i had bilat mas with reconstructive surgery,oct 2003 i had stem cel transplant did great with that, now i am having 4 weeks of radiation. can't wait to go back to work

vac i was very fortunate that all my lymphs were negative, they took out 26 but all were ok. the doctor told me i was very lucky because the type of cancer that i had was very aggressive but luckily it spent more time growing and less time spreading. I caught mine very early it was like nothing was there and then a couple of days later there was this huge lump. I immediately went to the dr. because of my family history. they did a biospy and a couple days later found out it was malignant (that was on 10/9/02) i had bilat. mastectomy and reconstruction on 10/30/02.

tom29mi · January 2004

my mother also is diabetic and on insulin will the chemo/radiation cause any problems with the diabetes?

chemoqueen1 · February 2004

Hi, one thing to remember is that everyone is differant and responds to chemo in differant ways. I was on Taxotere and Carboplatin and never even got sick, did not take any time off work and my energy level was great! Many people do feel very ill during chemo, but I really belive that maintaining a positive attitude is the key. There are so many wonderful medications to make Chemo more bearable. As for Radiation, it was more of a pain in the you know what. I had to go every day for 17 weeks. I did turn a little pink (I'm a Red Head so that was expected)I was given a speacial cream to use that really helped. Now that Rad's are done I do have some soreness in that breast, but the Rad Onc said that it does take several months for the inside tissue to heal, the skin usally heals pretty quickly. Hope this helps

mother recently dx

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