New to the board

Ctine70
Ctine70 Member Posts: 150
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone,
Been getting a lot of good advice from this board and finally got up the courage to join.
I was diagnosed with stage 1 idc on 6/26 and had a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy on 7/13/12.
Starting my first round of chemo on 9/6 and five more rounds to go before I can start 7 weeks of radiation.
I am 42 years old and have a some to be 9 year old daughter and an 11 year old son. I am having a hard time dealing with all the changes and although
My husband and family have been wonderful , unless they are going through this they can't really understand.
Did not do well after my first round of chemo and now just found out yesterday that my white blood count is very low and have to go through another round of nepogren shots. On top of it all my hair starting falling out a little yesterday so I cut it super short and that is just killing me.
I am truly sorry that all of us on this board have to go through this but we are all strong beautiful women and can get through it all together.

Comments

  • CyndiJW
    CyndiJW Member Posts: 53
    #2
    Welcome!
    Sorry you have to
    Welcome!
    Sorry you have to be here, but this is a great place to find support among others going through, or having already been through, what you are now facing.

    I hope the best for you during this difficult time. Please just give a yell when you need anything, advice, encouragement, a shoulder, etc...

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi
  • ksf56
    ksf56 Member Posts: 202
    #3
    Welcome
    I'm so sorry you're going through this! I've been there like everyone on this site so we know what's happening with you. I finished all my chemo in Jan. 2012. The first couple of sessions were pretty tough - my WBC counts went way down and I had to have the Neulasta shots. It really helped. My hair started falling out within 10 days - I can say I had a really hard time with that. I was very sad - it was like taking away my identity. I had 16 chemo treatments followed by 33 radiation treatments. I got through all of it - one step at a time. My hair started coming back during radiation - it was very fine but it was there. I finished radiation in March.

    Everyone here will support you when you need it! Just come on and read and share.

    Hugs!
    Karen
  • 47ronin
    47ronin Member Posts: 16
    #4
    Welcome to the Club!
    Hi, Ctine 70, I'm fairly new here myself. I'm sorry that you're here and I hope you understand that you didn't do anything to cause this, and this is not your fault.

    I think you're really smart that your husband and 2 kids won't be able to understand exactly what you're handling; that's why I think these boards are a great idea. I have a husband and a 24 year old and a 16 year old, and they're sympathetic, but it's not the same as being a breast cancer patient. (My 16-year-old, though, went through 2.5 years of treatment for leukemia: he's doing great now, and my biggest worry is him learning to drive, and getting decent grades - normal problems.)

    I was devastated when my hair came out; I didn't really think it would hit me so hard. I did chemo between late May and late July. My hair's starting to come back now (peach-fuzz); and at least the weather will be cooler for wearing wigs and scarves. It will come back, but it's hard waiting.

    I'm sorry you didn't do well after your first round. The neupogen/neulasta shots were tough for me, too. Don't forget to keep your doc's number on your cell phone, and let them know if you need something for pain, or other side effects. One thing that helped me a lot with low back pain was using a heating pad; also, getting strong pain meds and using them around the clock. With me, the pain was worst 4 days after the shot, but your mileage may vary.

    You will get through this Ctine; like you said, we're all strong beautiful women and it's amazing what you can get used to.

    My best wishes for health and healing to you, your family, and all of us.

    Pat
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #5
    Hi and welcome
    to the club nobody wants to be in. You are right that unless they went through it nobody really understands. But you have the support and your family at your side and that means a lot. You will get through this and we will be here for you any time you need us.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • Ctine70
    Ctine70 Member Posts: 150
    #6
    ksf56 said:

    Welcome
    I'm so sorry you're going through this! I've been there like everyone on this site so we know what's happening with you. I finished all my chemo in Jan. 2012. The first couple of sessions were pretty tough - my WBC counts went way down and I had to have the Neulasta shots. It really helped. My hair started falling out within 10 days - I can say I had a really hard time with that. I was very sad - it was like taking away my identity. I had 16 chemo treatments followed by 33 radiation treatments. I got through all of it - one step at a time. My hair started coming back during radiation - it was very fine but it was there. I finished radiation in March.

    Everyone here will support you when you need it! Just come on and read and share.

    Hugs!
    Karen

    Thanks Karen
    Hi Karen,

    I am so sorry you had to go through that but I am glad to hear you are all done with treatment.
    I agree that losing your hair is like losing your identity. I am 9 days out from my first chemo and already my hair has started to fall out
    It is really bothering me more so than the pains for the nepogren shots.
    I wish you all the best thanks for the support

    Christine
  • Ctine70
    Ctine70 Member Posts: 150
    #7
    47ronin said:

    Welcome to the Club!
    Hi, Ctine 70, I'm fairly new here myself. I'm sorry that you're here and I hope you understand that you didn't do anything to cause this, and this is not your fault.

    I think you're really smart that your husband and 2 kids won't be able to understand exactly what you're handling; that's why I think these boards are a great idea. I have a husband and a 24 year old and a 16 year old, and they're sympathetic, but it's not the same as being a breast cancer patient. (My 16-year-old, though, went through 2.5 years of treatment for leukemia: he's doing great now, and my biggest worry is him learning to drive, and getting decent grades - normal problems.)

    I was devastated when my hair came out; I didn't really think it would hit me so hard. I did chemo between late May and late July. My hair's starting to come back now (peach-fuzz); and at least the weather will be cooler for wearing wigs and scarves. It will come back, but it's hard waiting.

    I'm sorry you didn't do well after your first round. The neupogen/neulasta shots were tough for me, too. Don't forget to keep your doc's number on your cell phone, and let them know if you need something for pain, or other side effects. One thing that helped me a lot with low back pain was using a heating pad; also, getting strong pain meds and using them around the clock. With me, the pain was worst 4 days after the shot, but your mileage may vary.

    You will get through this Ctine; like you said, we're all strong beautiful women and it's amazing what you can get used to.

    My best wishes for health and healing to you, your family, and all of us.

    Pat

    Welcome Pat
    Hi Pat,
    Welcome to the board, I hope you are doing well. Are you still in treatment or are you done?
    Glad to hear that your son is doing great that must of been very hard on him and your family. 16 is a great year for them and rough on the patents.
    I have a 16 year old nephew who is learning to drive and I see what it's doing to my sister in law so I wish you all the luck with that.

    I thought I was prepared for what I was in for with chemo, I did ll my research and talk to a few people who had gone through it. But until you
    Walk that road yourself no amountif research can prepare you.
    I feel like I spend more time at my doctors office than I do at home lately between nepogren shots and blood work.
    Yesterday they told me that since my WBC is so low I need to stay away from my kids, not to hug or kiss them how am I suppose to do that
    It's killing me. I understand why they said it but it's hard and don't know if I will be able to do that.

    Have a great weekend!
    Christine
  • Ctine70
    Ctine70 Member Posts: 150
    #8
    ladyg said:

    Hi and welcome
    to the club nobody wants to be in. You are right that unless they went through it nobody really understands. But you have the support and your family at your side and that means a lot. You will get through this and we will be here for you any time you need us.

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    Hi Georgia
    Thanks for your support ! Hope you are doing well
  • Ctine70
    Ctine70 Member Posts: 150
    #9
    CyndiJW said:

    Welcome!
    Sorry you have to
    Welcome!
    Sorry you have to be here, but this is a great place to find support among others going through, or having already been through, what you are now facing.

    I hope the best for you during this difficult time. Please just give a yell when you need anything, advice, encouragement, a shoulder, etc...

    *Hugs*
    Cyndi

    Thanks Cyndi
    Thank you Cyndi,
    This board has been a great place for support and information.
    Hope you are doing well
    Thanks again
    Christine
  • Attygirl
    Attygirl Member Posts: 121
    #10
    Hello
    Sorry you have to be hear but glad you came.
    I was diagnosed with stage 1 in April. Lumpectomy in May. Radiation over the summer. Starting Tamoxifen next week.
    It is good to have this space to come to with whatever is on my mind.
    I wish you and your family well and look forward to seeing you share your journey.
    Thoughts and prayers...
  • Ctine70
    Ctine70 Member Posts: 150
    #11
    Attygirl said:

    Hello
    Sorry you have to be hear but glad you came.
    I was diagnosed with stage 1 in April. Lumpectomy in May. Radiation over the summer. Starting Tamoxifen next week.
    It is good to have this space to come to with whatever is on my mind.
    I wish you and your family well and look forward to seeing you share your journey.
    Thoughts and prayers...

    Hi Attygirl
    Hi Attygirl

    Good luck with the Tamoxifen my mom has been on it for three years now and she is doing well no side effect.
    I will be going it I as well once I am done with Chemo and Radiation.
    this site has been wonderful so many nice people and such good advice
    Nice to know I'm not alone although I wish none of us had to be here
    Good luck to you
  • bc2012
    bc2012 Member Posts: 7
    #12
    Welcome
    We are here to help each other. Sorry you have to go through this with us too. We are here to help in any way we can. Having family support you is important. I have a 10 year old and a 6 year old. I will say prayers for you and keep you in my thoughts. Hang in there, you can do this. You are strong!

    Jessica
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #13
    welcome
    You are right. Though they love us and work hard to be supportive our family members still leave a gap that we need to get filled. We can get that gap filled here.
  • Ctine70
    Ctine70 Member Posts: 150
    #14
    bc2012 said:

    Welcome
    We are here to help each other. Sorry you have to go through this with us too. We are here to help in any way we can. Having family support you is important. I have a 10 year old and a 6 year old. I will say prayers for you and keep you in my thoughts. Hang in there, you can do this. You are strong!

    Jessica

    Hi. Jessica
    Hi, thanks for your support sorry that you have to go through this too.
    How are your children handling it?
    Christine
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #15
    bc2012 said:

    Welcome
    We are here to help each other. Sorry you have to go through this with us too. We are here to help in any way we can. Having family support you is important. I have a 10 year old and a 6 year old. I will say prayers for you and keep you in my thoughts. Hang in there, you can do this. You are strong!

    Jessica

    Jessica is right! We're
    Jessica is right! We're here to help you however we can. So, don't be shy. Post whenever you want to and about whatever you want to. We'll listen and support you and hopefully help you through any questions, problems or concerns you have.


    Hugs, Diane
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #16
    welcome and vent
    welcome and vent away...

    like you said you can find great advice and opinons here.


    Denise

Discussion Boards