HI NEWBIES, WANT TO KNOW WHAT A BREAST CANCER JOURNEY IS LIKE...?

 Hello Everybody: (May interest you if you are new to breast cancer, May bore you if you've already survived your own unique journey...)

I started this thread because I know the anxiety of waiting, of being very afraid of what to expect, of not knowing where to start,  of not knowing what to do, and where to go  etc etc etc. I'VE ALREADY BEEN THERE these last 2.5 months now. As I was writing this experience at another site, it occur to me that I should copy and share my experiences here too. I want to walk you through it... If I can help to alleviate your fear at this point in your life, then I am happy to have contributed. Please bear in mind that since every cancer patient's  stage, grade, size, ER/PR, HER2 status may vary, that should be the major determinant of your treatments, tests and surgeries. Although you will likely get, at minimum, the tests I've already done. Still, getting an early overview can enable you craft your journey along the way.

I have had my tests and surgery in March 2015, (it's written under May 4th, 2015 Chemo #2 section below), and started my 1st chemo treatment last Monday, April 27th. I suggest you scroll down and read from the paragraph that begins with the bolded paragraph "When I was first diagnosed..." and then backtrack to surgery, and then to chemo. 

If you want a very quick overview, scroll down to where I have just added "MY BREAST CANCER TIMELINE SUMMARY" which will give you an overview of all the timelines I have undergone thus far.

It may seem like I'm jumping the gun here for you, if you are new to breast cancer. BUT, I strongly feel that if you have more ideas of this journey you will be embarking on, then I have no doubt that you'll find the bravery within you to travel forward. I have included a lot of details so that you can be enlightened, so that you know what you need to do when it's your turn. Some of the terms and names of drugs will seem daunting to you now, but believe me, you will want to learn all these terms, names and procedures very, very quickly. What I first came to this forum page, I tried to find such details of each segment of others' journey, but was unable to. Which is why I wanted to do it this way.

At the very bottom, I have included several links that are very good read, as well as one on the different types of reconstructive surgical methods available to different tumor location/size after you had your lumpectomy. It is quite interesting and informative. Forgive me, if some of you may find it too lengthy.

Regardless, I wish you well and may peace be with you always...

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March 27th, 2015 (MONDAY) >>> CHEMO #1

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Duration: 12 weeks weekly concurrent Herceptin + Paclitaxel (HER2+, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 2.5 cm, ER/PR-, Clear Margins, 0/1 Sentinel Node, Lumpectomy, Right Breast Reconstruction)

Initial Treatment: 4.5 hours.

(I) Pre-Herceptin Medication: Panadol (oral) + Benedryll (IV) 30 mins, including recovery time. The purpose of Benedryll is to help patient deal with the chill and cold that Herceptin can caused to some patients.

(II) Herceptin: 60 mins (about4 mg/kg). It was OK for me except that during the last 15 mins of infusion, the benedryll wore off and I did indeed felt cold and chilly in my body. I made it a point to request for benedryll for subsequent treatment and  in sufficient dosage that I don't feel the chill and cold coming on in my body.

(III) Pre-Medication for Paclitaxel (Ranitindine, Diphenhyramine, Dexamethasone) - It was explained to me that these pre-medication is to help prevent/reduce allergies of paclitaxel in patients. (30 mins + 30 mins recovery time).

(IV) 30 mins before the start of paclitaxel, I wore double layer food preparation glove, and soaked my hands in a basin of water filled with frozen blue ice. I also wrap my both my feet in plastic bag before soaking them in a basin of water and sufficient frozen blue ice  to last me through 2 hours** (30 mins before paclitaxel, 60 mins during, and 30 mins more after infusion end). My doctor said this could reduce the chances of getting neuropathy. He said it worked on the majority of his patients, although it didn't work on two of his patients. He did say it was optional, that it's somewhat inconvenient because I have to bring all these items myself. When the blue ice melted, I rang for the nurses in the chemo room to help me with taking the melted ones out and take new ones from my Coleman cooler box (if you like pictures of the list of items, please send a private email to me). I didn't mind the inconvenience if this means lesser or reduce chances of getting neuropathy in my fingers, hands and feet. Oh you could buy hypothermia gloves and slippers at Amazon.com. They cost about US$100/pair, and you will need at least 2 pairs of each. I prefer to go with the cheaper version.

(IV) Paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) - 60 mins infusion.

(V) 30 more mins icing hands and feet.

During chemotherapy, we were allowed to drink to keep ourselves hydrated, and to eat (I brought crackers with me) between infusion. I had brought along a 1.5 litre bottle of green bean soup that I had boiled earlier that morning. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), green bean soup (beans discarded) is believed to help to detox our body. I drink it between infusion. We can go to the toilet anytime. The nurses where I have my chemo are helpful, patient and wonderful. At this cancer center, there are two rooms for chemo, one with 76 seating and another with 28 seating. I requested for the smaller room. The sofa seats are quite comfortable.  In front of every seat is our own TV for patients to watch any channels we want.

When my infusion was over, I was anxious to go to the toilette for the 4th time. I stood up, forgetting that having soaked my feet in cold cold water for so long, it was numbed and red (not painful). I almost fall over and someone caught me. Lesson learned. Then I gulped down the rest of my green bean soup. I will say that I drink at least 4-4 litres of fluid every day. It seems to lessen any side effects. And my tastebuds did not change drastically, fortunately. Though I think it did for many people here in the forum pages. I believe drinking lots and lots of fluid helps to reduce the change in taste as well.

I was grateful that my sister was with me. When we got home, it was dinner time and I was quite hungry. I had a bowl of baby oatmeal with dried cranberries/raisins/honey. Then I gulped 1/2 liter of water. Then proceeded to have 2 large slices of cranberries/walnut multigrain bread, drank another 1/2 liter of water, took my immune system booster supplement, brush my teeth, and gargled my mouth with biotene (effective and important to have) to prevent sore mouth. Then to bed. I slept like a baby.