Newly diagnosed and scared

lisenbysl said:

update

I haven't been on here for awhile so I just wanted to give you guys an update. I just finished my last round of A/C chemo. The first was the hardest. I was extremely nauseaus, and I was prescribed several meds before I realized the only med that worked was Zofran. My last 3 were a little more tolerable. I was feeling almost back to normal within 5 days. I've been off work on short term disability. I am able to get out and about sometimes. I start 12 weeks of Taxol on August 19 so I have a little break. I'm a little bit worred of the side effects that come along with that, although a nurse told me it's more tolerable than the A/C. we'll see.

Glad to hear you are able to cross something off your list.  Enjoy the break - do something fun!

Kathy

Hi, 

Since you recognize the benefits of being able to work from home I can tell that you're on the right track to keeping a positive attitude. You just need to keep going with that. Four years ago I had a double mastectomy, 6 rounds of chemo, and a year of herceptin treatments. There were days I was tired, so I just watched movies, but I was able to keep my social life in check. If being there for your son's games is important to you, prioritize it, be realistic and let your spirit carry you. 

On the realistic side, you are going to know your chemo schedule in advance. The days around your chemo, you'll be tired. Consider setting your son's expectations in advance based on his game schedule and your chemo schedule. You may not make all the games. Let him know in advance.

On the spirit side, I belive that we all create our own vibrations. When you think positive thoughts, positivity is attracted to you. One technique I've started to use, which actually works, is visualizing. Visualize yourself at the game. See yourself there. What are you wearing, where are you standing, what do you see? Do this between now and when there are no more games and you'll be surprised at how many games you attend.

Good Luck, 

Vickie

Hi there,

Had my second taxol/herceptin treatment today.  I'm taking herceptin because i am HER2+.  Doing great so far....only a few side effects such as headache and a little indigestion but nothing that isn't manageable.  I've been drinking a lot of water....at least 80 ounces the day before my treatment; 80 ounces the day of and 80 ounces the day after; then about 60 ounces until the next week.  Chemo in....chemo drug out is my theory!  I was told today that my Taxol treatment is not dose cumulative as far as side effects.....meaning they should not get worse because the drug doesn't stay in your system for a week. I receive 138mg of Taxol over an hour infusion......I understand the amount is weight-based.  Guess I need to lose some weight!

Praying for both of us to remain positive and be able to lead a somewhat normal life through this process.  We can do this.  God chose us for a reason and we have to figure out why he put this cancer diagnosis in our path.  He has a bigger purpose for our lives....I'm convinced of that!

Kathy

I was just diagnosed with infiltrating ductall carcinoma. I start 8 weeks of chemo tomorrow Carboplatin with paclitaxel every third week. I am reading all the side effects and am wondering if there is an alternative to chemo? I'm afraid to take it and afraid not to take it.  Once that 8 weeks is over, I have another 8 weeks of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin. I'm so scared I can't sleep

I am new to this discussion board my daughter set it up she thought it would help me. I had stage 3 seven years ago in my early forties I had it then in both breasts the chemo back then was so bad I was hospitalized 5 or six times. I was told I was cancer free so being that young I had reconstruction done through my adomon I asked them to remove my other breast during this surgery which they did. I was put on the drug Femara but I kept throwing clots so the first 2 years I was on nothing but tried it again with a blood thinner for the next 5 years I begged them not to take me off of it but they said after 5 years it doesn't work as they told me after being off it for only 7 months at a check up they tested my tumour markers and they were above normal they ended up doing a pet scan and found a tumor on my chest wall but this time my lynodes were involved making me stage 4. I was in shock and stayed that way and a part of me still is. I was so angry because I asked them not to stop the Femara.  I was told I cannot be cured but through new treatments pending if it works or it doesn't spread outside the wall they will try and give me as much time as they can or in my case how long God has planned for me. I just started the chemo drug taxol I go every Tuesday for 3 weeks then I have a week off. I am having a ct scan the following week after this one I am so scared because I now have new symptoms and they always do my chest, adomon and pelvic area this time he wants to do my head as well which scares me so much as this is where my mother's went to at the end.  I would appreciate anybody responding to this post with stage 4 cancer and how they are coping or anyone who knows someone who has this diagnoses for encouragement.. it is so hard to talk with my children even though they are married and older they are trying to deal with this themselves I can't talk to them honestly about my fears because as mothers we still try and protect them at any age. I hope that someone can help me through their own experience or from someone else they know that is trying things that might help me. I appreciate any one who reads this even if they can't relate input 

CarieSec said:

Help to cope with Chemo/Radiation(allergies/Asthma/nasal drip)

Hi, hope you are feeling better.  I would appreciate your help becaues you are going thru the same I plan to have next week.  Nobody writes to me so really really need anybody's help.

Thanks,

Carie

I'm a little late; you've probably already started treatment. If you're taking Taxol, they include a portion of Benedryl in your chemo round. I've got asthma and allergies too, but those treatments had me breathing more clearly than I had in a long time. It made me sleepy, but I didn't mind at all.