Breast Cancer

Hi!

I am a 50 year old breast cancer survivor, and am 2 1/2 years after chemotherapy. I know you have all kinds of emotions, concerns and perhaps questions going around your head. If I can help and be your on-line friend, I would be glad to be. Many people have given me support, and I truly want to give some back. I have my story on this site if you want to know more about me.

Please let me know about you, both who you are and what kind of treatment you have had. Ask me any questions you like. I check this site regularly, or we can e-mail directly if you like.

Louise

vino1112 said:

Hi!

I am a 50 year old breast cancer survivor, and am 2 1/2 years after chemotherapy. I know you have all kinds of emotions, concerns and perhaps questions going around your head. If I can help and be your on-line friend, I would be glad to be. Many people have given me support, and I truly want to give some back. I have my story on this site if you want to know more about me.

Please let me know about you, both who you are and what kind of treatment you have had. Ask me any questions you like. I check this site regularly, or we can e-mail directly if you like.

Louise

Hi I'm new to the site. I have Stage IV, bone mets. I was diagnosed 12/99 and in 4/99 with the bone mets. How extensive is you Ca. I want to hear from long term survivors especially. I was told 2-3 years of life. I won't accept that.
Sue

Patricia,
I also had a mastectomy two years ago. What kind of treatment will follow your surgery? will be glad to help with questions or fears if I can.
Trish

vinnie said:

Hi Louise:
I read your story on this site. Sounds like you've been to hell and back, but the good part is you are back. Working out is terrific and will certainly help you feel much better. I'm 52 and just got diagnosed. I don't know anything yet as far as treatment but I guess my only concern is how I will feel when I start chemo.
Will I be able to work, will I be able to come home and feel like making dinner or plop on the bed. Will I always feel sick ?????????????
Also, If you know of any other chat rooms that I
could join, please let me know.
Thanks and Lots of luck to you
vinnie

Hi. I was diagnosed with stage 3-A infiltrating ductal cell carcinoma in my left breast on March 19, 1999. I underwent a left modified radical mastectomy with lymph node dissection which found five of ten lymph nodes positive. I then underwent chemotherapy with Cytoxan, Adriamycin and 5-FU for four cycles and then Taxotere for four cycles. I did not tolerate chemo well. But I did tolerate it better than some. There were some patients that I met who had no side effects to the chemo. All people are different. However, even though I was sick a lot, had a lot of nausea and weakness and tiredness, I was still able to work. I do work at home so that maybe made it better, but then again whenever you are in an office with other people, you have a tendency to hide how you are feeling and don't really have time to think about it. The first four cycles were the worst. I was nauseated all the time from the Adriamycin. I would have one week out of the three or four between cycles that I felt halfway decent. But there were several ladies who were on the same chemo I was on and they had absolutely no side effects. The Taxotere was easier to take but harder on the body. I got severely neutropenic on that drug and had to be hospitalized for it. I'm glad I chose to undergo the chemo. It was worth every sick moment I had, because it got rid of my cancer. I also had six weeks of five times a week radiation therapy. I had no side effects from the radiation and felt wonderful. My hair was growning back really well, my energy was returning. Again, there were some patients who did not tolerate the radiation too well. We are all different and no one can predict how one person will react, just what might be. I just had my first six months checkup and I am cancer free. I am looking forward to the day when cancer is not the first thing I think about every day. If you need someone to discuss your experiences with, please feel free to contact me. I check this site at least once a day. I am a volunteer with the ACS now and love their site.

jane38 said:

Hi. I was diagnosed with stage 3-A infiltrating ductal cell carcinoma in my left breast on March 19, 1999. I underwent a left modified radical mastectomy with lymph node dissection which found five of ten lymph nodes positive. I then underwent chemotherapy with Cytoxan, Adriamycin and 5-FU for four cycles and then Taxotere for four cycles. I did not tolerate chemo well. But I did tolerate it better than some. There were some patients that I met who had no side effects to the chemo. All people are different. However, even though I was sick a lot, had a lot of nausea and weakness and tiredness, I was still able to work. I do work at home so that maybe made it better, but then again whenever you are in an office with other people, you have a tendency to hide how you are feeling and don't really have time to think about it. The first four cycles were the worst. I was nauseated all the time from the Adriamycin. I would have one week out of the three or four between cycles that I felt halfway decent. But there were several ladies who were on the same chemo I was on and they had absolutely no side effects. The Taxotere was easier to take but harder on the body. I got severely neutropenic on that drug and had to be hospitalized for it. I'm glad I chose to undergo the chemo. It was worth every sick moment I had, because it got rid of my cancer. I also had six weeks of five times a week radiation therapy. I had no side effects from the radiation and felt wonderful. My hair was growning back really well, my energy was returning. Again, there were some patients who did not tolerate the radiation too well. We are all different and no one can predict how one person will react, just what might be. I just had my first six months checkup and I am cancer free. I am looking forward to the day when cancer is not the first thing I think about every day. If you need someone to discuss your experiences with, please feel free to contact me. I check this site at least once a day. I am a volunteer with the ACS now and love their site.

Hi Jane
Sounds like you've had your share, but congradulations, I guess it's all worth every bit if at the end you hear "Cancer free". Thanks for sharing your progress with me. I see the surgeon tomorrow and then on to the oncologist so I'm just taking notes and getting lots of questions ready. I'll keep in touch, and thanks again.
vinnie

Hi Patricia. I am 1-1/2 years out from my mastectomy and just had my first six months checkup and am still free of cancer. I would be more than happy to help you out in any way possible. My story, too, is on this site. It does get better, and it does become not so scary.

mcgruff said:

Patricia, Guess you and I could do well together. I just had a left breast mastectomy last Wednesday 9/20. How are you feeling? I'm doing okay. Only taking 4-5 vicodin a day with a tylenol chaser. As Emeril would say "bam" kick it up a notch. Did you have lymph nodes removed at the same time? I did. Mine were positive. What is your dr. telling you is your next step? Have a good day today. We can only take ONE DAY AT A TIME. Keep on writing. My e-mail address is janerwells@yahoo.com. McGruff

Lost in Time
Hello Jane, It's Nancy. I am so very sorry that I did not email you about your surgery, I just did not know you were doing that last week. I have been caught up with a very serious illness for my brother (brain tumor) and I have missed some posts. GREAT that you are not having a lot of pain. Some of my friends have told me this same thing. I had my lymph node surgery this past Friday. I did a clinical trial with the sentinel node biopsy, but I fell into the group that got both the sentinel node and the axillary dissection. One lynph node positive out of 17. Because of the trial, they did a very extensive pathology on the node. Otherwise they may not have found it. The drain left yesterday and I am doing arm exercises to keep the lymph flowing. Stay in touch and keep that GREAT ATTITUDE. Your friend, Nancy

I am also new and had my left breast removed in July. Anytime you need support just ask. I am finishing up my last four months of chemo and i will have had 8 months of chemo altogether. Then starts six weeks of radiation and 5 years of tamixofen. It isn't as scary as i am making it out to be. I found it is more fear oof the unknown. Looking forward to hearing from you.