NEWLY DIAGNOSED STAGE 2 DUCTAL / INVASIVE

toninasky
toninasky Member Posts: 102
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Well, I found this site because a gal marcia 527 replied to my msg on cancer.org.
I would very much like to be in touch with marcia, and anyone who would like to correspond and discuss this disease. It is not a happy time, but I have accepted it. I am very calm. Sometimes I don't believe just how calm I am. I am out of surgery 2 weeks. I had a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy that show 1 lymph node out of 11 as positive. My treatment is 1 treatment x 4 every 3 weeks of adriamycin and cytoxan, and then 12 weeks of 1 treatment per week of taxol. After that 5 weeks of radiation, along with hormone inhibitors. My tumors are Estrogen and Progesterone related. I have been really reading and trying to learn all I can. I truly like my oncologist, and my surgeon was wonderful. I feel pretty positive until I start to read some of the side effects, and the problems folks have with keeping their jobs; and then I get really nervous. I am a telephone answering service operator, and I want to continue to work. I can sense a bit of undertone in my office manager when I talk about my treatment time, and it worries me, but I know that my body comes first. I also am a bit concerned about the Taxol and neuropathy. Obviously I cannot have numb fingers and type. I will discuss Glutamine with my onc. I really want to take one day at a time, and get through this. I hope I will hear from a lot of you, including you Marcia 527. I appreciated your comments and your direction to this site. I hope that maybe I won't have the side effects that will most stop me from doing what I truly enjoy. My first treatment is on Aug 25th. I will have my head shaved before since I don't want to watch it fall out a bit at a time. My son was a cancer patient in 1999 /2000 . He had esophageal cancer that had spread to his liver before it was diagnosed. He was 29 when diagnosed and 5 days over 30 years when he left us. He was not married, so my husband daughter and I were his caregivers. He taught us so much about dignity in his battle with this disease.

Hope to hear from lots of you soon.

Toni

Comments

  • Susan956
    Susan956 Member Posts: 510
    #2
    Toni,

    I was walking your path about 1 year ago, and today I am cancer free. While I won't tell you that you will be able to work everyday as if nothing has happened, if you are lucky you will probably be able to work most days. I did the A/C for 4 treatments every two weeks. (a tighter schedule than yours). I managed to work every day on my off weeks and I missed the day of treatment (Tuesdays) and then 2 days after treatment(Friday). I used the weekend then to try to regain my strength. Then I did 12 weeks of Taxol w/herceptin (I was HER 2 +). I managed to work most days until the last couple of weeks when I just got too tired. A couple of pieces of advice. Watch your own blood work. When your hemoglobin is below 12 push for a Procrit shot. Don't wait and Don't accept No. Also, watch your white blood cell count. They normally tend to give you Neulasta. If that shot doesn't work for you ask them about Neupogen (it must be given daily for 10 days(I learned how to give it to myself) but it tends to work for people that the Neulasta isn't effective for. Keeping your Hemoglobin and White Cell count as in balance as you can will determine how much you can work.

    With the taxol, you will probably get some tingling/numbness in your fingers, but you will still be able to type. It may not feel good, but it can be done.

    I won't try to tell you that you don't have a steep hill to climb, but the improvements in managing side effects are much better than in the past. And Breast Cancer is truly one of the Cancer beasts that can be beat. There are a lot of us here who can attest to that.

    Hope this has helped.

    God Bless.

    Susan
  • LesleyH
    LesleyH Member Posts: 370
    #3
    Hi Toni,

    First of all, I'm sorry about your sad loss. Losing a child to the beast is unbearable.

    It seems as though you are getting the standard treatment and have every hope for a full recovery. Please don't plan on working every day. Although you may have fewer side effects than most, you will be more tired than you can imagine. There were some days that I could not move. (I normally walk about 6 or more miles a day). I did work part time, but it was very difficult. I actually had very little trouble on the taxol. The AC was the one. It has some serious side effects.

    Hugs.

    Lesley
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    Toni,
    Welcome to our family. I was pretty much the same as you are, and I finished treatment the end of June.
    WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER....
    Day before, day of, day after infusion of the chemo.
    Yes, you WILL lose your hair, that is a given, but everything else is individual. I was major hit with the AC, but the Taxol was tolerable. I agree, you need to keep and look at each and every lab result...white/red cells can go down FAST. Procrit and Neulasta/Neupogin (same stuff, different delivery) were part of my routine...my white count went so low one time, but I didn't feel it...told to 'go home'..was at work.
    As far as days off. Wed was my infusion day. Thurs was my 'hampster in a wheel' day...VERY energetic...Fri started the slow down....Sat was horrible...Sun was great again!!!!
    Radiation is more of a piece of cake...just the daily going into the center was a pain, but for the skin burn I used Silvadene.

    That said, I sat next to a gal who was ahead of me in treatments. SHE had NO serious sides to the chemo...
    Hugs, Kathi
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #5
    KathiM said:

    Toni,
    Welcome to our family. I was pretty much the same as you are, and I finished treatment the end of June.
    WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER....
    Day before, day of, day after infusion of the chemo.
    Yes, you WILL lose your hair, that is a given, but everything else is individual. I was major hit with the AC, but the Taxol was tolerable. I agree, you need to keep and look at each and every lab result...white/red cells can go down FAST. Procrit and Neulasta/Neupogin (same stuff, different delivery) were part of my routine...my white count went so low one time, but I didn't feel it...told to 'go home'..was at work.
    As far as days off. Wed was my infusion day. Thurs was my 'hampster in a wheel' day...VERY energetic...Fri started the slow down....Sat was horrible...Sun was great again!!!!
    Radiation is more of a piece of cake...just the daily going into the center was a pain, but for the skin burn I used Silvadene.

    That said, I sat next to a gal who was ahead of me in treatments. SHE had NO serious sides to the chemo...
    Hugs, Kathi

    P.S. Taxol was finished the end of March. It is now beginning of August. I have NO neuropathy.
    BTW this was my second cancer...first was rectal 11/04...5FU (which is another neuropathy causer)...NO neuropathy now AT ALL....water, water, water, water...
  • alesh71
    alesh71 Member Posts: 7
    #6
    Hi, my name is Carmen and I am new to this. I have also been diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. Had bilateral mastectomy and gone already through two chemotherapy sesions. I have CEF (cyclophosphamide/epirubicin/fluorouracil) every three weeks 3 sessions and then 3 sessions of Taxotere. I am still working and exercising as much as I can. Any advided for taxotere. How is tolerated. What about the nails?
    Although I had mastectomy my margin was too closed and I will have radiation after. One more complication because I can not finish reconstruction until 6 months later. I have saline expanders that feel like two rocks, but at least I look good with clothes on. Everything seems too long but at least I am healthy otherwise and doing well. I can see the light at the end.
    Thanks
  • LesleyH
    LesleyH Member Posts: 370
    #7
    alesh71 said:

    Hi, my name is Carmen and I am new to this. I have also been diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. Had bilateral mastectomy and gone already through two chemotherapy sesions. I have CEF (cyclophosphamide/epirubicin/fluorouracil) every three weeks 3 sessions and then 3 sessions of Taxotere. I am still working and exercising as much as I can. Any advided for taxotere. How is tolerated. What about the nails?
    Although I had mastectomy my margin was too closed and I will have radiation after. One more complication because I can not finish reconstruction until 6 months later. I have saline expanders that feel like two rocks, but at least I look good with clothes on. Everything seems too long but at least I am healthy otherwise and doing well. I can see the light at the end.
    Thanks

    Hi Carmem,

    Congratulations on getting through this fight with enough energy to work and exercise. From what I hear, TAxotere is similar to Taxol, except that some people experience more swelling of the feet on Taxotere but less of the nail side effects. (Try to be prepared to sit with your feet up as much as possible). I had TAxol and my nails are really bad. I lost a few and the rest still have not recovered. But I had little neuropathy, and none now. I finished treatment at the beginning of December. I had 12 Taxols and thought it soooo much better than the AC, but my friend had 4 Taxoteres and thought it worse than the AC. So I guess it is your own personal reaction. I echo Kathi's advice: Water, water, water in any caffeine/alchohol free form you can tolerate.

    Hugs. My thoughts go with you.

    Lesley
  • alesh71
    alesh71 Member Posts: 7
    #8
    LesleyH said:

    Hi Carmem,

    Congratulations on getting through this fight with enough energy to work and exercise. From what I hear, TAxotere is similar to Taxol, except that some people experience more swelling of the feet on Taxotere but less of the nail side effects. (Try to be prepared to sit with your feet up as much as possible). I had TAxol and my nails are really bad. I lost a few and the rest still have not recovered. But I had little neuropathy, and none now. I finished treatment at the beginning of December. I had 12 Taxols and thought it soooo much better than the AC, but my friend had 4 Taxoteres and thought it worse than the AC. So I guess it is your own personal reaction. I echo Kathi's advice: Water, water, water in any caffeine/alchohol free form you can tolerate.

    Hugs. My thoughts go with you.

    Lesley

    Thank Lesley. 12 sessions with taxol seems a lot, I only going to have 3. Sorry about the nails. Like we do not have enough with the hair. Well, hope they come back soon.
    I have my last FEC next week and my first taxotere Sep 7. I'll let you know how it is.
    I am having problems drinking water because of bad taste in my mouth. Also, because I put ice in my mouth during the epirubicin injeccion, I have nauseas only thinking about ice or water. The ice in my mouth worked well to prevent mouth sore. They recomended me to put my nails also in ice while I get taxotere. Has anyone done this?

    thanks

    Carmen
  • epgnyc
    epgnyc Member Posts: 137
    #9
    Hi, Toni. I was treated in 2002 for Stage I idc and my treatment schedule was similar to yours in that it was once every 3 weeks. One big difference though is that I was not on Taxol. I worked full-time the entire time I went through chemo and radiation and was out only when it was my treatment day and two other days when I was running a high fever. True, there were days when I was feeling not so hot where I would go in late or leave a bit early, but I'd guess I worked over 90% of the time. And that was great for me because I would have driven myself crazy if I'd been lying around at home with all that time to THINK! Keeping busy, with my focus on other people instead of myself, was what kept me sane. But you need to listen to your body and do only as much as you feel able to. Good luck!
  • MaryGail
    MaryGail Member Posts: 10
    #10
    KathiM said:

    Toni,
    Welcome to our family. I was pretty much the same as you are, and I finished treatment the end of June.
    WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER....
    Day before, day of, day after infusion of the chemo.
    Yes, you WILL lose your hair, that is a given, but everything else is individual. I was major hit with the AC, but the Taxol was tolerable. I agree, you need to keep and look at each and every lab result...white/red cells can go down FAST. Procrit and Neulasta/Neupogin (same stuff, different delivery) were part of my routine...my white count went so low one time, but I didn't feel it...told to 'go home'..was at work.
    As far as days off. Wed was my infusion day. Thurs was my 'hampster in a wheel' day...VERY energetic...Fri started the slow down....Sat was horrible...Sun was great again!!!!
    Radiation is more of a piece of cake...just the daily going into the center was a pain, but for the skin burn I used Silvadene.

    That said, I sat next to a gal who was ahead of me in treatments. SHE had NO serious sides to the chemo...
    Hugs, Kathi

    AS you are seeing, chemo really doesn't affect everyone the same! I had it 7 years ago, taking Adriamycin and Cytoxan. I never threw up or felt nauseated. My sister had the same and was pretty sick for 2-3 days after each treatment.

    I worked part-time. Keep in mind that if you've been in your job for a year (maybe less, I can't remember) you can take off up to 13 weeks worth of time and they can't fire you. That's the American's with Disabilities Act law. You can split that time up however you need to. They may not like it, but they have to keep you employed. But if you take over 13 weeks they can fire you legally.

    I worked part-time, usually doing 8 to 2 or so M-F. On treatment weeks, I got my chemo on Friday and then usually was good to work on Monday. Your mind is a really powerful thing. Focus on the positive, and on feeling good. When you start having negative thoughts force yourself to think positively, using positive words. Think "I will feel good." "I will rest. I will relax." etc. Avoid thinking or saying "I won't be sick." Don't even use the word nausea or sick. Keep busy enough to not have time to dwell on how you feel. But try not to totally exhaust yourself. Find a balance if you can.

    Let family and friends help you. Even if all they do is talk and distract you from thinking about how you feel. But if they offer, let them help with cooking and cleaning. They want to help and those are things they can do for you. Let them shop when you don't feel like it. Unless you have as great a husband as I do! He took over most of the cooking and cleaning those months.

    If you've not had a visit from a Reach to Recovery volunteer, call your closest Amer. Cancer Society office and ask for one. They will give you info and support. Not at all intrusive - I'm one, so I know!

    Hang in there and take it one day at a time! You can do it.
  • toninasky
    toninasky Member Posts: 102
    #11
    Hi everyone,

    I an so glad to hear from all of you, and I will take the advises given. You folks are the pros at this, and I am just the new kid on the block. I am grateful to have all of you to talk to . I have my first treatment on the 25th of this month. I have spoken to my boss and so far she is being pretty good. I am aware of the family medical leave act. I hope that I don't have to use it. I broke both my ankles last November and had to be off until the end of Feb 2006. I should have had a mammogram in that time period, but with a cast and not being able to use either leg, I just put it off until now. Maybe it was a good thing, perhaps they would not have seen it, at that point. I am a bit apprehensive, of the treatment, but I am very positive. If my son could go through a cancer that was sooooo much worse, and never question WHY ME, then I can certainly try to imitate his actions. I feel like I have an angel on my shoulder. Has anyone ever worked with a nutritionist, or discussed any supplements that could help with blood counts staying where they should, or is it a given that they will fall below the standard?

    Thanks again for all of you, and keep coming with the advise. I am a very good listener.
    God Bless all of you
    Toni
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #12
    Hi Toni, Everything the girls have said is right on target. I'd just like to add some information about working after a cancer diagnosis. I couldn't work during treatment because of my low blood counts, even with the Neulasta and Procrit shots. I teach elementary school and the germs are everywhere so I took 6 months off. If you are able to continue working, you should know your rights. Medical discrimination, of any kind, is against the law. Employers are required to make every effort to accommodate your cancer care needs during treatment AND follow up care.
    If you work for a privately owned company with more than 15 employees, you're covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to this law, your employer cannot terminate employment due to cancer treatment obligations or any health related issue. The employer must also treat you fairly, giving equal compensation and benefits.
    If you you're ever discriminated against at work or believe you have a legitimate work related claim, you should contact the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
    Best of luck with your treatment.
    terri

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