survivor support

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TerriD
TerriD Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am 38 yrs old and was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. ER/PR(-), Her2 (+). Mastectomy with lymph dissection, and 13 out of 21 nodes positive. I am scared to death. My oncologist wants to start taxotere/adriamycin/cytoxan next week. I am also going to be getting radiation and herceptin, but I'm not sure in which order. My surgeon put in a portacath yesterday, but had a LOT of trouble and had to put it on the same side as the mastectomy.

My mother died of breast cancer 16 yrs ago. I've only been married 4 yrs to the most terrific man in the world and I want to spend about 40 more yrs with him. I need to hear from other young survivors with similar stories!!! I need to know there is hope.

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  • Waving
    Waving Member Posts: 43
    #2
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    Hi Terri,
    Here are some other internet resources for younger women with breast cancer you may find useful. (Just copy the links and paste them into the browser address window).
    On the website www.breastcancer.org
    there is a forum called 'Young women affected by breast cancer'
    The direct link is
    http://www.breastcancer.org/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB27

    The website of the organisation Young Survivors Coalition is for younger people (under age 41) involved with breast cancer. Their address is
    http://www.youngsurvival.org.
    To find their forum index page, click on the link 'YSC Community' on the home page, and then find and click on the link 'Bulletin Board' on the new page that displays. Or try this direct link
    http://www.youngsurvival.org/community/bulletin-board/

    As your mother also had breast cancer there's an above average risk that your cancer could be hereditary in nature. You can find links to excellent articles on hereditary breast cancer on this webpage
    www.cancergen.com/breastgeneticsreading/index.html

    With today's modern treatments there's a lot more than hope - there's confidence. Good luck!
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #3
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    Terri, I was 15 years older than you at diagnosis and was petrified. Everyone here understands how you're feeling. So much has changed in the 16 years since you lost your mother. One of the most important advances you'll benefit from is the availability of Herceptin. Get a great wig or a comfortable ball cap. As hard is it is to lose your hair, it will grow back. Hearing that you had 13 of 21 positive nodes is overwhelming but I just read a post on this board a few weeks ago that reading your post reminded me of. She was about your age at diagnosis and had 11 positive nodes. If I remember correctly, she's now in her mid 40's. I think it was the member who posts as 24242. You might try a search of this board for her. There's also a woman in my cancer support group with 8 positive nodes at diagnosis who is now 5 years past treatment and remains cancer free. Radiation has improved tremendously and the Herceptin you will be getting gives you an excellent chance of getting those 40+ years with your terrific husband. Chemo, for me, wasn't nearly as bad as I had anticipated. The durgs they have for nausea are wonderful. There were days when I didn't feel like eating but I never threw up once. Rest when you feel you need to, drink plenty of water before, during and after treatments to flush the drugs, spend time with family and friends who make you laugh, pray for strength and courage and I believe you'll get both. So many of us here will be praying for you, too.
    terri
  • josiemac
    josiemac Member Posts: 27
    #4
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    Hi TerriD,

    I was diagnosed in May of 2005 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma at the age of 40. ER/PR/HER2 all negative. I also had 12 of 15 nodes positive. I was on Adriamycin/Cytoxan for 4 sessions; then onto Taxotere for another 4 sessions. Then onto radiation therapy daily for 7 weeks after that. No herceptin since I was HER2(-). I finished my treatment this past December, hallelujah. I was in the same boat as you 8 months ago. Scared to death, literally!!! Please don't be too discouraged. I remember how upset I was at the very thought of leaving my husband of 11 years and 3 kids (8, 10, 24 yrs old). I put my faith in God and got through my treatments. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do but its doable. Please just keep faith and read the boards as often as possible. The ladies here can save you on a daily basis. Anytime I began to feel bad, I'd read the boards and see hope.

    Please don't compare your situation to anyone elses either. You mentioned your mom. Breast cancer treatment is leaps and bounds better today than 16 years ago. Better today than even 2 years ago and getting better all the time. My sister was also diagnosed in 1998 and my treatment (dose dense) was not even heard of when she was in treatment.

    Just remember the sun will always rise in the morning and dry the tears. This was the most valuable lesson learned so far in my journey.

    Blessings to all,
    Josie
  • Susan956
    Susan956 Member Posts: 510
    #5
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    Terri,

    Treatments have gotten so much better especially for those of us who are HER2+. I know that I fully expect to be here to see my Son have grandchildren... who I intend to spoil rotten. (By the way he hasn't even found a wife yet... so I definetly expect to be here awhile.

    I was diagnosed in May 2005. I was a 2.2cm sized tumor ER/PR + and HER2+ with 2 of 3 sentianal lymph nodes were positive. Since then I have finish 2 lumpetomy's, Chemo( 4 times evey two weeks of adriamycin/cytoxan and then I had Taxol& Herceptin each week for 12 weeks. I am currently in radiation now.. about 40% finished. and I still take herceptin each week.

    The Chemo was a trip... but I managed to work at least a couple of days each week... and most weeks I managed to work up to 4 days a week. I have regained my energy.. lost the weight I had gained, and started going back to the gym. My Oncologist tried to get me to look at the treatment period as a timeframe when I would have to step back and slow down... So I could make in on to the rest of my Healthy life... And a least for me that appears to be how it is working out.

    Hope things will go well for you.... I found that I felt much better mentally when I had started the Chemo... It made me feel like we were doing something to keep the cancer from spreading....

    If I can help more email me Susan956

    Take Care... God bless.....

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