Hi everyone,
Just wanted to update you, on my breast cancer journey! My first three months of treatment, I rec'd Taxol and Herceptin. I handled it really well and to this day have never thrown up, and only been nauseated, a few times! To say that losing your hair, eyebrows, most of your lashes, getting bloated, etc... is humbling, is an understatement! I've never had a weight, nor appearance issue, but, this could really be tough, on a person that puts too much stock, in to theirs! I keep reminding myself that this is only a short while in my life and a small price to pay, to be around for my family!
Early Aug, I started three really heavy drugs, every three weeks, four cycles! This treatment was tougher, but, not too! The nurse recommended that I take Claritan, to minimize potential side effects! I didn't get any because "I'm tough" and felt I wouldn't need any! Mistake! I was crippled in bed for about six days, with severe bone pain! The chemo kills your white blood cells(infection fighters) and the Neulasta shot that you go back for the next day, stirs up new ones! I already have bad back issues, so this was devastating! The next treatment, I took the shot along with Claritan and rotating extra strength Tylenol and a Rx for 600 mg Motrin! Much more, tolerable! Please, if you know of anyone looking at taking that shot, pass this along!
In Sept., my mother(staying with her) was visiting my brother in AK and I became very sick! ER Dr did xray and CAT Scan, yet said that they couldn't find anything! I went in with pain when I breathed in and it became worse, as I was there! They gave me pain meds and a Rx for an anti inflamatory and sent me home! UGH! I've kept pics of my entire journey and some are scary! The next week I went for chemo and found out that the ER report indicated that I had a spot on my thyroid, and in a lung! I was shocked, stupid ER Dr! I spent the next week and a half fighting my Drs office and Cigna, to get PET Scan and heart test ordered and approved! Some of my meds can cause cancer, heart failure and the need for a heart transplant! Some patients dont even develope the heart issues, for seven to eight yrs, outside of treatment! Damned if you do....Easier to fight cancer, than Drs and Ins co! The PET showed no new cancer and the heart test was even better, than my first! They believe that I had Pleuracy, since the anti inflamatory med worked! About three weeks ago I went for my last treatment, but, was unable to receive it, since my blood counts were too low! I was also told that I could go ahead and schedule my next surgery, which will be one, of three more!
I've not had last heavy chemo, because I was going to SOWAL to see my sons and grandson and didn't want to risk having side effects, messing with my Halloween trip! This is the first time I've been back, in a year! I'll get the Herceptin till mid April, which fights aggressiveness, since mine's most aggressive kind! I'm early Stage 1, but, most aggressive Grade 3! My trip here to SOWAL'S been great, nothing better for my health than being with my sons and grandson! Sorry about long msg, I'm way over due with the updates! Hope everyone is doing well and I'll try not to wait so long, with the updates!
Diane
