Nurses with Breast Cancer

WNYnurse

Cathy

I too am a 2nd career RN at age 41.  I too have expanders as as KAK wrote check with the Dr.  they can go slowly.  For me I was back to work in 3 weeks but promised to go slow with patient.  No lifting for several more weeks,  It is all up to you and your MD opinions.  

KAK

Well started on my medication regiment:  Zoladex to go into menopause and then Arimidex for the breast cancer. Now comes the side effect frenzy. No radiation or chemo. 

Effexor works for hot flashes, depression and anxiety?  Right now Lexapro I am on does not seem to be working the whole day.....I am going to be a hormonal basket case for the next 5 yrs.  Oh what fun....

ernursen

Bump.  I don't have a dx (just signs and symptoms), but this is for all the nurses who need to vent to other nurses.  Being a nurse has NOT really helped me in my journey thus far.  You guys have been absolutely wonderful and the information has been priceless.  I will meet with my surgeon (2nd opinion and she is a breast specialist) on the 16th.  Right now unsure of who I should call because I didn't have any palpable lymph nodes at the time of my radiologist's incidental finding, but now I have one.  Hmmmmm....

Nicole

WNYnurse

Cathy

 After a week of seeing every doctor under the sun, I started the monthly shot(chemically induced menopause) and arimeda (can not spell) daily pill.  I also got to speak to my psychologist and PMD.  My PMD described what I thought was an interesting analogy,  He described getting the dx of cancer and the treatments that follows as watching a horror movie knowing intellectually that it is fiction but yet going down the dark hallway to a dark room that the hair on the back of your neck stands up (fear).  I figured out the this dx just added to the list of things that could end my life and the fear/anxiety was overwhelming yet I mentally was able to take what was coming.  We talked and decided that low dose of Xanax would help with the anxiety and help me sleep.  Only been a day but slept soundly last night.  I am still going to counseling to help we get back to whatever normal will be.

WNYnurse

Cathy

 After a week of seeing every doctor under the sun, I started the monthly shot(chemically induced menopause) and arimeda (can not spell) daily pill.  I also got to speak to my psychologist and PMD.  My PMD described what I thought was an interesting analogy,  He described getting the dx of cancer and the treatments that follows as watching a horror movie knowing intellectually that it is fiction but yet going down the dark hallway to a dark room that the hair on the back of your neck stands up (fear).  I figured out the this dx just added to the list of things that could end my life and the fear/anxiety was overwhelming yet I mentally was able to take what was coming.  We talked and decided that low dose of Xanax would help with the anxiety and help me sleep.  Only been a day but slept soundly last night.  I am still going to counseling to help we get back to whatever normal will be.

C130sunshine

Hello....hope everyone is doing well.  Have not seen a lot of traffic on this discussion.

I just finished my last radiation treatment this morning....YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was placed on Effexor for the hot flashes and it worked for me.  It is so nice to be able to sleep without having to change my sheets a couple times a night.

WNYnurse - how are you doing....is the med still helping you?

kim

KAK

Hi, sunshine!  Congrats on finishing rads!   Yay!   How's your skin doing?  How's your armpit?  Mine got pretty burnt a week after I finished rads, but I kept slathering Silvadene on it & it started chilling after a week.

Effexor has done great for me, too, especially with starting Tamoxifen & starting up all those post-menopausal symptoms again.  Once was enough!!  Are you on hormone therapy, Sunshine?

Hugs to all from one of the token PT's here.  LOL

melmedic06

hi girls- i would like to join your group as well- i graduated from nursing school in december of 1994 and went to work as an RN in february of 05- i worked on the mother/baby floor for 4 years then did one year of L & D- left the hospital for a year and worked in a family practice office then an OB/GYN office and returned to hospital nursing on the mother/baby floor in 2000- i also got my paramedics license 2 years ago and work part-time doing that- i was dx'd in october of 04 (actually my first semester of medic school) with ILC- 0.9 cms- SNB negative- had a lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation (working the entire time at the hospital) then started on arimidex- in october of 05 back to medic school and in my 2nd semester- dx'd with DCIS found on steriotactic biopsy- had another lumpectomy but the breast tissue sent to path was totally benign-- surgeon said that does indeed happen- 6 more weeks of radiation- all the while working full-time and continue on with the arimidex- i work with 2 other RN's who have breast cancer- one is a 9 year survivor and one 7- i am praying to make it to my 5 year mark in october of 2009- it is wonderful to have found all of you and i look forward to many uplifting stories- keep the faith ladies-

Anonymous

I'm not new to breast cancer, but new here and was so happy to see this thread.  I have been a registered nurse for 26 years.  Worked mostly in ICU/CCU and ER.  I had a 3cm spiculated tumor and it spread to my sentinel node.  Had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction.  Chemo and Herceptin.  Found it hard to be a patient and amazed at how little I knew about breast cancer.  Nice to meet all of you.

Mary

KAK

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays, everyone.  Hope no one has to work tomorrow.  I had to work a full day today & my patients felt sorry for me, so got lots of sympathy, offers of candy, etc., so it was pretty fun & most people were in a good mood!  Now I vacuum, wipe down the bathroom & slice potatoes for my dinner guests tomorrow!

WNYnurse

KAK

To my surprise our new corporation for home health health care gave us both 12/24 and 12/25 off.  Took 1/26 to shop till I dropped.  Been 2 months since surgery and 1 month on Arimidex.  I feel like starting a count down calender for 5 yrs.  Any advice on how to get more support from significant others?  Mine is slowly wandering away.... We are both in counseling together and I am in it alone.  Started for one reason which was resolved but not with the diagnosis I feel like I am starting all over again with how to live again....

WNYnurse

C130sunshine

The medication is working, I sleep for 8 hrs, feel great, the only thing, I wake up at 4:30 AM to 5:30 AM, as if I was in the military.  I also found that Green Tea gives me energy to get through the day.  The Arimidex has not made the hot flashes any worse.  As I mentioned to KAK I need some help with keeping my loved ones from running away from me....and the DX...... 

C130sunshine

Hope everyone had a great Holiday!!!!

KAK - my skin did surprising well for someone so "pale".  I only had two small blister around the armpit and slight itching in the breast fold (near my scar).  I would grease up with the Sween 24 cream at least twice a day.  Today the blisters have healed and the itching has stopped.   I will continue to "grease up" twice a day with the Sween 24 cream until all the redness is gone.

I have my appointment with the oncologist this morning.....I will start on Tamoxifen today.  After a year he will test to see if I am truly in menopause.  If I am then he will switch me to Arimidex.  I will just have to wait an see.  I am like WNYnurse - I wake up at 5:30 to 6:30 am every morning.....the problem is that I am NOT a morning person.

I have finally started to lose the weight I gained on Chemo (I gained 20+ pounds).  Actually it is coming off a lot faster than I thought it would.  I am also eating better and exercising.  I have started slowly.  I have started to take Tai Chi classes.  I did not realize how hard it was.

WNYnurse - I wish I had some advice for you.  I have had friends pull away while others have really stepped up to the plate.  Have you asked any other patients if they have had a similar problem?  I know even waiting for radiation therapy we (the patients) would ask each other questions and advice. Keep us informed.

Jo_Ann_K

It's heartwarming to see so many of us supporting each other on this bulletin board.  Just a few comments about the latest posts:

On Radiation: Going to radiation therapy was the greatest source for education, not only about how to manage the side effects of radiation, but to learn about other cancers and how they are treated.  I really miss my radiation buddies.

On Friendships: I found that some friends were calling daily and some stepped away until I finished the initial surgery and started radiation. I'm convinced it is more because of their level of discomfort in dealing with a peer's illness and the fact that cancer can lead to mortality than any actual reflection of their feelings about me.  My friends who had endured the illness of friends and relatives were much more available when I was going through treatment than those who hadn't had that experience.  It was a good lesson to learn that coping with illness is a different experience for everyone.

On Am I Really Sick?: I don't look sick. I don't feel sick. I no longer have cancer in my body as far as I know, but am I going to be labeled "sick" the rest of my life or the "lady who has breast cancer?"  I was talking with a workmate who is about 2 weeks behind me in treatment, and we both agreed that we want to move on.  Leave the pink ribbon gifts, guidance books, and other cancer information to the new folks who need to absorb all they can to make the correct course of treatment.  I want to go back to the land of the living.

On Exhaustion:  My daughters reminded me that I was always sleepy for the past couple of years before my diagnosis no matter how much sleep I got.  I'd go to a movie and sleep in the middle of the movie.  It wasn't until after the lumpectomy and after the 2nd week of treatment that I finally starting 'waking up' and not needing a nap during the day.  Maybe it was the cancer all along giving me a message I didn't get until after the fact.  The good news is that I'm feeling more energetic than I have in years!

One final note, I'm still not convinced that our lifestyles as healthcare workers do not have some impact on our risk of breast cancer.  Of course, many of us seek this field because of our experiences with sickness prior to choosing a career, but we are exposed to a lot of "stuff" while practicing our trade. It can't be discounted.  For what it's worth...

Happy New Year!

Regards,

Jo Ann from Maryland

Anonymous

Hi all, 

I'll jump in, too.  I have been a nurse for 29 years (that was painful to type..lol)  Neuro ICU, ED triage, 18 years in L&D that became LDRP and then many years in information systems ( a somewhat normal schedule).

The way my career has helped me since my DX is that I know where to look for credible information and I always have a list of questions for my doctor.  It has been a liability in that I can't help but know too much. 

It is good to find a group like this.  A very safe place to post questions or just get support.

Here's to 2009

Nadean

samedaynurseJan

I heard there was a forum for Nurses but until today hadnt found it. Im a Recovery Room nurse with 30+ years of experience.....and I am both delighted and sad to see that there are a lot of us at this board. I was diagnosed on Dec 1st just a month ago, and I think because I knew how to work my way through the system and where to go with questions I can gratefully say I have had my surgery and completed my Radiation (Mammosite) and am ready to start on Arimidex and get back to work and life. I wonder how people without any medical background or assistance weave their way through this very complicated system. I also found out that I knew almost nothing about breast cancer.....that is no longer the case A very happy and healthy New Year to each of you !!!!

jan

PinkLaddy

Hi Jan,

I to am a Nurse but Psych. is my thing. You are correct about learning lots about this. I had the MammoSite as well in Oct. and now doing 4 rounds of TC Chemo and a Bald Gal at that. What can I say! When do you start on Arimidex?

Anyway HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

Jerri

peggysue77

I have been a nurse in MN & SD since 1978 and was just diagnosed on Dec17th. Having bilat mastectomy with reconstructin on Jan 28th. I am a travel nurse and work tele and CCU's. Big family hx of breast cancer, so choice to do bilat. My mamogram was negative but good Dr found a tiny ripple on exam and did an ultrasound and found it.

Really stressed out about not being able to work. As a travel nurse there is no paid time off... no vacation or sick pay. All my work is 13 week contracts and I have break my current contract to go back to SD for surgery. Any ideas?

 Also 2000 miles from home right now and all my conversations with the surgeons have been over the phone and have lots of questions? Does anyone know how often you have fills after surgery or how long before the 2nd surgery when implants are done. Even with 30 years of nursing experience, don't know alot about this.... wasn't my specialty. Also not used to the idea of not being the caregiver!!!!

Thanks!

VBK1944

Hi, I, too, is a nurse. (64.5-no family hx) newly dx w/ILC >2cm, scheduled for bilat mastectomies on 1/26 with reconstruction. I do not have enough fat/muscle to use for flap reconstruction, so..exanders/silicone implants. Anticipate chemo r/t tumor size but will not know till path report/oncology meeting 7-10 days post-op. I have searched the web for inf and have hooked up with a researcher to research my particular situation/tx options. I am trying to be proactive, keep busy AND work. My main concern is finding info to increase my survival%, find a work scedule during chemo AND in general feel in control of my life by being informed and making the best decision possible.....

WNYnurse

VBK

i was told by my surgeon and medical oncologist that unless nodes were involved and you had a bilat done, chances are radiation would not be necessary.  If the tumor was 1-2cm large than chemo and if the tumor was hormone sensitive than hormone therapy.  I go to a cancer institute that I must admit have MD's that are team orientated. Communication between radiologist, surgeon, medical oncologist and plastic surgeon have been great.I too was not a candidate for flap from abdomen.  They make me in charge of what treatment I choice.  With my diagnosis I had to decide on chemotherapy or not.  My research showed that for my mm in size tumors the percentage of helping the hormones were only 1-2%. I told the medical oncologist no to chemo and went with hormone therapy and shots to make sure I am through menopause.  I am a walking bag of hormones. Oh what fun.....

2Hands4me

I'm also a nurse with many years experience in different areas. It's is sure different to be on the side of Dx and decisions regarding treatment! I can't imagine not knowing something about all of this, yet much of it is new also! Usually by the time we see people at the hospital, decisions are already made! I was DX 1/8/09 with DCIS. The surgeon was fine with only a lumpectomy and 6 weeks radiation in spite of extensive calcifications beyond the one Bx. I was 99 % ready for a mastectomy, and was seriously wondering about a SNB. Finally saw the oncologist who confirmed that a mastectomy was definitely the best, and a SNB was the best choice also in order to avoid a possible second surgery for axillary node dissection. He talked with the surgeon, so I didn't have to "insist" on the SNB that the surgeon didn't think was necessary! Guess it's no problem for a surgeon to do another surgery but one is enough for me! I'm scheduled for 2/6 - so have zillions of details to pull together this week - pre-op lab and EKG, final H&P visit with surgeon, basic groceries etc. God has given me a real peace, so I'm trusting Him, and trying to take only one day at a time, but plan ahead also!

VBK1944

Hi, just found out one of my BN was positive. Now will be going back for nodal dissection! not surprised but a let-down after initial neg report. Recouperating well from BMxbut now....waiting for inital path report and OP report when seing BS/PS this Monday....expects the worst but hopes for the best...and then chemo to face I am sure...what a way to celebrate my 65th BD this June..

2Hands4me

Surgery tomorrow - for Sentinal Node Biopsy along with the Mast. I'm trying to avoid the repeat surgeries if at all possible! They will do an Axillary node dissection if the sentinal nodes show anything. That will determine if I need chemo. Since it's DCIS they don't expect positive nodes but I wanted to know for sure ASAP! Let us know how you're doing! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers!

2Hands4me

Surgery done 2/6 (Sentinal node biopsy and simple mastectomy) - and everyone seemed to expect me to go home yet that day! I wasn't out of surgery until 4pm! Felt "Yucky" off and on during the night, not really nauseated, but didn't want to eat or drink either - which meant I didn't want to try Vicodin on an empty stomach! I could finally eat lunch on Saturday and then I was ready to go home! What is up with sending mastectomy patients home the same day? Am I that "old school"?

Pain isn't too bad, and I'm considering taking only Advil this afternoon to see if that will be enough! They said I could drive when I was off the Vicodin! JP isn't too hard to put up with but I sure won't mind having it out! I read somewhere about how painful it is to pull out, so plan to ask my surgeon if I can pull it! He probably has never met someone like me, but he needs to learn that some people do have personal choices! After all, I'll probably never get another chance to pull a JP, and don't see why I can't pull my own with his supervision. Plus, then I can see what it really feels like, and prevent him from pulling too fast!

My sentinal node was negative, so he did a simple mastectomy and I won't need chemo even if the path report shows more than DCIS!

VBK - hope you're doing well with recovery, and your node dissection will go well also!

Texgirl

Have been meaning to join you ladies and keep procrastinating..I have been an RN since '74.  Returned to school later and now have my BSN. I am currently not working but volunteering with the A.C.S. and Reach to Recovery. Have worked in hospitals,Dr's. offices and my very favorite School Health as a School Nurse. It was the best !

Had my 4yr cancerversary yesterday...and kept it to myself. I am grateful ,but, cannot understand how Annie Camel left us and  I am still doing well and NED. It just makes no sense...does it ?

Due to my nursing background I had an initial difficulty with guilt... missing the dx myself. Although I now know that dense breasts make things worse..I still felt I should have known . Is that a commonality with other nurses?

WNYnurse

2hands4me

I was release withing 12 hrs after a bilat mastectomy.  I am high risk for MRSA so I was glad to get out of there fast before I had more trouble. Pulling out the drains is easy especially when they are fairly empty.  I had four and it was fast.  The more interesting thing for me was the incisions bilaterally.  MD said "boy u are brave".  So do what you think will help you deal with life changing event.

bcsurvivor2b

Hi, I'm a new nurse (1 yr) Dec 2008.  I graduated with a ADN in NY and moved to AZ in Aug 07 with my husband, two boys (12,10) and a dog. Did I mention of becoming a RN at 47? Talk about a challenge!  (oh, and I'm moderately-severly hearing impaired, since birth).

Of all the groups to join, this isn't one that I had on my list, but nonetheless, here I am.  It's comforting to know there are others who have been there and can feel the pain, apprehension, fear, numbness I feel. 

I had a single mastectomy with 2 sentinel nodes (-) removed.  My ER/PR prior to surgery were  ER 0% /PR 20%.  After surgery my ER 10%/PR 60%.  My tumor was 1.8cm, margins clear. 

Oncotype result (8).  No chemo needed.  Will be taking Tamoxifen for 4 years.  Keeping positive goes a long way!!! 

VBK1944

Hi, thanks for the info. I had my CPMx on 1/26, path showed 1+/2 sintinal nodes to back on 2/06 for axillary dissection....> 2+/10 today. will get copy of path report w/staging and grading tomorrow along with pulling of drain and fist expansion. My ongologist consultation will be in about a week....so I am probably IIB or T2N1M? according to the NCCN 2209 Guidelines (published 2/02/09)..I have been reading some postings where radiation were recommended and not chemo for cases similar to mine so I am curious what my oncologist will recommend. I am also having my Tx options researched for free by a local BC org in my area...anyone who did not have chemo but radiation with my profile?

VBK1944

Hi 2hands4me, My axillary dissection went well. Outpt and home after 2 hrs in recovery..600mg ibuprofen and straight to bed..very groggy..up to eat a bit @ 2130 and another 600mg ibuprofen @ 0630..light lunch and a 3 mile walk @ 1400...I shoched my surgeon when he called on Sunday to ask how I was doing!..It felt GOOD!..my drain is coming out tomorrow but I have been taking showers since I removed the dressing last Sunday..its good to be a nurse. I feel better because I am actively involved in my care..I am sure we more than others, have a need to have some control or at least feel we have some..Lots of learning involved..critical care and management are my fields. I worked last on 1/24 and am scheduled to return to critical care on 3/08...I hope I am up to it. Fortunately, I have great coworkers and help lifting/moving pts...my future work depends on my adjuvant Tx..I would like to hear from nurses who returned to work after Bil Mx (CPMx) and if anyone was able to work during chemo.........

2Hands4me

Update - I'm 2 1/2 weeks from simple mastec. and still TIRED! I am gradually increasing activity, and can tell a definite difference from last week, but went to lunch yesterday and felt exhausted last evening!  I do not want a set back! It sounds like they may let me go back to work for 4 hours, in admissions, and no call. I only work one day a week anyway, but if sitting at lunch made me that tired, I can't see working yet. I'm per dium, so no benefits, and they are so busy that I know they need the help.  I had no idea that it would take me this long to bounce back.  I'm sitting in the sun for vitamin D, resting often, eating well, trying to do all the right things!

Also have a very sensitive area on the BACK of my arm. The surgeon feels it is nerve related! He didn't have any real suggestions for improving this or preventing an increase, just OK'd antiinflam. and massage. 

I haven't seen my path report, but sounds like there was some microinvasion which changes the dx to IDC. Seems like they only tell you what you ask and I had some other concerns, so when the surgeon surprised me with a call at 6:30 pm, I couldn't think fast enough to ask about ER, PR status etc. I should be getting a paper copy from the hospital soon. No rad, no chemo, maybe Tamoxifen.

How is everyone else doing? I've seen a couple of nurses on other forums - wish they could join us here!

WNYnurse

2hands4me

With my double simple mastectomies, I went back to work 3 weeks after and was still very fatigues 4 weeks after that.  Give yourself time.  Sleep was all I wanted and fell behind 4 weeks on the online MS degree program. You will get strength back.  Arimidex and Zoladex is what I am on because mine was so small and no nodes involved.  Please make sure they do blood work to determine whether you are in menopause or not.  I thing too many MD go with statements from women and then give them Tamoxifen causing bad side effects.  I am having no trouble with the mixture I am on and the blood work showed I was 1/2 through it; even though I had no period for one year.....Good luck you will get strength back.....