Finished chemo Now what?!

Shavoners

Hey there everyone! I would like to share that I have completed 6 treatments of TCH as of 3/31/09! I survived it! Though, I did require Prozac towards the end and it has actually made quite a difference for thought life and in my relationships.

 I am 27 years old. I was dx 11/16/08 I think. I KNEW before that offical dx...if you know what I mean.  I have 3 children ages 1 yr, 3 yrs and 5yrs. Stage3C N3. 

 I have been considering my treatment options at this point and I must say that I DO NOT want to have radiation!!!!!!! There is something in me that refuses to go down that road. One is I feel very uncomfortable being radioactive with 3 young children (I am a stay at homer) Second is well, I am tired of having my body poisoned and cut into. I haven't even talked to my surgeon yet about the breast removal. I read too many cases in which a woman goes thru all this horrible treatment! only to die of cancer. My mother was one of them. She died only 3 years ago. I guess I am trying to say that I want to enjoy my children while I am still here. How can I do that if I am sick from treatments and recovering from surgeries!? I am scheduled to start herceptin on Tuesday. I am concerned of the side effects of heart failure. The medical community does not know the long term effects of this drug and they also don't know if heart damage is irreversible. Same with the radiation....damage can be done to my heart and lungs.....

 If anyone has a word (or several) of advice. I am open to receiving it. I am back to my set at the computer googling everything from: What is cancer?to radiation side effects. Last time I started the search engine my husband didn't see me for days! lol!

everyminute

I had almost no side effects from radiation and my recovery from bilateral mastectomy was much easier than I had anticipated.  Chemo was definately the hard part (for me) and even that was doable.  I have two daughters 13 and 16 and I KNOW that they want me to do all I can to kick this to the curb.  No guarantees of course but I rather die knowing (and them knowing) I tried with everything I had then to think I could have tried something but didnt.

Just my two cents

PS - Congrats on finishing chemo

Caseysmom

Shavoners:

Congratulations on finishing chemo!!!

I am assuming that you were dx with IBC with this you really do not have a choice of a lumpectomy the standard procedure is a complete mastectomy.   I had a mastectomy with a tram flap at the same time.  I was only on pain meds for 3 days.

As for radiation it is my understanding with IBC that this too is normal protocol.  The radiation was a walk in the park and I  had no sickness with it.  When they were done with my simulation I was sent for a CT scan to make sure that the heart and lungs were not in the line of the radiation beam. However there was a small part of the tip of my lung that did get radiation this was from when I would inhale.  One of the hospital near me just got a new radiation machine that stops the treatment when you inhale and will restart once you exhale.  I was told that this was to help prevent any part of the lung getting radiation. 

Laura

Shavoners

Thanks for replying. I just re read my orginal post and must apolize for all the spelling errors!!!! LOL!

 My pet scan came back on Monday! Clean! So NED!?

 I did go to my Herceptin appt. on Tuesday and meet with the doc next week. I wonder if there would be any change to the orginal treatment plan. Any thoughts?

 Thanks again girls. You are wonderful for keeping in touch. It is extremely helpful for those coming in behind you and perhaps even walking with you.

Shavon

Caseysmom

Shavon:

Great to hear that your PET scan came back negative!!!!!  You might still have to go through radiation only because of how agressive IBC is, however that would be up to your doctors.

Good luck with your doctors appointment next week and keeping my fingers crossed that you do not have to have radiation.

Big Hugs

Laura

NancyD

Shavoners, I just want to clear up one misconception you posted about radiation treatment. You will not be walking around "radioactive". The dose is given in short bursts of electrons which enter and leave your body almost immediately. They damage the cancer cells (and sometimes some healthy cells) as they pass through.

It's not like taking a radioactive isotope that remains in your body so it can be used to track a process.

You should be perfectly fine around your children even immediately after your treatment.