Newbie Here

pupfoster1

Newbie Here

pupfoster1

Hi all,

I'm Sharon and was diagnosed with IDC in September of 09.  Bilateral mastectomy (left my choice---ended up having LDIC on that side) largest tumor being 6.5cm, 13/15 nodes positive---stage III.  I've got a great support system thank God, but am still scared about my future.  I've got a fantastic husband and two beautiful kids---Lauren 13 and Evan 11.  I am getting ready for round 4 of A/C later today (will then move onto 4 rounds of Taxol) and have had some pretty crappy side effects from it, the latest being HORRIBLE mouth sores for over a week.  A couple days so bad even water hurt going down.  I am praying Taxol will be better as the A/C really sucked!  So that's me in a nutshell for now.  How do you ladies (and men if applicable) deal with the Stage III diagnosis???

Take care all,

Sharon

kim40

Hi Sharon,

First of all, let me welcome you to the club that nobody ever wants to join!  You will find a great group of women on these boards that will help you the best way they know how.  For me, the ladies here were truly a life savor when I was first d/x and going through treatment.

I was d/x January 2009 at the age of 40 with IDC 14/19 nodes positive.  I also have a 13 year old son.  In the very beginning, being d/x with Stage 3 breast cancer was very frrightening.  But I have learned now, that it is not a death sentence. 

For your mouth sores, ask your onc about some of what we call "magic mouthwash"  It will do the trick on your mouth and throat.  I expereince the same thing as you are right now and it was cleared up in a matter of a couple of days.

How am I dealing?  I live for today.  I make plans for tomorrow and I live in the moment.  I don't take things for granted anymore and because of breast cancer, I am healther than I have ever been.  Sounds strange doesn't it??  I now eat a whole lot healthier than before, and I go to the gym five days a week.  It has been proven that excercise do help to lower the reoccurance rate.  So every time I get on that treadmill, and I feel like giving up, I keep thinking that I'm running away from cancer, running away from cancer.

Sharon, being d/x with breast cancer and going through treatment is very, very hard.  Your emotions are all over the place and you don't know what to feel from one day to the next.  Just keep thinking, that all of that toxic waste they are putting in you is working and that is why  you are feeling crappy.  Right now, it seems so hard but you will get through this.  Chemo is the hardest part.  Radiation is a breeze compared to chemo.

We are here for you Sharon if you need to vent, ask questions or whatever you need.  As I said before, the ladies here are super supportive as we "get" what you are going through.  Before you know it, you will be one of the ladies on here offering support and encourgement to the "Newbies" that will unfortunatley join this board after you.

Hang tough Sharon.  You can do this.  We are here when you need us.

Kim

kimber3006

Welcome, Sharon!  You've found a wonderful, supportive group here.  I don't know how I'd do this without them!  I've heard Taxol is generally easier than A/C.  Several of us are starting it this week, and it sounds like you're not far behind.  Hang in there!

Like Kim, I live for today and plan ahead in terms of weeks - one step in front of the other right now.  I pray, exercise, eat right, drink ridiculous amounts of water, rinse several times a day, and plan to live like it's gone forever until/if ever someone tells me it's back!

KerryMac

Sharon = just wanted to welcome you aboard as well. You could really not find a group of more supportive women anywhere. Come here often, and join in the discussions - you will make some great friendships, and learn more than your Doctor will ever tell you! A Stage 3 diagnosis is hard, but as Kim as said above, is certainly not a death sentence.

Expect your emotions to be all over the place during Chemo - I would have little meltdowns fairly regularily! The oinly advice I can give is just put your head down and keep on going - the only way to get to the end is by going through it! My Chemo Clinic had the magic Mouthwash too - I alkso used baking soda rinses...not sure if that would help. 

Just remember, as awful as the SE's are, they will pass. You will feel good and strong and healthy again. This time last year I was shaving my head, today I have a mop of curls, and am back into enjoying life.

Pure

Hi Sharon,

Welcome---Visit us often-we are here for you!!!!

I am at the exact stage of treatment as you and just had a baby. Try to stay in the moment and live like it's gone b-c it is!!!

Are you also getting Zometa?

Texas357

Hi Sharon,

You sound like you've got a great support group: don't feel guilty about leaning on them! And absolutely ask about the mouth rinse: it helps to numb the mouth. I had all sorts of mouth issues during chemo and this helped me to be able to eat and drink.

I'm curious about your name: pupfoster1? Do you foster dogs? I ask because I'm a rescue volunteer. Staying active in whatever groups you are involved with can help your state of mind tremendously.

pupfoster1

Thank you ladies so much.  I think I'm going to enjoy this group.  I do belong to the BC Yahoo group (that's where I found out about this one) and go to an in person one too, plus with all my friends and relatives I am very fortunate.  I did get use the Magic Mouthwash, pain killers, plus some topical stuff to numb my tongue even more right before I was supposed to eat and that helped me get through the really bad days.  I can't imagine going through that much longer (lasted about 10 days, 3 really bad) without ending up in the hospital.  Who knew???  Pure you are a real inspiration, next time I'm feeling sorry for myself I'll remember I wasn't pregnant going through this.  And Texas, yes, I'm a foster for a good friend of mine who has a rescue.  I tend to favor larger dogs---labs, goldens, danes, etc.  2 summers ago we fostered 9 (yes I am crazy) 8 week old Great Dane pups.  We also have our own gorgeous (if not chubby) black lab Molly who was one of my fosters and we fell in love with her.  She's been great for me during those nights of insomnia.  Nothing like some sweet puppy lovin to cheer you up.

Well, that's it for now, I'm off for Round 4.  Will keep you all posted.

Love,

Sharon

Bugs

Hi Sharon,

Welcome to our stage 3 forum.  I'm sorry you had to join us.  You are in the thick of treatment and congrats for only having one more A/C left!   I found Taxol to have a different and not as harsh set of side effects.  Do the chemo nurses have you suck on ice during your Adriamycin push?  That really helped me with having very few mouthsores.

I'm so glad you have a great support system in real life.  However, one of the things I found is that NON breast cancer people just don't get some of the feelings you are going through -but we do. Come here often to vent.

Like Kim40 says...soon you'll be the one coming here to reassure the newbies.  Unfortunately, we keep getting them.

Bugs

AnacortesGirl

The one positive (and there probably isn't any more than 1) thing about stage 3 is that we get it all to fight the cancer and prevent the reoccurrence.  Full meal deal right from the get-go.  And it appears to work.  Because you'll see plenty of ladies on these boards who were dx'ed stage 3 and they continue to come back after 4, 5 and more years to post encouragement. 

I deal with it one step at a time.  Getting through chemo is my focus.  I wish I could look a week ahead but right now I can only see a few days.  But I have confidence that when I get closer to the end (8 more weeks with 19 behind me!) that I'll start looking futher out again.  I believe support is the key - these boards, family, friends, church, whatever.  Knowing there are women out there who done it tells me that I can too.

cherneski

Hi Sharon, Welcome, sorry you had to find us.  You will find a beautiful bunch of Ladies (and a few Gents) here to support you a little more along the way. 

Much love Deb

jenn3

Sharon - welcome to the group.  I had mouthsores with AC and went through what you're going through - it's not fun, but it does pass. I found Taxol is easier than AC, but does come with it's own set of SE's.  However, with that said and as you've probably learned, everyone reacts differently. 

Dealing with Stage III - for me.... I don't think of the staging too often.  I like to think, the bi-lat, chemo and radiation, which I start today has taken care of it and try not to think of the "what if's". 

Know that you can come here to read, vent, ramble or just ask questions - the support here is wonderful!

karen1956

Sharon....its one day at a time!!!!!  The gals have already given lots of great advice...this is a fantastic bunch of women.... I will mark 4 years since Dx on 2/3...    Hugs, Karen

Mom3

I hate to say welcome to this board b/c no one really wants to be here, but welcome.

 You're going through a lot right now and I'm sorry to hear you have yucky side effects. I hope it gets better for you. Being in our situation is pretty scary but don't worry you'll do fine as time goes by. I'm 2 years out (diagnosed Nov 2007) and I feel really good. I'm actually running a half marathon at the end of this month. I got into running after chemo and loved it! Go figure! My point is I have a feeling your going to discover new and wonderful things b/c of your diagnosis, it happens a lot. In the  meantime, focus on your treatment and your family/friends. We're here for you!

apple

welcome Sharon.

those mouth sores are awful aren't they.. lots of magic mouthwash.. brushing with baking soda and no hot peppers.. (bummer)

clariceak

Welcome Sharon

I was diagnosed in Aug 09 and also chose to have a bilat. I did 4 rounds of AC and am currently half way done with 12 weeks of Taxol. Congrats on being on your last round of AC.

I know everyone is different, but Taxol is a whole new world for me.  I can eat, exercise (went on a 3 hour hike up a mountain on Saturday) and my only significant s.e. so far was hives that have  since disappeared.  I have heard that the weekly Taxol is gentler than the other courses.  Has your onc explained why you won't be on the weekly dose?

Stage III dx can be daunting, but as others have said, you can feel confident that you did everything possible as far as treatment.  In many ways, I would think it would more difficult to choose how much treatment you wanted.  One way I cope is to bookmark the positive threads, and there are quite a few. 

I think it might have been Kerry who said early in my treatment, cancer doesn't know what stage it is.

Anonymous

pupfoster1 ~ Welcome honey.  You are among a wonderful group of supportive women to help you thru this.  About the mouthsores.  I always dreaded getting them when I heard they were a common side effect.  So I went out and got a mouthwash called "Biotene", and a box of "Baking Soda".  When chemo began the mouth sores would always begin a few days after treatment.  Iearned that If I rinsed proactively with the Baking soda the minute I felt sensitive in the mouth, they would never develop into anything.  And would go away.  But you have to be on top of it with the baking soda rinses.  Hope this works for you too.

Barb

KerryMac

They used to give me popsicles to suck on while they were doing mine.My mouth was tender throughout the whole thing, but i never got a sore either. See if they have any at your infusion centre.

 BTW - I have a puppy called Molly too! She is a Beagle, we just got her in October.

YATCOMW

KerryMac...

I have two beagles.....they were a godsend during treatment......sooooo much fun.

Okay didn't meant to hijack this thread...

Welcome Sharon......

This place is awesome with the smartest, gorgeous and toughest women on the planet.  No one can help you through a stage III diagnosis better than these girls.  Hanging around here is healthy for your soul.

Jacqueline 

Gitane

Welcome, Sharon.  I hope you will come here often so we can get to know you.  This site has helped me so much.  

I am an animal lover, too.  I was a dog person most of my life, but now it's cats.  I care for 12 of them.  It's my daughter's fault.  She does catch and release for feral cats, volunteers at the no-kill shelter, and brings us cats that need lots of TLC.  We're the softies in our neighborhood, too, so care for the ones no one else will.  They really are wonderful. We can't resist.

The advice above is better than any I can give, so I'll just say, "Hi" for now.   Hope your treatments to come are easier on you.  We are here for you, any day you need us.

BooBee

Welcome Sharon.  You've come to the right place. 

What's the magic mouth wash?  Is that the benydril and Malox?

pupfoster1

RenneS,

Magic Mouthwash is a Px made with 4 things, Nystatin, Lidocaine, and two other things I can't think of right now.  The Lidocaine numbs your mouth relatively good but only temporarily.  I used that with some oral numbing stuff when the sores were at their worst.  Hope this doesn't happen to you!

Sharon:)

lkc

Hi Sharon, I am glad you found us.

Now let's see if I can remember, it's been so long since my Stage IIIC dx; (May 05!)

12 pos nodes, no clear margins, agressive tumor, HER pos, blah, blah blah.

I am well and you will be too.

This is the hardest time, Chemo is hard, it sucks, but you will get through it. We've been there and will help you.

Try to hold on that this crap you are dealing  with now is not forever. I actually eot rid of all my mirrors beacuse this sick perspon looking back at me, I didn't reconize.

This is  major ME time for you. Take good care of yourself. You are the priority. Surround yourself only with positive people, don't google BC or read the stats; they are outdated and are not reflective of new txs that are now available. Bempowered by your tx plan. Come here often for suppory and accurate information. I promise you you will find any answers to any question you have here. Your dogs will hlp you to!

God bless and keep strong, you'll be OK.

victoriasecret

YATCOMW...you were my HOPE when I arrived here dont know if i ever thanked you but Thank-you!!!

Sharon things do get better...time..

much love

Cheryl