Oncology Nurse with Breast Cancer

Cricket610

Hello! I am new to this forum, although was diagnosed with breast cancer May 2015. ILC, Stage 1, Grade II, lumpectomy, 2 re-excisions, radiation and Tamoxifen. I am an oncology nurse myself, now working in a radiation unit, but spent many years in medical oncology as well. In the midst of treatment, my knowledge helped me to not be overwhelmed, but working in the field definitely brings a unique perspective. Wondering if there are many other oncology nurses within these forums?

kareenie

Hi cricket I'm not a nurse but I know there are a lot of nurses on the boards. While waiting for them to notice your post, you could check out these old threads I found:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/5/topics/...

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/5/topics/...

dtad

Hi Cricket. Im a RN with home care and hospice experience. Weird being on the other side of the fence!

Maureen1

Hi (((Cricket))) - I am an RN, I spent the last 18 years of my career working in breast care centers so I've had to be with women many times when they "got the news" that the "routine screening mammogram" showed something abnormal and then the follow up news that it was cancer. I thought I always I knew the "right" things to say and what to do during these difficult conversations until I found myself on the other side of the cot - getting my own news, hearing my own diagnosis...wow...it was eye opening in so many ways. I've learned so much from my patients and from my own experience, now I am trying to use my new knowledge to help other women. I'd like to thank you for being an oncology nurse...I'm sure it is a difficult job and there must be trying times...when I went thru chemo I came to realize just how wonderful my oncology nurses were in supporting me and helping me cope with the emotional and physical side effects...I hope you are doing well...(((Hugs))) Maureen

vlnrph

I happen to be a retired pharmacist who specialized in geriatric care when I was employed. I met a nurse recently who had breast cancer and also worked in oncology. I'll ask if she's interested in joining this discussion.

StaceySue2U

I'm a nurse. I did ICU, ER, rehab and then my last position was in home care and hospice. I was just getting ready to start travel nursing and had already resigned from my previous position when I fractured my pelvis was also diagnosed with breast cancer. So now I'm an unemployed nurse with breast cancer.....worrying about when I'll be able to get back to work again has been one of the hardest parts of this challenge. Also - in ICU, ER, and hospice I only saw the worst case scenarios with breast cancer so this whole thing has scared the bejeesus out of me. Glad to meet other nurses here.

Cricket610

Thank you all for your replies! It is very weird "being on the other side of the fence"! It has it's benefits and challenges for sure. I have seen so much in our practice, I was definitely not surprised by my diagnosis. I think I actually find a lot of comfort in knowing more, even though I know what CAN happen, too. I kinda went into autopilot mode at the beginning, and some thought I was in denial, but I was just not rocked by it, and understanding the process, I was not overwhelmed, which was huge I think. But because I see so much, I think in my mind I downplayed my own disease at the beginning, and didn't let myself fully grieve it all, because I constantly saw those who had worse cases. I did slowly go through my own process of "grieving". But in the end, I was SO thankful that I just needed radiation (I received it where I work, which was weird and wonderful) , and although I HATE Tamoxifen, I am thankful I can take it, and have never missed a dose It's great to get support from those who have their own story, but understand in a way that others can't. I wish you all the best!!

Irony

I'm not sure if this thread is still active, but I'm happy I found it. While I'm not a nurse, I am a sonographer that specializes in breast ultrasound. I actually found my own IDC.

It is strange waiting for my surgery, while screening others for breast cancer. Whenever I saw something suspicious on ultrasound in the past I would think to myself, "This poor woman's life is about to change forever. " I wasn't expecting to be "this poor woman".

edwards750

Sorry Irony. My sister recently told me her oncologist just died from BC. Somehow we think they are immune but unfortunately no one is.

Diane

Binniebin

hi, im a chemo nurse just diagnosed. I'm awaiting my lumpectomy and sentinel node box results but the core bx says 1.5 cm poorly differentiated. So I think I'm in for chemo and not sure how it will go being treated where I work. Has anyone else been in the same boat as me. Ours is the only chemo unit in town

_ipcoder17

I'm new to the forums.

I'm not a nurse. I'm a Medical Coder (CCS).

I had just completed my medical coding program a week before when I began this journey. I actually took my exam the day before my first lumpectomy.

It's numbing to see my name on medical documentation. The waiting has been the hardest part. I even had a job offer, but chose to turn it down. It was very hard to do that starting out in the medical coding profession, but I have had Hurricane Irma come, appointments cancelled due to loss of power.

I'm having a port put in tomorrow, PET scan day after, and blood work next week and began my first chemotherapy infusion.

I'm Blessed!

The bigger the trial, the sweeter the Victory!

Binniebin

Hi ipcoder17, sorry to hear you've joined but I hope you'll find support, comfort and info as I have. Sounds like you've probably had your first dose, what are you having? How did you go with tmt? hope you don't get too many side effects. I have an acupuncturists number if I need for nausea or as my oncologist said, will just go in and get a bag of fluids and Intravenous anti nausea meds. I'm going to ring the wig lady shortly so I'm prepared, I found the waiting the hardest. Working in day chemo for 7 years and have a sister that had BC 17 years ago I knew straight away, and figured that chemo and radio was ahead. I feel so much better having a plan. My chemo starts 20/10 AC adriamycin and cyclophosphamide. Radio and hormone tablets +/- herceptin (pathology getting further tested) next year.. My work has been fantastic so i can be treated away from pts so that when I look after them on a work days I'll be their their nurse not their fellow cancer pt. I love my work so will work as much as possible.

Hope you got off to a good start with treatment

dtad

Cricket16...So sorry you are dealing with this disease. I'm not an oncology nurse but I am a RN with home care/hospice experience. It certainly does add another layer to being diagnosed. Here if you need to talk. Good luck and keep us posted.