I'm In the Club

Hi RealtorJackie (((HUGS)))

Sorry about your recent diagnosis.  I remember waiting for chemo to start... you'll be surprised as the days go by how quickly you will bounce back.... just be kind to yourself, before you know it this will all be a distant memory (or nightmare )

take care, post often

LittleFlower

There are quite a few of us here with diagnoses very similar to yours, so stick around. We'll hang with you thru chemo and beyond. I'm another "oldie" like diana50, and even tho it has been 8 years I can still remember vividly waiting for chemo to start. Weesa

Hi there,

I too had no lump but a thickning area. I was pregnant so they attributed it to my pregnancy. I am same stage as you. I went through chemo while pregnant. I remember feeling like I would rather take my own life then die from this disease. I am now  9 months out from chemo and this January is 2 years since I found the area. I feel and look better then I ever have in my life.  I remember asking people when I was first diagnosed if I would ever be happy again-I literally thought I would never feel happiness again. Well now I feel happiness on a level I didn't no existed. You will too:)

Welcome.  I'm sorry that you're a member but you now have a lot of sisters who understand what you're going through.  I can't tell you how much it meant to me just knowing that I wasn't alone.  And being able to come here has given me so much hope.  Being dx'ed IIIc is scary.  Don't be hard on yourself -- you have a lot of emotions to go through and just work through them.  Waiting is hell.  You've made it through one phase (surgery) and it won't be long before you start the next.  Working the treatment one step at a time really helped me keep my sanity.

You might be interested in the checking out the Chemotherapy - Before, During and After forum.  Women starting chemo get together and start a new thread each month and there is one out there for November 2010. 

We're here for you.

HI jackie,

 I am sorry that you have this to deal with. I was dxed the same stage, the same agein  May 05. It's alot to wrap your head around in the beginning.  It does get better.

Come here often for supprt and accurate information. These boards helped me tremendously.. The ladies here are smart, witty, and empowered  and will help you get through this time.

It really does stink!Doing everything we are told and still diagnosed at stage 3.Chemo was  doable for me (I am older than you)and I am doing great:) Hang in there we are here for you!

Jackie,

Wanted to add my welcome.  You're in the hard part right now...waiting to get moving on your treatment plan.  Come here often...we get it like nobody does and we'll help you through this.

Hi, Jackie...

Just stopping by to send you a big cyber hug. There are many of us here, who are in a different stages of the journey, and you will find tremendous amount of support and information here. 

I know it is a difficult time now but hang in there, it will get better. We are all here for you, cheering you on.

Hugs,

So sorry about your dx.  This board is best place to be for support and knowledge.  The chemo board can be helpful for managing side effects, but I feel like I have more in common with Stage III ladies whether they are IDC, ILC, or whatever other type of bc they may have.

Just a quick word of advice.  It's tempting to search the internet for information and it can be useful, but it can also be frightening to read outdated statistics.  Be sure and talk to your onc about Zometa.  Many of us are on Zometa to help prevent bone meets and there is some evidence that it is most effective when taken with chemo.  You can ask Pure and she may have the studies.

I'm also 50, stage IIIc with the dense breasts and I had a clean mammo not long before dx.  PM me if you ever need to chat.

jackie,  I'm sorry you have had to join the stage 3ers.  It really sucks doesn't it?  But the good thing is you have found a great group here with lot's of support.  You'll also find that all those on these boards are wonderful and supportive and you will have help with information when you need it.  And if you just want to vent, we're here for that too.  Regular over the counter  (OTC) pain killers will help with the body and bone pain from chemo.  I know how you feel about waiting and appehension about starting chemo.  You will get thru it though. And we are here for you.

Barb

Everybody feels differently about their port but I have to say that I love mine.  I don't love the fact that I have to have one, however!!  And I say this even though my first one ended up causing problems and I had to have it replaced.  I don't have much fat to protect it.  My second one is the smallest they have and in a different location on my chest.  But it beats getting poked in the arm with those big needles!!

You'll get through chemo just fine.  I was so glad to start getting the whole thing started because I wanted something to kill the cancer.  Not a fun time but some days are good - some are not so good.  LOTS of supportive meds out there so insist on something if you get SEs.  Including an anti-depressant if you need it.  Once my onc realized I wasn't able to get a full night's sleep or nap during the day he started me on Lexapro.  I finally ended up on Paxil and it really helps.

There is life after a IIIc dx!

Hi Jackie and all,

I am also sending gentle hugs. This was one of the toughest times for me also, but the wonderful women on these boards got me through it. I am getting to the end of my tx-3 more rads to go, and if you had asked me last Feb, I never would have believed that this day would come. Chemo is not easy-some days good, some days not, but the lesson I learned was to remember to take care of yourself and tell your MO or RN about symptoms early. They can help you with different options. It feels as though you are shoved on a treadmill, First biopsies, then surg, then chemo and for me then rads. But at this point my energy iscoming back, along with some hair!!! The treatment is not easy, but it was worth it. The women here have been a great support because they understand what this dx means. Other people try to be helpful, but after experiencing it, I can say I never fully understood it and I am in healthcare. Support groups are wonderful if you have a good one in your area. I also think the diagnosis was harder on my family. They were afraid for me and didn't want to worry me. And please remember, we each experience things very differently, and even though we may have similar dx, we often have very different tx protocols.