Oh Fudge.

Options
Arayasunshine69
Arayasunshine69 Member Posts: 50
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Half way through radiation, and I get a cold.  My Doctor told me I had a lung infection.  My body feels so weak, I have no upper body strength at all.  Yesterday, went in for my Herceptin treatment, and they poked my poor arm until it was black and blue all over, looking for a vein.  Wrote about my arm as my status on Facebook, and someone came back with "At least your treatment will be done soon."  I finish the Herceptin in August, that is considered soon???  I'm so angry.  I am so sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, and all I want for Christmas, is my health and energy back. 

Vent over.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited December 2010

    Hi Kellie sorry about you arm.

    Did they offer you a port placement.?

    I think they should insist on a port especially for HER+ patients.

    hoping you feel better soon.

    Hugs

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited December 2010

    Kellie;

    I'm sorry to hear about your arm and about the facebook comeback. August doesn't seem soon to me either. Getting through this crap is never soon enough. People have good intentions with their comments but honestly...they just don't get it.

    I'm sure this cold, miserable weather and the craziness of the holiday season isn't helping your spirits either. 

    You'll  gain back some strength back when they get your lung infection cleared up.

    Have they considered a port for you?

    I see you are from Edmonton..me too. Who is your medical onc?

    Hugs

    Beth P 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sespebadger
    sespebadger Member Posts: 249
    edited December 2010

    Hi Kellie,

    I'd be mad too if I were you! I've been through something like that. When I was going through AC chemo and was sick as a dog one week out of three, one of my friends said, "Well, I guess it's getting pretty routine now, huh?" NO, NO, NO, I hated it EVERY time!

    I understand the being tired of being sick and tired. Active treatment is long and HARD. I just finished my year's worth in November.....chemo, four surgeries, radiation. Now Tamoxifen five years. But my energy is finally returning.

    I had a port and was so glad I did. It was easy to install and remove (quick surgeries, no pain). The scar is still a bit itchy, but small price to pay, I figure. My veins never could have made it through all 16 chemo treatments.

    Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited December 2010

    Kellie,

    VENT AWAY!  You certainly deserve that and more at this point!  It's like adding insult to injury!  I am so sorry you are having these added complications.  But hopefully you can shake the cold soon and get back on track.

    Do you have a port, or was that the blood draw they were doing? The nurse said they didn't like to use the port for blood draws, but I can't remember why now :)).  If you don't have one you might want to consider it----how often do you go in for the Herceptin?

    Hope tomorrow is a MUCH better day for you!

    (((HUGS)))

    Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited December 2010

    I don't want to take away from your vent because you have good reason.  But I had something happen today that really surprised me.   My DH has been with me every appt and step of the way.  I had my 6 month follow up with my BS today and we were going over history.  The doc asked about chemo and my DH chimed in with "it was too hard compared to a lot of people".  I love that man to the bone.  But he really missed it on this one.  It was really hard.  I just did my absolute best in trying to be positive and taking on the attitude that someday it would be over with.  The pain in my fingers and toes.  The taste of cardboard on almost everything.  The fog.  The tiredness.  The 8 transfusions.  The lack of energy.  How could he say that??  I guess my attitude fooled him.

     I hope you get your Christmas wish!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Arayasunshine69
    Arayasunshine69 Member Posts: 50
    edited December 2010

    Thanks for the support ladies...I love this board!  I know everyone means well, but unless you experience cancer first hand, it's hard to understand what we're going through.  I've had my boob removed, I've had chemo, am currently doing radiation, will continue with Herceptin until August, will be on Tamoxifen for 5 years, and have had so many test done.  And now, a throat infection on top of it all??  During this already hectic season? I'm not even done my shopping.  Thank God for Good friends...my BFF offered to finish my shopping for me.  "You stay home until this infection is cleared up, or you'll be too sick to enjoy your Christmas." I'm also fortunate enough that my mom and dad came up from NL, and they keep my 14 month old daughter entertained and busy so I can rest. 

    EVERYTIME I go for anything where I need an IV, it never works on the first try.  It takes a few attempts, sometimes from 2 or 3 nurses.  I want to yell at them sometimes because I think they should know how to do it. But then I think they'll be mean to me, and 8 more months is a long time to go for Herceptin with nurses who don't like you.  I was under the impression, that I could not have a port, seeing that chemo is done, and the herceptin iv is so much smaller.  When I go see my Onc again, I'll have to mention it to him...is it my onc that I would have to mention it to?

     Beth...Yes, I live in Edmonton.  Aren't the roads just terrible right now??? my onc. is Dr. Feton...at the Cross.  I like him.  Dr. Hamilton at University done my surgery.  He was awesome.  

    I'm going to try to rest lots this weekend, and drink lots of fluids.  Hopefully I can get rid of this in a day or so.  I really need to strenghten my immune system.  I have tickets for Sunday night for "The Singing Christmas Tree" and I want to go!

     Hope you all have a nice weekend.

    Cheers!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hymil
    hymil Member Posts: 826
    edited December 2010

    Kellie, No, august is so, not soon! This week with cold, dark and frantic preXmas is the pits of winter and you do well to get out of bed, never mind presenting for treatment every day, it's very hard going. I don't do facebook, but I understand there's a way to block unhelpful contributions like that, that person just has no real idea what you are going through, although it sounds like they are with you in wishing it will end. Praying for a peaceful Christmas the way You want it for once! I also think once the docs can get on top of the chest infection, you actually will feel a lot better.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Letlet
    Letlet Member Posts: 1,053
    edited December 2010

    Kellie, I so hear you. I hate not having any energy and the days after EC that I would just lay in bed like a paper doll are the worst. There are no words to describe it.

    I was speaking to a friend who is the positive type person last night. She said she hates it when my co-workers come up to her and ask me how I am with a sad face and hushed tones. She says like they're talking about me as if they're talking about my you know what. She said she tells them that I am doing great, treatment is working blah blah, I have a great support system (which I do!)

    On one hand I appreciate her sticking up for me, I am very blessed! On the other hand I AM GOING THROUGH HELL right now. Anyway this is my friend that got me to see the BS as soon as I told her I had a lump. It would have been months before I went to a gyn ....

    It's just different with people who've had BC, best friend or not. No one really understands.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited December 2010

    Kellie; That's wonderful that you have your BFF and your folks from NL to help you out. Take the help sweetie...you'll be glad you did. Yes, the roads are terrible and it's quite cold. Where in NL are you from? I am from NS but have travelled to NL years ago to visit relatives in St. George's. I love NL...so beautiful. Have you been in Alberta very long? My onc is DR Tonkin at the Croos. Great place with excellent care.

    Hugs

    Beth P

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sespebadger
    sespebadger Member Posts: 249
    edited December 2010

    Kellie,

    Some people have smaller veins that are harder for the nurses to get to. I'm one of those people. Before I got my port something that really helped was putting a heating pad around my arm for about 10 minutes before they looked for a vein. Also, make sure you drink lots of water the day before your prcedure so your veins are as plump as they can be. 

    I would recommend telling your oncolgist about the problem nurses have finding a good vein on you and asking if you should get a port. And if the answer is no, make sure you drink water and ask about a heating pad.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited December 2010

    Kellie - I am just reading your post.  I am so sorry that your veins don't want to cooperate.  I see that the others have suggested a port or picc line, staying hydrated and the heating pad.  All good recommentations. The Facebook comment is from someone who really doesn't get it.  I think that once "they" see that we're finished with active treatment it makes "them" feel better.  It can be extremely frustrating because they aren't seeing all that we go through, like in your case Herceptin and Tamoxifen. (((hugs))))  I am glad that you have a wondeful friend who does get it and is helping you and....you have us, we get it and we're here for you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories