Wait...Been There, Done That...

Hello Ladies,

Just found this thread - I'm a repeater, too.  First go round at age 41 with lump I found:

DCIS - had lumpectomy but complications with location behind nipple could not get clear margins.  Opted for simple mx to avoid radiation when my boys were still young.  No adjuvent therapy needed, so that was it.  

Fast forward to last Dec, when I found a lump in remaining breast at age 55:  IDC this time, Stage 1, Grade 3 Triple Negative receptors with clear SNB.  Have had 2nd mx &  2 of 8 chemo now - no rads needed.  No long term drug therapy since TN.  

Have always been healthy & active.  No family history - go figure.  Am still not totally convinced chemo was the way to go, but am directing the big guns at this, along with diet/supplements to know I will have done all that I can do.  Still consider myself youngish & this is just another little detour...yeah - just keep swimming, Dorrie & all! 

Thank you, Dorrie ---

If someone had even suggested I consider a BMX the first time, I would have thought they were insane since DCIS is considered a "noncancer" or Stage 0.  "Overtreating" is always a consideration, but if I'd had that crystal ball I surely would've given it utmost consideration.  I'd breastfed both sons & my breasts had served me well by that point...it's actually easier to have the choice now of wearing my matching "foobs" now or not, I find!

I have an appt with the genetic counselors as well to see if is at all viable to do in my case - I do have 4 sisters to consider. 

Am definitely keeping my sense of humour intact - it gets us through everything much easier! 

I'm also a member of this club. First time in late 2004 and then again in early 2009 on the other side. Was shocked it could happen twice. Don't think I'll ever feel secure again.

Hey Dorrie

How are you feeling?  Hope its going ok!

Laura

Day 5 for me post tx #3 - been queasy on and off since the infusion, but better than the first 2.  Heading into GI land, hoping my stomach holds up better than last time.  Was up several times during the night with the Big D, I took some Imodium and I hope it does its job......

3 more to go - seems like its taking forever

Hope you are all doing well!

Thanks for the information, I am going to start doing breast exams, one tends to be careless after a while... best to everybody.

Well ladies its been a pretty bad 11 day post tx #3.  11 full days of queasy.  Had really really bad GI issues once again, fever for 2 days that until today was unexplained (cultures clean, no infection, CBC good) taste buds all out of whack, horrible body aches, a yeast infection, bloody noses 2-3 times a day, overwhelming fatigue and another flare-up of something called Sweet's Syndrome - a horrible burn/rash on my feet and hands that's a SE of the Neupogen shots.  That's what caused the fever as well.  Google it if you're interested, it ain't pretty

So all this has led me to decide, with the blessing of my onc, to stop after 4 tx's.  All the SE's are just too much to deal with this time around and we both feel that the 4 is enough.  So one more tx and I am done.  I think its the only way to get me back in the chair, knowing its for the last one.  UGH.  This has been SO different from the first time around when I breezed through AC/Taxol and Herceptin, working full time with barely any SE's at all.  A total 180.  I'm so happy we were in agreement, I love my onc!

Hope everyone is doing well!