Recently diagnosed......just found YOU! :)

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Dakotawoman
Dakotawoman Member Posts: 6
edited December 2014 in Just Diagnosed

Had a regularly scheduled mammogram on 9/26 - got called back and had a repeat mam on 10/2 where the radiologist told me there was less than a 1% chance what he was seeing was benign (I work for Radiology at a major teaching hospital and have worked with this physician for over 20 years). I had a biopsy on 10/7 (my 45th birthday) and got the results the next day (because my Radiologists knew I had access to look the results up myself so they called me before I could)..... I had a lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node removal on 10/28 and got the news a couple of days later that the margins were clear and the lymph nodes were clear.


I start TC chemo next Tuesday and am freaking out..... I know it won't be the end of the world, it's just not what I was hoping for.... My youngest turns 2 on 12/12...... (yes, his birthdate is 12/12/12 :) As it stands right now the rest of my treatment plan is to have 4 rounds of chemo starting 12/9, 3 weeks apart - then a 3-4 week break followed by 6 weeks of radiation 5 days/week followed by 5-10 years of tamoxifen.....

Glad to find you guys here and expect you'll be a HUGE help in getting through the rest of this....


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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2014

    Hi Dakotawoman and Welcome to Breastcancer.org!

    We're so glad you found us too, although we hate that you have to be here. But you're right -- this Community is a stellar wealth of support, knowledge, and advice and will be instrumental in helping you get through your treatment!

    Welcome again, and happy posting! Please keep us all posted on your progress!

    --The Mods

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  • ml143333
    ml143333 Member Posts: 658
    edited December 2014

    Sorry you had to join us, but we are a pretty good group.  We support each other through the good and the bad.  We understand each other.  We help each other learn and grow.

    Find your niche!

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  • kris1114
    kris1114 Member Posts: 82
    edited December 2014

    Hello. I was diagnosed today. Just wanted to say you are not alone.

    Kristin

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  • clarrn
    clarrn Member Posts: 557
    edited December 2014

    Hi Ladies,

    Today is my one year anniversary of hearing "you have cancer". I remember the fear and anxiety I felt in the beginning. But 2 weeks ago I finished radiation and 3 months ago I finished chemo. I want you to know that you will get through this, and Dakota so will your kids (mine was 2 when I was diagnosed also). Wishing you both well as you face this beast. You are stronger than you know.

    Clarissa

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  • ladyboss1997
    ladyboss1997 Member Posts: 202
    edited December 2014

    That was the exact same treatment regimen I did 3 years ago starting 7/11/11. Here are some good things to do:

    take the nausea pill reguarly for the first 24-48 hours after chemo. Don't wait to get nauseous. The first 24 hours worked for me. I never got nauseous

    drink 10 - 8 oz glasses of water each day for at least 7 days after chemo. I just started doing it every day, and still do

    if prone to constipation, drink one glass of metamucil or similar fiber drink each day for 7 days after chemo

    for 72 hours after chemo - rest. Let your body do what it needs to do. Sleep when you want to sleep. Be awake when you want to be awake.

    take short walks every day or do some type of light exercise daily

    eat/drink high protein foods. My favorite go-to was muscle milk, scrambled eggs, and peanut butter sandwiches

    the tast buds going wacky was the worst side effect for me. The only thing that tasted good was sweets, and you have to be careful with those. I kept a bag of low calorie mints with me at all times. And I drank flavored water because regular water was yuk.

    keep Benadryl and itch cream on hand in case you get hives. I only got them once.

    use Nail Tek daily on finger and toe nails

    Take Biotin and a probiotic daily

    get a night cap for your bald head, if you tend to get cold easy.

    Get a nice wig before you lose your hair. It will make her feel prepared. I bought my wig to match my hair color and style almost exactly. No one whould have known I had lost my hair if I did not tell them.

    I cut my hair very short before I began chemo, then shaved it when it started coming out in droves. You can expect to lose her hair 10-14 days after the first chemo. It might help to have her favorite hardresser on standby to do the shaving. Throw your hair a goodbye party. You'll feel better.

    When I finished chemo I began using Ovation Hair Advanced Cell Treatment on my head. My hair has come back prettier and thicker than ever. I still use it 3 years later.

    hook up with a group on this board who is going through chemo at the same time, with the same chemo cocktail. You will learn from each other as you go throught he process.

    Remember, this is just a bump in the road.

    Diana

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