Help me I am very depressed.

Elisa, these are questions only your doctor can answer. I suggest you make an appointment with your cardiologist to discuss these things. People on a random message board are in no way qualified to advise you on your cardiac health.

No, you're not being a pest and I'm sorry if you felt chastised. I certainly didn't mean it that way. You're asking questions that are very specific to your health and no one can really advise you but your own doctor.

Elisa60, if you want input from other heart patients, put heart in your topic. Also it would be easier not to go through all of your new topics to figure out if you need chemo. But of course you do because you have TNBC. So why not fill out your profile now? I only hope they give you the right kind of chemo the first time around. So join the TNBC groups. Just do a search. Definitely get approval from your heart doctor before treatment. I did.

So sorry this is so overwhelming for you in more ways than one. You could spend your time researching TNBC and chemo?

elisa60, I am so sorry you are feeling depressed and scared.  A cancer diagnosis is depressing enough, but coupled with your heart history, I understand why you are feeling the way you do. When I had my Herceptin treatment, I had echocardiograms every three months to monitor my heart. Doctors watch their patients very carefully while on chemo and I'm sure your doctor will as well, as long as he/she is aware of your medical history. Share your fears with your medical team. On another note, when I was diagnosed with BC for the second time, I was extremely depressed and I sought out counseling. I think it is always a good idea to speak to a professional about our fears when we are going through a stressful time. Many people on the boards are also on an antidepressant, which can help you get through this stressful time. 

Love that good update, elisa60. Yay! I don't know if there is a topic on here for your particular chemo meds, but probably so. When you have time, search for those meds and the people there will have tips and experience too. Keep us updated here as you go along and post any questions.

elisa60, if some of that going and going and going energy is from steroids (it was for me) don't be surprised or dismayed if it runs out after the steroids clear out of your system. Okay? It won't mean you are doing poorly or getting worse, it's just part of the cycle.

hi elisa60,

I'm sorry to hear you have breast cancer. I can't speak to your heart health condition but I can provide you with information on your concern about radiation near your heart (I'm assuming left breast).

I am receiving Deep Breath Inspiration Radiotherapy. It is a technique where you breathe in to 80% of your maximum lung intake and hold your breath whilst radiotherapy is administered. The breath hold moves your heart out of the way of the trajectory of the radiation. I asked for this and my BC surgeon referred me to a colleague he knew who does this

Ask your doctor if there is a chance you can be referred to a clinic that does this.

My radiology oncologist feels this should be a minimum standard for women and men with breast cancer. And he is right.

hello sweetie I was diagnosed while making our wedding plans 2nd marriages I received cytoxin adriamycin 5fu 3 mo before and after Lmast got married then rads then 5yrs Tamoxifen. Had took leave from work after treatment done went back to work had shortness of breath worked at clinic at time they nurse n doc checked me I had asthma. Then went to E R after I woke my husband up breathing labored kept me in hospital diagnosed with heart arrythmia and then heart failure but I am doin great that was 10 yrs ago I'm doing great Praise God. People don't even know it if I don't tell them when I do they say No Way. I'm a 24yr Survivor. Praise God. Positive thoughts and Hope got me thru. You can do this too. idc stage 2 0\3 nodes Lmast chemo rads 5yrs on Tamoxifen. msphil

It's always a pleasure to hear from Mrsphil. She is so inspiring. She has BEEN THERE & DONE THAT!

Just wanted to add a little encouragement for you, elisa. It sounds like you're doing great with chemo. I was very surprised when I had chemo how well i felt. All I knew about chemo was what I saw in films and TV--ugly, bald, gray-faced, puking. I was none of that, well, except bald.The steroids they gave me with the chemo gave me decent energy and pink skin. I lost my hair, but my wig was smoking hot, Haha. People who didn't know me had no idea I was wearing a wig. I had some pretty bad fatigue between chemos, but usually only for about a week. Then I was back to fairly normal. So, for me it was 2 Chemo Days-5 days of normal-7 days severe fatigue-7 days normal and looking good. Although my taste buds changed, I never felt nausea or threw up. I hope you will have an easy time of it, elisa.

My oncologist gave me a prescription for a "cranial prosthesis". Fancy medical terminology for wig. I called my insurance company to find out their procedure. My insurance did not require me to go to any particular place, but they did put a cap on how much they would pay. All I had to do was buy the wig, send in the receipts, and they would reimburse me up to the $$ cap. I got the name of a local wig shop from the cancer center. Made an appt and we got down to it. Wig Lady was very professional and had been doing it a long time. Once I settled on ther right wig, she trimmed and styled it for me, too.

My wig was about $250. It was synthetic, so very easy to care for. It looked quite natural and lots of people asked me if I had colored my hair myself or had it done at a salon (a salon, of course, LOL). I have kept the wig just in case i ever need it again. My insurance only pays for one wig per lifetime.