So overwhelmed!

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etnasgrl
etnasgrl Member Posts: 650

I was diagnosed last Thursday with ER/PR- Her2+ in the left breast. (Last time was ER/PR+ Her2- in the right breast) Since then, I have been trying to soak up as much information as possible......from here, from numerous web sites, from books, other survivors, etc.
I have my lumpectomy on the 24th and from there, move to chemo. (Tumor is small, 8mm, which is why surgery is first) Currently, I don't know what type of chemo, although my surgical oncologist said most likely Taxol and then of course, Herceptin.

I'm trying to collect all the tips and advice people/websites have given, but there is SO MUCH information, it's crazy! I do plan on working through chemo and thankfully, my job is VERY supportive. I do have short term and long term disability if needed, but I really do not want to use it.
Anyway, the point of my post is to ask if y'all have felt this way at the beginning too? Overwhelmed, scared, dreadful.....yea, that about sums it up, lol!

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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited February 2020
  • bkerber
    bkerber Member Posts: 51
    edited February 2020

    I felt the same way, etnasgrl, in the beginning. I had myself at deaths door. As you can see from my signature I have both at the same time. I was originally diagnosed as HER-2 negative so Im halfway through my TC treatment. Then an amendment came to my biopsy which suggested I had enough HER-2 positive that I also need to take Herceptin for a year, so Im starting that with my 3rd round.
    Im sorry you're having to deal with this. I am working too. My boss is very supportive. I take off 1 day for chemo because it takes so long and then on Friday after my Neulasta shot kicks in because it puts me flat out for 2-1/2 days.
    Once I had time to wrap my head around all that is going on and do lots of reading, I am much calmer and just ready to get on with it. I hope that for you too.

  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited February 2020

    Thanks for responding, bkerber, I don't feel so alone now and am glad to know that my feelings are "normal". I have myself at death's door too, lol! I know that will change as I learn more and actually get on with treatment. I am ready to just start! The only way out is through....so let's get this done!

  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited February 2020

    I had done a lot of research, especially on this site, so knew what treatment would be recommended before I met with my MO. Taxol is sometimes called "chemo lite," and many women tolerate it relatively well. I took a half day off on treatment days (Friday mornings) but worked the rest of the week. I chose Fridays because I knew the first day or two you feel good (thanks partially to the steroid you'll get with the pre-meds) and wanted to preserve my weekends. I'd start to droop a little late Sundays, feel kind of lethargic Mondays, and by Tuesdays was starting to pick back up. I never felt nauseated, never felt sick--at the worst, just low energy and heavy--like it was harder to get up out of a chair than normal. My husband took over most of the food prep. I'd recommend a *lot* of protein--I really pushed it, including eggs every day, red meat 4-5 times a week, a protein shake every day. My blood counts stayed good throughout. (In fact my MO told me I was the only patient she'd see who was actually making blood through chemo.) Some foods will taste weird and I believe a lot of us find the exception is sweets, plus chemo is a time to treat yourself. I ate chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream every day.

    There are great dx- and tx-specific threads--look for the Triple Positive one (it'll have good info on Herceptin) and the Weekly Taxol one. There will also be a "Starting Chemo ___ 2020" thread that you should favorite. It's great for giving/getting support from people going through what you are at the same time. I also kept an eye on the threads that started one-two months before I did--lots of great advice from people who were farther along in the process.

    You'll get through this and come out the other side.

  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited February 2020

    Thanks so much, Ingerp! I have a list going of several things in regards to chemo, that I can refer to. This site has helped tremendously! I also have several breast cancer survivor friends, who have gone through chemo.....they have been giving me lots of great advice and tips as well.
    I will check out the threads you mention and mark them as favorites.

    I so appreciate you!

  • YesIamaDragon
    YesIamaDragon Member Posts: 363
    edited February 2020

    "Overwhelmed, scared, dreadful.....yea, that about sums it up, lol!"

    Yup. This whole journey has been a roller-coaster, and finding out I would not just finish out my herceptin//perjata and be on my merry (hormone-blocking) way but instead need 10 more months of Kadcyla was another horribly discouraging turn. But I keep trying to remind myself to be grateful we have this therapy available! Doesn't always work, but we made it through chemo and I am confident you can as well. And these therapies really are game-changing -- our prognosis is so much better than it would have been even 20 years ago!

    Hang in there!

  • TXAG20
    TXAG20 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2020

    Hi Etnasgrl, I was just diagnosed on 2/4 with ER/PR-, Her2+ Stage 2, multi centric in the left breast. I am completely overwhelmed and trying to gain as much info as possible. I am facing 16 Weeks of Chemo/targeted therapy followed by surgery and then radiation if needed. I am also being treated at MD Anderson. I am 46 with 3 children, a business, and a crazy busy life. I am very unsure how all this will go, but it helps a lot to talk to others going through it.

  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited February 2020

    TXAG20.....So sorry that you are going through all of this, but I would love to stay connected with you throughout the "journey". Maybe we can trade notes and support each other.

    Hug Just PM me if interested. I sure do wish you all the best!

  • AngieB92
    AngieB92 Member Posts: 323
    edited February 2020

    I was diagnosed in August and I felt the exact same way!!! It was as if my future vanished. I was also scared to do anything or eat anything for fear it would make my cancer worse. I finally came to terms with it and, once I started chemo, I actually relaxed a little because they chemo was attacking the cancer. I finished chemo on New Year’s Eve. I’m waiting for surgery on 3/3. Meanwhile, I’m still getting Herceptin infusions every three weeks. Just some minor aches and pains but I’ve worked while going through all of this. Just keep looking forward and take care of yourself!

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