Post by ythy101 on Apr 29, 2009 22:25:04 GMT -5
I was diagnosed Invasive Ductal Carcinoma when I was 44 in September 2004, had my right breast and 13 lymph nodes removed (all nodes were negative), no resconstruction done. My tumor was 2 cm, on the right breast; 1st doctor classified it as phase ¡§2A¡¨, 2nd doctor (my surgeon) preferred to call it ¡§1C¡¨ (which did sound better and a bit comforting.)
I wouldn¡¦t have to take chemo or radiation if they didn¡¦t accidentally find an affected lymph node at the center of my chest when doing pre-surgery exams, thanks to a very thorough sonogram doctor. My surgeon couldn¡¦t remove that affected node without cutting off a few ribs so he decided to leave it and let chemo and radiation finish it off.
Chemo was the toughest of all treatments. I went through 4 AC + 4 Taxel every 3 weeks from October 2004 till March 2005, followed by 30 radiation session from April and completed all treatments in mid June, 2005. My hair started to fall substantially 2 weeks after the first AC (which is nicknamed ¡¥cranberry juice¡¦ here in Taiwan because of its color). After every chemo session, I threw up 1 or 2 days, no matter what medicine was prescribed me, and I had to take 1 week off work after every chemo.
The 4 Taxel was much easier to me, no throwing up at all, and I was always sound asleep during the injection, probably one of the pre-Taxel medicines did the magic. Tips of my fingers and toes started to feel numb 2 weeks after the first Taxel so I was prescribed vitamin B6, which helped. A few times I experienced a bit headache, and feeling muscle sore from knees down, especially during the first week.
I was VERY sensitive to smells, and had to take sleeping pills to be able to sleep because ANY smell (such as food from street vendors, cigarette from a passerby outside my apartment) would be a huge annoyance that kept me awake. I was told that there¡¦d be temporary menopause during chemo, but it didn¡¦t bother me since I already entered menopause before I was diagnosed breast cancer. In fact, it was when I consulted a gynecologist about my sort-of-early menopause that I found the lump on my breast (also by accident).
During chemo, I was told to eat as much food that increase protein intake as possible so my body can be strong enough to stand the effect of the medicine while it kills cancer. I was surprised (and grateful) to find my husband a talented cook. His special recipes were so good I gained 6 kg (about 13 pounds) during chemo and still struggle to lose the remaining 3 kg up till now.
I have been cancer free for almost 5 years now. BC treatment was a long and sometimes depressing road. When I was down, I told myself ¡§this, too, will past.¡¨ and it did. Looking back, I realized that I gained more than I lost, becoming closer to my loved ones and getting to know new friends. I have my hair back, softer and curlier. And because the surgery does not impact my left arm, I can still play my favorite golf. Think of how depressive I would be if tennis were my thing!
Now, I¡¦d think of everyday as a bonus day of my life and am grateful for that.
I wouldn¡¦t have to take chemo or radiation if they didn¡¦t accidentally find an affected lymph node at the center of my chest when doing pre-surgery exams, thanks to a very thorough sonogram doctor. My surgeon couldn¡¦t remove that affected node without cutting off a few ribs so he decided to leave it and let chemo and radiation finish it off.
Chemo was the toughest of all treatments. I went through 4 AC + 4 Taxel every 3 weeks from October 2004 till March 2005, followed by 30 radiation session from April and completed all treatments in mid June, 2005. My hair started to fall substantially 2 weeks after the first AC (which is nicknamed ¡¥cranberry juice¡¦ here in Taiwan because of its color). After every chemo session, I threw up 1 or 2 days, no matter what medicine was prescribed me, and I had to take 1 week off work after every chemo.
The 4 Taxel was much easier to me, no throwing up at all, and I was always sound asleep during the injection, probably one of the pre-Taxel medicines did the magic. Tips of my fingers and toes started to feel numb 2 weeks after the first Taxel so I was prescribed vitamin B6, which helped. A few times I experienced a bit headache, and feeling muscle sore from knees down, especially during the first week.
I was VERY sensitive to smells, and had to take sleeping pills to be able to sleep because ANY smell (such as food from street vendors, cigarette from a passerby outside my apartment) would be a huge annoyance that kept me awake. I was told that there¡¦d be temporary menopause during chemo, but it didn¡¦t bother me since I already entered menopause before I was diagnosed breast cancer. In fact, it was when I consulted a gynecologist about my sort-of-early menopause that I found the lump on my breast (also by accident).
During chemo, I was told to eat as much food that increase protein intake as possible so my body can be strong enough to stand the effect of the medicine while it kills cancer. I was surprised (and grateful) to find my husband a talented cook. His special recipes were so good I gained 6 kg (about 13 pounds) during chemo and still struggle to lose the remaining 3 kg up till now.
I have been cancer free for almost 5 years now. BC treatment was a long and sometimes depressing road. When I was down, I told myself ¡§this, too, will past.¡¨ and it did. Looking back, I realized that I gained more than I lost, becoming closer to my loved ones and getting to know new friends. I have my hair back, softer and curlier. And because the surgery does not impact my left arm, I can still play my favorite golf. Think of how depressive I would be if tennis were my thing!
Now, I¡¦d think of everyday as a bonus day of my life and am grateful for that.