Post by Mary on Dec 7, 2008 9:12:57 GMT -5
November (2000), I found a lump in my right breast while taking a shower. I called my doctor the next day and he scheduled me for a mammogram (diagnostic). I had the mammogram and then they took me across the hall to ultrasound -- I knew something was wrong! The doctor scheduled me for biopsy surgery on the last day of November and I was handed my "death sentence" on December 5th -- malignant. The very next day, I had the portacath procedure and began my chemotherapy on Dec. 12th. I started losing my hair on Christmas day and had my oldest daughter shave my head the next day. So far, I have 4 chemo treatments behind me of A/C and taxotere (3 weeks apart). My next treatment will be on March 6th and I will be getting A/C and cytoxin (4 rounds 3 weeks apart) followed by daily radiation for 6 weeks. My oncologist wants me to take the drug, tamoxifen, and since the major side effect of this pill is ovarian cancer........he wants me to have my ovaries removed. I plan to have the node dissection, too. The chemo has been rather gentle with me as I have not been sick to my stomach, but I have experienced fatigue, achy bones, constipation, weight gain, and chemo brain -- I think I miss my mind the most! I have continued to work full time throughout my cancer ordeal and have very loving support from family, friends, and co-workers. I'm a single parent of two teenage girls (ages 17 & 19) and my biggest fear is to pass this to them. My family has never had anyone diagnosed with breast cancer -- I guess, I've started a new family tradition -- huh? I think this is a G.R.E.A.T. place --- very informative -- I'm still not finished checking out all those "great links". Thanks for creating such a fantastic place for all of us cancer sisters.
May 20, 2001
I finished my last chemo treatment on the 18th of April -- I went thru all the tests again (MRI, bone scan, mammogram, chest x-ray) and they all came back with negative results, so it's on to radiation. My first appointment is tomorrow @ 2:30pm.
Updated: 7/29/2002
Nickname: Julie
Hobbies: gardening, shopping, collecting coins, stamps, birdhouses, and turtles.
May 20, 2001
I finished my last chemo treatment on the 18th of April -- I went thru all the tests again (MRI, bone scan, mammogram, chest x-ray) and they all came back with negative results, so it's on to radiation. My first appointment is tomorrow @ 2:30pm.
Updated: 7/29/2002
Nickname: Julie
Hobbies: gardening, shopping, collecting coins, stamps, birdhouses, and turtles.