#3 Knocking me OUT!!! |
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GinaMarie 
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Joined: Jun 19 2008 Location: New Jersey Essex cty Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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 Topic: #3 Knocking me OUT!!!Posted: Oct 28 2008 at 12:55pm |
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Hi Ladies, just want to check and say hi, and ask.... is it normal for this 3rd chemo to really be kicking my butt!!!??? The first one was cake, 2nd a little worse now this one.......WOW NO appetite whatsoever, still nausea after 4 days, a little light headed, and i stayed home from work today, i usually go back on the tues after, i go fri, stay home fri and mon. and by tues im ok... not great, but today i couldn't get out of bed!! I slept all day, was in pj's!! Thats not like me at all. Im trying to do the small meal thing, but thats not really working either, i do feel hungry but everything i eat just not appealing and than i get nauseous!! HELP!!! Im trying to drink alot but even thats not going down right, i dont even have desire to drink!!! This is totally freaking me out, and i know you will all have some words of wisdom, one more to go ladies!! I just want to feel human again!!! And of course lets not forget the effects from the Neulasta that are still killing me!!!! Advil not even really touching the pain, heating pad helps a little.... any other advice i really cant sit in the tub, too sore!! IM A MESS!!! Emotionally and physically these past few days, but i know its to be expected.
Thank you for listening to me VENT
 XOXO Gina
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gigi
Stage 1 Grade 3 dx may 2008 2 lumpectomies, first one wrong dx of fibroadenoma!! chemo 4 rounds ovr 3 mos Taxotere/Cytoxan BRCA 1+ Bilat mast. with Lat flap recon done 1/9/09!!! No rads!! |
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Ronda
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Joined: Jul 31 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 587 |
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Posted: Oct 28 2008 at 1:08pm |
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HI Gina, Sorry #3 is kicking your butt. Do you have any pain meds left from your surgeries. My onc said it was o.k. when Nuelasta was making me achy...1/2 a dose did it for me. Maybe once the pain is gone food will sound a bit better. I highly recommend SEA Bands if you haven't tried 'em.
I went on a banana split binge...at one point it was the only thing I wanted and it went down beautifully.
Good luck,
Ronda
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DX 3/07 IDC Trip neg, stage 2b, SN biopsy 3 node neg. No vascular invasion, Mast 4/07 AC+T DD Finshed 8/07 BRCA 1, Proph Mast 10/07. Reconst & Prophy Hyst. 10/08
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Oct 28 2008 at 1:25pm |
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Gina,
Lori's 1st, 3rd, and 5th chemo were the worst. They really knocked her out! Have you tried watermelon? At least then you would be getting the liquid that you need. Lori ate a great deal of that. Also the ginger snaps (organic) did provide some nourishment. popsicles are a good thing as Billie has suggested.
Lori never went to work until Wednesday following chemo. The 1st one she went back on Tuesday and barely made it through the day. As you said one more to go sweetie. Just one more!
 You vent anytime you want to!
We love you Gina,
Nancy
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Nancy
DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007 Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst mastectomy July 6 2007 chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov 28 rads ended Jan 2008 |
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sibu
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Joined: Jun 27 2008 Location: FL Status: Offline Points: 660 |
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Posted: Oct 28 2008 at 4:31pm |
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Hey Gina,
No great words of wisdom, just lots of encouragement. Rest as much as you can. Take drugs if you feel like it. Eat what appeals to you. For some people, chemo seems to be cumulative. You are 3/4 of the way there!! Lots of love your way, Donna |
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Donna, age 42
Dx IDC 12/06, 5/18 Nodes + BRCA1+ Double mast. 1/07 Chemo 6 X TAC 6/07, rads 10/07 Hyst./Recon. 12/07 |
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Lesley
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Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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Posted: Oct 29 2008 at 10:39am |
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Gina,
My third AC treatment was by far my worst! Hang in there, because it will get better. Keep trying the small meals and sips of fluids. What medications are they giving you for nausea? If you don't have emend, ask for it. I also had to take kytrile with my infusion, compazine and zofran. Ativan also helped with nausea, sometimes better than the "strong" stuff. Make sure you take the nausea meds exactly on schedule. Set an alarm at night if you have to. Once the nausea and vomiting set in, it can be very hard to get them back under control. Be careful with the pain meds, as some of them cause nausea, but ask the doctor for something if its really bad. Don't be afraid to call your oncologist's office and tell them how you're feeling. You'd be surprised by how many options there are for controlling side effects; you don't really learn abou them unless you tell them you're feeling bad. Take it easy, and I hope you feel better soon!
Lesley
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diagnosed 3/21/08 @37 years old
lumpectomy w/clean margins, no nodes 4/23/08 chemo (AC DD*4, taxol weekly*12) 5/08-10/08 prophylactic bilateral mastectomy 11/08 |
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Cookie
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Joined: Feb 05 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 70 |
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Posted: Oct 29 2008 at 11:00am |
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Gina:
I finished dose dense Epirubison/Cytoxin (4), 12 weeks of Taxon, and 15 days of rads. I never had any problems with any of them really. The neulesta did bother me and I had to get many of them when on the Epirubison. I got the most awful headache ever, shortly after receiving the shot, it lasted for days. I could feel the pain go right up my spine. I know some people thought I was nuts. BUT neulesta builds up the white blood cells and most of your white blood cells are made in your spine and head (scalp?), thus the immense pain. I always took a pain pill before getting the neulesta, like darvacet, and it worked like a gem.
During chemo I did lose my appetite, I lost 30 pounds (not that I didn't need to). I tried to eat anything that I thought I wanted. Especially, watermellon, strawberries, popsicles. Most things seemed to sweet to me, like sodas. I drank and drank lots of water.
I don't know why God chose me to be the one to fly through this crap, but I am so thankful.
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COOKIE
3- 9 Richardson Clean Nodes 4.5 cm Clean margins Stage pT2, pNO, PMX (spot on right lung showed up in routine chest x-ray too small to biopsy)Lumpectomy 1/14/08 |
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Shely
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Joined: Oct 29 2008 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Posted: Oct 29 2008 at 12:28pm |
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Gina
 you are doing great
It is soo tough, yes by number three I wanted out, I was soo sick...but it does get better, try sorbets something very light even suck on ice cubes. I even went into my onc. ward and got a drip up for an hour & it helped enormously if your onc. ward would do that?
The neulastas side effects are horrible,
 you get achey, joint pain, stiffness, restlessness, pain, pain, pain ooh I'm getting shivers recalling it! BUT my oncologist told me that neulasta saved my life I contacted a NASTY chest infection that left me floored and was told if I hadn't been taking neulasta then....... I know this is probably all useless at the moment the way you are feeling but Gina it is all so worth it in the end, you go girl. I'm cheering you on! |
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sicknurse
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Joined: Oct 28 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 24 |
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Posted: Oct 29 2008 at 1:18pm |
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Hi, Gina!
Hope you're doing ok. I think God gives us chemo brain so we don't remember how horrible it was! I ended chemo in May and just finished radiation today. And all seems so long ago already since I've been fighting this since January!
Hang in there, darlin'!
 P.S. Percocet helps, too! Edited by sicknurse - Oct 29 2008 at 1:21pm |
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sicknurse
dx: 12/07 Left breast St.II,TNBC,BRCA neg 1/08-5/08 ACT chemo 7/28/08 Lumpectomy,3 nodes - NO CANCER! 9/08-10/08 Radiation |
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GinaMarie
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Joined: Jun 19 2008 Location: New Jersey Essex cty Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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Posted: Oct 29 2008 at 6:35pm |
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Ladies!!! And Lesley/Nancy i wonder why #3 is sooo bad.... is it just because it has finally built up in our systems?? But then is 4 as bad or do we develop some sort of tolerance, thats the only thing i can come up with. Im starting to get little fuzzies back on my head, i cant wait to have hair again!!! And im seriously considering the bilat. mastec. im going for some other opinions but in the long run i dont think i have much choice especially being BRCA+ Have a great night, would love to hear from you all soon, love and prayers to u all
XO GINA
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gigi
Stage 1 Grade 3 dx may 2008 2 lumpectomies, first one wrong dx of fibroadenoma!! chemo 4 rounds ovr 3 mos Taxotere/Cytoxan BRCA 1+ Bilat mast. with Lat flap recon done 1/9/09!!! No rads!! |
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trip2
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Joined: Jun 03 2007 Location: Under Palm Tree Status: Offline Points: 8549 |
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Posted: Oct 30 2008 at 2:57pm |
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Hi Gina, I hope you are feeling better?
It is hard sometimes to come up with something to eat that sounds good. My first time taking chemo all I wanted were oranges and popcorn.
This last time I was like you and nothing tasted good.
Have you tried yogurt? Mashed potatoes, soup, ice cream, whatever sounds like it might taste good have someone pick it up for ya. You need to keep your strength built up best you can.
Yes chemo can hit us worse as we go along. I've heard several women including me who seriously considered quitting when they were almost done they felt so awful but then that wouldn't probably work to keep the beast away would it? We want to know we did the best we can.
Maybe gingerale or 7up, juice, tea and toast?
Keep us posted on how you are doing and best wishes, you are almost there!
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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kmartin
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Joined: May 02 2008 Location: Central Maryland Status: Offline Points: 126 |
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Posted: Oct 31 2008 at 4:04pm |
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Hey Gina,
My third round really knocked me out, too....my favorite foods were cling peaches, organic chicken noodle soup, scrambled eggs and all sorts of breads/bagels/pasta.....carbs galore.
I had real aversions to certain things: lettuce, any alcoholic beverage....many more. I just ate what sounded good, and drank tons of lemon-flavored water.
I also had some mean indigestion and took Prilosec OTC with total relief. I had to work very hard to avoid consitpation, also. Took Colace and prunes and sometimes Milk of Magnesia....very bad GI symptoms.
Hope some of the food suggestions appeal to you....I also enjoyed spicy foods at times and hit up Taco Bell several times for lunch with hubby : )
Kathy
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Round 1 - 2/8/08
IDC, Stage 2, Grade 3, TN (R) Lumpectomy, ax nd 3/11/08, 4/33 positive TAC x 4, AC x 1; RT x 33 genetic tests - |
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GinaMarie
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Joined: Jun 19 2008 Location: New Jersey Essex cty Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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Posted: Nov 01 2008 at 2:33am |
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Hi Ladies, Pam and Kathy thank you so much i will take all your advice and use it!! I will try anything these days to get by and feel better, luckily i was finally able to start eating better 2 days ago, still have the bad reflux even with my prescription zantac, and i really dont think im drinking enough i have a very dry mouth, i need to kick it up!!! Kathy i crave carbs like crazy too!! Question maybe one of u knows, or anyone Please let me know, im actually looking forward to a night out, dinner and a movie!!!! im so excited to just get out like a person!!
Love to u all
Gina
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gigi
Stage 1 Grade 3 dx may 2008 2 lumpectomies, first one wrong dx of fibroadenoma!! chemo 4 rounds ovr 3 mos Taxotere/Cytoxan BRCA 1+ Bilat mast. with Lat flap recon done 1/9/09!!! No rads!! |
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Cookie
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Joined: Feb 05 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 70 |
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Posted: Nov 01 2008 at 5:42am |
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Gina:
Get some Biotene gum, it is great for dry mouth. Even though I finished chemo the end of July I feel I still need it. Biotene also has a mouth spray that I kept by the bed for the middle of the night. Wallgreen carries it in their mouth wash department and CVS will order it for you. I always buy 8 packs at a time.
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COOKIE
3- 9 Richardson Clean Nodes 4.5 cm Clean margins Stage pT2, pNO, PMX (spot on right lung showed up in routine chest x-ray too small to biopsy)Lumpectomy 1/14/08 |
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sibu
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Joined: Jun 27 2008 Location: FL Status: Offline Points: 660 |
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Posted: Nov 01 2008 at 6:36am |
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Hey Gina,
Hang in there. There are so many side-effects of the chemo and the drugs, it's a lot for your body. Follow your instincts and try different drugs (or not taking them), until something makes you feel better. I was told the standard for radiation after double mast. is to do it only if 4+ lymph nodes are involved. Did you have positive nodes? Much love and light your way, Donna |
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Donna, age 42
Dx IDC 12/06, 5/18 Nodes + BRCA1+ Double mast. 1/07 Chemo 6 X TAC 6/07, rads 10/07 Hyst./Recon. 12/07 |
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ReneeST
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Joined: Jul 18 2008 Location: Seattle, WA USA Status: Offline Points: 60 |
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Posted: Nov 01 2008 at 8:05am |
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Gina,
I'm sorry to hear that #3 was/is kicking your butt. Everyone has given great suggestions on what to eat and drink.
My Onc prescribed Protonix which I take every day. This has helped with my acid reflux, heart burn, esophagus burn. . .that whole burn area.
Baking soda and salt mouth washes help with the no taste buds. I've been using this about 15 minutes before eating to give them a neutral base and it's been working.
I found that McDonald's honey mustard sauce on EVERYTHING can get me to eat it. I will probably never have honey mustard again once this chemo crap is over, tho.
Big hugs to you my friend!
~Renee
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56 yo Seattle, WA Stage 1, Grade 3, 1.3 cm IDC Lumpectomy Aug 2008
SNB neg;4 rds Taxotere & Cytox. BRCA-2 Variant. 16 Rads Jan 2009 "Canadian Study" www.reneesbumpintheroad.blogspot.com |
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GinaMarie
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Joined: Jun 19 2008 Location: New Jersey Essex cty Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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Posted: Nov 01 2008 at 9:56am |
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Hey Cookie, Donna and Renee, Thank you for all your tips!! And Donna, see this is what worries me, i also heard that, and no i was sentinal node neg and margins clear!! SO that really scares me These dr's make me nuts and im a nurse so i deal with them everyday and i see the mistakes that are made, and when nurses get sick its worse because sometimes we know too much or have info that general public doesnt have and it can work against us sometimes, but benefit at others. Makes me want to scream
And now today im starting with really bad hot flashes!! My face gets all flushed, and my heart races, this happened the other night and i even felt a little faint, my husband wanted to take me to ER but i took a tranquilizer and it passed a little, have you ladies experienced this too? And so far i havent gotten a period this month, i got one period after the first treatment and was SO HAPPY, thinking my ovaries were hanging in there, but im never late and was due last week, i guess this could be putting me into menopause, hence the hot flashes??!!! But as i have read period can come back after treatment, god i hope so,im still praying for a child someday when this is behind me!! I have the embryo but in the event it doesnt work i want some options.
Ok im done rambling ;)
Have a great night,
XOXO
Gina |
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gigi
Stage 1 Grade 3 dx may 2008 2 lumpectomies, first one wrong dx of fibroadenoma!! chemo 4 rounds ovr 3 mos Taxotere/Cytoxan BRCA 1+ Bilat mast. with Lat flap recon done 1/9/09!!! No rads!! |
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NancyJane
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Joined: Aug 25 2008 Location: Key Largo, FL Status: Offline Points: 241 |
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Posted: Nov 01 2008 at 12:19pm |
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Dear Gina:
Just wanted to post and say, hang in there. Know that your sisters at this site are pulling for you and that baby you will have some day. Wishing you much love and light...
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41yr dx 7/25/08
Lumpectomy and ax node disection (38 nodes, all clean!) 8/12/08 T2 grd 3, N0, TN IDC BRCA1+ ACx4,Tx12 10/08-3/09 prophylactic hyst, ooph,mast & one-step recon 3/30/09 |
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Nov 01 2008 at 1:04pm |
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Gina,
Lori had a mastectomy and zero out of 3 nodes were negative. Two rad oncs said that she had to have rads. They were going to do a boost but then said she didn't need it. Get the magic mouthwash script from your onc.
Nancy
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Nancy
DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007 Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst mastectomy July 6 2007 chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov 28 rads ended Jan 2008 |
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krisa
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Posted: Nov 01 2008 at 1:37pm |
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My surgeon recommends radiation after mastectomy in most cases. I never asked why, since I was having a lumpectomy. It didn't make sense to have my breast removed when it could be saved, and end up having radiation in either case. If it is too good to be true, it probably is.
I see my surgeon in December and will grill her on the recommendations we seem to get about the survival rates-who exactly are they talking about-garde 1, grade 2, grade 3---negative or positive---how do the stats break down on this?
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trip2
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Joined: Jun 03 2007 Location: Under Palm Tree Status: Offline Points: 8549 |
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Posted: Nov 02 2008 at 12:02pm |
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Gina, I had a double mastectomy last year, chemo, no rads.
My daughter had estrogen + and tn plus 7 nodes so she had unilateral mastectomy, chemo, rads, then surgery to remove the other breast and started reconstruction.
My first time I had one node involved and I had a lumpectomy, chemo, rads. Edited by trip2 - Nov 02 2008 at 12:04pm |
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Makes me very sad, but i have NO INTENTION on going thru this EVER again, so if this is what i need to do to reduce my chances drastically, i need to make the wise decision.|
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