Hello All! Newly Diagnosed Newbie Here!

Hi Sunris. Thank you for this as it helps in my mind as I think about what I might wear for this wedding. I might just fly back here the day after the wedding if that is what works out. They get married on Sept 6th and my last FAC is Aug 7th.

I am wondering if anyone works while they are getting FAC and how that goes?? I know it affects everyone individually. Are you planning to continue working Sunris? I took a leave from work and am working on my Masters which has gone ok so far. But I have to do a 2 week practicum right after I get my first dose of FAC. I guess I am about to find out how it all goes. Donna

Thank you Nancy. This is quite helpful. I will be having chemo on Thurs and start the practicum the following Tues. for 2 weeks so will be done before I get the 2nd cycle of FAC. I am presently on taxol and doing ok. I am also not working and just doing Masters courses so I am sure this helps. I do have to get back to work though. I am a Registered Nurse so will be looking at this soon.
Donna

Hello HoneyDawn. It sounds like you caught things early. I sure wish I could have felt the lump before finding the enlarged lymph node. The docs her at Anderson could not feel it in the breast either. I just had my 10th out of 12 doses of taxol. I had a nasty rash on my head that I managed to clear up with tea tree oil in the morning, Vit E oil at night and benadryl ointment plus a Benadryl tablet at bedtime. The rash can be quite common and it is this regime that completely cleared it up for me. Next up was nasty blisters on my feet so bad they were threatenng my ability to walk. I like to get out for a 5 km walk daily. So nightly epsom salt and Vit E oil soaks have pretty much cleared them up. This week has been GI. Feels like my whole GI tract is raw and nauseated. Took Zofran and it worked somewhat. Anyways I am worried about the FAC I start on June 4th and the GI side effects. So anyone that has any tips that could help me. I already am taking a prescription antacid nexium.

Yes HoneyDawn this is unbelievably overwhelming. I was diagnosed Feb 27th (lymph node came back positive) and then an MRI on Mar 3rd showed it in the left breast 1.6 cm. I found the enlarged lymph node in the shower. My GP in Canada told me there was no rush as it is already in the lymph node. She did not send my referral in to the cancer centre where I live for 9 days. I was emotionally a wreck so came down here to Anderson. Started chemo on Mar 13th. I have 3 adult sons. One of them is holding the fort down in Canada and my husband came with me. Another son grads June 18th so we are aiming to get to that.

So are you ahving surgery first? This much be coming up soon for you then??
Donna

Hello all,

Judy, I have a feeling what you thought was "dexclense" really is "dose dense", meaning chemo every other week.  If your oncologist suggested AC every three weeks, you might ask about getting dose dense instead.  Dose dense has been found to be more effective than treatment every three weeks.  The Taxol you mentioned is usually given every week for 12 weeks or every other week for fewer treatments.  I think both methods are thought to be equally effective.

I know this sounds crazy, but i had to correct myself as my husband was reading this and said my lump was 4.5cm not 3.6 as i orignally thought, not that it matters but wanted to make the correction :)

Hi Donna,

Everything in my life has changed but much of it is because I have changed. Some of it is good as I never could say no, loved to volunteer etc. So I was juggling so much and loved doing so. I think once I get through the treatment process I will look at everything and be a different person and that will be the main reason my life will look different. I too have too many fears to think about the future just yet. I have been told this eases off but not when you are in the thick of it. I hope it all goes well for you today and tomorrow. You are taking things one step at a time already and this was the advice I got.
Donna

Hi Minnnie. What a wonderful story about your mom. I can imagine what is going on in her heart.

When you talk about being in the thick of things the day I was suppose to get my biospy results of the lymph node I had found I was suppose to go on this big Canada wide nursing conference. I debated back and forth thinking the results could be benign, trying to talk myself out of thinking the worst etc. Thank goodness I did not go as I was not prepared at all for the emotional blow about to come.

Minnie where are you at in your chemo rounds? How are you doing and are you managing to work? I start FAC the beginning of June and have to decide whether to just take time off work and apply for the benefits to cover me and just think of going back to work in the fall after surgery. I know some people work. Probably an individual thing. My job is management and I am so focused on myself it is hard to imagine doing my job. It has been the self care that has kept me going day to day.
Donna
dx Feb 27/09
stage 2a TNBC 1.7 cm
12 weekly Taxol (on 10th)
4 -3 weekly FAC then surgery then radiation is anything pos at surgery

Hi Minnie. I believe if I have radiation it will be after I heal from surgery. No idea what kind of surgery yet but may have some idea after seeing the surgeon on June 1st. I am guessing Oct I may be finished and yes I hear what you mean by "done".

Amazing re writing a book. I am working on a Masters. I have no idea how much of it I will keep going and am continuing right now. We'll see.
Donna