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Lurking for a While in Kentucky

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URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=13682
Printed Date: Mar 28 2024 at 3:39pm
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Topic: Lurking for a While in Kentucky
Posted By: femmelyn
Subject: Lurking for a While in Kentucky
Date Posted: Apr 10 2020 at 2:33pm
I've been lurking in the forums since I was diagnosed Dec. 9, 2019 and have found so much useful information. So thank you!

My lump was found during a regular physical on Dec. 3. Knowing me so well,  my PCP set up my mammogram for that afternoon and they ended up doing a biopsy that day. It took the pathologist several days to sign off on the type -- which was not what anyone expected since I'm 55 with no known family history (did learn later my paternal great-grandmother had a breast removed due to cancer but it was not the cause of her death). I, like everyone, spent the first few weeks in shock reading all the negatives of TNBC. This forum was a blessing in learning it's not an automatic death sentence.

My tumor was 1.2 cm according to the ultrasound and 1.4 according to the MRI (which found no other concerns). The medical oncologist I consulted said surgery first, as did both surgeons I consulted (and the medical oncologist one of the surgeons also consulted). Their reasoning was a hope that it might actually fall under the 1 cm size because it was encased in some sort of mucinous material. Genetic testing was negative. I really wanted it out, so I had a lumpectomy Jan. 6 (it was 1.2 cm with no node involvement) and started chemo on Feb. 5. 4x dose dense AC to be followed by 4x dose dense taxol. One of my AC treatments had to be pushed back a week when I got Flu A, so yesterday was my first taxol treatment with 3 more to go. 

I've done ok so far -- no real nausea, just extremely tired and some heaviness in my chest for a few days. I tried the Penquin cold caps but have lost a large portion of my hair so decided to forgo for the taxol treatments in hopes I'll not lose more with it. I did ice my hands and feel for the taxol and so far, so good.

I am trying to get myself in a better routine with the supplements I'm taking to help with all the side effects. My oncologist has signed off on everything I've asked about, but given no guidelines on amounts or if I should not take them during certain days of chemo (which I just read recently in the forum post here not to take the day before, day of or two days after). I'll make a separate post about what I've been taking -- B6 is what I'm adding for the taxol and now see a recommendation for l-glutamine.


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dx 12-10-19 | age 55 | TNBC stage IB grade 3 | 1.2 cm 0/2 nodes | BRCA- | lumpectomy 1-6-20 | ACx4 started 2-5-20 finished 3-26-20 | Taxol x4 started 4-9-20 finished 5-21-20 | 20 rads finished 7-20-20



Replies:
Posted By: BlazeAnne
Date Posted: Apr 12 2020 at 12:38pm
we might be in the same boat or at least adjacent canoes.  TNBC diagnosed 12-23-19.  1.8 cm invasive ductal carcinoma no lymph node involvement.  Both MD Anderson, Breast Specialists of Texas and Texas Oncology recommended 4 AC chemo 2 weeks apart, 12 weeks of weekly Taxol then surgery, then 6 weeks 5 days a week of radiation if I choose lumpectomy and no radiation if I choose a complete mastectomy.   I have finished my 3rd AC  3-31 and the side effects are many and never ending.
I prefer to text and would enjoy being in touch.  580 668 0432. 


Posted By: femmelyn
Date Posted: Apr 28 2020 at 9:07am
Sorry to have created my first post and disappeared but I developed a fever that ran for about 9 days after my first round of taxol. Thankfully, it cleared up in time for my oncologist to agree to the second treatment (after two rounds of blood cultures, urinalysis and chest x-rays -- including one through the ER). I also have to see an infectious disease specialist this week. I only have two more treatments and I'll be done with chemo. I swear the Neulasta is my biggest problem. I switched to my stomach instead of my arm and woke up the morning after the injection feeling like I had been dropped into a boxing ring without gloves. (Not that I would know how to use them lol.) I asked about not taking it because my white count has never been low. But my oncologist said to do that I would have to switch to weekly taxol instead. It sounds like that might be the path you are on BlazeAnne. Unfortunately I don't think I would be a good texting buddy -- I tend to ignore most of my texts if I'm feeling poorly and it seems like taxol is not my friend. I hope your journey is going smoothly.

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dx 12-10-19 | age 55 | TNBC stage IB grade 3 | 1.2 cm 0/2 nodes | BRCA- | lumpectomy 1-6-20 | ACx4 started 2-5-20 finished 3-26-20 | Taxol x4 started 4-9-20 finished 5-21-20 | 20 rads finished 7-20-20


Posted By: BlazeAnne
Date Posted: Apr 28 2020 at 2:42pm
Sorry that you don't text.  This is a rough journey.


Posted By: femmelyn
Date Posted: Apr 29 2020 at 10:39am
BlazeAnne, it is a tough journey. I know my center has a support group that is now meeting online since in-person isn't possible with the COVID-19 situation. I'm working from home and have had meetings scheduled each time they have had one so far. Hopefully your center has something like that. Be sure to ask when you go in for treatment.

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dx 12-10-19 | age 55 | TNBC stage IB grade 3 | 1.2 cm 0/2 nodes | BRCA- | lumpectomy 1-6-20 | ACx4 started 2-5-20 finished 3-26-20 | Taxol x4 started 4-9-20 finished 5-21-20 | 20 rads finished 7-20-20



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