lynn1950's Journey with Breast Cancer

Scarring and self-image issues.

I loved my port!

Took place immediately preceding bilateral mastectomy.

It saved my life! Impact was positive.

Take Boniva once a month.

Wow. Chemo is no picnic. Had dose dense Adriamyin/Cytoxin and then Paclitaxol. Had a neulasta shot a couple of days after the A/C and gave myself Neupogen shots after the Paclitaxol. Received treatment on Wednesday. Felt fine until Friday. Friday p.m - Monday a.m. was miserable, then began an upswing which continued until the next treatment.

Had a hard time finding the right medication and it always took a long time to take effect. Once it worked (Abilify and Zoloft) it worked well.

I take daily Arimidex and experience moderate to severe joint pain.

Emend and Zofran really helped with the nausea, although I was pretty much out for the count for a few days each treatment.

Thank goodness for oxycodone. It does cause constipation, a small price to pay.

Radiation was exhausting and I think the exhaustion helped bring on an episode of major depression that started during rads and steam rollered me weeks after radiation was complete.

Radiation wiped me out in the long run. I did not burn much; I was vigilant about using the lotions that the cancer center gave me. These were aquafor and Regence (I think.) The second had lidocaine because I had begun to burn and the burn itched. I had to stay at a facility 65 miles from home during the work week, so that I could work two ten hour days (I was part-time at my work) and then drove home for the weekend. I think this schedule really contributed to my exhaustion and subsequent major depressive episode. I did not miss one day of work.....

During chemo I experienced severe anemia, but refused a blood transfusion. Finally, I was given a drug that had lost its approval for chemo-induced anemia, because of its possible side effects. It worked for me and I felt so much better in no time.

As a result of chemo and arimidex, I have osteopenia and take Boniva to counteract the effects.

For sure.

As a result of the oxycodone, I had constipation which was relieved by stool softeners.

Oh, yeah.

I had diarrhea from the A/C

This came as my radiation treatment was about mid way. I suffered from fatigue for about two 1/2 years following treatment and only now am back in my groove.

At the nadir of each chemo treatment (usually days 3-5) is when I experienced fever, chills, and sweat.

Got this with the taxol related chemo.

Part of A/C and T.

In the beginning I took a lot of care. I've become pretty laissez faire about my cancer arm side, but I do wear a lymphedema sleeve if I am flying. I have been diagnosed with mild lymphedema.

The Arimidex totally dries me out.

Yep

After a major meltdown that occurred within weeks of the ending of active treatment, it has taken me two years to get my feet back under me. It has been a struggle, and there were times when I felt like just giving up. I am grateful to be alive, finally feel good, and I just became a first time grandma 10 days ago. Life is good and worth the fight.

Yesterday I hiked with friends to a mountain lake. It was a beautiful, wildflower filled day. The fish were jumping. Tiny neon blue dragonflies and periwinkle butterflies darted in the meadows of lupine and Indian paintbrush. It was an exhausting, exhilarating day. As I put one foot in front of the other on the long, hot dusty uphill part of the trek back, I was struck by gratitude. Three years ago at this time, I was nearly dead from chemo. Then I suffered a life altering debilitating depression. Now life is good - very, very good.