BellaLuna

Oh No

Other Care: I am on Tamoxifen, baby aspirin, and vitamin D. I am also taking a blood thinner to help with a kidney issue that was not the result of chemo.

Decision Point: As soon as I heard the words- "You have cancer", I felt like I had been dropped in a river and was being swept away by a current. So much information was coming at me and I was forced to make decisions about surgeons, surgery, doctors, course of treatment. My mind was a whirl and I felt like I was on a maddening roller coaster that won't let up. Things eventually slowed down and I was able to climb out of the hole. By the time I finished with treatment, I felt like I swam the Pacific Ocean, climbed Mt. Everest, and ran the LA Marathon! Thank God I made it to the finish line. I know the race doesn't end with treatment. The course has changed, but the Goal remains the same. I focus on my Temple( Mind, Body, Soul) and remain STRONG!

Loss: I lost my hair, brows and lashes were sparse. Appetite came and went. I lost weight as well. Most important of all, I lost a very dear friend who I met at the infusion clinic. She lost her battle to breast cancer and was such an inspiration and a beloved friend of mine. I miss her dearly. Her name was Zena.

Celebration: Each phase of my recovery was celebrated with the knowledge that I was slowly making my way to the finish line! At the end of my chemo/Herceptin infusions, I brought the infusion nurses a thank you card, bagels, cream cheese, and fruit to enjoy. When I was done with radiation, I brought a thank you card for the the doctors, nurses, staff and an apple pancake that was delicious! I know celebrate living with my husband and daughter. They were there for the crazy ride and hung in there with me. I leaned on God to help me through this crisis as well. I was also fortunate enough to have an excellent team of doctors working with me. Overall, God was watching my every step towards recovery.

Side Effects: Side effects ranged from constipation, heartburn, insomnia, loss of appetite, taste buds were toyed with after each chemo infusion, fatigue, skin dryness, chemo brain, joint pain. Also had a case of urine infection. Was promptly treated with antibiotics by PCP. Experienced muscle contractions on right shoulder blade( surgery was on right breast). I went for deep tissue massage to work out the knot- felt like shingles. Pain eventually went away with time.

Clinical Trial: Was not in a clinical trial.