nancyjac's Journey:

Mamiogram showed some new calcification.

Biopsy showed malignancy, estrogen and HER +

First chemo session.

Second full chemo on Dec 28. 2 down and 4 to go.

Had pretty much same side effects this time, but they were a bit more compressed. Yesterday was the worst day with diarrhea and cramps but feeling better this morning.

I have one more chemo treatment to go. In a way, this feels almost like it did when I was first diagnosed. There will be more testing and scans, anxiously awaiting results, decisions about what is next (single vs bilateral mastectomy), how surgery will affect day to day stuff, impact on my schedule, etc. I know it is just wishful thinking, but I sure wish all of it could just be settled right now.

Seems a bit odd to call this a celebration, but I had my last full chemo session yesterday. The side effects haven't kicked in yet but I know I will start feeling crappy by tomorrow and especially the weekend, but just knowing this is the last time I will feel that bad makes it more tolerable, even enjoyable in a perverse sort of way. I still have a long way to go...bilateral mastectomy, radiation, targeted therapy, but being done with the heavy duty chemo seems like a major step to me, and now I can really start healing and hopefully get some of my strength and energy back.

Just got a call from my oncologist with the results of the repeat breast MRI and chest CT I had a couple of days ago. MRI shows improvement....i.e. chemo shrunk size of cancerous area. Original CT back in early December showed a spot on my lungs that is now completely gone. She said it was probably some sort of inflamation that eventually resolved itself. Have appointment with surgeon on Monday to plan the next phase.....bilateral mastectomy.

Had bilateral mastectomy. In hospital one day, out the next. Couple of days later lab report indicated no clean margins at skin level. So back to the hospital for re-excision and removal of more skin. That resulted in not having enough skin left to close the wound, so also had to have plastic surgery to take a chunk of my abdomen to cover the wound. Was in the hospital for a full week that time, but finally got clean margins.

Started daily radiation, Monday through Friday for 29 treatments. First half with no side effects but then skin starting burning. Fortunately, only a couple more treatments to go. Biggest side effect is actually messing with my schedule since I have to go every day.

My radiation oncologist referred me to a lymphedema clinic. I don't have lymphedema but I am a high risk for it and have some saromas (fluid pockets) from surgery, so this is more preventative and auxiliary treatment. I go a couple times a week for lymphatic massage and some range of motions exercises.

I had a little extra this 4th of July. I celebrated my independence from hats/scarves/wigs. First time without a head covering in public since I shaved my head back in December.