kickasscowgirl's Journey with Breast Cancer

Aggressive chemo, A/C chemotherapy has a big impact on daily life, I can't return to work during chemo because my workplace has a higher risk of contracting infectious disease. I have minimal side effects due to being healthy (no other medical issues) when diagnosed, and having a very high positive attitude. I am concerned about the long term side effects of such strong chemicals being used. Next up is a modified radical mastectomy, then more chemo and radiation.

My first PET Scan was in January, at the beginning of my first 4 chemo treatments. So this "interval' report was to make a comparison of the effectiveness of treatment so far. That first round of chemo was to reduce the size of the tumors in both breasts in order to have a better outcome in surgery, getting clean margins in removing the tumors. This is good news, called "Dramatic interval improvement" in my PET scan comparison study.

Wednesday 4/24/13 I had my double mastectomy; radical mastectomy including affected lymph nodes and modified radical on the right side, with 4 sentinel nodes removed. Two day hospital stay, and normal recovery so far, slightly less pain meds each day. Dr. feels confident he got all visible cancer out and even feels need for more chemo was lessened if needed as first thought. I hope that's true. Waiting on the pathology report. Felt very confident that my surgeon did all he could to give me the best possible outcome, for no reconstruction or later reconstruction if I choose. I'm happy to wait on that or may not do reconstruction. I'm happy no muscle tissue or chest wall taken out. Day 5 and I can lift my arms above my head.

This was good news and difficult news. I had double mastectomy with lymph nodes removed from underneath both arms. One of the right sentinel lymph nodes under the right arm came back with "positive for isolated tumor cells present within lymphatics." On the left side where I knew from previous biopsy there was metastasis to lymph nodes. So, 4 out of 17 removed were positive, even after 4 heavy rounds of chemo to shrink the breast tumors and enlarged lymph nodes, which it did. These are said to have "micrometastasis" and "isolated tumor cells" So, I have an appt. with my chemo dr. on Monday to discuss more chemo after recovering from surgery.

Really appreciative that dr. prescribed post surgery camisole, it's soft, snug over the incisions and has removable pockets inside to hold the drainage bulbs. Pockets for 'softies' ...small pads with polyester stuffing that fit into the cami to give the look of breasts. So I walked out looking like before surgery! Prescription also included (for later) a fitting for a post surgery bras, and silicone forms (prosthesis's). All paid by insurance, yay!

My brother had made it through a ' widow maker' heart attack 5 weeks ago. A second Attack, or heart failure from the first took his life yesterday. My heart goes out to my mom, having to deal with the loss and be concerned for my health at the same time.

Started back on chemotherapy on May 31st. just 5 weeks and 2 days following double mastectomy. Taxol this time, 4 doses scheduled every/other week. (Two more to go...) Started arm stretches by third week after surgery and have full range of motion in right arm, not so much on the left side where cancer had been more aggressive and more tissue and lymph nodes removed. Still have numbness in armpits but getting some feeling back under my arms. Feeling pretty beat up third day after the last two chemo tx. mostly due to the Neulastin given the day after... causing my bones to ache.

So grateful to my awesome team of doctors and nurses. I'd heard that my area has a gym/medical fitness center and if requested from the oncologist I could be given a 10 week membership or 20 weeks if he writes a 2nd prescription (which i will also request!) I got the order and went and signed up, it's awesome, has everything and includes a prescreening for a fitness profile & program design. 1 1/2 hour with trainer working with me on achieving my fitness goals. It's located next to the Sequoia Regional Cancer Center where i get chemo treatment, both about 12 minutes drive from home. So Happy!!!

Finished 2nd round of chemo (Taxol) a month ago. More a relief than a celebration. Bones really ached for a few weeks after and numbness in fingers and toes is still there. Exercise helps a lot!!

Started Radiation this week and will be going 6 1/2 weeks every Mon - Fri. Radiologist decided to only zap the left side which had the more aggressive cancer and more lymph nodes removed. Right side had only 4 lymph nodes removed and only (?!) micro cancer cells... assumed to have been killed off by the Taxol. Also, every Tuesday along with radiation is dr. visit, every other Tuesday is blood test. Gym is next door to the Breast Cancer Treatment center, so I'm going to the gym after radiation. Without boobs, no bra to rub the tender and or numb skin on my chest... a plus? :)