angelap's Journey with Invasive (Infiltrating) Ductal Carcin...

diagnosed with IDC and DCIS breast cancer in mid March 2017

Was not a bad experience and incision looked great! Bad news was that the DCIS part (not the IDC) was still there, the margin was missed by only 1mm. So, had to have a 2nd lumpectomy, waiting to get pathology result to see if clear margins this time! Now it is 5-30-17 and my 2nd lumpectomy was successful! Now onto chemo starting end of June, 2017

got my port put in last Thursday. Early enough, chemo shouldn't start until the end of June, so another 5 weeks away. The surgery didn't hurt for the port, twilight sedation was OK, I didn't feel anything but I remember being awake the whole time. No pain. I did get a HUGE bruise all the way down to the top half of my breast. Now it's a sick yellow color. The worst thing for me was the feeling of tightness in my neck, as I bent over or looked up with my neck. Then a couple days later after the procedure, I started getting a sore throat, but deep down, like the bottom of my throat or collar bone area. I am VERY sensitive to getting sore throats/laryngitis even normally. So imagine having tissues pushed, pulled and manipulated. Then I was starting to lose my voice, so I went to my primary doc today who said I am probably worn out (have had 3 surgeries in 2 weeks including this port) and coincidence I got sick now. Anyway, on Z pack antibiotics now and hoping this will take care of it. I cannot imagine getting a port put in then having chemo soon after. I am guessing this huge bruise I have will take about 2 weeks to go away. The lumpectomy surgeries were a LOT easier!!! I wonder if the port was harder to put it in because it was on the left side? It had to be, I was told, since my breast cancer was on my right breast only.

Only had 1 session so far, but not bad, will have to see what the future brings. I have 5 sessions left. I am now completed with my 6 sessions of taxotere. I was early stage so my chemo was only taxotere. It wasn't 'easy', but I could still work part time and I never did vomit once, nausea was only one day. I was very tired the week after chemo though, some gastro issues, but not super bad. I gained weight from the steroids though and I never did lose my appetite due to that. It was do-able, never had an allergic reaction. Now looking back after having had radiation, the chemo was easier than expected and the radiation for me was harder to deal with.

Have only had 1 session and will get Herceptin for 1 year. We will have to see what more time brings! Good after the first one. on June 19th 2018, I finished my LAST Herceptin. I do not believe I felt a side effect from a year of treatment (18 sessions). This was one of the easiest treatment things I had during breast cancer, however just inconvenient as it once every 3 weeks for a full year. Also can affect the heart, so it's hard to know if that will show in the future but so far the echo cardiograms are good. I now have had 6 sessions of Herceptin, no side effects except maybe a runny nose, nothing bad though. I will continue Herceptin until 18 sessions are done.

Just started right breast radiation on Nov 6th. I should finish on Dec 5th and will update at that time. For these first 4 days, it has been painless but I have just started. The worst thing, is just going in everyday. ok, update I have completed my radiation of 4 weeks a little over a month ago. I am prob one of the odd balls here that actually disliked radiation more than chemo. I seemed to dread the every day routine of radiation and had a mental problem with staying still. I wanted to move and that is a big no-no. Plus, using that thick aquaphor everyday was a hassle with clothing and wearing certain clothing. It was burned and had to use aquaphor for a full 4 weeks afterwards, not just two weeks that the doctor said would be it. I am now healed and it's all OK, but for me personally, the chemo was easier than I thought it would be and the radiation was harder. I never thought I would be saying that.

I have been on Anastrozole for 1.5 years now. I have 8.5 more to go. I have experienced bone pain and joint pain but can live with it. My bloodwork was all great in the first year of this drug, but now, everything is still great except my LDL cholesterol went up 30 points! Now I am just barely on the "OK" range. I did some research and read that many women on this drug have had this happen...due to loss of estrogen which protects the heart. Nothing I can do about it at this point. I already work out and eat healthy. Hoping it will improve by me ramping up the workouts in the next months though. We will see! Also I have had weight gain of 10 pounds due to this drug. I was shocked I could gain that much, in the past it would have taken a lot for me to do it, now it was easy to add this weight and plus I eat healthy and workout! ALL side effects was how my body reacted to estrogen being blocked. But what does someone do when that is what fueled the breast cancer? Hate the weight gain, it's like taking a weight gainer powder when the last thing I want is additional weight. Oh, well.