Dewey's Journey with Breast Cancer
Survivor: Breast Cancer
Patient Info: Finished active treatment less than 5 years ago, Diagnosed: over 10 years ago, Female, Age: 73, Stage IIB, HER2 Positive: Don't Know, ER Positive: Don't Know, PR Positive: Don't Know
Get Full Access Today It’s EASY and FREE!
Things you can do
More Questions
Find us on Facebook
Experience Icon Descriptions
Procedure: Drag this icon to show a procedure.
Radiation: Drag this icon to show a specific radiation therapy experience.
Drug Therapy: Drag this icon to show a specific drug therapy experience.
Clinical Trial: Drag this icon to show a clinical trial experience.
Side Effect: Drag this icon to show experience with a specific side effect.
Oh No: Drag this icon to show when something bad happened (e.g., cancer’s back, lost job).
Celebration: Drag this icon to show when something good happened (e.g., last treatment, hair is back).
Loss: Drag this icon to show a time of loss (e.g., lost hair, lost loved one).
Decision Point: Drag this icon to show a time when you had to make a tough decision.
Other Care: Draft this icon to show a time when you needed other care (e.g., hospice, psychotherapy).
Loading...
Diagnosed
Oh No
My 1st reaction was shock. Then I immediately chose that I would make whatever happens and have it be a learning experience for my 2 Daughters and my (at the time) almost 11 year old GrandDaughter. I know I was going to fight with every breath and every ounce of my being. I have almost been a positive person - so there never was a point I would allow negativity to creep in. I wanted my Family and Friends to know - there is nothing we can't due! Fortunately my diagnosis was good - so off we went on this journey - speed bumps and all!
Double Mastectomy
Procedure or Surgery
The surgery went very well! What surprised and pleased me - was I really had minimal pain! I was shocked that I did not use my button at all the night of the surgery! The only part of recover I REALLY disliked we're the drains. Thanks Goodness for th visiting Nurses who helped me with them and patiently showed me how to care for them at home. Every day I felt better and was surprised how quickly I was able to start me new life and live my new normal! I did everything the Doctor said and followed his list of restrictions so I would have a speedy FULL recovery from this surgery.
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
When I had my previous surgery a Port was installed. This was the best decision I ever made! It made getting Chemo so much easier - and when blood tests where needed the port was a blessing! I had 6 rounds of Chemo. Once every 3 weeks. The day of treatment and for a few days after I felt good. However usually the afternoon of the third day and for about a week I felt week - achy - cranky and just like a wet noodle. then the third week I felt Humas again and could resume my new modified normal life. Then Surprise time for another treatment! I was given medicine to start taking. A few days before Chemo one of which was a nausea medicine and Thank Goodness that worked Perfect!
Finished treatment
Celebration
The day of my last Chemo - I brought in party stuff to celebrate! We had hats - flower Leis - necklaces - bubbles! It was cool! I do want to say the group of people I had the privilege of having treatment with was a Gift from Heaven and everyday I was and still am Greatful for each of them! I will tell you even the men in the group were a part of it! Wearing their hats and flower necklaces and we all were blowing bubbles! The biggest Blessing I have had thru this whole experience is my Doctor and the Angels he has on his staff! I almost felt safe - and cared for! Because each and every one of them.did it because they WANTED to NOT because they had to!