novastorm's Journey with Breast Cancer
Survivor: Breast Cancer
Patient Info: Finished active treatment less than 5 years ago, Diagnosed: over 11 years ago, Female, Age: 70, Stage IIB, HER2 Positive: Yes, 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...
Sentinel lymph node biopsy
Procedure or Surgery
Sentinel node biopsy went fine--and discovered that cancer had spread to all 5 nodes removed.
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
Because my tumor was very aggressive and sitting very near the chest wall, my treatment began with chemo to shrink the tumor. Chemo was carboplatin, herceptin, and taxotere. I didn't have terrible reaction to it, but definitely experienced sour stomach for about a week after chemo. That was taken care of by a prescription antacid. I was able to go to work, to the gym, and in general live my life during chemo (every 3 weeks for 6 treatments). I found that the day after chemo, I always felt great--on a steroid high. By the 3rd day after treatment, I was like a dishrag, limp and lifeless. From that day on, though, with every day, I felt better and better. My husband described it as a roller coaster from treatment to treatment. But I never felt that I couldn't handle my active life. Key to chemo: drink lots of water the day of, and the days after chemo.
Hair loss (alopecia)
Side Effects
Once my rapidly thinning hair was buzzed off, I was OK. I think the anticipation was worse than the reality. I did get a wig to wear, but wore it once only. I decided that my baldness was other people's problem, not mine. So, I had no problem going to work, the gym, or a restaurant with my husband with no head covering.
Dry eye
Side Effects
Probably the most insistent side effect of chemo was dry eye. From very early on, my eyes watered what seemed like continually. I would be in a meeting at work, and tears would be rolling down my cheeks. Bright light, wind, and dry air exacerbated the problem. My eyes developed an infection from always dabbing at them to wipe away the tears. This, for me, was the worst side effect of chemo.
Lumpectomy
Procedure or Surgery
Surgery came after chemo. I opted for a lumpectomy. During surgery an additional 10 lymph nodes were taken. The biggest issue for me was the drains. From the beginning, one of the drains got clogged, and I developed a hematoma which needed to be surgically removed. After surgery, it was discovered that completely clean margins had not been obtained. So I went back for a third time to remove a bit more. Clean margins!
External radiation
Radiation
Radiation was a piece of cake. My appointment was always on time, and it took no more than 5-10 minutes to complete. It had no impact on my life.