marie_rn's Journey with Breast Cancer
Survivor: Breast Cancer
Patient Info: Finished active treatment less than 5 years ago, Diagnosed: over 12 years ago, Female, 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...
Mastectomy
Procedure or Surgery
I had my mastectomy 4 weeks after a lumpectomy and wide node dissection....I got the call that the margins were not clean so the mastectomy was scheduled. My tumor was large at 4.5 cm with lymph node involvement. Prior to surgery I received IV Herceptin and Navelbine for eight weeks. It shrunk my tumor in half and only one lymph node had remaining cancer cells when the dissection was performed....so that was good news. I recovered quickly from both of these surgeries.
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
I was pleased with the care I received on the Dana Faber Floor at Faulkner Hospital. I was fortunate to have my sister accompany me for most of my treatments. I was extremenly apprehensive about possible reactions initially as I am a registered nurse.....which sometimes can be a good thing...and sometimes can add to your anxiety!
External radiation
Radiation
I had a possible experience at Signature Health care (former Brockton Hospital)...during my six weeks of radiation they targeted 2 areas...supraclavicular and mid sternal areas....technicians were amazing and supportive...during the middle of my treatments, my son got married and I was able to attend all the festivities without any problems!
Breast Reconstruction (Flap)
Procedure or Surgery
This surgery was much more involved than the initial mastectomy....longer healing time with some fatty necrosis and delayed wound healing on the breast. Abdominal incision healed quickly but abdomen still feels strange and no feeling at all in some areas. Despite the long process, I am glad that I did it and my surgeon , Dr. Caterson, matched the size perfectly to my other breast. I had a reduction of my other breast one year prior to this surgery and I am glad I did. It has been a little over a year April 2011 since this procedure was done.