jskolnick's Journey:

Wait - This can't be - I'm only 35!

Left breast lumpectomy & lymph node dissection

Adriamyacin/Cytoxin

3 weeks to the day I started chemo, my hair starting falling out. I remember a friend calling me that morning and asking how I was and what I was doing. I told her I was frustrated and pulling my hair out...........literally........

Over the course of 3 chemo sessions (9 weeks), I became sicker and sicker. I was losing a lot of weight and had really bad diarrhea. I finally decided to go to ER because my heart was pounding so hard and so fast. They admitted me into the hospital. My temperature was 104.5, heart rate was 160+ and they couldn't get a blood pressure. I was told that if I wouldn't have come into ER that night, I could have died. I found out that I was extremely dehydrated and that I had ulcerative colitis. I was hospitalized for 19 days, placed on massive doses of prednisone and TPN - receiving my nutrients through my port. I wasn't allowed to eat solid food for 1 1/2 months.

Back to chemo to finish with Taxol.

Radiation every day for 4 weeks.

1 year of Herceptin infusions.

During this time, I ended up getting a divorce & filing for bankruptcy............that's all that needs to be said about that..........

Many years of Lupron injections until decision was made to remove both of my overies.

I continue to battle muscle/joint aches and other problems that I never had before chemo. I take medication for the body aches, depression, hot flashes/night sweats, osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, and headaches.

I see things in life so differently since my cancer diagnosis. My spirituality has deepened. My outer shell might not be so perfect, but my inner self is fabulous!