pegasus222's Journey with Breast Cancer
Survivor: Breast Cancer
Patient Info: Finished active treatment less than 5 years ago, Diagnosed: almost 9 years ago, Female, Age: 68, Stage I, HER2 Positive: Don't Know, ER Positive: Don't Know, PR Positive: Don't Know
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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).
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Diagnosed
Oh No
I received the diagnoses over the phone. Basically, it was 'You have breast cancer' and that was it. Throughout all the testing (ultrasound, biopsy, etc.) everyone kept telling me that there was very little chance that this was breast cancer. The tests were just to make sure it wasn't. So it was a total shock when I got the call that I had breast cancer. Since I have known two women who have died from breast cancer, I thought my life was over.
Lumpectomy
Procedure or Surgery
I actually had two surgeries. The first one was to remove the cancer and the lymph nodes. Then the surgen wasn't comfortable with the margins of the cancer removal so two weeks later I had a second surgery. I experienced very little pain with both surgeries.
External radiation
Radiation
There was some discomfort with the radiation. Mostly like a severe sunburn. The lotions suggested by the radiation onocologist were very helpful in keeping this under control. Also, the technicians were great people - friendly and positive. They helped a great deal to keep my spirits up during the procedures.
Trust in my body and with people
Loss
There has to be a reason why I got this disease and I don't know what it is. I have never smoked, used alcohol or drugs and the disease does not run in my family. I am slightly overweight but have been keeping active and had lost 25 pounds. Before my diagnosis I had a great physical checkup, so for this to happen was a total shock. How can I trust that this will not happen again. My cancer was removed but how do I know it won't come back? As for people, throughout the entire diagnosis process I was mislead about my chances of having cancer. Then throughout the entire treatment I was pretty much ignored by my family, friends and co-workers. In fact, I had to go on short term disability because I wasn't 100% and my boss stated that if I could not be 100% then I should not be a work. So it is hard to put your trust in people when you seem to mean so little to them. I guess a little kindness and consideratin was too much to expect from people. My sole support was a great husband who went to all my treatments with me and did his best to maintain a positive attitude with me.
My stress release - horses
Loss
My stress release was riding horses. With the surgery, radation treatments, medical bills and loss of income I had to give up my horse. For some of us, horses can be our best friends and provide great exercise and a great way to release stress. It is hard to be unhappy, stressed or upset when riding. A great ride can do more to lift our spirts than winning a million dollars. As of this point I have lost that. I am trying to get back into the sport, but won't be able to fully participate until I am fully back to work and have finished paying my medical bills.