bizybee's Journey with Breast Cancer

I had choice of mastectomy or breast preservation - which is the one I chose. Weighed the percentages of success for both proceedures and discussed both at tlength with the surgeon.

I found the lump during self-check - felt like a thick spot - not necessarily a lump - but still experienced the sinking feeling in my stomach - and panic.

Side effects were minimal, due to the expert care and advise of my doctor & nurses at the clinic. Impact was dastardly three days after infusion, and lasted 2-3 days, then I was back to normal activities.

Surgery to remove the residual of the tumor went as expected; I also had a few lymph nodes removed. What was not expected was the news from my surgeon that the tumor had COMPLETELY disappeared with the chemo. First time that situation had occured at the clinic.

It was rather annoying to have to go every day (except weekends) and it was as the nurse told me; "you will spend more time getting here and changing your clothes than it will for the treatment." However, I scheduled my treatments for the end of the day, I left work and drove 10 minutes to the center and then got to go home after treatment.

Thankful to God and grateful to my caregivers and amazed that my Oncologist knew what treatments to use to achieve success. The fear never goes away, but I am encouraged each time I get a good report from my tests.