Dianne

Lee · Guest

Dianne,

I just want to say Hello, My name is Lee and I'm sorry you have to be here. I know you must be so scared and feeling very confused. Try to relax and take a deep breath. Make sure you asked your Onc. for a full path report. You will refer to it many times. Do you have family near you? Someone to help you through this. Know that I will help in any way that I can. If only to listen and a shoulder if you need one. I really know what you are feeling I have been there and still have my days. I will keep you in my prayers.
I have just finished up 4 months of chemo ( I did dose dense chemo ) 4 a/c and 4 Taxol and I also have crohn's ( as do a few others on this board ) It was rough on chemo with the crohns but i did it. I will be starting my rads in about 2 weeks and should fininsh up right before Christmas. It is a long hard road but in the end you will find out that you are a very strong person, stronger the you ever thought. Know that you can come here and talk any time you need to. My best to you.
Lee

DJ56 · Guest

Thank you for responding Lee.

I have numerous questions to ask even before I meet with my surgeon again and I'll probably sound like a complete idiot here.

My surgery was 14 days ago and I am still having a great deal of pain and some swelling in my breast and my arm. He saw me last week and removed my drain. I was in a lot of pain over the weekend, but it has let up some. I still can't extend my arm all the way out because it feels like there's a knife in my arm. Crying or Very sad

I don't know anything about chemo. Are there different chemotherapies? How do I know which one I will need? What does 4 a/c and 4 Taxol mean? What is "dose dense chemo"? What are "rads"? Is that the number of radiation treatments?

I want to learn about my cancer, but I can only take in a little at a time. I am in awe when I observe how some of these women just jump in and take charge of their disease and treatment. I've read "do your homework". I'd be happy to do my homework, but I don't even know the answers to the questions that everyone else around here seems to know and my surgeon is on vacation this week. All I've been doing is crying. I feel frightened, alone and frustrated because I am a very independent woman and have a lot of work to do, and angry because this disease is messing everything up!

Dianne

Lee · Guest

Dianne,
I'm so sorry your having a rough time. I can only stay a few mintues right now,I have to go to work.
There are many different kinds of chemo. I did 4 treatments of Adriamycin and Cytoxan and then 4 Taxol. I will now be doing 7 weeks of Radiation. I know how you are feeling I only made it through because of a good friend who had already gone through this. You can do this you are stronger then you think. Do you have family or some sort of a support team. Don't be afraid to lean on someone.
I know you have many questions and I'm sorry I have to cut this short. I don't have all the answers but will help when I can. I will come back on when I get home from work if you want .
Best to you.
Lee

Tracey · Guest

Hi Dianne,
So sorry to hear your doctor is on vacation at this stressful time. I wanted to assure you that you don't have to worry quite as much as you are about not understanding everything right this minute. Most of us were totally ignorant when we were diagnosed, and learning about your disease is part of the process. It is the job of your doctors to educate you, but they will only offer so much information (due to schedules that are too busy to allow much time for you). The internet is a great place to get extra information, but you have to be careful to realize that not everything you read on every site is accurate or up to date. I don't think you have to worry much about the different types of chemo; your oncologist will tell you which one will be the most effective against your cancer. What you should consider for yourself are the pros and cons of having chemo since there are a lot of long term side effects and risks, and also consider the alternatives. One thing to ask your oncologist about is whether you would be able to receive a shot to suppress your ovaries instead of chemo. This is supposed to be just as effective as chemo when combined with tamoxifen, but most oncologists don't offer it as an alternative unless you ask about it. Also, it is only for premenopausal women, and I don't know your age. Just take your time and do some reading, you will find that the whole picture starts to slowly come together. And of course you can ask all the questions you want here, any time, 24/7. All the best to you!

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