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NEDenise · 11-01-2011, 06:34 AM

Balogabear,
I'm sorry you have to deal with any of this...but I'm glad you came here. There's so much support and wisdom here.

I was diagnosed at stage III, so chemo was never "optional" for me. I had to pull out the biggest guns possible. But I have to say...with all the great pre-meds and anti-emitics...it wasn't bad. Not nearly what I thought it would be.
Except for bone pain with Taxol, my only side effect was extreme fatigue. Many women on the forum say they worked through chemo...I did not. I couldn't.

The best advice I have gotten from our HER2 sisters here is:
1. Make the best choice you can with the info you have.
2. Once you decide, don't look back.

To that I would add...make sure you have all the best info available. Get second, or even third opinions if you need them. My goal is never to feel that "if only I had known" kind of regret, because I didn't know what my options were.

I wish you all the best!
Denise

11-01-2011, 06:34 AM	#3
NEDenise Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philly Suburbs Posts: 1,709	Re: advice please Balogabear, I'm sorry you have to deal with any of this...but I'm glad you came here. There's so much support and wisdom here. I was diagnosed at stage III, so chemo was never "optional" for me. I had to pull out the biggest guns possible. But I have to say...with all the great pre-meds and anti-emitics...it wasn't bad. Not nearly what I thought it would be. Except for bone pain with Taxol, my only side effect was extreme fatigue. Many women on the forum say they worked through chemo...I did not. I couldn't. The best advice I have gotten from our HER2 sisters here is: 1. Make the best choice you can with the info you have. 2. Once you decide, don't look back. To that I would add...make sure you have all the best info available. Get second, or even third opinions if you need them. My goal is never to feel that "if only I had known" kind of regret, because I didn't know what my options were. I wish you all the best! Denise __________________ 1/11-needle biopsy 2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes 3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH! 4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks 8/26/11 finished Taxol!!! 10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon 11/11 radiation x28 1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY! 1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :( 2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds 4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon 6/8/12 Return to work :) 6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :( 7/10/12 last Herceptin 7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm 8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb 8/23/12 Back to work 12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair 1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY! 1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair 1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm 5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis 5/10/13 begin weaning steroids 6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working! 6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear! 7/5/13 finally off steroids!! 7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin! 7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids 7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again! 8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :) 9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed “ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert