[Kkmom]

Dear All of the Ladies that responded to FreakedOut - I just finished reading the previous responses to FreakedOut. I am soooo...proud to be a part of this brave and strong group of women. We have all been at the door that FreakedOut and his wife are just now going through - I am humbled to be able to serve and support others during their time of dealing with this bump in the road of life.

Dear FreakedOut and Your Wife - What a great husband you are to learn everything you can about this cancer to help your wife during this difficult time. Just some basics - we all know Her2 Neu is not the type of cancer anybody wants - but thanks to a breakthrough in drugs such as herceptin and perjetta - targeted therapy drugs - the survival rate increases tremendously. Next, everybody reacts differently to the chemo drugs - for some they are out of commission for 3 or 4 days after the treatment, then they are back to their regular routine, others they are down for the count for most of the time between treatments. Using the steroids, anti-nausea drugs, drinking water, even the port make the chemo treatments easier. Next, losing your hair - not exactly the most fun thing to go through in life, but as I found it is not the worst. I like to think of it as a badge of courage. And with today - May 22 - exactly one year ago, I finished my last chemo treatment - Your hair will grow back. Get a wig, wear the caps, hats - actually for me there was a lot of freedom in not doing my hair everyday.
My best advice to you - After my 2nd chemo - I received additional fluids because I was so dehydrated - having the extra fluids became the key for me to get through the later chemo treatments. Usually I would get the extra fluids - about 4 days after the treatment.
Last - it will be okay. For about the next 9 months, you will be on one heck of a crazy train ride - sometimes the ride will be smooth, the tunnels may be dark and way too long, but at the end of the ride - you will still be you and you will learn all about how precious life is.
Come back to this board often, we are all hear to help. Our stories are all different and unique - if you have a question, there will be somebody which can give you an answer through a first hand experience or point you in the direction to find the answer.
Pam