What would you do differently?

[Gerri]

Becky’s post today about her rad onc got me thinking. If I had treatment to do over again, what would I change?

Of course, we would all change the results of the test that altered our lives forever, but that is not an option. My question is, after being told you had breast cancer, and knowing what you know now, what would you do differently? Hopefully some of the newbies can learn from our experiences.

Overall, I was extremely fortunate with my care. However, if I could go back in time, I would tweak things just a bit. For one, I would have made sure I had an onc who was a bc specialist. I absolutely love my onc, and it appears that she was right on target with my treatment plan, but she is a general onc and bc is not her passion. I want someone whose main focus is bc and is on top of the latest research and treatment options. On the plus side, I do appreciate my onc’s willingness to listen to my input and concerns. On the negative side, her breast exam is probably the worst one I have ever had. Fortunately, my surgeon and primary care physician give great breast exams so I feel I am covered. As much as I love my current onc I will probably end up switching by the end of the year.

Another thing I would change is, I would get a port at the beginning of treatment. I know that there are many of you that did not have a port, had the same treatment I did, with no permanent damage. For me, after the third AC treatment, my veins were shot. I finally got my port in time to start taxol and herceptin, but by then it was too late to save my veins. Now, trying to access a vein, even for a simple blood test, is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

So, my question is, aside from not becoming a member of this club –

What would you do differently?

[PinkGirl]

The only thing I would do differently is get a port for the
first treatment. Like Gerri, I got mine after 5 treatments
and now my veins are shot and it is a major ordeal to have blood drawn.

[PinkGirl]

Oh, just thought of another thing. I would have been very
careful about what I was eating. I gained a ton of weight and
I can't lose it now.

[madubois63]

Gerri - What a good question!! I think this will give a lot of people information to consider in making decisions on their treatment. Hmmm...Let's see. First off, I wish I did not wait 2 months before I saw another doctor that told me the small, warm, scaly patch under my breast was "nothing." It was inflammatory breast cancer, and I was stage IV. I should have pushed for more aggressive testing at the time. I just wasn't thinking that I would have breast cancer at 36 (or probably ever). Second and very importantly, besides blood work every six months after achieving remission, I TOTALLY wish I had at least a yearly PET or CAT scan. I was totally floored when a simple cough turned out to be a reoccurance!! I KNOW that diagnostic testing would have caught the bc before it was in both my liver and the lungs. Maybe it wouldn't have been so aggressive??? Third - I would have stopped chemo (the second time) sooner than I did. For me, chemo induced leukemia (and don't think it can't happen to you - it happens more than you think). I desperately want a test that tells you how much is too much treatment. If there is a test telling you what chemo's will work, why isn't there a test that tells you HOW MUCH chemo to use. I've asked this question of several scientists. They just looked at me funny and didn't have an answer for me. Hopefully I've made someone think...

I know there are more things I would do differently, but there are some things I did right. I applied for Social Security Disability pretty much immediately. Now, not all people with breast cancer are approved immediately, but if you search the SSD site, it will tell you the qualifications. Stage III, IV and Inflammatory are pretty much qualified immediately. I did a lot of research for financial assistance (my bone marrow transplant alone was over half a million). Apply for everything!! The worst thing that can happen is that you get denied, but you may just be surprised at all the assistance that is available. Don't deny yourself pain or nausea medication and if your overwhelmed by this disease or the change in hormonal levels ask for anti-depression medication. After starting Tamoxafin, I became suicidal. I couldn't understand how it was that I worked so hard to beat this disease, and then I was having thoughts of killing myself. Find a support group! I thought I didn't need to sit around and dwell on cancer with a bunch of stangers, but I've learned so much and made some of the best friends a person could ever have! It really helps to have friends that UNDERSTAND.

I'm sure there is more, but I hope this helps someone. Thanks again for starting the thread....

[harrie]

THis is one simple thing that comes to mind which I learned around the time of my 4th round of chemo. Instead of drinking coffee before my tx which was first thing in the morning....drink plenty of water and if you need that coffee, drink it during tx. Reason....by the 4th tx or so it was getting very difficult to find that vein. I found by being fully hydrated, finding the vein was easier. Coffee is more like a diuretic and does not keep the body hydrated.

[dhealey]

The only thing I would have done differently would be to have had a different surgeon. When I had my second mastectomy he left some breast tissue on the side near my armpit. I was not happy with that as the whole reason for the prophlatic mastectomy was to remove all the breast tissue. I constantly worry now about getting a recurrance in this area.

[Christine MH-UK]

I would have walked more when I was on taxotere and exercised more after treatment since trial results suggest that this would have helped me avoid treatment-
related bone thinning. I had an anthracycline, FEC, but was too ill on that to do anything.

[dede10]

I would have paid better attention to my body, so I could have found out earlier. :(

Other than that, I had a complete resection (L) ax region in May, so nothing under my (L) arm anymore...no cancer anyway... Scans in Aug showed 2 Masses + lymph nodes in chest wall, and one possible small mass in plural space of (L) upper lobe of my lung. This is all new growth since May!!

I would have not done the surgery, and enjoyed my summer. Either way, I would have been on chemo now....which I started Tuesday.

[Becky]

Obviously I would have had a second opinion on rads just to be sure.

The number one thing though is I had 3 medical oncologists' opinions (all the same treatment). I ended up going to the onc that was closest to my home versus the ones I would have clicked with better. I even told my husband, I like the other 2 better but Dr. XXX will be fine. It ended up not being fine. And your onc and the relationship you have is very important and worth the drive (because this began my problems and issues and was the first doctor change I ever made (unless I moved and had to switch)). Second, I also would have gotten a port as my veins are shot. Third, if I had known - I would have tried to find an independent onc that would have given me Herceptin off label with the taxol (like the trial). I was lucky to be able to get it late but I got it without the chemo.

I also would have tried to walk more during Taxol as I had incredible leg and foot problems but it was winter and I wasn't a big exerciser then and wasn't in the mood.

Since switching oncs, I also switched my primary care and gyn (and now, probably rads onc because I can't envision if I showed up there what would happen. My husband says he would examine me and then recommend I find someone else anyway).

Main point - find your doctor soulmate via second opinions - ask around etc. Switching around is not something you want to do.

[Brenda_D]

I would not taken the opinions of 3 of my 4 doctors, as gospel, on the pet scan results.
I would have insisted on getting a follow up bone scan much earlier, so I wouldn't have had to go for 7 months thinking I was Stage 4, when I was really Stage 3.

[PinkGirl]

I keep thinking of more things. I would have had both of my
breasts removed. It is very difficult to have one breast that
keeps getting bigger :)

I would have paid more attention to my chemo nurse when she
gave me the constipation lecture. I had some HUGE problems
with that during the first and second treatment. After that, I
had it all figured out. It wasn't pleasant.

[Terri B]

What a great thread!!!

I'm soaking it all in!!!!

[Jean]

Gerri great thread, thanks,

For the NEWBIES:

Get 2nd even 3rd opinions....very important.
I did this, my only regret is I wated too long to
move my a## out to UCLA and see Dr. Salmon.

NEVER take no for an answer....follow up on everything.
NEVER believe the dr. knows more than you.
Do your reserch and ask as many questions as it takes for you to feel confident. If the dr. is annoyed or does not have the time....fire him/or/her.

Remember two /three heads are better than one.
Don't be afraid to check over what you are being told.

Ask about Trials....that are going on in the facility and discover if you could fit into it.
While I was a perfect patient for a bone biopsey along with my lumpectomy (it was a trial going on at my center) my surgeon did not tell me about it and I would have certainly wanted to be part of it.

When an onc. advises about chemo treatments make
sure that choice is the best one for you.

[Hopeful]

Not something that I would have done differently, but a tip on a resource for the newly diagnosed:

After I had completed most of my treatment, I got a letter from my insurance company (Aetna) saying that there was a nurse case manager available to me that I could use for help with specialists, referrals, second opinions, etc. Great timing, but it may have been a new service they instituted. A friend of mine who was dx in 2002 was given a case manager early on by her insurer, and she said it was a tremendous help to her, having someone to assist with organizing a lot of things and keeping everything on track.

So, my suggestion is, check with your insurance company after you are dx, to see if a nurse case manager is available to you to assist with all the other appointments, etc., you will need down the road for your treatments.

Hopeful

[Faith in Him]

I agree with the second opinion for every doctor. I had a second for surgery and med. onc but not rad. onc. I would also recommend going to a major cancer center for second opinions. I did not do that until my local recurrence. I went to UCSF and paid around $350 out of pocket but it was well worth it. I think most insurance plans will cover second opinions.

Tonya

[sarah]

Terrific question.
When I was originally diagnosed in the US with DCIS, I asked about being HER2+++, they said not to worry I was completely cured, my cancer wasn't outside the breast. but 5 years later it was. I would have insisted on Herceptin. but looking back is hard. looking forward is what we all must do.
thank goodness for this site.

[rebecca0623]

What great advice. I did interview 2 oncologists. I clicked better with one but agreed with the treatment plan of the second so I called the first, explained my reasoning, and he agreed to follow my preferred plan. I start on Wednesday -TCH. I also pushed to get a port and, after 8 sticks!! for the MUGA I know I am right. Port goes in on Tuesday!!!. I encourage those even newer here than I am to read these posts - I was empowered by them and feel much more confident in my own opinions!!!

[juanita]

I would have gotten a second opinion before being rushed into everything the way i was.

[Margerie]

I would not have changed any of my treatment. It all, somehow timing and everything, turned out for the best.

I would have changed a few things however:

* not bothering with the wig. it was an uncomfortable mess and it was just to make others more comfortable anyway. Took me two months to let it go and I was so much happier in a bandana!

* not worrying about what other people thought of my situation (pity be damned)

* reached out to support groups (like this one) sooner


I did think outside the box, or really my geographic area, for my reconstruction choice. We did not have any DIEP surgeons within 4 hours of us, but the drive was worth it.

[BonnieR]

Margerie, looking at photos I had the same thought the other day about the wigs. I wish I had not bothered. After a short time, I was just wearing scarves of some sort. Or nothing.

I wish I had understood my pathology report a little better. Some gals here on this board tried explaining it to me. But, in the end, I made the right decision for myself...

[Melissa]

Well............I second guessed eveything, and I do mean everything. But in the end, I need to believe and hope, I have done everyting possible to keep this hideous disease from coming back. I need this for my sanity.

[AlaskaAngel]

So many things...

Pink Girl is right about weight gain. I would have given very serious consideration to refusing the use of steroids with chemo because they can be a reason for weight gain, and for the first time in my life I gained 28 pounds with treatment. I've seen a number of posts by people who did refuse it and got through it just fine without it. (But I am not sure that would apply to the taxanes.) I would have exercised... if I could have, that is... like Christine MH-UK, I spent 6 treatments of CAF going between being too sick to exercise, or else at work as someone who is self-employed. Losing weight is not the same as it was prior to treatment, and that is a huge understatement.

I had the first treatment without a port and immediately requested one, as my livelihood depended so heavily upon having to use my arms and hands. I've still got it, since I never had trastuzumab (yet) and have draws anyway every 4 months for the CA-125 to watch for ovarian cancer.

Since I was diagnosed as stage I before Herceptin was considered a success I don't know that I would have tried to get it -- but were I diagnosed now, knowing the down side of CAF and tamoxifen, I would refuse chemo and find an onc willing to provide trastuzumab to me without chemo.

And Jean's post really rang true for me. Don't assume the docs know more than you do. I have learned that even the best docs I have had truly did not, over and over. I sympathize, Jean, because even though I too inquired, my onc failed to tell me about relevant clinical trials also.

I think the biggest difference for me would be that I would put a LOT more weight on the importance of evaluating the treatments, and much less confidence in the personality of the medical provider.

AlaskaAngel

[harrie]

I wish someone had directed me to this site at the time I was dx. I did not run across it until into my 2nd round of chemo and I could have really used the information and support a lot.

I do not regret taking the steroids before, during and right after chemo tx. For me it was a good precautionary measure to take against possible neuropathy problems.

[Patb]

Looking back I would have ask for a full body scan
as a base line even though that is not protocol for
no nodes? Now when I have a test we can't tell
if its new or was there all along as with the pulmonary
nodule. Now I have to be tested every three to four
months to check on that.
patb

[Louise O'Brien]

Alaska Angel - I can understand why you feel you'd prefer just Herceptin as opposed to chemo and Herceptin.

I went through that when I was first diagnosed and was very upset to learn I had to go through chemo in order to get Herceptin. It was chemo - or no Herceptin and I knew that was the drug I needed.

I was early stage, no node involvement , clean margins after surgery but one of the doctors said something that made it almost tolerable. The what if... what if a small undetectable cell had escaped and was lurking somewhere else.... chemo was added insurance.

So I went through it all and I don't regret it. If I had the choice again today - I'd still choose chemo with Herceptin.

And I learned another thing on my very last appointment when Herceptin was finally finished - that, according to doctors, I was just on the borderline - between no treatment at all after surgery and the full meal deal.

While I was presented with the choice as to whether or not to take chemo, I never realized I was considered such a borderline case.

But even if I knew that, I'd still make the choice for full treatment.

The steroids? I don't regret those either because I think it kept the nausea at bay. Our protocol was to take the pills two days prior to chemo and one day after. No longer. I moved a lot of furniture during that time.

Now - for the weight gain. We shouldn't beat ourselves up too much - remember how awful most foods used to taste? It was a miracle to want to eat anything and for some reason deserts and anything sweet was more tolerable. I don't regret that.

I gained about 10 pounds and some of it has come off. I've just joined a gym and plan to get rid of the rest of it - some motivation though. The plastic surgeon doing my Diep flap would like me to lose a bit more - but not too much.

[AlaskaAngel]

I really hope that what we are trying to do here is share information, and that the debate is (and stays) healthy and not divisive.

I should explain that as a stage I, I would refuse the chemo not based on the nausea and vomiting (which I had anyway regardless of the steroids, and which Zofran, compazine, and lorazepam did more to help with), but rather because of the permanent damage the chemo did to the immune system. I don't mean just the possibility of leukemias down the road 10 or 15 years, or the combination of added risk for that with radiation, but the damage upon completion of chemotherapy. My blood counts have never normalized, and were excellent prior to chemotherapy. I now have chronic anemia. Even the smallest wound takes ages to heal, whereas that was not the case prior to chemotherapy. That inability to heal increases my vulnerability to disease.

But there is a deeper issue involved that is not obvious, especially to physicians since they are not the ones who are dealing daily personally with the damages from therapies.

For one, the ability to desire and perform intercourse has been significantly lessened or lost. Doctors uniformly either avoid telling patients this in advance, or they minimize it after the fact instead of dealing with it honestly. It is much easier for them to stick to advising patients to "use more lubricant", or "try dilators for the vagina" or "it now can take more work to achieve intercourse than it did before".... than it is for them to understand that those things are less effective than they think they are. It is very easy to justify sacrificing intimacy to save lives, without putting any real effort into better answers for dealing with the problems created by therapy.

Chemotherapy changed my metabolism drastically. It doesn't happen to everyone, since some gain weight and some lose weight with chemo. I seriously think physicians should reevaluate the need for steroids and the amount of steroids they prescribe. While they may act to help deal with the uncomfortable effects of chemotherapy, they also act over time with repeat doses to cause muscle breakdown. With repeated therapy treatments, one has much less muscle tone TO exercise effectively, and in addition, has to try to exercise for the first time with all the extra weight piled on, AND has a much slower metabolism to work with in taking the weight off.

Again, it is easy for the doctor. He just turns his back and says "eat less, exercise more", and goes on down the road to save another life. But what I think is becoming pathetically obvious is that by encouraging weight gain with the steroids in the first place, they are pretty oblivious to the result. In effect, through the added weight gain they are actively predisposing patients to greater risk for recurrence from the extra fat gained from treatment itself.

http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/24/3958

"Compared with women who were inactive both before and after diagnosis, women who increased physical activity after diagnosis had a 45% lower risk of death (HR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.22 to 1.38), and women who decreased physical activity after diagnosis had a four-fold greater risk of death (HR = 3.95; 95% CI, 1.45 to 10.50). "

http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/6/907

"The exercise group also experienced a significant decrease in hip measurements, with no change in weight or body composition. "

I believe they can and should do more to help so many of us to avoid the weight gain in the first place.

AlaskaAngel

[Unregistered]

Hi all;
One thing I'm still grateful for: I traveled to a big city breast center for my surgery and had a surgeon who specializes in breast surgery. I still travel for my checkups and don't at all mind the expense or inconvenience. It has been worth it in oh so many ways.
Linda

[Louise O'Brien]

Alaska Angel:
I truly hope my comments weren't interpreted as challenging or divisive - that wasn't my intent.

I didn't explain myself properly I'm afraid. What I meant to say was - in Canada - we have no choice when it comes to chemo and Herceptin. If you want to take Herceptin which is provided free through our government health care system, you have to go through chemo. Can't have one without the other. That lack of choice was something that upset me a great deal at the time.

[AlaskaAngel]

Not at all, Louise! The topic just can get very sensitive and I too don't mean to offend anyone, and especially not those whose diagnosis is much more complicated than that of a stage I node negative HR+ like me. Again, since the vast majority of those diagnosed in the US at this time are diagnosed with early stage bc, I try a little harder than I would otherwise to discuss the options from that point of view.

Thanks, neighbor, for such courtesy,

AlaskaAngel

[Debra]

As far as treatment goes, I don't believe I would change anything. I was aggressive all the way. Both breasts removed and a hysterectomy at age 40. I guess I decided to go gungho with everything so I have no regrets if this bugger comes back and no "what ifs"; just a personal choice maybe not the best but it worked for me.
I know the one thing I wouldn't have done and that is spend $900.00 on a human hair wig!!! It was not worth it. My $40.00 synthetic one was much cuter, more comfortable and looked more real! I will never do that again. The synthetics out there look great and don't need to be styled. Save your money and go synthetic would be my advice.
I guess I feel comfortable with my treatment I received. I am still scared as heck this thing will come back as everyone else knows that feeling but nothing will change that.

[Alice]

Just bumping this back up. I think it canhelp a lot of the newcommers.

[DanaRT]

I would have not wasted time and (a lot) money trying to find the perfect wig. I wore it once and felt silly in it. I preferred plain ball caps from Lands' End.

Because of this thread I am going to finally insist on a CT scan so I have a baseline.

There are moments that I wish I would have had a mastectomy. At times I think that I feel a local recurrence...it's distracting and disturbing.

Dana

[MJo]

If I had to do it again, I would not be given adriamycin, which caused me so much trouble, because treatment has changed. That's a wonderful thing.

I would take into account that I have seasonal affective disorder (SAD). I started treatment in late December without antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds. The worst time of year for someone with SAD. No wonder I thought I was going crazy. Thank God my Internist started me on Lexapro and gave me Xanax for the worst anxiety.

I would stay out of supermarkets and drugstores during chemo. I would beg friends/family to shop for me. Too many cold viruses-flu bugs floating around.

Otherwise, I would be just as aggressive with treatment. I also gained weight but have managed to lose it. I still would live on ice cream and grilled cheese, if that's what I craved during chemo.

[Jackie07]

I would have insisted on having bilateral mastectomy in 2003 and not get talked out of it by the surgeon. She's a good doctor, according to many; she just didn't understand how cancer-prone I am and how vicious Her-2 breast cancer can be!

[fauxgypsy]

I think this is a great discussion. I am going to bump it up.

I have several things that I would have done differently.

I would choose my doctors much more carefully.

I would not have let fear rush me. My surgeon told me that the lump had grown between the mammogram and the lumpectomy and urged me to act quickly. He did his best to scare me.

When my first oncologist discounted my doubts and said that we didn't need a biopsy of my liver, I would have gotten a second opinion.

I would have had a breast specialist do my mastectomy and not a general surgeon.

I would have filed for disability immediately instead of being so damned independent. It would've given me time to heal instead of worrying so much about my business.

I hope I have learned from this. I hope this helps someone. Don't let fear affect your choices.

Leslie

Leslie

[Rich66]

Can someone point me to SS disability links for cancer?

[Joe]

Rich,

If the person is considered Stage IV then disability is automatic. Heres some advice, call your congressmen for assistance in filing. They have staffs just for that purpose and can cut corners.

Regards
Joe

[hutchibk]

You might also try calling Lance Armstrong Foundation/LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare toll-free, 866.673.7205, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST to speak to a case manager. They should have helpful hints and info about SS disability and cancer patients.

[hutchibk]

What I would do differently is to have learned a little bit more about my dx in the beginning, but I was so intimidated for the first 6 months. I thought I learned all I needed to know, but in retrospect I was so naive. I would have fought harder to find a way to get into the Herceptin phase 3 trial (I wasn't accepted outright because we saw something on my liver in scans that turned out to only be a hemangioma).

I am thrilled, though, that I did not get radiation at the outset or at all to the breast area, and would not change that decision for anything. I did do my research about that early on and am very happy with that decision.

[adrien]

*that I'd had a mastectomy the first time I ws diagnosed—not a lumpectomy
*that I'd pushed for a biopsy when the radiologist said the spots were benign 5 yrs after first diagnosis
*that I'd had the skin mets surgically removed immediately
*that I'd had a CT scan earlier when markers rose (found mets in lungs and liver and groin eventually)
I wish...

[karen z]

What I would have done differently:
(1) Exercised more and consistently through all of it. I have also put on weight that I am finding tough to get off (but am trying).
(2) Would not have bought an expensive human hair wig (I am too embarrassed to say what I spent but it was more than Debra did I am sad to say).
Karen

[jones7676]

I do have to say that this site and the people who are guests here has served as one of the best resources of information and help for me since I became a part of it and I wish that I had it right from the start.

Finally - always try to think positive!

I am glad that initially I chose to get a second opinion before I even started getting treated.

I also think it is important to keep your own set of records about any thing that changes. I have had many challenges trying to get information/scans etc put together as needed.

I wish I would have utilized a person/team who specialized in exactly the type of cancer for every change in my condition. I have been through 4 oncologists in a little over 5 years and I believe I should always travel the long distance (or even further if necessary) I need to any time there is any change and get another opinion about options.

[harrie]

Since I didn't find out I was BRCA2 positive until just before this past IDCIS, if I had to do anything differently, I would have been genetically tested the first time I had DCIS in my early 40s.

I wish I had found out about this site at the time I first found out I was HER2+. It would have given me much needed information and support. I didn't find out until after I started chemo.

What I would not have done any differently is this:
Exercise. I exercised a lot before my CA, during chemo I did what I could, and after I continued on a good program. I did not gain any additional wt by the end of my treatments.
Wig: I absolutely LOVED my real hair wig. I got it for a good price (I think around $600) and it look identical to my real hair. It was comfortable and NOT ONE person knew it was a wig.
CHEMO: TCH, I am glad I did it! Peace of mind for me. I tolerated it very well and feel 100% recovered.

HarrieCanarie

[JustwannaBE]

I would have made the drs do blood work prior to any surgeries, i.e tumor markers, her2 neu serum. I would have had the drs do pet scans before any surgeries, to see if there were any other tumors in me prior to my lumpectomy. I would make sure each and every single pathology test available had been done on all of my tumors and 2nd opinioned if they did not match. I have learned and I hope this helps anyone new to this site. Should of, could of, would of...I am a lot smarter now, in fact, too smart, as now I am obsessed with the cancer inside of me and wish I could turn it off. Go with your gut always, it won't let you down and then you can never say, I wish I would have.... also, this site has and does help me alot.

[DianneS]

Awk, now I can't see your name (Pink Lady?) but your dx and mine are almost the same.

I am happy to know that you are NED and hope to get to that point. I am just finishing the Taxotere Carboplatin Herceptin (Hercep until NOvember) and am scared that I have done enough to stop this beast.

Hope to hear from you. I don't post much as I have fibromyalgia and get horrible migraines from sitting. As well, am recovering from the onslaught of chemo since November.

Diannes

[ipohgirl in HK]

Hi Ladies,

Been lurking since diagnosed with IDC on 19/1/09. Had lumpectomy on 10/2/09 with third doctor 9 after not happy with the first two. ER (+), PR (-) and ERB ++, 167 (20%)

Will start on TCH this Thursday on 5/3/09 at govt hospital since the drugs are given at cost. Will still cost about 250K.

Got four synthetic wigs at discounts. Look quite nice to me. Real hair wig costs HK 5 K or US$600!

Like many, I am fearful on embarking chemo since my immune system will be destroyed/severely compromised and my heart will be at stake.

Other than the stupid BC, all my other organs are in tip top condition plus my blood too. Am wondering whether it is silly to compromise/gamble/exchange all the good parts of my body just to beat BC. My and teh family's quality of life will change forever.

hey, dear sisters, please provide some survival stories to balance up the grim ones! I am not in denial, just want to hear two sides of the coin, if there is any............

And, BTW, what is a port? Is it the same thingy they stick to your hand during surgery to facilitate transfusions/injections? I will ask teh doctor to provide one tommorow prior to the start of the chemo. I will drink lots of water, then coffee during taxotere transfusion.

Thanks and hugs to everyone!!

[Jackie07]

Welcome ipohgirl,

Can you repost it on the New Comer's thread? It won't get buried as easily as in the other forums. Also, if you register, you will have all the replies sent to your e-mail address. You also will be able to tract your subscribed threads on the board. There's also a 'private message' fuction available once you are registered.

Actually, I am going to repost this in the New Comer's section. Hope you will find it.

There are several threads on long term survivors. Click on the 'Search' button on the Gold bar on top of the Board, then type in 'long term survivors'. Hope you will find the stories encouraging.

[Jackie07]

Please go to New Comer's thread to welcome ipohgirl in HK.

Thank you.