Grateful
 

Hello, I am so grateful to have found this BC support outlet. Tomorrow I began phase 2 of my chemo sessions; I must say I have been very challenged this week to see past some of the negative information and side effects of the Taxol medication. NOW I am NOT:). I spent the day with a great friend, did a Rieki session followed by a yoga class and I found this organization through speaking with a wonderful resourceful women at WellSpring Niagara. She referred me to call the 1-888 line which I did and was instantly connected with another HER2 survivour who made a definite positive impact. I then found the stories excellent and began to smile and not be anxious about my session tomorrow. So thank you, thank you, thank you everyone.

I found my lump May 8 2011 on my own, my family doctor is hard to get into so I went to a walk-in clinic and proceeded to chart my course from there. I tried to make an appointment for a mam and ultrasound within my community May 9 but the wait was 1-month, so not happening. I called another breast screening clinic 40-mins away and they had me booked the next day May 10. As a result of the mam and ultrasound they booked I guided biopsy May 25. June 3 I went back to the Walk-in Clinic to get my results as my fam doc was on holidays, and he was not happy that I went to a walk-in, that was some conversation about me being my own advocate and that he needs to work more that 14 hours a week. All said and done the page has been turned and I have a new family doc. So June 3 I find out I do indeed have breast cancer-it was like a white fluffy cloud transported me into warrior 3, I called the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton (simply because I recalled the nurse saying they were directly connected to the centre and had a fabulous female oncologist. So that is all I had, I looked on line called the new patients line, introduced myself was given an appointment with the oncologist consult June 10, left that appointment feeling very confident with our choices and had the lumpectomy on my right breast with a sentinel node removal on June 30. After the recovery period of 3.5 weeks I had my meeting to with the onc. surgeon to discuss the path report, we were to meet with the onc medical Chief of the Juravinski in about two weeks so that is what we thought, however as we were leaving the onc. surgeon ran down the hall calling my name and shouted that the Chief would see me now! Wow we did an about face and proceeded to meet with him, that now means we are so ahead of schedule had I waited in my own home town, again grateful I was listening to the nurse and advocating for my own health. So we met, chatted-looked at stats, chatted more thought and began my first chemo of AC on August. 2nd.

Looking back I can say I kept waiting for the train to hit me, I had some fatigue that compounded, nothing unbearable. My 3-session was the most exhausting but I think that had to do with my hair falling out and having the PORT put in. For my 4th and final AC I did Reiki twice, spoke with a life coach had my mom come and stay with me, had a girls movie night and the fatigue was not as hard on me as the third round.

I believe the support of my family/friends and positive energy made the first 4 much more tolerable.

And now the next 4-sessions of Taxol mixed with Herceptin combined for two of the Taxol treatments I as back in Warrior mode and so very thankful that this support forum for HER2 is available, so thankful for all of your shared experiences.

If there are any other tips that worked for you during this phase I am looking forward to reading more. One book I read was Just Get Me Through This - I highly recommend it!

Question? has any one done acupuncture for the neoropathy? My onc team said to go ahead with it. Any thoughts?

Namaste

Re: Grateful
 

Yellowtail,
Amazing story! And, good for you for having the clarity and strength to take charge of your health. I'm sorry you have to be here but if you must, it's a great place for information and inspiration.
I didn't suffer from neuropathy so I couldn't tell you if acupuncture helps, but I'm certain others will chime in soon.
Keep strong...you're close to the finish line with your treatments!
3twins

Re: Grateful
 

Marlene,
I've only had 2 Reiki sessions but...WOW! I admit, I was a skeptic at first, but no more. What a peaceful, empowering experience.

Haven't tried acupuncture (I'd only be able to do it for one hand anyway...can't puncture the arm without lymph nodes)...but I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has. Won't help with my hands, but my feet might love it!

Till then, Neurontin, and Tylenol will have to do. Honestly, mine isn't so bad. I consider it a small price to pay for being alive and staying that way (God willing!)
Be well! Stay strong!
Denise

Re: Grateful
 

I guess I should knock wood, but I haven't found any chemos too difficult. I did six rounds of caboplatin and taxotere, then weekly taxol, than navelbine with herceptin all along. I've not had any terrible side effects and I go to work every day.

I do believe that drinking lots of water helps with side effects. I drink about 64 ounces a day. L-Glutamine is excellent for neuropathy. Take it the day before, the day of, and a few days after chemo. I just dissolve a couple of tablespoons in water three times a day and I haven't had neuropathy since an initial bout, which went away

Re: Grateful
 

Good evening, the Rieki Sessions are fabulous I have one a week and do much of my own hand healing and meditation to settle my mind and body before going to bed. When I came across the L-Glutamine I discussed it with my onc and he said it was ok to take, so I started taking it even before I started the Taxol and to this point I have had no neuropathy, thank goodness. Feeling much better tonight and have not had any Tylenol since this afternoon let's hope the little aches stay little and tolerable. I agree the few side effects I have had to date are certainly not what I had expected and am very grateful :) Have a good night ladies, Namaste

Re: Grateful
 

Hi YellowTail
I've had quite a lot of chemo over the years (with quite a few years in between the different cycles), and have managed quite well after the dosage settles at the right level for my body. I have acupuncture every week when I'm on chemo, as I believe it keeps my circulation in good condition, and it 'cools' the system. A bit of yin and yang action! Even when I'm not having chemo, I often like to have acupuncture to keep my system in good balance.

Make sure to let the practitioner know that you have breast cancer, as they will avoid putting any needles in that side of your body's arm or hand.

All the best
Marie

Re: Grateful
 

Thanks for sharing your experiences with the acupuncture I have not done this yet however I hope to in the near future.

Re: Grateful
 

You are doing a great job being your own advocate.
I don't know anything about acupuncture for neuropathy, but I get acupuncture once in awhile. I think it is helpful.
You live in a nice area of Canada. I visited your area by train when I was staying with my aunt in Toronto.
Take good care of yourself.

Re: Grateful
 

Very impressive!!! Good for you, sticking up for yourself and finding the support you needed.
I Did a lot of qigong plus reiki-like sessions when I had tch. I felt good all through chemo although towards the end I Sid get fatigued. One thing that helped me a lot was I forced myself to have a date with friends at least once a month. Kept me feeling normal, plus the added benefit if lots of love and laughter.

The other goofy thing we did was watch LOTS of really funny movies! My sister who lives toofar away was in charge of making me laugh and sent many DVDs and funny hunga to read.

Glad you are doing so well. Keep ip the good work!