Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
Sheila, I too have found you a wonderful inspiration in my journey, although I cannot compare mine to yours. I was fortunate to be diagnosed stage I but coming here I know to count my blessings while I can. I have volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Agency to talk with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and part of my training was a tour of their facility at the Cancer Clinic here in Vancouver. I was impressed with the lovely rooms available to people going through treatments and pleased to hear that they were so very reasonable. I cannot help but wonder that you would not have the same service available to you. 150 miles is just too darned far as radiation does become a tedious process, day after day. Could you book in for the week and go home on weekends? Also local hotels will usually offer reduced rates when you have a medical reason for booking. I found the thing that got me through radiation was face cloths soaked in saline solution applied to the area being radiated. It helped take away the burn and I am sure reduced the negative effects. One doctor suggested keeping the solution in the fridge but since I did my radiation in the fall, room temperature was more than adequate to reduce the heat. All the best. You have a big gang of women here rooting for you. Carolyn
__________________
12/17/08 biopsy after two 6 mos mammo recalls
12/30/08 diagnosed high grade IDC & DCIS ER/PR +, Her2 (+++) post menopausal/age 57
1/15/09 double mastectomy/skin sparing; no evidence of vascular/lymphatic invasion, 8neg/8 nodes (tumor 8.0mm)
2/16/09 given portacath/removed 4/30/10
2/18/09 "surprise" 2.0mm tumor/positive borders~completed 28 rads 10/09.
2/23/09 until 4/19/10~treatments every 3wks (4 Cytoxan + Adriamycin, 4 Taxol + Herceptin, 13 Herceptin alone)
8/09 osteoporosis diagnosis/Zometa 3 yrs of 1x/6 months
Chemo side effects; Deafness, kidney function loss
11/09 began Aromatase Inhibitor (Femara)/Feb2014, stopped Femara early/after 3 mos began Tamoxifen for 8 mos to complete 5 years
11/10 Reconstruction, directly to silicone implants
12/11 nipples by skin graft/Right breast size reduced
I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have trouble with me!
Dr. Seuss
|