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Dace · 08-10-2006, 10:08 AM

with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, since it grows in sheets, it gloggs the glands of the skin and they hurt! and turn red and bruised. And the skin thickens which is why it felt to tight. The first week after the infusion with the como, the pain got worse and it seemed like my skin was in overdrive! It literally felt like it was crawling with something! That started to get better in the second week. By day 8, when I got the infusion of just gemzar, it felt softer and not as red and one little spot that had looked like a zit (though I knew it wasn't) is gone. My red blood count dropped and my potassium was low so last week I had major fatigue, but they gave me a shot and this week I am fine!

I was able to switch oncologists and am currently being seen at the City of Hope in Duarte and feel like I am in great hands! She did want to send me to UCLA for the tykerb/xeloda trial because she said it would be 2 months before they got it, but I opted to stay at COH. It was too hard to get this referral from Kaiser. Kaiser will get be informed of everything that happens in my case, plus I have to meet with him once a month just to touch base.

I am still working, although my job has been absoloutly wonderful, in that the days I do not feel good, I am allowed to work from home. My girls are gone on vacation for 3 weeks so I am getting a much needed break finally. Although I haven't figured out what to do with myself yet, but I'll figure it out by this weekend!

Still losing weight, lost another 3 pounds last week, although I hate the way I am losing it, I don't mind reaping the benefit!

Oh yes, and I said I was waiting for the day when I would wake up in no pain? Guess what? Today was the day! Although I still have pain, it wasn't there when I woke up! God is good! Next step a day with no pain!

08-10-2006, 10:08 AM	#7
Dace Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 32	ok, I am going to try to answer all of your questions... with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, since it grows in sheets, it gloggs the glands of the skin and they hurt! and turn red and bruised. And the skin thickens which is why it felt to tight. The first week after the infusion with the como, the pain got worse and it seemed like my skin was in overdrive! It literally felt like it was crawling with something! That started to get better in the second week. By day 8, when I got the infusion of just gemzar, it felt softer and not as red and one little spot that had looked like a zit (though I knew it wasn't) is gone. My red blood count dropped and my potassium was low so last week I had major fatigue, but they gave me a shot and this week I am fine! I was able to switch oncologists and am currently being seen at the City of Hope in Duarte and feel like I am in great hands! She did want to send me to UCLA for the tykerb/xeloda trial because she said it would be 2 months before they got it, but I opted to stay at COH. It was too hard to get this referral from Kaiser. Kaiser will get be informed of everything that happens in my case, plus I have to meet with him once a month just to touch base. I am still working, although my job has been absoloutly wonderful, in that the days I do not feel good, I am allowed to work from home. My girls are gone on vacation for 3 weeks so I am getting a much needed break finally. Although I haven't figured out what to do with myself yet, but I'll figure it out by this weekend! Still losing weight, lost another 3 pounds last week, although I hate the way I am losing it, I don't mind reaping the benefit! Oh yes, and I said I was waiting for the day when I would wake up in no pain? Guess what? Today was the day! Although I still have pain, it wasn't there when I woke up! God is good! Next step a day with no pain!