Just Starting Our Fight, Help.

['lizbeth]

Hello FO:

I like the idea of the t-shirt campaign.

I received a similar treatment back in 2008. I had several lesions in the right breast with Pagets of the nipple, positive nodes. Most of the literature back then said the prognosis was not good. But things have changed for the better with Her2 positive breast cancer treatments. Your wife is very lucky to qualify for Herceptin with a small little BC.

Your wife has had quite a shock. And breast cancer, and the unknown associated with the diagnosis is very scary. Once the surgeries are finished, and the chemo is started the stress and fear should start to decrease. I found chemo to be quite unpleasant. If I knew then what I know now - I'd have a better plan of how to deal with the side effects, and the numbers to call for help at the ready. No need to suffer with diarrhea, etc. when something as simple as a potassium supplement can clear it up.

There are many others that have gone through treatment more recently and they have good advice.

Welcome and let us know if we can help.

[Freaked Out]

Thank all of you for the kind words. It truly helps knowing that folks are here to support each other.

Carol Ann, I will tell Stacy to contact you when ready, thank you for that offer.

Adriana , please know that I was not trying to be "tacky" nor sell you a t-shirt. A good friend started that page for us. I simply wanted to share the "full story" with whomever decided to look at it. I have told that story more times in the last two months that I care to remember so I find it easier to copy the link. However, opinion noted. Thanks.

Lizbeth, everything I read talks about the poor prognosis with HER2+ BC. It is so good to hear of the improvements. The campaign was started by a really good friend. I had not heard of it but it's a really cool way for friends, family and others to show support. It has given me many ideas to use in the future as far as raising money to donate to various organizations as we learn more about this.

I've been stressed thinking that we will be dealing with this for the next 12-18 months, but by looking at all the pages, you ladies have been dealing with the stuff for years. I guess it remains in your life forever in some form.

Like I said, this is very new and scary for both me and my wife. She gets a port put in next Wednesday and her first TCH treatment is the next day. What side effects seem to be the most common? Suggestions for a "treatment" or "Chemo" bag we should pack?

Thanks again for everything.