| New and desperate |
[02 Feb 2010|01:05pm] |
So I'm new here and not quite sure where to begin but am desperately seeking some advice from caretakers, those battling for their life or survivors. My Mom is 52 and was diagnosed with Breast Cancer back in December. We just had her port placement on Friday and she begins the most aggressive chemotherapy they can do this Thursday morning.
She has been disabled for roughly 7 years. She has dementia, psychosis, schizophrenia, and is on a heavy regiment of of meds for that. She does not communicate. She can't. She can say one or two words maybe but getting that out of her is like forcing a child to speak before they have the ability.
Yesterday was the Dr.'s appointment that provided an official prognosis on my Mom. She has Stage IIIC Breast Cancer and the Dr. said she has a 1 in 3 shot of survival. 33% chance or so. Since December her tumor has doubled in size and has spread to other lymph nodes. It's a very aggressive cancer according to this Dr. and our plan is to attack it back as aggressively as we possibly can. There are typically three chemotherapy drugs that they use and with this cancer, we are combining all three and they will be administering chemo once every 3 weeks for a period of 6 treatments (minimum). Then a mastectomy followed by radiation. The Dr. wants to utilize all of the methods for treatment he can. It's pretty clear that this is going to be the fight of her life.
She doesn't stay with me. She lives with my Pop who takes care of her the best he can but he works 6 days a week. Here are my questions:
Does she need to have constant supervision when on chemo?
My Pop will be home around 5 ish. I'm just not sure if this is good enough. I have no idea what to expect.
Are there visual signs when someone is not feeling good on chemo?
I would assume the drained looked perhaps but again.....I'm so lost. With her not being able to communicate, I'm trying to look for any
signs or symptoms that she may not be feeling good.
I appreciate any help or advice......thank you all.
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[26 Jan 2010|05:06pm] |
Hello,
I'm 20 years old. I had a regular checkup with my OBGYN in early December when she noticed a lump on my right breast. I was told to come back and have it checked again after my period. When I came back, it was still there and I was sent for an ultrasound. The ultrasound tech. found it as well but said it wasn't very large and didn't look like anything to worry about.
I had my appointment with a breast specialist today. She told me that she doesn't want to do anything for now and would rather just have me come back in 6 months for a repeat ultrasound to see if the lump is still there. She feels that due to my age and no family history of breast cancer, there is not much to worry about. (My mother and aunt both had fibroadenomas, and my aunt had uterine cancer.) I am a bit upset by this. I feel that my specialist doesn't want to bother with a biopsy or surgically removing it just because I am young.
Has anybody else ever been in this situation? What do you recommend? I think I am going to go elsewhere for a second opinion and try to convince the doctor to atleast do a biopsy. I would feel even better having the lump removed altogether. I have been having a lot of anxiety about walking around with a lump in my breast regardless of whether or not it has round contours on the ultrasound and therefore it "must be benign" or the fact that breast cancer is not common in younger woman. My professor was diagnosed with breast cancer at 23 with no family history of breast cancer and she wouldn't have been alive today if she was not pushy about her treatment.
-sigh-
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| Introduction Post |
[20 Jan 2010|10:01am] |
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mood |
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Hello, my name is Becca.
I have joined this community because my mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer 5 days ago. She is still going through the testing to figure out what stage she's in, and if it has spread to other organs, and how they are going to treat her.
I am a mess through all of this, and was hoping by joining the community, it would give me a little extra support and strength.
So, here I am.
Thanks for listening to my story.
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| Just takes all the fun out of dying |
[17 Jan 2010|10:07pm] |
Taking an Avastin and Taxotere combination every three weeks, there goes the hair, here comes black eyes, stomach aches, wicked fatigue and headaches.
What fun!
My work called late Friday to inform me our health insurance provider would not cover or pay for Avastin, but all I had to do is appeal the ruling, and appeal again and so forth… I’m sure that I am already 5/6 thousands into the Avastin treatments over the last six weeks and looking forward to more life-sucking treatment in the near future, yea!
Just takes all the fun out of dying, Monday is a holiday, so I have to wait till Tuesday to start my bitchfest.
Speaking for my w
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| Scar problems anyone? |
[12 Jan 2010|03:17pm] |
Hi there, I was wondering if you too have scar problems. I'm not talking about keloid or such, but I very often experience a terrible itching and stinging along the scar (which is about 25 cm long), and at the same time the skin feels numb. Scratching will cause mild pain.
Do you have that problem too and is there anything you can do about it? I'm trying to avoid pain killers of any kind though...
Oh yes, surgery was in November 2008 so the scar should calm down at some point, y/n?
Any inputs welcome. :)
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| taxotere and gasoline |
[05 Jan 2010|05:14pm] |
The diluent for TAXOTERE contains 13% ethanol, if you put more that 10% ethanol mixed in your gasoline for a lawnmower, the engine will blow up.
Ethanol is very corrosive; if you use more than 10% in an eternal combustion engine it will cause irreparable damage.
No wonder I feel like crap
Speaking for my W
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| The Greatest Woman I Ever Knew... |
[01 Jan 2010|09:50am] |
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mood |
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music |
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Two Step, Dave Matthews Band |
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She had red hair and green eyes. She grew up in the Amish community. She loved the Bee Gees and she loved Dave Matthews Band.
She was my mother, Ruth.
She battled what started as breast cancer for more than 7 years. Most of my memories of her involve her illness... I can hardly recall the days before the cancer. She suffered through endless Chemo, radiation, and even a bone marrow transplant.... and I can count on one hand the number of times she complained.
I don't understand why "God" chooses to take people like my mother. No one ever had anything negative to say about her...even to this day. I was so blessed to have her in my life for the 18 years I did, but still, out of my 6 siblings, I totally got the ass end of that deal. lol
She died exactly 2 weeks before my 18th birthday. She didn't see me graduate, didn't help with my dress the day of my wedding, and she wont be there if I ever have a child. My entire family was torn apart by her death and none of us have really healed. I don't think anyone really heals after something like that. Its sad, my family and I have turned our backs on each other (which is a long story for another time)... and that's not what Mom would have wanted. But how was she to know things would be this way without her? God Bless her.
November 14, 2001 I was pulled out of my senior science class to be taken to the hospital where my mother was told she wouldn't live to see dinner time. A lot of things were said between her and I that day, but the one thing I remember the most was when we talked about DMB.
You see, my mother and I had an agreement: We would not see Dave Matthews Band live without the other one there. When her time came, we still hadn't seen them. I said to her, "Mom, this is not fair. You cannot die today! There's so much we haven't done together. Who will I see dmb with?" she told me, "The next time they come to town I want you to go see them. And when you see Dave up on stage....when you see him in the spotlight... thats where I'll be, in the spotlight."
A few hours later she was gone. Physically out of my life, forever.
I read your posts and my heart goes out to you all. I pray everyday that mankind will find a cure and I pray for the All to give strength to those of you who are still fighting, holding on strong. Please hang in there, keep your chin up, and love the life you are given. One of the most important things Mom taught me was:
"Everything happens for a reason.... and God has a plan for us all."
Thanks for listening to my story,
Blessed be =)
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| Avastin |
[21 Dec 2009|12:41pm] |
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Does anyone here have experience with Avastin, side effects?
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| Surgery after chemo |
[16 Dec 2009|07:55pm] |
So, my mom is finishing up her 4th cycle of chemotherapy (which is horrible by the way), and the oncologist is out of town, so I just had some questions.
1. How long after you finished your chemo did you get surgery?
2. Did you have to have more chemotherapy/radiation after the surgery?
(and a totally off topic one)
3. My mom's friends and family keep giving her stuff about juicing, and how fresh vegetable juice is so beneficial. Did you ever go on a raw food diet where you had fresh juice every day during chemo? If so, what were the effects of this?
We've been juicing a bit, but not that much lately because it seems like all my mom can drink is perier water, and I noticed a boost in her energy, so I was just wondering if anyone say effects with juicing.
Thanks Everyone.
I'll keep you all updated about my mom when I find out more about the next steps.
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| helpless bystander's new day |
[16 Dec 2009|09:52pm] |
Started taking two chemotherapy drugs today Avastin and Taxotere. Add to that Neulasta tomorrow to boost the white blood cells. One week on and one week off is the new plan, that is if everything goes all right.
That is a big IF
Today’s treatment took over three hours strapped to a IV machine, next round should go a lot faster. Luckily she still has her port.
This isn’t the first time for Taxotere, and if I remember correctly (and I do) the side effects where quite harsh. Hair loss, nausea, severe pain and that was six years ago when she was much stronger.
Working on fried chicken and white rice for dinner, got to go
See ya
speaking for W
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| Me wife’s is working |
[15 Dec 2009|04:43pm] |
Yesterday’s blood work came back today and the tumor markers are way up, so the Wednesday gemzar is canceled, we will see the oncologist tomorrow to talk about it and decided where to go from here.
Me wife’s is working this afternoon, feel I should call her to tell her the bad news, but I will wait, no point in ruining her day too.
We have 3 grown children, 2 will be home on winter break from college.
as one we will be this holiday, almost six years to the day to when this whole thing started.
speaking for my W
PS: we have pretty much run out of options for treatments
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| Me wife’s is working |
[15 Dec 2009|04:38pm] |
Me wife’s is working this afternoon, feel I should call her to tell her the bad news, but I will wait, no point in ruining her day too.
We have 3 grown children, 2 will be home on winter break from college.
as one we will be this holiday, almost six years to the day to when this whole thing started.
speaking for my W
PS: we have pretty much run out of options for treatments
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| Blood transfusions (correction) |
[10 Dec 2009|11:39am] |
Blood transfusions
This chemo is killing me. At the docs yesterday the nurse practitioner said that, it would be okay to get a blood transfusion. Our oncologists canceled today’s gemzar (2 of 2) due to low white blood cell count.
it was gemzar, not zometa, last week the oncolo' stopped the monthly zometa due to her kidney fuction results, there were low.
Anyway, last week my oncologist said she did not like to give blood trans (?) and this week she was out and my nurse practitioner said I should.
Is there a reason not too?
Speaking for my W
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| Blood transfusions |
[10 Dec 2009|11:10am] |
Blood transfusions
This chemo is killing me. At the docs yesterday the nurse practitioner said that, it would be okay to get a blood transfusion. Our oncologists canceled today’s zometa (2 of 2) due to low white blood cell count.
Anyway, last week my oncologist said she did not like to give blood trans (?) and this week she was out and my nurse practitioner said I should.
Is there a reason not too?
Speaking for my W
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| Dating is WEIRD. |
[03 Dec 2009|11:46am] |
Had a weird night last night.
A bit of background: finished chemo early September, total remission. Haven't been out much, been in a total social funk. If I'm not tired, I just can't think of that much that I want to do.
Well, I had a houseguest from out of town that wanted to go out, so I went to a bar for the first time in about a year. Put on makeup, a wig, and some girly clothes, which, at this point is almost unheard of for me. I thought I'd try to go hairless . . . it was a Goth bar, so maybe I could pull off the harcore rivethead look . . . but I felt like with a dress and makeup, I looked like a man in bad drag, so I put on a wig anyway.
Went to the bar, sang a few karaoke songs, had a fun night with friends . . . and got hit on twice.
I'm definitely not ready to date yet, still too tired and have myself to take care of and get into sorts before I can be in a relationship, but it was a weird feeling.
I don't feel particularly attractive, and even if I am, it's all covered up right now. How would he feel if I took off my hair? If he saw the scars and lines left behind by the mastectomy? Would he still like me if he knew I had no breasts, that I could never have children? That my life expectancy is not that of most women in my age group?
I know all of this sounds negative, but I couldn't help wondering. I think back to the movie Crazy, Sexy, Cancer, and remember a line that was something like "It feels like I'm pushing damaged goods." That really is what I think I'm going to feel like, at least initially, once I feel healthy enough to pursue a romantic relationship.
I thought to myself, what if the tables were turned?
If I was healthy, and a guy told me he had cancer, would I still date him? Absolutely. If he was missing organs, could I still fall in love? Certainly. Could I look past scars, medical treatment, and infertility? Without a doubt.
Why do I feel like I deserve any less?
It's a bizarre thing.
I will say this much, though . . . getting up on stage and singing karaoke made me feel like myself for the first time in as long as I can remember. It was awesome.
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| Homemade Auction to benefit uninsured cancer patient |
[28 Nov 2009|10:38pm] |
Greetings, all!
If you're doing Christmas shopping this weekend, please stop by the ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) supportstacie Homemade Auction Here! The auction benefits an uninsured cancer patient, ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) truelovepooh, who was diagnosed in March 2007 with Stage III Ovarian and Breast Cancer. You can read about her story HERE.
The auction is open until 6:00pm CST (-6 GMT) tomorrow. Items up for bid include LJ layouts and graphics, Christmas ornaments, decor, clothing and more! There is no minimum bid requirement for the auction items (with the exception of the Angel ornaments, which are being sold for a set price). This is a great opportunity to get gifts for fandom friends, as we guarantee internet anonymity for both the giver and recipient.
You have to register for the board in order to bid, but it's an easy process. The FAQ thread is Here if you have any questions.
There is also a discussion forum up where you can start your own threads for fandom or RL talk, or share your own cancer stories.
Please spread the word!
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| Medications? |
[22 Nov 2009|08:27pm] |
I was just wondering what are some effective combinations of medications to help with the nausea and vomiting that chemotherapy brings along. On Thursday, my mom's going to get her 4th cycle of Cytoxan for her stage 4 breast cancer. Her tumor has responded extremely well thus far, but the effects of the chemotherapy on my mom are brutal! Some days, it's so bad where she can't even walk up the stairs. Sometimes she doesn't eat for a couple of days (but still drinks liquid) and vomits clear liquid. Anyways, I feel horrible for her.
The medicines she's taking:
Percocet
Oxycontin
Zofran
Prochlorperazine
Duragestic Pain Patch
Colace
So what medications do you think helped you most during chemotherapy?
Keep in mind that we don't have health insurance, so I would prefer if it was something that wasn't too expensive. She just wants to ask her her doctor about possibly changing some of the medications to make things easier for her.
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