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Rosemarie's avatar
Rosemarie
Member
12 years ago

Advice regarding chemotherapy, oophrectomy and tamoxifen

I don't know where to begin. My head is a mess. Gr II IDC, mastectomy 4/3/14, reconstruction with enlarger and axillary node clearance 7/3/14. Pathology came back: micromets in sentinel node. So 19 nodes clear. Today the suggested treatment is as follows: chemotherapy, oophrectomy, Tamoxifen. My head is spinning. I am 43, have 3 children (5,7,10). 7 year old has cerebral palsy. Wonderful husband. I don't know if I have the strength to do this. Has anyone out there found themselves with a similar situation? It seems so overwhelming. Warmest regards, Rose

6 Replies

  • Rosemarie's avatar
    Rosemarie
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Deanne Apologies for delayed response. You are so lovely and encouraging. Having second chemo tomorrow. I'm having TC. I was terribly unwell for about 7 days afterwards. Did not pick up until day 7-8. Went into severe fluid retention and had to have fluid drained out of expander by surgeon on Day 4. I thought it was going to burst out of my chest. Tongue very sore and furry. Groins swollen, lots of loose bowel movements. It felt as if I spent so much of my energy trying to alleviate every effect it threw at me. But then I picked up and actually managed to do stinky bit of work. I have had 2 dexamethasone today and don't know if its my imagination, but my tongue feels worse. Ugh! Not much taste happening anyway. Having head shaved was harder to me than mastectomy. I guess having the tissue expander in there helps? It has been one hell of a ride. I have called in all the help I can get next week for school drop offs and after school play dates. The freezer is full of food thanks to the wonderful community we live in. I'm just getting school uniforms ready for next week and then, well who knows how much sleep I'll get? You sound lovely and you help so many here on BCNA. Warmest regards Rosemarie
  • Rosemarie's avatar
    Rosemarie
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Deanne Apologies for delayed response. You are so lovely and encouraging. Having second chemo tomorrow. I'm having TC. I was terribly unwell for about 7 days afterwards. Did not pick up until day 7-8. Went into severe fluid retention and had to have fluid drained out of expander by surgeon on Day 4. I thought it was going to burst out of my chest. Tongue very sore and furry. Groins swollen, lots of loose bowel movements. It felt as if I spent so much of my energy trying to alleviate every effect it threw at me. But then I picked up and actually managed to do stinky bit of work. I have had 2 dexamethasone today and don't know if its my imagination, but my tongue feels worse. Ugh! Not much taste happening anyway. Having head shaved was harder to me than mastectomy. I guess having the tissue expander in there helps? It has been one hell of a ride. I have called in all the help I can get next week for school drop offs and after school play dates. The freezer is full of food thanks to the wonderful community we live in. I'm just getting school uniforms ready for next week and then, well who knows how much sleep I'll get? You sound lovely and you help so many here on BCNA. Warmest regards Rosemarie
  • Kerryo's avatar
    Kerryo
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hey good luck for tomorrow Rose,

    just a quicky about your ovary issue - I dont mean to be flip about this because it is such an terrible predicament to be in.... however, I am a firm beliver in "if you don't need them and they are going to kill you - lose them" - this applies to boobs (and in some cases men) and it can also apply to ovaries.  If you want to have more children talk to someone about freezing eggs otherwise, in my opinion, do what is going to give you peaceful sleep knowing you have done everything to eliminate the potential for mets. Hugs K.

  • jenpen's avatar
    jenpen
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Rose

    It is a tough gig for sure to be told you have cancer, go through all the treatments & try to keep it all together for your family!

    I had mastectomy in Oct, finished chemo in Jan & now on tamoxifen (check out my blogs if you want to know more)......some days are really tough & I especially found my mood was just awful! I am normally pretty strong but this really tested me .....I was also dealing with my Mums death 2 days after I was diagnosed.

    I have to say how great to have the support of this forum....other ladies who totally understand what you are going through!  And surprisingly you will get through it......sending you cyber hugs, Jen x

  • jenpen's avatar
    jenpen
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Rose

    It is a tough gig for sure to be told you have cancer, go through all the treatments & try to keep it all together for your family!

    I had mastectomy in Oct, finished chemo in Jan & now on tamoxifen (check out my blogs if you want to know more)......some days are really tough & I especially found my mood was just awful! I am normally pretty strong but this really tested me .....I was also dealing with my Mums death 2 days after I was diagnosed.

    I have to say how great to have the support of this forum....other ladies who totally understand what you are going through!  And surprisingly you will get through it......sending you cyber hugs, Jen x

  • Kerryo's avatar
    Kerryo
    Member
    12 years ago

    everytime I read a new story I feel sad. I am sad that you and your family and friends have to go through this. I am 47 and had a grade 3 stage 3a tumour I had a mastectomy in July followed by chemo and radiotherapy - the whole thing sucked. All I can suggest is that you take one day at a time and anytime you feel low make yourself do something to make you feel happy, even if you "silly dance" with your kids or bake some cupcakes - anything to make you feel normal for a while. You will have days when you feel fine - normally the 4-5 days before your next chemo treatment so make hay while the sun shines.   Radiotheray will make you fatigued ( - differnt to tired) so take all the help you can get.  Janet is right if you want to wear a wig - get one. I only wore hats and there are sites who deliver quickly and have a good selection.  Life will go on and you have to let it  - just believe you will get through this because the alternative is simply unacceptable. Kerry