Forum Discussion
"Again Really. Why"
It's hard to believe but here I am again blogging as I have had a return of Breast Cancer. Did not see that coming. Thought I had gotten rid of this gremlin but here it is again. Did everything asked of me only two years ago when first diagnosed by having lumpectomy, chemo and radiation and now only 18 months later from completing all of it do I find myself here again.
I have asked myself many times over why me but I can't find the answer to that so I guess it is why not me.
Just had the all clear in March that everything was good and here I am now in May undergoing chemotherapy again for a nastier form of Breast Cancer which is now in the skin tissue of the same breast the cancer first appeared in. More of an inflammatory breast cancer and is now a complete triple neg I am told. To now we still aren't sure what the outcome will be. Really scared right now.
Completed one cycle of Gem/carbo however WBC has been to low to start second cycle which makes me feel rather vulnerable right now. Emotions are all over the place. Just want to get on with treatment so they can do the mastectomy and so I can have a real chance.
Have been told with this treatment that hair will thin out however after only one cycle completed it seems like I'm losing so much hair daily that I can't see how it's going to stay at all. Don't know whether to cut it off or not. Uugghh. Some many questions but just don't have the answers yet.
Would appreciate any information/advice I can get. Feeling very frustrated. Have to keep writing down questions I have going on in my head for the oncologist to hopefully answer.
I intend to and will fight the good fight again as we all do when this gets us.
Kimee
26 Replies
Sounds wise Kim. I think I would definitely go for the double mastectomy if I were you too. I hope and pray whatever you decide to do, that it all goes well.. Breath deeply and take each day at a time. xx
Thank you Kimee, Scans all done, now to wait for appointment next week for results. I am so glad yu have a wonderful support network. It would make such a difference. Yes One step at a time is the best approach for sure. Take care. Breath deeply. Fight like heck xx
Thanks Liz
I will speak to my oncologist this week about revisiting the Gene Testing as they didn't feel it was necessary to test last time. Now that we're dealing with triple neg and I'm under 50 my Breast Care nurse advises this is normally a red flag for a test. Will happily have double mastectomy regardless as I really don't want to do this again.
Kim
Hi Lovely
Hoping everything went well for you today. My thoughts are with you and they are positive ones.
Best wishes coming your way????
Kimeexx
Hi Kimee
i had 4 sessions of A/C, then 12 sessions of Taxol w 4 sessions of Carbo.
During chemo I had a blood transfusion and many neulasta injections (for white cells). I was OK until I started Taxol w Carbo - my platelets dropped to 50 and I had to miss 3 weeks of treatment. I suffered bad anxiety attacks so totally understand how you feel.
My oncologist assured me I was receiving enough treatment and my cells would recover. They picked up after 3 weeks and I resumed treatment as normal .
I've just had surgery and received the all clear. Missing the chemo was not a drama in the long term.
Main thing is to try not to stress (as this makes everything worse). I know it's really hard and scary. I found meditation, burning essential oils and long slow walks to be helpful.
feel free to ask any questions. Wishing you both all the best xo
Hi Lizzie,
When I first did chemo I was given a drug called neulasta to inject my self with on the days after. It boosts white cell production. It is only approved with certain drugs, but It may be worth asking your oncologist about.
Hugs
Paula xxx
Hi Liz
My oncologist and surgeon guided me on this. There's also a small amount of information on the BCNA website.
My only option was chemo drugs. After 3 sessions of AC, my lump was virtually untraceable . I also have the BRCA 1 gene, so was in the rare and difficult to treat category.
They gave me chemo before surgery to monitor the lump's response. Mastectomy was strongly suggested due to the BRCA gene. I also wanted to do everything possible to limit my chances of a reoccurrence.
Hope this helps xo
Hi Lizzie
I too have read this and been told that triple neg is very responsive to chemo. First my Breast Surgeon told me and since then my Breast Care nurse has also said the same thing. Also think I read it here on BCNA under types of cancers and treatments.
Are any of you going through or have done the Gem/Carbo chemo treatments. I'm really struggling with missing out on my treatment last week do to White Blood Counts being to low. Makes me so anxious. Can't imagine how I will be if they tell me again this week that there still too low for treatment.
First diagnosis was with 4 rounds AC fortnightly followed by 12 Taxol weekly and didn't have any of this problem with White count. We just had to do a transfusion for red early on but it was only a one off.
Kimee
Hi Autore, I too am a triple negative and was wondering where you got the information that it is very responsive to chemo? Was it your oncologist or have you read something. I would be interested in learning more about this.
regards
Liz
Thanks Kimee, 3 more hours and I will be seeing my BS, and thanks to you I will request an immediate biopsy , am so going to take back control of my life/health ..... Have sat here too often on my own scared of all the what ifs , it's just so awfully hard to ask the right questions and request the right tests when you don't know what those questions or tests are ! I will post later how I go , I need to be more assertive that's for sure...... Couldn't help but chuckle at a later reply of yours , I always sing in my head ' I am strong ... I am invincible ?? Wishing you nothing but love and light throughout your treatment ?? ????????????????????????
