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serenity11's avatar
serenity11
Member
14 years ago

And so it begins

I am 46 and was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer on 28 March 2012. Saw the surgeon on 5 April 2012, lumpectomy on 10 April 2012 with 0/8 nodes affected.  However TNBC is aggressive and I had surgery for a port and was into chemotherapy on 26 April 2012.

4 sessions of epiruibin and cyclophosphamide followed by 12 sessions of taxol and 6 session of radiation.

Very confronting  for someone who is rarely sick.  I now know I am highly reactive to steroids and have spent te last 7 days numb from the inside out.  However today I am edging toward normal.  

My next session is 5 days away. A bit scary, but doable. My oncologist tells me that the next 16 sessions of chemo and 6 sessions of radiation  will give me 25 years of life. I will work with this thought.

2 Replies

  • Pip45's avatar
    Pip45
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Serenity11,

    My first chemo was terrible also , I remember ringing the chemo nurse after hours to get some advice on the naseua , i was trying to hold back the tears whilst talking to her and i remember saying to her " i don't think i can do this" and i am now having my last chemo tommorow ,for me each chemo got easier ,i hope its the same for you.. 

    take care and remember this is only temporary !!

    paula xx

  • serenity11's avatar
    serenity11
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Michelle

     

    My first cocktail of Epiruibicin and Cyclo...  is fortnightly for four sessions.  Followed by Taxol weekly for 12 sessions.  Followed by radiation for 6.  I have been advised that this misture will put me into menopause, just another challenge.   My chemo days are Thursday at the HOCA Mater.  My breast care is through the Mater Breast Clinic in Brisbane.

    I believe that wellness is a great place to start.  The first  five days after chemo were rough - the side effects were more than expected.  But I am now back to 90% the past 2 days and can see me getting through the next session.  If you had asked me in the middle of the rough patch I would have said "no way  am I doing this again" partly because I have been so rarely ill it was more mentally challenging to accept I cannot control it all.  Talking it through on the bad days gives perspective on the good.

    Hugs and best wishes for you on Thursday.  Remember how you feel now, your aim is to get back here in 20 weeks.  Be gentle on yourself in the first week and let the people around you love you and care for you.