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Did you do monthly exams on a regular basis?
How did you find your lump?
What did the lump feel like?
If they got all the cancer with the lumpectomy, why did you need chemotherapy?
What does chemo feel like?
What side effects did you have with the chemo?
Who took care of you during this time?
Who took care of Cassie?
What was radiation like?
Did you work during treatment?
How often are they going to ask you to come in for checkups?
My great grandmother (my father's paternal grandmother) died of breast cancer way back in the 1940s. My doctors tell me that she is too far removed to consider my case hereditary. No other female relative has had Breast Cancer.
Did you do monthly exams on a regular basis?
Yes and no. I would check while in the shower on an occasional basis, but nothing I would call 'regular' . You can bet that I do now!!
How did you find your lump?
I was looking in the mirror when something seemed to almost jump out at me. I really dont know any other way to describe it other than to say that something just didnt look 'right'. I read in People magazine that Oliva Newton John and Peggy Flemming also discovered lumps in the same manner.
What did your lump feel like?
I guess i could best describe it by saying it was like a superball, the kind you get in a gumball machine. It was about that size and texture. It didnt hurt at all. It did move which a nurse told me was a sign that it was not cancer.
If they got all the cancer with the lumpectomy, why did you need chemotherapy?
I struggled long and hard with this one. It was my primary motivation to go to the University of Chicago for a second opinion. In the end I had the opinion of my surgeon, my oncologist, the doctor at U of C, and the oncology board at U of C all saying that this was what I needed to do. I sought the Lord on this as well. As the Apostle Paul says, "Let every word be established in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses.
They based their decison on the grade of the cancer (3...the most agressive) and the size of the tumor (2 cm). There was also the posibility that there was some cancer that was not visible to anyone yet. My Dad gave me the most comfort when he said (as only a wrestleing coach could), "We are gonna kick this things ugly butt"
What does chemo feel like?
There is of course the slight pressure of putting the needle into the port. For three of my treatments I rubbed a clear jelly the hospital gave me (forgive me for forgetting the name) over the port to numb my skin. I found this didnt make too big a difference. I had a double port (2 compartments) there was only one side that actually worked so I would usually endure a few pokes trying to find which side worked (I never remembered which side and neither did my nurses) Really this wasnt that big a deal.
The Oncology Clinic at Lakeland Medical Center consisted of three rooms filled with recliners and small portable televisions. Once the IV was in I would settle back get comfortable and watch Little House on the Prarie re-runs on the superstation. I also did a lot of reading and read the Left Behind series of books.
The Cytoxin was admistered through a large syringe into the IV line. The nurse not only wears gloves to inject it, but a plastic overcoat and protective glasses. I always joked that they were giving me nuclear waste. I half expected to see Homer Simpson lurking in the corner with a glowing piece of metal. *S*
I felt a very odd tingle in my fingers and toes when the Cytoxin was going in. I learned to drink a lot of water while they were giving me the injection. The first time it was such a shock that my mom thought I was in extereme pain from the look on my face. I am sure it was nerves.
The last immediate feeling I had during the actual treatment was a sinus like headache. The kind that feels like someone came in filled your sinus cavity with cement. This usually lasted during the last hour or so of treatment and for an hour or so afterwards (the whole process took approximately 3 hours) I usually felt good enough to eat a normal lunch and dinner on the days i got my chemo.
What side effects did you experience?
The most obvious (and in my opinion worst) side effect was the loss of my hair. I lost all my hair with the exception of a few eye lashes and part of my eyebrows. The hair began to fall out 15 days after my first treatment and began to grow back about 4 weeks after my last treatment.
Vomiting: My sister told me she would rather lose her hair than vomit. Regardless, I was only sick 3 times. Once during each cycle of chemo. The first two cycles it was whatever I had for dinner on the second day after treatment. By the third cycle I thought i would outsmart my body and not eat...I still had a problem keeping Fresca down. The last cycle was vomit free *S*
Dry/Itchy/Allergy Eyes: I have worn disposable contacts for over 10 years. For a few days in my second cycle of chemo I felt like I was looking at the world from behind a white lace curtain. I took out my contacts and switched to my glasses and my eyes began to water. My eye doctor switched me to a daily wear, one-use contact lens. I had no more problems with my eyes.
Trouble Swallowing: To me this was the most bizzare side effect . My doctor seemed to think it was a sign of dehydration and I found it was not as bad on the last cycle when i drank lots of liquids.
Fatigue: I slept a LOT. Before this all happened I was one of those people who couldnt stand to sleep in (you miss the best part of the day). Not only did I take frequent naps, I could sleep up to 12 hours at a time. On the second day of each treatment I would sleep for and hour or two, be up for an hour all day. As I write this 3 months after my last chemo, I find that I am still sleeping a lot.
When something important was happening (like my friend Jenny's wedding) I made myself sleep and rest up so that I would have enough energy to do what was really important.
Who took care of you during this time?
I stayed with my parents from the first surgery (January 8) until Mid-May. I cant even express in words how wonderful they were to me during this time. It was wonderful to not have to cook unless I wanted to, and just have someone there when I wasnt feeling well. Besides a deeper love and appreciation for Jesus, the best part about getting sick was how close this brought me to my mom and dad.
I did keep up the rent on my little beach house. Could never let that go!
Who took care of Cassie?
It seems that everyone wanted to know what Cassie, my 9 year old Golden Retriever, did durning this time. She was with me the entire time, sleeping at my feet and laying paws on me. Next me, "Grandma and Grandpa" are her favorite people. She loves their fenced in back yard and had a great time digging holes for Grandpa to plant trees in.(unfortunately they werent in places he wanted to plant trees)
What was radiation therapy like?
To answer simply, a piece of cake. Really it consisted of nothing more than laying on a table while a large machine buzzes for a minute or so. There wasnt any pain and the only side effect I had was dry skin..something like a sun burn but with no pain. They gave me a product called Aquaphor which kept my skin fairly soft.
Did you work during treatment?
I work for Whirlpool Corporation and they were WONDERFUL to me during this time. I was put on short term disability which gave me the flexibility to work when I could and stay home on the days when I felt sick. For the most part I worked half days.
My co-workers and boss were more than supportive. Everyone had a genuine concern for my health and urged me not to come back until I was up to it. I am really happy to be part of such a great team!