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May 2004 ... first symptom that something was wrong was shortness of breath but I didn't pay much attention to it. However, it became increasing worse so I made an appointment with my primary physician in June. After a brief exam and discussion, we both thought I may be experiencing stress and anxiety because of my mother's death a few months earlier and the fact that my son was in the military overseas and my concern that he could be deployed. Doctor prescribed Ativan and scheduled further tests in three weeks. The breathing problem became so bad that I returned and a chest X-ray was ordered which showed that my left lung was filled with fluid and had collapsed. CT scan and mammogram were done and showed evidence of cancer in my left breast as well as my left lung and bones. After meeting with a surgeon and oncologist, I had the fluid drained from my left lung. The procedure itself was not bad but experienced intense pain once the lung began to inflate. Surgery was done on July 6 to implant a port-o-cath, a device which makes it easier to receive chemo treatments and have blood drawn for tests. A biopsy was also done on the left breast. Surgery was not difficult and I was able to walk out on my own afterwards and experienced very little pain, just some soreness and a little discomfort. Surgeon's nurse called a few days later and said the biopsy shows I have Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer. This is a Stage IV cancer.
On July 21, I went to the surgeon to finish getting the stitches taken out. He sent me for another lung tap as fluid had begun to build up again and I was having shortness of breath. Not fun. Chemo begins on 7/26.
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The Army flew my son from overseas to be with me during my surgery. He's been away from home for over a year so it's been wonderful to have him here. He took me to all my doctor visits, to my surgery, went for groceries and helped in many ways.
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Picture showing where port-o-cath was placed. The swelling is going down
and it's surprising how quickly you become accustomed to it being there.
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7/24 - preparing for chemo. Cut hair short so I don't have to see large clumps fall out. Also bought a wig so I don't have to go shopping after the fact.
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A prayer sent to me from my brother, Ronald, who is a cancer survivor ...
Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen
to me today that You and I can't handle together.
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7/26/04 - Well, my first chemo session came to a screeching halt shortly after it began. Soon after beginning the first drug (Doxorubicin) my skin felt warm and my body started to itch all over. The nurse said my face was red so they turned the drug off immediately and called the doctor. He told them to administer some benadryl through the IV, which calmed the symptoms. Everyone seemed surprised because they have never seen anyone react to Doxorubicin like this. They took my blood pressure every five minutes for a while and began to administer the second drug, Taxotere, monitoring me closely. They said Taxotere is the drug that causes the most adverse reactions from people, but I handled it okay. Since benadryl seemed to work, they started the Doxorubicin again in a diluted form and at a very slow drip. Will be taking Emend, an anti-nausea pill for a couple of days in addition to dexamethasone.
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My oncologist, Dr. Gregory Formanek. From the first day I met him, he has
been upbeat and positive which gave me the encouragement to go forward with hope. He is willing to take as much time as needed to answer each and every question I may have. If you leave a voice mail for his nurse, he returns the call personally.
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7/27/04 - returned for injection called Neulasta which expands the bone marrow. I will be getting this after every chemo session but they prefer that I learn to do this myself or have my husband help. Also had to go through another CTscan as I was having severe pains in my back and difficulty breathing. Going from one room to another left me gasping for air. Doctor was concerned it could be a blood clot or my lung could have filled with fluid again. No clot, Praise God.
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8/10/04 - Hair has begun to fall out. Was prepared for this but still seems odd so see so much hair come out and realize it won't be growing back any time soon. Small price to pay if the chemo works as we hope. Next treatment is 8/16.
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My chemo nurse, Margaret, getting ready to hook me up. Her personality is as bright as her smile and she tries to make each chemo treatment as easy as possible. Margaret has also had breast cancer and understands exactly what each woman is going through.
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8/16/04 - Second chemo session was much smoother than the first. Benadryl was injected first to prevent any reaction from the Doxorubicin, then Aloxi for nausea. Tolerated both chemo drugs okay. Entire session lasted about four hours which includes taking CBC blood sample to check on white blood count and platelets among others. Because of the procedure of injecting Neulasta 24 hours after chemo, my white blood count was very high, which is good. Hair has pretty much all fallen out with just a few sprigs left. Eyelashes have become thin but not all gone. Zometa will begin with next chemo session to help strengthen my bones. Journal continues ... Page two
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by the/ JavaScript Source
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