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Diagnosed, double mastectomy and chemo

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Posted 8/7/2006 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi my name is Tiphanie I am new to the breast cancer forum but I have been posting on the MS forum for a couple months now.  I have just recently been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and immediately had a double mastectomy along with tumors in my stomach and kidney removed which also were cancerous.  I also have tumors in my brain along with suspected MS.  The cancer has also spread to my lymph nodes.  I have so many questions and fears.  I have been receiving treatment at the Mayo in Scotsdale but I am home until Tuesday when I will go back to the Mayo. 

I have had two weeks of chemo but had them stop it because it was making me so sick.  Is there any meds that any of you know about that I should ask my doctors about that would help with the nausea, vomiting and pain after chemo?  I don't want to stop the chemo but I don't want to feel like that and then not even know for sure that it is going to work.  I would much rather off spend the time with my family.  Another question that I have is from anyones experiance can treatment be successful with breast cancer this far advanced or am I hoping for nothing?  When I return to Mayo my doctors are going to tell me of others treatment options available and try to come up with a treatment plan.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Tiphanie

Posted 8/7/2006 3:25 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Tiphanie! Welcome to our board. It sounds as though you have a full plate to deal w/ right now. I am so sorry.

 First off, you need to talk to your onco about premeds before they give you the chemo. There are usually different types of premeds they give for individual types of chemo. These premeds may not take away all of the symptoms but they help minimize them. Also, talk to him/her about meds you can take once you get home. I am sure that they will want to be very careful that the meds they prescribe don't interfer w/ other meds that you are taking for the MS and your other health problems. If you aren't happy w/ the answers that you receive, then seek a 2nd and even 3rd opinion. Are they just treating you for the bc or the other areas where cancer showed up?

I had stage IV bc,(recurrance) w/ mets to the bone. I had already had a mastectomy, chemo and radiation before the recurrance. I can tell you that it can be beat. I was on weekly chemo for 26 months and then received an "all clear". I still take monthly chemo as a preventative measure. Don't ever give up hope. There are new treatments being announce almost every day. Hope, along w/ laughter and lots of support, will help you get thru this.

My suggestion would be for you to write down any and all questions that you want answered, no matter how silly they sound before you go back for your next appt. Take someone w/ you as well as a tape recorder, if you have it. Get the answers to your questions. Make sure that your onco talks in terms that YOU can understand. Don't be afraid to question his answers. Tell him that you want the truth. Ask about any clincial trials that you might qualify for. Just be proactive when it comes to your health care.

Please let us know what you find out tomorrow. We are here for you.

Hugs...Deb

Posted 8/8/2006 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Tiphanie

Iam so sorry to hear about all that you are going through, but Im glad that you found this site. We have a wonderful group of ladies that have been or are going thru similar battles.

Whatever you do don't quit your chemo treatments ask for more drugs to help with the nausea. I had 3 different drugs to use and never did get very sick to my stomach. Please don't give up either we have many women that have been told they had very little chance of making it and they are still here. The best way to beat this is to fight and keep a good attitude.

Pleas keep us posted, we care!

L&H
Bernadette
Posted 8/9/2006 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tiphanie, I have Metastatic breast cancer also...I am sorry you are having such a rough time ! Please know that I/we understand and want to be here to help you ....about the nausea..I take Zofran (8mg) 3 times a day. It is VERY expensive but it is only thing that helps my nausea. For the pain I take oxycontin around the clock and oxycodone for the breakthrough pain. Check with your Dr. and he should work with you to make you comfortable....

Hugs

Cathi
Posted 8/9/2006 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tiphanie:

I did not have Metastatic breast cancer but I know many of the ladies here will be able to help you. I am so sorry for all your troubles. I am very glad that you found us though. We will be with you through every step of your journey. Hang in there.

Prayers,

Candy
Posted 8/10/2006 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Tiphanie,

 

Just wanted to welcome you here and say that I'm sorry about what you are going through.  We are here for you every step of the way.  Don't give up and try as hard as you can to remain positive.  It makes all the difference in the world.

 

I had some nausea with chemo, but the meds helped.  Unfortunately, thanks to chemo brain, I can't remember right now what I took.  LOL  I know they gave me a prescription for Marinol that I never had filled.  Compazine - that's what it was.  I took it for about 3 days following each chemo. 

 

Keep us posted.

Posted 8/10/2006 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Tiphanie,
Bless your heart! You are going through more than I can imagine!

One peice of advice that got me through chemo was to take ambien, because you won't feel sick if you are asleep... it worked for me especially for the hours right after I got chemo. I had nausea meds and they helped, but in retrospect I feel I would not have had so much trouble if I had not been so constipated!! I've had slow bowels even before BC! I still deal with nausea from my antidepressant, Effexor, and the nausea is worse if my bowels are full of crap!! I know the chemo nurses really stressed drinking lots of water to flush the chemo out... so why not get it out of the colon, too!
There are other sleep aids, too, but ambien is the only one I have tried and it does not make me feel groggy the next morning!!! I still take ambien when I cannot sleep.(due to syptoms from the insomnia that is a result of bipolar type II depression)
I have learned so much since my dx, but I do worry about a reoccurrence! However, I did read that there is percentage of stage 4 BC survivors that do go into remission! That gave me hope and I worry less now. I am only 34 and my son is 12... And I have 3 stepsons so I am planning on sticking around. I am glad you found this website, because these women are amazing!
Karen in North Idaho
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