My story
I have had a cyst in my right breast since I was in my late teens and had always been told not to worry about it's just a cyst, never the less I always checked it and when I reached 38 I requested a mammogram. Was told it was still a cyst. December 2008 just after xmas I noticed the cyst was bigger and it was tender.
I was sent for a mammagram but couldn't get in until January 8th, after the mammagram I was taken for an ultrasound and then next thing I knew I was having a CT scan followed by a core biopsy. When they had finished that I was told to see my doctor next day a appointment had been made for me.
That was when we were told the cyst had turned into cancer. There was also some spots on my lungs. Breast Surgeon wouldn't operate or do anything until he knew what the lungs were showing. I had to have surgery to get a biopsy of the lungs which they found was also breast cancer.
I was told that I was Her2+ and ER+ 10% PR+ which made me incureable but treatable. That was devasting news more so for my husband than me I guess, I just knew I had a fight on my hands.
Fortunately for me I started taking Femara and then Herceptin which after 4 months put me into remission but I still have to take the pills and travel for Herceptin infusion every 3 weeks. Luckily I can have one treatment at our local hospital which is 20 minutes away and then the following treatment I have to travel to Adelaide to see my oncolgist.
The side effects are the hardest part of the cancer to deal with, the aches and pains and fatigue not to mention the hot flushes. Then there is the way other people treat you, some stay away from you as they don't know what to say or do, some treat you as if your going to die today and others treat you as if there is nothing wrong with you it's just not happening which is sort of better but when your tired and aching its hard to explain to them.
Member blog
Good News
Well I got the results after all those tests I had done and every thing is stable and the tumor in my right breast has shrunk a little bit so we are extremely happy about that. The oncologist is so pleased with me that I can now wait 8 weeks instead of 6 weeks before seeing her again which is great for me especially as now that I have all my treatment locally I don't have the travelling I used to.
I still carry on with the treatment plan I had as my oncologist said if it's working don't change it, so every 3 weeks off I go to our local hospital for my Herceptin.
another year another round
Hi all Hope everything is going well so far this year.
Back agian
here I am again and not much has changed, I am still getting the hot flushes, fatigue, joint pain, depression and now the weight gain seems uncontrollable.
time flies
Wow how fast time has gone by. It has been quite some time since I have written anything. Having Herceptin infusion every three weeks seems to make time fly so much faster as you no sooner recover from one infusion and then its time for another and another month has gone.
Most things are still the same as before still aching and the cold weather isn't kind on the joints! My tumor markers went up and up for awhile so had another ct scan but all is ok thankfully. Everything else is stable and the onc. is happy with that.
Sue
still going
Well I am now into my 3rd year of this journey and not much has changed I am still scared about the future the body is still tired and aching. The only thing is now I know the treatment and I have accepted the disruption to my life.
