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Jana
Hi, my name is Jana...I found a small 2cm lump in my right breast on December 5, 2004. I immediately called my physician and he set me up to see my surgeon, a mammogram, and an ultra sound. I was also having drainage from the nipple, which is called Padget's Disease.
December 9, 2004 I had the ultra sound, mammogram and saw the surgeon. December 10, 2004 the surgeon called me to come in and talk to him, that I needed to have a biopsy done. December 16, I checked into the hospital for the biopsy.
December 17, the surgeon called with the news that it was malignant, and I would have to have a lumpectomy done. December 20, I had the lumpectomy to remove the tumor and to put in a medaport. At that time there were no signs of IBC. I would have to have chemo and radiation, but would be able to save my breast.
January 6, 2005 I saw an oncologist and she noticed some inflammation on my breast, and wanted more breast tissue removed. Sooo back into surgery I went again. They found what is called DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ)which meant I had non-invasive cancer cells throughout my breast. At this time I was told I would need a bi-lateral mastectomy.
January 19, 2005 I saw a general surgeon, plastic surgeon and oncologist in a larger town from mine. They all suggested I just have the one breast removed, that chances were slim that I would have cancer in the other breast. During another ultra sound, yet another lump was found in the same breast, being 1cm.
All of the scans done to see if the cancer had spread were all negative. It was contained in the one breast. It was Her2neu positive IBC...the oncologist said was a very agressive cancer and had to be treated agressively.
I would have to have chemotherapy before anymore surgery was done.
February 4, 2004 I started chemo taking Adriamycin/Cytoxin with a treatment every 3 weeks for 4 treatments. I was one of the lucky few...it never made me sick to the extent that I had to be hospitalized. I had a couple of bouts with nausea but nothing major. The biggest thing was 13 days after my first treatment, I started losing my hair.
My last treatment of these drugs was April 29 and on May 20, I started with Taxotere. These too, were every 3 weeks for 4 treatments. I finished with my last treatment on July 1, 2005.
July 25, 2005, I had a radical mastectomy done. The next week the surgeon told me I was cancer FREE and there was no cancer in the lymph nodes.
I started radiation on August 30, 2005 and had 33 treatments, ending on Oct 14, 2005. That was a rough 33 days, but if it helped then ones I endured with great joy.
I am now taking Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. I can see an end to this tunnel finally and I thank GOD everyday for my life and for the support of my husband, who was and is my rock!! For the support of my children, grandchildren, church and especially for God's help in seeing me thru the good and the bad times. I should finish my herceptin treatments in late October.
There is a lot that I still don't understand...I was the first in my family to ever have breast cancer, and hopefully the last. But I have had a few friends that have or have had the same as mine, but did not have to have mastectomies. This is the part I am having a problem understanding. But I will continue to live on and be a positive influence to my family and friends.
Anyone can write to me at:
jana75455@earthlink.net
May God Bless You all who are going thru this!!
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