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Sue
Hello Everyone,
I have come to this site many times to read inspirations to help me keep fighting this disease. I live in Townsville, Australia. I am happily married with 3 boys, 2 have Autism Spectrum Disorder. Their ages are 8, 11 and 16.
In March 2003 I had a trauma. I fell over in a shopping centre and was sent home by the doctors. For 18 months I suffered with excessive pain and eventually I could not walk 100 metres. I drank excessively and popped pain killers. The doctors would not listen to me and labelled me a hypochondriac.
Around August 2004 I flew to another state and saw a neurosurgeon who found the problem on my L5/S1 and was admitted in for a spinal fusion in November 2004. I finally thought I got my life back. In March I had seen a doctor who gave me a medical clearance, and I returned to work. I returned to her office within 6 weeks finding this lump in the shower.
In June 2005 age 35 I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Cell Carcinoma Stage 2 at 2cm. I went in to surgery and came out with a small scar and was told 2 of 13 Lymph Nodes involved. I had 2 cycles of Fec 100. Lost my hair, put on weight from the steroids and had great difficulty functioning with my two special needs children.
I went on the net and began researching diets, alternative treatments and ways to fight a recurrence. Everything I thought was going well. My hair had grown back, I was glowing. Then in March this year (2006), I returned to my GP who had arranged a mammogram and ultrasound to tell me nothing had shown on the scans that I am suffering from depression and that I need to be prescribed anti depressants. I refused and told him I am not depressed that the way I was feeling was how I felt when I had the cancer the first time.
I went home and within a few weeks changes started to take place in my aereola. The skin thickened, and I returned to my GP whom suggested I return to see the surgeon. On doing this, the surgeon said he has never seen anything like it in 35 years as a surgeon. He said I must have hit it or been stung by an insect and sent me away. Told me to come back in 4 weeks time.
I left and returned 2 weeks later as it was nearly half way up my aereola. He sent me away again. The third visit I demanded a PET scan and told him that researching the internet I believe I have inflammatory cancer. He organised an MRI instead and another ultrasound and biopsy if required.
After these scans I was told by the doctor who was doing the biopsy it is very hard to do one as I had calcification, thickening and 2 axillary nodes and it was not sure where he would take the sample. We agreed to take the axillary nodes.
10 days later I was back in the surgeon's office and referrals made to the Cancer Centre. Here I did 4 FAC and 2 TAC but the cancer was still growing. In my best interest I was sent to have surgery.
The surgeon whom I am seeing could not operate as the extent of the spread so I was sent to do 25 cycles of Radiation Treatment. I have 2 visits left. My breast has ballooned and the pain in the axillary nodes are at times unbearable.
I am scheduled to see the surgeon again 11 December 2006 with surgery following mid January. I have been told I will be having a radical mastectomy with plastic surgery.
The doctors at the cancer centre have told me that it's not a matter of cure but prolonging my life. I at times feel angry, sad and ask why? I go to spiritual church every Sunday and get my inspirations from there.
I am putting together 3 scrapbooks for my boys. One each to remember me by. I pray and hope I am around to see them all grow up. I have been told to set small goals every 2 years. I have started.
Is there anyone out there who has been through similiar issues in life?
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April 2007 Update
I want to let you all know that I have finished all the treatment the doctors over here at the Cancer Centre can give me. I still live in Townsville, Australia. I had my dual mastectomy on 18th January 2007. It's now 18 weeks since my breasts were removed. No plastic surgery was needed. I donated my breasts to Australian Cancer Research. It was good to know that they can make use of the tissue but not good for me to be told that the cancer was resilient to chemo and radiation. I am happy just knowing that hopefully one day women will never have to go through what all of us women are going through today.
I decided not to have reconstructive surgery. I am happy being flat chested. I am still feeling very exhausted and some days are better than others. I have managed to get my business back on the road. I am a dog nanny. My husband does not understand why I just can't sit around. I find that when I have an active mind I then don't have time to sit and feel sorry for myself. Getting out and about also is helping me to shed those unwanted kilos which research recently says increases the levels of oestrogen in the body. I will never be a size 10 but overall I want to improve my looks knowing that I have tried and a sign of better/good times.
My 3 boys are showing no depression and are still coping fine at school. My husband still does what he does best and sometimes I wish that he would notice me a little more and tell me he loves me and give me that hug every now and again. I do know he loves me, but it's those little things that mean alot. My mum and I are still best friends, and it's strange that I have made a few new friends in the last 6 months. I want to thank them, 'Wendy and Cherie' for being my friends and being a part of my life.
I do feel angry at times knowing that I go to the oncology ward and see the doctor to be asked if any lumps and bumps. Then I say no, well I'll see you in 4 months. I ask if there is any blood tests or scans they can do, and I get told no that no test will show anything unless I have symptoms. This is basically telling me that the system has given up on me, and they are waiting for me to have another recurrence. I am fighting for my health, growing old with my husband and seeing my children grow up and move out of home. I plan to live in the bush if I make it.
I still get told that having surgery only slows down the process and buys me time. Prior to surgery I started taking A.F.A capsules (blue green algae) which are noted on building up the immune system. Many people who meet me think I look too healthy, and I put it down to the A.F.A capsules. From what I have researched that this algae contains every vitamin, mineral and trace elements the body needs for health. I will continue taking them and swear by them for my glowing skin. I also only use olive oil for all our cooking needs and avoid soy milk, sugar and only limit my daily intake of 2 cups of coffee. My diet now caters for fruit and veges and lots of water.
To beat this disease I find that diet, lifestyle and stress all contribute to the rate of how fast it will return. Best wishes and God Bless you.
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