MY MAMA

[nandbsmom]

  So worried about my mama she was diagnosed with breast cancer in Nov 2011, she had a lumpectomy to remove the 2 lumps and 2 lymph nodes in Dec 2011.  They got all the cancer and the lymph nodes came back negative which is great!!!

  Her cancer came back HER2/NEU POSITIVE so now she will have to take chemo, radiation and Herceptin.  She goes tomorrow to have her port put in and will have her first treatment on Feb 7th.  The drugs she will be taking are Taxotere/Docetaxel, Cytoxan/Cyclophosphamide, and the Herceptin. 

  My mama is 68 years old and a type 2 diabetic, so her health already isn't the greatest.  Would love to hear from any of you ladies who can tell me anything about any of these treatments.  I'm worried sick about her and don't really think she understands all shes fixing to go through.

 

[nandbsmom]

BUMP!

[nandbsmom]

BUMP!

[blessedwitluv]

I just found out I have breast cancer, and I'm pregnant. Had a bilateral mastectomy Jan. 13th....I don't know much to say to help....but I wish her the best!

[Specialk3190]

I was fortunate in that I was her2 neu negative. I had bilateral mastectomies with reconstruction. No Chemo and no radiation. This whole process is big and can be overwhelming. Maybe it is good that she doesn't have a complet understanding of what she will be going through. Sometimes it is easier to just take each thing as it comes...if we look at the big picture and anticipate how bad it is going to be it just takes away the appreciation of the present moment. Maybe your mother does have a better understanding then you think, but her way of coping is not to project. One day at a time...one minute at a time...one symptom at a time. In other word she will cross each bridge as she comes to it. I wish her good luck with her treatments. It sounds like she is fortunate enough to have a daughter who will be able to support her through the challenges that she will be facing!

[jenny001]

Specialk3190 said it perfectly.  It may be a bumpy road ahead but is she knows or even thinks about what symptoms she might have - it will make the whole journey harder.

One day at a time, one minute at a time, one symptom at a time.... indeed!  So true.  As hard as it is both you and she need to try to keep a good attitude.  Attitude is everything.    Don't keep yourself cooped up inside, even though she may feel sick.  Just go to the door, step outside, look around and take some deep breathes. It helps so much.

Be there for her - she will tell you what she needs.  She is fortunately to have you to support her and we will support you, as well as your Mom - every step of the way!

The road may be tough but we are Survivors!

God Bless you Both !

[GrandmaX10]

I am 62 and was also diagnosed with breast cancer in November. However, mine was not the Her2. It was also not in my lymph nodes.
I just had my first Chemo treatment and it was Taxotere and Cytoxan. It was not so bad. They gave me some steroid pills to take the day before, the day of, and the day after. And, I had some anti nausea medicine ready if I needed it.
I was very nervous also, but felt fine until the third day. Then I was very fatigued, and just didn't feel good.
I never actually got sick, but food just didn't appeal to me. It lasted for three more days and then I started to feel better. I also have Type 2 Diabetes that is controlled with medication. Your mom is getting a lot more chemo than I did, but hopefully she will have as good of results. The good news is that it wasn't in her lymph nodes. Now, she will just be going through all of this to make sure it doesn't go further.
She is lucky to have you to help her go through it. I have 2 daughters, 2 sons, a loving husband, and many others who are there for me, so I feel very blessed. Good luck to you both.
Hope this was helpful.

[hopealways4019]

My son don't have breast cancer, he has leukemia. He has a port in his chest, getting chemo everyweek through it. He also have spinal taps, where they take fluid from is spine to test, and put chemo med in spine. He in remission, responding to Treatment for well. Guess each person is different, depends on age, type of cancer. Hope mother beat cancer! Prayers!