Re: CMF chemo

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Joan Kaapke - 17 Sep 2004 16:59 GMT

Thanks to Barb and Jo for the encouragement. I am feeling much better today
and blood pressure is normal again. So far no nausea. I guess I will
inquire about having the port installed. I talked with a woman there in
treatment who had one, and she said it was a bit painful at first, but was
so much better than all the pokes. I did get one on the back of the hand;
very painful and it did not work, so the inside of the wrist was finally
used. I have a large green lump on the back of the hand now. I put ice on
it to reduce the swelling.

There were four women in the room getting their IV's started when I was
there. One of them was crying, but she was speaking Spanish while sobbing,
so I did not understand why. It was a bit upsetting, though.

I went for my checkup with my radiation oncologist Wednesday. In contrast,
it is such a happy place to go. Everyone came out to greet me, as well as
some of the patients there. My doctor said I looked just great, and joked
that I could continue my topless dancing now. I really love her; she is so
sweet and funny.
She said to call her if I have any problems during chemo, or for anything at
all.

Sending good wishes to you all,

Joan

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Joan Kaapke - 17 Sep 2004 22:28 GMT

Thanks to Kathleen and Judy for your encouraging information. Because I am
74, and feeling just great now, I am wondering if I really need to do chemo,
because of all the side effects it can cause. This is the first day after
the ordeal of yesterday, and I have no nausea or fatigue. However, I am
told the port would be inserted as an out-patient, so assume that means no
anesthetic. I was not given the option of pills; just the IV for 8
treatments (about 6 months).

I had terrible pain with the needle biopsy which was so deep; then there
were the painful needles used for the sentinel biopsy, which included a
4-hour stay in the nuclear section. There was also the wire locator thing.
After the lumpectomy I had a large and very painful hematoma, plus swelling
and pain at the drain site, so I really want to keep feeling good again.
The left breast is still so tender I cannot sleep on that side, but is so
much better after the radiation I completed. That was the only positive
thing about it; radiation was a piece of cake, and a lovely, pleasant place
to go.

I understand the reason for the chemo is the two positive lymph nodes. 25
others removed were negative, though. The margins were clear, and the size
of the lesion was .8 cm. It was a calcification. I was ER-

I guess I am being a whiner, but am feeling so good now to have all that
behind me, that I am very reluctant to go through any more painful, possibly
harmful procedures.

Love to all,
Joan

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