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Chemo Damage

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 6/6/2006.I was 33 years old and still young and nieve enough to feel invinsible.I had scoliosis,DDD and a bulging disc at C5-C6 but I just took Ibuprofen and the occasional Hydrocodone.I was a CNA and had a great job doing private duty for 1 really nice guy,I have 2 wonderful kids and am just as in love with my husband as I was when we got married 21 years ago.I learned over the phone that I had breast cancer!!! That should never ever happen,I'm glad I wasn't alone because the first words out of my mouth were "I'm not strong enough".I took a bottle of pills into the laundry room and figured death will come one way or another.Then I came to my senses and I fought.I fought for my babies,I fought for my sanity,for every breath.I had 4 AC treatments followed by 4 Taxotere then 7months of Herceptin.I never knew a human could be so sick and live.My husband spoonfed me milkshakes,my 8 year old son wiped my head with a wet washcloth while I threw up.Sure,it hurt to lose my breasts and to lose my long hair but when I finished treatment was over,there was nothing to celebrate.The chemo had destroyed my body.I was left with congestive heart failure,neuropathy,lymphedema and gained 70 lbs which in turn brought on Diabetes.My teeth crumbled and would just fall out so I had to get dentures.I forget everything and I'm not sure if it's the Tamoxifen or the residual effects of the chemo but I am in constant pain and even though I take high doses of Oxycontin and Dilaudid,it never stops.I'm always tired and spend alot of time in bed.Don't get me wrong,I thank God everyday that I am alive but my quality of life is horrible.I ended up 100% disabled and on Social Security.I really miss working and all of my so-called friends went on without me.I never get phone calls or visits but I'm ok with it because I have my husband and son.My daughter is 19 now and on her own.Oncologists need to understand,it's never over for us and our pain is real.Just because some pill bottle says what side effects we are suppossed to have means nothing.If not for my wonderful pain management Dr,I don't know what I would do.She understands.


This discussion is related to chemo damage.
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492898 tn?1222243598
Tour experience with the oncologist also sounds very bad. First they tell you over the phone? But also, even if it has been four years, I do not understand that they allowed you to be/get that sick and did not try changing the chemo, or adjusting the dose, or trying harder to prevent your nausea?

I know your experience was one women going through chemo had in the past, but these days? I never threw up once, and I know many women also, most actually, who did not.

And on the one chemo I did get really sick from, they immediately terminated it.
With the next one, my oncologist lowered the dose, and my tumor markers still went down nicely and I had hardly any side effects that were beyond tolerable.

Again, I am really sorry for you and your family. kat
Helpful - 0
492898 tn?1222243598
I am sorry your life has been so horribly painful, and I know sometimes it just helps a lot to vent, and to be heard? So, I am glad you did, and I hear you. KAT
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1119363 tn?1330355440
I am so sorry for all you have and continue to go through.  I am also a bc survivor with neuropathy and was very sick from Taxotere and Carboplatin.  I'm still taking Herceptin, Zometa (osteoporosis stdy drug to help prevent breast cancer recurring as bone cancer) and tamoxifen.  I also have scoliosis and disc problems.  So I share some of your experiences, but not all.
I'll watch for your posts and hope to hear how you're doing.  When I was diagnosed, I thought for awhile and created a motto to focus on to get through the rough days.  "Adapt or endure, with laughter."  Some days my smile was barely a grimace, but things are much better now and I pray that your situation will improve.  I am glad that you have a caring, understanding doctor.  It makes such a difference!  
Helpful - 0
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