Wife just diagnosed ?!?!?

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sue2211
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Postby sue2211 » Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:01 pm

Sammo, I know that being told that your wife has 15 months treatment in front of her is very daunting. The way I dealt with it was to attack it in bite size pieces. Get through the first 3 months of AC, then deal with the Taxol and herceptin, then radiation. I have one more herceptin treatment to go next week, and there are no side effects, so your wife will probably deal with the herceptin much better than chemo.
I've met so many wonderful people during this journey, including the women on this forum, that I would never have met if I hadn't been diagnosed with BC. Also I think of myself as lucky that herceptin is now available to us and is free if you are Her2+
Don't let your wife put up with the vomiting. There are many meds that can be tried. I was also given Emend 1 hour before infusions and it was free at the hospital.
:hugs: to you and your wife
sue x
Diagnosed Feb 08. Lumpectomy and 2 sentinel nodes removed - negative. Medullary carcinoma, ER+, PR - , Her2 +.

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Postby cheryl » Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:04 pm

it's not good, but it is good to see a few male partners on our forum.
Cheryl

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Postby wallbanger » Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:38 pm

Hey Sammo.

I have just read through your post and the many responses, and my thoughts are also with you and your family.

I couldn't help but notice in the photos you posted that it appears you are in the job? If that is the case and you need someone to bounce things off or let off work-related steam on someone who understands, feel free to message me.

My wife has recently been diagnosed - grade 3, triple neg, about to start chemo and radiation. We have two small children also, so I can sympathise with you there - the whole thing is terrifying, but rest assured there are people thinking of you and so many out there trying to help in their own small way.

I know you have heard this a million times from a million people, but stay positive!

Dave.

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jayem
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Postby jayem » Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:54 pm

Belinda I had Emend but I purchased it through the hospital pharmacy at about $30.00, whatever the regular script price is.

Hope Francine is getting some relief now Sammo.
Jan

Dx 20 Sept 2006, 2 cm IDC + DCIS, 1/16+ node, ER+, PR+, HER2-, 4 AC, 4 Taxol, 33 rads
CFEM Trial 5 years Arimidex, 5 year SOLE trial Femara
Dx Aug 2016 neuroendocrine cancer in pancreas, mets to liver, abdominal nodes, hip, skull, scalp and breast.

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Postby Belinda » Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:19 pm

Hey Sammo - my best ever tip - insist on EMEND.

Chemo turned me into a chucker too - first round was dreadful. Next round they went "oh we should try something new - here - have a go at this" - 3 pills, one you take before chemo, and two to take home. You still feel rotten but it really does control the nausea.

Trouble is, it's about $250 a throw, and the hospital that gives it to you has to pay - so they either don't offer it until you have been really sick OR they don't offer it at all.

So my hot tip is ask for it - they will have it and they will give it to her.

All the best to you all - Bx :hugs:
Belinda
Dx 3 Jan 2007, 4x3x3 cm IDC and 2 other tumours 1.5cm each, 6/19+ nodes, ER-, PR-, HER2+, 4 AC, 12 weekly Taxol + herceptin, 30ish rads, Herceptin finished May 08, currently watching a lung nodule.

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Postby Janette » Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:59 pm

Sammo,
You have a lovely family and thanks for the photos.

I hope Francine quickly gets over the vomiting. Some great advice here. :hugs:
Janette


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Postby Broni » Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:00 am

adriamyacin is red too....and so too I think is epirubicen.......

It isn't an easy ride Sammo, but with the support and love that you have shown here, Francine will get through it in one piece!

:hugs: :hugs:
Broni

[color=blue]life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass - it's about learning to dance in the rain[/color]


DX 12/09/07 Gr 3 DCIS
RB Mastectomy, ANC 11/10/07
9/27 lymphnodes
Triple Neg
dose dense 4 x AC 4 x taxol
40 rads
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Still dancing with NED, 7 years on

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Gail
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Postby Gail » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:23 am

Epibrfen(spell?) I think Cheryl, I had it and they referred to it as the Red Peril up here. Sammo thanks for sharing the photos, they are lovely. And I agree your wife does not need to suffer like this, the sooner you get help the better, I know everyone is different but I did not vomit once from it. Give her our hugs.

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Postby cheryl » Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:40 am

is the "red devil" adriamycin???
Cheryl

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Postby Doxiamonev » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:32 pm

What a beautiful wife & children you have Sammo, and you too of course :) - thank you for sharing them with us :clap:
I had the "red devil" and honey it bloody sucks!! I feel for her.
I would be talking to my oncology nurses/doctor as there are so many different meds these days to control that vomiting, hopefully they will find what will work for her so she doesn't suffer anymore unnecessarily :hugs:
I can't believe that no one knows how to track the bc nurses where you live, hope they find one soon for her.
Thanks for the update & please pass on a huge (but gentle) hug to Francine.
Hugs

Doxia
Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses." Alphonse Karr

Dx 27.12.07,Gr 3, IDC Lt breast 1cm (Prim Ca) & 2.5cm (L/Node)
Bilateral Mastectomy & tissue expanders inserted, Axc. clearance 1/17+, Triple Neg.Tx 4 AC chemo,12 wkly Taxol (28/7/08)2 yrs NED!

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jayem
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Postby jayem » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:24 pm

Sammo get some help for the nausea and vomiting straight away. Francine could potentially end up quite dehydrated.

This happened to me but I put up with it for 7 days because I thought that I had to. The bc nurse was fantastic and between she and the onc my meds were changed and I would be admitted to hospital overnight to fill up on fluids. Oh yes, the red devil is indeed a toxic substance.

The Relay for Life takes on more significance doesn't it once you have had a cancer diagnosis. It is good that you could spend some time there as a family.

Quite a few of the members here are taking Herceptin so when the time is right it could be worth posting on one of the main threads to get more information.

Hang in there Sammo, she will need you very much in the next few days.
Jan

Dx 20 Sept 2006, 2 cm IDC + DCIS, 1/16+ node, ER+, PR+, HER2-, 4 AC, 4 Taxol, 33 rads
CFEM Trial 5 years Arimidex, 5 year SOLE trial Femara
Dx Aug 2016 neuroendocrine cancer in pancreas, mets to liver, abdominal nodes, hip, skull, scalp and breast.

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Janine
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Postby Janine » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:19 pm

Great photos Sammo. And great effort too. Thanks for sharing. Is that you getting shaved on television?
You are a beautiful young family, it seems so unfair that you have to go through this.

Treatment can be pretty rough, especially the first few days, but it sounds like you might need to get on top of the vomiting with some meds. As Chris says, the onc nurses can assist with that. No point in doing it harder than necessary.

Yep, the red one is a bit scary. It's a worry when the nurses wear all that protective gear!

I hope Francine has minimal side effects from chemo and that she is through this stage of treatment before you know it. Please let us know how she goes. Will be thinking of you.

:hugs:
Janine

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gallopinggranny
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Postby gallopinggranny » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:00 pm

thanks for the update here Sammo, keep us informed because if your wife has any problems with side effects etc and coping at home, there are lots of girls here that have been through it all that can give you both lots of support and share their own coping experiences with you. You have such cute kids and look like such a nice family. I hope you all get through this without too many problems. Good on you for being there and being supportive. Many women don't have this kind of support at home and it will make a world of difference to Francine and your little girls.

thinking of you all and wishing you the very best - the next few months will be tough, but you will be okay Image
Onward and Upward
GG.

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Postby schoolteacher » Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:06 pm

:hugs: :hugs: :hugs: to your poor wife Sammo
Chemo is not easy but with your wonderful support she WILL get through it. Call the oncology nurses about the illness..There are lots of meds to help deal with any side effects She shouldnt have to suffer these days. (I didn't have to have the red one thought..I've heard its rugged) I also am Her2+ so will be on Herceptin for the rest of this year. That part is a breeze. Tick off the weeks and the treatments and keep being the amazing support that you are.
:hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: Chris

sammo
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Postby sammo » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:55 pm

Hi to all my new friends...

I have just spent some time reading to my wife, all these wonderful and supportive responses, all the while my wife has been sitting next to the toilet...

Today she commenced the initial 9 week period of chemo and she is not travelling too good. Poor thing has been head down in the bucket since we got home.

Still trying to track down the BC nurse, as no-one knows who's department it is, even the Cancer Council aren't sure.

As a last minute thing and as a tribute to Francine, a few of us decided to enter the local 'Relay For Life' and managed to raise nearly $3000. Francine joined us for a brief moment and I had my head shaved by one of the female survivors. Very fitting I thought...

We have found that Francine is HER2 positive, so she will commence the Herceptim (spelling?) in the 3rd phase. It looks like 9 weeks of chemo here in Orange, followed by 6 weeks stint in Sydney for rad and then back for more chemo. Due to the HER2 and other issues, they have told us we are looking at 15 months total.

As normal, the Sydney based specialist who came out were amazing.

The treatment today was a real 'relization' period for both of us and a real shock to hear some home truths about the type of chemicals being used and the side affects. Especially the red one that eats away at anything it comes into contact with. Nice...

Again I just wish to thank each and every one of you, for all your support, words of advise and encouragement. To know that total strangers have us in their thoughts and prayers, means a lot to us. "THANK YOU."

I have added a couple of pics from the relay. Hope this is ok, if not, feel free to delete them. You can click on each pic to enlarge them...





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