|
Ellen
After thinking I had pulled a muscle under my right arm
for several months, suddenly I had a fast growing ball develop.
This was the beginning of a time of running from doctor to radiologist
to surgeon while visiting my parents for the holidays. I arrived
home with a recommendation of the name of an oncologist and the
diagnosis of ibc.
My treatment consisted of three rounds of adriamycin every two weeks,
then three rounds of taxol also every two weeks. By the time I
had finished the initial chemo, my tumor had reduced drastically.
When I went back to the surgeon, he told me that I had had a complete
pathological response - NED!
I must have had most of the possible
side effects of my chemo treatments. I was anemic, got hand-foot
syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, mouth sores, chemically induced
anorexia, etc. However, it was all worth it!
After recovering from
surgery, I had 3 rounds of cytoxan over the next 6 weeks. Shortly
thereafter I had radiation for 5 weeks.
I have remained without evidence of disease since surgery in 12/97.
I believe that all the meditation and visualization helped my body
fight the cancer. I have attended local support groups as well
as participated in the ibc email list.
Our local group has written
a pamphlet for women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer.
I have volunteered at retreats for women with bc. I was lucky
to have a husband who was very supportive, family who helped out
in every way possible and wonderful friends.
It has been a difficult journey. Especially hard has been watching
so many families struggle with this disease. I am very hopeful
that in the very near future this disease will become a chronic
disease very much like diabetes. It has already begun with many
new treatment options.
I hope that I will continue to do well, but none of us knows what
the future may hold. My best wishes to everyone who has had to
deal with ibc.
Ellen
| 
