Breast Cancer - Radiation

Summary of diagnosis: stage 2 breast cancer, invasive lobular carcinoma, one tumor 1.8cm, four lymph nodes positive, hormone receptive, and favorable pathology.

Summary of treatment: lumpectomy, six-months of chemotherapy (four treatments of Andriamycin / Cytoxin and four of Taxol), 28 treatments of radiation followed by Tamoxifen taken daily for 5 years.

Hi RoRo Fans,

Ro had her last radiation treatment today. Yesssss !!!

Ro had 28 radiation treatments over the past six weeks. See the attached photo from this morning of Ro and the technicians. Ro would lay down on the bench she is sitting on and the technicians line the machine up with these red beams to radiate the location of the original tumor and parts of her lymphatic system near her underarm and neck. Each treatment only takes a few minutes. As predicted, Ro has some red, tender skin from the radiation. This will heal over the next few weeks. But Ro did not have the bad fatigue and sore throat that many patients get from radiation.

Radiation treatment for breast cancer So Ro has completed the cancer treatments (chemo plus radiation) that started in February and on schedule. This is a huge accomplishment. Now Ro will start taking Tamoxifen (a pill) once a day for probably the next 5 years. This is a hormone that has been very successful in helping breast cancer patients like Rosemary avoid a recurrence. The pathology report on Rosemary's cancer cells showed a very high score for being hormone receptive - meaning drugs like Tamoxifen should be effective in stopping new cancer cells from forming. Ro will have regular check-ups and mammograms to watch out for any recurrence.

So we are feeling very lucky. Ro met several cancer patients getting radiation that were in pretty tough shape. Ro's attitude was always positive throughout this long treatment process. Ro was always comforting to other cancer patients. So we are feeling hopeful and confident about the future but also have our eyes wide open.

So that's the quick report. We need to find a way to celebrate Rosemary's accomplishments and thank everybody that was so supportive. Maybe a dinner at Outback (inside joke).

Talk soon. Love, Mark

Rosemary is doing very well. All follow-up tests since completing the treatments are favorable. No bad side effects so far from the Tamoxifen. Ro still wears her wig, but her hair is growing back big time and soon the wig will be stored in the closet. We are starting 2001 feeling very fortunate and appreciative.

If you are reading this because you are facing breast cancer in your family, our only advise is to communicate regularly with family and friends. Let them know what is happening and share your fears. Don't expect all of your family to say or do the right thing. Many people have no idea what to say to someone facing cancer. But by sharing your experience, you will get back some surprising emotional support and the practical help you need during the treatment phase.

The things you fear the most, will probably not be a problem. The real problems come unexpectedly. So try to be confident, but realistic. The course of cancer is unpredictable - that's the realistic way to think. Difficult and disappointing things will happen during the diagnosis and treatment. But when they happen, you will cope with them - that's the confident part.

Most of the doctors we worked with, we never met before facing this disease. We chose to treat our doctors with friendly respect. We placed great trust in them. We were lucky to have doctors with good communication skills. I would research the disease from the internet and ask tough questions about the options. Once a plan was recommended and agreed, we tried to focus on going forward and not second guess. This was sometimes difficult as I would read contrary opinions on the internet about treatment options and many negative opinions about doctors and hospitals.

During the treatments, I tried to play different roles. At times I needed to be caregiver, sometimes coach and always a quiet cheerleader. I tried to get involved in the practical details of Rosemary's life. I tried to simplify things at home. As a caregiver, I had no experience from which to draw. Rosemary and I started this journey with little experience with disease and doctors and hospitals. But you will be amazed at what you can do. I never expected I would be able to give Rosemary injections in her arm, but after the first time, it was no big deal.

We were lucky to have good health insurance and I had the flexibility to take time off work to be with Rosemary during most of her treatments.

So we are positive about the future, but also realistic. And feeling very thankful for the support of our family and friends.

Rosemary is doing great. Ro took Tamoxifen for three years following her treatment and then changed to Aromacin - a newer estrogen blocking medication. Rosemary tolerated the Tamoxifen with few side-effects and has the same positive experience with Aromacin. All of her quarterly test results since her treatment have been good and we enjoy a normal life. So normal, we sometimes fight over stupid things (ha ha). That's the report.

Thanks for the many kind notes from people that visit this site. The letters below are replies to women that sent Rosemary a note expressing common fears about chemo and coping with BC.

Hi Lisa,

Mark has been sharing your e-mails with me re your concerns of meeting the challenge of breast cancer. First, your reactions and emotions are exactly what I experienced. I equated the diagnosis with a death sentence. That's simply not true. I quickly switched my thinking to the more positive side, that I was in that percentage reading of those that beat this disease. Being positive is a HUGE help in combating this.

It is perfectly normal to have those dark thoughts, you are human. Try to push those away as they only sap your energy and emotional health. Until something tangible comes along that says otherwise, believe you will tolerate treatment and you will beat this. Maintain a good sense of humor (you can't believe how many things will make you laugh), lean on family and friends as they feel so helpless if they are shut out, follow doctor's orders, get plenty of rest.

All of these preliminary tests (bone scan, MRI's or CT's) are pretty standard. It simply gives the doctors a strong base on which to compare things after completion of treatment. My biggest worry was wondering how I would tolerate chemo. I went to one Y-Me support group meeting right after diagnosis and was elated to find that lots of us can get through chemo without all the horrible nausea, etc. That's all it took, I was going to be one of those too.

Each of us is different in what we can tolerate, but I believed I could do it, and that's what happened. I wasn't necessarily frightened when I went for my first treatment but simply apprehensive as to how it would feel, how would I tolerate everything. The oncology nurses were TERRIFIC! And the "chemo lounge" can be very supportive as everyone in there understands EXACTLY what you are going through. They are there too. There's a gentle bonding that forms which is very soothing.

It sounds like your husband is a great source of strength--be there for each other. I couldn't have gotten through everything without Mark--he was right by my side physically and emotionally. Assure each other that you are partners in this, and know you will draw strength from knowing you are not in this alone. Good luck, Lisa. We're pulling for you. Keep us posted and know that we care.

Best regards.
Rosemary Gallagher
rosemary@gallagher.com

How nice of you to write. And thank you for sharing your experience with breast cancer. Your reaction to your diagnosis, your two surgeries, and the impending treatment regimen is perfectly normal. It always is frightening as you face the unknown, but having been down that road 6 years ago, let me assure you you will get through this. I wish I could say it was a breeze but that just isn't so. Each individual most likely will have a different interpretation of how things affect them, and that's how it should be. I personally expected things to be much worse, especially the side effects of chemo. While I did not feel my best, it certainly was a lot more tolerable than what I anticipated.

This "dose-density" pace prescribed for you sounds much better than what I experienced only because it's natural to want to get this all behind you as soon as possible. We have a good friend who has the same diagnosis as you and I presently going through her chemo treatment and is doing well with it. Her main side effect is fatigue and feeling punky for about 5 days. But she is thrilled that she is going to complete chemo in 4 months rather than the 6 months it took me.

Losing our hair can be traumatic but our loss is temporary. Get a good wig/hairpiece that you can wear with confidence and I think that you will find that aspect of chemo a minor one. Share all your feelings with your husband as the guys feel so helpless under these circumstances. They just want to "fix" everything but this is something out of their control. I wish you well. Heal up from your surgeries, build up your strength, and believe that you will tolerate all that lies ahead of you. If you wish, keep me posted as to how you are doing. I care and will add you to my list of "sisters" that I pray for. Good luck, Janice. My thoughts are with you.