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You are here : Cancer Blog > Breast Cancer Blog > Kimz57bc2's Cancer Blog

Vital Info

Name:
Kimz57bc2 (kimz57bc2)

Member Since:
July 8, 2011

Location:
Round Rock, Texas

Birthday:
June 12, 1957

Profile:
Cancer Survivor

Cancer Info

Type of Cancer:
Breast Cancer

Diagnosis Date:
April 2, 2011

Stage of Cancer:
Stage 2

Tumor Size:
03

Grade of Tumor:
Grade 3

ER:
Positive

PR:
Negative

Her2 Status:
Yes

Lymph Node Involvement:
Yes

Surgery:
Lymph Node Removal, Lumpectomy

Radiation:
Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy:
Taxol (Paclitaxel), Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), Adriamycin (Doxorubicin)

Hormone Therapy:
Femara

Immune Therapy:
Herceptin

Money Raised:
none yet...but i plan on it.

What I Hate Most About Cancer:
what it does to your body....invasion

What I Have Learned From Cancer:
I am stronger than I realized...and my family is the most important thing in the world to me

Things My Supporters Can Do To Help:
keep me positive

Alternative Cancer Treatment:
none at this time

Cancer Center:
Texas Oncology

Tips for others on how to deal with the mental struggles of chemo/cancer:
Find a great support team - I found Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas....without them I would truly be a basket case.

Breast Cancer Symptoms:

None…found my lump myself.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects:

No surgery date scheduled yet. Started with systemic chemo a/c followed by (now) taxol and herceptin. Hope to have surgery in October 2011

Radiation or Proton Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

Will follow surgery, whenever that will be decided

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

I just finished 4 rounds of A/C chemo treatments. Fatigue and infection was my worst enemy. First chemo treatment, I was in the hospital with pneumonia and neutrepedic. Very sick. I can only say I am glad its over. Now I am getting a port and will start Taxol next week.

Stats

Posts: 58

Photos: 0

Events: 0

My Supporters: 28

I Support: 6

Comments: 149

Kimz57bc2's Cancer Blog

Femera

Anyone taking Femera? It seems I am gaining weight by the week. Every time I go to the doctor I am gaining 3-5 lbs. I know I should do more exercises but I am still fatigued, and my arm still hurts. I know I need strengthening exercises. I need motivation.

My nurse said it plays with your hormones and can make you gain weight.

I was just curious if anyone else was having any problems.

Posted on April 21, 2012 at 10:41:18 AM by Kimz57bc2 (Femera, 2 comments, 362 views)

Pen sent you a hug.

Sorry Kim, I didn’t do Femara but I wanted to post to say I’ve heard that this kind of side effect goes along with a few cancer drugs, especially those for hormone receptor-positive cancers. I’ll bet this weight gain will be temporary, that it will go back to your usual after you’re done the drug. I hope your arm starts to feel better soon. Keep me posted, you’re always in my thoughts.

Posted on April 27, 2012 at 6:12:58 AM by MIchelle

Thanks Michelle. I think the problem is I am not sure which medication is really the culperet. Right now, I am on several different meds along with lingering effects from chemo and radiation. Although, weight gain was listed as a side effect on the Femara.

Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:47:13 PM by Kimz57bc2

lymph node surgery

I had breast surgery but I also had total lymph node removal. Since then, I have had physical and occupational therapy. It has been 7 months since surgery and the inside of my arm, underarm and across my upper side of my breast still hurts. It feels like the muscles won’t stretch. I have done stretches, and other exercises. Crawling up the wall seems to hurt the worst. I have another appointment tomorrow with my doctor along with another treatment of Herceptin. So, I guess I’ll have to ask one more time, why is this still hurting?

Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:01:10 PM by Kimz57bc2 (lymph node surgery, 5 comments, 264 views)

Kathysman sent you a hug.

Keep on asking, something might click giving them a reason to go back over everything. Do not let them make you feel like it is a little pain and you should expect it. I know I have a low pain tolerance but I also know that life is hard enough dealing with cancer if your quality of life is extra bad due to pain. I am so sorry they don’t seem to be working with you to find an answer. I hope they will figure out something. Peace, Sharron

Posted on April 18, 2012 at 3:44:15 PM by Sharron

Yes you need to ask lots of questions and try and get the pain under control. That is the least they can do for you. Have you been on breast cancer dot orgs discussion boards? You may find others with similar situation who can help. Hang in there!

Posted on April 18, 2012 at 4:50:14 PM by KorynH

So sorry..sounds awful! Maybe there are people in breast cancer support groups that know what could help..not sure if when they did all of that surgery it just takes more time for things to get better. Definately need relief..that is a long time to be uncomfortable..frustrating! Hope it gets better and your doctor is able to help or at least give you answers as to why it is taking so long to feel better. Sending hugs! Eileen

Posted on April 19, 2012 at 5:37:46 AM by Eileen

Kathy is about 8 months past the surgery and still has a little pain. She says it still feels tight too. Keep asking untill you get a answer that makes sense to you.

Posted on April 19, 2012 at 5:46:13 AM by Kathysman

My physical therapist said I have reached my plateau and gave me some exercises to do at home. So my doctor agreed somewhat. I told him its my muscles in my arm from my underarm down to my wrist. It is not in all directions. I have some ROM that doesn’t see to be affected anymore. It’s just the inside of my arm. I guess if I keep doing the exercises it might loosen up eventually. I don’t know.

Posted on April 21, 2012 at 10:34:28 AM by Kimz57bc2