Well now. As I await my next appointment with the oncologist, I begin looking into the various treatment options, in addition to surgery, for breast cancer. And I must say, I am not particularly looking forward to any of them.
Chemotherapy:
Chemo is the use of anti-cancer drugs to treat cancer. It is used to stop the growth of cancer by killing cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body. It can be given before surgery (to shrink tumors), or after surgery (to kill remaining cancer cells). Most often, it is injected into a vein, but some types can be taken in pill form. Treatment would be every 3 weeks, 4 sessions total.
Side effects:
- Hair loss
- Fingernail and toenail weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain
- Diarrhea
- Mouth sores
- Infection
- Fatigue
- Sleep disorders
Radiation (which I will have for sure):
Radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy) uses targeted, high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. For women with early stage breast cancer, radiation therapy is almost never used alone; it is almost always used with surgery. Its purpose is to kill cancer that might be left in the breast or surrounding area after surgery. Treatment would be 5 days a week, for 6 weeks.
Side effects:
- Fatigue
- Skin irritation
- Breast changes or swelling
- Emotional issues
Hormone Therapy:
Hormones flowing in your bloodstream can attach themselves to breast cancer cells and help those cells grow and multiply. The purpose of hormone therapy is to stop hormones from doing this by preventing them from being produced. This involves stopping the ovaries from producing estrogen, the hormone that promotes breast cancer growth. Treatment would involve an injection every 3 weeks, for 2 years.
Side effects:
- Hot flashes
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vaginal issues
- Endometrial cancer
- Blood clots
- Stroke
Isn’t there a pill I can take for 10 days, with side effects of a tight, muscular body with maximum hair growth??? One more reason we need to keep looking for a cure!!
I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Martha Washington
1 comment:
hi linda, my name is margaret and i received your blog info from kathy summers. i was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer the end of sept 08. i am now in the middle of my radiation treatment. i will take tomixofin for a few years and then switch to another drug (which i am not sure of the name) once i get closer to menapause (i am 46). you and kathy have really help educate me to alot about breast cancer. i am afraid i have had a bit of a learning curve and seem to be understanding things in hindsight. but all my news has been positive and all results are as good as they can get...so i am thankful. i really can relate to your blog and i just wanted to say hey. i heard a quote from of all people, fran drescher (the nanny), but i think its true...stage one is the cure for cancer. so i pray you get good results. i am on my 16th treatment and feel absolutely fine. so hang in there. god bless. margaret
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