Just diagnosed with breast cancer

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Here is one I have not seen before...I am going into my last semester (2 exams, 2 clinicals and 2 weeks to go this semester) of NS and have just been diagnosed with bilatereral breast cancer. I am having a double mastectomy over winter break and it is my intention to return in January. Yes, I am insane if you are asking yourself that question...I am also going through a divorce and have a teenager at home.

My question is...Have any of you heard of someone going through school and undergoing chemo? I know nurses are tough and I am determined. I am willing to give it my all and if I can't do it return next year. My health is number one. Any suggestions or histories to share would be great....Thanks.:uhoh21:

rn2bntn,

you are in my prayers! you are a strong willed person and i know you will make it though all of this! i've been/and am going through a family crisis and that's a be let-down, i cant imagine anything more than that!:hgu:

god bless:wshgrt:

melissa

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Specializes in Tele Step Down, Oncology, ICU, Med/Surg.

Good to hear from you sister. Sounds like your first dance went well--isn't it weird how pumped it makes you....LOL, I did the same thing my first chemo, talked animated through out the first hour of my infusion then napped the rest of the time and then exhausted my husband shoe shopping. Once my hair fell out I would go hat shopping. Monday is school...that might be a low day too, but maybe not. Please let us know how you are doing. How are your taste buds today? So glad to hear your animated voice; I can tell you have your eyes on the prize and you are staying strong.

I will say a prayer that you have a good week ahead. Bertolozzi

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

It's the Benadryl that puts you to sleep during the chemo. At my chemo sessions it seems like all the other patients (along with me) have gotten it and after the first 30 minutes of our infusions most of us are napping. Nice job for the oncology nurse--we're all sleeping! No complaints from the patients. All she has to do is keep an eye on our IVs! Every once in awhile I've seen the doc stand at the doorway in between seeing patients and "survey" the chemo room if I am awake. I think, "the king looking over the kingdom."

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Specializes in Tele Step Down, Oncology, ICU, Med/Surg.

Thanks Day!

Forgot about the antihist....Always wondered why I would get so nappy during chemo--it's not like those infusion chairs were cozy. Felt bad for whomever wanted to come and support me. I would start out pumped the first hour, and then sleep for two hours while my pal read a Field and Stream mag from 1989. Then they would get me home and I would talk them to death while cleaning house.

Any thoughts as to why you are so energetic the first couple days after? ...I think it's all the roids, cuz the anti nausea meds made me sleepy when taken by themselves. Also, any thoughts as to why radiation makes you so tired? It was only zapping my maimed tits. I nursed with those things after many sleepless nights and was way less tired!

And oh those roids....got into a huge fight with my best friend at a time I needed her the most...and she needed me too (she wasn't perfect and had done some things...but she was newly orphaned too and was separating from her Dr. husband and she was gong thru major mental health issues at the time). It's funny how we were able to patch things up once I stopped taking the steroids.

And, how are you'all doing sister RN2B in TN? I'm sending you positive vibes via Bob Marley's song, "Don't worry about a thing; every little thing.....gonna be alright."

Let us know how Sunday/Monday goes for you.

And, positive vibes to all the other chemo sisters and brothers--LIVE STRONG!

Bertolozzi

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Hi

First, let me say that you are amazing and an inspiration! I was wondering if I could ask you (or anyone else) what your process was to being diagnosed (diagnostic procedures)? You said that you had a mammogram after finding your lump and it didn’t show up as anything suspicious. I felt a lump in my left breast about 4 weeks ago and had an ultrasound yesterday on it and the radiologist said that it was nothing to be worried about, just normal breast tissue. How can that be? I understand that it isn’t a cyst, but how can my primary MD, the ultrasound tech and myself feel a lump that is so obviously a lump and it be normal breast tissue? I weaned my daughter 10 weeks ago and I know that it is not a clogged duct (she is not my first). It doesn’t move and it has not gone away. I guess what I’m asking is should I just leave the results as that or should I press for more diagnostic procedures (baseline mammogram) to be done to put me more at ease? I’m not asking for medical advise, but I am asking for an opinion on this issue because I am somewhat confused as to how I should proceed from here.

By the way, I walked the breast cancer 3-day two months ago and met the most amazing women…what an inspiration (we also raised 12.2 million dollars over those 3 days!!). I wish you the best J.

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God bless you and keep up the positive attitude, I admire that.

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Specializes in Tele Step Down, Oncology, ICU, Med/Surg.

Ness--your story is similar to mine, with the difference being the radiologist knew immediately something was not right about my lump and sent me on to a surgeon to do a needle biopsy. It was my OBGYN that initially put it off as a plugged milk duct; understandable as I was a nursing mom. It sounds like you have some valid questions that need to be answered by a medical professional. I know my breasts are lumpy, and have been told by my midwife that this may be related to coffee consumption. As may know, we can only share experiences and not offer any medical advice.

......RN2B in TN--still sending you positive vibes...(smile)

Berto

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Specializes in NICU.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. ((((HUGS))))

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I get my chemo over 3 days. It is a continuous infusion of 5 FU and I have to carry around a portable IV pump. For about 7 days or so, honestly, I feel miserable and cranky. It's mostly because of the side effects. I have a lot of GI side effects (I won't elaborate) and the PRN drugs don't help everything. Lately, I just go to bed and pull the covers over me. I don't know how anyone getting the regimen of drugs that I get could possibly work at a full time job.

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Ness,

Like Berto said the radioligist that read the US knew right away someting was wrong. I would feel comfortable after a good US reading. My mammo was not digital either. I often wonder if that would have made a difference in the reading. Take a deep breath and believe that it is alright.

We women are amazing and I believe that if any of you out there that have been so kind to me were in my shoes you would be fighting just as hard as I am.

Back to studying so I can proudly walk across that stage May 2 !!!

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Specializes in midwifery, NICU.
We women are amazing and I believe that if any of you out there that have been so kind to me were in my shoes you would be fighting just as hard as I am.

Back to studying so I can proudly walk across that stage May 2 !!!

:bow::bow: RN2BTN...women like YOU and Daytonite are amazing hon!!

Glad that you are back here with us, and sharing your experiences. Best of luck and Love to you, BOTH of you amazing women!!! :bow::bow:

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:icon_hug:Thank you so much for your responses RN2BNTN and Bertolozzi. I am going to keep a close eye on things for the next couple of months and go back if I feel like things are changing. I have to agree with danissa...you are all amazing women. I wish you the best!!!

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