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Kathy
I had my first mammogram
when I was 35 (1987). I had my second mammogram (at age 39) in July 1991
and they found a spot in the right breast, but said it was probably because
of my monthly cycle and to come back in a few months for another one. That
follow-up mammogram on Election Day, 1991 and it still showed a spot in
the right breast (smaller than a pencil eraser).
I went to see Dr. Wende Logan-Young at the Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic
of Rochester (http://www.ewbc.com) on the following Monday (Veterans
Day, 1991) and she found the sore node under my right arm. She performed
a needle biopsy of the tumor in the breast and of the sore node, and
told me to call back in a week for the results. She was on the phone
calling me THE NEXT DAY - telling me that she needed to see me in her
office the following day. The node was positive for cancer (the needle
biopsy missed the tumor in the breast because it was so small).
The surgical biopsies were the day before Thanksgiving, 1991 - diagnosis:
Breast Cancer and Lymphoma all nodes that were removed were cancerous.
My original Plastic Surgeon wanted to do silicone implant to rebuild
breast - which I refused! He then suggested saline implant - which I
also refused! I wanted "tummy tuck" type surgery which he refused to
do. Three (3) weeks later, silicone implants were banned. I am lucky
that I refused to have implants because they are encased in latex and
I am deathly allergic to latex!
I had a modified radical mastectomy on December 20, 1991 and was released
on Christmas Eve. The final diagnosis: breast cancer with 8 of 15 nodes
positive. From what the drs told me, it started in my nodes and metastized
to my breast. I was told NOT to plan on living to see 1995! As you can
tell, I'm still here - NINE years later!
I started Chemo (Adriamycin and 5FU - by IV; oral Cytoxan with compazine
for nausea) on January 17, 1992 - the day before my 40th b'day. The oral
Cytoxan and Compazine were horrible! Turns out I was allergic to Compazine
- Onc took me off the oral Cytoxan after one (1) day and then got it
by IV after that.
Last menstrual cycle was Feb 2nd - beginning of premature chemically-induced
menopause: Hot Flashes a/k/a "female power surges" started and lasted
for EIGHT years! I returned to work on parttime basis (I work in NYS
Court System) on Feb 3 - after my 2nd chemo treatment. Started losing
hair soon thereafter, and was bald by Valentine's Day!
With blessings of my oncologist, I visited a homeopathic physician (MD
that specializes in homeopathic medicine) for herbal treatments to help
with chemo.
Mediport surgery mid-February - Surgeon used lidocaine (as a local)
to numb area...4 shots in fact. Unfortunately all the lidocaine did was
collapse myleft lung! Seems I'm also allergic to lidocaine! Finally got
mediport inserted two weeks later (under general anesthesia). BEST SURGERY
I EVER HAD - I would recommend a mediport to anyone who is having problems
with veins collapsing during chemo.
March 20, 1991 ended up in isolation at Hospital for nine (9) days -
no white blood count left - almost died of a sinus infection!
Entered into a clinical trial for Clonodine - a drug designed to reduce
the side effects of chemo and hot flashes. Finished Chemo on June 12,
1991. Had transflap ("free flap") surgery three years ago - using my
own abdominal tissue to rebuild my breast.
I have: bone scans each year (around April 15th), internal ultrasounds
each year to rule out cancer interuterine, cervical, or ovarian; and
see oncologist every six months.
I am a regular member of Breast Cancer Survivors & Friends
(http://www.delphi.com/madeit), Breast Cancer Stage IV Yahoo! email group
and am a ChemoAngel.
If I can be of any help to anyone, regardless of the topic or concern,
please ask!
Kathy Harris
Stories
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