Published: October 24, 2009 11:32 pm      

A breast cancer patient’s journal...

PALESTINE — EDITOR’S NOTE: In honor of all of the courageous cancer survivors out there, I wanted to share what exactly a cancer patient goes through during their treatments — their feelings and their highs and lows.

My cousin Pam Carpenter Mason was diagnosed with breast cancer in March. As of September, she finished all of her treatments and is considered cancer-free.

She was kind enough to allow me to print a portion of her online journal of which I cut bits and pieces from (unedited) to show you, through a cancer patient’s eyes, what happens. You can read all of Mason’s journal entries at here— Cheril Vernon

Community Editor



BACKGROUND

I have been pretty diligent over the past few years in self checking my breasts for lumps. I started getting routine mammograms at 40. I had a history of fibrositic changes in my breasts pretty regularly, they would come and go with my cycle. Those are bothersome but not worrisome. In February I had a hysterectomy. I noticed after that there was a lump not changing and since I was no longer having a cycle knew it should be checked. My time for my annual mammo was always around my B-day, March 2, so I already had an appt.

On March 5th, I went for the mammo, the tech asked if I had any worries, I said yes, this one lump, she felt it and stopped everything right there. She sent me to the main facility, where a Dr. is on site. I drove right over. Got a mammo, Dr. looked at it, asked for another mammo, different view, looked at that, then did an ultrasound.

He said he wanted to do a core needle biopsy right then and there. We took a one hour lunch break, I came back and had two spots biopsied. It all happened so quickly, the biopsy did hurt and they left 2 small clips in the spots where they went in so down the road the same 2 spots could be observed. The radiologist was wonderful, he said flat out, I am concerned about this one spot, not so much the other. I did leave there with a little gut feeling, just the look on his face, he had a good 'bedside' manner, but I could just tell he knew what he was seeing.

That was a Thursday, I was fearful I would have to wait the weekend for results but the next day my own Dr. called me after the radiologist called her. We are friends on a personal level so getting the news from her helped.

I was actually at lunch with three wonderful friends. I hung up, couldn't speak yet, they were all looking at me wide-eyed, I finally pointed at my breast — I'm sure that's sign language for "I have Breast Cancer" right, then finally I said the words out loud. We ordered a round of margaritas at that point and they immediately became the beginning of a wonderful support system I have!!



Journal entry snippets:

MARCH 9

The weekend was long, many emotions. Dr. Amy gave me the name for what I have. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, approx. 1.4 tumor size. I did a little internet research, not too much so I didn't freak myself out. I was dumbfounded all day Saturday over the diagnosis and on Sunday I was angry. I hate cancer.

APRIL 22

I have chosen to be in the clinical trial. So I will do the 4 rounds of chemo, 1 round every 3 weeks and the herceptin drug will be administered then as well. Then after those 12 weeks, I will continue herceptin every 3 weeks until one year is done. Oh, and 6 weeks radiation after the 12 weeks too. I will have an echocardiogram on Monday, it is very important to have your heart monitored while on the herceptin as that is one of it’s drawbacks, it’s rough on the heart sometimes.

APRIL 30

It’s quite a place, that chemo room, you just look around and see so many faces and wonder their story. Very humbling to say the least. Some bring friends or spouses, some alone, one lady started to cry and that about did me in. Carolee and I tend to giggle A LOT, so we just made our stupid jokes amongst ourselves until we got on Jay’s nerves. He says we’re not that funny, ‘cept we know we are!! Man, ya gotta laugh to keep from crying!!

MAY 7

What a difference a week makes. I left home last Thursday in good shape, this Thursday I could barely get to the car. I was very wrong when I updated Monday and thought that was my bad day. Then I thought Tuesday was my bad day, wrong again, it hit Tuesday night and didn’t change until today. I basically checked out completely for about 36 hours. I ached horribly, chills and then spiked a fever that almost got me a trip to the hospital. I did keep in touch with the Dr. and my chemo nurse, they started me on a high dose antibiotic and I just pushed fluids when I wasn’t asleep. I just stayed on the meds that make me sleepy and tried to sleep it off.

I have an appt. to look at wigs this weekend. I have my prescription for one, it’s called a cranial prosthesis, and insurance pays for one! I actually do think that after the week I’ve had that not having to worry about hair or washing it will be a plus. I can take a quick bath and just wash my head!! Maybe that’s God’s way of giving you one less worry during all this. No bad hair days!!

MAY 14

I was so proud yesterday that my hair still felt so healthy and full. Well, I spoke too soon. It began to shed today. Its been all over my pillow and my robe. Oh well, I knew it would happen, I guess I of course wished I’d be that one in a million it didn’t happen to. I do see now why people cut it short as it comes out b/c hair gets everywhere. So I’ll consider that.

JUNE 12

I have gotten over the hurdle of my hair or lack of hair issues. I now feel very comfortable going out with my wigs. I really don’t even think about it anymore. Just put one on and go. Around the house I just wear a ball cap. I had to get a soft cap like a newborn wears for sleeping cause my head would get cold. Megan likes to rub my head and kiss it.

I am amazed (but not really) at the strength the Lord has given me through each little hurdle. The things I never thought I could do, getting the port, starting chemo, losing my hair, they really are all minor things. I will just concentrate on getting all the bad cells outta my body!!

JUNE 25

As I sat in that infusion room today and on one side have a lady, bald like me, she was exhausted and down but on her last treatment and on the other side a girl getting her very first treatment. I’ve been the new girl and will soon be the other girl, getting my last big treatment. Point is, it’s doable!! God Bless all those I see every Thursday in there.

So sorry to hear Farrah lost her battle with cancer. God Bless her too.

AUG. 3

I am all set up for radiation to begin on wed.

My hair is growing back. Actually at a pretty good pace it seems. There is now more brown than gray thank goodness! My head itches a lot because of the new growth!

AUG. 20

I have now had 12 radiation treatments. Only 21 more to go!! So far no side effects as far as skin problems. I have been tired and that is supposed to be a side effect but that’s minor of course.

SEPT. 16

I met with my oncologist also last Thursday.

One question was: Where am I in this — am I cancer free. His answer was YES at this point I should be cancer free. I will have a mammogram in about 2 months. Then every 3 months. He said the 2 year mark is what is considered a big one for me. He said I am a SURVIVOR because I am surviving this.

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This weekend Mason participated in a LiveStrong cancer event in Austin. She also walked in a breast cancer walk earlier this month.