I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2/09. Opted for a double mastectomy 3/09. Found cancer in one lymph node and the "good" breast was full of "pre-cancer". Surgeon said I made the right decision to have the double. Started chemo 4/09. Very tired, body aches, loss of hair "adramyacin". Second round - taxol- very sick and went to hospital for 8 days. Red, white cells and potassium very low. Two blood transfusions. Lost eyelashes and eyebrows. Stopped the taxol (I wanted to quit chemo altogether). Tried a new chemo, "abraxcin". Six treatments once a week and started getting sick again. Stopped chemo. Hair starting to grow again. Will be starting "Cytoxn" four treatment over eight weeks. Hope I can tolerate it. Would do it again to insure that any cancer cells will be killed off by the chemo (if it doesn't kill me first!!) It will soon be over and I dream of having energy again. Published: October 07 ::

I was diagnosed with HER-2 breast cancer and received Taxotere (then Abraxane when I had a reaction to the Taxotere). I also had carboplatin and Herceptin. I had six rounds of chemo and a year of Herceptin. I had many side effects from the chemo, including loss of hair, mouth sores, loss of taste, loose teeth, blurry vision, and peripheral neuropathy in my feet. I finished chemo six months ago and feel fine except for a little bit of blurry vision and continued peripheral neuropathy in my feet. Chemo was rough, but it was a small price to pay for my health. I am blessed to be cancer-free today! Published: December 29 ::

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when I had surgery done with burning the lining of my uterus and 2 days later became very constipated and I was in lots of pain. This continued for 3 months and finally after dealing with the pain and loss of weight I went into the hospital. They discovered a mass on my right ovary which lead them to surgery and they removed my right ovary with the mass attached. After that I felt great and things began working as normal. I was to revisit my gynecologist six weeks later. But received a call 4 weeks later and the doctor wanted to see me as soon as possible. The news was ovarian cancer. I was devastated and I could not believe it. The doctor said I was in the beginning stages and that was a good thing. I was scared, angry and not believing what was next. They began me on chemo right away. If people tell you its bad, its bad. From the first treatment I had pain in my legs and feet so bad that it felt like a jumping toothache only 3x worse. I lost my hair 2 weeks after the 1st treatment and I felt so awful. The taste of food was not good (I did use plastic spoons, fork, and knives), that helped a lot. I couldn't drink because the water tasted terrible and my mouth hurt. I thought if this is any indication of what I'm in for its going to be a long road. It was 6 treatments later and I was done. Today I'm doing fine. I did gain weight that I am not comfortable with but will loose it in time. My energy is not the same and I still feel really tired at times. Its been almost two years and my legs still ache but certainly not as bad as when I was on chemo. My advice to anyone taking chemo is just breathe and put all your energy (what little you'll have) into resting, reading books, doing crossword puzzles and trying to stay sane even though its difficult. I kept a journal everyday, talked about how I was feeling and what was bothering me, what was hurting, if I was sick, if I ate and made sure I kept my water intake up. This helped me alot once I started. I'm 47 years old and I certainly hope with all my heart and soul I never need to take chemo again. When people tell you you'll do fine they have no idea what they're saying because its not them going through hell, feeling like they look awful or them not being able to live a productive life and how your whole life is just in total disbelief of what going on. I suffered so much emotion physically and mentally. I would never wish cancer on my worst enemey because it is the toughest fight you'll ever go through. Published: October 07 ::

I have lung cancer and so does my fiance. We have both been having chemotherapy and he also had radiation twice a day for 15 days. The radiation burnt his esophagus all the way to his stomach. He suffered for weeks from the painful bleeding ulcerations. Then he got blood clots followed by fluid around his heart which had to be removed by surgically by putting in a tube so it would drain. We both get cold sweats that immediately turn to hot spells, as if our internal thermostat is out of whack. Water tastes like dirt and food has lost all flavors. I'm nauseated most of the time and nothing that I have been given for it works. Sleep is my only salvation. The chemo has messed with my nervous system and parts of my body feel numb and other parts burn for no reason. I have 2 or 3 more scheduled chemo treatments, but I've been told that my lung cancer is treatable, but not curable and I honestly don't know if I can spend the rest of my life feeling so miserable. Chemotherapy is like having the flu for 90 percent of your waking hours. It is like the worst flu imaginable. My brother sent me an article stating, "The word chemotherapy is linked to healing although its origins derive from the deadly mustard gas used in World War I. Today it is used as a powerful tool as part of cancer treatment". It's no wonder we get so sick. It's a poison. But the choice is ours. Living a life of being sick 75 to 90 percent of the time, or not living at all. I've spent a lot of time pondering about which alternative I want to take. Published: August 17 ::