Sylvia's Personal Story as a Cancer Survivor

What a shock to hear the Dr. say, "You have an aggressive cancer" as I was always as "healthy as a horse." Even though my mother had bc, I really didn't think it would happen to me, but it did. As tears were streaming down my face, the Dr. went on to tell me, "You must face reality." Now I know he was really concerned. Never had I felt so alone and lost.

On 28 Jan 92, I had an MRM, followed by 3 months of chemotherapy (Adriamycin, 5FU, and Cytoxan). I'm on a medical research study with Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers. The purpose of the study is to try to find out whether adding tamoxifen, a hormonal treatment, to two different types of chemotherapy, is effective in keeping the disease from returning. The researchers also want to find out the kinds of side effects these two treatments may cause and whether certain pathology tests can predict the benefit of these therapies. I do not take tamoxifen. At this time, I was on a 10-hour work day so I could have Fridays for my chemotherpy appointments. The oncology department with Dr. Julie Hersch was a positive group and I even looked forward to my appointments.

Quite by accident, I came across the Medical Support BB which was so helpful. Thank you Jim for starting the Survivors Medical Support BB and all of you who have given so much support to those in need. Thank you everyone for being sincere, caring, and understanding. You are appreciated.

Sylvia in California USA
e-mail Sylvia here