I had my mastectomy in May 2016. About 2 weeks after surgery, I had to be readmitted for infection. Then, because I’m diabetic, my mastectomy scar wouldn’t heal. That meant weekly trips to the wound care center.
After several weeks, the wound still was not healing, and they had to put a wound vac on me. That was painful when the nurse would have to pull out the packing and repack it with clean foam.
Finally, September rolled around, and the wound was closed enough to have my port put in and start my chemo. In November, along with the Taxol, they started me on Herceptin. The first round put me in the emergency room 2 times in one day, covered in hives from my neck to my knees. The docs finally figured out how to pre-medicate me the day before and 3 days after the Herceptin treatments. I never did finish my Herceptin treatments because they said the Herceptin was damaging my heart.
One night in June, I called my son, gasping so hard to breathe. On the way to the ER, I stopped breathing in the ambulance. By the time I got to the hospital I was blue and grey. The intubation tube saved my life that night.
Through all of the brick walls I hit going through everything, I NEVER QUIT. I NEVER GAVE UP. Keep your chins up and keep on fighting.
Kathy
New Jersey
Submitted 11/02/2017
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
Wow, Kathy, you’re the poster child for Fighting Like a Girl! Way to show cancer who’s boss!
Ladies, reading your stories shows your courage in each sentence. I have so much respect for what you have endured! Cheer’s yo you all! Happy Thanksgiving!