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Rose G. on March 31, 2009
I was Diagnosed with:
Invasive Mammary Carcinoma DCIS
Employment Status:
Employed full time
Gender/Age:
55
Type and Description of Treatments:
4 rounds of Adriamycin & Cytoxan 6 weeks of radiation- current, will then take Arimidex for 5 years.
How do you feel today?
Normal for me.
Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your life?
I have really given this a lot of thought; the person I am has not changed. I was diagnosed, had my "moment" of pure terror and said "ok, what do we do now?"
What is going well for you right now?
Life is good
What is not going well for you right now?
My impatience; I want my life back, meaning no treatment no doctors for a little while
What has been the most challenging thing about having cancer?
The fact that I had it. I just lost my 39 year old sister-in-law in June of 2008, then I was diagnosed almost to the day of her death.
When difficulties overwhelm you, where do you go for support?
My husband and my children.
How have your long-term goals or life goals changed since diagnosis?
They have not changed
What is your work arrangement right now? What are your hours?
Monday thru Friday 7:15 to 4pm. I work in the Ireland Cancer center Phase 1 Clinical trials.
Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your work life?
Nothing has changed, I still carry the same workload and I am grateful that I am able to do it.
What has helped you continue to work the most?
My own personal attitude of not giving up
What advice do you have for others trying to work through treatment?
Ask for help
How have you dealt with any side effects of treatment?
Not too bad, just some fatigue and skin peeling
If "today's you" could give advice to "day-of-diagnosis you," what would you say?
Read, read, read...then always ask questions..