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Jenna291

Joined: 10/21/2010
My Story:
I was diagnosed in 2006 just before my 51st birthday. I had a full physical and mammogram just 3 months before finding my lump. I called my primary care doc 3 days after this lump appeared, and long story short, was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, stage II, 3cm. The next year was a whirlwind, with 16 weeks of chemo, lumpectomy, followed by 36 radiation treatments. I was angry for a long time, feeling that I took care of myself including annual mammograms, breast fed my 2 kids, have a low fat diet, exercise, don't drink.... I had to accept I was one of the unlucky 1-8 women with no rhyme or reason for this dreaded disease. I had to focus my energy on beating this disease.
I am now 4 years out, on Arimidex as I am post-menopausal (medically induced - want to talk about hot flashes??? LOL)

I have found the positive in this experience has been to help other women with diet, and a variety of other issues that crop up, most we never heard of before. I have also met many wonderful new friends, and am in a support group meeting once a month for breakfast/lunch or whatever!

I love to walk, read (am in 2 book clubs), cook, garden,get together with family and friends. I have 2 grown children, 26 year old daughter and 22 year old son. Both of them graduated (one from college and one from hs) the year I was going thru chemo - what a spring that was). Picturing them both in caps and gowns inspired me to pick myself up from the sofa on my worst days.

I am grateful that I found this exchange and so wished I knew about it when I was in the throws of treatment, but I am here now!!!

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Reply: Spring is finally here what do you like and do whe...
Hi Roberta, well I know how much you LOVE canolis so the ice cream must have put a HUGE...More
Posted by Jenna291
Reply: Spring is finally here what do you like and do whe...
Roberta, what town did you stay in? Yum on the Ben & Jerry's tour! I love all of their...More
Posted by Jenna291
Reply: Hope all is well
Wow, you certainly have been thru a lot. Glad the breast issue was benign and hopefully...More
Posted by Jenna291
Reply: Biopsy results
Hi Talpha, I am sorry for what you are going thru. Every one of us here knows about the...More
Posted by Jenna291
Reply: Home after surgery
Very happy that your surgery went will. Clear nodes is awesome! Congrats on that. Take...More
Posted by Jenna291
Reply: Breast Cancer moved to stomach
I too have not heard of this, but wanted to send prayers to your sister. I hope the...More
Posted by Jenna291
Reply: Recently Diagnosed w/ IDC
Hello, I also had IDC and my team of doctors recommended chemo first to reduce a stage II...More
Posted by Jenna291
Reply: Spring is finally here what do you like and do whe...
Roberta, Thank you for that beautiful and colorful bunch of sunflowers! They look great on...More
Posted by Jenna291
Reply: Scared Daughter
oh that is wonderful!!! Glad she is feeling like her old self again - getting the hair...More
Posted by Jenna291
Reply: ?s before a lumpectomy...
Chris, You are a wonderful and caring person for coming here with your questions. I found...More
Posted by Jenna291

For more information, visit the Duke Health Breast Cancer Center