Breast Cancer Survivor Story | Doreen DiSalvo | The Patient Story
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- Опубликовано: 4 июн 2024
- Doreen DiSalvo is a breast cancer survivor. This is her story.
Doreen was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer in 2017. Watch as she shares her story from diagnosis, through chemo, surgery, radiation, and into recovery. She also shares her insight on dealing with hair loss, working through treatment, and how treatment affects your emotions.
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0:12 What were your first symptoms?
1:14 How did you find out it was cancer?
3:18 How did you react to the diagnosis?
4:51 What was your experience with chemo like?
8:19 What was the hardest part about being treated with chemo?
9:29 How did you deal with the hair loss?
13:39: Can you talk about the preparations for surgery?
16:27 What was radiation like?
18:31 You chose to work through treatment?
19:57 Is there a message you want people watching this to hear?
Find the rest of her story on www.ThePatientStory.com
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Background:
The Patient Story turns in-depth interviews from recent cancer survivors into a FAQ format-story along with timelines to give newly diagnosed patients and caregivers a sense of what their lives may look like in the upcoming months. Hear straight from the people who've already been through it.
TPS (formerly OneDavid) was started by Stephanie Chuang, a non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, who wants cancer patients and caregivers to get the information they need in a human way, not with medical jargon. Visit www.ThePatientStory.com for more.
If you would like to share a story, give feedback, or just say hello, we'd also love to hear from you! Please write us at support@thepatientstory.com.
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A message from our founder:
My name is Stephanie.
In 2013, I found a story that touched my heart: a group of friends were fighting to raise awareness about bone marrow donations for a young woman who'd been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It had spread to her brain.
Nina was in dire need of a bone marrow transplant. She's of Asian descent, which narrowed her odds of finding a match (fewer people of the same race and ethnicity registered to donate).
The good news: she found a donor! The wife and mother of two is living happily. I couldn't be happier.
The "odd" news: I was diagnosed with the same cancer, same sub-type just three years later.
That motivated me to create The Patient Story: a company to help cancer patients and caregivers by giving them real answers from real people - people who've actually been through the experience.
Find more at www.thepatientstory.com
Where it all started: • The Patient Story | Wh...
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wow! Doreen is awesome! i got diagnosed but wont be doing chemo. i dont think i would live threw it. im 58 stage 2. im having lumpectomy
Thank you for sharing your story. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma stage 1B triple positive. I had a mastectomy, 33 rounds of radiation and just finished 13 months of chemo.
Bridget, so glad you're done with so much treatment. Wishing you the very best! -Stephanie
I'm feeling very fortunate to find Doreen's video. I too gained about 20 lbs a couple of years before I was correctly diagnosed with triple positive HER2 stage 1 in March 2022. I suspected it was cancer related as the only other time I had a weight gain was when I had metastatic thyroid cancer many years before. I finished the chemo and radiation recently. Unfortunately I can't tolerate the hormone blockers, but I'm grateful for feeling better after all this and looking forward to continued healing. Thank you Doreen! You're a great inspiration to me.😘❤️
I feel sad, depressed today upon waiting for my biopsy result I 've just known that my cousin is currently suffering brain tumor....All I thought was we don't have history of cancer....but you know what I feel about Gods Grace in our family because she is now serving God..and currently I'm also beginning to follow Jesus...thank you Lord for strength..
Hi Doreen. Thank you. I was just diagnosed with Stage IIIA E/R - HER2+ breast cancer in early March 2022. I just finished 6 rounds adjuntive chemo with taxotere and carboplatin and Phesgo (love that targeted chemo). Surgery is at the end of August. Mastectomy and lymph nodes to be removed with targeted therapy and some hot radiation coming my way. I love your honesty and directness. I have been trying to work and you are right when you said it was keeping you occupied and not thinking about your cancer all day. It IS All about the earings too! Thank you for your information regarding the process of chemo and side effects of radiation. Like you, I want to know what to expect.
Well said .For any women out there that are going for chemo or radiotherapy please please remember the experience is different for every woman .I started losing my hair after 2 weeks and got it cut off and the sooner I did it the better I felt .Its takes courage to tell this story but it helps .Well done .
You rock girl. I wanted to mention one thing no one told me which I am facing now is that when you have radiation about 5 yrs after you have a good chance of getting thyroid cancer from the radiation. Be diligent and get this checked. No one told me this part and now I am scared as hell it may have spread to my lungs because I am having short of breath. You are your own voice. Make them do tests you think you should have. Thank you so much for your story, I think it was spot on as to me going through the same thing. God bless you all out there. Remember your faith, there is hope.🤗🙏❤️
I had metastatic thyroid cancer 20 years before my breast cancer diagnosis. Papillary thyroid cancer is the benign cancer that is easy to treat compared to breast cancer. Take good care and try not to worry.❤
Hi. Great explanation! You did great and you are very strong! I had grade 3 stage 2b her2 positive. I was diagnosed at 44 yo. I am 3 years clear! - I got very sick- couldn’t work at all for nearly 2 years! Got serious low blood counts ( had a throat infection ) and suffered from neutropenia so had to get special shots and was hospitalised nearly septic for a week! More serious than I thought! - but not uncommon! Had a port too! The hair thing does get you initially! Had a reaction to carboplatin! Was sooo happy when chemo finished! So I have to find more employment- not so physical! I hope to still get my old self back after working again! - Haven’t felt great since- a lot I think is fear of recurrance! - It takes awhile to stop thinking of! Keeping reasonably busy is best! I’m glad ur friends were supportive! - I hope they still will be for awhile yet! I had counselling in two rounds- and now I refuse to take any crap from anyone in my life- cause life is sooo short! Wishing you all the best for your future! I know you will do well! You look great! Cheers.x
Hi Rachael! Thanks for the sweet comment! If you'd be interested in sharing your story, feel free to email me at abby@thepatientstory. We'd love to have you featured!
Thank you for sharing your story!! I’m 1yr out from being diagnosed and I’m 6 months post treatment. It’s been a long road but I’m happy to say that I’m finally starting to feel like myself again. 44 yrs old - dealing with breast cancer and a never ending pandemic was brutal!!
Jennifer, so glad Doreen's story resonated with you and more glad that you are feeling like yourself again, especially given we've been in a pandemic! Hugs :) -Stephanie
daughter was diagnosed in June 2022, started chemo ASAP July- phase 1 2 chemo drugs , her baby turned 1yr old, end of July....Sept...she switched surgeon & oncologist (better suited for her) started phase 2 on a 3rd chemo drug once a week for 12wks. ending Nov. then Surgery, Dec.2022, then 20 days radiation Jan.2023....She's a single 45yr. old Mom & self employed....found the lump after stopping breastfeeding .....unfortunately we are still dealing with "covid" in the medical settings after 2 years.... Also rough pregnancy & postpartum all during the height of the pandemic......now this........
Doreen di Salvo, you are a legend. I have watched your video several times as a fellow cancer sufferer. I love your straight talking. I get so fed up with people who think their cancer stories are so AMAZING that we must all feel the need to watch them. Oh, oh woe is all of us in suffering with cancer. You told it straight, how it is, no make up, no anything. Good on you.
So strong, this is why women rule the world . My wife is stage 3 breast cancer , and the hardest thing I've ever done is shave her head . Fantastic woman
I'm stage breast cancer survivor estrogen positive almost 4 years clear.
Her raw honesty!! I’m starting chemo in 2 days and grateful I ran across this video
Pam, so glad to hear Doreen's story was helpful! Thinking of you as your start chemo. By the way, if you want access to more stories: www.thepatientstory.com/cancers/breast -Stephanie
What a great story. You did so well.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Doreen! You are an inspiration to those of us on this path. You are so blessed to have so many who support and care for you. Bless you now and always.💕
Thanks for Sharing Your Story...Loss Both Parents to Cancer ... Spreading Love and Smiles to Ya Channel ☺️💕☺️💕☺️
This is amazing. I’m almost done with chemo and schedule radiation in November. Thank you for telling the truth about radiation.
Use lots of lotion. It really helps.
I hope that you're healing well now.❤️. I had 20 days of radiation ending the beginning of February. The radiology nurse gave me Calendula cream that worked well. I was lucky not to get the burn.
I am glad she talked about the radiation after surgery.......nobody talks about that...everybody knows about the chemo end
Thank you I just started and hearing you make it better
Sharon, so glad Doreen's words were helpful! Sending you the most positive vibes.
thank you for taking the time to make this video and sharing your Beast Cancer Survivor story with us
Thank you for your kind words!
The information you shared help and prepared me for my own treatment
Thank you for this....for being candid and straightforward for all those facing similar cancer fears.
I hope you're keeping your head up, appreciating life, and powering through your journey.
Ricci, thank you so much for the kind words!
It didn't impact me because I went through pretty much the same thing. I didn't mind the radiation, my skin blistered and ozzed fluids . That was 14 years ago 👍👍👍. My mother died from breast cancer at 55 , I had always assumed that it would happen to me. I wasn't scared , the chemotherapy treatment was bad for me . The side effects were awful . It's over and I am fine . Hasn't changed my outlook at all .
What a beautiful woman....and her smile at the end says it all. !!
Cherie, thank you for such kind words! Doreen is a force to be reckoned with and beautiful, inside and out. -Stephanie
Really enjoyed your video so thank you for that. I’ve been diagnosed as well but in my nodes.
I had a unilateral mastectomy and now wait to meet with the oncologist soon to discuss treatment.
What really got my attention in your video is your weight gain prior to. I have gained 25 lbs in the last 3
Years just out of nowhere. I asked if this could be a symptom and she kind of smirked , no.
Mine is hormonal as well so you kind of think this makes sense , no?
I’ve also been told to expect more weight gain through chemo , oh great!
Of course this is the last thing I should worry about but still bald and fat just
Isn’t sitting well with me. Thank you for your braveness in telling your story, it will help many understand what’s ahead. I’m practicing
Holding my breath for radiation . All the best to you
Lauren, so glad to hear that you are being taken care of and that Doreen's story was helpful. She really is incredible. Thinking of you as you go into radiations. -Stephanie, The Patient Story
I am 2b cancer survivor how are you now? Hope we live more longer…
🌸 Thank you much for alot of important info. .. :) You explained very well and I appreciate you, thanks! 🌻
Carol, so glad Doreen and her story were helpful! -Stephanie
What a amazing woman. Thank you for your story and for all the help you put in to the world. What one terrible person thumbs downed this?
Thank you for such kind words! Doreen is incredible.
I agree with you Doreen that radiation was not so straightforward. I found it terrifying which came out of nowhere.
It’s not painful to administer, and each session is short. But I found the scanning appointment rushed and confusing so I wasn’t really sure what to expect
The machine is indeed huge and comes down close to your face, turns and clicks and you’re laid out with your boobs out. I felt like I was part of a cancer factory, and the staff were so impersonal, not friendly.
I had almost no burning, very minor so I could avoid the rude breast cancer nurses. Nobody needs a Uni degree in lotions and moisturers to deal with it.
Absolutely traumatised by the process and I was not prepared, I was told it would be a big nothing burger. It’s just that I did r know I would be so scared if a machine! I’m not know to be a scaredy cat.
I’m 3 years post lumpectomy and rads, just doing the anastrazole.
I was stage 2 ER/PR +.Node negative.
I want now for this to be over!
Sending you positive thoughts and many thanks for your video
Thank you for this!
Diagnosed with ILC 2b triple positive (+++). I'm age 79, in relatively good health for my age with no genetic component, although my mom had a breast cancer at age 69 in 1979 (she was a 23 year survivor).
I began taking Letrozole hormone blocker and begin TCHP tomorrow. I think I am braced for what's to come but your video helps a great deal. I'm resigned to losing my hair (I'll shave it off), have ordered head coverings and am shopping for a wig as like you my hair helps make me feel more feminine. I'm also going to get my eyebrows tattooed on as they have gotten patchy with age but once were quite thick.
Ty🙏
About an hour ago I was told I have DCIS.
I’m terrified at the moment
Sandra, I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Just know you are not alone. There are also more stories like Doreen's here: www.thepatientstory.com/cancers/breast/. Thinking of you. -Stephanie
Hello Sandra. I had dcis in my left breast 12 years ago. I had a lumpectomy only and it never recurred. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with triple positive HER2 stage 1 in my right breast last year and went through chemo and radiation. There are many advancements in treatment now and I hope that you're doing well and recovered. Best wishes to you.❤️👍🌞
P KUDOS TO You¡!
Your journey sounds very similar to mine I was stage 3B but I ended up having a mastectomy first and then had all the treatment afterwards it is a journey and God bless you & take good care! XO
So glad you seem to be on the other side of treatment!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Wouldn't the world be a more peaceful, calming, relaxing, and less vain place to live if everyone (both men and women) shaved off all their hair and keep it off, or very short. What a wonderful wish to hope for. The beauty and cosmetic industry got us thinking and living in this society thinking about our looks all the time and looking constantly in the mirror, all the industry cares about is making lots of money. Love yourself, with or without any hair.
What a beautiful woman
Raelene, we couldn't agree more. Thank you for watching.
Hey lady you go to your GP or OBGYN and actually get a mammogram scheduled yearly
Hey Marilyn, hope you are well. As much as 20-30% of cancers are missed (false negative) with a mammogram.