The Chemo Club is so excited to get to know you!!!
What was your life like before undergoing chemotherapy?
My name is Amanda Etris! I am 31 years old and have two little boys 5 and 8 and a Husband of 10 years! We are from Ball Ground, GA. Before Chemo I was working at the Elementary school my children attend. I work in special education and absolutely love it. I am on the PTA board and was always hands on with something at the school or in the community. Once chemo started in December 2022 I had to stop, leave my job at the school for the rest of the year, stop all involvement with day-to-day activities.
Bring us along your journey – when were you diagnosed with cancer? What was your initial reaction?
I was diagnosed in December of 2022. Right before Christmas. I had found a lump in my right breast in November. I was sick at the time and thought it may be a lymph node. It continued to grow so I went in to see my Doctor. Everything else went pretty quickly: From Mammogram to ultrasound, biopsy, second biopsy, MRI, another biopsy. All within two weeks. Based off all the test and the response of each Radiologist doing my biopsy I was certain it was Cancer. When my Breast Specialist finally called with the results I was not surprised. I told her I could read it on the faces of each Health care worker I came in contact with. It was a combination of fear and pity. I was scared but ready to move forward.
What was your first chemotherapy treatment like? What treatment/treatments did you or are currently undergoing?
From the time I had my first scan to the time I got diagnosed, my tumor had grown by 2.5 cm in two weeks! So, my Oncologist said we must start chemo right away. My tumor was 1 cm from reaching my muscle wall and it would be considered metastasized at that point. She explained all the risk if I did not choose to start right away and I believed her! I didn’t have the chance to freeze eggs in the case I wanted more children. I didn’t have time to do my due diligence of google searching we all do… even though it never ends well. I started chemo without the typical “chemo education” they typically give you. They gave my my “chemo education” as I was getting my first round.
My treatment is called TCHP+
It is Taxol, Carboplatin, Herceptin and Perjeta. Chemo lasts for 6 rounds- treatment every 21 days and then I continue with Herceptin and Perjeta as a targeted therapy treatment until I have completed a total of a year. This treatment is specific to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Hormone receptor negative HER2 positive.
Who did you turn to as your support system?
I didn’t want to scare my family. I had the best friends I can ask for stand by my side throughout this whole thing and are still here as I complete my treatment. I work at an elementary school and the school and community rallied around me and took care of us better than we could ever imagine. We became #ballgroundstrong. Once I got a better idea of what my future held I began to lean on my family more.
What is something you wished you knew before starting your chemo treatment?
No one can prepare you for chemo. Everyone has different side effects and responses to treatment and medication. All I ever knew was what I saw in movies. I wish that I didn’t have that idea of chemo/cancer patients that the movies put in your head- in bed, pale, sick as a dog, unable to move. Because of that, I was pretty nervous about what my side effects would be. I wish someone told me that it is not like the movies make it out to be.
Have there been certain side effects that have been worse than others?
I had nausea, diarrhea, but it was controlled well with medication. I had dramatic hair loss beginning 14 days after treatment. By day 18 I was bald and it wasn’t as big of a deal as I thought it would be, it is like a right of passage. I had bone pain that would come and go but I could bear through it, some people have it worst than others. My worst side effect though was Heartburn and reflux! Who would think breast cancer treatment would cause that! I was not prepared at all. The put me on two different medications and it helped but I felt like a walking pharmacy taking so much medication. In the end my nails fell off- that was shocking. It is considered rare, but it does happen. Don’t panic! They grow back.
What are tips/tricks you have learned along the way to help with chemo side effects?
Check with your Doctor but mine approved the following:
Claritin- helps with bone pain- take it daily once the bone pain starts don’t miss a day!
When they say drink your water and stay hydrated they mean it- I did not do well with drinking and my liver and kidneys suffered. I recommend getting fluids regularly. I went in every week for fluids and it kept the side effects at a minimum and helped my organs tremendously.
Keep a record of your nausea meds and start taking a stool softener as soon as you start the nausea medication because it will constipate you quickly.
When feeling like crap and hurting I would take a hot shower with some essential oils- I wanted to take a bath so bad but every time I tried my immune system was so shot I ended up with a UTI. Take deep breaths, let the water help your body feel better and the steam and deep breaths help you relax. Anxiety can be a major burden during treatment. This will help.
Do you recommend any chemo friendly products?
When your eyebrows fall out- hopefully they don’t but mine did after my 5th round of chemo: Go on Amazon and look up, “BROWS BY BOSSY” by far the best on the market I tried dozens. They have so many different colors, shapes, sizes and for men and women! Once you put them on apply a powder daily to make them last longer.
If you are not eating well, invest in electrolyte supplements such as “liquid IV”.
Invest in Ear plugs- you’re going to be exhausted like never before and you’re going to be sleeping while the world revolves around you. Might as well block out the sound and get good rest.
If you do not sleep through chemo, bring ear buds to listen to music or watch tv, bring a coloring book, or better yet make a friend! I have met some wonderful people sitting next to me at chemo.
Any advice for other chemo patients?
Don’t be scared to ask for help. You will try to not let chemo keep you down. You will try to keep going and its so good for you to do that and keep your body moving as much as you can. When that well known “Chemo fatigue “ hits let it take you down, your body needs the rest. If you fight it your body will suffer, your immune system will suffer and your symptoms will become worst. So, take the time to rest and when your ready get back at it! You will hear so often that you are strong, you’re a fighter and you may end up hating those words but when its over you will realize that you are strong. It is a battle no one wants to face yet many of us have to. All you can do is do your best; keep a positive attitude it does wonder for your health. Always keep your eyes on the future and never give up hope.
