I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2007. I had an outpatient biopsy surgery and then the real surgery and the lymphectomy in the space of about a month.Nine weeks of aggressive radiation began after my stitches healed up.After radiation, I started on tamoxifen. I noticed strange things happening to my body. My legs would not work at all, I had a back pain so severe I went to several doctors for help.I was so weak I could not get out of bed. I seemed to have chemo brain and worse, my stomach pain was out of control. None of the doctors I saw had any explanation.I suffered for three years as a complete invalid. I saw doctors at university centers, oncology hematology experts, and every kind of doctor in between. No one could be of any help. Then came COPD, anemia & more health crisis. In the end it turned out to be Systemic Lupus, which I am fighting now. All the cancer treatments tripped a lupus flare that I will not forget anytime soon. If there is any possibility that you have an underlying condition when you are about to start treatment, make arrangements to have it managed while in treatment.I was unlucky and suffered a long time before I knew what was wrong. I am heading to the rhuemotologist soon to begin a plan to manage systemic lupus.

Bea Coleman
Ellensburg, WA