Best Of
Re: Struggling through Chemo
Hi lovely people, I have only just joined the forum and I am sure that it will be another wonderful tool in my journey with Breast Cancer. I was diagnosed 28th August, had a lumpectomy and lymph node removal x 2 at Tweed Valley Hospital on 26/9. I received the results of the pathology last Thursday 17/10 and I have Grade 3, Triple Negative invasive carcinoma. My Specialist who is a truly wonderful surgeon and human being has referred me to the Oncology team at Tweed Valley Hospital - I should hear from them in the next week. It is likely that I will need chemo and radiation so I am looking forward to seeing the journey and experiences of other wonderful women in this forum to help me to understand and to be able to make more informed as I embark on my own journey with breast cancer. 
Re: 16 Weeks Pregnant and diagnosed with aggressive hormonal breast cancer
Oh @Emma1113 I wish I could give you the biggest hug. I’m so sorry this is happening to you at what should be an exciting time for you. I have nothing much to offer you in the way of comforting words, but I did meet someone going through a similar situation to you. I am 44 & have 2 older children & was feeling very hard done by when I was in the ward recovering from my second surgery to remove lymph nodes. Across from me was a lovely younger lady who was diagnosed during her pregnancy, she had a safer? chemo up till 36 weeks, then Bub was delivered. She had her husband & her Mum caring for Bub back at home & she was now having more aggressive chemo. I felt like I had nothing to complain about. All I can offer is to reach out to your support network & ask for the help & caring you need right now. The BCNA hotline is amazing, if you don’t have a McGrath nurse, look up the website & access one - public or private they will support you. Rest & be selfish.
Thinking of you xo
Does anyone have shoulder issues? Torn Rotator Cuff/Frozen Shoulder etc
Hi guys
It is well known, that, for some reason, women get more shoulder problems than men - specially around/after the age of 50 ... probably from lifting kids all the time & the laundry, shopping & other stuff ... (tho I never had kids, so can't blame that!)
Over the last 25 years, I've had a procedure done on both my shoulders - the first being manipulation under a block anaesthetic for a severe frozen shoulder, where I couldn't lift my arm above shoulder height & couldn't put it behind my back at all! (It took 6 months of physio/exercises to get it back to normal range of movement.) The 2nd was Acromioplasty, 10 years later - keyhole surgery on the other arm for torn rotator cuff & bicep/frozen shoulder - which took well over a year to get normal range of movement back. At the time, my surgeon said I'd probably be back in 10 years for another procedure .....
Fast forward another 5 years - This time last year I was diagnosed again with torn rotator cuff and frozen shoulder in the original arm (nearly 25 years since the 1st procedure - I was SO lucky it has lasted 'that long' without recurrence!) I tried to get hold of my original surgeon who did both procedures (who was BRILLIANT with shoulders) but sadly, he had retired early last year!
I put it on the back burner .....
So ... Back to the drawing board ..... At the time, I had a good look at my cupboards to see what may be aggravating the shoulder - and sure enough - a couple of heavy items that I used every day (including my big jar of Vegemite!) - was further away & higher up than they needed to be!
When removing them every morning for breakfast, it put an unusual angle on my left arm, aggravating the shoulder! So ... I rearranged everything in that cupboard, bringing the heavy bits to eye level & immediately to my left, instead of having to reach up & over to get them - so it was MUCH easier to get the heavy bits out - and VOILA! 12 months down the track, I have no pain in the shoulder at all!! YAY! I am hoping it stays this way!
If you are having shoulder issues - check out the placement of stuff in ALL your cupboards (not just the kitchen) and make sure the stuff you use more often, is closer & either at eye level or lower, as picking things up is usually less aggravating to the shoulders than bringing them down from from a distance & higher up!
take care
It is well known, that, for some reason, women get more shoulder problems than men - specially around/after the age of 50 ... probably from lifting kids all the time & the laundry, shopping & other stuff ... (tho I never had kids, so can't blame that!)
Over the last 25 years, I've had a procedure done on both my shoulders - the first being manipulation under a block anaesthetic for a severe frozen shoulder, where I couldn't lift my arm above shoulder height & couldn't put it behind my back at all! (It took 6 months of physio/exercises to get it back to normal range of movement.) The 2nd was Acromioplasty, 10 years later - keyhole surgery on the other arm for torn rotator cuff & bicep/frozen shoulder - which took well over a year to get normal range of movement back. At the time, my surgeon said I'd probably be back in 10 years for another procedure .....
Fast forward another 5 years - This time last year I was diagnosed again with torn rotator cuff and frozen shoulder in the original arm (nearly 25 years since the 1st procedure - I was SO lucky it has lasted 'that long' without recurrence!) I tried to get hold of my original surgeon who did both procedures (who was BRILLIANT with shoulders) but sadly, he had retired early last year!
I put it on the back burner ..... So ... Back to the drawing board ..... At the time, I had a good look at my cupboards to see what may be aggravating the shoulder - and sure enough - a couple of heavy items that I used every day (including my big jar of Vegemite!) - was further away & higher up than they needed to be!
When removing them every morning for breakfast, it put an unusual angle on my left arm, aggravating the shoulder! So ... I rearranged everything in that cupboard, bringing the heavy bits to eye level & immediately to my left, instead of having to reach up & over to get them - so it was MUCH easier to get the heavy bits out - and VOILA! 12 months down the track, I have no pain in the shoulder at all!! YAY! I am hoping it stays this way!
If you are having shoulder issues - check out the placement of stuff in ALL your cupboards (not just the kitchen) and make sure the stuff you use more often, is closer & either at eye level or lower, as picking things up is usually less aggravating to the shoulders than bringing them down from from a distance & higher up!
take care
arpie
5
Watch this space!
We’ve been listening to your feedback and we’re excited to announce that the Online Network will be moving to a new platform in early 2025! This has been designed to better serve your needs. This will mean you will only need one login, one password for the Online Network and all our resources. We are committed to improving your experience, and we can’t wait to share these new features with you in the New Year. Keep an eye out for regular updates in early 2025.
BCNA
5
16 Weeks Pregnant and diagnosed with aggressive hormonal breast cancer
As the title says, I am currently 16 weeks pregnant with my first child, I turn 32 in Feb and have no family history of breast cancer.
My surgeon has said I will need a mastectomy in the next week or 2.
To say overwhelmed and unsure about my future is a complete understatement. I have found limited people in the same position as me and really don't feel confident as much as everyone has told me to stay strong and positive.
I know I'm very lucky to have the support I do have around me, but obviously it's such a different situation that no one knows how to approach.
My surgeon has said I will need a mastectomy in the next week or 2.
To say overwhelmed and unsure about my future is a complete understatement. I have found limited people in the same position as me and really don't feel confident as much as everyone has told me to stay strong and positive.
I know I'm very lucky to have the support I do have around me, but obviously it's such a different situation that no one knows how to approach.
Emma1113
13
Re: Palbociclib Side effects back
Well here I am again I made it from May 2023 to Nov 2024 then needed another break off the Palbociclib and didn’t that 4 weeks go fast again. Best part this time is neutrophils went up over 3 this time. Saw the oncologist understudy (I suppose they have to learn face to face)
start the Tablet back up tonight full strength again.
start the Tablet back up tonight full strength again.
I will keep doing whatever works to keep this thing at bay
OH YEAH forgot to mention I have met my first Great Grandchild a lovely little boy 10 days old today. Just going to hang in there now for one of them to have a little girl.
OH YEAH forgot to mention I have met my first Great Grandchild a lovely little boy 10 days old today. Just going to hang in there now for one of them to have a little girl.
Re: Scared about the side effects of treatment
Thanks so much everyone for your support and advice
I felt much better going into it on Wednesday thanks to this place of support.
I felt much better going into it on Wednesday thanks to this place of support.
I actually ended up having a severe allergic reaction to the paclitaxel though and went into respiratory distress! They had to press the alarm button and I had lots of medical people rushing into the treatment area. A bit of a crazy experience! Anyway, the nurses took good care of me and after some antihistamines and Ventolin I settled down. Not what I had expected though!! Anyway, a silver lining is that the oncologist thinks due to my tumor being on the smaller side when it was removed I will just continue on with the Herceptin and tamoxifen instead as she doesn't think continuing on with the chemo is worth the risk of the allergic reaction again.
So now I'll be starting the tamoxifen next week and will see how that goes.
Thanks again for all of your help and support xx
So now I'll be starting the tamoxifen next week and will see how that goes.
Thanks again for all of your help and support xx
Caity
5
Re: 6 month update TNBC Stage 4
Hi everyone
Thanks for your messages
My liver is back to normal now after 4 months of meds, weekly appts, and a tocilizumab infusion. Liver Doc gave the ok to get back to treatment.
I have just started Capecitabine for a week.
My scans showed tumour growth however we weren't really concerned too much as I haven't had treatment for 4 months due to inflammed liver, it's was a given there would be activity, no new areas of growth which was good.
Hoping Cape will help and yes SG is next line of attack if needed.
Feeling great,.working full-time so getting on with it. Hope everyone is doing well 💗
Thanks for your messages
My liver is back to normal now after 4 months of meds, weekly appts, and a tocilizumab infusion. Liver Doc gave the ok to get back to treatment.
I have just started Capecitabine for a week.
My scans showed tumour growth however we weren't really concerned too much as I haven't had treatment for 4 months due to inflammed liver, it's was a given there would be activity, no new areas of growth which was good.
Hoping Cape will help and yes SG is next line of attack if needed.
Feeling great,.working full-time so getting on with it. Hope everyone is doing well 💗
TrishV
7
Re: Feeling scared and just a bit angry
I just want to say how thankful I am to everyone that has replied to me. Sadly things just got alot worse on New years eve, my as of now ex, tried to stab me, luckily I had someone here at the time, police took out IVO and now I am just trying to get legal help regarding the house, but I have taken a step back to taking everything day by day and only Controlling what I can. Sometimes things are very overwhelming but I take deep breathes and watch trash T.V and turn off to everything that is just extra fluff. I have reconnected with a family member, which was part of the control from my ex, telling myself everyday I have people that are there for me, like this group, the breast care nurses and of course my son and daughter-in-law. I will forever be grateful for everybody that I haven't met but have given words of comfort and hope.I am now in touch with a counsellor as well. I hope that one day I can be that person to ease someone's fears and have them know their not alone, thank you all so much xoxo Karen.
Kaz27
7
Re: Feeling scared and just a bit angry
Hi @Kaz27
Sorry to see you here but as others have said we are a wealth of information between us, those that have gone before us, us and those, like you, starting out!
I am a firm believer that stress has a lot to do with the state we find ourselves in - my life was extremely stressful leading up to the BC diagnosis. I had to reassess what I was doing volunteer and workwise, snub the bullies, and more importantly always smiled and said hello to the bullies when I came across them, to prove their crap may have sat heavy but I have risen up above it and never let on about my cancer diagnosis to them!
For me personally I am fortunate to have been married for a very long time and my hubby is as supportive as he was from the first time, we went out together! My stresses are a little different now as I am a full-time carer for a younger sister with Dementia! It's watching someone you love to deteriorate, and you can only nurture and accept and repeat the answer to a question asked over and over!
I agree with others advice, please seek some counselling - your personal life sounds in turmoil but at present you need all your emotional and physical energy to cope with and beat this, Cancer! Counselling hopefully will give you some coping mechanisms. Both on a personal level and on the Cancer level. I was put with a Counsellor the day of diagnosis and her advice was if you feel yourself starting to stress out then pat your legs saying this is me, this is now and true enough it works, as your thoughts are concentrating on the patting and yourself, it brings you into the now!
Lots of help here, just please don't belt yourself up over the diagnosis, it is what it is and there's plans in place to hopefully beat it!
Sad to read of the plight of your son and daughter in law.
Best wishes
Take care
Sorry to see you here but as others have said we are a wealth of information between us, those that have gone before us, us and those, like you, starting out!
I am a firm believer that stress has a lot to do with the state we find ourselves in - my life was extremely stressful leading up to the BC diagnosis. I had to reassess what I was doing volunteer and workwise, snub the bullies, and more importantly always smiled and said hello to the bullies when I came across them, to prove their crap may have sat heavy but I have risen up above it and never let on about my cancer diagnosis to them!
For me personally I am fortunate to have been married for a very long time and my hubby is as supportive as he was from the first time, we went out together! My stresses are a little different now as I am a full-time carer for a younger sister with Dementia! It's watching someone you love to deteriorate, and you can only nurture and accept and repeat the answer to a question asked over and over!
I agree with others advice, please seek some counselling - your personal life sounds in turmoil but at present you need all your emotional and physical energy to cope with and beat this, Cancer! Counselling hopefully will give you some coping mechanisms. Both on a personal level and on the Cancer level. I was put with a Counsellor the day of diagnosis and her advice was if you feel yourself starting to stress out then pat your legs saying this is me, this is now and true enough it works, as your thoughts are concentrating on the patting and yourself, it brings you into the now!
Lots of help here, just please don't belt yourself up over the diagnosis, it is what it is and there's plans in place to hopefully beat it!
Sad to read of the plight of your son and daughter in law.
Best wishes
Take care
