Best Of
Re: My right breast doesn't feel the same anymore ... Is this the new norm post lumpectomy, chemo & rad?
Hiya and thank you for the info! I was actually attached to Breast Cancer WA during all my treatment and can’t speak highly enough of them. My family couldn’t handle my diagnosis so all my support came from outside sources. If anyone is in Perth, they are a godsend offering so many resources including counselling. I admit I had a more active social life with them than now!
I am not in favour of having a breast lift on my “good” breast due to scarring (the internal kind) and any possible risks. I think that it is a good choice for many women and respect that but I can a good bra to fake it!
You have done so well! I need to lose 10kgs as a starter as I have diabetes2 . I think an exercise physiologist would be great as I lack motivation- the treadmill ended up being a clothes rack!
Many thanks for your advice and I am taking away a lot of ideas and your story is so motivating to me! Love ❤️
viking1
1
Re: My right breast doesn't feel the same anymore ... Is this the new norm post lumpectomy, chemo & rad?
Hi @viking1
I just had a look at the internet and Breast Care WA looks promising.
There are probably others.
I just had a look at the internet and Breast Care WA looks promising.
There are probably others.
Re: My right breast doesn't feel the same anymore ... Is this the new norm post lumpectomy, chemo & rad?
Hi @viking1
I am in Sydney and there is a great shop here called Leila O’Toole for breast cancer patients , sells great swimwear , soft forms and other things.
I found out about it from my breast care nurse - I wonder if there is something similar in Perth.
Also if you would like more surgery it’s ok and I don’t think it’s really “ elective” as you didn’t elect to have breast cancer and you may be eligible for it free in the public system - no harm in asking - hopefully some ladies on here from Perth can jump on here.
I had a double mastectomy with DIEp flap reconstruction in 2021/22 and am now 66.
I had it in the private system and it was expensive.
I was an E cup and am now C cup and very happy with the result.
I went on a diet and exercise pro gram when I got the diagnosis and lost the 10 kilos I had put on over 30 years and have kept it off - I saw an exercise physiologist and knew what I had to do diet wise .
I asked my plastic surgeon was I too old at 62 for the surgery and he said he had operated on plenty of ladies in their 70s and didn’t I know that 60 was the new 50!
But of course surgery is not to be considered lightly - just something you might consider in the mix.
But with the right bra you might be able to sort some thing out.
Best of luck .
I am in Sydney and there is a great shop here called Leila O’Toole for breast cancer patients , sells great swimwear , soft forms and other things.
I found out about it from my breast care nurse - I wonder if there is something similar in Perth.
Also if you would like more surgery it’s ok and I don’t think it’s really “ elective” as you didn’t elect to have breast cancer and you may be eligible for it free in the public system - no harm in asking - hopefully some ladies on here from Perth can jump on here.
I had a double mastectomy with DIEp flap reconstruction in 2021/22 and am now 66.
I had it in the private system and it was expensive.
I was an E cup and am now C cup and very happy with the result.
I went on a diet and exercise pro gram when I got the diagnosis and lost the 10 kilos I had put on over 30 years and have kept it off - I saw an exercise physiologist and knew what I had to do diet wise .
I asked my plastic surgeon was I too old at 62 for the surgery and he said he had operated on plenty of ladies in their 70s and didn’t I know that 60 was the new 50!
But of course surgery is not to be considered lightly - just something you might consider in the mix.
But with the right bra you might be able to sort some thing out.
Best of luck .
Re: Struggling through Chemo
hi @Paris_24 lovely to hear your news - super interesting to hear about the acupuncture! Fingers crossed you start to enjoy some reduction in the lymphoedema. I think it might be 1 year today since you joined the network? 👏🎂🌸🌻
thanks for the update ☺️
thanks for the update ☺️
Tri
1
Re: Struggling through Chemo
Great to hear you are all doing ok. I think this chat started around a year ago as well.
@Paris_24 I'm waiting for an appointment for ovary removal, was there any difference with the menopause symptoms? I've been getting hot flushes since I started chemo, and other than some muscle aches and stiffness, I haven't really notice much difference since I started the zoladex and letrozole, although maybe the hot flushes have reduced slightly.
One thing I have noticed is my eyelashes, which survived most of chemo, have come back really short, I have to turn my head sideways to see them in the mirror 😆. They were never long to begin with, and I thought they might come back better 🤣 on the plus side I only need to shave my legs every week or so.
@Paris_24 I'm waiting for an appointment for ovary removal, was there any difference with the menopause symptoms? I've been getting hot flushes since I started chemo, and other than some muscle aches and stiffness, I haven't really notice much difference since I started the zoladex and letrozole, although maybe the hot flushes have reduced slightly.
One thing I have noticed is my eyelashes, which survived most of chemo, have come back really short, I have to turn my head sideways to see them in the mirror 😆. They were never long to begin with, and I thought they might come back better 🤣 on the plus side I only need to shave my legs every week or so.
Katie46
2
I just found out today
I had my first appointment with my oncologist this afternoon. I had had a PET scan and MRI earlier in the week. I received the results today that the cancer has metastasised. They found a spot on my sternum, back and pelvis. I need to go have a biopsy on my sternum.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 8 February. 4 days after my father’s funeral. I just feel shocked and numb. I want to feel hopeful but at the moment I just feel hopeless.
What do I do to change my mindset? Has anyone else been through similar? I really need to feel like this isn’t a death sentence. I have 2 kids, 15 & 13. I want to be here to see them grow up! Do I even have a chance???
Re: Palbociclib Side effects back
@arpie they sent me home with some good pain killers only taking it a night so I don't wake up while tossing in my sleep
Dr said the fall will have aggravated the arthritis as well
@iserbrown im not very upright at the moment couple of days bed rest was ordered
Dr said the fall will have aggravated the arthritis as well
@iserbrown im not very upright at the moment couple of days bed rest was ordered
Re: Palbociclib Side effects back
So sorry to hear this, @cranky_granny 
So glad there are no breaks. It'll take a while for it to settle, sadly - I hope you can take something to control any pain xx take care buddy
So glad there are no breaks. It'll take a while for it to settle, sadly - I hope you can take something to control any pain xx take care buddy arpie
1
Re: Palbociclib Side effects back
Ouch on the bruising on the hips!
Take care and hopefully improvement will come soon and you can cope with sitting at work!
Best wishes
BTW I hear your discomfort I had a hip replacement in 2022 - it was an ongoing issue that I didn't realise how bad it had got - a couple of falls with horrid bruising had happened along the way.
It's a bitch that we are not taut and terrific as we age.....oh well, at least I am upright!
Take care and hopefully improvement will come soon and you can cope with sitting at work!
Best wishes
BTW I hear your discomfort I had a hip replacement in 2022 - it was an ongoing issue that I didn't realise how bad it had got - a couple of falls with horrid bruising had happened along the way.
It's a bitch that we are not taut and terrific as we age.....oh well, at least I am upright!
Re: Struggling through Chemo
@Katie46 @GorgyS @Tri great to hear your updates and things are tracking well. I am on the letrozole (5 yrs), Abema (2 yrs) dose adjusted to 100mg and being tolerated. Seeing the oncologist every 3 weeks. Recently had ovaries and fallopian tubes removed surgery went well, healing up and no more zoladex (was told would have for 10 years). On the Veoza for menopause symptoms which stopped overnight. Still have significant lymphoedema see the physio weekly, compression garments and an arm pump for an hour each day. I have had accupuncture sessions, bye bye brain fog after the first session and also improvement with finger and feet neuropathy. Hair is short still and little curls. Not back at work yet will come later this year. Trying to get back to a new normal and love hearing how you all are. 😊
Paris_24
1