Best Of
Re: Nails
ex nail technician here, I too was super worried about my ails doing just that, (what has happened to you) and I use to teach my students about the effects chemo had on the nails, I'm do sorry you have experienced this,
my go to product is cuticle oil, try if you can pending on how sore your fingers are, to drop a drop of cuticle oil on the cuticles of each nail if not just above the cuticle, and massage in very gently, this will help promote the growth in the matrix that lye's under the skin and just above the cuticle, this is where our nails grow from, try and keep nails short so they do not catch on anything, if your nails are discoloured and you can put polish on them to hide the discolouration then do so, if infected, then I would recommend not, as then you can keep an eye on how the infection is healing, nails will grow back in around 6 months time, try also adding a nail strengthen to add some protection to the nail plate for extra strength at this time.
good luck with getting through this chemo journey, I feel your pain.
my go to product is cuticle oil, try if you can pending on how sore your fingers are, to drop a drop of cuticle oil on the cuticles of each nail if not just above the cuticle, and massage in very gently, this will help promote the growth in the matrix that lye's under the skin and just above the cuticle, this is where our nails grow from, try and keep nails short so they do not catch on anything, if your nails are discoloured and you can put polish on them to hide the discolouration then do so, if infected, then I would recommend not, as then you can keep an eye on how the infection is healing, nails will grow back in around 6 months time, try also adding a nail strengthen to add some protection to the nail plate for extra strength at this time.
good luck with getting through this chemo journey, I feel your pain.
Maree72
1
Re: My journey starts today.
Hi @TrishV
I'm so sorry to hear you have joined the group no one ever thinks they will join. I was 50 (Dec 2022) when I was 1st diagnosed with my breast cancer, (also a big busted chick here too) I had a lumpectomy to remove, then was told to have radiation afterwards, but alas the 1st surgery left the cancer behind in the lymph nodes and a re occurrence happened thanks to that, and I was re diagnosed in the Aug of 2023, I'm still under gong treatment now, I went through chemo, now onto radiation, then back to oncology to talk about these hormone blockers,
I've also spent time researching eating healthy for living with breast cancer, and speaking with my naturopath - this has help me so much in what I can add into my daily diet,
People will tell you to exercise too,
I did this in my own time, and finding something that truly makes me happy, for me my choices are swimming and yoga, I personally hate walking, unless I'm out shopping in the shopping centres , haha
I found reaching out to the cancer council here in QLD (Brisbane office) so helpful, from the nurses to help you understand your options, to their psychologist, who i now see regularly to help me get through all this for my mental health,
I find this online forum to also be helpful with many lovely and supportive people who can share their experiences and thoughts with you, as well as some of the pod casts I have listen too.
its all overwhelming as you say as its completely normal, and so much runs through your head, the one thing I have learnt in my own journey is to value yourself, and ask questions if you do not like what you are being told, ask why, to things being told to you, if they don't sit well with you,
you know your own body.
Thinking of you, and wishing you nothing but good vibes as you go through this, and when ever you do feel alone, jumping on here is a great idea,
Some one said to me at the very start of my journey here on this forum, that you develop a thick skin over time, as when I was 1st diagnosed I got very upset on what & how various people (friends and family include) spoke to me about the cancer, it was extremely upsetting, but now I do have that thicker skin, and I've learnt how to handle such things being said so much better.
Never feel bad for asking for help. And please do ask for help, you shouldn't have to face this alone at all.
In my 51 years I never thought I would be speaking to a psychologist , but my goodness she has been a huge blessing to me.
Keep us updated on your journey, and best wishes xx
I'm so sorry to hear you have joined the group no one ever thinks they will join. I was 50 (Dec 2022) when I was 1st diagnosed with my breast cancer, (also a big busted chick here too) I had a lumpectomy to remove, then was told to have radiation afterwards, but alas the 1st surgery left the cancer behind in the lymph nodes and a re occurrence happened thanks to that, and I was re diagnosed in the Aug of 2023, I'm still under gong treatment now, I went through chemo, now onto radiation, then back to oncology to talk about these hormone blockers,
I've also spent time researching eating healthy for living with breast cancer, and speaking with my naturopath - this has help me so much in what I can add into my daily diet,
People will tell you to exercise too,
I did this in my own time, and finding something that truly makes me happy, for me my choices are swimming and yoga, I personally hate walking, unless I'm out shopping in the shopping centres , haha
I found reaching out to the cancer council here in QLD (Brisbane office) so helpful, from the nurses to help you understand your options, to their psychologist, who i now see regularly to help me get through all this for my mental health,
I find this online forum to also be helpful with many lovely and supportive people who can share their experiences and thoughts with you, as well as some of the pod casts I have listen too.
its all overwhelming as you say as its completely normal, and so much runs through your head, the one thing I have learnt in my own journey is to value yourself, and ask questions if you do not like what you are being told, ask why, to things being told to you, if they don't sit well with you,
you know your own body.
Thinking of you, and wishing you nothing but good vibes as you go through this, and when ever you do feel alone, jumping on here is a great idea,
Some one said to me at the very start of my journey here on this forum, that you develop a thick skin over time, as when I was 1st diagnosed I got very upset on what & how various people (friends and family include) spoke to me about the cancer, it was extremely upsetting, but now I do have that thicker skin, and I've learnt how to handle such things being said so much better.
Never feel bad for asking for help. And please do ask for help, you shouldn't have to face this alone at all.
In my 51 years I never thought I would be speaking to a psychologist , but my goodness she has been a huge blessing to me.
Keep us updated on your journey, and best wishes xx
Maree72
2
Re: My journey starts today.
Hi TrishV, we're all here for you. I remember how lonely and scary (and still is) being told you have breast cancer, and how kindness of strangers in these online forums got me through some of the most horrible thoughts in my head. So lean on us as much as you need/want because we're all going through it. Be kind and patient with yourself and the road ahead. From my own journey, it wasn't straightforward and there were setbacks, so important to have somewhere/someone you can talk to. I also found the waiting for the diagnosis/treatment/operation is the hardest. Sending you a massive hug
oseikka
2
Re: Peter Mac Radiotherapy Experience
Hi @Locksley, I had my planning CT at Peter Mac on Tuesday, I did the breath hold during that CT. I was really nervous as I am about treatment. I had a bad experience with my surgery and its made me very nervous about anything medical. I was offered the 5 day partial breast treatment which I chose. The machine they are using is surface guided which means no tattoos, but either way I wasnt fussed about the tattoos. Now Im waiting to be scheduled for treatment, did you wait a long time for the treatment after the planning had been done?
staton
1
Re: My journey starts today.
Hi TrishV , there are so many good comments already so just wanted to say take one day at a time, have a good cry when needed, & now you have reached out keep talking & don't bottle things up. I've lived a life of internal stress & have so many health issues because of it. Keep sharing! Look after yourself & let others look after you too. xx
Re: Nails
Thanks @Tri, the nail beds look ok, the nails have lifted from the tip to half way down. They reduced my paclitaxel dose by 30% about 3 weeks ago, and I also missed a week of chemo, so I'm hoping that's stopped them getting worse. They aren't sore anymore. I've only got 1 round to go now, hopefully my toenails will survive 🙂
Katie46
1
Re: HRT (Estrogen and Progesterone Hormone Replacement Therapy) After cancer for menopause?
Thank you @cranky_granny for your input. It is so sad that the cancer is hormone positive which indeed may feed on female hormones or this is what the medical world believes. At the same time so puzzling as we all grew up with female hormones and our heart, bones, uterus and possibly brain cells also have estrogen receptors. That is why it is believed when women reach menopause the risks of heat attacks, osteoporosis and Alzheimers’ are greater. In fact more women die from heart attacks than breast cancer after menopause.
yes the decision is mine but I don’t think there’s any doctors (at least here in Australia) who would be willing to prescribe HRT to a cancer patient. I am just beginning my search on HRT after finding myself menopausal and dealing with awful symptoms.
yes the decision is mine but I don’t think there’s any doctors (at least here in Australia) who would be willing to prescribe HRT to a cancer patient. I am just beginning my search on HRT after finding myself menopausal and dealing with awful symptoms.
au0rei
1