Best Of
Re: Creative Corner!
Had to share the lovely costume I made my daughter for her dance concert musical “Grease”. She looks so pretty!
MelV83
5
Re: DCIS - normal feelings?
Moved from activity section for @Jenmcd
Hi nmrobbo. I am hearing you loud and clear and putting my hand up to say “ yes, this has to be a normal reaction because I am feeling it too”.
Hi nmrobbo. I am hearing you loud and clear and putting my hand up to say “ yes, this has to be a normal reaction because I am feeling it too”.
I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS comedo necrosis in February this year, partial mastectomy in March, and radiation in May. It was a whirlwind of chaos and out of control emotions. Once active treatment had finished, all
of a sudden it was like a WTF, slam into a wall, what have I have just been through moment. It was a definite post treatment slump I fell into and no one around me could understand how emotionally mind destroying this actually was for me. Months of specialist appointments etc were suddenly over and the expectation I had of myself and others had of me was that I was back to “normal” and then comments started, “you are lucky it was only DCIS and not invasive cancer”, “ well it wasn’t really cancer you had was it, just DCIS”, “it’s better than the alternatives “ etc etc. I was angry! I am still angry and emotional and post menopausal. I see a Psychologist as well (I am a psychologist and believe me it’s been a tough journey being the client!) and she has been the one person to validate my emotions and say tell me it’s perfectly okay to feeling all this, that I am not and never will be the same person I was pre DCIS & that too is okay. I wish I had some wise words of wisdom for you but I don’t 😢 Just know you are not alone and there must be so many others like you and I with our own unique story to tell that are silent. My DCIS journey continues to unhinge me some days, especially the phantom nipple pain and discomfort from a seroma and swelling that is still lurking. I am sure time will help with my acceptance of what this year has been and how it is shaping the new version of me, whatever that may look like. Go gently and look after you. ☺️
of a sudden it was like a WTF, slam into a wall, what have I have just been through moment. It was a definite post treatment slump I fell into and no one around me could understand how emotionally mind destroying this actually was for me. Months of specialist appointments etc were suddenly over and the expectation I had of myself and others had of me was that I was back to “normal” and then comments started, “you are lucky it was only DCIS and not invasive cancer”, “ well it wasn’t really cancer you had was it, just DCIS”, “it’s better than the alternatives “ etc etc. I was angry! I am still angry and emotional and post menopausal. I see a Psychologist as well (I am a psychologist and believe me it’s been a tough journey being the client!) and she has been the one person to validate my emotions and say tell me it’s perfectly okay to feeling all this, that I am not and never will be the same person I was pre DCIS & that too is okay. I wish I had some wise words of wisdom for you but I don’t 😢 Just know you are not alone and there must be so many others like you and I with our own unique story to tell that are silent. My DCIS journey continues to unhinge me some days, especially the phantom nipple pain and discomfort from a seroma and swelling that is still lurking. I am sure time will help with my acceptance of what this year has been and how it is shaping the new version of me, whatever that may look like. Go gently and look after you. ☺️
Mez_BCNA
5
DCIS - normal feelings?
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed in April this year with non invasive DCIS. I had surgery to remove growth, the radiation which finished in August. I worked mostly through the surgery and radiation treatment. But now I am feeling like I am having a breakdown. I am so angry and emotional and this is not me. I am post menopause (I went through early menopause due to surgery to remove an ovary) and I not on any hormone treatment. Is this “normal” to feel angry and emotional? I am seeing a psychologist. But I feel like my whole world has changed and no one quite understands or get what I have gone / man going through. Since April I have had only one week where I have had no medical appointments. I am completely drained. And guidance greatly appreciated. Xo
nmrobbo
5
Re: Lego! Feel like a kid again
I bought some of the plain red roses and made those to go in my vase of fake flowers. I’ll try to take a picture tomorrow- Lego is fun!
MelV83
5
Re: Lego! Feel like a kid again
I'm not into it. One of my sisters did this Nintendo lego when she was going through treatment 
How should I feel
I am writing this down here in a hope it will make me feel better.
in the past three months I have gone from: -gym five times a week, long walks, gardening, maintaining home, caring to elderly parents, supporting children and grand children, and being a good friend. I like to keep busy, it makes me feel good.
TO :- annoying cording and numbness, still sore boob, chemo effects, lymphoedema (not bad), lack of energy and worst of all saying good bye to my Mum and organising her funeral (siblings can be arseholes),
in the past three months I have gone from: -gym five times a week, long walks, gardening, maintaining home, caring to elderly parents, supporting children and grand children, and being a good friend. I like to keep busy, it makes me feel good.
TO :- annoying cording and numbness, still sore boob, chemo effects, lymphoedema (not bad), lack of energy and worst of all saying good bye to my Mum and organising her funeral (siblings can be arseholes),
TODAY I had a port put in, everyone was super nice and caring but it was daunting and I felt so very vulnerable. It’s everyday business for these professionals, I get that however, I really just didn’t want to be there and felt like a number.
I have gone from fit healthy and happy to diagnosis and feeling completely vulnerable and unwell. It really sucks. Whilst managing legal issues for Mum and supporting Dad.
Someday it just feels too hard, but I do put on my happy face and say it’s cool, I’ve got this.
i know this will get better one day, I am having counselling, I am not looking for sympathy, I just need a safe space to say that this totally sucks.
i know this will get better one day, I am having counselling, I am not looking for sympathy, I just need a safe space to say that this totally sucks.
Thanks
scram
9
Newly diagnosed - Triple Negative - Chemo underway - Family history
Hi everyone,
Well this is the group you really don't want to join, but it appears to be a great resource and source of support, so here goes.
I was diagnosed with a triple negative tumour in my left breast on 9th May (grade 3), following a biopsy. I count myself lucky in that I have been part of a High Risk Breast Cancer Clinic at RNS Hospital since 2018, when I found I had the BRCA2 gene mutation. I have a strong family history of breast cancer, with my father having breast cancer at 64 and ultimately passing away at 68 from secondary cancers (way too early - he thought he could massage away the lump). His mother had breast cancer as well and my mother had ductal breast cancer in her 70's. So the annual mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds since 2018 may have been a nuisance, but they picked up this cancer. I knew something was up when they did the mammogram and kept on calling me back into change again for another scan and then bringing forward the ultrasound appointment, where they did the biopsy. I am going to remember the call I received from the breast specialist's office saying that I needed to come and see the specialist "today" - no delay. I burst into tears and knew straightaway. I'm ahead of my parents in having been diagnosed at 59 - thinking of postponing my big family celebration weekend away in late July until after all this!
Quickly into an oncologist and the treatment plan set up within a week. Because of the triple negative category, I'm starting with 6 months of chemo - first 3 months weekly sessions of Pembrolizumab ('the' new immunotherapy drug my oncologist says has only been approved in the last few months), Paclitaxel and Carboplatin - then 3 months of 3 weekly cycles of Pembro, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide. Following that, they hope the tumour will have shrunk and they will then do surgery to remove the remainder - with the decision then on a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Radiation is a possibility after that. My twin sister (same genes of course) had a double mastectomy as soon as she found out we had the BRCA2 gene in 2018 and her initial reaction was to 'get them off' - but I'm following the treatment plan suggested - and I think a bit grateful I don't need to make that decision yet.
I am down 2 weeks of chemo. The side effects I've experienced so far are the usual fatigue (have been trying to work in mornings, but I'm quickly realising that's even hard), inability to sleep the first few nights (the steroids I understand), yukky mouth sensation, slight nausea in morning with cooking smells, some slight rash spots on face - and the worst, the bloating/constipation (I won't share the details but I'm quickly realising I need to change up diet and liquids).
I don't have any great questions just yet, but look forward to interacting with you all in the future and thank you in anticipation. Sorry for the essay. Kathy
Well this is the group you really don't want to join, but it appears to be a great resource and source of support, so here goes.
I was diagnosed with a triple negative tumour in my left breast on 9th May (grade 3), following a biopsy. I count myself lucky in that I have been part of a High Risk Breast Cancer Clinic at RNS Hospital since 2018, when I found I had the BRCA2 gene mutation. I have a strong family history of breast cancer, with my father having breast cancer at 64 and ultimately passing away at 68 from secondary cancers (way too early - he thought he could massage away the lump). His mother had breast cancer as well and my mother had ductal breast cancer in her 70's. So the annual mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds since 2018 may have been a nuisance, but they picked up this cancer. I knew something was up when they did the mammogram and kept on calling me back into change again for another scan and then bringing forward the ultrasound appointment, where they did the biopsy. I am going to remember the call I received from the breast specialist's office saying that I needed to come and see the specialist "today" - no delay. I burst into tears and knew straightaway. I'm ahead of my parents in having been diagnosed at 59 - thinking of postponing my big family celebration weekend away in late July until after all this!
Quickly into an oncologist and the treatment plan set up within a week. Because of the triple negative category, I'm starting with 6 months of chemo - first 3 months weekly sessions of Pembrolizumab ('the' new immunotherapy drug my oncologist says has only been approved in the last few months), Paclitaxel and Carboplatin - then 3 months of 3 weekly cycles of Pembro, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide. Following that, they hope the tumour will have shrunk and they will then do surgery to remove the remainder - with the decision then on a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Radiation is a possibility after that. My twin sister (same genes of course) had a double mastectomy as soon as she found out we had the BRCA2 gene in 2018 and her initial reaction was to 'get them off' - but I'm following the treatment plan suggested - and I think a bit grateful I don't need to make that decision yet.
I am down 2 weeks of chemo. The side effects I've experienced so far are the usual fatigue (have been trying to work in mornings, but I'm quickly realising that's even hard), inability to sleep the first few nights (the steroids I understand), yukky mouth sensation, slight nausea in morning with cooking smells, some slight rash spots on face - and the worst, the bloating/constipation (I won't share the details but I'm quickly realising I need to change up diet and liquids).
I don't have any great questions just yet, but look forward to interacting with you all in the future and thank you in anticipation. Sorry for the essay. Kathy
KRW
5
Newly diagnosed with triple negative.
Hi everyone,
Wish I wasn't here but glad I'm not alone. I'm 49yo and diagnosed yesterday with triple negative invasive ductal cancer with lymph node involvement. I had positive biopsies last week but got the full breakdown when I met with my surgeon yesterday.
I had all my scans this afternoon and now I wait I guess until I get a call. I believe I've already been referred to an oncologist and there is a rough plan in place. To be confirmed at their multidisciplinary meeting presumably.
I haven't told my daughters yet. My youngest turns 11 in 2 days, so I might hold off a little. I'm a single parent sole trader so life is about to get really hard and the feelings of overwhelm and terror are close by at all times.
What a journey to embark on 😳 Wishing you all the best travelling through it.
Karen xo
Wish I wasn't here but glad I'm not alone. I'm 49yo and diagnosed yesterday with triple negative invasive ductal cancer with lymph node involvement. I had positive biopsies last week but got the full breakdown when I met with my surgeon yesterday.
I had all my scans this afternoon and now I wait I guess until I get a call. I believe I've already been referred to an oncologist and there is a rough plan in place. To be confirmed at their multidisciplinary meeting presumably.
I haven't told my daughters yet. My youngest turns 11 in 2 days, so I might hold off a little. I'm a single parent sole trader so life is about to get really hard and the feelings of overwhelm and terror are close by at all times.
What a journey to embark on 😳 Wishing you all the best travelling through it.
Karen xo
Hatter74
5
Re: Friday Funnies
I was in London last week and passed this - it took me a few seconds to process ☺️ then it made me laugh 😆
Tri
5
Re: Happy Halloween Y'All
Congratulations @kezmusc and @arpie for your anniversary. Thank you to both of you, when I was diagnosed 4 years ago you both had encouraging words and thoughtful / kind advice for me.
@kezmusc your words are very true at the time do dont know how you will get through it but you do, you put one foot in front of the other and breathe. You come out stronger. Yes I also now dont have a lot of time for bullshit, fake people and fake intentions. Lost a few friends along the way but gained some beauties as well. I have friendships I value and treasure. Enjoy your Halloween party.
@kezmusc your words are very true at the time do dont know how you will get through it but you do, you put one foot in front of the other and breathe. You come out stronger. Yes I also now dont have a lot of time for bullshit, fake people and fake intentions. Lost a few friends along the way but gained some beauties as well. I have friendships I value and treasure. Enjoy your Halloween party.
Locksley
5