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Advice on how to prepare for TC chemo?
Hello everyone! First time of me starting a thread on here, hoping to get some advice from someone who’s had experience going through TC (Doxetaxel & Cyclophosphamide) chemo recently? I’ve just had a mastectomy with an implant reconstruction on my left breast after I had a recurrence after going through lumpectomy followed by radiation in 2024. It’s been very traumatic to say the least! Now I’m really freaking out about having to go through chemo as I’ve already been swapped to letrozole and Zoladex instead of tamoxifen which I was on before and I’m already having loads of hot flushes etc so adding other side effects on top of that feels very daunting! If anyone have any advice how to manage side effects that would be amazing! I’d love to at least attempt to not lose all my hair and eyelashes, eyebrows and maybe there’s some supplements I could take to make sure my skin doesn’t get too damaged during treatment? I’m going to bring in ice cubes/lollies to suck on as I’m having the treatment done but wondering also if there’s anything else I should be doing or bringing with me to the appointment? Thank you so much!46ViewsSign in to react to this post3CommentsBayside Melbourne
Hi everyone, Just diagnosed sadly. It's a little lump so this whole situation should just end up a another campfire story. Hopefully. My family has never experienced anything to do with the big C word. It's very foreign to any of us and I was just wondering if there is any one base I'd Melbourne who was experiencing the same thing? If so it would be really nice to meet up for a coffee or something and just chat about what's to come next. Love and hope, Sim xViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsTriple Positive HER2+
Hi everyone BCNA Online Network established a Group with Triple Positive breast cancer which is useful also for people who might be HER2+ but not positive for oestrogen or progesterone. This post is also to alert previously accepted Triple Positive Group members: you might not have been automatically transferred across to the Triple Positive Group with the recent upgrade to the new BCNA Network site. Please do request to rejoin the Group (I did)! Ned01CheriSukiCheriAnna15FeRnurserachMareealsoTriplebreast240Number2CaitySXC1947ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsFeeling lost
I am newly diagnosed and just feel lost. My appointments and tests have been so close to each other. I have had mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy of the breast, FNA of my lymph node, a pet scan and having a mri tomorrow. My diagnosis is invasive carcinoma NST (invasive ductal carcinoma), grade 3, triple-positive (ER+/PR+/HER2+), with associated high-grade DCIS. The ki-67 is 60%. I have been told the I will have 4 months of Chemo, then surgery, radiation and long term medication after. I met with the breastcare nurse and found her extremely unhelpful. I just don’t know what to expect and how to feel at the moment. Has anyone been on a similar journey who can tell me what to expect?ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsSecond Opinion
Hello 🌸 I’m just wondering if anyone had a second opinion before proceeding with surgery? each time I email the Drs clinic, I feel like I’m fobbed off & just told I have to have surgery (I’m ok with that if all my questions are answered and they haven’t been) not sure how to go about seeking another opinion. Any suggestions?ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsInoperable
Hi all, I am newley diagnosed with stage 2 invasive HER2 negative ERPR positive and inoperable at the moment(that word really freaked me out) I am currently on hormone suppressant tablets to try and reduce the tumours and see the Oncologist next week. I feel very anxious all the time as I thought when I first heard I had it, a masectomy would be first up but it feels like my treatment is all in reverse and I don’t feel positive about it at all. Has anyone had experience with this before.ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsRecommendations-North Brisbane -Public v Private- Surgeons
Hi Everyone, I do hope everyone is travelling as well as they can be. Was hoping to hear of experiences and recommendations about Public v Private -North Brisbane. My GP has advised if I choose to go private then I need to find surgeon and they can send referral. Not sure where to start…have rang some surgeons, am feeling like I am looking for a needle in a haystack. Has anyone had experiences with going private and having significant out of pocket expenses? Or going Public and what wait times/facilities are like, that they are comfortable in sharing. Preliminary advice is that it is likely treatment will be Chemotherapy then surgery, nothing confirmed until appointment with surgeon.ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsHair Loss Advice
Hi beautiful people. I have just commenced chemo a few weeks ago and I am just starting to lose my hair. I have bought some hats and scarves but I would appreciate some advice on wigs. Looking at the possibility of a real hair wig? Would really appreciate your opinions. I live in the the Wollongong area. Thanks ☺️ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsJust need to talk to someone
I’m 59yo and newly diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m really not sure I get what is going on either because I’m just slow or it’s just not all clear yet so I feel confused, in total panic and that I’m drowning and there is nobody to save me 😢 I am waiting for an mri this Thursday. I have a 10cm Not Special Type Grade 1 something positive to do with hormones and her2 1+. The surgeon says mastectomy is the only choice because of the size. There isn’t anything clear about what happens after that… is that how it’s meant to be? I just feel very lost appreciate any words of wisdom for these circumstances? susanViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsMy first post
Hello lovely ladies, First time mammogram identified the need for a 3D mammogram, then ultrasound & biopsy in my left breast. All via Breast Screen Victoria. Biopsy showed 18 x 17 x 5mm 'high grade DCIS' (clinical notes on 21/3). As I'm in the public system I'm now waiting on having a MRI. My question though relates to the paperwork saying 'E-Cadherin stain and hormone receptors to follow'. Its been 16 days since the biopsy was reported on. How do I receive or who gives me these 'E-Cadherin stain and hormone receptor' results? Should it be via Breast Screen Victoria? Am I meant to chase them up myself?ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsFirst appointment since diagnosis
Hi Lovely Ladies, I have my first appt on wednesday at Peter Mac and was wondering if anyone else went to Peter mac and what their experience was with the first appointment. Im hoping to come away with some dates of appointments to start my journey or am I being unrealistic and is it just really an information session? Thanks in advanceViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsHER2 positive diagnosed Dec 24 -
49 fit and healthy and then what the! Noticed a dimple in left breast, straight to Dr, all the tests and within 18 days was having my first round of chemo 2 days after Christmas. 2 cm lump left breast, HER2 3+ positive, they don’t believe it is in my lymph nodes just one enlarged from the biopsy. Just finished 2nd of 6 rounds of chemo. Then plan is a lumpectomy, radio and then endocrine therapy. Reading all the threads of HER2 positive it seems like a long road ahead. Did anyone choose a double mastectomy to avoid issues in the future? Would love any suggestions, advice, feedback for anyone going through a similar journey.ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsTriple positive HER + grade 2A
Hi to everyone! I'm newly diagnosed with a grade 2A triple positive breast cancer, at age 40. So, from what I can understand (and I’m an experienced registered nurse… but not in the area of cancer) I have a 2.5-3cm tumor in the right breast. PET scans/u/s/ ct with contrast and biopsy show an invasive carcinoma insitu. no nodal involvement or metastasis seen on any scans, hence the 2A. I am having 12 weeks of paclitaxel chemo weekly, plus herceptin and perjeta added in every three weeks. The herceptin will continue for the year, every 3 weeks. i have opted for a mastectomy (single) and immediate reconstruction using implants after the chemo has finished in 12 weeks. so no radiation after surgery. i will then be put on the oral meds for 5 years. I was just wondering if anyone had a similar diagnosis, and how their treatment went. I am up to number 2 of the chemo this week (10 to go) I opted to pay the $6000 for the perjeta, on top of the herceptin and paclitaxel. i just want to get through the chemo part, as it really scares me!!! XxViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsNewly diagnosed and Menopause
Hello everyone, My name is Kate, and I recently turned 48. Just a few weeks ago, my world shifted dramatically when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After discussing options with my doctor, I've decided to start chemotherapy soon. It’s all still a bit surreal, and I’m doing my best to stay positive and prepare for what’s ahead. One thing I wasn’t expecting, though, is how menopause has shown up almost overnight. Hot flushes at night are waking me up, making it tough to get any solid sleep, and of course, that affects how I feel during the day, too. The timing couldn’t be more challenging! I’m trying to manage these menopause symptoms as naturally as possible since I’m not sure what my body will tolerate during chemo. I started searching online for natural remedies, and there’s a lot of information out there – from herbs and supplements to lifestyle tips. But I’m nervous about adding anything new to my routine while preparing for chemo. Has anyone here faced a similar situation? Do you know if certain natural supplements for menopause might contradict chemotherapy? Any advice, experiences, or insights would be really appreciated. I’m looking for safe ways to manage these symptoms, so any guidance on this journey would mean a lot.ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsQuietly Freaking Out - Lumpectomy in less than two weeks
Hi. Diagnosed mid October with invasive ducal breast cancer, early stage 2. Decided to have a lumpectomy followed by radiation. Surgery in two weeks and I probably should not have googled results when I couldn’t find anything about the outcome on this site. For those that have had a lumpectomy, does it leave you deformed? I’ve got a 2cm tumour at 2 o’clock. Is it keyhole or incision surgery? I have an appointment with the surgeon on Thursday, last visit was information overload and I only really heard half of what he said. TIAViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsBreast cancer diagnosis- did you have a Mirena in place, like me?
I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3.5 months ago and had a double mastectomy 3months ago. I am 44 years old. I started doing some research as a number of people I know with breast cancer who were young also had a Mirena. There is new research coming out of: -Europe that indicates that there is a 40% higher risk of breast cancer if you had a Mirena, and -Germany that shows that the Mirena can change hormone levels in the breast based on scans I had breast ultrasound scans that show I did not have breast cancer just before my Mirena was inserted 5 years ago, and that it developed post Mirena insertion. I had no genetic factors (based on testing), and no risk factors for breast cancer. It seems highly co-incidental. I also looked up the FDA documentation for Mirena approval and it states that "Spontaneous reports of breast cancer have been received during postmarketing experience with Mirena. Because spontaneous reports and voluntary and from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to use postmarketing data to estimate the frequency or establish causal relationship to drug exposure..." I am keen to connect with other women who had a Mirena in place and then were diagnosed with breast cancer. If this is you, please respond to this post- I would love to hear your story!ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsTotally confused after seeking second opinion
Hi my dear virtual friends, I have Hormones positives and Her2 negative. Grade 3 and Stage 3(Tumor size 35 mm). Surgeon A: Treatment plan Option 1: 6 months chemo ( neoadjjuvant), if tumor size shrinks > lumpectomy. If it doesn’t shrink > mastectomy > radiotherapy (will have to take Tamoxifen/AI) option 2: mastectomy > chemo> radiotherapy (will have to take Tamoxifen/AI) Surgeon B: treatment plan: lumpectomy immediately, tablets for hormones +ve (Tamoxifen/AI) > radiotherapy > chemo (depends on outcome of lumpectomy surgery). surgeon B doesn’t see the need to do 6 months chemo to shrink the tumor. He says he will have a better idea after surgery if chemo is necessary. hubby and I are still processing all these information and have some further questions written down. Keen to hear what other questions we should be asking both surgeons, please. Sincerely value everyone’s input. Xx GinViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsNew to this and a bit lost
Hello, I am a 44 year old woman, wife & mum who was told last night over a phone call that I have a grade 2 ductal cancer that is Estrogen sensitive. I need to make an appointment for either this week or next to discuss my options. I can opt for a lumpectomy and radiation or due to strong family history a double mastectomy with a reconstruction. I would like to get other peoples experiences or thoughts on this. I will be getting gene testing as well but know my sister tested new to the two she was tested for over 10 years ago Im scared and a bit lost at the moment. I don't know how to tell my children (they are 24,19& 16) or others really. Im not sure where to start.........ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsChemo treatment
Start chemo next week. Diagnosed TNBC, surgery/nodes all came back clear. Doing chemo then radiation to make sure no microscopic cells will come back later on. Chemo using is docetaxel and cyclophosphamide and two days later injection of pegfilgrastim(boost immune system) after each treatment, once every three weeks for twelve weeks Wondering if anyone has had similar treatment, if so what side effects they had and how did they manage while being treated and any good things to help me go through it to make it more manageable. Have had radiation before ten yrs ago for HER2-, chemo is all new to me. TIAViewsSign in to react to this postComment
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