Top Content
Forums in this Category
Category Content
Recent Content
DIEP recon and Zoladex
Has anyone been on Zoladex injections before there DIEP surgery... where did you continue the injections in the month before and after surgery? Were you able to use Lupron instead? I am not a candidate for oopherectomy at my age, but my team can’t give me an answer yet about Zoladex injections. Surely I’m not the only young hormone positive BC patients on zoladex who has gone through DIEP....1.1KViewsSign in to react to this post9Comments
Recurrence?
My social media post is flooded, at present, with stories of women who are, or have recently, come through a second or third battle with cancer. It's a bit overwhelming! 7 months out from diagnosis of small, early, invasive BC, and 6 weeks post end of my treatment, I'd really appreciate a "hands up" from any lovely ladies who were diagnose and treated in their 50s or early 60s who are 5-10 years post without a recurrence or new cancer. Thanks, Lovelies.ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsPost-treatment Tired and can't afford to be
Hi there, I am a 60 year old who has had a pretty-easy, early-invasive BC journey: Small, ER+, PR+, HER-; Lumpectomy with clear margins; 2 lymph nodes taken but uninvolved; Axillar seroma drained; 15 fractions of RT; Maybe some early lymphodema in breast, Letrozole from diagnosis through RT but then told I would not benefit much from it (0.6% benefit in reduced recurrence rates) and discontinued it due to side effects. I am 4 months post-surgery and 6 weeks post-RT, and have been off Letrazole for a month or more. I am back at clerical work (work from home) full-time now, after working back up gradually, and I am stuffed! I can barely get out of bed in the morning, and if I can stay upright in my seat and keep my brain focussed, by the end of the day I am completely useless. Rad Onc says the fatigue should not be RT related at this point. Now I feel like I should be able to just "snap out of it" but that's totally beyond me and I just want to cry and sleep. (For transparency, I should maybe admit (& remember for my own benefit) that since my initial biopsy my husband and I have organised a son's engagement party, done a road trip and purchased a home 1500 km away, organised renovations and done 2 more trips to keep tabs on the works, watched 2nd son sworn in as a cop, and seen no. 1 son marry. Maybe that's part of the fatigue ...along with the panic over working full-time, decluttering/downsizing, packing and moving in 3 months.) Maybe my problem is actually a dose of insanity...? 🤪 Can anyone with a similar, "straightforward" BC journey share whether their "normal" returned and how long it took? Thanks for "listening".ViewsSign in to react to this postComments
Absolutely devastated 💔 - Less then 2 weeks out of surgery we loose our beloved dog
So this post is not so much related to the cancer itself but more to loosing my beautiful dog and we, especially me are all beyond devastated. One week after surgery, my dog got the seious life threatening condition, bloat. We rushed her to emergency hospital in the middle of night. She underwent emergency surgery to save her life (lots of $$$$), she came home the following day, started recovering, only to decline yesterday (don't know why). We rushed her again to the hospital only to need to put her down cause the prognosis was not good. It crushed us, me especially 💔 I'm in absolute shock and disbelief. Devastation is an understatement. I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken 💔 😥 Before this, she was a healthy 9.5 years old and apart from missing her, I keep on blaming myself on many "what ifs". What if we took her to the hospital earlier, would she have a chance of survival, what if vets made a mistake, was I a good owner, etc... I also feel horrible that since the surgery I didn't give her much attention and that is haunting me. While I know what is happening to me is a priority, but this completely broke me. I can't believe she is gone. She had her little kingdom set up in our alfresco area, and I can't bear to look at it or even go there. I don't even know why I started this discussion, I suppose I just needed some extra wisdom or help or something. I don't know. It just feels like I'll never get over this. If anyone can help with with any words of wisdom, it would really mean a lot to me. Thank you for reading 😢😞 Wishing everyone the bestViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsZoladex 3 monthly available but not PBS covered for women
I wanted to share something I recently learned as it might help ease the burden of regular monthly injections. I recently learned that the goserelin injections many of us have monthly are actually available in a 3 monthly dose (10.8mg). I was a really hopeful thinking this could significantly reduce the stress, time and cost that comes with needing to have an injection every 4 weeks. However, my Med Onc informed me that in Australia, the PBS doesn't subsidise the 3 monthly dose for women, although it does for men (prostate cancer). The reasoning given that there's `insufficient evidence of reliable suppression of serum oestradiol' in women. What doesn't make sense is that there is evidence suggesting otherwise. Recent research indicates that the 3 monthly dose is non-inferior to the monthly dose for pre-menopausal women with breast cancer in terms of ovarian suppression. For me, the monthly injections come with a real burden: financially - GP visits and medication add up every month time wise - frequent GP appointments and pharmacy trips take time out of the week. physically and emotionally - injection itself is painful, it's a large slow release implant into the abdominal subcutaneous tissue. The main alternative - surgical removal of the ovaries is obviously much more invasive and comes with it's own risks and long term consequences. Given that the 3 monthly option is already in use, clinically tested and could ease the burden for many of us, I would really like to see equal PBS access for women. I'm curious, has anyone else looked into this and how to go about taking action?ViewsSign in to react to this postComments
Shapewear / Compression wear post-revision surgery
Just done my DIEP revision and hurting from under bust to hips from scar revision & lipofilling. Can anyone recommend a very high waisted boy shorts or bodysuit that I can pee in or that is very stretchy/full zipper so easier to get off but still has firm compression? Can’t deal with one my plastic surgeon suggested for 6 more weeks…ViewsSign in to react to this postComments
Effect of High-dose Vitamin C Combined With Anti-cancer Treatment on Breast Cancer Cells.
Please see medical research link below regarding this topic. I haven't been on this site for a while and surprised I couldn't find topics on this subject except a comment from a BCNA staffer. As well as the usual Specialists, I see an integrative GP. She administers high dose Vit C infusions to breast cancer patients, including me. I've been clear now for 8 years. The medical evidence for this being beneficial in the fight against breast cancer cells is becoming clear and more widely accepted now, even among the old guard. So, I am wondering, why don't more women know about this? Are there any other women having it? If so, how is it going? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30711954/ViewsSign in to react to this postComments
Hard lump in breast after second surgery
I recently had to have a second surgery after my initial lumpectomy (wide excision with a Perforator flap, removal of DCIS and malignant tumor in left breast) to remove a margin of tumor left behind. After the first surgery, everything was healing and going well. The second surgery however has not gone as smooth. My breast has been very heavy, red and swollen and I ended up in emergency, an ultrasound was performed and 2 pockets of fluid have formed under the skin. I have had both of these drained this week, but I still feel that there is a hard lump and some pressure pushing around the area. It has now been 2 days since the fluid was drained. Has anyone had this happen to them? Does it take time for the pressure to go away? Is this all part of the healing process? Thanks :-)ViewsSign in to react to this postComments
Finding a surgeon for reconstruction & public vs private
Hi All I am 3 weeks post right breast mastectomy, 9 lobular cancers. I wanted double mastectomy but surgeon didn’t support, said preseve healthy tissue. I was referred to the private sector (central coast nsw), cost about $5000 out of pocket after private health - this is a lot of money for me. I waited 2 months from diagnosis to surgery. Have since learnt could’ve have same surgery in public system with no expense & no longer wait time. Im now contemplating left breast mastectomy & two DIEF flaps for reconstruction. I have to do something as one side is flat & the other a size h breast. I got a quote today for $23,000 for the plastic surgeons (approx $20k out of pocket) and another $10k for the aneathist & breast surgeon. I will need to go into debt to pay for this (single mum & sole provider for family). QUESTIONS can this surgery be done in the public system with minimal cost? is the wait time the only downside of going through the public system? if go private, how do I know the surgeon I choose is good at this type of surgery. Can anyone recommend some good breast reconstruction plastic surgeons Sydney? I saw Dr Chris Ahn in Chatswood for a consult, he seemed nice… I felt uninformed & unsupported during the initial cancer shock & surgery / treatment strategy. Was not encouraged to go into the public system which seems more informed & supportive. Appreciate the feedback thank youViewsSign in to react to this postComments
Post Surgery Compression Bras
I'd love to get some advice on what to do about compression bras to wear post double mastectomy as mine is next month. (going from D-DD to tissue expanders) I have seen ones online that are hundreds of dollars but I don't know if they are worth it. Or should I look at getting cheaper ones from Kmart/Temu etc. I am struggling with how much to spend or if expensive ones are worth their price. Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks 🙂ViewsSign in to react to this postComment
1.1KViews
9Comments