Baby soon to arrive!

Hi Pam,

How's this for a late reply?!! Sorry, I did write one once and then I lost it and I don't log in very often.

Good to hear you are going reasonably well with everything. Leonardo is gorgeous! He must be about 8 or 9 months by now I guess...?

I am doing well too. I have completed 6 months of chemo and will have herceptin until December every 3 weeks. I had a left sided mastectomy on Wednesday but am recovering pretty quickly. Radiotherapy will start in a few weeks.

My little girl, Autumn, is 7 months old now and certainly helps to keep my mind on the big picture which is great. She too is a real sweetheart.

I understand your wishes to have another child. You're not being greedy at all!

I have mixed feelings about it. My husband is keen and we can't start trying til late 2017 anyway but I just don't want to go through everything again with a toddler and a newborn.

My oncologist is more sympathetic to the having another child scenario though. She said we probably will choose to and that the studies don't show an increased risk of a new cancer developing in a subsequent pregnancy even though no one knows why. I have even considered a prophylactic mastectomy on my right side when I have a reconstruction next year as another way to reduce my risk of recurrence.

My sister told me her GP was very anti the suggestion of me having another child though as she has lost patients before who went ahead with another pregnancy against her advice. So there's clearly some conflicting opinions out there

My cancer was er, pr and her2 positive - note I say "was" because I am hopeful it is now in the bin at the hospital (well, sent to pathology anyway!) I find out whether the surgical borders were clear on Thursday at my post-op appointment.

I was going to post a photo with my daughter but I think that's what caused me to lose the whole message last time so I don't want to risk it, especially as I don't log in very often.

Best of luck with your decision and future treatment. Perhaps we can update each other every few months!!

Marina

Hi Pamela,

Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful boy.  It's brought back memories. Photos are fantastic!  All the best with radiation. (I finish mine on Friday)

You're doing an amazing job! Karen xx 

How beautiful. Congratulations on nearly finishing treatment and for receiving such a precious gift. 

Hugs. 

Paula xxxx

How gorgeous!!!  Congratulations :)

Sorry for the late response. I'm slow to figure out the BCNA site.  How are you going? I'm in my last week of radiation and am feeling very fatigued.  I had 4 rounds of AC and then 12 weeks of Taxol before and after the baby, so I am really ready for treatments to end. My baby is absolutely wonderful. We've named him Leonardo and I've attached a photo for you.  I'm meeting with my oncologist this week to determine the future and whether or not I will take tamoxifen as my cancer is estrogen and progesterone receptive. Is yours? Not to be greedy, but I am keen to have a second child but my oncologist isn't very happy with me, I think. Anyway, sorry that this is so short, but a friend just arrive to take me to my radiation appointment. I'd love to hear how you're doing when you have time. Pam xo

Thanks for your message. I've attached a photo of my little one. xo

Dear Christine,

Thank you so much for your message. My apologies that it took me so long to reply. I have had my hands full as you can imagine and I am only just figuring out the BCNA site, which I had lost my access to for some reason.  Your daughter's story is truly inspiring and you're obviously a tremendous support to her.  Once my baby was born, my mother arrived in Australia to help out for a month, which was great.  I thought I'd share a photo of my little one with you. We named him Leonardo.  Again, thank you for your words. Pam xo

Thanks, Mira. I've attached a photo of the baby for you.

Thanks for your message, Lou.  I would have responded earlier, but have had my hands full with the baby and am still learning how to use the BCNA site.  This is my last week of radiation so I am very happy that the treatment is almost finished. The baby is the best gift I could ever have! I've attached a photo for you.

Hi Pamelka,

Perhaps you can let me know how you've been getting on as I'm about to do just that, only a few months after you?!

I was diagnosed at 37 weeks pregnant with my first baby in August 2015 (I've only joined bcna tonight.) My baby girl was induced at 38 + 6 and since then, as you can imagine, I've had a zillion scans (well, about 11, I think), 2 operations (sentinel node biopsy and an axillary clearance) and am having injections for an egg collection which should happen in a couple of days. Chemo starts on Monday next week and my baby will be 4 weeks old in 2 days.

I'll have chemo + herceptin (eventually) for 6 months, then a full mastectomy followed by radiotherapy and hormone therapy after that so I'd be really keen to hear how you're getting on but at the same time, I completely understand if you really just don't have the time! I certainly don't!

Anyway, all the best, I'm sure you're smashing it!