Information Overload!
Hello lovelies, I was diagnosed just over a week ago with invasive breast cancer in my left breast, after finding a lump. I went for a mammogram 2.5 weeks ago where they took core biopsies. Sinc...
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Made it to 2025! I finished radiation on the 16th December and had my port out on the 17th. All done before Christmas - woohoo.
My skin fared pretty well with radiation. I used the StrataXRT gel - expensive (even with onc discount code) but so damn worth it. My skin didn't blister and while it was sensitive and very red, was manageable.
We had a lovely Christmas and had a week at the beach after. Note for anyone with compromised nails after chemo - wear covered shoes when walking/scrambling along rocks. I ripped my big toe nail off on the first day when I missed a step up the rocks and caught the toe nail as my foot came down. Eek.
I went back to work last week. I've been very lucky to have had enough sick leave to take time off while in active treatment. Trying to get the brain going again is hard work and I get soooooooooo tired. But it's nice to be back. It's funny/weird to run into people who didn't know why I was off - and try to work out what to say to them. The new short hair is very different to my old hair cut so lots of people do a double take. I'm about to go get my first haircut to deal with the mullet that's appearing - although my nephew thinks I should roll with it 😊🤣
I started Zolodex and Letrasole last week. Chemo put me into menopause so I was already dealing with hot flushes, fatigue etc. The joint pains are the worst of it so far. I have the option to switch to another AI or Tamoxifen if side effects are too much. I'm considering having a hysterectomy or at least ovaries out if I tolerate the AI. Save me having to have monthly injections, reduce risk of ovarian cancer and I'm not planning on anymore kiddos.
It's weird being out the other side! I'm supposed to be "better" but feel like shit, tired, fat and no hair - the irits from the compression sleeve. I put on tons of weight over chemo (steroids suck!) so none of my clothes fit - worst part of going back to work is trying to find clothes to wear. The "nothing fits" uniform I've been wearing all summer is unfortunately not appropriate for work.
My skin fared pretty well with radiation. I used the StrataXRT gel - expensive (even with onc discount code) but so damn worth it. My skin didn't blister and while it was sensitive and very red, was manageable.
We had a lovely Christmas and had a week at the beach after. Note for anyone with compromised nails after chemo - wear covered shoes when walking/scrambling along rocks. I ripped my big toe nail off on the first day when I missed a step up the rocks and caught the toe nail as my foot came down. Eek.
I went back to work last week. I've been very lucky to have had enough sick leave to take time off while in active treatment. Trying to get the brain going again is hard work and I get soooooooooo tired. But it's nice to be back. It's funny/weird to run into people who didn't know why I was off - and try to work out what to say to them. The new short hair is very different to my old hair cut so lots of people do a double take. I'm about to go get my first haircut to deal with the mullet that's appearing - although my nephew thinks I should roll with it 😊🤣
I started Zolodex and Letrasole last week. Chemo put me into menopause so I was already dealing with hot flushes, fatigue etc. The joint pains are the worst of it so far. I have the option to switch to another AI or Tamoxifen if side effects are too much. I'm considering having a hysterectomy or at least ovaries out if I tolerate the AI. Save me having to have monthly injections, reduce risk of ovarian cancer and I'm not planning on anymore kiddos.
It's weird being out the other side! I'm supposed to be "better" but feel like shit, tired, fat and no hair - the irits from the compression sleeve. I put on tons of weight over chemo (steroids suck!) so none of my clothes fit - worst part of going back to work is trying to find clothes to wear. The "nothing fits" uniform I've been wearing all summer is unfortunately not appropriate for work.