Lobular breast cancer just diagnosed

Hi @Cindi, 
I have to do chemo every 2 weeks (AC) for 4 times and then I move to weekly taxols (12 of those).
I have done two of AC and two more to go.it’s been tough. AC chemo is supposedly to be the hardest one. I haven’t had much side effects but today I felt nausea (first time) and I have meds for nausea. My nails were turning slightly grey/ blackish and I am now diligently apply oil (so if you are on the same drugs as I am, please ensure you oil your nails as prevention is better than cure). My hair has starting falling ( but I am not concerned about my hair dropping as it can grow again). With the chemo I am on, cold capping doesn’t help so I am happy to go without cold capping ( less time spent at the centre). My second chemo, the nurse inserted the néedle incorrectly and had to take it out ( I couldn’t control myself and cried on the spot and my hubby was extremely upset with the nurse 😅, dramas that wasn’t needed).

with the lymphoedema specialist that Arpie mentioned, you can get your GP to prepare a care plan for you and you will get Medicare rebates. It’s works better for me as the Medicare rebates are higher than what my private health insurance pays me. However, it is only 5 rebates. I am still seeing my physio for my cording and after each session, I do feel much better and it has improved. However, with chemo, it’s 2 steps forward and one step back… 

Please let me know if there’s any other questions 😊. Do you know what your chemo plan looks like?

@arpie, thank you, I have told my medical oncologist and will tell him again when I see him next week.😊

I hope the massage helped @Cindi - your specialist tomorrow should point you to a lymphodema specialist too, to take you thru all the different massage techniques, too, as an active part of your treatment - and you may be able to access massagers thru your Medical Benefits or 'health check' with your GP?

Do you have a girlfriend or Sister in Law that can go with you as support/extra ears rather than your hubby?  You don't want to have to worry about him cracking jokes or what not ....  My hubby had dementia - so I usually went with my SIL who was wonderful.  Hopefully they can do the driving too & maybe a cuppa & some cake afterwards xx 

All the best for tomorrow 

I hope you are going OK @GinGin .... I hope your Onc is keeping on top of your pain symptoms too xx

I'm sorry GinGin that you're on Chemo, have you got to stay on it long? I can imagine it sux.
Thanks for the advise, the bigger bra sounds good, also I'll have more vit C.

Hi Arpie, thanks for your advise, I spoke to my breast nurse and she said to try to massage the swollen part towards remaining lymph nodes under arm which I've been doing, it's no good comparing breast to other as both have had cancers removed and both armpits had nodes removed, and both swollen, but I can hang on till tomorrow.
 I was trying not to have painkillers anymore but I will, yes I'll take a buddy, maybe even my husband not sure yet..... He's a bit too "jokey" to take along really,  and probably the waiting room isn't the right place for his sense of humor.  :|
I feel a bit silly complaining when so many others are going through so much more, stay strong xx

That's a bugger @Cindi.   I hope the pain & discomfort backs off soon - there is usually a reasonable amount of discomfort and pain initially for at least the first week, some times longer - so keep those pain killers 'up' to it - every 4hrs ... it takes a while for everything to settle down - and my lymph node site (near my arm pit) hurt more than the actual surgery site!  Weird!  It took months to settle!

Sitting up/lying on cushions may help with the sleeping - and definitely supporting your arm ... mine hated being flat on the bed & kept me awake.

Does your breast feel 'hot' to the touch (even with the bandaging?) compared to the other breast?   If it does, call your Breast Care Nurse today & have a chat with her - or if not her, call your surgeon's office to speak with their nurse?  I think you should have it 'noted' down on your notes  ... but hopefully it will feel better in 24hrs & you're seeing your surgeon on Fri ....  Don't forget to take a buddy with you as an extra set of ears & also, support xx

If you think there is a 'visible' difference - Maybe take a couple of pics morning & night .... to see if you can spot a change, specially if you think there is swelling?  Sometime a seroma (liquid buildup) can occur - most 'self absorb' .... but some may need draining.

take care xx

Hello friends, It's ben almost a week since my Lumpectomy's and Lymph nodes surgery, and my breasts feel more swollen and sore than a few days ago, is this normal? anyone else noticed this? I think the post surgery bra feels more tight now and under my arms are quite sore. I started back on pain killers yesterday, but couldn't sleep much last night. Looking forward to Friday when I see my specialist and get the results over and done with, VERY slow week :( Any feedback would be welcome. xx

The more tested, the better, in my opinion, @Cindi, to be sure, to be sure!!  So try not to get ahead of yourself xx   take care, sleep well 

Thanks Arpie,

I was going to have a nap but have got caught up reading here, I must stop, I  don't want to panic myself before I get my results, so many of you have been through so much. I'm a bit scared that my guy took so many lymph nodes  :(
x

Terrific that you are feeling so good and not in pain, @Cindi .... keep taking the pain meds for a few more days, 'just in case' ... you don't want the pain to break thru.  You sure did have a lot done!! So that may explain the longer wait for results too.  Keep as busy as you can - or binge on Netflix - all those shows you've 'wanted to watch' but never did! ;)  

Terrific you got both bras and got on so well with the Breast Cancer Support ladies - that really makes a big difference xx. Keep walking - but just take it a little bit 'easy' as the anaesthetic can take a while to get out of your system .... snooze when you must!!   You'll enjoy being in your own bed again xx

take care

Hello,

Well I'm home now, 2 nights in hospital, it all went well and I'm not in much pain at all!

My specialist took out the 2 tumors, one in each breast, and another mass in left breast he thought looked suspicious, 3 lymph nodes from left armpit and 2 from right and 2 little tiny ones from middle of chest. This seems like a lot?

My specialist is hard to squeeze answers from, a bit frustrating.

 I found the Breast Cancer Support ladies the best, really supportive, and kind, and I was given two of the bras, which are SO comfortable, I don't even feel like "flinging" them! :#

Now just the wait, he told me maybe one to two weeks  :/

Anyway, glad all that over.

I've already been for a walk around my street since arriving home, and cheered up when I came across people walking their dogs, dogs always make me happy, but it makes my walks slow because I have to stop for a pat quite frequently!

Feeling tired so will rest now, so nice to be home.
x