So far pathology etc result of grade 3 invasive carcinoma NST .ER- PR- HER2 pending. Got results via zoom at my request because I was on the road.Off to GP today for referrals then into BSQ tomorrow for info session. Trying to navigate my way through the lingo 😩. Not sure whats ahead…..feeling lost.

Hi @Number2 Sending you hugs for your neoadjuvant chemo.I did TCHP for triple positive IDC last year. When my hair started falling out, I did a number 4 with the clippers. I didn’t need to shave as the rest fell out anyway, but there was less mess as it was shorter. I wore a bamboo beanie as it was warm (for winter) and soft for my head.Hopefully someone else can help with the nostrils and armpits, as I didn’t have those side effects. Definitely contact your oncologist if you are concerned about the armpit swelling.My tongue would be thick and horrible in the first week after chemo. Everything tasted bad, including water so I struggled to eat and drink. I would gargle warm, salty water all throughout the day or Oral7 mouthwash. Also try chewing gum.All the best

hi @Number2 I am so sorry to hear about this diagnosis for you. Understandably you are wondering about how this could change your plans in 2025. I echo @iserbrown - it’s a frustrating wait for you because the duration of your active treatment will depend on your results. It will be tailored to take into consideration many things including your pathology (noting you have had a biopsy already) your family history, and a CT scan/or MRI or PET scan along with the size and location(s) of your breast cancer.When I was diagnosed I remember being astonished there was so much variation in the types of breast cancer and therefore so much variation in treatment. I really didn’t absorb quite how long I needed to make space for my specific treatment in my life. If it helps I can share my treatment timeline.The main thing was my diagnosis as HER2 positive (only 15-20% breast cancer diagnoses are HER2 positive). I was also oestrogen positive and progesterone positive.HER2 positive treatment is usually administered over a 14 months timeframe. On the upside the treatment is very targeted and effective. I commenced in March 2023 and finished 14 months later at the end of April 2024. Luckily the treatment didn’t cause side effects for me that required the treatment, surgery or radiation therapy to be stopped. I hope it gives you an insight into the duration and if it turns out you are HER2 positive please sing out if you have any questions. Sending you lots of positive energy for the days and weeks ahead as you continue to work through your diagnosis and what 2025 could look like for you.

Hi @Number2 some great tips there from @Blossom1961 and @iserbrown 🌺🌻🌸🌷Nails: I think the medical term prefers you to wear something that isn’t too hard to remove. My surgeon required nail polish off for my lumpectomy. I had the chalkiness, splitting and discolouration but also, one of them became infected* (fairly late into the 6 cycles) so think about polish that’s kind on the nails and easy to remove. *My GP prescribed antibiotics to fight the infection.I agree with @Blossom1961 and encourage you to feel confident about asking your medical team if you’re not feeling too good after treatment. On the couple of times I needed to, the nurses were very kind and responsive and constantly assured me they would prefer we erred on the side of caution and called them, or that we present to emergency if it’s after hours, to be on the safe side. Here’s some suggestions, in line with @Blossom1961 ”be prepared” I received a care basket from my lovely niece with a few of these items in it … Biotene (you may get mouth ulcers) soft bamboo tooth brushsensitive toothpasteCanesten cream (thrush under the breast was an issue for me)box of Mylanta [the nurses and doctor will dispense the anti nausea prescription “big guns” immediately before and after chemo], Hydralyte or GastralyteGastro-StopMovicol (some people experience constipation whereas I was the opposite)Moo Goo moisturiser Hylo Forte eyedropsTissues or hankies (I never knew what a great job nose hair does until mine went MIA during chemo 😃)Facemasks (it’s advisable to avoid big crowds during the first 6 doses but if you have to be out and about you might be more assured masking up) A notebook to keep a record of how you’re feeling and the information you’re given.

SO sorry to see you joining our select little group here, @Number2 xx We all still remember that day that we were told 'You've got cancer' .... and it is a bit like a cricket bat to the head :( You don't remember much after it! We'll do our best to help you thru this .... it sounds like you've already had your surgery? Or are these results from your biopsy? See if they can send you through a written report on your pathology results - and if you've been assigned a Breast Care Nurse, you can ask her all the questions ... but feel free to put stuff here & those with similar results will be able to help you understand it all, in plain English. If you feel a tad overwhelmed, please consider calling our Helpline to have a chat with a sympathetic person xx. 1800 500 258 - Mon-Fri, 9-5. Just talking to someone should help calm the nerves & prepare for the 'next step'.Check out this thread for lots of 'general' info about the forum - including some other threads that may be helpful to you. Some 'off topic' threads may give you a bit of a giggle, or if you are into art & craft, pets or gardens, you can show off your bits there xx We have lots of informative threads too .... and some 'tick sheets' down the bottom that may also help you self assess your mental & physical health - that you can print off & take with you to your appointments - sometimes it is easier to give them the 'ticked sheet' than to actually talk about it, when it is all so 'fresh' .... it does get easier, with time tho xx https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latesttake care, remember to take it just one day at a time, one hour, if necessary .... try not to get ahead of yourself with the 'what ifs' ..... and definitely stay away from Dr Google. A lot of info there is just plain outdated, or not relevant to your own diagnosis xx. Whack up any question that you have, here & we'll do our best to give you an honest answer .. as we've 'been there' and 'done that' .... and understand what you are going thru just now.Wishing you all the best xx

Good morning @Number2 that’s progress 🌸🌷I really hope Friday goes well for you when you meet with your surgeon. Their recommendation and guidance at this first interview usually gives us an initial idea of the treatment plan. From the information you have you’ll see the next steps can be really variable, it all depends on your specific diagnosis, and your particular situation.Some people have surgery straight away, whereas in my case surgery was 6 months after my diagnosis. Because of the particular characteristics of my case the usual approach was to have chemotherapy first, before surgery and, if needed, a bit more afterwards. Will be thinking of you on Friday. 🌻☺️

Lost | BCNA Online Network

53 Replies

iserbrown
Member
5 months ago
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/21092/black-nail-polish-for-chemo?utm_source=community-search&utm_medium=organic-search&utm_term=chemo+nail+polish+

There has been previous discussion on nail polish. If you use the search bar above or Google

Main consensus is black nail polish or cotton gloves.
Tri
Member
5 months ago
Hi @Number2 some great tips there from @Blossom1961 and @iserbrown
🌺🌻🌸🌷
Nails: I think the medical term prefers you to wear something that isn’t too hard to remove. My surgeon required nail polish off for my lumpectomy. I had the chalkiness, splitting and discolouration but also, one of them became infected* (fairly late into the 6 cycles) so think about polish that’s kind on the nails and easy to remove. *My GP prescribed antibiotics to fight the infection.
I agree with @Blossom1961 and encourage you to feel confident about asking your medical team if you’re not feeling too good after treatment.
On the couple of times I needed to, the nurses were very kind and responsive and constantly assured me they would prefer we erred on the side of caution and called them, or that we present to emergency if it’s after hours, to be on the safe side.
Here’s some suggestions, in line with @Blossom1961 ”be prepared” I received a care basket from my lovely niece with a few of these items in it …
Biotene (you may get mouth ulcers)
soft bamboo tooth brush
sensitive toothpaste
Canesten cream (thrush under the breast was an issue for me)
box of Mylanta [the nurses and doctor will dispense the anti nausea prescription “big guns” immediately before and after chemo],
Hydralyte or Gastralyte
Gastro-Stop
Movicol (some people experience constipation whereas I was the opposite)
Moo Goo moisturiser
Hylo Forte eyedrops
Tissues or hankies (I never knew what a great job nose hair does until mine went MIA during chemo 😃)
Facemasks (it’s advisable to avoid big crowds during the first 6 doses but if you have to be out and about you might be more assured masking up)
A notebook to keep a record of how you’re feeling and the information you’re given.
Blossom1961
Member
5 months ago
Nail polish is okay. Fake nails will rip your natural nails off if they catch on anything. Your nails will not be strong enough to take the stress. Don’t know about builder gel. Gaviscon is fine. Make sure you have panadol and also an antihistamine is a good idea as for some people it counteracts the side effects. After the first round of chemo is done and dusted, you will have a good idea what extra drugs to ask your team for. The thing to remember, is that it is doable. You will have bad days but you will also have good days. Get out and enjoy some fresh air but not too much sun. My team recommended fifteen minutes of summer sun per day for vitamin D and my vit D levels were never low. Plus, the fresh air will make you feel better. Keep up your water intake. I found adding ice helped. Frappes were and are my friend. Short walks when you can and when you can’t, snuggle up instead. The time will go fast once it starts.
Number2
Member
5 months ago
Thanks @Blossom1961 So we can wear nail polish but not fake nails? What about the builder gel they use these days? And what antacids? I usually have gaviscon dual action, is that strong enough?
Blossom1961
Member
5 months ago
@Number2 I lost my hair everywhere between days 19-23. My scalp really hurt leading up to this so the second time around I shaved it off as soon as it started to hurt which made a huge difference. I didn’t lose my fingernails but lost a couple toenails. My nails were all chalky and ridged. Dark nail polish may reduce nail damage. Everyone reacts differently to the chemo so just be prepared for everything and hope you don’t need any of it. I do highly recommend antacids for the first night of chemo. My heartburn was horrendous and I was not prepared. Don’t be hesitant to ask your medical team for any drugs to alleviate symptoms. It is only for the short term and will help you stick the course. If you feel like venting, hop on this forum. We get it. Once again, any questions, ask away.
iserbrown
Member
5 months ago
https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/articles/chemotherapy-and-early-breast-cancer/

@Number2
The link above may give you an insight into your treatment plan

Take care
Number2
Member
5 months ago
Thanks for reaching out @Blossom1961, sorry to hear that your cancer is now metastatic. Did you lose your hair/ eyebrows/ eyelashes/ fingernails? And when? Any advice for me other than the perjeta?
Blossom1961
Member
5 months ago
@Number2 We have the same type. Her2+ and ER/PR -. I had the neo adjuvant chemotherapy. Four doses three weeks apart followed by Paclitaxel every week for twelve weeks plus this is when the targeted therapy started. Herceptin every three weeks for a year. I had a mastectomy after the Paclitaxel treatment was complete. I did not have radio as it made no difference for me in regards to whether the cancer would return or not. I highly suggest you take them up if they offer you Perjeta with your Herceptin treatment. It reduces the chance of it returning. It will probably cost. My cancer is now metastatic and the perjeta may have prevented this. If you have any questions just ask. Sending big hugs
Tri
Member
5 months ago
Good morning @Number2 virtual hugs coming your way.
That treatment plan will be familiar to a few of us and we’re here for you. ❤️🌷🌸
I was offered a “port” - technically a “port-a-catheter” - has it been mentioned for you yet? It helped ease the setting up of my chemo and was inserted via a short day procedure in my arm.
As you say there’s a long road ahead but the good news is that the treatment you’ll have is tailored and informed by the tests and diagnostics you have been doing.
I had neo adjuvant TCHP and was motivated by understanding that mid-way through an ultrasound would be done to see if it was working (shrinking the tumour) and would also inform the choices around surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy).
Apologies if you have already found these BCNA resources, in case you haven’t they are short and sharp and useful to get a sense of where we fit and I also sent the links to selected family and friends so they could inform themselves about my situation
https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/articles/types-of-breast-cancer/
and
https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/articles/her2-positive-early-breast-cancer/
The BCNA site links to a very clearly written decision-making resource for people who are having neo adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy
https://myneoguide.com/#/
It’s from the Breast Cancer Trials website (an Australian site) and you can either download for reading throughout your journey or use it inter actively - it shows the different decision points and possibilities depending on how we individually respond to treatment. Again, one that might be useful for your family.
Sing out if you have any questions, the best thing is you’ve found this network 🌺🌻🌸 sending you all good wishes as you prepare for a slightly different time ahead.
Number2
Member
5 months ago
Action stations as of 23rd neoadjuvant TCHP starts.😳. 6 cycles at 21 day intervals followed by surgery followed by another 12 months of targeted drug treatment and chemo then possible radiation……….loooong road ahead.

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