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Lost
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 š©. Not sure whats aheadā¦..feeling lost.
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- 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. - Hi @Number2 some great tips there from @Blossom1961 and @iserbrown
šŗš»šøš·Nails: I think the medical term prefers you to wear something that isnāt 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 thatās 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 youāre 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 itās after hours, to be on the safe side.Hereās some suggestions, in line with @Blossom1961 ābe preparedā I received a care basket from my lovely niece with a few of these items in it ā¦
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 ābig gunsā 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 š)
Facemasks (itās 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 youāre feeling and the information youāre given. - 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. Donāt 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 canāt, snuggle up instead. The time will go fast once it starts.
- 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?
- @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 didnāt 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 donāt need any of it. I do highly recommend antacids for the first night of chemo. My heartburn was horrendous and I was not prepared. Donāt 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.
- 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 - 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?
- @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
- Good morning @Number2 virtual hugs coming your way.That treatment plan will be familiar to a few of us and weāre here for you. ā¤ļøš·šøI was offered a āportā - technically a āport-a-catheterā - 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 thereās a long road ahead but the good news is that the treatment youāll 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 havenāt 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 situationhttps://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 immunotherapyhttps://myneoguide.com/#/
Itās 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 youāve found this network šŗš»šø sending you all good wishes as you prepare for a slightly different time ahead. - Action stations as of 23rd neoadjuvant TCHP starts.š³. 6 cycles at 21 day intervals followed by surgery followed by another 12 months of targeted drug treatment and chemo then possible radiationā¦ā¦ā¦.loooong road ahead.
