Hi All, my intro post. Such a roller coaster of emotions and processing suddenly going from perfectly healthy to not!I had a Diagnosis 22/12/23 IDC with 2.9cm tumor and lymphnode involvement from BreastscreenSA. ER and PR +, Her -.(Xmas is harsh to get such news, both in the slow down of services and in telling nearest and dearest)It has taken a while (necessary tests, scans and byopsies), but looking at treatment beginning Wed 28/2/24 with surgery (partial masectomy, axillary node clearance). Then most likely chemo, radio, hormone therapy. Overactive imagination has been a problem, general stress/anxiety, and not sleeping well. It is settling a bit now, as Ive met surgeon and feel comfortable I am in good hands, met with Breast nurse (and now have a bright pink pillow and lovely accessories pouch for fluid tubes). I am participating in a clinic trial that I meet criteria on that I decided yes to assist.I am going ahead on a planned and booked holiday next week (which several family are also going), the surgeon was supportive on proceding with this as mental health positive. Then it is full steam ahead! I am fortunate to have supportive family, and some great friends, some who have had a bc journey themselves. Was concerned about work for a while, but Ive let the h.r. depts know (two jobs) of upcoming medical, and am scaling back for as long as I need (casual events hospitality - high energy, physical and customer facing, they will still be there when I can manage again!)So I think I am in about the best positive I can be for now! Not keen on whats to come, but ok to get on with what needs to be done! Thanks for reading, and thanks to all those sharing posts and info themselves - it has helped.

Yes, it's reassuring to get the clear scans. Once I had a plan in place for my ongoing treatment I felt much more in control, just have to get on and get it done. I am 51.

Hello @JenD, it is a shock to try and process something that is totally unexpected. I think I have a similar diagnosis. 2cm IDC with 1 lymph node involved, stage 2 grade 3 cancer, diagnosed in November. A lump was found on my first breast screen, no symptoms, so it all felt a bit unreal for a while, particularly as I felt perfectly healthy and fine. I had a lumpectomy and 3 lymph nodes removed, 1 involved, but no further clearance required. As the cancer is grade 3 and a higher risk for recurrence chemo, radiation therapy and hormone therapy is my road to travel. I too have had great support from family friends, work and a great team of people, from surgeon, oncologist, nurses and anyone else I've come in contact with. I've just finished my 4th round of AC treatment, I've been luckily to have fairly mild side effects, and no nausea, the oncologist said they are much better managing this now. There is lots of information available here, and people to answer questions, or just somewhere to find support and solidarity. Try and stay as positive as you can. Take one step at a time and look after yourself. Katie

@JenD I can really relate to your comment ‘how was I not aware that all this is happening inside’.I’ve seen the comment many times about how our fellow troupers have said how amazing they feel. I am in the best shape of my life, eating very well, super fit, looking after myself, then BAM!I’m looking at it telling myself that I am in the best position to beat this mother f&*$%. We got this.

@LJS I was a forward planner so stopping to take in one bit and not getting too far ahead was a big challenge. The first two months was very stressful, getting info needed and taking it day by day, test result by result and getting all the medical info on what might be the best way to tackle your diagnosis is first step, and it will all just start to flow from there. I figure thats the idea of this chat forum, if one persons post helps another person, its a great thing. Good days, bad days, its all ok as long as you can get a positive mindset in there. Keeping things achievable in the short term, as its all a bit out of control, which is hard.

All the best for your scans for tomorrow @LJS - your surgeon sounds like a keeper! Make sure you stay away from Dr Google - ONLY ask your Surgeon and breast care nurse (when given one) any of your queries (or put them up here) and we'll do our best to help you xxtake care & all the best

Time to process | BCNA Online Network

31 Replies

Katie46
Member
7 months ago
Hi @JenD, congratulations on finishing your chemo and radiation 🥳 I had 15 sessions of radiation which I finished in July. My throat was irritated after, not sore, but a strange feeling. It took a few months to completely disappear. I had peripheral neuropathy in my fingertips and it has gradually got better since I finished the paclitaxel, it's a slow process but my fingertips almost feel normal now, only a very slight sensation at the very tips now in my right hand, my left hand is almost 100% fine. I'm hopeful they'll go back to normal, but if this is as good as it gets, it's fine. I got some mild stiffness in the fingers on my right hand along the way, but that seems to have gone away now as well.

Best wishes for you recovery 😃
GorgyS
Member
7 months ago
thank you, @arpie. I am definitely going to look at Otis foundation.
arpie
Member
7 months ago
Terrific that you are thru your 'active treatment' @JenD and can now look forward to getting your life back xx Maybe mention issue the throat to your Onc/Breast Care Nurse ...
I found that Difflam anaesthetic throat spray (with a long nozzle, so the spray gets to the back of the throat) REALLY helped me when I had a killer sore throat when I got Covid early this year.
https://difflam.com.au/product/difflam-plus-anaesthetic-sore-throat-spray/

Rest up - Recover & Recuperate xx

Jen & @GorgyS - Consider contacting https://www.otisfoundation.org.au/directory to see if you are able to have a bit of a break in your state (there is often a few months wait - so it could be next year) ..... Wonderful philanthropic people make their holiday homes available to those recovering from their BC treatment, for a special break - you only need to take your food & clothes! You can take as many family &/or friends, depending on the number of beds available ;)

take care all the best for your scans & AIs xx
GorgyS
Member
7 months ago
Well done, @JenD! It’s such a relief to leave chemo and radiation behind and move on to the next stage of treatment (hormone blockers). I went through the same treatment as you and have been on Letrozole for two months now. I still experience tingling and numbness in my feet, but my oncologist didn’t seem too concerned and mentioned that there isn’t much medication for it, except for antidepressants.???? I spoke with my GP last week, and she recommended taking Magnesium and Vitamin B, which I have already started. I’ll see how it goes. I’m still feeling fatigued, which could be a side effect of Letrozole. Either way, it's manageable. I was tired even before the breast cancer diagnosis, and being 65, it’s not surprising. The bone density scan also showed osteoporosis. There’s a lot to manage, but it’s all manageable ;)
JenD
Member
7 months ago
October Update.

Chemo done, 5 months... got through to 11/12 of the pactlitaxal, but neuropathy creep in feet long term risk, was time to call it. Med Oncologist was happy that I made it to this and I am going to be hopeful the foot nerves settle in time, or better still go away (tingly/numb, particularly left foot).

Radotherapy finished...15 sessions all done (this changed from an original 25 sessions, to a new protocol of higher dose but less sessions). Only very mild skin irritation underside of breast fold, so far no redness or burning yet showing otherwise, but I am feeling quite fatigued. I also have a very sore/hard to swallow throat due to area of targetted radiation. Happy thats all completed though👍.

Bone density scan done, and see oncologist later this week to start hormone therapy drug.
arpie
Member
9 months ago
All the best for your scans for tomorrow @LJS - your surgeon sounds like a keeper! Make sure you stay away from Dr Google - ONLY ask your Surgeon and breast care nurse (when given one) any of your queries (or put them up here) and we'll do our best to help you xx

take care & all the best
JenD
Member
9 months ago
@LJS I was a forward planner so stopping to take in one bit and not getting too far ahead was a big challenge. The first two months was very stressful, getting info needed and taking it day by day, test result by result and getting all the medical info on what might be the best way to tackle your diagnosis is first step, and it will all just start to flow from there.

I figure thats the idea of this chat forum, if one persons post helps another person, its a great thing. Good days, bad days, its all ok as long as you can get a positive mindset in there. Keeping things achievable in the short term, as its all a bit out of control, which is hard.
LJS
Member
9 months ago
@JenD Yes, going from healthy one day with no symptoms at all, to this news is like being run over by a truck.
Reading everyone's comments makes me feel less alone. I am so terrified. My first appointment with breast surgeon today and discussing it still brings me to tears (34 mm tumour, hormone positive, Her2 negative). She was lovely and calming but the fear of the unknown is debilitating. I am so anxious about finding out it may have spread. I am tentatively booked in for a lumpectomy (depending on MRI and PET scan results tomorrow) on 13 August.
You inspire me to just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
JenD
Member
9 months ago
Another three months... update time.

Hanging in there 😃, gosh its a long slog. Got thru AC chemo (red devil) x4 fortnightly dose dense, and have completed 7 of 12 paclitaxel. Side effects were hard but manageable around fatigue, brain fog, internal upsets bowels, low blood pressure as red blood cells dropped, but its all a bit easier now on 2nd chemo.

I had a week off on a trip to NZ (booked before diagnosis, combo tourist and music competition), so dodgedly aimed toward it through treatment, and was managing chemo effects well enough that medical oncologist was fine I went with precautions. It was scarey to "get off the couch" and be away from home, but I did do a lot of walking, and it definately kick started my brain to knowing Im "over the hump" so to speak and will make it through the rest of chemo. Then next onto radiotherapy! The week rest also recovered red blood cells a bit so eased dizziness/low pressire drops, and reduced risk of needing blood transfusion). Just a cough still lingering (about 14 weeks now) that I cant quite shake.

Ive had to go to a picc line, after 4 attempts at a vein was all to hard (poor right arm was so bruised, as the only one able to be needled due to lymphnode removal left arm), but again, manageable and a relief not to be multiple jabbed.

Have some wigs that Im getting used to, and its nice to swap out the chemo caps. Not the same as own hair, but again, tricks the brain to a bit of "normal" and the compliments on my new blonde look have been good mental positive (never been brave enough before so why not, matching my current paler skin and thinning but just still there eyebrows).

Thats about it for now, thanks for reading. And hang in there... one day at a time!
Katie46
Member
2 years ago
Hi @JenD, I found my AC treatment settled into a pattern, a bit weird feeling, for the first 4 days (steroids kicking in), severe fatigue for the next 4 days, and then felt almost normal the 2nd week. I was lucky to not get any nausea. My hair started to fall out on day 13, your scalp can get a bit tender, and my husband buzz cut my hair a few days later (which I had already cut short) and i had almost immediate releif. Mine took a few weeks to fall out and I was left with a bit of fuzz which never fell out, and never grew any longer. It felt like a long road at round 1, but now I've done 8 rounds of paclitaxel and I can see the end in sight! Take each day as it comes, be kind to yourself.