Forum Discussion
Time to process
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.
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.
31 Replies
- Started chemotherapy last friday, so one week later, after 2 days a little off but ok mostly functioning (on strong antinausea tablets), then 4 days nasty riding through dizziness my brain is a little back now, mainly tired/fatigue will be ongoing I can see.
For me, treatments infusions are fortnightly (dose dense ac) x4, then weekly a further x12. (Paclitaxel) . Followed by radiation therapy. Full cellular reboot! Nothing can quite prep for that first dose of fluid infusion. But 1 down, 15 to go. Big breath, I can do this!
Taking it slow and careful, one day at a time, relishing what may be my last few days washing my hair (cliche shampoo advert moments), and have a basket of headwear caps ready to go.
Thanks for reading.....
- Thanks heaps for sharing @JenD! Much appreciated! Best wishes for the rest of your treatments.
- @GinGin As I understand it, the process of both chemotherapy for all over body elimination of cancer cells and then targeted radiotherapy after is the treatment for this node. Surgery immediately removed tumour and local nodes to this, so next is cellular level mop up. Radio Dr explained they will complete further scans for comparisons, along with info from initial scans for targetting areas.
- @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. - All the best for your rehearsing and the national comp @JenD!! That's good to get help setting up your Tuba and that it is comfy enough to play, sitting down xx
My uke group has been suggested for the local Eisteddfod next month .... but we are happy just playing for local aged care centres ....
take care - @JenD, you’ve mentioned there is a positive node (shown on PET scan and biopsied in chest). Any idea how will that be treated?
p.s. my PET scan showed there was ‘something’ in my chest as well. But the doc says they can’t biopsied as it was in a challenging position, she told me rads should treat that area). Hence, keen to hear what your doc has recommended.
p.s, I am hormone positive and Her2- . Have completed 15 rounds of chemo (4 dense dose AC and 11 Taxols) , just completed 15 sessions of rads last week. - @GinGin thanks, I will ask about this I think next clinic appt as keen to do the right things max improve.
Random crazy - I play a music instrument with a national comp in 2 weeks time so aiming to be onstage with my brass band! Reheasing this week very carefully again, thankfully I sit while playing, with most of work in my non-surgery side. I ask for help on any lifting (an 8 kg tuba so not ideal!, and I cant weight lift away from body), but it was ok once on my lap!! Just uncomfortable at times so cant stretch to reach around yet. Yes, Crazy I know. But achievable ✔️, just. Breathing is ok still post surgery whew! (I will have no problem holding breath for radio on deep inspiration breath hold). - @JenD, I’m stage 3 as well (grade 3). I couldn’t raise my arm above 3o’clock after surgery. Saw a physiotherapist (referred through my breast surgeon), and now have most of my arm movements back.Take it easy and try not to stress your body.
- All the best with your recovery @JenD xx. Make haste slowly - glad you got onto the seroma early & had it drained. The nerve tingling & numb bits may take a while to settle ..... great that your wound is healing well too.
take care - So 17 days after surgery. Still sore and tired but slowly recovering ok I think, although patience is a challenge.
Summary of results of bcs (partial mascectomy) include removal of 3.2cm tumour (Left outer quadrent) and a dcis also found and removed during surgery , with clear margins. Axillary clearance of 30 lymphnodes, with 14 containing cancer cells, 16 clear. Was very tight and swollen in op area on thursday, so check in at clinic ultrasound and found seroma x2 so they have been drained, with weekly follow up for a while on that. Wow!
So while I cant raise arm yet above shoulder height or weight bear too much I am doing gentle stretch exercises slowing trying to stretch under arm area, which is crazy nervy tingly, sore, and some numb spots and very tight. Incision is one long line, neat and healing ok.
Next for me is chemotherapy and radiotherapy, probably to start April. There was a positive node (showed on pet scan and byopsied in chest which will be targetted during this), so local/regional spread.
All this, I am still grasping a bit at how I was so unaware of all of this going on inside! Stage 3 BC! Crappy indeed, but doing ok considering I think!
