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kmm2411's avatar
kmm2411
Member
8 years ago

Losing a fingernail.........after 12 years.

I am a 12 year survivor of invasive breast cancer. Had a mastectomy and removal of all L lymph nodes, 4 months chemo, 12 months Herceptin. The only problem I was left with was a nail that had lifted from the nail bed. After 12 yrs of being careful with it, it now seems I am destined to lose it and I am devastated. I know in the scheme of things it is infinitesimal, I've lost friends to breast cancer, but after all this time, it has hit me like a ton of bricks, that I am going to lose this nail and is the universe also saying 'hey, you thought you were through with breast cancer, well guess what, here's a reminder?!   Has anyone in the BCNA family totally lost a fingernail from chemo and what did you do.?  Thanks for reading, sorry if it seems like trite questions, but it's important to me. Cheers

2 Replies

  • lrb_03's avatar
    lrb_03
    Member
    8 years ago
    Of course it's important to you. And of course it's another reminder of all you went through.
    Have you talked to your GP about this nail over the years?
    A good beautician /manicurist may be able to explain the why's around it, and what may happen. Ome of them have a good understanding of anatomy and physiology. 
    Otherwise, just an out there thought. Podiatrists deal a lot with toenails, so may be able to make some suggestions
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    8 years ago
    I have no idea why that would happen. Chemo in 2006 left me with nails  like chalk and my toenails developed persistent fungus. Chemo in 2017 made my toenails fall off--that cleared up the fungus but it seemed like an extreme way to remedy the situation and took nearly 12 months. So, all 10 nails are now striated chalk.

    I wonder who you could ask (apart from the brains trust here) It sucks that you have nursed it all this time and now it gives up. Has anything else changed, hormones for example?