Hi all, I first want to say how grateful I am to everyone for sharing their stories here, they often help when I'm struggling. That said I'm finding things particularly hard at the moment. I was originally diagnosed oct 2019, her2+ er-, with large lump and lymph node involvement. I had ac then Taxol, 2 lumpectomys to get clearance and then radiation along with herceptin until Jan this year. I had a good response to treatment (pathological complete response). But this year I'm finding it so much harder! I was okish last year with a few little hiccups but this year I find myself so much more depressed with life and I don't get why. My son who is 7 has developed quite severe anxiety especially when it comes to me this year and it just seems to be getting worse no matter how much support we get him and how much energy I pour in to him.And now this week, I reported to my breast care nurse some tenderness I had in my boob. I had told the surgeon about it on Nov when I saw him but he just said it was radiation side effects. This week the nurse felt my breast and said it was probably just scar tissue that is pulling now I am doing more exercise but recommended an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed some abnormality in the ducts near my scar tissue so now they want to biopsy which I'm having done tomorrow. I'm trying to stay calm and think that it's all fine until I know otherwise but I'm finding it hard. I don't know how my young kids will cope if it is the worst? My son is already struggling so much. I guess I just am hoping people can tell me good news stories of when they got a biopsy post cancer and it turned out to be ok.

Thank you so much @arpie @Cath62 and @MicheleR for your messages. I really appreciate the support. The biopsy went ok, the usual pain and discomfort and seeming oblivion from the radiology staff as to why this might be distressing. I have a telehealth appt with my breast care nurse on Monday so I'm crossing my fingers that the results will be back by then and will be all ok. I'm just trying to tell myself that it's going to be nothing (I figure there is no point thinking the worst). I'm feeling emotionally drained which is making parenting tough but I'll get through. I hear you @arpie about the wait times! I can't imagine how hard it would be to rural and the extra delays! Congratulations on both of yours being ok.@Cath62 and @MicheleR my son is seeing a psychologist and we are trying to get extra supports for him. And I've just been linked back in with the hospital psych for me. And my gp and I have a plan to try to tackle my depression and a line in the sand when we give up on this one and go straight to the drugs. So hopefully I will start to see some light soon. Thank you again. I'll let you know how I go

Oh bugger @Lythe - I am so sorry to read this - definitely not the news you wanted to hear. :( I can only imagine how you are feeling right now ..... I know how I would be feeling - totally devastated. :( Please talk with the team here and/or your breast care nurse to access the necessary support to help you get thru this. Scream and shout all you like here ... let it all out and we will also help you thru this. Xxtake care xx. I know that you are feeling totally gutted and hope you have a good support network around you xx You CAN do this xx

All the best for your biopsy today, @Lythe ... I had 2 call backs on my anniversary reviews, so know what you are feeling only too well. Xx Mine were both clear, but the delays (being rural) had me screaming and shouting at the radiology places .... so just more unnecessary stress than was needed. :(take care - we’ve got fingers and toes crossed for good results! Xx if you find the stress is ‘getting to you’ and the family, please talk with the BCNA hotline or your breast care nurse on coping mechanisms xx

Dear @Lythe,Hope your oncologist and surgeon talk to each other!from jennyss in Western NSW

Well, I came down with a cold just after my first treatment so I have been battling that. I skipped my 3rd round to try and get on top of it but it's still lingering so we went ahead anyway on monday with the paclitaxel, herceptin and pertuzamab. They also swabbed me again to test for everything but I came back negative for all the common virus and bacterial infections. I just have to ride it out I guess. I am super exhausted but I'm not sure how much is the drugs and how much is the cold. I thought when I started treatment again it would be like starting at the beginning but it's been more like starting at dose 13. I've had acne and diarrhea and soooo much fatigue. But! To end on a note of positivity, there has been definite signs of shrinkage and the onc is happy that there is signs of good treatment effect. I will have an ultrasound in a month or so so verify it looks like it's heading in the right direction. So, while things suck right now, this will pass and there will be some better days ahead

New boob abnormality | BCNA Online Network

25 Replies

Lythe
Member
5 years ago
Well, I came down with a cold just after my first treatment so I have been battling that. I skipped my 3rd round to try and get on top of it but it's still lingering so we went ahead anyway on monday with the paclitaxel, herceptin and pertuzamab. They also swabbed me again to test for everything but I came back negative for all the common virus and bacterial infections. I just have to ride it out I guess. I am super exhausted but I'm not sure how much is the drugs and how much is the cold. I thought when I started treatment again it would be like starting at the beginning but it's been more like starting at dose 13. I've had acne and diarrhea and soooo much fatigue. But! To end on a note of positivity, there has been definite signs of shrinkage and the onc is happy that there is signs of good treatment effect. I will have an ultrasound in a month or so so verify it looks like it's heading in the right direction. So, while things suck right now, this will pass and there will be some better days ahead
Mightystar
Member
5 years ago
@Lythe how are you doing? Sending hugs xx
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
Sorry to hear @Lythe. Hope chemo goes well. Thinking of you
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
Goodness just wanted to say sorry to read of your predicament! Hopefully they can get clear margins and the ongoing treatment is to ensure they chase it all away!
Take care and best wishes and sending a virtual hug
Lioness25
Member
5 years ago
You’ve got this xo
PV123
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Lythe

You can beat this, best wishes to you.
jennyss
Member
5 years ago
Dear @Lythe,
Hope your oncologist and surgeon talk to each other!

from jennyss in Western NSW
Lythe
Member
5 years ago
So I went and saw the surgeon on Monday and was relieved to find out that it was localised to the breast only and they booked me for a mastectomy for Friday. They said I would have some minor chemo type drugs and I thought this is fantastic! Best news! Then today I went to see the oncologist who started out saying that I could have Docetaxol treatment followed by herceptin and pertuzumab 3 weekly for the rest of my days or I could just have TDMI for a year and hope it doesn't come back. She was very keen on the TDMI for a year until she examined me and then she said "that's really large, isn't it!" She then backtracked and said she thought it was too big to get clear margins in a mastectomy and that I should start chemo asap. She said I could have Taxol instead of Docetaxol for 18 weeks and said she felt it had the same efficacy and I tolerated Taxol well last time. I'm starting tomorrow. I'm a bit freaked out as she said it is large and growing rapidly. I guess all I can do is hope it responds to the Taxol well again and we get a good outcome but it feels a bit gloomier now than it did with the surgeon.
Lioness25
Member
5 years ago
Thinking of you xo
MicheleR
Member
5 years ago
Thinking of you