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Emim
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Joined 8 years ago
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Re: Does radiotherapy cause brain fog?
@kmakm that is interesting. My work is about an hour each way by public transport. It is very tiring getting there and back. The commute was one of the reasons I did not go back to work during radiation. The hospital is only 10 minutes from my house and the logistics of getting to work and back with the appointments at all different times of the day was too overwhelming for me. One of the key criteria in my job search is the location. There was a job advertised in December that was really close to where I live now, but I didn't have the energy to apply for it then. I'm sure something else will come up in the next couple of months7Views1like0CommentsRe: Six months post lumpectomy check-up
Yes @Sarnicad I have a bit of a divet in my BC breast too. It was also quite firm straight after finishing radiation but it has softened a bit in the month since. @arpie - my 'OK breast' was noticeably larger even before BC. My surgeon commented on it as well and said it was a shame! I have been wearing bonds maternity bras without underwire since surgery and it is only noticeable that they are different sizes when I am not wearing a bra. I do want to get back to swimming and it is noticeable in a one piece. The swimming pool I go to is only small and the people that go there are friendly and usually a bit older so it probably won't be a big deal if I am a bit lopsided. The best thing about being a bit over three months post chemo is that my hair has grown a lot. It is now long enough to have a little cowlick at the front. It made it easier going back to work last week. I am not as self conscious about looking like a cancer patient now!4Views3likes0CommentsSix months post lumpectomy check-up
Hello beautiful ladies, it's been a long time since I posted a discussion on here around the time I was starting chemo. Since then I have finished chemo -while not exactly pleasant it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and I have completed 30 rounds of radiation therapy (I was very lucky, I was only mildly pink). I still have six months of herceptin to go every third Friday. On Monday I have an appointment with my surgeon for a check-up six months post surgery. I haven't really thought about it until now as I have been dealing with each stage of my treatment as it comes. My surgeon flagged that she will raise with me whether I want to have a reduction to my left, non-cancer, breast. It was already larger than my right breast, and now is probably two cup sizes larger. My question for other ladies who had lumpectomies is did you subsequently have a reduction, or did you just leave things a bit unbalanced? As all of my treatment so far has been focussed on treating the cancer, or reducing the risk of recurrence, I feel slightly odd thinking about whether to have surgery that is for more cosmetic reasons. I admit that while there have been no signs of cancer in my other breast I also am sure that I will have anxiety about it being found if I have surgery.232Views0likes5CommentsRe: Does radiotherapy cause brain fog?
@rose - I feel you. If this experience has taught me anything it is that life is far too short to be unappreciated and to work long hours for little recognition. It has opened my eyes that there is more to life and I want to have time to experience it. I hope you can find something that works better for you than your current role.14Views1like0CommentsRe: New at this
Hi Cruiser, I am in Canberra too. Best of luck with your surgery. I had a stage 2 grade three tumour and had a lumpectomy last year followed by chemo and radiation. I also still have six months of herceptin infusions to go. II took six months off work, due to the amount of treatment I had and I am now back working four days a week. I didn't require drains after my lumpectomy, and it did not really hurt. The sentinel node biopsy under my arm was a bit painful and made it hard to raise my arm for a couple of weeks. The main advice I have for anyone going through any treatment for breast cancer is to look after yourself, take as much time as you need to heal, accept help from friends (as you have) and if you need it, seek counselling. The first couple of weeks after diagnosis were the most difficult for me personally as I had to come to terms with having cancer, as I got used to it I found it easier to deal with, although I do still have challenging days. It is great talking to other people on this forum who understand7Views1like0CommentsRe: Does radiotherapy cause brain fog?
Hi Rose, I am in Canberra too and finished radiotherapy in January. I had chemo before that and took six months off work. I started back on Friday four days a week. I used to work really long hours due to there being a lot of administrative work on top of my main job but will not be doing that any more as it was not really appreciated or recognised and I have realised that I need to put myself first from now on, and have a better work life balance. I personally don't seem to have brain fog, but its only early days. I had a very good memory before and so time will tell if it feels like my memory has suffered. I've worked in the same role for seven years so I am very across it, which probably helps - although when returning to work I did feel like it is mostly the same and that it would be nice to do something different that is a bit more challenging, while also not requiring really long hours. I am going to keep an eye on the jobs that are advertised in my field for the next couple of months, and hope something suitable comes up. My boss has been supportive of me returning four days a week. I hope your discussions with your boss and HR are productive.7Views0likes0CommentsRe: CHEK2... my genetic plot thickens?
Thanks @kmakm and @j9k. I don't have children, and won't be having them now, so I don't have that worry. Other members of my family have started wondering. It is something to think about as on the one hand if a gene was identified it would be a challenge to come to terms with what it meant, but then on the other not knowing is difficult too. I feel for you @kmakm - it must be difficult dealing with your results and what it might mean for you and your family, even though you wanted to know.4Views0likes0CommentsRe: CHEK2... my genetic plot thickens?
I came across this thread and think I will look into genetic testing and will ask if it can include CHEK2, as there may be a family history on my father's side. My paternal grandmother died from cancer at 53 - the family is not sure if it was breast cancer or potentially pancreatic cancer due to lack of testing at the time (in the early 1970's). Two of her sisters had breast cancer when they were older. Her daughter (my aunt) had breast cancer at 41 in the 1990's, and again in her early 60's in the other breast (5 years ago). She also has Hashimoto and an underachieve thyroid. She also had pre-cancerous cells identified by a colonoscopy. My sister also has Hashimoto's disease and my father has had a lot of polyps. There has also been breast cancer in my father's cousins on that side of the family. I was diagnosed with breast cancer this year at 41. My surgeon after hearing my family history referred me for genetic testing, but I haven't chased it up yet, as I was focussed on getting through chemo. Now that has finished I will look into it again.9Views0likes0CommentsRe: Choosing Non-Conventional Treatment
That is an interesting segment. I have been doing a bit of reading about this found this article explaining that there has been limited research in this area, largely because it is difficult to properly study people who have refused some or all conventional treatment. However, they have done some analysis and found much greater risk of death, particularly from breast cancer, if conventional treatments are not followed. I think this may be the article the oncologist refers to in the segment. I have just finished chemo, and have radiation and herceptin to go. While it hasn't been a walk in the park, my prognosis would not have been good if I had not chosen conventional treatment. I had an aggressive grade three triple positive tumour and my life is the most important thing I have. https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/110/1/121/4064136 This is a good summary of the article: https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2017/09/05/study-problematizes-alternative-cancer-treatments/25Views0likes0CommentsRe: Waiting for chemo!!
My appointment with the oncologist is actually next Tuesday (chemobrain). At least I thought it was earlier than it was, rather than later! Good to know that you also got the rash @kmakm and @"Kiwi Angel". I seemed to it after being in the sun, but perhaps it was a co-incidence. I don't want to be avoiding the sun unnecessarily. I could also have had a reaction to the suncream I used, which was Cancer Council spray, but still there might be something more suitable. It is currently a lovely day here in Canberra and I think I will go for a walk before that changes. I want to enjoy the next week as much as I can before cycle 2. I also had a read through Liz O'Riordan's blog, and enjoyed her honest, informative and down to earth writing style. I liked reading about the amount of exercise she did when she could, as I want to be more active. I also read about Rachael Bland a BBC newsreader, a lovely soul who died earlier this week at 40. Rachael blogged about her cancer experience on Big C Little Me. I felt so sad and as though I was losing a friend when I read her last blog that she was off her last trial due to the cancer not responding. Rachael also hosted a great podcast "You me and the big C" with two other British women with stage 4 cancer. A very informative podcast that discusses cancer with great humour and camaraderie.9Views0likes0Comments
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Breast cancer without children
Whether by choice or circumstance, navigating breast cancer without children is a unique experience that can feel unsupported or isolating. This group offers a compassionate space to connect with others who understand, share experiences, and find strength in community also living breast cancer without children.
