User Profile
Kiki_Dances60
Member
Joined 5 years ago
User Widgets
Contributions
Re: Sore breasts post treatments (lumpectomy)
hi @2MC, I was lucky my GP’s nurse was so proactive. And I wouldn’t have known anything about all the help you can get without the BCNA webcasts and this online network! I wonder if the nurse arranged signing for me? There are several doctors at the surgery. I believe McGrath or BCNA nurses can help you if you need someone to support you. I’ve not seen a breast care nurse. At one point during radiotherapy I got upset and the nurse suggested I check out a Psychooncologist. I did. Best idea ! it does feel very lonely at times, particularly once “active treatment” is over. I did feel abandoned. But I am feeling more positive now I’m doing exercise and am getting on with my life.6Views0likes0CommentsRe: Hot flashes and itchy skin!
@jtee - yes dry skin and hot/cold flashes def menopause. Hand fan, moisturising, reduce sugar /increase green leafy veg and increase exercise (brisk walk outside is good if you can manage it). Itchy brows may mean hair follicles are irritated from chemo (that happened with my scalp): I think your brows are likely to fall out soon. 🙂 I’m thinking of you and wishing you well xxx31Views1like0CommentsRe: IS MY CHEMO WORKING
Dear @heathfield, what a tough road bc is! And you’re nearly through the Taxol. It’s so worrying when they tell you they can’t tell. Oncologist was certain my lump was softening during chemo. Surgeon advised me - like @Mazbeth says above, that what the scan might be picking up is the scarred remains of where the tumour was. This was the case for me. After 4x AC then 9 x taxol, lumpectomy pathology in Jan21 found 2 tiny foci- .1 and .5mm, the rest was scar tissue, clear margins, all three sentinel nodes were cancer free as well. The chemo kills the cancer everywhere it may be lurking. Not just in the breast with the tumour. Totally empathize with you. The waiting and not knowing - especially whilst submitting to chemical warfare -can eat you up. Big 🤗 xx12Views0likes0CommentsRe: Ki67 results versus results from oncotype, etc tests
Hi @StrongCoffee, my Ki67 was >40%, tumour 4mm, ER and PR positive, HER2 negative, and I wanted to save my breast if poss. Oncologist said neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) chemo we would indicate if my tumour was responsive to chemo. For me 4 x AC over 8 weeks did the lion’s share of the destruction of the cancer cells and Taxol (reduced to 9 weeks from 12 due to peripheral neuropathy). I was able to have lumpectomy with 3 sentinel nodes removed in January. 2 microscopic cancer cells remained in the removed tissue around the metal marker put in pre-chemo. So chemo did the trick for me. BUT I was financially supported by my husband (couldn’t have held down a job during chemo) and chemo was paid for 100% by my health insurance. I wish you courage: these are difficult decisions to make. 💐💐 I find a walk in the fresh air helps me when I’m struggling to decide something. If you’re unsure about which way to go, it’s ok to seek a second oncologist’s opinion.5Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sore breasts post treatments (lumpectomy)
Hi @2MC, I had chemo last year to shrink the tumour, lumpectomy 7/1/21 and finished 3 weeks radiotherapy mid March. My breast is still tender (ouch, firm hugs really hurt!), lumpy and nipple strangely crusty. I saw the rad oncologist and he said all normal post-radiotherapy damage - which may continue 6 months, plus scarring from surgery. He recommended: keep moisturizing and gentle massaging of breast, get out into the fresh air and exercise. I have now seen an exercise physiologist recommended by my GP’s nurse as part of my health care plan. As you’ve had cancer, you’re entitled to five very discounted appointments per year with podiatrist/exercise physio/OT etc. Exercise physio waived $200 initial appointment and the next two (as that’s all that’s left out of the five appointments on my plan) are discounted to $20. Exercise physio set me a bunch of exercises including stretching with weights and walking each day.17Views0likes0CommentsRe: Are you Caring for a Partner & Parents with Dementia/Alzheimers
@arpie @June1952 I feel for you both dealing with the effects of this disease on your life partners. My heart goes out to you. I’m in awe of your patience and care. my mum is 88 and has quite advanced vascular dementia. My sister and I were concerned about her eating habits a couple of years ago (we were discovering food in the fridge well past due by dates, mould, and her cupboards were so full they were impenetrable). She had a fall at the start of Melbourne’s first lockdown and ended up in hospital. No broken bones but severe pain and pneumonia! She returned to her home between lockdowns and we arranged 24/7 carers to keep her safe, fed and entertained. She doesn’t feel thirst, hot or cold, her short term memory is shot, she doesn’t remember she has a carer most days, but she enjoys a coffee and cake at the café and going to concerts (now she can), but her mobility is deteriorating. I wanted to understand more about the disease and its progress and found a free online course called Understanding Dementia by Wicking Dementia - part of uni of Tasmania. It has helped. They are running another in July. Last year my sister came across a series of helpful videos on YouTube- Dementia Careblazers - looking after your loved one with dementia. Really practical, kind tips to help you in your interactions.2Views3likes0CommentsRe: Mental health.. News story triggered a panic attack
@2MC big hugs to you. I agree with what everyone else has said! That sort of news story is definitely a trigger, as are ill-advised ‘sharing’ by friends of cancer stories and review appointments (BCNA webcast). Great you’re seeing a psychologist (best thing I did was to find a psycho-oncologist), getting out into fresh air and getting your exercise, plus beautiful you’ve a supportive partner. Feeling down and vulnerable at times is super normal for anyone who has had BC diagnosis. I was really down the past week with all sorts of worries. I saw my radiation oncologist about a post radiation worry. He listened kindly and reminded me gently about fresh air and exercise helping mood. I went out for a walk afterwards and felt better.😊 I’m forcing myself out every day! I’ve read that endocrine therapy can affect mood too, so that’s given me even more reason to get outside and exercising.5Views0likes0CommentsRe: COVID 19 jab
I had first AZ jab 3 weeks ago. I was fine until 10:30 pm when I got cold shivers. Next day pretty crook in bed with cold shivers, four days of exhaustion afterwards. Arm was sore for a couple of weeks. This week I had my flu shot and that jab has woken me with very painful arm each night since (so I’ve two sore arms🙃) and a lingering, gentle headache. For what it’s worth, @FLClover, I’d recommend vaccination against COVID-19. I have lots of allergies/severe reactions (to opiates, GA, codeine and - since chemo -dexamethasone), and am very wary of taking anything. BC forced me to do chemo, an op (Anaesthetist gave me non-GA alternative for op), radiation and now endocrine therapy. I had my first flu jab (ever) last year so I could visit my 88 y.o. Mum (rules of where she lives). I agree with whoever said that about having got cancer, one feels one is already in the unlucky minority, so best not to chance it with Covid-19 or flu. On a slightly different note, since SARS, Hong Kong people don a mask if they are unwell and must go out - for the good of their community. Why can’t Australians behave like that?Re: Long term chemo side effects
@Blossom1961 heartburn was an issue for me on and off during chemo. I would 1) stopped drinking English breakfast tea completely at the start of chemo (stopped coffee afew years ago due to anxiety); 2) have a tiny bit (half-teaspoon) of apple cider vinegar in warm water before I ate anything once a day in the morning, 3) no regular alcohol since diagnosis 22/6 last year, a glass of chambers/ small amount of wine with a special dinner out; 4) half-way through chemo my cousin, who is a midwife, said slippery elm worked for nausea and heartburn. I started to take one before breakfast and one before dinner, and I continued that till the end of 9 weeks taxol. It really helped keep those problems at bay for me; 5) as others have said exercise - I walked outside every day, 6) I’ve been taking ultra muscleze twice daily for muscle pain. I’ve found it has the added benefit of keeping depression at bay!! hope this helps. 7) chocolate - my daily choc diet is no more since diagnosis: I eat chocolate on and off, but never in bulk, like I used to. 8) I eat more fresh fruit and more greens than before.23Views1like0Comments
Groups
Let's talk: vaginas, menopause & me
PRIVATE GROUP. This group is a safe, supportive space to talk about sexual health and emotional wellbeing during and after breast cancer. We discuss topics like menopause, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, UTIs, and changes in libido, and share ideas and products that may help. Whether you're navigating intimacy with a partner or reconnecting with yourself, you're not alone here. This is a place for open, respectful conversations and shared understanding.
