User Profile
kezmusc
Member
Joined 9 years ago
User Widgets
Contributions
Re: Newly diagnosed and Menopause
Hi @katesmom. Eeek. I was 45 when chemo shut everything down after the second dose. The flushes were atomic. So disgusting. That was the hardest slog of the trip I reckon. The really shitty thing is there's really not much you can take to help. Nobody does studies on natural medication v breast cancer as they're classed under the "food act" but the pharmacy will tell you not to take anything with phyto oestrogens in it. So no Rasberry leaf, no Black Cohosh, no Menopause Ease or things like that. Not that they actually know. But I made the pharmacy ring Swisse and they said not to take "just in case" Blah I used to carry a can of dove deodarant (just the original not scented) every where and spray like heck as soon as I felt a flush coming on. Also had a cold towel that I wet, put in the freezer and slept with draped accross my back. On a plus note you can now apply topical oestrogen creams to the more sensitive bits that hurt. After 7 years of me asking they finally agreed it's ok now. I also found a lot of vitamin B helped a bit and also helped with the brain fog (I am not a recommending that as I became my own science experiment really. All the best lovely. xoxoxoRe: High Grade DCIS - radiotherapy
Hi @aj456, I'm the same as @arpie. I had 35 rounds of radiation (last 5 a target boost to the lumpectomy site) face up, arms out. I also found the radiation the easiest part. I had minimal skin problems and have multiple scans for the last 7 years (that's a whole other story). Last bone scan was a month ago and no problems. Personally I wanted that thing nuked into oblivion. All the bes sweet. You got this. Lots a luv xoxxHappy Halloween Y'All
Hi all. Just thought I'd pop in and celebrate with everyone that today is my 8 yrs NED anniversary. Wow, where did the time go? This time 8 years ago I was where a lot of the newly diagnosed people are at the moment. A limbo land of fog and unknowing. In hospital after surgery with a million things running through my brain about what the next year was going to be like with recovery from surgery, chemo and radiation. I feel for you I really do. Still gives me the cold shivers thinking about it. For those just starting on the rollercoaster, one breath at a time, and just keep going one foot in front of the other. Eventually, you'll come fly out of the fog and into the sunshine, You've got this, and you'll find a strength inside you never thought you had—although you probably won't realize it for a while. You also learn that you have a very low tolerance for bullshit, peoples whinging and worrying about the small stuff. :D Look for those moments of brilliance in the every day. I've never really celebrated as such each year but this time I decided to have an 8yr/Halloween party. Plus I love a good costume party so why not. I'm off to make ghosts and creepy stuff. Oh and Witches brew cocktails! Love to all. xoxoxRe: Newly Diagnosed - scared of unknown
Welcome lovelies. Totally stinks to be here but welcome to the forum. This whole thing is a mind blow and a series of endless waiting. Waiting for scans, waiting for results, and chasing up appointments. Don’t Dr Google (we know you will) it’ll mess with your head. This is the place to let everything out with no judgment and the depth of knowledge and compassion on the forum is something you just can't get anywhere else. Nobody else can understand where you're at like someone that's been there. There are times to wallow in the gloom and then there are times you just need to get flat out busy and distract that voice in your head that just won't shut up. Once your results come back your team gives you a plan of attack. I found once I had “the treatment plan” I felt a bit more in control. Everyone deals with this stuff differently. Some take family and friends to all their appointments. Personally, I found going on my own was better as I didn’t have to manage anyone else's emotions. I told Family and close friends first but I’ve never had any reservations about talking openly to anyone. Get the elephant out of the room, right? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t like something or don’t understand the jargon speak up! You will learn quickly that you are your own best advocate. All the best. You got this. Everyone’s here for you. xxxxoooRe: Wondering if I should have decided on a mastectomy?
Hi LJS Everyone is different lovely and our brain likes to conjure up the worst case scenario everytime for reasons known only to itself. Especially at night! You made exactly the right choice at the time for you. Personally, I chose the same. Lumpectomy but had a full axillary clearance. My experience with radiation (30 rounds of it) was absolutely fine. The most annoying thing was driving there every day. I had minimal skin trouble until the last week and thats when they were doing a targetted boost to the one area. Some ladies on here back then recommended using the moo goo udder cream and it worked brilliantly. After treatment I used Flamazene (can't use it during as it has silver in it) and everything healed very quickly. All the best sweet. Trust yourself and your decision. xoxoxoRe: Wow it's been a while. How the time flies!
@arpie It was for the yearly "Pink Run" to raise money for Breast cancer research. It's a drive up the beach at Noosa North shore and then they raffle off a whole bunch of fantastic prizes. Everyone decorates ther cars and it was a monster turn out! Over 100 vehicles Sadly they no longer run it as the organisers were exhausted from doing it for over 10 years and couldn't get enough volunteers. It was a fantastic trip! My whole family came in all their PinknessWow it's been a while. How the time flies!
Good afternoon beautiful BCNA. I just wanted to pop in and say Hi. It's been sooooo long since I've been here. Mostly due to never getting the email to update to the new site everytime I tried.So I gave up for a while. Thankfully, the last time worked I do think about the people on the network, the support, the laughter and tears very often. I wonder how everyone is going that was here around the same time I was a regular. My thoughts go to the new people joining and get the shivers about those first months and the roller coaster of emotions that goes with it. I still have my Night Howlers T shirt (don't know if that group still exists) and rmember the fun we had coming up with the slogan for it. I'm almost 8 years cancer free. Goodness, sometimes if feels like just yesterday but other days it feels a lifetime ago. To all the people that have newly joined, you could not have found a better support network anywhere than everyone here. Lots of love to everyone. These guys saved my sanity more than once! Cheers Kezmusc
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.
