Pathology results
Hey everyone, I’m trying to understand my histopathology report from my biopsy and I’m hoping someone here has answers, as I won’t get to see a doctor till the 19th November. This is what the report says: ”The cores of breast tissue are infiltrated by an invasive ductal carcinoma. The tumour forms solid nests and cords of atypical ductal epithelial cells displaying a moderate degree of nuclear pleomorphism. In addition, several multinucleated giant cells are noted indicating invasive ductal carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells.” I also have a Ki-67 of 30-40%. My report also states the cancer is oestrogen and progesterone receptor positive and HER-2 low. I do have a good understanding of anatomy and anatomical terms as I’m a science teacher- and epithelial means skin cells and osteoclastic should have something to do with bones. So does this mean I likely have metastatic disease with Mets in skin and bone? I’m likely just having anxiety but because I have so long to wait for the appointment and I can’t call the line until Monday I’m hoping someone else has had similar results.
No response to paclitaxel - anyone else?
Hi all, I was dx with early BC in August this year. I turned 40 this year. It's a grade 2(ish) invasive ductal. Hormone +ive, HER2 -ive. Because it was in my lymph nodes, my treating team wanted me to do chemo first (4x AC dose-dense, 12x weekly paclitaxel). I'm on the 4th pacli cycle (it's infusing as I type!) I had a progress ultrasound last week and when I spoke to my onc yesterday, he was a tad concerned that the tumour doesn't seem to be responding to this drug. He talked about maybe stopping this drug and going straight for surgery and hormone therapy. The chemo nurses assure me that people change treatment regimens all the time, and I tell myself that monitoring and reassessing is a GOOD thing. But I'm still in a dither. Also, every twinge, niggle, and sensation anywhere near ol’ leftie has me jumping out of my skin in panic, convinced that the end is nigh. So my questions to you all: Has anyone else been in the same situation? On a scale of 1 - 10, where 10 is Beet-faced-embarassed, how silly am I going to feel about this anxiety in a week or so? Is there anything I should do to get prepared for maybe having surgery(?) in the next few weeks? I had totally bumped that down the road as a problem for 2022! TIA!
TERRIFIED of Treatment
I’m not sure I can convey in writing how terrified I am I’m not sure there is a word to describe it the worry I feel is debilitating, I already suffer from anxiety and this is just exasperating it, i was diagnosed about a month ago and have had a Lumpectomy with good results margins were clear and lymph nodes were clear, my cancer is triple negative and they are still wanting me to have chemo and radiation. The plan is 12 weekly doses of chemo then about 15-20 treatments of radiation along with Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. I am supposed to go to Hospital on Tuesday for Echocardiogram, Port Insertion and my first chemo. Everday for the last two weeks I have woken up at 6am in what I think is a panic attack I have tingles all over my body and shaking and I don’t want to get out of bed I’m at a point where I don’t think I’m going to be able to get myself to the hospital on Tuesday, and on top of all this I live in Melbourne so we have COVID to deal with which means no one can come to hospital with me I have to do this alone. I am terrified of having the port put in and the thought of it being in my body for so long is terrifying to me I am also completely terrified of the chemo and all the worry it will cause me between treatments having to monitor temperature etc etc will be so stressful for me. I have tried conveying this to various people (Doctors, Family, Psycologist) and all they say is you have to do this and take one step at a time, I feel like no one is really grasping how terrified I am and no one is helping me with the mental side of this, am I the only one that feels this way please HELP me as I don’t think I can mentally survive this and am seriously considering not going on Tuesday.
Growth during chemo??
I have had a lumpectomy, finished 16 rounds of chemo and 1 week post mastectomy. Prior to my mastectomy I had a CT scan on my back after a week of severe pain. This was 1 week after chemo finished. After seeing surgeon post op today they have concerns about something that showed up on scan. It wasn’t there in April before I started treatment so if it is a tumour, it grew whilst on chemo? I am miffed as to how this could happen? I have a PET scan on Wednesday and I am so scared! Has this happened to anyone else?
Biopsy
Had my yearly ultrasound and mammogram today, need to get fine needles aspiration tomorrow as something to check in lobular duct,not sure what,maybe fatty deposit,and a lymph node needs a needle aspiration too as thicker in a area,freaked out ,thought I was done with this 3 years ago .seems to all be very familiar, hopefully a fatty deposit but I’m thinking the worst, was first yearly check up I actually wasn’t worried about going to in last 3 years too,are fatty deposit common ?
Endocrine therapy-induced hair loss (ETIHL)
Hi All, Food for thought (no pun intended). I'm considering taking supplements (are they safe? contraindicated?) and looking for proven topical scalp treatments (waste of money?). Started with this article: Management of hair loss associated with endocrine therapy in patients with breast cancer: an overview https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4864803/. "Vitamin C may loco regionally reduces the HL ...when locally applied with an oil-based buffer that enables vitamin C to pass across the hair texture. (Where would we find that?) Low levels of vitamin D in serum and/or lack of Vitamin D receptor have been found to be associated with HL ...However, it is still uncertain whether vitamin D supplementation increases the proliferation of hair follicles. Vitamin E has been shown to decrease the effectiveness of estrogen in the breast tissue and low levels of vitamin E are also reported to be associated with increased levels of estrogen. However, according to the results of the SELECT study in which an increased rate of prostate cancer was reported, Vitamin E carried a potential androgenic and anti-estrogenic activity in patients receiving Vitamin E supplementation. (So that's good for BC patient, right?) Folic acid is also reported to have a positive effect on hair health...However, unfortunately, there are some epidemiological studies that suggest folate may increase the tissue levels of estrogen, indicating that high levels of folic acid might lead to BC. (Sounds bad) Oral supplementation of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids is also known to positively affect the prognosis of BC (Bartsch et al. 1999) and many other cancers and also increase the apoptosis of BC cells in tissue cultures. Additionally, it has been recently shown that 6 months after the use of these fatty acids were found to protect and improve the hair health through antioxidant effects on the scalp tissue. (Definitely sounds like a good one) 5-alpha reductase enzyme inhibitors (local cream or shampoo forms) could possibly be the most appropriate and potent treatment options in the treatment of ETIHL. (I've no idea, and am suspicious of product claims anyway - but is there a good one available?)
Reconstruction, revision and drains
Hello, I had my tissue expander swapped over to an implant in July however my surgeon has advised I may need revision surgery on Monday as necrosis (dead skin) has formed around the incision and the implant is now exposed. The revision will prevent any infection. As I have an important appointment next Friday that can't be changed, I want to make sure I will be able to make it. During the surgery in July, my drain tubes were in for over a week before they were removed. Has anyone had revision surgery before and did you need drain tubes? I'm hoping the surgeon will tell me tomorrow that drain tubes won't be required this time.. Fingers crossed! Thanks Emma
Tears in the Dark.
Last night, My Wonder Woman Shield got laid down. I took the suit of Armour I have been wearing since the day I found out I had Breast Cancer in February and I smashed down the wall I had built around myself for protection and unleashed the ocean of tears that been closed up inside. In the quietness of the night, I howled and gasped for breath as the heaving wave came crashing around me. Why, did it happen last night? Simply, the fear, the worry, the unknown and frightened woman I have hid away needed to let go and accept for the moment, I had done all I could and it was okay to feel the fear. I cried on and off for hours, whether awake or in my sleep - I just cried and cried. This morning, I dressed, ate breakfast ,swallowed my first dose of pre meds and went to the Chemo Clinic with my Husband at my side to begin my first round of Paclitaxel. (Due to some complications from surgery - they switched me to 12 cycles of Taxel then the 4 x 2 double doses to give my white cells a boost - hopefully). I got greeted, walked into the inner sanctum of the Chemo Ward, asked to choose a chair - next thing the fucking fear, reality, shock hit me and I took off, out the door, gasping for breath and crying looking for the exit. That really shook me to the core - that need to run! Holy shit, never in my life have I run when faced with adversity. I have always stood there and fought even I could fight no more! Not today - I wanted to bolt, run, hide, never face anything again! it took my husband, my breast care nurse, two oncologist nurses to guide me inside, place me in the seat and soothe me back to the Lois they have come to know - The Warrior Woman. They let me weep, while i told them of my shame at my behaviour, the loss of face before the other brave souls within the room who had witness me bolting for the hills at high speed....then told me it was time. The fight was over, I sat there and accepted there was no where to go but to sit quietly and let Chemo and the Chemicals, play their tunes and fight my battle for me. Just like to point out - that there a song through my head, I normally play this song, when I am feeling overwhelmed and do not have the place to scream out loud. It is a song called "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent. That played over and over as they put the cannula in, turn on the drugs and I felt it begin to flow throughout me. I did have a reaction to the dose - almost within minutes. Shortness of breath and a flushed red face hit me. Holy shit was i bloody frightened. Next thing I had a swarm of staff around me. Gentleness prevailed, not one bit of hysteria emanated from them. That helped me so much - the calmness, methodical protocols they applied and I was given a 20 minute break before they halved the dose and I was able to go ahead and finish the dose. I must admit the Phenergan helped and I fell asleep for the next 1,.5 hours before being gently woken with "Lois, Darling - you have finished your first cycle - Congratulations!" I burst into tears of pure utter relief and joy! As the night has begin to come now, I feel a sense of peace prevailing. I still have had the odd moment of bursting into tears over anything and everything but that is okay! The confidence and hard core Bitch will once again pick up her sword and Armour and come out to fight but just not today. Wonder Woman is having a rest. Lois has bought herself a nice packet of Phenergan and for the first time in 2 weeks, she is going to knock herself out tonight and sleep! Sorry it is a long post - I never could just write two lines! Just like to point out I am a novelist..lol So - I will finish this post with one song you will know - "Let it Go, Let it Go!" Love to you all and Big Hugs. Lois ( who did not know she possesses the talent to sprint 100 metres to no where - in a nanosecond)
Letrozole
Hello I am about to start taking Letrozole and after reading the side effects I am concerned. I've come so far after chemo, mastectomy and radiation and now feeling really good and enjoying life. The last thing I want is to go back to feeling unwell again! What symptoms did you experience or are experiencing?
