Chemo almost done...next is surgery. Hair growth questions.
Hi all, it's been a little while, hope you all doing well and this year brings you all good health and happiness. I am almost done with my chemo (AC and 12 weeks paclitaxel, 4 perjeta and another one (not sure of name), 2 more infusions of paclitaxel. Did anyone find bits of fluffy hair starting to grow already? I don't want to get too excited but am starting to notice some growth. Anxious and excited about my appointment tomorrow with the surgeon to discuss surgery options and how the tumors have responded to the chemo. Any advice would be appreciated. Still awaiting genetic testing results. Now the fun part. We have a family wedding in October this year and some other events and I am very excited for my hair to start growing. Any tips or advice. Scalp treatment or oils etc vitamins. Should I have a shave after chemo so the hair grows evenly and also what kind of length can I expect in 6 months or so. How did you hair grow? Lastly. If anyone is based in Sydney and would want to meet for a chat, support, pray , let me know. Would love to meet some ladies, we can encourage each other. Can direct message me if you like. Thanks and look forward to hearing your progress xxx
What to do?
I had a lumpectomy mid January and all went well. Clear margins, no lymph involvement, hormone positive, Protein negative, 19mm. BUT grade 3. the oncologist recommended 4 x AC followed 4 x Taxol dense dose followed by 16 ray treatments, followed by hormone. I was hoping to avoid chemo and my surgeon felt hormone treatment was my best option. So I am shocked to say the least. I am considering the Presigna genome test to help me make the decision about chemo. The oncologist says chemo will give me 4% more. Any advice appreciated. Have you tried the Presigna? have you done similar treatment?
Lymphodema Swelling During Chemo
Hi All i had a simple mastectomy with auxiliary lymph node removal at the end of February and had my first TC chemo on the 26th March. On Wednesday I noticed that the veins on the inside on my wrist weren’t as prominent on the arm that had the nodes removed and so I measured my arms for comparison and they appear to be about the same size. My lymphodema physio says that it may not necessarily be lymphodema as she see patients with swelling like this during treatment. She has given me a sleeve to wear as I willl need one for flying in the future but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this?? Thanks xo
Radiation post DIEP
Hello all, I am exactly 4 weeks post double mastectomy and DIEP (including complete node clearance) which I had after 6 months of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. I had TNBC in my right breast with 3 nodes involved on the same side. My pathology report said I had clear margins and a complete pathological response 🙏 I have now been given the option of skipping radiation if I want to. A new study (B-51 study) published last year found that patients with complete pathological response to chemotherapy and a double mastectomy don’t benefit from radiation therapy. My question is has anyone skipped radiation or was given the opportunity to skip it and chose not to? Also, has anyone with a double mastectomy and DIEP done radiation and what were the side effects on the breast? Lastly, has anyone received radiation in the neck region and what were the side effects like? Difficulty swallowing? My radiation specialist suggested if I choose to go ahead with radiation she would recommend the sub-clavicle nodes in the neck (along with breast and armpit) as they’re the only nodes I have not checked surgically. Would be keen to hear anyone’s opinion or lived experience. Thanks 😊
Do I or Don't I
Hi Girls I have 4 weeks of a 20 week chemo treatment left and then surgery to follow. I am lost after my surgical consultation. I signed up for wide incision { actually signed the form } then was examined by a second doctor and things just went pear shaped from there. The tumor is in my right breast and am am considering bilateral surgery with reconstruction. I am currently in public health care and would greatly appreciate any help with finding other options in Brisbane area as public health will not offer Bilateral elective surgery.
Me so far......
Hi. 4 weeks ago I found a lump which I did not seem to remember being there. I told my hubby about it and booked to see the GP. He send me off for an ultrasound the next day. The radiographer straight away told me it was not a cyst and she requested a mammogram and core biopsy there and then. OMG everything happened so quickly from there. The next week I recieved the diagnosis that I had breast cancer. Now only a couple of weeks on I have just had a left breast mastectomy and sentinal nobe biopsy. We are back to the surgeon soon for pathology report and refferal to the oncologist for chemo. Such a scary journey so far, so much waiting inbetween each step! Well we have been back to the surgeon for results. It was as scary a day as my original diagnosis day! Anyway, I had 4 nodes removed and they were all CLEAR!!!!!! yay I was so happy. Now Im waiting for the oncologist to call and start Chemo treatment.
Not sure what's to come...
Hi all. This is my first entry on this faulous site. I was first diagnosed with DCIS breast cancer in Sept 2001. A successful lumpectomy followed. I was diagnosed again (DCIS, same breast, same scare opened) in Sept 2004 with 30 sessions of radiation. I have been clear ever since...that is until Tues. I went for my yearly Mammo and ultrasound. There was a 'suspicious" area. l had 3 core biopsies taken. Bottom line, IDC this time...same breast...different spot...Sept again! I can see a pattern here that I don't like :-) My appointment with my breast surgeon is on Monday. I'm prepared for the whole mastectomy, chemo thing. Frankly, I don't think he will have any other options. I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here, but I have thought through (over the last few years) what my response woukld be to a mastectomy. I think that a double would be my choice. The main reason is that I am a DD cup, so on the large side, and large isn't all it's cracked up to be. Plus, I'm not that precious about "the girls"...they've been a worry for a long time. I think I'd opt for no reconstruction, and eventually a couple of cool tattos to cover the scaring. Sorry for the immense amount of info, but if anyone has any thoughts/experience, I'd be grateful of the feedback. Janet :-)
Surgery inbetween chemo?
i have so far completed the 4 AC and 3 paclitaxol I had a ultrasound to monitor progress which showed the main tumour (I had 1 big 1 and 2 Small) has reduced significantly and 1 of the Small has disappeared, but the report also said that there is either a new lesion or the small 1 has moved around due to reduction in main 1. The Med Onc resident (not my consultant) was going to Phone my surgeon to ask what to do but she mentioned maybe pausing chemo, doing the surgery and then finishing off the chemo after recovery... has anyone heard of it being done like that?Processing the journey
Moderator moved @Tania_G post from activity section to 'General Discussion' section: Hi everyone, Was diagnosed back in July 2023 stage 3 HER2+ breast cancer. Have done two rounds of chemo. Had surgery in December 2023 and am now getting ready for radiotherapy. I'm experiencing a lot of confusion and loss as I now begin to process this journey. Getting used to my new body and trying to work out who I am psychologically. Any advice?
