Post-treatment fatigue - feeling discouraged and frustrated
Hi there lovely people. I finished chemo in Sept '25 and radiation in Oct '25 (so about 7 months ago), and I'm on tamoxifen. I am still really struggling with fatigue and having to pace and limit myself. It's really frustrating. I'm trying to do all the right things: eating well, exercising, doing yoga, seeing friends. I'm on a gradual return to work program, currently doing 3 days a week at 6 hours a day. I started my return to work in March. I was thinking I might be ready to increase my hours in the next couple of weeks.....but then last week I was completely wiped out (as in, had to come home and go straight to bed on Friday), and then I was also wiped out by my weekend exercising and socialising (by no means an extreme level of activity). I'm feeling really sad and discouraged that I'm still struggling so much. I'm being kind to myself but I just want to get on with life and I feel like I'm being let down again by my body. How long will this last? Apparently some people's fatigue can last years! Does anyone have some words of wisdom or encouragement for me?
Heavy lifting after surgery
Hi all Im 17 days post bilateral mastectomy and recon. I have a 3 yr old and a 1 year old. My husband is doing all the lifting etc but today I forgot myself and picked up my 3 year old. I instantly remembered and went to sit down with her. Im not in any pain and nothing on the outside seems to be affected. has anyone done this and if so, what signs do I need to watch out for with messing up recovery? thank you
Cording/axillary web syndrome
Hi everyone, it's been a long time since my last post and so much seems to have happened in my life in that time. After having a lumpectomy and axillary lymph node removal on the right side, July 2024, I undertook chemo and radiation. Since then it's been medication treatment with Letrozole (hormone lowering) and Verzenio (cancer blocking). I've undertaken some gym working, focussing on weights to build bone strength but still have residual side effects from all the treatments. I've been to my lymphatic physio yesterday and she informs me that I have axillary web syndrome which is travelling from my affected breast down the fascia of my ribs. Quite painful! And after her massage (sounds nice, but wasn't! š©) I was wondering how many of you might have had the same? Do you have any tips that could help me please? It's lovely to reconnect again and hope to hear your story. āŗļø Jo
Looking for nutrition/natural medicine recommendations
Hi all, Absolutely hating this journey to be honest. Single mum of two auDhd teens. Itās been hell. Iām angry and donāt feel Iāve accepted any part of this. Iām just recovering from double mastectomy and now waiting to see if I need chemo/herceptin. Waiting waiting forever waiting. Thatās one of the worst parts. Anyway, just wondering if any of you know any good online nutritional medicine/naturopaths etc who use good evidence based practice to help me navigate through this **bleep** show? I start ovarian suppression and AIs next week, before going back for more surgery because my nipple is now on the banned list š Many thanks and all the love in the world to you all xxxxx
Too Fat for flap breast reconstruction
Hi all just wanted to make people aware that after having a double mastectomy I was told I am To Fat/ overweight to have flap reconstruction despite having gastric sleeve, optifast mounjaro their expectation was to be ideally 80-85kg which I have never been even when playing sports. I just wanted to make people aware that if you have had a double mastectomy and may need a flap reconstruction and are on the heavier side please be aware of weight expectations. I don't think my body agrees with silicone implants.
Radiation tips?
Hi, I have no idea how to negotiate this platform so forgive me if this turns up in the wrong placeā¦ Iāve lobular invasive -had lumpectomy & 10 lymph nodes removed. Hellish pain with seromas after the latest op.. anyways .. radiotherapy starting next week for 3 weeks.. any tips, things to be aware of?? Itās been such a rollercoaster I think Iām still processing ..Sad and lonely
Hi everyone. Iām new here, recently diagnosed with high grade DCIS. I had a wide excision to remove the DCIS and margins. Results showed small amounts of invasive cancer in the margins, so a week ago I had another surgery to remove that invasive tissue and a few lymph nodes. Iāve been coping with everything pretty well and have a loving supportive family. I also have a huge network of friends. However, today, Iām sad. Like tears wonāt stop. I havenāt had anyone visit me this week - I get it, people have lives and are busy, but I feel forgotten and as if people think itās all over nowā¦ I donāt get results from second surgery until 2 June so the waiting is torture. I donāt understand why I am being so unreasonable about the lack of visitors!! Does anyone else feel this way? I also have a colleague going through BC treatment. She had a double mastectomy and is amazing- turns up to work straight after her surgery and seems to be coping so well. I feel like I canāt be honest about my feelings at work as my diagnosis is not that bad. Again, this makes me feel so selfish!
Docetaxel Side Effects FEC-D Long term side effects or menopause?
Hi all, its been several years since I posted on here. I'm hopeful someone can help. My apologies for my long post. I promise Im not a hypochondriac. I'm coming up to 7 years cancer free and should be living that life changing, "Im so greatful to be alive" kind of life. But I feel like cancer has added 20 years to my health. Anything that ailed me before treatment has amplified. My knees and ankles constantly ache. Its very hard to stand up from a seated position. I have neuropathy symptoms from the knees down. I randomly run out of breath. My hair feels noticeably thinner (it grew back white). My scalp constantly itches (no dandruff, just red) and I keep getting small lumps on my crown and the nape of my neck. I'm also getting re- occurring cysts in my arm pits, some have showed up in my breast during mammograms, but they come then go. Ive had chemo induced menopause for 6 years now. So much brain fog and vertigo. I now have osteoarthritis and to top it off, during my post chemo scans they found a lump in my skull towards the base of my neck which was deemed to intrusive to do a biopsy. At one stage I was told I would need yearly scans. I feel like its been put in the too hard basket. Ive been trying to get doctors to listen to my concerns for 2 years now. Ive also been trying to get a specialist to see me since June last year. I cant even get on their waiting lists. The team that looked after me during my cancer journey were absolutely marvellous. Now that Ive been 'signed off' help and understanding have been lacking. I'm on long waiting lists to have things looked at, living with the fear of re-occurrance is always at the back of my mind. Im going around circles with my GP but Im now too emotionally exhausted to make a change. I lived with anxiety and depression before cancer but now I feel it is overwhelming me. Ive tried counselling several times but I havent found them helpful. Dealing with this and lifes 'normal' challenges has really changed me. I have searched the internet for sites that deal with life after cancer. Trying to find out what side effects are common or potentially long lasting. How to treat them or how to deal with them. Are my symptons a result of treatment or is it a menopause thing? All the sites i find talk about treatment and short term side effects. Im hoping theres a site out there that might inspire me and give me back the drive to look after myself. Even a site for menopause after triple negative breast cancer would be very helpful(preferably an Australian site). Ive been told to avoid any hormonal treatment. Are there other options? If there is anyone living a similar outcome to me, what are you doing to help your self? How are you treating menopause after TNBC? Whats working for you? Thank you if you took the time to read my post, I know its a long one but i really appreciate it.Total left mastectomy vs expander/implant?
Hi everyone - Iām newly diagnosed and have found BCN hugely helpful and reassuring. I have bilateral early cancers - invasive ductal (left side) and invasive lobular (right side). ER + PR + HER2 -.I believe ālow grade, slow growingā. My treatment recommendation is: left side mastectomy, nipple/skin sparing with expander then later implant and right side lumpectomy. Followed by radiation and letrozole. Surgery scheduled for 22/11 at Chris OāBrien Lifehouse. The choice I have is left side total mastectomy or the reconstruction? For context, Iām middle aged, slim/small breasted and physically very active. Apart from the obvious surgery and post operative worries, my other concern is around the possibility of spending many months with ongoing breast related issues. Wondering if any of you have had a similar experienceā¦.and any thoughts/advice you might have? Thank you š