Newbie - not the 2024 I was hoping for!
I was diagnosed just before Christmas 2023 with invasive lobular cancer - a journey that just keeps unfolding. Initial diagnosis scans showed the ILC was 3.3 cm, then MRI 6 cm and the pathology results ended up at 7 cm and another 1 cm LCIS spot in a totally different area. I had two surgeries- a mastectomy and a positive sentinel node, followed with an axilla clearance. I have some cording post surgery which physio is working on. Next week, I start chemo (AC and then Pacilitaxel) followed by radiation and then endocrine treatment. Not what I was hoping for the year I turn the big 5-0. I really appreciate reading other’s experiences, and the Q&As available here.
Hormone therapy only
Just curious...about how many of us here have gone straight from lumpectomy (or two like me) to hormone therapy, no rads, no chemo. I was stage 1, grade 2 early stage breast cancer, no lymph node involvement. Admittedly i am part of a radiation trial (EXPERT) where i was placed randomly in the hormone therapy only group. I think if i had not been part of the trial i would have had radiation simply because is considered standard treatment. Was the decision to just have hormone therapy yours or recommended by your med team?
options other than medications
Hi My name is Margarita, I will be 54 this year. Its been twelve months since my cancer operations (had lump removed only), and I had 6 weeks of radiation. my cancer was only grade 1 and had not gone to Lymph modes, even thought had 5 removed to check how far it had spread, because it was invasive. I am still having the monthly injections of Goserelin as I was still having my periods and not started menopause. in August my oncologist put me on exemestane a my cancer was hormonal base, by November my liver levels got really high that I was referred to Liver specialist an she believed it was the medication. I had been off the medication for 10 weeks and my levels dropped and my oncologist put me on Gemox, I was on these for two weeks and had an allergic reaction, that made my body itchy and irritated my eye and my head was sure not thinking straight. my oncologist had taken me off these, will see her next week on 18th my question is what is next, since non of the medication is liking my body. my husband is not happy that I have to take any medication since my grade was only 1 and had not found anything else, he wasn't happy that I decided to go ahead with the six weeks of radiation... some advise or suggestions I would appreciate.
Well that is @#$%ed!!!!
Well....had my appointment with the surgeon today; Not what I really wanted to hear at all......Booked for CT Scan and bone scan on Monday; Tumor was 7cm, aggressive, margins came back unclear, 19 lymph nodes taken, 4 were positive. Staging unclear. What does that mean now, I ask.... Your treatment plan is as follows..... ~Chemo, lots of it....ongoing for approx 6 months ~then further surgery because of unclear margins, bi lateral mastectomy and reconstruction. But will delve further into that with surgeon when the time comes. ~radiation therapy ~hormone therapy Surgeon will call me on Wednesday after he has discussed further with his team with referral to Oncologist and when to start chemo. To say I'm gob smacked is an understatement. Again my brain has cocooned me in its protective fog. My poor family, they are besides themselves. How the F#*k did I miss a tumor so big? I didn't even feel a lump!!! Just a small area of hardening. then the change in appearance. Today I was slapped a little harder, But you, you bitch...I'm coming for you....so watch your F&#$@ng back! - Tracy Stay strong|breathe|believe
last chemo!
Can't believe I made it! Last chemo is on Friday 16 January 2015. Currently fairly free of side effects - at least any that are driving me nuts. Have the usual diarrohea; squinty, lashless, mucky eyes (and if they're not that, they're dry); ugly, bald Uncle Fester head; dry skin; brain fog; etc. - but hey! I'm alive and relatively well. And there are so many people worse off. Hormone therapy (aromatase inhibitor) starts soon and 30 radiotherapy treatments from 16th Feb. It will all be over in March.
Moving forward :-)
Hi Everyone, Well I have healed well from my Radiation treatment, my hair is now over 1cm long and I have started taking my Arimidex. See my oncologist late Nov to go over blood test results and my progress with hormone tablets as well as get last follow-up appts with specialists and radiology. And to top it off I started a brand new full time career 3 weeks ago and the old brain has had a workout whilst I did training for the job. I did not tell them of my cancer journey at my interview but after I began work I slowly revealed what I had been dealing with and have had such amazing support. There were days when I had foggy moments and I did not remember some of what I learnt but I remember my councellor telling me to be kind to myself and just take it one day at a time. I wore a wig for the first 2 weeks but it got so hot that on the 3rd week I packed it away and just wore headbands and it felt so liberating. Have only had a few hot flushes so have been happy with little side effects on Arimidex. Took the advice of another member and have starting taking 1 Magnesium in the morning and 1 at night when I take my Arimidex. I also purchased a cooling gel pad to put in my pillow slip and that helps. So fingers crossed this all helps through summer as well. What I do think has made a huge difference is that I have regular massages every 2 weeks with a massage therapist who specializes in helping those who have gone through cancer, rediation and lympodema. So if anyone on the Gold Coast is looking for a good massage therapist, drop me a line and I can give you her details. Take care everyone..... Joanne
Donna
Hi, I was diagnosed 13/8/14 right breast with surgery on 20/8/14 removal of ductal carcinoma 1.5cm and 19 lymph nodes. I'm grade 1 stage 2 due to senteniel node being positve with estrogen & progesterone positive so radiation and hormone therpay required. Chemo not needed as it would provide less than 2% difference to outcomes. Waiting for blood test result to see what drugs needed. Treatment at St george Cance Care centre.
Tamoxifen and HRT
Hi There I am 12 months post surgery and 9 months post- radiotherapy. My sister died unexpectedly just before I started taking tamoxifen and the hot flushes and lack of sleep it caused were doing my head in so I was advised to take a break from it. Still having the hot flushes (6 months later). My oncologist has advised me to consider restarting the Tamoxifen but to also go back onto HRT (I was on this for 3 years before the BC was first diagnosed). Has anyone else done this? How have you found it? Cheers
Update
Wow it has beeen such a long time since I have been on here. Hope all of you lovely ladies are doing well. So much has happened since my last blog. My beautiiful daughter is 16 months old and doing great. I was able to carry her to term and she is such and angel. I had radiation after she was born and after much persuasion started on hormone therapy 6 months later. I have been tkaing tamoxifen and zoladex for nearly a year now. I am currently just ovcer 4 weeks away from having surgery to remove my other breast and haev lat dorsi on the left and expander put in both sides. I can't wait. It feels so good to finally have something to look forward to after 3 years of this crappy disease. Hope all of you ladies are well and much love to you all xoxoxoxoxo