Here Goes
Hello. My name is Jenny and I live on the NSW/Vic Border. I have gone to post in here a couple of times but backed out. Denial maybe? On Wednesday I was officially given the diagnosis of BC. I have had a large lump for around a year but I have 26JJ sized breasts and the lump is down along where the bra wire sits. I put it down to thickening because of the bra wire. I recently started Lite N Easy and after loosing around 10kg I noticed that the lump was much larger than I thought. It has its own postcode ;p Its 5cm x 3cm x 2cm. So I did the mammo and ultrasound and knew when I called for results, that the urgency by my GP to get me in to see her, that something was very wrong. That day I had bloods, CT scan and was booked in for biopsy. All along I was doing as much research as possible. Armed with knowledge I have always found it easier to deal with things. Must be part of the anxiety I have day in and out. I met my surgeon on Wednesday who gave me the diagnosis. I was alone at the appointment and was in shock, none the less. I guess I was hoping it was just a mass that they just wanted to remove for safety sake. I do remember asking him what type of Cancer and I vaguely remember him saying Metastatic and that its very common. I am booked in for a lumpectomy and node removal on the 22nd. (Tuesday Week). I am then too do 5 weeks radiation. I've got all of that in my head and ready to deal with. But now I am reading all of the paraphernalia and Metastatic means I have it in other places in my body? Do they know where? Does this mean I will probably have to do chemo after radiation? I know I am overthinking all of this and should take it one day at a time. I work 3 days a week and also on partial DSP. Being at work keeps my mind off things. I am planning on taking vacation leave for the rest of the week after my lumpectomy. I am so grateful that my oldest of 2 (daughter) is able to travel up from Melbourne to bring me home from the surgery and stay with me for a couple of days. Another questions. I had been using implannon rod to control my periods, over the years. The last one was put in around 2011 and is still in my arm somewhere. As I have very thick arms I cant feel it and haven't bothered about it. I believe that it has run out of the hormones anyway after all of this time. Is this something I should tell my surgeon about? I have so many questions. When will I start radiation? Will someone contact me or do I contact them? I met my Breast Care Nurse but she was heading on vacation to France the next day. I have the number of another one and I will phone her and make contact with her this week. It's like my whole life is about the Cancer now. I am being strong in front of everyone else but these times at home alone I am terrified. Sorry if this is all over the shop but that is how my head works. I have been treated and continue to be treated for Depression an Anxiety for close to 20 years and have only recently found a good balance. The Lite N Easy journey was me actually caring about myself. Some days I shake so much it looks like I am having a min seizure. Usually I am upbeat and cheeky and able to find the lighter sign of things. But tonight I am low. Any insights would be wonderful.
Newly Diagnosed - TNBC - Mantis
Hi All I received my breast cancer diagnosis a few weeks ago after finding a lump in my right breast. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on 24th August. My tumor was 25mm and fortunately margins and two nodes were clear but it's triple negative with a Ki-67 of 50% so I have an appointment with a medical oncologist next week to sort out chemo. The overwhelming panic has settled a little but wow, a diagnosis changes everything! I have three school-aged kids and really worry about how this will affect them. The triple negative and high Ki-67 terrifies me. I have the My Journey Kit and have been in touch with the breast care nurses who have been great. Any pearls of wisdom for staying sane during this process would be greatly appreciated.
Lumpy after lumpectomy
hey ladies- im new here. Diagnosed 30th sept. Triple positive. Lumpectomy 13th oct. im 33. My left breast where i had the surgery is still lumpy as anything. My breast care nurses have told me its post op healing still so its normal. The lumps are hard in some spots, my full body scan post chemo gave me the all clear on cancer (i had micromets in a lymph) Im 3/4 through AC chemo at the moment. I'm being a little anxious. Some reassurance would be helpful. Or any tips on how to help massage the lumps out??
There and Back Again
Hi All. Swings and Roundabouts. The lumpectomy was almost a month ago. Two weeks ago I went back down to Perth for the results. Good news - the 2 lymph nodes removed were clear. So no radiation treatment. Bad news - The wide margin wasn’t wide enough. There is still a couple of mm of cancerous tissue left. I’m small breasted so there is not enough breast tissue left to do a second breast conservation. So I’m booked in for a mastectomy this week. I fly back down Tuesday evening for surgery Wednesday morning. Will stay down there 10 days so I don’t have to travel there and back with the drain. On the 2nd of October I see the surgeon to have the drain removed and find out if I require chemo on top of the endocrine treatment. I’m sick of travelling. I’m sick of having new things to manage : I’ve developed cording in my left armpit. In the short space of 6 weeks I’ve gone from being very fit and healthy to worrying about getting scratches on my arm. I was sick as a dog for 12 hours after surgery. So not looking forward to recovery on Wednesday. Very up and down the past week or so waiting for the next surgery. Trying my best not to get too low but grrr. Would give anything to smash plates and scream xxx.
Urgent Surgery advice
Hi everyone. I’m in need of some urgent advice about breast surgery options. I have been given two different opinions by two different surgeons and I need to decide ASAP, which to go with (surgery April 16th). I’m 36, with grade 2 & grade 1 invasive ductal carcinoma 2-3 lumps in a line at 10 O’clock(in line with underarm), ranging over a 5cm area, no children/Small C cup. Dr Cindy Mak initially recommended a nipple sparing right mastectomy, with immediate implant and radiation. I was afraid of capsular contracture because I heal poorly/radiation. She now wants to try removal of the cancer in one large lumpectomy (scar from under arm, along side of breast). Then a second surgery to perform a LICAP flap reconstruction (I think they take a flap of fat from under the arm to fill the void?). I’ve lost weight over the last few weeks so I don’t have a huge amount of fat. She said I’ll be at least one cup size smaller and my nipple may be off centre. She could try fat transfer to help at a later date. Dr Elisabeth Rippy suggested that in trying to keep my breast, I may end up with a less desirable shape/aesthetic result. She recommended a full nipple sparing mastectomy (scar hidden under breast fold) with an expander. Then radiation, followed by a second surgery for implant placement and fat transfer. I was wondering if, given your decision again, you’d try to keep your breast tissue at all costs? And if unhappy with the size and shape, have a breast implant/augmentation at a later date? Is it even possible to have a breast implant after LICAP and breast radiation? Does radiation change the texture of a natural breast so much that an implant is impossible afterwards? Or because the cancer is so large, is a mastectomy safer? I’ve read that your initial surgery & shaping is very important in relation to future aesthetic outcomes. I really don’t know how to make a decision this important with so little information. I would really love any advice (or even other surgeon suggestions in Sydney, for a final opinion). X(Hopefully) At the end of my journey
Hi everyone. I have been reading all your posts (thank you) and never wrote anything myself until now. I was diagnosed with a pretty small but aggressive tumour last June, and pretty quickly moved to a lumpectomy, then 4 dense doses of AC chemo, followed by a planned 12 weeks of Taxol (I only got to 8 due to peripheral neuropathy), then 22 doses of radiotherapy (including 6 'boosts'). I had some rotten times, AC chemo was difficult- I tried to work while I was having it but had to go on leave at about treatment 4. I had issues with almost all my procedures- my hook line had to be done twice (nearly 2.5hrs), I became febrile and had to be admitted to hospital, my veins collapsed, my PICC line removal was difficult to say the least and I ended up in hospital for emergency surgery, and right now I am battling the radiation burns. I lost ALL my hair, couldn't taste anything, felt nauseous and exhausted and am still having a heap of side effects. I live alone, so looked after myself pretty much all the way along, although I had heaps of support from my sister and some very good friends. But the most important thing I wanted to say to anyone starting out- nothing that happened to me was as bad as I thought it would be. I used mindful and meditation techniques when I was having my procedures and they worked for me- well most of the time. I fought a battle in my mind with cancer every day and I am so proud that I feel like I beat it many more days than it beat me. I just made up my mind that it wouldn't defeat me on a daily basis. I had a great surgeon, a wonderful oncologist who provided a positive and confident outlook, and all the doctors & nurses at the hospital were gold. I thought the chemo ward would be sad and upsetting- instead I found it to be a place of laughter and hope. I used a mix of public and private treatment and still see somewhere around 13 medical and allied health professionals while holding down a full time job. I didn't write this for anyone to say I did well. I wrote this to say DO NOT BE AFRAID. You can do this and there is lots of help if you need it. Reach out to this community, to a breast care nurse (thanks McGrath Foundation), to your family & friends, to the volunteers, a psychologist- people want to help you. Then when you get better, you can pass it on. Pay it forward. All the best of luck from me. Believe your mantra- mine has been: Things could be worse Accept the things you cannot change Do not live your life in fear
Letrozole and Milk Thistle
My Oncologist changed my tablets from Arimidex to Femara (I take the generic Letrozole) about 7 weeks ago as I was having lots of side effects on Arimidex. About the same time I started on Milk Thistle to help the liver but now have been reading it may not be the best thing to take while on the Letrozole. Does anyone else take this combination? I never mentioned it to the Oncologist the last appt. Now I wish I had. Would be interested in hearing fom others. Thanks Ady -)
Wondering if this will ever be over
Not a good day today. I had a lumpectomy on Monday and went back to see the surgeon today only to find out that one of the margins was not great enough so am now scheduled for another surgery on the 5th January. Was so hoping that at least this part of the treatment was over as I have already had 6 months of chemo. Still have to have radiation as well but thought the worst of the treatment would be done. I just want my life back - I am so sick of the constant doctors appointments and it always feels like one step forward 10 steps back again. So not a very Merry Christmas for me. Sorry I know I am feeling sorry for myself but sometimes it just gets too much.
Experiences with Docetaxel, Herceptin, and Perjeta
Hello ladies I am newly diagnosed with stage II, HER2 pos, E/P receptor neg breast cancer. I have been reading your posts this week and feel very comforted by the great combination of information and support. The process has been very confronting for me, but the kindness of others that I have experienced along the crazy path of investigations has been very welcome! Next week I will start on Docetaxel, Herceptin and Perjeta. I will have breast surgery after 4 cycles, and then stay on Herceptin for 1 year. I was wondering about other people's experiences with this combination - how were the side effects and any tips for treatment days? I am also wondering about making the choice for surgery between mastectomy and lumpectomy/radiation. This seems to be left up to each woman to decide. My gut instinct is to get rid of the breast tissue to decrease further risk in the future, but is this the best option from a recurrence perspective? How have others made the decision?
All Clear happy and healthy, BUT pre admission tomorrow for Mastectomy/Recon struggling mentally..
To say its been a tough week, has been an understatement even after a recurrence multiple surgeries and treatments over the past 6yrs. As much as I knew it was coming, I wasnt prepared for the call from Hospital for my pre-admission tomorrow. 19 months on from a lumpectomy, 13 months post chemo, happy, healthy reclaiming my life. The mental torture has been relentless this week, knowing I'm WELL but in light of a recurrence don't gamble Melinda, do a Mastectomy/Diep flap reconstruction. Even knowing deep down its the best thing I could do, I still struggle with the loss, the prevention, the surgery. Its always been my struggle getting to this decision now it is here, I don't feel any different, I'm still struggling with it. I can be honest, I'm scared, petrified of the actual surgery, the recovery, the loss, the end result. Struggling with feeling Im damned if I do, damned if I don't. Maybe I'll feel different once it's done? Ive looked at it every which way possible, and its just so mentally challenging when I know Im so well...the tears havent stopped. I will also be mostly alone through recovery as my kids are going to live with their Dad as its easier for them to get to Uni and my baby in VCE. Whilst its the right thing for me to do...am heartbroken to not have them with me loving and supporting me. My Partner lives an hour away, due to work and life will only be able to manage at different times. Another reminder of traveling this road nearly 7yrs without my Mum, lucky to have my Dad who wants to help but is 77. Inspite of all this, knowing how incredibly lucky am I really!!! how dare I be sad, upset, angry, so why do I struggle, don't know how to resolve this for myself?? I've always been proactive, positive and upbeat...hoping its purely the fear thats getting in the way...