Neuropathy in feet - any advice? TNBC
Hi everyone I've TNBC and am 6 treatments down with the first Carbo/Taxel/immunotherapy regime. For part of my infusions, they put cold gloves on my hands to reduce the risk of neuropathy there, but didn't offer anything for the feet. They suggested I go online and purchase my own cold socks to wear during treatment. Last week my toes started feeling numb and then yesterday my heels started feeling sore when I walked. I walked a bit at the shops this morning and my feet felt odd the whole time. I'm assuming this is all related to neuropathy and I must admit I'm a little freaked out. I've purchased some cold socks now online and will start wearing them during treatment, but I'm worried what damage has been done already. Be interested to hear what experiences others have had with this, what they've done about it and whether it has resolved after treatment finishes. (NB I'm putting this in the general discussion arena as I thought it may not be simply TNBC related?) Kathy
Neoadjuvant PLUS adjuvant chemotherapy?
Hi everyone, As my wife's neoadjuvant chemotherapy draws to a close we've been looking more forward to surgery / radiation, however her breast care coordinator dropped a new bit of information last week that, depending on the pathology of her tumour, she may require additional chemotherapy after surgery. This was a bit of a bombshell, since it's the first time we've heard anything about this being a thing and although the coordinator said that "it's a good thing, since it gives us more options", it doesn't feel like a good thing. We've been steadily working through this process for the last 4 months assuming that we'll get to the finish line and be able close the book on chemo and move on, but now it looks like we have an uncertain pathway again. I'd love to hear from anyone who's had this experience of getting through months of neoadjuvant chemotherapy only to find out that they needed more after surgery. What were the circumstances that drove that decision and what did the adjuvant portion of chemotherapy look like? Was it months of the same again, or a different regime? I get that everyone's different and your circumstances may not be exactly the same, but I'd appreciate any input so we can feel more informed and plan appropriately. Thanks! GeorgeIntro + Neoadjuvant or Adjuvant Chemo?
Hi all, My wife's just been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma NST (Grade 2-3) ER+, PR+, HER2- with a 29mm tumour and at least 1 involved lymph node. Needless to say it's hit us like a bus and we're in that dark, foggy place pre-treatment where we have no idea what's coming up next. That said, things have, luckily, moved pretty quickly since the first GP meeting for the initial pathology referral. In the 9 days since visiting the GP, we've had imaging with a mammogram and ultrasound which indicated suspicious findings, then 2 days later a biopsy, followed a day later by the meeting at the GP to get the bad news. Since then we've had our initial meeting with the surgeon at the RBWH, Dr Wong (who seemed very capable, but if anyone else has had him as their surgeon I would still love to hear more about your experience) and some of the MDT. We have our first meeting with Medical Oncology next Friday and the 2 week follow up with the MDT the following week. During the initial discussion our doctor classified this as "Early Stage" cancer (something we're hanging hope on) and said that we would have a number of options for treatment. My wife's family has quite an extensive history of cancer (mostly breast, with some throat / ovarian), however her Mum was genetically tested years ago and is apparently BRCA negative. When asked what we would prefer as a treatment, we just said we'd rather have a double mastectomy to reduce any chances of recurrence later, however when Dr Wong came in, he had a good chat with us and asked if we were making decisions from an emotional place rather than a practical place. His suggestion is to pursue a neoadjuvent treatment course, followed by genetic testing and then surgery, which if the chemo was effective would possibly mean just a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy as well as potentially saving some lymph nodes. Unfortunately we're very sleep deprived and still in a bit of shock so we're not sure what to do. Basically we see it one of two ways: 1. Do the chemo, hope that it shrinks everything (or God-willing completely disappears it) while killing anything else that might be floating around, then do the surgery, then radiation if required. 2. Go the surgery, remove everything including lymph nodes, then hit hard with chemo and radiation if needed to try and smash anything that's left. Honestly, I get the idea of "patient-centered" treatment where your opinions and wishes are taken into account, but I know if I had a client approach me as the subject matter expert for a highly technical quote on something they didn't know anything about and I asked them to tell me what they thought would be the best option, I wouldn't have a job. This sounds so dumb, but I just want to say something like "wait a second, why are you asking us what treatment should be? Aren't you the expert???" We want to be very positive and forward leaning with this journey and I feel like we have to have an element of trust in the MDT and the process, but could do with some perspective. Sorry for the wall of text, I blame the lack of sleep! GeorgeUpdate: I got heavy period 1 week after 1st Zoladex injection. Any similar experience?
Hello everyone. I wish you have a happy Sunday. I am 33 y.o. and diagnosed with localised advanced HER2-positive breast cancer last month. I got zoladex injection on Thursday (12/9). As expected, I didn't get the period which is normally usually come around last weekends. Got my first chemo on Friday (20/9) [I choose to go with Perjeta/Pertuzumab treatment btw]. Overall so good, only normal sympthoms like sore and dry throat, thrush, very mild tingling sensation. may be because I still consume the dexamethasone as prescribed for Day 2. I took the Ziextenzo (pegfilgrastim) injection around 25 hrs after the chemo as instructed. No alergic reaction. Only mild ache. But, a couple of hours later I felt burning sensation during urination and when I tried to hold my urine, then the urine got redder plus I found blood on my panty. I went to ER. Surprisingly my temp a little bit over 38C (At that time I felt okay, no sweat or chills). Got observed, blood test, urine test, chest xray. Overall nothing concerning except the blood in urine and the discomfort during urination. During the urine MCS I found blood on my pads like during period, but redder (usually I have darker spot). This made me unsure whether the blood came from my urethra or uterus. But because I feel pain during urination + the fever, I discharged with UTI diagnosis. Got antibiotic iv + antibiotic prescription. I got much better after had some sleep at home. It is still a little bit hurt during urination, but much-much better. However, the blood got redder and it become more-more similar to period sympthoms. Like a heavy period will storm in. I plan to observe what will happen today, and will consult my oncologist tomorrow. But, if someone here have experience with period after 1st zoladex injection or similar sympthoms, I will really appreciate your insight (PS: Sorry for the long post and grammar mistake, english is not my 1st language) Thank you :heart:
Triple positive..but invisible on screening tests
Just diagnosed in September after finally pushing my GP for an answer on what this lump actually was that was getting bigger in left breast. Negative results on screening mammograms and ultrasound. Surgeon wasn't concerned but did a biopsy - Triple positive. Then did a lumpectomy 4wks later but it was bigger than he thought and did not result in clear margins and one lymph node affected.. Soooo... am now on day 2 post 1st chemo treatment and, so far, so good. I'm taking preventative medications recommended by oncologist to avoid the nausea, bone pain, mouth tenderness that seem to be common... but my gut is churning a bit.. I am in a regional centre and have decided to have my mastectomy in Melbourne as they can also do a reconstruction at the same time. Whirlwind and roller coaster and waves are the emotional analogies I seem to use. It's reassuring to know that many, many others have experienced this stuff and got through it in their own ways. Always keen for tips and tricks :)
Neo adjuvant Chemotherapy - treatment sensations
Hi, Thank you for listening to my story and your consideration to share your experience. I am currently on neo adjuvant treatment for Her2+ HR- cancer with one lymph node involvement according to PET scan since my diagnosis in February 2022. After four rounds of AC chemotherapy, I am now halfway through the second chemotherapy regime of Taxol, Herceptin and Perjeta. I have had many sensations during the chemotherapy treatment ranging from lymph nodes along the neckline (just on one side of my head where the cancer is being treated) occasionally feeling that they have swollen up as if I am fighting a cold. Lots of sensations in the armpit and at one stage I feel someone is poking a pencil into my lymph nodes, not to mention the range of sensations felt in the breast. Occasional upper back pain (particularly when I lean back to sit on it) which I think is due to some cancer cells wrapping around a nerve extending to the upper back. I cannot find anything online that describe similar experiences and wondering if I am alone in feeling these types of sensations. Have you experience similar or different type of sensations during the neo adjuvant treatment? Appreciate your insights and sharing of your neo adjuvant treatment experience. Thank you. MillieRoriginally thought to be DCIS but post surgery biopsy result confirmed multifocal invasive carcinoma
Hi all, I am new here and have been struggling a little with my rollercoaster of a diagnosis. 6 weeks ago I found out I had breast cancer. 4 weeks ago I had surgery to remove what was thought to be DCIS as the ultrasound, mammogram and MRI results all confirmed it was definitely a DCIS however at the same time they all picked up a suspicious lesion next to the DCIS that imaging could not determine and the surgeon advised they would remove that area during surgery also for biopsy. The post operation biopsy came back a week later and I ended up being diagnosed with mutlifocal invasive carcinoma including Grade 2 mucinous carcinoma, Grade 2 lobular carcinoma in addition to the DCIS. The lobular carcinoma was also found in my sentinel lymph nodes. I am now well educated enough to know that there is a sneaky breast cancer that can go undetected that I was not aware of before. I go every year for a routine check and if it wasn't for the DCIS this would not have been picked up that easily. I am now in stage3, ER+ PR+ HER2 Negative. My PET/CT Scan was clear of spread to other parts of the body however my surgeon advised given the extent of it that I undergo chemo first before I have full mastectomy and removal of lymph node surgery. I can understand why but my mind would be at more ease if I had everything removed now. I have seen the oncologist already and will have chemo therapy for 26 weeks starting next week. Waiting also for confirmation of when I start chemo has not been easy for me either even though I have had several medical professionals ensure me that it wont compromise my current diagnosis and that my cancer type is not aggressive etc. I have came here to find out if anyone else has been in a similar situation as I am struggling to find anyone I can talk to that has been in the same boat.
TNBC diagnosis - pregnancy related
Hi everyone. I was diagnosed 11 November 2020 with TNBC, 10cm tumor in my right breast, no lymph node spread. Specialist says that if it was graded it would be between a 2 & 3. I was 36 weeks pregnant when I noticed the small lump, which would have been in May. My baby girl was born early July. Didn’t think anything of it until it became uncomfortable due to its rapid growth. I breast feed my baby until I had to start chemo on 25 November. Just wondering if anyone out there has had the chemo, surgery and then radiation? I’ve had my second last chemo today and surgery is set for end March. It will be a mastectomy and an expander inserted under the pectoral muscle. Implant will be at least 6 months after this. Oncologist said there may be follow up chemo tablets after the radiation dependent on the pathology etc at time of surgery. Just wondering if anyone out there has a similar story?
Surgery Before Further Chemo??
Hi all you lovelies, Can anyone tell me if it is possible to have surgery before my next lot of Chemo change. I have TNBC my tumour was quote large and I was informed by the surgeon that it was too large to operate straight away and that I would have chemo to shrink it first. I have been having chemo every 2 weeks for 8 weeks, I am then supposed to start my next course of 12 x weekly. However, as the tumour has shrunk to next to nothing already, can anyone tell me why having the double mastectomy now and not continuing with the next round is not an option. I was not able to get a straight answer from the Oncologist except for "this is the way we normally treat it". Surely if the Breast tissue is no longer there, then the likely hood of recurrence and not to mention that they want to do Radiation after surgery anyway, is slim. Any ideas??
