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??
What a ride!
Good morning everyone, it’s 4.30am and I’m awake again. I was called back after a routine mammogram, biopsy done, initial result, 2cm grade 2, action plan lumpectomy, 6wk radiation. Go in to sort surgery date the next week, more pathology results have come in and show I have triple negative, grade 3 with a Ki67 of 90%. Oncologist next, chemo scheduled every 2wks AC for 4.5 months. Lymph node surgery this week. Genetic testing recommended. Life can change so quickly. Hardest bit to date, telling my daughters. I’m otherwise healthy, fit, strong and young (their description) at 55, nothing else wrong with me, no medications, I’m a horse rider and live on 15acres, I live an active life. Im worried, but trying not to be, I’m expecting to get the news that this has spread. Im on the roller coaster! Never did like them. On the positive side, everyone has been fantastic, Breast Clinic, Surgeon, Oncologist, Breast Care Nurses, everyone I’ve met so far, I’ve been impressed with the professionalism and care shown and it is very much appreciated.
Research Trials
I am new to the community - Hi. I have a question for people who are undergoing dose dense AC and Taxol for triple Negative breast cancer, in relation to how much exercise or movement they are doing. Background: I was diagnosed in May and have a treatment plan that is slightly altered - I have chemo, then surgery and then radiation. I have a triple neg invasive carcinoma ( it was 1 cm at diagnosis now 6 mm and shrinking (shrink MOFO SHRINK)) and a 3 cm area of DCIS in one boob. I was invited to take part in an exercise research trial. I am pre menopausal and I was already moderately fit + active. This trial has required me to walk 8 k steps per day and do weights 3 x a week during chemo. I am enjoying the golden elixir (chemo) of dose dense AC + Taxol for 20 weeks. Halfway there at 10 weeks done. The research trial is looking to establish if i can maintain muscle mass, invoke the sympathetic nervous system, impact of my bone density and what impact exercise has on treatment and side effects of Chemo. I was required to lift weights and do a heavy workout post chemo (AC). QUESTION/Discussion: I was wondering how other people on the same chemo treatment are doing in terms of moving and exercising ? Are other people able to maintain prior exercise regimes ? Have you made it part of your habit. If there was a trainer or an exercise professional would you be interested in working out post chemo (directly after infusion). I can’t swim anymore as I am an ocean swimmer and with a chest infection and neutropenia and low haemoglobin advice from the doctor was hell no. So i am left with pilates, weights and walking.
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