Follow-up screening post surgery
Moderator moved @Cobi post to main discussion area of the forum: Cobi Regional QLD Member Posts: 1 New Member 10:17AM Options Hello, my name is Cobi and I was diagnosed with ILC HER2 positive in January 2023. Since then I have had a double mastectomy. 2/3 of my lymph nodes were removed. I am now well and cancer free but have lost all faith in screening. I am really curious about post operative screening for potential reoccurrence.
Feeling different after cancer
Hi, Found a book on kindle that others may relate to, its called "after breast cancer" by hester hill schnipper. Lately ive felt a bit isolated and unable to describe to others around me what im feeling and how what has happened has changed me. Im finished with the worst (i hope) of the treatment but im not feeling like its over. Today i was in a book shop and looking at the self help books i couldnt relate to any, when youve had cancer does anything else that you might worry about make sense any longer? I tried to explain this observation to my hubby but couldnt really get the point across. Even buying a cookbook is hard. Im avoiding anything faddy and it all seems a bit pointless somehow. Anyway, maybe others will also get sonething out of this book. Michele
Triple Neg.. Good News
It’s been a while since I last posted last post I was going through my first round of A/C and in hospital with Neutropenia well I ended up in hospital 2 more times after that but luckily nothing to serious. July 3rd I went for my lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node removal (3 in total) all seems to have gone well although still a little tender. on the 14th of July (yesterday) I went to see my surgeon and I’m pleased to say I had a full pathological response to my chemotherapy. Clear margins and clear lymph nodes. Radiation is still happening but that’s ok. I see this as a positive thing. I am so pleased with my result and wanted to share my good news in hope it bring’s hope to others with triple neg like myself but also to other fellow breast cancer fighters out there I know that I have a long road still ahead of me to be classed as a survivor but it’s a bloody good start and I’m going to enjoy every milestone that brings hope. peace love and best wishes to all x
Feeling a bit down
Hi, it's been a while since I last posted. I was first diagnosed in Jan 2018, had a lumpectomy followed by 12 rounds of chemo followed by 25 rounds of radiation. I was pushed into menopause and then last year had a double mastectomy. All of this I think I managed relevantly well but just lately I have been struggling with sleeping, eating and just things in general. The tiniest thing annoys me so much and this never happened before, I'm not sure if the current situation is to blame with not being able to socialize like we did previously and not being able to go out shopping when I feel like it, having to cancel weekends away etc, etc. I couldn't tell you how many times during the night I wake up and then struggle to get back to sleep and if I have a glass of wine to help me relax this just makes sleeping 10 times worse. Food..if I didn't have to eat it I wouldn't eat it. I used to enjoy food but not anymore, I know I have to eat but I don't enjoy it and when I do eat I just walk, run or exercise more. What annoys me the most is that I know there are people out there who are a lot worse off than me and I should be grateful for everything I have and not feel like I am feeling but how do I stop feeling like this??
How to curb the fear
Hi everyone, it has been quite sometime since I have been on the network. We have had other dramas in our life and my focus has tended to be on that. A couple of weeks ago my psychologist commented on how sever my anxiety and depression is. I have struggled so much emotionally since finishing my cancer treatment back in 2015. I coped so much better whilst I was having treatment. so much has happened though since then. Now my anxiety is off the ritcher scale. 2 weeks ago I developed a pain in my "good" boob. I wasn't too concerned, maybe a cyst. I couldn't feel a lump though. I saw my GP last Wednesday as it wasn,t improving and she referred me straight back to the breast surgeon. I have an appointment for this Thursday. In between times the pain in my breast has gone into my under arm and now the entire breast hurts. It is swollen and I have an ache going from the top of my shoulder into my neck. There is still no noticeable lumps. I haven't had any temperatures, so I don't believe it is an infection and I am post menopausal thanks to chemo, so I don't believe it is hormonal. There is no rash or discolouration but I am absolutely terrified that it will be inflammatory bc. I am struggling to sleep, partly from pain but mainly from anxiety. What if, what if, what if?????? I just don't know how to curb the fear. I have had several scares over the last few years and I have been a mess each time until I get the all clear. How do you deal with the fear and the anxiety about it coming back? I am and have been convinced that the cancer is going to return just because my original diagnosis was very aggressive.
Sun protection
Since treatment my skin has become extremely sun sensitive. I cannot stand out in the direct sun for 5 whole minutes or I start to burn and my hair and skin become very hot. I now carry sunscreen in my bag if I go out shopping. I also have a cap in my bag if needed. I love fishing and kayaking and there is no way I am giving it up even though I have developed a squamous cell carcinoma on my face which I will be getting cut out by a specialist surgeon two days before Christmas. I found this fantastic long brim cap to wear and it has a drawstring for the face. It is amazingly cool to wear and doesn't put pressure on my nose like the neck scarf types do. I love it! https://sunprotection.com.au/product/workwear-adapt-cap-ultimate/ I still put sunscreen on for the times I am fiddling with a fish with the face part down and a long sleeve fishing shirt, finger-less gloves, spf long pants (yes, I have even been burned through thin stretch leggings), surf shoes and sock tops to protect the gap between my pants and shoes while in a yak. Yep even with sunscreen on I have had my ankles burned.
Finished treatment, now what?
Hi All I haven’t been in here for awhile, I think I just battered down the hatches to get myself through treatment. Diagnosed with Grade 3 Triple Neg in Aug 2018. Single mastectomy with lymph clearance in early Sept, followed by 4x AC and 10/12 paclitaxel weekly (finished Feb) then 25 rads which finished 3 weeks ago. As I’m Triple Negative I don’t have any hormones to take. I’m kind of lost as what to do from here. I feel like there should be some exercise programs I should do - I have awful joint pain, especially in my ankles. I also wonder if there are any vitamins/minerals supplements I should take to get me feeling good again and help with my recovery, but no one has advised anything. I feel like my treatment has been quite disjointed, like I haven’t really had anyone overseeing my care plan. Any advice or recommendations what I should do from here in terms of dos/donts, exercise, diet or vitamins etc? Any advice greatly appreciated! Thanks TaniaSearching for a new GP in Townsville
Hi All. Am searching for a decent GP in Townsville - who understands the specific challenges of post treatment breast cancer. I was diagnosed in March 2016 with triple negative. Did 8 rounds of TAC + double mastectomy + sentinel node biopsy + 25 rounds of intense dose radiation + 8 cycles of Capecitabine. Am 3 years cancer free. Have moved to Townsville and need to find a good GP who understands. Any suggestions?
