Processing the journey
Moderator moved @Tania_G post from activity section to 'General Discussion' section: Hi everyone, Was diagnosed back in July 2023 stage 3 HER2+ breast cancer. Have done two rounds of chemo. Had surgery in December 2023 and am now getting ready for radiotherapy. I'm experiencing a lot of confusion and loss as I now begin to process this journey. Getting used to my new body and trying to work out who I am psychologically. Any advice?
DCIS AND RADIOTHERAPY
It is a week since my wide local excision of my DCIS and am feeling better althrough I had a large hematoema undeneath my breast... I received great pathology results from my surgeon on Tuesday that my margins were 100% clear, in fact, there was no cancer cells present at all (they were all removed during biopsy as the DCIS was so tiny... My surgeon suggested I did not need radiation but asked me to see a Radiation Oncologist for another opinion... I saw her today and she has told me that based on everything, she doesn't think I need radiation... I was really happy, but also a little worried that it increases my risk of this returning.. She also told me that I had Intermediate to High Grade DCIS and it is hormone receptive... My surgeon and the Radiation Oncologist both suggested I see another Oncologist to discuss Tamoxifen, etc but are both not 100% convinced that I need it either but it something I can consider... I am feeling really confused.... I sort of just want the doctors to TELL me what I need, rather than make these decisions myself... They are being mindful that I am only 40 years old and that the extra treatments may have a larger impact on my life, when they may not be needed at all... They are all wonderful Drs here on the Gold Coast but I'm just feeling very anxious that by doing less treatments now can put me into a higher risk category of facing all of this all over again?? Am I needlessly worrying? Should I just be happy that my DCIS was so small and completely removed and just get on with life?? Has anyone else had a higher grade DCIS and not done any radiation treatment? So sorry for all of the questions x
Dealing with emotions
Hello ... I'm generally not a joiner in community forums of this type, but here I am ... I was diagnosed on December 23 last year (2018) and had surgery (lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy) on January 15. I start radiotherapy on Feb 18. I've recovered physically really well: my surgeon is great, she's done a fabulous job and I don't think I'll have a scar - so probably no permanent physical reminder. I'm back at the gym and am walking regularly and I hope to start running again soon. So the physical side of things is okay. I have a wonderfully supportive husband and even though my grown up kids live in other states (as does my sister, my mother, my brother and every other family member plus my best friend) they're all really caring and fabulous. But my emotions are a bit all over the place at the moment. I don't want to think of this as a big deal, but for some reason it kinda feels like a big deal. Is it? Or am I just making something big out of something that's ordinary and routine and not really a big deal at all? Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with anxiety about returning to work? I've been working from home this week, but today decided to go in to work. I drove (for the first time since my surgery) and when I parked the car I felt really anxious. It took a while to get up the courage to go into the office and now I'm not super keen to go back tomorrow. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Don't know what to do
Hi I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2015 had it taken out and I have had radiation done, now i have another one come back in March this year and had it taken out way were both benign now my specialist is asking me to choose between a mastectomy or keep being checked regularly not shore on what r
internal mammary nodes
Hi, everybody, I am 51 y.o., diagnosed on 5 March, had surgery on 16 March. My tumor position was lower inner quadrant, and I am very concerned that internal mammary nodes can be malignant(they are closest to the tumor), but my surgeon opted not to biopsy them during surgery as no radioactivity was detected there with gamma probe. I want to ask girls with positive internal mammary nodes how they had their nodes investigated and whether anybody have them removed/biopsied/ radiotherapy to the internal mammary chain. Thank you. Natalia
First Tests
Last Friday (8 days after I first found the lump) I had the tests – mammogram (which I have been having for 20 years – last one nearly a year ago), MRI scan and biopsy. I could tell by the interactions of the radiologist and the doctor on duty that there was something to be concerned about. The doctor told me I needed to see the GP asap to discuss the results and that it was likely I would need referring to a breast surgeon. So I rang for an appointment which was made for Monday at 3pm. So far I had only told my partner but Friday night I also told a couple of girlfriends. I needed to know more before telling my three grown up daughters. The waiting for each stage is not easy but at that point I was going with ‘innocent until proven guilty’.