Starting radiation
Hello all, I will be starting radiation tomorrow. I had a complete pathological response after 6 months of chemo and a double mastectomy with complete axillary node removal and DIEP recon. But since I am young and had TNBC I was advised to have radiation to mop up strays as they say. I am terrified of radiation and always have been even more than chemo. So I would like to hear from anyone who has been through radiation. How was the experience for you? Especially if you had it to your sub-clavicular nodes (neck). Do you still have scars? skin changes? tightness?lymphoedema? Any tips or tricks? I will be having a total of 15 sessions (40Gy). Any advice or stories welcome :) Thanks.
Hormone Blockers Weight gain & GLP-1s
Hi Everyone, I am 53 yeards old and 3 years into hormone blockers and am managing (barely) all the side-effects except for one. Weight gain. I have always been fit and active and I am working out more than ever and eating incredibly healthy and nothing seems to make a difference. I have slowly increased from a size 10 to almost a 14 since commencing hormone blockers. I have seen some medical evidence that GLP-1's at a low dose have been helpful for not just weight loss but also a reduction in other side effects as well. Has anyone else had a conversation with their oncologist regarding using GLP-1's and potential benefits? I don't like the thought of taking yet another drug but I am getting to the point of worrying about everything I eat and also cannot afford to keep buying another size up! If anyone has any info on this topic or knows of any specialists in this space I would appreciate it very much, Thanks!!
Radiation, driving and fatigue
I was hoping to hear about any experiences of driving and fatigue while undergoing radiation. I've been told to be aware of fatigue. The radiation oncologist and nurses have raised concerns and eyebrows when I've told them it's a one hour drive door to door, so two hour round trip x 15 sessions. I'm also maintaining hope that I can continue working part time in an outdoors job where lately I'm doing 14k+ steps a day. Ultimately I'm going to see how it goes. I'm not going to break myself. If I get too tired then I have backup people to help with the driving (public transport isn't an option around here), reduce my activity at work or take leave, or get accommodation near the hospital for some of the sessions. I'm wondering if some people have got through radiation without fatigue? Or if fatigue has occurred has it affected driving? And how fast the fatigue appears - might you have been okay one morning and zonked in the afternoon?Radiation post DIEP
Hello all, I am exactly 4 weeks post double mastectomy and DIEP (including complete node clearance) which I had after 6 months of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. I had TNBC in my right breast with 3 nodes involved on the same side. My pathology report said I had clear margins and a complete pathological response š I have now been given the option of skipping radiation if I want to. A new study (B-51 study) published last year found that patients with complete pathological response to chemotherapy and a double mastectomy donāt benefit from radiation therapy. My question is has anyone skipped radiation or was given the opportunity to skip it and chose not to? Also, has anyone with a double mastectomy and DIEP done radiation and what were the side effects on the breast? Lastly, has anyone received radiation in the neck region and what were the side effects like? Difficulty swallowing? My radiation specialist suggested if I choose to go ahead with radiation she would recommend the sub-clavicle nodes in the neck (along with breast and armpit) as theyāre the only nodes I have not checked surgically. Would be keen to hear anyoneās opinion or lived experience. Thanks š
Abemaciclib Verezenio side effects
Hi Ladies, I have recently started on Letrizole/Hormone Therapy, and Verenio / Abemaciclib and am struggling with the side effects. I am in the fortunate position in that both these drugs are being given as a preventative measure. I donāt have Mets, but am at very high risk of re-occurrence. Originally diagnosed with bi-lateral early breast cancer back in March 2023. Had a small 1cm triple negative tumour, and a larger (5cm), more aggressive (grade 3) oestrogen positive tumour with lymph node involvement. After initial breast reduction to remove both tumours and additional auxiliary clearance, I had 6 months of chemo, plus radiotherapy to both breasts. I managed to keep fairly positive throughout these treatments, and while at time a struggle did manage to work albeit at reduced pace throughout. Just as I finished radiotherapy my oncologist recommended abemaciclibb as part of a trial that is showing reduction in recurrence rates of around 6%. Iāve only been on these for 5 weeks, and while the side effects are manageable, they are not a lot of fun - diarrhoea, fatigue, vertigo, and just generally feeling unwell. Hot flushes and insomnia with the hormone therapy which again are manageable and on their own no big deal, but the combination has me exhausted. I was soooooo looking forward to end of my active treatment and getting some energy back, getting back to working full time aswell, but now with two years ahead of me on this regime, I am wondering if it is worth it. Oncologists reluctant to reduce dosage and are keen for me to stay on the Abemaciclib, but Iād love to hear from anyone else is in a similar position and how you are managing the pros and cons of the treatment options versus quality of life, and from anyone whoās been on Abemaciclib for a while to know if side effects improve over time. Thanks JenniStarting Radiation
Hi All, Tomorrow I will starting my first of 15 rounds of Radiation. What recommendations for creams post treatmen for skin burn. I was given samples of QV cream and LaRoche-Posay Lipikar baume and Cicaplast Baume B5. I already have Dermaveen and Sorbolene Cream at home. Thanks All
PostāSurgery Fluid Leak on One Side
Iām 48 and one week postābilateral wide excision with rightāside axillary clearance for invasive lobular breast cancer on R) side. I still have one drain on the right, but my left breast (which has no drain) is leaking a large amount of serous fluid. Itās very uncomfortable, and the nurse has now placed a wound drainage bag post second visit to hospital and discussion with the surgeon. Has anyone else experienced this after surgery, and how long did the leaking last for you?Radiotherapy and exercise
Hello everyone - After a DCIS diagnosis and lumpectomy with a re-excision I now have clear margins and, although I could have refused radiotherapy, I have opted in as it is still standard treatment. And I wasnāt prepared āto roll the diceā as my surgeon put it. I will have about a three-quarter hour train commute and a 10 minute walk each way from the train station. So all up I reckon itās going to be three and a half or so hours each day. I have heard that exercise helps combat the fatigue. My question is - yoga? Iāve found a fabulous YouTube yoga by Lisa Moore which is about thirty minutes, gentle stretches etc. Walking I could definitely do in fine weather. I also have a rowing machine at home that I enjoy. Have people kept up resistance training while going through radio? I work four days a week but I can be fairly flexible about hours. Any survival tips welcome!Taxol side effects
Hi all, Iām starting paclitaxel chemotherapy this week (once a week for 6 weeks). Iām wanting some insight into how I might feel. Itās a busy time of year and Iām a single mum. We have dance concerts and holidays booked. Is it like a hangover? Or more like a bad flu where Iāll struggle to get out of bed. What are the main things I will struggle with? I am going to do ice and to try avoid neuropathy and hair loss. Many thanks for your insights šš½
Giredestrant - SERD
Hello there, Reading the news coming out of the San Ontonio Breast Cancer Symposium this year (happening right now) and there is a very positive, yet early, study on a new SERD on Early stage BC in the Lidera trial. Does anyone know about this or is part of the trial? It seems that there was recruitment in Victoria? Keen to hear.
