No response to paclitaxel - anyone else?
Hi all, I was dx with early BC in August this year. I turned 40 this year. It's a grade 2(ish) invasive ductal. Hormone +ive, HER2 -ive. Because it was in my lymph nodes, my treating team wanted me to do chemo first (4x AC dose-dense, 12x weekly paclitaxel). I'm on the 4th pacli cycle (it's infusing as I type!) I had a progress ultrasound last week and when I spoke to my onc yesterday, he was a tad concerned that the tumour doesn't seem to be responding to this drug. He talked about maybe stopping this drug and going straight for surgery and hormone therapy. The chemo nurses assure me that people change treatment regimens all the time, and I tell myself that monitoring and reassessing is a GOOD thing. But I'm still in a dither. Also, every twinge, niggle, and sensation anywhere near ol’ leftie has me jumping out of my skin in panic, convinced that the end is nigh. So my questions to you all: Has anyone else been in the same situation? On a scale of 1 - 10, where 10 is Beet-faced-embarassed, how silly am I going to feel about this anxiety in a week or so? Is there anything I should do to get prepared for maybe having surgery(?) in the next few weeks? I had totally bumped that down the road as a problem for 2022! TIA!
New diagnosis and confused
Hi everyone. Three months ago I found a small lump in right breast. No family history - I’m 53. Mammogram and ultrasound indicated something. Biopsy inconclusive - surgeon concerned so had lumpectomy. Turned out to be cancer but he believed he had it all. Then had sentinel node biopsy which resulted in node not showing up but pathology results more cancer. I am booked to have mastectomy on right breast on 20 May. Had breast mri yesterday to try to show where it is in right breast and check left breast. I have been reading the forums tonight - what a supportive group. I am confused though. After lumpectomy it was thought I’d have radiation. But now prob no radiation. Initially no chemo but now unsure. Still don’t know grade or stage. I need it explained in simple terms for now as I was so shocked. I have big boobs and now think maybe I should get the left one removed regardless as I have heard back pain can result and also I don’t want the fear of always wondering about it. I suffer anxiety and depression already although being treated for that and in a good place with that ( well I was). So I guess I would love to hear your stories, would you go the double, what else should I ask? Thanks everyone and stay safe ( sorry it’s so long!,) xx
Uncertainty
Hello everyone, I have just joined this incredible network as I only just learnt it existed. I was diagnosed end of Oct 2019 with invasive ductal carcinoma, estrogen and progesterone receptor positive, grade 3. I had my strategy informed by my surgeon sorted, that I would complete the 5 month chemo and then have the breast conservation surgery followed by radiation treatment. I was fine and mentally strong progressing through the chemo treatment because I just needed to focus on the here and now and then after all this life would return to normal. Now I have finished the chemo treatment and my surgery is planned for next week and all of a sudden I am second guessing my surgery options. This is in addition to the news that I had recently received that my father has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. All of a sudden I feel nervous and thinking about reoccurrence, what’s in my control, is there a way I can minimise future risk, should I be having a mastectomy instead? I have spoken to my doctors and they say that my strategy is good for partial mastectomy /lumpectomy but ultimately it is my decision. I have a young family and alongside the covid 19 issue happening, could I revisit the full mastectomy later... Has anyone else also experienced this choice, nervousness before surgery and how did you decide? Very grateful for your time and advice.
Bilateral Mastectomy - please share your experiences and views.
I am planning on having a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy in the next few weeks. I have previously posted in the category of issues with dense breasts and ongoing surveillance. Thank you to all of you who responded to that. I have HER2+/ ER+/ PR- breast cancer. I was diagnosed in September last year and have very dense breasts. I have already undergone a lumpectomy and have just finished chemo with taxane. The sentinel lymph nodes were clear so I will not need to have any more lymph nodes removed. i have read all the previous posts relating to bilateral mastectomy and spoken to the breast surgeon. While she does not think I need a bilateral mastectomy, she is happy to do the procedure. I would be extremely grateful if anyone can tell me about their experience after having a bilateral mastectomy with regards to hospital stay, any issues, infections or complications. Can one manage alone at home post surgery. How long did you have to keep the drains, is it easy to manage the drains. Any other significant issues days, months or years after surgery. Your responses will be much appreciated.Lumpectomy or straight to mastectomy
Currently have a 3cm malignant tumour on my left breast and no lymph node activity. Did a core biopsy and it’s oestrogen and progesterone receptors are negative. The dr is suggestion a lumpectomy with 5cm margins and a sentinel node removal, chemo and radiation . Dont know what to do. Confused.
Waiting period from chemo to surgery
Hi, my question is how long people have waited for their surgery after chemo has finished. I was dx Nov 18 De Novo IBC Mets to spine age 40. It has been 4 weeks since my chemo has finished and I haven’t met with a surgeon yet. Since I had a good response to chemo, does it matter when my surgery is? Waiting is doing my head in :(
Operate or Radiation, That's The Question
Hi all, I saw the Surgeon during the week and my 2nd brain tumour has grown 2mm in 8 weeks. Now they have to do something, it could be an operation to remove it with possible permanent weakness in my right leg. I'm still on crutches after the removal of a tumour in October. Then there's radiation which possibly means going into the city an hour away & have radiation, I don't know how many or how often but it will burn around the tumour but leaves it there. After just going into the city to see the Surgeon I had no energy from Tuesday evening till Thursday morning so I couldn't possibly go in too often to have radiation. When I got home from the city the Surgeon and Oncologist had spoken and the Oncologist thought radiation was the best way so they'll go with that. I have an appointment on Friday to ask why it's the best way & explain I don't have that sort of energy with every other test I still haven't organised. Just wondering if anyone else has come across this scenario and knows what is best, as much as I don't want more brain surgery & rehab possibly afterwards I don't want to know it's still there & will worry about it when it comes to my next MRI. Can radiation stop a tumour growing & be monitored along with any other nasties that might pop up now that it's secondary Stage 4 and comes from the breast cancer.
Is this normal?
Hi lovely people, today I am 4 weeks post op. Single right side mastectomy. I had a little bit of a set up back with recovery as I ended up with 2 infections along the suture line which I'm still seeing the community nurses for but they are healing. My question is around the uncomfortableness I still feel around the surgery site. It just feels so tight and hard. I'm doing my exercises but 2nd stage exercises were delayed due to the infections. I'm just so sick of it and everyday I expect it to feel a bit better and it doesn't. Is this normal and when is it likely to loosen up and feel better?Next steps.
Last night I had an absolute meltdown and cried uncontrollably for an hour but I have woken today with a slightly clearer head and am trying to imagine what it's going to be like in the coming months and trying to get our lives as organised as possible. First of all I need the surgery site from single right side mastectomy to heal completely after getting 2 infections on the suture line. The rush is on before chemo starts. I'm back to seeing the community nurses daily as one of the infections is well and truly on the mend but the other under my arm, where I assume the nodes have been taken has no infection but it is now a great gaping hole. I have to have heart tests to make sure my heart will withstand the chemo as I have a mitral valve prolapse. Then they want to have a port inserted, I've heard such varied stories on these and I'm really unsure of this. Is it doable with the veins in just one arm? For 14 rounds over 18 weeks? I see the oncologist again in 2 weeks to make sure the surgery site is good for chemo, go over heart tests and get a start date which he wants to do asap after consult as I will be 6 weeks post surgery. I believe it will be 4 rounds x fortnightly of doxorubicin the. 10 x weekly of pacilitaxel and something else I can't remember the name of. Has anyone had this mix?. He told the first 4 rounds will be the toughest. Thanks for listening. Big love❤️
