Newly diagnosed with DCIS - starting the rollecoaster
Hi all, I live in Geelong. I'm 41. Single mum to a 13yo son, co-parent 50%. I was diagnosed with DCIS estrogen+ on the 14th Feb. Luckily is stage 0, which eases my worries a bit. My mum and sister had stage 2, and they are in remission. So this gives me hope and keeps me positive. I am not scared of the surgery or radiotherapy...but just have lots of doubts of how is the process going to affect my ability to concentrate on my phd and thesis writing and my ability to work (part time teacher, looking for change in career). I'm considering taking an intermission from my phd, but I don't know for how long, and how I am going to support myself financially. Did anyone kept working or studying through the treatment? I'm a planner....but this doesn't have a timeline...and I think I just have to take a day at the time. I don't have a date for surgery and radiotherapy yet...I don't know how long is going to go for and how I am going to feel.....My guess is just go with the flow.....Getting prepared for 12 cycles of Taxol
Hi All, Hope everyone is doing great here and managing the side effects well. I completed my 4 cycles of the AC/Dc combo package and will start with the 12 cycles of weekly taxol from mid September. Luckily for me the red devil was not too bad apart from I have lost complete taste Nd my hair is gone . The nausea and minor reflux issues were managed well with medication and fatigue was also ok for me. I was constipated though and needed coloxyl. Can you all share your experiences with taxol. I can make a list of what to expect and atleast be mentally prepared. I am returning to part time work from 1st October and hoping to get some experiences as how work can be managed? The support and stories give a lot of encouragement :) Thanks Priya
chemo question please?
Hi all, As some of you may have seen from my past post regarding the return of the cancer, or should I correctly say, it was never all taken at that time even though they said they had got it all with clear margins, still so angry . I'm now staring down the barrel of chemo afterwards, as part of my treatment from this round of surgeries, I wasn't required to under go chemo 1st time, so I dodged that, this time its not looking like I will have that same luxury, My questions are for all of you who have had to face this, how long dose it take for you to loose your hair, I'm just trying to do the best to mentally prepare myself, I fully understand each one of us are completely different, and each chemo session plan will be different form the next, its more of a general idea, like dose it start to come away after your 1st session, or do you get through all your sessions and then you see the hair starting to come away, I do have a great breast care nurse, who is lovely, we are just back at the early stages now biopsy's done, MRI done, PET CT scan booked in for this week, they have now seen another lump in the breast that could need another biopsy prior to theater, the list keeps going on this. But I have been advised by both the surgeon and y breast care nurse, chemo is a high possibility Is there any advice you can share on how to prepare both physically and mentally for this treatment. I have the worlds worse veins, so I've ben told about a pick line, that sounds fun, not! anything you wish to share would be very helpful, so I can try my best to mentally prepare for this stage Thank you all :)time gap from surgery to starting of Radiation therapy
Hello everyone, I have a super quick question, from the time that you had your surgery, how long was it till you started your radiation therapy? and if the dates didn't a line with your life and needs, and how long was it before you could start, like 2 months etc before your treatment started, I'm asking as I'm looking for advice, as I'm struggling with so many things, thanks
Skin Rash Side Effect with Exemestane (Aromasin) & Everolimus (Afinitor)
Hi All, I'm on week 5 with this treatment combo now. This last week I've broken out in a pretty bad skin rash, starts of red/pimply look and evolves into joining up into large red blotches. Its just horrible - I'm sure people will start thinking I've got Monkey Pox now! :o :D :( I've been to my GP on Onco Nurse's advice as my Once has been away with a family emergency. I've got every known pill and potion to conquer the rash/itchiness - antihistamine, steroid cream, Pentarsal, Chamomile lotion, moisturiser which seems to be managing it mostly. I know its a known side effect. Has anyone else had this side effect please? Does it persist for the whole treatment, or for only a little while and will then disappear in a good time/few weeks? How did you manage it? I did get mouth ulcers Weeks 2-4 (well managed with Dextamestane that I've now stopped), but they seem to have gone away for now anyway... Any help, guidance so very gratefully appreciated. Cheers
Working - radiation and hormone treatment
Hi everyone - I feel a bit slack complaining that I am about to start radiation and I don't know how I will manage to continue to work when I hear of people working and having chemo. I feel overwhelmed by the thought of managing. How have other people managed? I am run down after surgery, working and day to day living. I am a widow and I am alone in this. Thank you for listening
Did you miss the Webcast: Managing long-term side effects of breast cancer treatment?
Hi all, If you missed the webcast on Tuesday night, you can now watch on-demand via the following link https://kapara.rdbk.com.au/landers/73f44c.html The webcast was well received and a topic that is relevant to many people navigating the side effects of breast. This webcast addressed common long-term side effects of breast cancer treatment and how you can manage them, explain why ongoing support and follow-up care is important, explore the role of survivorship care plans and why you might need one, and let you know about support and resources available to you. Registrations exceeded 3,000 and more than 1,000 people watched the webcast live. We welcome feedback from those who have already watched the session.
Dressings changed... more bruising
Good morning How are you all doing? I'm two weeks post surgery. Double mastectomy with 17 lymph nodes cleared (the blue dye didn't work). I got the 'all clear' on Thursday - cancer all removed (very small) and none in the lymph nodes. Yay! Woo hoo! Feel awesome about that! I had my dressings changed and now feel really sore again. I had a fainting episode in hospital and they think I might have busted a blood vessel. My right side was black and blue! I've got a new bruise on the right and it's even more swollen but in a larger area. I didn't have a drain that side. It feels like I have a squishy lump from my neck to the bottom of my ribs! Anyone else felt like this? Jo xx
Tips on working and treatment
Hi all, I will be starting Chemo soon which will be followed up with more surgery and then radiation. I know l will have moments where l will be tired/sick and anything else that goes with it. I joined this group in the hope of getting tips/advice from anyone that worked through out treatment when possible.
to work or not to work
I've recently had a 3cm lump removed. It was all clear around the lump, but there were minute traces in the sentinal node, but nothing in the next two nodes. It is hormone related in the ducts and at some stage I will be having radiation and going on hormone blockers, which I have no problem with. However my oncologist has suggested that I should also have chemo. As I have had chemo in the past (22 years ago for leukemia) I really don't want to go through that again. However it is looking like I should. My question is, and this is perhaps me desperately clinging onto continuing my life with some sort of normality, should I try to continue to work. I work as a part time (2 days a week) office manger/receptionist in a Physiotherapy clinic. I love my job, and there is some flexibility with working hours with the other reception staff. But wonder if it may be too much, trying to cope with the possible side effects and also especially in this day of Covid-19, to try to work through my treatment.
