Best Of
Re: Who's starting Radiation in November 2025? Let's gather here to share!
hi@nope123
Okay!! I had my restart today and I DID IT!!
Yay!! I felt such a sense of relief when she said.. all done
Tiny hiccup, tech had to restart the computer and I had to stay in the same position and completely still. Which I managed to do.. I just cleared my mind and kept repeating a mantra and imagined being in the forest amongst trees (I have a great hiking trail close by)
I was able to reach my baseline and hold my breath. It was still “work” but I managed. And I’m sure once I get more comfortable with the process I’ll be a pro.. just in time for me NOT having to hold breath for my last 4 boosters.
So I am hoping that all goes smoothly until my last day which will be Dec 15!!
But wanted to ask.. I know to expect fatigue.. did you just want to sleep?? And did you have any arm pain/discomfort.. that made it difficult to lift things using that arm?
Oh yes.. I now know what the volunteers meant when they said.. do what you wish with scrub top
I will be so over it!! And will never want to see it again!!
Thanks again 😊
Re: Surgery scheduled for December 2025? Join the surgery waiting room for support!
I'm having a right MX with a tissue expander on December 15. I was initially diagnosed with Grade 3 DCIS, 3 cm the end of September through a routine mammogram. In October, an MRI found two additional suspicious masses (7mm and 3mm) making the total involved area 5.5 cm which is partially why I opted for the MX. If I don't need radiation or chemo, the plan is for reconstructive surgery, probably in late January. If I need treatment, reconstruction will likely be sometime in the spring. The whole situation feels slightly surreal, since except for feeling tired (probably because I'm not sleeping well) I feel totally fine. The worst part is all of the waiting for results, surgery, and then the pathology. Just glad it was caught early.
Re: Question about Sentinel biopsy results
Thanks so much @maggie15. I didn't get an oncotype test yet. This doctor is my surgeon and he just referred me today to the oncologist. He said the oncologist will make final determination on chemo so I will be sure to ask for the test.
For ALND he said because the size of cancer found in the lymph nodes is greater than 2mm. If it was smaller, he would be OK with radiation but based on my age he may want to do the surgery. He did also say he wants to review with other surgeons and oncologists at the cancer board to make a decision as a group.
I just would like to be prepared to ask more questions and or get second opinion if needed so the info you provided is super helpful.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
I am so grateful for you all!
Breast MRI showed more inconsiderate cancer cells reaching out of Fred (tumor - he lives in the fold), making my size now 7cm. Clinically, I am stage 3a, grade 3. Nodes still look good. I have an incidental liver cyst she will probs want an ultrasound but it’s likely a nothing burger. I’ll stress about that later.
I’m glad I took December off. The sheer volume of calls, arrangements, appointments, would have made working my job (RN in endoscopy center) impossible. Every day this week has been at least four hours of appointments. But I live 15 minutes from a top ten cancer center, and the luxury of near immediate access to advanced testing is such a privilege.
I had labs Tuesday and they resulted in just under TEN MINUTES. TEN. MINUTES. Oncology, interventional radiology, imaging, infusion, lab, lil cafe, resource center, social services, etc all in the same building. It’s a sweet setup. (You can tell I’m a nurse)
Both my therapist and my new social worker reminded me that the last time I gave these chemo meds (taxol, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin) was, in fact, THIRTY YEARS AGO and people don’t just drop dead from sepsis all the time anymore. That’s my big fear.
surgery will seem like a relief. My visualization of the chemo is weird (kinda like I am): Fred (tumor) is a black blob. The chemo - ok, remember those little teensy plastic sabers they use for drink garnishes? They come in bright blue and green and orange and pink? I see each color as a different drug stabbing Fred and Fred screaming and dying a bloody horrible death.
Idk, they said visualization was helpful. I might get some silly putty and some of those little sabers to play with at the infusion center. You think I’m kidding. I am not.
My psychiatrist gave me a script for ambien because (checks watch, yes it is 4:30am) I can’t sleep. But I did get a solid six hours tonight.
Can I go to Puerto Rico with you guys? I am indeed going for aesthetic flat closure and there’s a surgeon at the cancer center trained in it, so I’ll be bottoms only, lol. Trying to think of a cool tattoo for my scars.
Here in the Tein Cities, it is snowy and cold. Currently -3 in my back yard with about 1/4” of fresh sparkly fluffy snow on top of about a 7” base. I’ll sweep it off the walk in the morning. I love the cold beauty of winter. The short sunny cold days and the sparkly snowy silent nights. The earth is sleeping and healing. Maybe like me right now. If things go exactly to plan, I will be completing chemo just in time for spring, around the end of April. I like that imagery.
Today, I meet with my Rabbi and I’m getting my tattoo! I’m profoundly deaf in my right ear (from birth) and my whole life my friend apologize because they can’t remember which side it is. I get it. They look EXACTLY ALIKE. It’s much worse with healthcare professionals. And they talk softly.
Solution! I am getting a small MUTE BUTTON tattoo just below my deaf ear as a signal for my friends and HC workers. Gotta get it done today. Chemo Monday.
Any must-haves for 20 weeks of chemo? Fave lip treatment, lotion, whatever? What kind of head covering if any did you like and why?
Re: Just diagnosed - big drinker, hard job, feeling depressed
yay on the clear second biopsies. I’m getting my results tomorrow and hoping for same! Just want to schedule so I can start planning again…
Re: Newly diagnosed and scared
My MRI biopsy on right breast showed fibroepithelial lesion, 'probably' begnin but should be excised anyway. I've decided to have a DMX, reconstruction decision pending appointment with plastic on 12/12.
This was a really hard decision to make, nothing like I have ever experienced.
Part of the reason for DMX vs lumpectomy (with radiation) is that the chest CT revealed that I have a thickening of the pericardium and mildly enlarged heart. Since I would have needed radiation on the left side, it could impact my heart issues.
Another factor in my decision is the LCIS component of the cancer, with it's bilateral chances and hidden patterns, I need peace of mind (even if its just a small amount).
I'm already feeling some peace to have reached this point, I know there are still decisions to be made about reconstruction but my brain can move past the huge decision about DMX vs lumpectomy.
Thanks for listening.
sastip
Has anyone with Her2+++ achieved pCR before surgery using only paclitaxel and Phesgo?
Hello from Tokyo.
I am currently undergoing treatment for Her2+++(ER+1%)
The preoperative regimen is 12 doses of weekly paclitaxel and 4 doses of Phesgo every 3 weeks, and if the tumor does not disappear, EC will be added.
I searched on X and found that there was one woman in Osaka,Japan who underwent a clinical trial of paclitaxel and Phesgo before surgery and she achieved remission after pCR without EC in 2023. She had 14 sessions of Phesgo after surgery.
Tomorrow I am scheduled for my 10/12 Paclitaxel and my final Phesgo(4/4) before surgery.
Hope all of you have warm and peaceful day!
Re: Newly diagnosed and scared
I had similar situation with an mri biopsy needed for both breasts after initial diagnoses. My first has come back clear and waiting for the second and hoping to schedule a lumpectomy thereafter. Fingers crossed for all of us.
Re: Surgery scheduled for December 2025? Join the surgery waiting room for support!
I've been on my pre-decision part of this since August 6 annual mammogram found suspicious mass. After ultrasound guided biopsy on left breast, MRI, chest CT, MRI guided biopsy on right breast, I've decided on a DBX, yet to be scheduled, pending appointment 12/12 with plastic.
I have: mixed IDC/ILC with LCIS (all in the left breast), right breast biopsy showed fibroepithelial lesion, 'probably' benign but surgeon said it should be excised. The chest CT showed that my heart is mildly enlarge and there is a thickening of the pericardium. I will follow up with cardio on this but I was already stressed about needing radiation, on the left side, if I had decided on lumpectomy vs mastectomy.
8 mm (original) with additional 4 mm (found with MRI) in left. ER/PR+ HER2-, 63 yo.
Any pointers on what I should be thinking of right now?
sastip
Re: Surgery scheduled for December 2025? Join the surgery waiting room for support!
Having a lumpectomy this morning at 7 a.m. hoping it goes smoothly.