Best Of
Re: November 2025 Chemo thread - let's support one another!
Just started chemo last Friday. Will be doing 6 cycles of TCHP. Just sending good energy to everyone going through this, as well as their support team.
jae925
Re: Making that Final Surgery Decision
Hi Sanchez22. My situation is almost identical to yours. I'm also 51 with stage 2, grade 3 IDC her2+, ER & PR-, and 2 impacted lymph nodes. No family history, in excellent health, and was totally blindsided by my diagnosis in early June. I had my last round of tchp chemotherapy mid Oct, and was fortunate to have a complete response. I had decided from the beginning that I wanted just a unilateral mastectomy. I felt a lot of grief about losing even one breast. When trying to decide what to do, especially regarding reconstruction, which sounds like it will be more challenging after unilateral mastectomy, I talked to several women and multiple Dr's and got different opinions from all of them. The best advice I received was to go with what felt right to me and my values. For what it's worth, only one member of my oncology team suggested a double mastectomy was a good choice for me, and that was only for the purpose of improved symmetry with reconstruction, not to reduce recurrence. All the others recommended the unilateral.
I had my surgery 10 days ago. I was fortunate to be a candidate for a nipple sparing mastectomy. They placed a tissue expander during the surgery, and it was so nice to wake up with part of my own breast still there, and my own left breast unimproved. Still have radiation and reconstruction to face. But I'm happy with my surgery decision. Hope this helps.
mwolhuck
Re: Making that Final Surgery Decision
Hi Sanchez22 , first of all, I want to acknowledge how overwhelming this decision must feel. It’s completely normal to second-guess yourself when it comes to choosing between a single or double mastectomy. From what you’ve described—HER2 positive and ER/PR negative, with no family history—the risk of cancer developing in the other breast is generally lower, but it’s understandable to worry about future recurrence. Many women in your situation consider factors like peace of mind, recovery time, and long-term quality of life when deciding. Ultimately, the decision is deeply personal, and it’s okay to take your time, seek multiple opinions, and even discuss with a genetic counselor if that helps. Wishing you strength and clarity as you make the choice that feels right for you.
Capecitabine
Hello , My name is Jill and I will be starting Xeloda next week. I was on Ibrance/Letrozole for 16 months and it has stopped working. I am curious about the new meds and wanted to talk to you ladies about a few things. I have not met with the Onc Pharmacy yet to discuss the drug and ask various questions so I figured I would come to the experts 😁
- Can I take it with food or do I have to wait the 30 minutes after eating, just asking for convenience sake.
- I checked the list of food that has Folic Acid and it seems like everything except Sugar and Fat are pretty much my options 🤣 so really what are the big things to avoid, I would love to get recommendations on cabs that you have found tolerable like Bread & Pasta etc.. is there a brand out there that isn't enhanced or fortified with folate?
- I am an avid Pickleball player and hope to be able to continue playing but if I manage to develop Hand & Foot syndrome do you have any suggestions for creams or things to help with friction?
- I enjoy a few glasses of wine and wanted to know if it makes the symptoms worse or if it is tolerable to deal with on occasion.
Thank you from a Newbie to the Drug, I have been on this Rodeo for 30 years and still doing great overall so I am hoping to tolerate this drug like all the rest in my past.
Jill 😍
bigred62
Re: So...whats for dinner?
Carole, Those cookies sound delicious. I don't bake much anymore since I'd end up eating more than I should. Are you going to make the trip to FL in one day?
Rhonda, You can do everything in the oven but with different temperatures and one oven you can reheat the turkey in the oven and the mashed potatoes/stuffing on the stove top.
Turkey: Let the turkey come to room temp and preheat oven to 325. For a whole turkey (or breast) put in a roasting pan with a cup of chicken broth and cover tightly with foil. Cook 5 - 7 min per lb, 165 on meat thermometer. For slices or small pieces put in a glass/ceramic baking dish in a single layer and sprinkle with chicken broth. Cover with foil and bake 20 - 30 min or 10 - 13 min per pound for larger pieces (165 on meat thermometer.)
Mashed potatoes: Use a double boiler or heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Add a bit of milk/cream and a pat of butter to keep them moist. Stir a few times but not too often.
Stuffing: Add a little oil or butter to a frying pan. Cook over medium heat for about five minutes until heated thoroughly. You can add a bit of broth and heat it on medium in the microwave for short bursts stirring it each time. It won’t be crispy but that’s actually how I prefer mine.
We used to pack up the car and transport Thanksgiving dinner two hours to my mother’s house. It seemed inconvenient at the time but I’d love to be able to do it again. I hope you have a wonderful time with your guests.
Dinner tonight was meatballs in my own sauce on bucatini.
maggie15
Just diagnosed IDC Bilateral - upcoming oncoplastic lumpectomy
IDC bilateral ER+/PR+, HER2-. Caught very early on and very small. Each side is less than 0.7 and 0.4 cm on the other. Diagnosed on 11/2/25. Surgery date 12/11/25. Oncoplasty- lumpectomy bilateral with reduction and lift. I’m a size 36 C/D currently. Concerned about lymph nodes. Ultrasound didn’t show any lymph node flags. How common is it to find additional cancer during surgery? I would love to hear from others in this same type and how treatment and recovery was. Thank you. Hugs to all
Re: Planning surgery for November 2025? Join the waiting room for support.
Had very large lumpectomy with ancillary lymph node removed for very aggressive(8 out of 9 Nottingham scale)lobular carcinoma. Before surgery, my emotions were so out of control that I fought with my plastic surgeon and he quit on me. After surgery, now realizing that my battle over breast appearance was just part of me bargaining with G-d about my life.
Re: Anyone else have spinal compression fractures?
Thank you @maggie15; wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
peggy_m
Re: how about drinking?
Good day friends:
It's Thankgiving week and I am off again from work (whoo hoo) and at the tail end of a cold that still feels like it's kicking my butt. I am heading out to do some errands then will head the pool and also hit the steam room there which will help with the last of it. I was super busy this weekend with to dos and friends over yesterday for some wine and tapas (and I do have a wine recommendation for those of you who are interested). I have a full day tomorrow with some apts, lunch with a friend, some yoga and more. I have to settle down on Wed and do some food prep for my friendsgiving on Wed.
Wishing everyone a good holiday this week who is celebrating. For those who may be in treatment at this time, I was going through cancer treatment around this time 13 years ago and in many ways, it still feels like yesterday. Try to keep your holidays as simple as you can and enjoy what you can.
Blessings for good health, good times and good food this week to all the sisters here.
Re: Capecitabine
@bigred62 , Welcome to the forum! I’ve been on Xeloda for a year and a half. It’s working really well for me. It’s ok to take it with food. You’re just supposed to take it within a half hour after eating. My pharmacist didn’t know anything about the folate thing and said that there are no dietary restrictions. I did stop taking my multivitamin because it has lots of folic acid in it. Hand foot has been somewhat of a problem and I can’t really hike anymore without getting blisters. But I can do city walks and go to exercise classes with lots of aerobics in it. I went to a good running shoe store and they fitted me with cushy shoes and compression socks. That helped immensely. I use voltaren, aquaphor, and urea cream on my hands and feet. For me that needs to be done regularly. I do get some digestive issues and try to eat foods that are not too spicy or vinegary. I take Pepcid every morning and that helps a lot. I drink wine occasionally but too much affects my stomach. I would say to try the pickleball, just be sure to have good shoes and socks. There’s a thread for those on Xeloda if you want more info.
aj