Best Of

Re: November had lumpectomy just had first chemo

I just rejoined this community myself a few days ago, welcome and sorry that you have to go thru this.

Just hang in there and take care of yourself, I saw a comment you made about your hair and cutting it off. I had my friend cut mine short so I didn't have to see it in the shower every time! You do what makes you feel best, there is no right or wrong answer. I went and got myself a nice wig the first time 30 years ago and there are a lot more options now then in 1995 but not everyone want to wear a wig so you do you!!

I know it is overwhelming to be starting this journey but you will get lots of support here and invaluable information from all the experts.

I am starting my chemo next Tuesday in pill form and I am a little apprehensive about the side effects but also glad to get it started and move one. I always look at chemo as little pack men going around and destroying all the bad guys!!

Hang in there! You got this!

Jill 😉

bigred62

1

November had lumpectomy just had first chemo

I am a retired registered nurse. I have two younger sisters who have had breast cancer,

I am just realizing my journey.

hcharn

1

Re: In Honor of Louisa, my sister

Dear Alishar,

What a lovely way to commemorate your sister, Louisa, by sharing with us not just her passing, but the confidence you gleaned from her medical care. It sounds like you both were very close, and I'm sure re-living some of your experiences with her during her illness is bittersweet. I'm sorry you lost her to cancer, she being only 48 years old.

I always light a candle when I hear of a passing from cancer and I will do one for Louisa.

Please do know I will think of you as you start your chemotherapy next Monday, and will check the "Going through Chemotherapy" thread for news from you.

I'm sure Teddy will bring you much release these next weeks, as hopefully we here at Breastcancer.org discussion boards may too.

Tender

CyberCandle link: www.greatfulness.org

TenderIsOurMight

1

Has Anyone Tried These Immunotherapy Options for Stage IV Breast Cancer?

Hi everyone,

I’m Ralph , and I hope it’s okay that I jump in here. I’ve been reading the forum quietly for a while, but this is my first time actually posting.

I was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer last year it spread to a couple of bones, so things have been a bit up and down ever since. Right now I’m on hormonal therapy + a targeted drug, and overall I’m tolerating it okay. Some days are heavier than others, but I’m doing my best to stay steady. I had a scan a few weeks ago that showed a tiny bit of progression, and it honestly shook me more than I expected. I’ve been trying to keep my head clear and look into anything that might help me keep things under control.

A few days ago I stumbled across this article about cancer immunotherapy im just wondering is this is true ? 😕

They talk about things like dendritic cell therapy, hyperthermia, LITT, TACE, and different types of immunotherapy that aren’t usually included in standard treatment. I don’t know… something about the way they described it made me feel a bit hopeful, even though I’m trying really hard not to fall into the “miracle treatment” trap. The idea of boosting the immune system or targeting the tumor more precisely instead of flooding my whole body with harsh meds it just sounds so appealing when you’re already exhausted by everything.

But at the same time, I’m very aware that stage IV isn’t something you fix with a magic button, and clinics love to make everything sound more promising than it really is. So I guess I’m just a bit torn.

I wanted to ask - has anyone here ever tried any of these more experimental approaches?
Things like dendritic cell therapy, or hyperthermia, or even TACE?
Did you feel like it helped at all? Did your oncologist support the idea or think it was pointless? And if you traveled for it, was the whole experience worth the stress and cost?

Even small impressions or honest stories would help. I’m not looking for false hope - I just want to understand if these things are actually helpful for real people, not just in articles.

Thanks for reading this. And honestly… sending love to everyone fighting their own version of this disease. It really helps to know we’re not alone.

My regards ,

Ralph

ralphrosenzweig1972

1

Re: Life does not end with a stage IV diagnosis (really!)

@eleonora-Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm hoping to get back on it when I see my new primary care doc in August.

chicagoan

1

Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

hi friends. I (60f) guess I’m not “official” yet, but after several false alarms, biopsies, diagnostic ultrasounds where I was waved away …

this time, I got the “sad voice/head tilt” you have a concerning mass conversation with the radiologist.

My referring primary gave me the name of a good breast surgeon “just in case” wink wink when I asked for the referral and she examined me.
BIRADS 4c - 3cm, rim enhancing, homogenous solid mass, with irregular margins, growing against the grain of the breast. If showed up out of nowhere.

But I work as a nurse, in endoscopy - I know what the head tilt/sad voice/anxious caregivers means. Sometimes you biopsy on the off chance it could be cancer. Sometimes you biopsy because you know it’s cancer and you just need the info to begin treatment. They are completely different conversations.

So I’m waiting for the initial biopsy results and I’m glad to have found the other old women to hang out with.

marticcrn

4

Re: gatekeeper nurse

update - I called and talked to the oncologist's nurse. she listened to me and went on the portal and looked at all the conversations. she felt that the surgeon would be the appropriate one to look at my problem and decide whether PT would be a good idea. she sent a message on the portal to the surgeon and the nurse. suddenly I have an appointment for next week. they didn't say anything, just sent the appointment notice. I thanked the nurse who helped me and asked her if she got any message from them. she said she got an apology for the inconvenience. no apology to the patient. Hopefully the visit will go well and I won't need to see that doctor again.

mary9999

1

Re: All about Xeloda

denny123 8 years!! That is fantastic and very encouraging for a newbie 😀

Thank you 🩷

bigred62

1

Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

Waving Hello to everyone. I've been reading but not commenting too much. I've had a lot of ordinary days, cleaning and shredding in my office and cooking more than usual ( taking meal to new mom at church, baking for a few events). I do think I've cooked more since moving south than I ever did when we lived in DC! I don't generally mind, as I like to cook.

Pies were my contribution to family dinner today, and brownies for the littles. I hope everyone had a good day and has a good weekend ahead.

reader425

4

Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer

Quiet holiday here for me, loved watching the National Dog Show and delighted with the winner! I think three pieces of pie will do me for today... more for tomorrow's breakfast.

Love to you all, hope everyone can feel some gratitude, despite all our struggles. Grateful for you all ❤️

sf-cakes

5