Best Of
Re: Feeling the "Imposter Syndrome" - Early Stage Cancer - Do I really count?
I also feel like imposter sometimes - found a 1.3mm tumor..very very early. I had to have mastectomy given large dcis area. Didn't have a great time w/ intubation as my airway was found to be really small like a kid! Now I'm fully aware and educate other docs anytime I have a procedure. I guess that's a plus..just knowing that I have weird anatomy. A same day procedure turned into an overnight stay at hospital. Would advise u to bring earplugs just in case u have to stay longer. I'm sure u will do fine but always nice to prepare just in case!
snm
20 years cancer free and and now recurrence
Hi Friends,
I spent a lot of time on this board in 2004-2005. I was 37 years old, stage II invasive ductal carcinoma. I did the lumpectomy, FEC chemo cocktail, Taxol, radiation a year of Herceptin and Tamoxifen.
My life was rolling along and I finally put cancer in my rearview window until this past March when I started feeling pain and thickening on my right breast (same breast as before). Had a mammo and an u/s and they came back negative. The pain didn't go away though so I started looking for a surgical onc. Found one, and yesterday, I had an MRI, repeat mammo and repeat u/s. "Highly suspicious" with possible lesion on my sternum. Gut punch. Also, enlarged lymph nodes on my left side (health left breast though).
Today I had core biopsies and now I await the grim news. Never thought I would be back here but I remember what a tremendous source of information, support and kindness it was my last go round.
Re: ER-, PR-, Her2+ Roll call
Good morning everyone! Berta's daughter reached out this morning and sent me this to share with everyone. I'm copying and pasting the message:
Mom spent the last 2 months in the hospital fighting double pneumonitis caused by radiation and the Kadcyla drug she had begun taking. She had a small cough that turned worse within a week and then was intubated about a week after going to the hospital for that. She transitioned to a trach and was awake and coherent, but with no ability to talk or move much. Her lungs had become so scarred that there was a slim to zero percent chance of her recovering and being able to come home. In the end, she was agreed that hospice was the best choice for her. She was tired, her body wasn’t showing signs of improvement, and she had begun to have pain. We removed the ventilator from treatment yesterday afternoon and she stuck with us for about 30mins before peacefully drifting out of this world listening to Free Bird with the sun shining on her face. It was the perfect ending to her beautiful life. Please share with any groups you were in, I know she enjoyed that support you all provided to each other. And give everyone the reminder: go to the doctor for every little thing while you’re in treatment. A small cough can end up being much worse than you think.
Hugs to each of you!!
grammie2
Re: Feeling the "Imposter Syndrome" - Early Stage Cancer - Do I really count?
thank you for this post. It was the reason I joined the community.
Re: Feeling the "Imposter Syndrome" - Early Stage Cancer - Do I really count?
Ok i feel the same about imposter syndrome, but i have a really weird problem. First my stats: ER+ PR+ Her2 - ki -67 0 to 5% Tumor is .6mm to .9mm so super small. Caught it during yearly mammo. Anyway, I was biopsied quickly and met with breast surgeon, all done in a week (i have friends in medical field) no history of breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy 42 years ago (i'm 62 now) at 20 for a benign fiboradenoma which was 1 to 2 centimeters (i felt it myself) had it removed…while AWAKE. Here's the weird part…I AM SCARED TO DEATH OF BEING PUT TO SLEEP My surgery is this Tuesday the 29th of July and this is my biggest worry It's really a phobia. I know it's ridiculous, but I am already freaking out.
fitchick
Re: ER-, PR-, Her2+ Roll call
@grammie2 thank you so much for all the updates you gave us over these past two months. It feels like I can’t even believe it 😢 We didn’t know each other in person but we’re already like friends, wishing the best for one another, and it hurts to know that one of us is no longer in this world. Berta was such a strong person, always cheerful. At least it’s comforting that she didn’t suffer much and passed away peacefully ⭐️ Wishing a lot of strength to her family.
Take care, everyone 🌻
Re: Abraxane
Thank you @illumae. I appreciate knowing your experience. Having Abraxane this late in my game seems unusual. I did Enhertu, despite being HER negative. Per expectations, it was ineffective. The doctors are recombing my genetics for new targets.
mikainsb
Re: What’s one thing your body is teaching you this summer?
I miss the earlier me. I was ME 1.0 and then (as a real adult with a husband and kids) I became ME 2.0. Now I'm ME 3.0. I was amazing as ME 2.0. I sure miss her! Strong, amazing, and able to take on the world. I don't quite know who I am as ME 3.0, but I'm working on figuring it out.
Re: Ibrance (Palbociclib)
Hi ladies, im currently on 75mg Palbociclib but availability is a challenge. Has anyone ever dropped dosage the upped it again? Im thinking I'll go back to 100mg until the 75mg is back in stock. That should be OK. Right?? I live in Nairobi, Kenya, so supply can be tricky.
