Best Of
Re: ER-, PR-, Her2+ Roll call
Hello ladies!
I had my appointment with the oncologist yesterday. Everything was fine — the tumor marker remains low and stable, and the doctor said my bloodwork is perfect; she even printed it out for me to take home 🤩 I no longer have any nutritional deficiencies, everything looks great. My heart is still strong. It’s always such a relief.
My next appointment is in 3 months, which is when I’ll finish Herceptin. After that appointment, I’ll start having check-ups every 2 months for a while; as I understood it, that’s because the risk of recurrence is higher once I stop taking Herceptin. I hope everything keeps going well for all of us!
As for my hair, the doctor did say it’s indeed growing very slowly, and I do have areas with low density (on the crown of my head). However, she wants to wait another 3 months to see whether this is still my body recovering from the toxicity or if it’s actually a real problem. According to my oncologist, I can’t really compare myself to most people, because I had AC chemo plus dose-dense docetaxel (which you call Taxotere), and that’s the most aggressive regimen there is for hair and eyebrows. Based on the usual pattern, at this point (8 months post-chemo — already??) I should have more than 3 inches of growth, but I have about 1, and it’s thin. So we’ll wait and see.
@grammie2 I’m sure the fluid retention will improve now that you’ve finished Phesgo, but we need to be patient because the body can take quite a while to get back to normal. Little by little you’ll start seeing improvements! As for minoxidil, my oncologist says it doesn’t work miracles either and that it’s a bit too harsh for now. Basically, she wants me to wait a bit longer. But of course, we always want to solve problems as quickly as possible. I’ve also read conflicting things about minoxidil — some people say it really works, and others say they don’t see much improvement. If I were you, I’d also wait a bit longer to let your body detox.
Re: Zoom Meet-up for Those With MBC: Place to keep chatting
@kbl Im so sorry about that my dear. What youre going thru cant be easy and I continue to pray you get painless days and nights in as much as is possible. Youre a shining light on how to manage the MBC journey. Big hugs
Re: Zoom Meet-up for Those With MBC: Place to keep chatting
@Rosebessie Thank you, Rose. I tried upping a dosage of a medication for the second time, and it throws me over the top of nonfunctional. I didn’t take it today. It will take a few days. Sadly, it does help with my breathing, but I just can’t do it.
Hope you’re doing well.
kbl
Re: I say YES. YOU say NO....Numero Tre! Enjoy!
Trump did this. Elon Musk did this. Republicans did this.
A part of me didn't want to have to put this in here and experience the pain over again, but then on the off chance some of the right people would see it.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Yesterday was my yearly pap, uneventful. Only thinking to switch drs because she’s about 84. Because I have no problems it’s not in the forefront but I debate it internally.
I picked up GN and got her to class. Then I ran to BJ’s, walked my foot off, and they didn’t have any q-tips in the store. My 2 items took me 45 minutes! Muscle along my left shin was screaming at me.
As I got home I grabbed my items and noticed a dusting on the “purple” seat cushion - picked it up to dust it off and saw 2 cards I should have mailed days ago. UGH! Backed out of my driveway and went up to the post office. One sympathy card and a bday card.
After a rest, I went to a local garage for a car inspection. They got me in without an appointment, then had bad news for me. I needed 2 new tires. I yi yi, $485 later I was on my way.
Trying to get a car purchased for my nephew. Today was told they’re (seller is SIL of my BIL, her dad passed) turning in the plates because insurance expires at midnight; when previously, it was staying on so we could drive it the 3.5 hrs to get it here. I need to call my insurance company to ask for help. We can’t use a transport dolly, it’s an all wheel drive Subaru. Note to self - I won’t do this again. No good deed goes unpunished.
It’s been hot & humid. I’m still of little use with my foot. I’ve watered some things but can’t get around well. One day at a time. HA!
cindyny
Re: Didn't have a clean margin, go back in and re-excise?
Thank you for the advice truly appreciate it :) yes, according to pathology I have a positive node which did show on MRI prior to surgery, along with poor response to my neo adjuvant therapy as well as positive for lymphatic/vascular involvement. The team advised a re-excision and ALD because of the results from pathology and they believe that is the best course moving forward along with doing targeted therapy, radiation and PT. I trust my team with their plans as they are the professionals, but just want to make sure that it is truly the right path for me. I due plan on getting a second opinion. When I did my MRI prior to surgery it showed shrinkage of the tumor and that my node was clear, but its not what pathology showed after surgery. Hoping and praying that second surgery will be better and will be clear.
Re: Night sweats and acupuncture
@ moderators I have been at this for years. Thanks for the links i will look again. I ended up stopping also early in 2015 one due to a dr who didnt believe me and 2nd because none of the natural and over the counter remedies worked. This time I have been on multiple different meds. My body hates drugs. If cancer doesn't kill me side effects from meds will. For example gabapentin worked great for hot flashes. By the end of a month I had burning in my feet and hands the developed pain in my calves.
@Hippmark i have a cooling mattress. I can't imagined sleeping on a towel. Need something soft. I also make the top sheet and my nightgown wet when it happens. Usually once a night. They are brutal. I have been the antidepressant route but they turn me into a zombie.
@tougholdcrow not sure how ulta freeze would help. One thing I find is the sweatscan be triggered be being to hot or two cold. Its like my body forgot how to regulate it temperature and goes crazy.
Re: Bone Mets Thread
@maggie15 and @iacmelis11 - thank you both for posting what you went though. It does make the rest of us aware about se from radiation. And the fact that you experienced side effects months/year later came as a huge surprise to me. I was never told that at the time of the radiation.
I have radiation (10 sessions) in April '25 to treat mets to C2 and C4. About half way through, I developed a sore at the back of my mouth just above and to the right of my uvula and was not able to eat. Tylenol with codeine and Sucralfate helped but it did take quite awhile to heal.
Now, I am undergoing radiation to my mandible (right side) and am having issues initially with a very unconformable feeling first in the area between my tongue and the bone/gum of my lower teeth. Last night (yesterday was session 6/10) the side of my tongue is feeling a little numb and the inside of my lip is sore and puffy. My RO said these a normal se to the radiation and suggested gargling with warm water, salt and baking soda. It does help somewhat. Hope it doesn't get to the point that I can't eat.
Re: Birads 5 with calcification
My MRI results just came in on my patient portal, but I’m honestly too scared to open them. I’ve decided to wait and review them with my oncologist tomorrow. Lately, it feels like every other day brings a new test result or another appointment to be anxious about. I’m really trying to stay positive, but this is incredibly difficult.
I now understand why some people give up or choose to ignore their symptoms, facing something this overwhelming takes an unbelievable amount of strength. Dealing with a cancer diagnosis feels like living through a horror movie in real time.
There are ways to cope with many of life’s hardships, losing a job, a home, struggling to conceive, or financial stress. As hard as those are, life still moves forward. But when you’re staring down something like cancer, a true life or death situation that no amount of money can fix, it’s a different kind of fear altogether. Someone compared me having cancer to their experience with menopause on yesterday. Although, she meant good and her intentions were only to comfort me, I couldn’t help but think that that the 2 is no way comparable. It’s the most helpless, gut wrenching feeling I’ve ever experienced.