Calling all TNs
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Hello Ladies, I have been lurking on this thread now for a few weeks since I found out I was TN. I was diagnosed on Nov. 13th. I am currently doing Neoadjuvant chemo, started on Dec 3rd, I have been pretty lucky in that I have not really had too many SEs, a bit of nausea here and there and a bit more fatigued than usual. I have still managed to do 1/2 to 1 hour of cardio most days. Obviously when I first found out I was TN and did some research on the Internet I was terrified, since then though I have spent hours on these boards and you ladies gave me hope back, so thank you! My next treatment is on the 26th and I am actually looking forward to it (does that sound weird?), I am so glad now to be doing Neo since that is supposed to take care of any little "strays" that may have wandered off. Question for those of you who also did Neo, when did you first start noticing any changes, ie. shrinking or softening of your tumor? I haven't had any changes yet, I talked to my GP on Monday and she said that is normal and that I wouldn't notice anything until after the second one, made me feel a bit better. It also doesn't seem to have grown in the last 3 weeks and she said that was really good too, the first chemo stopped it in it's tracks, (it was growing fast before chemo). I guess I am being impatient, but that's normal for me
. Anyhow, "talk" to you soon I hope. 0 -
Ive only had one chemo treatment as well. Thank goodness its going so well. Im like you, looking foward to the next because I know its gonna kill the "beast". Sorry your here with us but glad youve found this sisterhood.
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Im just getting A/C so far.
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Welcome to all the newbies. Sorry you have to be here but it is the best support in the world.
I was diagnosed 5/26/11 and had surgery 6/8/11. To those of you who had swelling after lumpectomy, I had such outrageous swelling I looked like Dolly Parton on one side...had an immediate surgery again that night where they put in a drain for all the fluid/blood but it did not stop and so I had surgery on 6/11/11 again...My daughter got married on 7/8/11 and my massive brusing was actually all gone and I wore a low cut sleeveless dress.
I want to wish everyone wonderful holidays. I really work at staying in the moment and enjoying my present. It makes a difference and helps me focus. I hope all of you find peace, comfort and joy throughout the season with your family and friends.
I am over a year out from finishing treatment and find I feel quite good. I do still have breast pain but was told by the surgeon I may have that all my life. Otherwise, a tad of neuropathy but no other side effects.
Love to all.
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Hi paintingmyw, I was just ready to get on here to ask some advice on the pain and swelling before I call my doctor. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel biopsy on Dec. 6. My breast is still really swollen and pain all the time. I quit taking pain med 1 week ago but the pain has come back so I am just taking mortrin. It just looks like the swelling is not getting any better. No bruising though. Any suggestions. Thanks.
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sjesse-it was after my second treatment that I notice a big change in my tumor and after the 3rd you could not find it at all by feel.
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russell33, we had surgery the same day and my swelling didn't really get bad until about 8-9 days after surgery. Today though I believe that I am seeing a decrease in the swelling in my breast and under my arm. My problem is that I have also developed "cording" which I have been reading about, known as axillary web syndrome. Hoping it doesn't get worse because I don't know when I would fit physical therapy in there too. I suggest you call your doctor tomorrow to chat. I was off the pain meds too but had to take some last night, ibuprofen and tylenol weren't getting it.
Hang tough, Sheryl
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browerl - thanks, that's pretty much what my Onc said to expect before my first one, nice to hear some "real world" experience though.
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Thank you Sheryl. I will call my surgeon tomorrow see what she says. I hope the "cording" gets better. You don't need anything else to have to worry about. Your in my prayers. Anne
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russell33 - I had the cording and it was awful. I did a few PT sessions and now I can raise my arm and have 90% range back.
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Sjesse: I am also doing neoadjuvant chem. I started with 4 doses of AC and I am having my fourth taxol on the 27th. I and my dr. Noticed the tumor had shrunk by the second treatment and now we can't even find it. I have pain though in my breast and under my arm but can't find anything there either. My surgeon just told me she had operated on a TN patient and her tumor was completely shriveled up. Did you know that the tumors live inside a casing? The tumor builds a structure to live in that is made up of fibrous materials. I thought that was interesting. I'm glad you joined this thread. Stay off the Internet. It totally freaked me out too. I don't go there anymore. Best of luck to you!
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What is cording?
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The official name is axillary web syndrome. From the trauma of the surgery the lymph vessels that carry the lymph fluid get hard and tight. Causes a decrease in range of motion and usually have to go to physical therapy or it may get better on it's own. Based on what I have read it is common in about 20% of patients having the lymph nodes removed, just the sentinel or all of them. You can actually see the hard rope like appearance on many people under their arms.
Sheryl
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Thanks for the info Sheryl!
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good old cording...have had it in both my arms. And it was a precusor to lymphedema in both arms. My left side is full blown and the right just flares from time to time. PT can be very effective in releiving the pulling of the cords. Make sure that you find a lymphedema therapist that can help you understand your risks of LE and hope to help prevent it. Once there it does not go away. Le leads to other issues like cellulitis which can be life threatening in some cases. Be careful!!
having the worries...headache all week in the same spot and vision problems. hoping the vision thing is due to the Hyperbaric treaments and the headache is from the pollen in the air. Hate worrying all the time!! Pet scan is in 2 weeks...yipee more waiting for test results
Maggie
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wishing you all a fantastic refreshing inspiring smiley happy loving and a wee bit of indulgence & for those who wish to partake in a huge bit of indulgence...enjoy!!
much love
liv
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Merry Christmas to all! I hope you find joy and peace this holiday season!
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DH & I are off to see The Hobbitt this afternoon... become a bit of a tradition with us at Christmas to go see a movie on Christmas Eve.
I want to wish each and every one of you and your family, friends a wonderful safe Christmas.
Thank you all so much for being here - you ladies rock !!
Hugs & love xxxx
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I am still so exhausted and incredibly sore from round 1 of chemo, I was able to wrap all the xmas presents though so happy about that. Think I have a cold...lot's of sneezing and running nose. Happy Holiday's to all
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Hi new friends, I have a question for all of you that you may know something about this. my mother's side of the family has no breast cancer. I just spoke with my dad whom I have never had a relationship with, to find out about his families history. His mother did have breast cancer and died at 58. Not sure what kind.....and I quess one of her relatives had BC also. So my dad talked to his sister and I quess she has some sort of problems with her breast but not CA. She is going to call me after the holiday to give me more information. I read all this stuff about how it's your mom's family that they are more concerned about. I will call my oncologist to update them after I talk to my long lost Aunt I've never spoken to. Should be interesting. Happy Holidays. Hugs to all of you.
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Russell - I think "they" are interested in father's side of family now.
Jenjen - Watch your temperature. I was told in no uncertain terms, that if temp goes above 100.5 to call oncologist immediately. That's not a very high temp. Please rest and let others take over for you. They'll be happy to do it and you'll have the energy for the fun stuff. I'm a control freak, but there comes the time to just give in.
To all my TBCA sisters, Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night. Jan
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I hope you feel better. Happy Holidays to you.
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russell33, are you still having as much discomfort? Did you call your doctor today? Just thinking about you. Merry Christmas.
Sheryl
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Hey Maggie,
Just thought I would tell you that I grew up around the Melbourne area. Graduated Satellite High School in 1974 and Brevard Community College in 1983. Have relocated to the Gainesville area but have really fond memories of the Melbourne area as it was home from the time I was 8 until about 30.
Sheryl
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wow Sheryl..we pass through there often as we have friends up near lake city. We go shopping at the oaks mall when I come to visit. Small world...met another forum "sister" who is also from Melbourne.
Go Gators!!
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To those asking about tumor shrinkage with neoadjuvant chemo, I found a very noticable difference after 2 treatments. At the third appointment with my oncologist for my third treatment, it was non palatable. That was with AC, pretty dense dosage.
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Hi Sheryl, Thank you for thinking about me. Merry Christmas. Yes, I did go see a PA yesterday and she said it is normal. Not to much fluid and no sign of "cording". She gave me some more pain meds which I don't like to take but if it helps I'm up for anything. I just hope it feels better before chemo starts. I hope you have a great day. Anne
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QueenKong - thanks for the info, wow non palatable, that's awesome, I'm going in for my second treatment tomorrow and hope I soon start seeing some changes too.
Merry Christmas everyone!
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Merry Christmas, everyone!!!
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Merry Christmas ladies!
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