Calling all TNs
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Sending you a hug, Ally. Hope it's just a little infection somewhere that's causing the node to swell.0
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Hello all, just joined the other night, excellent site, lots of good positive vibs from you girls. But I'm the fella looking for info and support. My wife was diagnosed with TNBC in Aug, lump in the breast and several nodes on the one side. We've been through Paclitaxel,AC and Cisplatin/Gemcitabine. We've had good reduction in the first weeks of Pac and Cis/G, but then stopped. AC allowed it to grow....Getting more then a bit frustrated and more scared.....we've done another round of C/G, and will ultrasound after 7 days...if no reduction, then that's it for chemo....on to pre surgery radiation.....we are thinking about starting Hypertherapy after the radiation, or maybe with the next round of chemo, if we have one. also not really thrilled with having to wait for several week for a radiation spot with no systemic treatment in her system. Thinking seriouly about going on the Vit C treatment with Mistletoe as well.
Hello to PolarPegs, we are just north of you near Vernon with 2 rug rats of our own
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polar pegs and TNBC DAD, Welcome!
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Hi Ladies and Gents! Hope the weekend was well. Super bowl party was fun and forced me to clean and organize a bit in prep for surgery on Wednesday and start Chemo 19th Feb- Friday. I will go home after AC infusions with a Neulasta button on my belly to deliver meds 27 hrs after chemo on Saturday ==saving me a trip to the hospital. At least I only have to do that 4x!
Ally--hoping that it "gets better" soon!
Geeper-- YODA rocks!!!! Awesome you are
I ordered some head covers today! Thank you amazon prime. You may be my best friend for the next year...cause lets face it chemo, surgery then radiation will end close to November and time for Xmas presents shopping.
I signed up for a Look Good Feel Good class at the cancer clinic March 14th. I figure worst case my daughter will have some free make up for dance recitals in June. I won't be able to rely on my dazzling hair by then so maybe I can learn some neat tricks for my eyes and lips.
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polar pegs and tnbc dad welcome.
HausFrau sounds like you are doing all the right things to prep for chemo. We are all here for you.
Oh ally oh no. A node would worry me too. You need a break.
As for me I am crushing away in rads. Only 7 whole breast and 5 boosts left. I have been back to work 3 weeks tomorrow and am exhausted from the travel to & from rads to work and then home. Came home tonite and am feeling like I am getting a sore throat. Yuk. I see my ro tomorrow and I'm sure I will get told I need to rest more, eat more, and drink more water. I am really struggling to eat. I am on a clinical trial for a calorie reduction to lessen the toxic effects of rads. So far I've lost 15lbs and barely am eating 900 calories a day.
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Hello, just joining you all as a recently diagnosed TN. I am 49 with 3 daughters who are 16, 11 and 10. I noticed a lump just before Christmas. I think it must be really fast growing as it seemed to get enormous between me noticing it and getting it scanned a couple of weeks later (Christmas got in the way). Since then my world has become a surreal and scary place. I started chemotherapy last week, and am awaiting BRCA test results pre surgery.
I have no family history of cancer: my mum and her sister are both super fit and well aged 87 and 91. I am just beginning to learn about my new reality. Like lots of people I didn't know there were different types and grades of breast cancer: TN meant nothing to me. I love your discussion boards and have found all your stories a great comfort and source of information since discovering this fabulous organisation. It's also reassuring that the treatment is essentially the same wherever in the world you happen to live. The hardest things so far have been telling my daughters and mother and seeing my husband age about 10 years in a month as he is so worried about everything. I hope things will start to feel a bit more normal as we all adjust to this new reality. Sorry to be joining you but you do all sound lovely and so supportive. Thank you!
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Welcome ScotBird. Sorry you are joining us.
Shopgal, that is a hard road to go! 900 calories??
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Haus, I did a Look Good feel Better class, and I was really glad I did. There were some ladies in there who were deep in treatment (I was like you, just starting) and it was obvious they did not feel well at all, but were pushing through the rough times, doing something girlie and pampering, while looking in a mirror at a reflection that did not seem to be theirs. I was somehow made stronger by them. And I got some really fantastic make up too!.
Shopgal, I was starting to say, "Good Job!" on the 15 pounds lost, the realized you are not trying to drop weight. Sorry you do not feel well. Hang in there, and do eat when and what you can. Hugs.
Scotbird, welcome! I am so glad you found this thread and are with us. You are right, things will settle in to a new normal. Our support people sometimes take our diagnosis so hard. I know my husband did too at first, then he got over the shock and was, and still is, so steady and supportive. again, welcome!
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Hi ScotBird
...welcome to the World of TN breast cancer. It's not good to get a lump for Christmas! We're all here to answer questions and support you in your journey.0 -
Welcome Scotbird, TNBCDad, and others, to this group of wonderful friends.
Ally, I, too, am thinking that the node is probably a sign of a cold or virus. Keep us updated!
Shopgal, - hang in there, - rads will be soon done! I never heard of dieting for rads. I found rads to be easy enough, just a hassle to get to after work.
Haus, - the Look Good Feel Better class was very informative, and yes, - some good things in addition to the good ideas! enjoy!
hugs to all from nyc
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HI ScotBird, sorry to hear about your Xmas, ours was a mess too as we found out on the 23rd that the AC chemo had backfired and the cancer had grown. Yours sounds like ours as well, found the lump, grew fast....but at least your into treatment and on your way
Welcome to the group, it seems pretty good, lots of info and some people to chat with that actually get what your talking about!!
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thanks meadow and anothernyc. I am just feeling yucky the past 2 days. Kind of run down. I know it will pass.
Luvmyvizsla the 900 calories is what I am actually able to eat. I still am not hungry 9 weeks post chemo The clinical trial is a 25% calorie reduction overall that has me at 1150 calories. The study is called Carefor and is run out of Thomas Jefferson university hospital in Philadelphia. My mo is lead investigator on the study. She said that they are looking at how calorie reduction can help lessen the toxic effects of radiation and skin breakdown. She said most patients on the 10 week study lose 10lbs on average. The study includes using my fitness pal to track calories and includes weekly lessons on nutrition & managing stress. The plus sides to the study are learning lifestyle changes to develop better nutrition to keep healthy. I had gained alot of weight in the past few years and never exercised in life until I joined a gym in Jan. I gotta do everything in my control to prevent reoccurrence.
Hi & welcome to scotbird.
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Shopgal I swear by hot tea, honey and cinnamon for the sore throat. Helps get fluids in and the antibacterial properties in the honey helps kills the germs. Cinnamon is anti inflammatory. Been doing this for years and I am not a health food/natural diet food type person. There are also some other honey mixes if you don't mind some "heat" that include cayenne. Pinterest has recipes. My chemo binder includes honey as a good source of calories.
Rest up and feel better soon! I ordered protein powder yesterday for my chemo treatments in case I lose my appetite.
Hi Scotbird. I would have "ruined" my Christmas If I wasn't being fiscally frugal--new deductible in January so I put off my biopsy til new year (11/30 ultrasound). Just imagine this Christmas will be better knowing you have kicked cancers butt!!
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Welcome PolarPegs, TNBC Dad and Scotbird. You have found a mountain of support, experience and knowledge here.
Ally - I hope you can put the lymph node out of your mind. I've had a swollen and sore lymph node for 10 days. I've been trying the 'see if it sticks around for 2 weeks and if it does, then make an appt' but I couldn't quite make the 2 weeks. I called yesterday and made an appt for next week and guess what. The node pain and swelling started going down this morning. Sometimes I think this fear of recurrence is going to send me potty. Anyway, I'm still holding onto that appointment.
CarolinaAmy - I am definitely happy with how things have gone so far with the DIEP. I had the immediate reconstruction so I went into the operation with my breasts, and woke up with slightly different breasts and no nipples. I think I actually took it for granted initially. My PS is wonderful and the first time he saw me, he asked if I was happy with my new breasts. I commented that I preferred my old breasts and that I'd been completely happy with them until they tried to kill me, and also my old breasts had nipples so were far superior.
Now that I'm a bit further down the line, I truly appreciate what I have. I am not in any pain, I'm wearing my old clothes and day to day, no one would ever guess what my body has been through this last year. In fact, I often forget about my new body and it feels normal now.In fact, I think they look great. If you have any questions at all about the procedure, or any concerns, just let me know. Send me a private message. I don't check this so regularly so I can send you my email address. Cass x
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At the request of the hospital where she works, my wife is speaking to a group of Doctors and Nurses tomorrow about her "Breast Cancer Experience". Good that they are interested in hearing about the experience from the patient's perspective. This will be her 2nd year doing it. So proud of her!
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ALHusband that's really great about your wife. What a nice honor. Thanks for sharing that. it warmed my heart to hear about paying it forward.
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TNBCDad and ScotBird, welcome. I'm so sorry you have to be here, but this is a wonderful and supportive group.
Ally, keep us posted on what happens regarding the lymph node/lump.
I was on a local PBS show last week regarding the changes in the American Cancer Society mammogram guidelines. I'll try to find the link for it, but Charlotte Radiology here is doing a GREAT job in speaking out against the changes. (Here it is: https://youtu.be/p8OO2n2ok4Q?t=6m40s)
My MO allowed me to have Taxol #11 yesterday because the neuropathy improved enough with the week off. It's up to me whether I have the final one next week or not, based on how I do this week with the neuropathy. In her words, "this final treatment is not the one that's gonna make the difference". Meaning, I think, if we're successful or we're not, it's not the final Taxol that is going to make or break it.
Good news, though! I had my previously scheduled post-chemo mammogram and ultrasound, and there's very little tumor left! I'm still hoping for a pCR come surgery, but at least we're in the right direction. My BS questioned whether I still wanted to go through with a BMX, which kind of upset me, but after talking to me and realizing I had thought this through very carefully and diligently, he supports the decision and feels it's not an overreaction. So I'm off to surgery on March 18.
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CarolinaAmy if it were me (or my wife of course), and I could tolerate it, I would try and do it. Leave no room for 2nd guessing down the road.
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Allydp- I hope the node is swollen due to a minor infection. Please keep us updated.
HausFrauMi- Yoda does rock! I also signed up for the Look Good Feel Good program. Mine is also on the 14th of March. I am also hoping to learn some tricks.
Polarpegs,TNBCDad, andScotBird - Welcome to this wonderful group of ladies and gentlemen.
CarolinaAmy-I am glad to hear that your MO allowed you to have Taxol#11 due to neuropathy improvement. I am glad to hear that tumor shrank.
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Welcome to all the newcomers to this amazing group.
AL - what a wonderful honor for your wife!
Amy - glad your MO let you move forward with #11, but even more glad your tumor is shrinking!
I put a call into my BS regarding the node and she got me in right away. She was pretty certain I had 3 separate masses that weren't lymph nodes, but rather fat necrosis. Apparently they can be tender, which I didn't know. She still sent me for an ultrasound the next day just to be safe. The tech did in fact see all 3 masses which measured less than 1 cm each. The radiologist then came in and did her own scan and concurred with my BS. 95% certainty fat necrosis. They offered to biopsy to give me the 100% peace of mind or follow up in 3 months with another ultrasound. I chose the follow up. Everyone seems to be on the same page so that's good enough with me. Now to push all this negatively OUT and bring some positivity IN!
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I had surgery in December, doing chemo now. The surgeon got clean margins, albeit narrow. Like 1-2mm. She wants to do a reexcision after chemo, then radiation.
My question is, if radiation takes your chance of recurrence down to 0-10%, then why do I need a re-excision?
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Great news, Ally!!!!!0
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I had my first chemo treatment today. Went in, did blood, talked to the MO, signed my life away (lol)...Then later I had my first round of Taxol. Very uneventful.
I had a chemo brain moment before even getting halfway through my irst treatment. LOL My friend dropped me off and went off to spend the day with her granddaughter .I was to call her when I was done. Then I realized that I had her home number but not her cell number. I had to call someone else and have her send me the number. We call it chemo brain, A friend calls it CRS syndrome- Can Remember Shit.
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ally good news indeed. Keep on with the positivity.
Lovemyvizsla I had a reexcision a month after my initial lumpectomy due to 2 positive margins. I had 2 separate mm sized areas that were sneaky cells hidden in the margin. I actually waited to have an MRI before deciding to do the reexcision and not a bmx. I agree on questioning why reexcision after chemo if there were clean margins.
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Ally, yes, happiness.
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Ally! Yay for fat!!
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Ally great news!!! Totally agree onward and upward with happy thoughts.
Hugs
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Ally- This is great news!
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Fantastic news. As you say, welcome that positivity in x
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I got my port Wednesday. So far not too happy with it. I can't sleep on my side and I can only take Tylenol since I had a gastric bypass 12 yrs ago. So I am tolerating the pain and muscle soreness. It hurts up in my shoulder area. The incision is a bit annoying but that isn't what bothers me the most. I'm a lefty and its on the left which doesn't help either.
Friday 10:30 am 19th first AC tx. Gonna do my best to enjoy the week.
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