Australian Sisters
Comments
-
Hi Jenn, great to hear from you!
Some big decisions made. Good on you for taking control.
I've been on Femara for about 2 and a half years and it has now been suggested I should stay on it for 10 years....I'm not really thrilled about that but I'm just taking it one day at a time and if I make it to 4+ years I'd be happy
0 -
Hello girls
Jenn, hopefully you'll be able to start feeling better soon. I'm on Femara too, but couldn't tolerate a full dose, so take a half a tablet each day and seem to be tolerating that a lot better. My onc told me I'd be on it probably for the rest of my life.
I'll be doing taxol number 6 of 12 on Thursday, and a pattern is starting to emerge. Treatment day is ok, but I'm shaky that night. Friday I feel fairly good (steroids help lol), Saturday I'm good but starting to wind down, Sunday is horrible. This time Monday was a lot better, but I'm struggling today and will probably spend most of the day in bed. Wednesdays I'm perking up a bit just in time to start all over again. My energy levels are very low, and getting worse with each treatment. I've also been struggling with diarrhea, but I had that with chemo five years ago too.
But - I'm getting there slowly. One day at a time.
Take care girls.
Trish
xoxo
0 -
Damn Trish, sorry you are having a hard time. Thinking of you always xxxx
Jenn, sounds like you have made some big decisions. Congrats on moving forward.
0 -
Hoping you are feeling a little better Trish. They are really hitting you with it. If you don't mind me asking how was it decided that you needed chemo as tumour size and neg nodes don't sound that bad. Oh I see your latest tumour was triple neg.
I'm having my UMX tomorrow in Albury. Thinking I will probably have to have chemo this time. Ugh!
Gerri
0 -
Hi all
I'm having my mammogram tomorrow then see the Breast cancer oncologist on the 29th to get the results.
Then I have to go back to the hospital on Thursday for my chemo, my tenth of twelve, it's nearly over. Trish I feel like crap the minute that I walk out of chemo then for about a week. I just want my taste back as nothing tastes good.
I have a huge big bruise on my stomach from my clexane injections, have been putting in needle a bit further over in my stomach and no bruise in that place.
Carol
0 -
hi all
Haven't updated in a while. Meeting with radiation doctor Thursday to discuss radiation on my T9 vertebrae. Been getting some rib pain but had an x-ray of chest and the doctor thinks it could just be from where I had my lungs drained previously. Do have some fluid back in the right lung but I'm not sure if it needs to be drained again..
Still on femara and clexane. Carol I have lots of bruises too!! cant do them myself I get the district nurse to do them. Seeing psychologist still to help with my emotions. Trish sorry to hear chemo is making you feel yuck
0 -
Hi,
I'm newly diagnosed (last Friday) and live in Cairns, Qld. I don't have much to say today, have been going though a rough two days but just wanted to reach out to my Australian sisters.
Clair
0 -
Hi Clair and welcome both to BCO and this thread. Sorry you have found the need to be here but so glad you found us. If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask and remember, there are no sill questions, ever.
Hearing those words 'you have breast cancer' are just devistating and it will take you a while to come to grips with it all.......that's very normal and if you need to shed a few tears, go right ahead as that's pretty normal as well.
If you find it all a little too much to handle, don't be afraid to ask your doc for a little something to help you through........most of us have needed a little helping hand at some point.
Just to let you know also, there is a Facebook secret group based in Adelaide called 'Adelaide Breast Cancer Friendship Group'. If you would like to join let me know and I will let you know how by PM. It's not just for SA, we have women from all ove Aus and some from overseas.
Sending you many (((((((((hugs)))))))) to help hold you up.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
0 -
Hi Clair. Thanks for reaching out, this is a great site. BC is hard and being able to ask questions and chat helps so much. Hugs x
0 -
So, I have just got home from more scans, and will get the results tomorrow.
If I could go back and change 1 thing, and if I can suggest one thing, is to start taking selfies of your boobies.
Take it after operations and then maybe every 6 months.
My original BC was found when I spotted a thumbprint dimple under my breast at 44, no lump was found. I don't have a photo, I wish I did.
I got asked some tricky questions today which I didn't know the answers to.
Anyway, sorry for the rant ladies, but just a suggestion which may help someone. Xxxx
0 -
Taxol number 6 of 12 today - halfway through the Taxol yay!!
Gerri - yes, the triple negative made chemo a necessity, unfortunately. I hope your mx went well, and that your nodes were clear - looking forward to hearing from you when you can.
Carol - my taste change isn't too bad, it's usually the day of treatment and then the next day. I suck iceblocks throughout the Taxol infusion, I'd been told by someone else that it worked for them, and it seems to be working for me - I'm not game to not suck the ice just in case. Icypoles etc - it might be worth you trying.
Kylie - keeping everything crossed that your scans are clear!
Mel - still think of you every day xoxo
Clair - so glad you found us. It's a bugger to find out you have breast cancer. You'll get lots of support from us. Feel free to ask any questions, rant, cry, vent here, that's what we are here for. My first cancer five and a half years ago was triple positive like yours - and it didn't come back. Herceptin made an amazing difference for triple positive girls and there's even more choices for triple positive now too that are making survival rates even higher. Unfortunately, triple positive means that you'll need chemo as well as the Herceptin and perhaps Perjeta, so read up on this site so you have as much information as you can. Until you have a treatment plan, you'll feel overwhelmed, scared, all sorts of emotions and even numb. That's all normal. Get as much help as you can to get through it. (((hugs)))) to you.
Love to you all
Trish
xoxo
0 -
Hi all
Feel bad I haven't been around though you have been on my mind. Have had a constant stream of family and visitors staying. I have been so tired each night I haven't had any energy.good news is that I got through the this years mammo fine so very pleased about this. However back is really bad but just have to put up with if and live with it.
Will read and comment more in the next few days after my BFF has returned to England. It has been wonderful to have her here and we have done so much.
Big big hugs to all.
0 -
Alyson that is wonderful you have had a great time with your friend.
Trish, hoping for a smooth run for you xxx
Got my scans back, getting another FN biopsy on a cyst (non BS side) but it doesn't look suspicious, so that is good.
So my giant red patch which appeared on my BC boob is 9mm thickening of the subcutaneous tissue with no underlying mass. So the doctor asked did the cream work? No. Did the antibiotics work? No Ok we won't worry about it then...
Needless to say I will ring on Monday to get BS appt.
0 -
Hi ladies,
I have just been diagnosed with ILC. I'm 35, live in Townsville, and want to join this thread because the vast majority are Americans and I know somethings are just different being Australian.
I'm going in to see the oncologist on Monday, MRI and CT scans on Monday and Tuesday, then back to the breast surgeon on Tuesday evening. I guess I will get a better idea then, but on Thursday the breast surgeon said I'm looking at chemo first (because the tumour feels quite large and I am so young), then surgery later in the year
0 -
Clair and Bluekoala.. Welcome... Sorry you have to be here.. but glad you found BCO... It has helped me so much..
Trish, Mel, Aussie.. Thinking of you all.. (( Hugs))
Kylie.. Glad nothing suspicious showed on the scan.. Let us know how your BS appointment goes..
0 -
Hi Clair and Bluekoala, you have joined a great support group here.
Thinking of everyone!
0 -
Welcome Claire and Bluekoala. I am sorry you have to be here but you will find it very helpful. Blue koala - I have ILC this time. However I am 65. I have been reading the posts on the ILC forum which I have found very informative. There should be a McGrath foundation breast care nurse in Townsville who could help you through the maze of treatments. Just take it slowly. Have you got family nearby? Pm me if you need to.
Trish Hope you are in a good stage of your chemotherapy regime.
Gerri
PS I forgot to say I am recovering well from umx on the, 16th. Home tomorrow.
0 -
Welcome Bluekoala - sorry you had to find us though. I had ILC first time around, five years ago. Please let us know how you went with your scans and the bs appointment.
Kylie - did you get a bs appointment?
Gerri - good to hear you are recovering from the mx. Rest up and don't try to do too much.
I'm doing ok, very tired still. Had a minor hitch - with my teeth! I started to get a toothache, and finally had to go to the dentist today. The nerve had died in one of my back teeth, so the nerve was removed today. At least now I can enjoy a cuppa without pain, but it still hurts when I bite down on that side. I'm hoping it's just all the trauma to the tooth and gum today and that when I wake up tomorrow that pain will be gone.
Trish
xoxo
0 -
Finally some good news! There is no evidence of the cancer having spread. My lymphs were a bit swollen on the MRI, but they were swollen on both sides fairly symmetrically, which she said means that it I very unlikely there is cancer in there. And we are doing chemo first, anyway.
The tumour is 10cm long, so she is expecting some node involvement.0 -
Great news Blue Koala.
Hope that tooth ache's gone for good Trish.
Get my path results today and hopefully have drain tube removed.
0 -
welcome blue koala!! Ive been in hospital since sunday with celulitis. Arm is still swollen but infection has gone down.
0 -
Hi everybody,
So sorry I have been silent, and I thank you all sincerely for the warm welcome. I have been in Townsville this week as my husband is applying to join the Queensland Police - he had interviews and I relaxed
BlueKoala, you must be loving seeing your city so green at the moment! We had a fantastic meal at Jam Corner, have you ever been there?
I have an appointment next Friday (April Fools Day - gah!) with the breast surgeon so hopefully I will come away with an appointment. It will be 21 days since diagnosis before I see him, which feels like an eternity….
Trisha Anne, thanks for your advice about the possible treatment regime, I had an inkling that there would be chemo but had not heard of Perjeta - I will definitely read up about it.
Big hugs to the Australian crew, your support is so heartwarming xo
0 -
ooh, Ausbear, I haven't been to Jam Corner, but have heard it is great. Everything is green and beautiful at the moment - only problem is that the mozzies agree.
0 -
I start chemo tomorrow.
I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by it all. I'm going to fight hard to survive, but I'm still feeling scared that even with aggressive treatment they won't be able to get on top of it and I will die in the next few years and leave my kids without a mother.
0 -
Hi Blue, please try not to let those fears overwhelm you. .......it sounds like you could do with some meds to help with your anxiety. When do you see your doc again? It's so important that you get some help with this as you will have enough to get through with chemo.
If you want to talk please private message me your number.......I'm happy to talk with you anytime. Sometimes just hearing someone else's voice who really gets where you are can help.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
0 -
Hi and hugs all. Hoping everyone had a relaxing Easter break.
I've not been posting much. Hubby has had some time off work and we have been busy. We have been working on the house. Also had some time away visiting family and friends which was lovely.
Sorry you have found yourself here BlueKoala. Wishing you minimal side effects as you begin your chemo journey.
Hope your tooth ache is all sorted now Trish. It's a terrible pain.
melp27 has your arm swelling subsided?
Time I thought about some brekkie. Wishing everyone the best day possible. Donna xx
0 -
I'm feeling much better this morning. The fear of my kids growing up without a mother has been with me as long as I have been a mother - my father died of cancer when he was my age, so the possibility of dying young has always been in the back of my mind.
It's the cancer and the upcoming treatments that are overwhelming. I guess at 35 you don't expect to get this sick, or face chemo or face losing one or both breasts. I don't know what side effects I will have from all my treatment, and there are so many that are possible and some which could be long term. Our mantra has been 'just take each step as it comes'. Making every attempt to relax.
Bloody cancer!0 -
Hi all,
I feel like I'm going crazy at the moment. I feel really negative, I can't stop crying and it is freaking me out. Days are usually ok but it seems like as soon as the sun sets, the tears start up and I end up in bed every night feeling like absolute shit, before waking up and doing it all again. On top of that, I wake up nearly every day at around 3.30 and can't get back to sleep. I wriggle around which makes me worry I will wake my husband, so I get up. I tried taking a Temazipam one night and it didn't help me stay asleep.
My main fear at the moment is that whilst I am waiting to see the surgeon this Friday, that the cancer is growing and spreading. I'm also terrified that I could get or already have tiny cancer spots in the other breast.
The frustrating part about all this is that I can clearly see the difference between the rational part of my brain - knowing the stats and being a bit educated about the type of cancer I have, versus the irrational, which is entirely bound up in fear, and not linked to reality at all.
Is 21 days from diagnosis to seeing a surgeon a long time to wait in the Oz public health system?
C
0 -
Hi Blue, glad you were feeling better and hope you still are. Taking things a day at a time is the perfect way to deal with all that is happening as it certainly is a journey into the unknown. Once your treatment is decided all side effect or the main ones will be explained to you by your docs and the rest you can ask about here.
Ausbear, those tears and the fear you are having is a very normal reaction to being told you have cancer. It does take sometime to get your head around things so just be gentle with yourself and perhaps ask your GP for something a little stronger to help you sleep, at least for the short term. Three weeks is not a long waiting time really and is about average in the public system. Try not to worry about the spread of your cancer as in reality it's very possible it has been there for quite sometime prior to being discovered and the time between diagnosis and the beginning of treatment is not going to make a difference in the long run.
Hoping you two girls get some relief from your restless nights and worrisome days.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
0 -
Ausbear and Blue - I'm sending you both ((((hugs))))
Blue - facing this the second time around and having triple positive the first time and now triple negative, I have many days where I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be around for very long at all. What you are feeling is normal. It's not easy to stop worrying and being scared, and I haven't gotten to that point myself yet, but I'm seeing a psychologist who, I hope, will help me along the path. Go see your GP - you should be put onto a medibank health plan, and seeing a psychologist is part of it. Also ask for valium, or something like it, it will help you get through the really tough days.
Ausbear - I felt the same while I was waiting for surgery - I was sure I could feel the tumour growing in my breast - and I probably was. Don't stress too much about it, as Chrissy says, 3 weeks really isn't that long a time, you'll be having chemo and that will mop up any stray cells that may escape from the tumour. You also need to ask your GP for the health plan and some valium or something like it. Trust me, it takes the edge off the panic and the stress. I don't use valium every day, but if I have a bad day I do - it's not that often.
I know exactly how you are both feeling at the moment, and things will get worse once you start chemo - but also better. Chemo isn't easy, and hopefully will treat you both gently, but knowing you are doing something active helps a lot too.
Last time, it took me around 3 years to stop worrying constantly about breast cancer and thinking I was going to be dead in a few years. I know I'll get there again, it will probably take longer this time lol, but I will get there. Once chemo is finished for me (another 5 weeks yay!) I will be focusing on enjoying life and making the most of each day. You'll get there eventually - just not quite yet. One day at a time.
Rant and vent here as much as you want to and need to - we are here to support you.
I've just had a really good week - this round has been surprisingly easy, I'm keeping everything crossed that the next treatment tomorrow will have as gentle side effects on me, it really has been a pleasant surprise for me.
Love to you all
Trish
xoxo
0
