ER-, PR-, Her2+ Roll call

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  • Yes, I was sooooo happy to have achieved a complete tumor response! but honestly, I think my doctor somewhat expected it. I first went through 4 cycles of AC chemo due to the risk of already having circulating cancer cells in my blood. AC is extremely aggressive and comes with the risk of causing leukemia down the road (hopefully, I won't have that kind of bad luck!). That’s why they’re now trying to avoid using it and reserve it for the more complicated cases. But well, there’s the upside of it being more aggressive in attacking the tumor 😊

    From what I’ve gathered from talking to other women, even a tumor reduction of around 50% is considered great. What really matters is that the pathology results after surgery show clean margins.

    As for my surgery, during my brief meeting with the surgeon, he told me I’ll be having a partial mastectomy (lumpectomy), where they’ll only remove the area where the tumor used to be. We know the exact location because they placed two markers when I started chemo—one at each end. He also mentioned that he’ll at least remove the two lymph nodes that were affected, but he’ll probably take out some more. He said he’ll decide during the surgery, though I’m not entirely sure how he determines on the spot whether a lymph node needs to be removed or not.

    I’ve already bought the post-op bras with front closures, as the nurses recommended, so now it’s just a matter of waiting for the surgery. I’m a bit nervous, but at the same time, I just want to get it over with quickly.

    @bailey.boo I am so happy for you! 😊 When is your reconstruction scheduled? Do you already have a date? You finished chemo three months before me, and now your lashes and brows are starting to come back, so I’m not expecting a miracle for myself before then. With this cold weather, it’s so hard being without eyelashes! Every time I go outside, tears keep streaming down my face 😭

    @snm my toe doesn’t hurt anymore. During chemo, the nail got infected and was painful at the time. Then it started separating from the toe and eventually fell off completely. I’m using a little protective cover that slips over the toe to keep my shoes from hurting it. At home, I don’t wear anything and just try to avoid bumping it into things.

    Keep me updated, ladies! Wishing you all a smooth recovery and hoping the tough days fly by quickly. Sending hugs! 🌸

  • Sounds weird, but I'm so glad to see some quietness on this page. To me, that means everyone is healing and living and that's a really good thing. I completed #5 yesterday and am happy to report my bloodwork looked good and I am able to make it #6 on January 2nd. I'm also calling my surgeon today to get the ball rolling on that end. My only downside is everything will happen after the new year, which means deductibles kick in. Luckily, my deductible isn't too outrageous ($2000/individual) so I should meet it easily and quickly. My onc finally mentioned radiation treatment, stating it was normal protocol for a lumpectomy, which is what I'm leaning towards since a mastectomy doesn't guarantee the cancer not coming back. I'd rather do the smaller procedure.

    I hope you all are doing well!

  • @beekaycro24 so glad you are so close! I have three more immunotherapy infusions and two fall into 2025 as does a followup mammo Jan 2 so I am in the same deductible boat as you are..but at least I will be completely done in February.

    I am so looking forward to being done with these phases and going into monitor mode. I hope your side effects are few this time.

  • aborayis
    aborayis Posts: 492

    @catarina_fm Congrats on finishing chemo and your wonderful response to it, and good luck with your upcoming surgery!

    How’s everyone else doing? I’m in Atlanta sadly for my aunt’s funeral. She was diagnosed only a month ago with Stage 4 liver bile duct cancer, after having had a few weeks of intractable constipation as her only symptom. It’s a really sneaky and aggressive one. We’re all in a bit of shock.

  • snm
    snm Posts: 170

    @aborayis so sorry to hear about your aunt. Hope all are holding up ok. Life is wonky for sure- one day everything is great and the next all can change in an instant..but we somehow come through in the end stronger.

  • grammie2
    grammie2 Posts: 275

    @beekaycro24 agree on the quietness! And glad #5 is done! Cheering you on!!

    @aborayis so sorry for you and your families loss. Cancer stinks!

    Three weeks post last radiation treatment. Skin became and still is pretty dark. Not much peeling but kinda like dry skin flaking. Finished lymphedema therapy today. Seroma is still there of course, but that was expected.

    Praying all is well with everyone!!

  • Hi girls! How is everyone doing? I hope all is well.

    @aborayis this disease is terrible and incredibly unfair... I’m so sorry for your loss! Sending you a big hug.

    @grammie2 that darkening of the skin is normal... Do you feel pain when you touch it, or is it just the skin issues you’re noticing?

    As for me, I’ve been a bit absent because these past few weeks have been pretty "strange." On one hand, I’m getting admitted to the hospital tomorrow for surgery on Friday (please keep me in your thoughts!), so I’ve been busy getting things ready. On the other hand, my last treatment left me with muscle pain (that showed up later) that I’ve never experienced before. It feels like extreme muscle fatigue combined with overall tiredness. It hasn’t been easy to go on walks, but I’ve been trying to get out a little every day.

    The heart exam came back fine—my cardiac function dropped about 15% after the four cycles of AC (there’s a reason they call it the red devil), but I repeated the exam after finishing chemo, and my heart has recovered a bit, even with the Phesgo. Everything is within normal parameters, so I believe what I’m feeling is normal. Now I just have to see how the surgery recovery goes, and I’m hoping for good results from pathology 🙏

    Sending big hugs to you all! I hope I can come back to wish you a Merry Christmas. A special hug to those in the final stretch of chemo—it’s almost over! Stay strong, everyone!

  • @aborayis Praying for comfort and peace for your family.

    @grammie2 I love hearing your story on healing, as you are ahead of me, therefore, educating me.

    @catarina_fm Praying all goes well with your surgery! I'm glad to see your heart function is improving. No one has mentioned a follow-up echo-cardiogram yet, but I'm sure it's coming.

    I did a tele-health meeting with my surgeon yesterday. The surgeon I had been seeing is retiring at the end of the month, so I'm using another one in her office. He agrees with doing a lumpectomy. I will get an ultrasound sometime in January and he will place MOLLI clips in, as well as look at my 3 suspicious lymph nodes that showed up on my first ultrasound. They biopsied one at the time and it came back negative. I'm hoping they don't look crazy, but he will biopsy them if they do. Obviously, y'all know that determines how many will be removed at surgery, which is probably going to happen at the end of January or early February.

    I hope everyone is enjoying this season. I plan to be very low-key on celebrations, but that's because I don't want to get sick when I'm so close to the end of my treatments. Merry Christmas, y'all!

  • grammie2
    grammie2 Posts: 275

    @catarina_fm I'm not having any pain or anything other than the coloring. I was just surprised that 3 weeks post last treatment it is still changing color. The only issue I had was intense itching (not really skin surface itching, like deep inside itching which lasted about 4-5 days. That was really awful! And I know you will be so glad to have surgery done!! Praying for an easy surgery, recovery and PCR! Please keep us posted on how it goes!! You mentioned cardiac function dropping. Is that based on the ejection fraction number from the ECHO? My onc just said that mine had not changed very much since the first one and there were no concerns. I still have another 4 months of Phesgo/HP to go and it does worry me some.

    @djschmidt1 so exciting you are almost done with the infusions! Mine go on through April, so I'm in the same insurance boat as yall. We have a large deductible but praying we have enough left in our HSA to cover it. With the cost of the immunotherapy, it sure won't take long to meet that deductible.

    Everyone take care!!!

  • @grammie2 I had already heard that the skin keeps darkening for some time, so that’s normal. I can’t imagine the itchiness you’re talking about! It must be so uncomfortable...
    As for heart function, yes, it’s related to the ejection fraction of the left ventricle (the test we do here is the same as the one you do there). AC chemo causes a lot of damage to the heart. Before starting chemo, mine was at 66, it dropped to 56 after 4 rounds of red chemo, and then went back up to 59 when I finished chemo. This means that even while taking Phesgo, my value improved, meaning my heart managed to recover a bit. So don’t worry! You’ll see that your heart won’t be affected.
    As soon as I can, I’ll come back to let you know how the surgery went.

    Take care, all of you!

  • snm
    snm Posts: 170

    @catarina_fm good luck friend on upcoming surgery! Guided imagery helped me during my BMX. Do whatever keeps you relaxed.

  • We will be thinking of you sweetheart. It's going to go great for you x

  • snm
    snm Posts: 170

    Hello all! Hope you are putting treatments behind you one day at a time! I wanted to share a helpful podcast on breastcancer.org

    Transitioning to a Different Normal After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis - posted this October.

    I've been feeling sort of blah and anxious..sort of in this weird middle of not having chemo (treated w surgery) but worrying about recurrence. I found this podcast helpful in validating my feelings in that I'm not alone.

  • Hi girls, just wanted to let you know that the surgery went well, and I’ve already been discharged and am back home 😊 Thank you so much for rooting for me ❤️ I didn’t need any drains, which is great 😊 Now it’s just waiting and hoping everything continues to go well, and that the pathology results come back negative 🙏 Sending kisses to everyone and a special hug to the girls finishing chemo. You’re almost there!

  • hi all! @catarina_fm I am glad you are home and on the way to recovery. I am hoping for great pathology report. @snm I will be sure to check out that podcast, it seems like a perfect fit.

    These past few weeks have put a crimp in my holiday preparations with my Dad being hospitalized and then coming down with a nasty flu bug, but I am on the mend. Last Christmas I was dealing with a new cancer diagnosis, I just thought this year would be better than last but chaos remains. Life.

    I wish you all a peaceful holiday time with family and friends and look forward to 2024 being in the rear view mirror.

  • @djschmidt1 your dad is feeling better now? Wishing him a speedy recovery! You truly deserve some peace and calm... Hopefully, this will pass quickly, and you'll be able to enjoy a relaxing Christmas.

    @snm I think I need to listen to that podcast too! Over the next few days, I want to make time for that.

    2024 was such a tough year for all of us—let’s hope 2025 brings much better days filled with joy. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄🎅

  • @catarina_fm thank you. I reread my post and I wrote it poorly, he had heart issues among other things it’s me with the flu. I will get better tho. I am already headed in the right direction… this was a brutal flu.

    Forgot to say @grammie2, I had the most discomfort longer than I would have thought AFTER radiation completed. It will get better though for you, I swear.

  • snm
    snm Posts: 170

    @catarina_fm I would like to second what Catarina posted about 2025 bringing better days ahead! Cheers to you all resilient people with my non-alcoholic fruity spritzer cocktail! 🥂

  • grammie2
    grammie2 Posts: 275

    Hey ladies!! I am just catching up after a few days absent! I have tried really hard the last few days to not think of cancer or the treatments. I've been absent from just about most of the social media stuff. I wanted to enjoy Christmas with the family for sure. It's been good, but I know that I have not been fully concentrating on the season and that makes me sad. My oldest son and his girlfriend came for Christmas and I get to go to see my youngest, his wife and my grands in a week!!! I am VA to UT bound in 8 days!! God is good!!!

    I pray that everyone in treatment, surgery, radiation etc are all doing well!! 2025 is going to be a great year for ALL of us!!!! I know I still have Phesgo to tolerate until April, but by gosh I'm going to do everything I can to be healthier and feel great! I don't care where you are in your treatment, join me in this mindset! We are all going to be breast cancer Princess warriors!

    I am so thankful for all of you and can't do this without you!!

  • aborayis
    aborayis Posts: 492

    @catarina_fm glad your surgery went well and is behind you. Sending great hopes and a hug waiting with you in your pathology results.

    @djschmidt1 I hope you and your dad are feeling better.

    Thanks everyone for your kind words. I’m just so grateful to have you all in my life here to go through this together. It’s truly priceless to be in such a kind, supportive circle. Hugs, kisses and wishes for a peaceful and positive year to everyone here!!

  • grammie2
    grammie2 Posts: 275

    Happy New Year everyone!!!! Praying all are doing well!! I'm headed to UT Saturday to see the grands and I am sooooo excited!!!

    Love and hugs!!!

  • jessybessy
    jessybessy Posts: 45

    Hi everyone - how are you doing?

    Have 6th and final chemo on Tuesday. Honestly dreading it, it's just so jarring to start feeling normal again - I actually had a day not thinking about cancer yesterday(!) - to knowing you're about to feel dreadful for another couple of weeks.

    Hope everyone is great and had a super NYE x

  • beekaycro24
    beekaycro24 Posts: 115

    I rang the bell today! They no longer have one at my cancer center because of complaints by family members of people who will be on chemo for the rest of their lives. They're in the process of having one installed on the wall near the waiting area. It's okay…I rang an imaginary one in the car on the way home! I go for my final Udenyca shot tomorrow afternoon. I'm getting an ultrasound on Tuesday and meeting with my surgeon afterwards. Follow-up echocardiogram and pre-op are both on the 17th, followed by a lumpectomy on the 27th. I then begin my Herceptin/Perjeta maintenance on February 6th. I'll know more about radiation later.

    @jessybessy Just remember…it's the last time you'll feel these specific side effects.

  • aborayis
    aborayis Posts: 492

    @beekaycro24 love the picture and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    @djschmidt1 thinking about your dad. How is he doing?

    @jessybessy I know EXACTLY what you mean dreading the last round. Sending you power thoughts for Tuesday with a big hug!

    @grammie2 Safe travels to UT and enjoy the special time with your grands!

    @catarina_fm How is your recovery going?

    @snm thanks for that podcast Dec. I really enjoyed it.

    Here’s to saying bye to a tough 2024 and hopes for a stronger, easier 2025 for all of us!!!!

  • catarina_fm
    catarina_fm Posts: 111

    Hi ladies, how are you all doing?
    May 2025 be a year filled with health and peace for all of us!

    @beekaycro24 It’s done, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you. This is the last time you’ll have to deal with those side effects, and from now on, it’s all about getting better. How great that you already have the next steps all planned out!

    @jessybessy you're almost there! Thinking about you on Tuesday and after this, the side effects will fade, and goodbye chemo! Stay strong for the last one!

    I’m having a great recovery from the surgery, even though several lymph nodes were removed from my armpit (I still don’t know how many and I'm still waiting for the pathology results). I’m surprised because I thought I’d have more pain and less arm mobility, but I’m doing quite well. I feel some hardness in my armpit and breast, but the nurses say that’s completely normal and that I need to keep massaging it. I also have almost no sensitivity in my armpit and part of my breast. I was cut all around the areola, but surprisingly, I have normal sensitivity there.

    Ladies who still need to undergo surgery, don’t be afraid because it’s honestly so much easier than chemo. By far! I am so relieved...

    Sending kisses to all, especially to those still going through chemo—you’re almost done with it. Stay strong!

  • jessybessy
    jessybessy Posts: 45

    Am so glad to hear you're ok Catarina and that you're healing well. Sending you strength (but it doesn't sound like you need it) and I am so hopeful for a great pathology report for you. You are such a lovely person to talk to x

  • snm
    snm Posts: 170

    @beekaycro24 lovely photo! And woohooo for that imaginary bell ring!

    @catarina_fm happy that you are getting through surgical recovery well!

    I am hopeful that the new year will give us the strength to face whatever may come our way.

  • aborayis
    aborayis Posts: 492

    @catarina_fm I’m so glad your recovery is going so well, and that the whole process was much less hard than the chemo! Don’t worry about the numbness, it can linger and shift around but it will settle down over time. A year later I have sensation in my armpits again. Sending positive energy for your pathology results!

  • beekaycro24
    beekaycro24 Posts: 115

    I did my follow-up ultrasound this morning, and will admit I'm a little disappointed. My tumor shrank from 3.8 x 1.6 x 4 cm to 3.1 x 1.2 x 3.3 cm, which, if I figured it up correctly is only a 17.5% decrease. I'm really hoping this is just the abnormally shaped tumor bed. It is definitely flatter and harder to palpitate, but still…disappointed. I originally had 3 suspicious lymph nodes, and the one that was biopsied came back negative. My lymph nodes all looked normal today, so another biopsy was unneccessary. I am a little worried over my tumor size now. Can I still achieve PCR after such a small decrease in size? I did get my Molli clips inserted today, so I'm good to go for surgery on the 27th. I go for an echo-cardiogram and pre-op lab work on the 17th. And my Herceptin/Perjeta infusion is scheduled for February 6th. Things are really rolling…just need some extra prayers.

  • catarina_fm
    catarina_fm Posts: 111
    edited January 7

    @beekaycro24 you can count on my prayers! But let me share what my doctor explained to me: the fact that the tumor didn’t shrink on imaging exams doesn’t mean it’s not dead—it could simply be that your body hasn’t reabsorbed it yet. Similarly, the fact that nothing shows up on the MRI doesn’t mean there aren’t still microscopic living cells. Only the pathological exam after surgery can give us certainty.

    That said, even if part of the tumor is still alive, as long as they can remove it during surgery with clean margins, that’s what really matters! I hope I’m making sense… Basically, don’t overthink it. Everything’s going to be fine! I understand that it’s stressful to deal with these things, but this is more complex than we realize, and the treatments we go through are very effective! 🙏