TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Saw my radiation onc today for a followup. We looked at her book on me and discussed the latest studies re rads risk to the heart . I actually had face down tomotherapy rads and it occurred to me that I couldn't recall any of my fellow bc.orgers saying they had done so.

Anyone else have tomotherapy? Face down?

LeeA,



I will have six weeks worth of radiation. My Onc said with grade 3 and 2.1cm tumor that he wants me to have radiation so I opted for whole breast instead of targeted to just the tumor site. I have a friend who went through this five years ago and she is in a trial for radiation only and no chemo. So far she is doing well.



The new avatar is my hair that I have been able to keep through the use of cold caps. I actually have 2 inches of new growth since starting treatment. The downside is have gray hair at the roots since I cannot color treat for several months past FC. I can use a color stick on the gray, but I figure it looks just fine for now. I have lost hair everywhere else, but I kept it on my head.



The use of Biotene worked for a day or two and that was about it so I don't see you lost anything by not using it. I wish you the best of luck moving forward and keep us posted on your decision with radiation.

Hi all,

Have been away on vacation as I am returning to work on May 1 (volunteer capacity, half days, to see if I have the stamina to eventually return full time).  Also have been going to physio to try to deal with the torn rotator cuff in my left shoulder---painful, result of BC treatments. 

LeeA, I am so happy for you!!! Congrats on finishing the chemo part of your treatment.

I am attaching a very interesting article about the role Vitamin D may play in enabling us gals taking Tamoxifen to metabolize it as well as we possibly can in the winter months (for us gals who live in cold climates):

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130418142328.htm

Also, from another site link I am providing, those who wish can puruse the many interesting articles such as "Acupuncture eases Lymphedema in BC Patients"; "Chemoprevention of BC: Evidence of Broad Benefit"; "Tamoxifen: More is Better"; and, my favourite one, "Moderate Drinking Tied To Longer BC Survival":

http://www.medscape.com/resource/breastcancer

ashla, LOL, yes, I was very nervous/scared about chemotherapy!  

gratitude, thanks for the link about acupuncture and lymphedema!  I'm going to click on the link after I finish this post.  I've had acupuncture for the past four weeks or so but don't have any needle sticks on the left arm.  

--

On another note, my 85-year-old aunt called today.  She's a great lady.  She wanted to know how I was doing but I wanted to know how she was doing.  It turns out she wanted to have cataract surgery and they required a CAT scan.  They found a mass on her left breast (she said she knew it was there for quite some time but it had never gotten any larger) a mass on her left lung and three enlarged lymph nodes.  She says she's not going to do anything about it.  She rides her stationary bike ten miles a day and feels great and she's going to continue on doing what she has been doing.  Her daughter (my cousin) is fine with her decision.  She seems to be in good spirits and says she's had a good life.  

ETA:  she is my dad's brother's wife so no blood connection when it comes to connecting the breast cancer dots.

LeeA, just wanted to say congrats.  So happy for you.  Heal now. Wait, that sounded like i talk to a dog.  Um., how about Fast healing for you!  LOL Much love.

LeeA

You rocked chemo and indeed this whole process! Think you will come out the other side facing life with a new confidence .

shore - it was one of the first things to grow back after chemo, lol!  I also had to shave my legs during chemo, but the hair on my head came back last, WTH?

Coffee is my one remaining vice, but I do use coconut milk creamer.  I have given up too many things, I am not giving up my coffee.  Tonlee and I must have the same kind of coffee cups....

This will make you feel better about coffee!  Coffee

Lbwagner69 Welcome.

I don't know the protocol for tumors so small but I do believe if you tumor is at least .5cm you get Herceptin. I was always under the understanding that they always did chemo & Herceptin together but things do change. Did they do an oncotype to decide no chemo for you?

I will tell you this after chemo we all did just Herceptin alone. I had little to no SE. Maybe a bit stiff and my hair grew a little slower.

Yay DanaM! You made it .

You got to sleep in the hospital!? Geez I swear I was woken up every 3 hours. So the oxy not working. Sucks but maybe you'll have some sensation when you heal. But I found every day I felt so much better that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Hope you heal as fast as I did.

Tx Lago....I was at an ambulatory surgery center and I was the only one there overnight...so I had the entire staff to myself! Princess treatment. Home nurse comes tomorrow morning so I will ask about pain meds then.

Dana, if your pain meds are not working, please call your doc to get something that works.  Its hard for the body to heal with pain and this is certainly something you don't need to be dealing with now.  Take care of your pain!

Dana, so glad you are home. I hope you can get the right pain meds soon and start feeling better.