-
Dealing with Lymphedema w/o surgery?
Hi community. I'm posting since I haven't found a similar case yet. I opted out on surgery and chemo (too late), and it's been a good run for 7 years. The LE came on slowly to rt arm, dr diagnosed. Now its in both feet, then the left breast just swelled in size. No real noticeable discoloration. Has anyone else had LE…
-
Help! Scanxiety & stress over watching my sister in pain.
My sister has MBC, stage IV, mets to the lungs & bones. Originally diagnosed Stage 2-A, IDC, underwent radical right breast mastectomy in 2020. In 2022, metastasis to the bones & lungs. Her 2nd line of treatments, Capecitabine & Lapatinib, poisoned her system resulting in stomach issues (diarrhea, gastritis, etc. She has…
-
To chemo or not to chemo
I am premenopausal (43) diagnosed 12/30/2024. IDC 2.5 cm, HR+ (both highly ER+ and PR+), HER2-, Grade 3, oncotype 26, LN 1+. I had lumpectomy in Feb where they found a 3.5 cm DCIS tumor as well. I had to have a re-excision 2 weeks later because the margins weren't clear. I am looking for any testimonials of women who are…
-
Looking for others with low risk, less than 2cm, IDC stage 1 grade 1HR+ HER2- on endocrine therapy
Are you like me? What endocrine therapy did you follow or are you following? Pre- or perimenopausal, stage 1, grade 1, low risk, node-negative, no genetic risk, screen detected ladies, let's hear from you! What were you prescribed and how have you changed it up over your therapy? What has worked for you? I've seen four…
-
Breast implants
I just turned 43 and was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma grade 3 & high grade ductal carcinoma in situ. Im planning on a bilateral masectomy. Im meeting with my surgeon on Tuesday. Im having a hard time deciding on if I want to get implants or not. My question is how did you decide on reconstructive surgery or…
-
Are you dealing with infections or bandaging during palliative care??
Hi everyone. I'm starting this topic because I haven't found a similar one to help answer questions and offer me advice. I know I'm a rare case managing my own palliative care, in Asia, while under the care of a great doctor who's using both eastern and western medical traditions. I'm on hormone therapy (Tamoxifen then…
-
It feels like my whole life is crashing down
All my life I have tried to leave healthy , avoid junk food , exercise even if I do not enjoy it, do everything to support my immune system and all that shebang. I watched my mom die from breast cancer at the age of 40 and now here I am. Late October , I felt a dull ache in my right best that woke me up in the middle of…
-
New Here. What to Expect w/ Paclitaxel + Trastuzumab?
Hello, all. I just joined this forum and am looking for some support. I'm a post-menopausal woman who was diagnosed with ES+/PR+/HER2 + invasive ductal carcinoma this summer. I had a lumpectomy on October 31. Clearly I got the trick not the treat… bah! Anyway, I am fortunate to have had very good outcomes from the surgery:…
-
What should be my next step?
My biopsy confirms that I have Invasive Mammary Carcinoma in my right breast, which is hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative, and a high Ki-67 proliferation rate of over 80%. Can someone tell me more about that Ki-67 number? Is it normal? Also the doctor initially said it was only one centimeter but the report…
-
Chemotherapy, Benefits vs. Risks
I am new here and seeking feedback on my treatment plan, specifically regarding chemotherapy. I have been informed that, given my tumor size of 5 mm, chemotherapy is an option but is often not recommended. The doctor explained that there is limited research on the benefits of chemotherapy for such a small stage I tumor,…
-
Need help thinking through AI with ovarian suppression
My MO would like me to start an AI and ovarian suppression/removal. I am 42. Onc score was 31 for IDC with lobular component. No nodes. I understand that I do have a risk of recurrence but I also value an active lifestyle. I had no question mentally regarding the mastectomy and chemo. I do not feel peaceful about the…
-
Pissed off.
I was recently diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. I've decided if this can come back, I want a double mastectomy. My mother in law asks me what does your husband think of that? My response, he is supporting me in whatever I decided to do. Then she says, Remember we're all going through this. I want to say NO YOUR…
-
Newly diagnosed stage IV
I am newly diagnosed. I am also a year into a systemic sclerosis/scleroderma diagnosis. Looking to connect. I am angry and in denial after the past five years of fighting diseases to now be diagnosed with this.
-
IDC and Mental Health
Hello, I've been recently Dx with IDC Grade 2, ER+, PR+, HER2+ as well as DCIS on left breast and also managing Major Depression Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and PTSD. I've had my crying episodes and everyone I have talked with says to have a positive attitude. In my experience having a positive attitude is…
-
Newly Diagnosed... Scared and Sad
Hello all newly diagnosed. Ductal Carcinoma 2 cm Pos Hrz, 4 cm Neg Hrz. Cancer cells in one lymph node. I am awaiting my Onocology appt. this Thursday. I have such a hard time sleeping, not lots of support since I am a single woman and family…no. So it is very treatable which is good but the thought of getting a masectomy…
-
Does insurance cover nipple tattooing?
I'm about 7 months post surgery for my reconstruction (triple negative, grade 3, high Ki67 IDC breast cancer) and I'm extremely pleased with the reconstruction thus far, but I'm looking at getting the 3D nipple tattooing done. Does anyone know if insurance has to cover this part of the reconstruction process? I've sent…
-
Recurrence and Now Down the Rabbit Hole
I was dx in 2011 with IDC ER+PR+Her2-. It was in the left breast around 1.2cm. I had a lumpectomy, chemo (TCx4) and rads. I couldn't tolerate Tamoxifen so I took Aspirin each day as the theory back then was it could keep inflammation down and possibly ER+ away. So here I am 13 years later and my mammo showed I now have 2…
-
2017 BC Diagnosis…how are you doing?
Hello Friends:💐 It’s been awhile since I’ve checked in. I’m curious how my 2017 friends are doing. Have you had a recurrence? Is all going well? I’d love to know how everyone from 2017 is doing. I’m doing well. This site has been a huge support to me and I just want to thank you all again for your support. I look forward…
-
Scar Care
Hi! I'm curious about the best ways people have found to care for their incision scars. I'm three weeks out from my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. My physical therapist suggested Vitamin E or coconut oil and gentle self-massage. I did a quick/limited search online and found several studies that determined that…
-
AIs - trading one problem for another
Please let me know if I am understanding this correctly. I am at low risk for recurrence. 7% risk of recurrence in 10 years with AIs, and 14% without. That means I have an 86% chance of NOT having a recurrence without AIs. If this means that out of 100 women, 86 will NOT have a recurrence without AIs, then 86 women will…
-
Osteoporosis
This is my first post here. I was diagnosed on 7/22 with left side IDC, E+P-HER2- and I'm having a lumpectomy next Wednesday 8/28. No genetic markers for cancer. I've had an MRI, the Savi Scout placed yesterday, the sentinel node injection next Tuesday. This morning I had a Dexascan and my surgeon called this afternoon and…
-
Post Lumpectomy Pain
Hi, Please be gentle 😉this is my first post. I had a lumpectomy on 7/31/2024 (almost three weeks ago). I didn't have much pain immediately after the surgery, but I have gotten what I've been told is nerve-ending pain. I've been to the surgeon and I get it; it's gonna take time for the nerves to heal. I take gabapentin for…
-
Concerns about microcalcification cluster ignored by doctors for over a year
Hi there, I'm roughly 18 months out from my original diagnosis of IDC Grade 1, Stage (Onco 9) and have some concerns. My initial biopsy was for a group of microcalcifications (turned out benign) and architechtural distortion (maligant). However, during this initial the biopsy, the radiologist found a second set of…
-
How often do you think about recurrence?
Hi all, I'm just wondering how much you think or don't think about recurrence. We are all different, and we have different chances of recurrence, but I wonder if you think about it. I was diagnosed in February. DMX in March, currently on Tamoxifen for five years. Taking a daily pill is a great way to think about the…
-
AWAITING SECOND OPINION
Is there a cancer hiding somewhere in this moderate to highly dense Fibroglandular breast tissue of mine? From Sydney, Australia HISTORY: Age: 36yo Menstruating since 11yo Endometriosis - surgery in 2022. 2 children - 10yo and 5yo Recurrent mastitis infections since the birth of first child. Spontaneous and recurrent…
-
Tamoxifen is making me feel awful AND I'm at the angry stage
It took me a while to get here, I was diagnosed on 2/11 - and BMX on 3/13. Low Onco Type, so taking Tamoxifen for 5 years. I am 30 days into Tamoxifen, and it's making me feel awful. Tired, moody, LOTS of nausea and brain fog. The Tomaxifen is harder than the mastectomy recovery. In the mornings I sometimes feel like I…
-
Help regarding kisqali medication
I have an aunt suffering from breast cancer, which discovered recently , the doctor prescribed her a medicine called kisqali, the problem is the price of this medicine is very high, about 3000 dollars here in Morocco , and the financial situation of the family is very difficult, my question is Are there associations that…
-
Tamoxifen and Ovary Pain
Hi all, I am 52 next month, premenopausal, and on Tamoxifen. I have been on it for about 2 months. For the last 2 weeks, I've had off-and-on ovarian pain. Last week, it coincided with my cycle. Yesterday it started up again. It's. Sharp pain in left ovary. I used to get cysts a lot. I think this is also a cyst and may be…
-
Finishing Anastrozole (7yrs) and considering breast reduction on non-Lumpectomy side
Hi everyone. I am finally going to be finished with Anastrozole (with my Oncologist's agreement after Breast Cancer Index test) this October. Here's my 1st question to the women who stopped taking the med after 5, 7, or 10 years: Did you feel or see any difference, in what way and how long did it take to be noticeable? Did…
-
Did your doctor talk about your Ki67 %
Hello - I have IDC Stage 2 (++-), and I am one week out from my bilateral mastectomy. My lymph Node pathology reports were posted online, and from what I can read, there is no cancer in my lymph nodes. However, my Ki67% - was reported at 43%. so I have a Ki67: 43%. Is that bad? Did your doctor put much stock into your Ki67…