Thanks Sal Iām so pleased to have found this thread and some buddies. I already feel better knowing that I have a place where I can share my experience with others who will understand. Lots of love x
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Seems like we are in the same phase. Had my last dose of chemo on Jan 2nd and will have surgery on Wednesday. I was diagnosed as stage 3, HER2+. 
When do you have surgery?
I try to stay positive and have a good gut feeling 
Letās stay brave together
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Does anyone have experience or info if itās better or safer to start with expander vs permanent implant. My team suggested permanent implant directly. Whatās your experience?
I will have radiation therapy.
They told me that radiotherapy can make the implant go wonky etc so i opted to stay flat for now. It might be worth speaking to your breast care nurse or researching more info x
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Thank you
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Hi, I am seeing my surgeon tomorrow for my plans. I finished chemo 7 Jan and she said it would be before 7 Feb.
I am having immediate reconstruction but both my plastic surgeon and breast surgeon have said to have implants and DIEP later xx
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@pinklady3 Iāve only had 4 so another 10 to go still. I had a long gap when I had radiotherapy and some complications when I had my port fitted.
Sorry to hear about your sepsis experience. It mustāve been terrifying for you. But well done for soldiering on. Together we all can keep supporting each other and we can and will get through this!
Best of luck x
Hello my friends
I have just had a lovely relaxing weekend and even dropped in at the local pub on Saturday evening as the hubster was there already. I had two wine and sodas and had to leave as I was, frankly, drunk! I went home and sang for almost 2 hours until he returned home. It was great! (Poor neighbours.)
@jeml I hope you had a good night out. Best thing you could have done. You have had the best result you could possibly have had and remember, our statistics are excellent. Youāve had a good wash through your whole system with all that lovely chemo (yes, I know thereās nothing lovely about the process but Iām thinking of the end result) and youāve eradicated any chance of it popping up in either boob again. You are in a great position. You are Jem 2.0. Pro Version.
@jessybessy LOTS of positive stories here. Please let us know re your results on Wednesday. There is no reason that you shouldnāt be one of the vast majority of people for whom this becomes a memory. Yes, itās not a pleasant memory and we go through a lot but I believe we all grow through it and become stronger women with a whole different perspective on life. We really are warriors; I get that now. It certainly sounds to me like you are just like the rest of us and you will get through it. Even if you have some residual cancer, then youāll do the Kadcyla and youāll STILL come out the other side. You can do this. You ARE doing this. Hang in there and stick with us. Itās great that you are at a similar point to @musestad. You should definitely be buddies. And yes, I love that sentiment, letās stay brave together. 
To answer your question @musestad, I was told to have a tissue expander as they needed to stretch the skin again after quite a bit was taken along with my nipple. Maybe they donāt need to expand your tissue quite so much? Radiotherapy can affect the outcome but I was very lucky and it didnāt, so Iāve been able to expand to match the size of my remaining real boob.
@galdiolus What did your surgeon say today? What are the plans?
@pinklady3 Sepsis absolutely must have been a terrifying experience and youāve reminded me of something my therapist said which was to give yourself a pat on the back for doing what you need to help yourself fight back. By coming on this forum we are all finding moral support and looking out for our own mental well being. By coming together and sharing stories we can feel strengthened by the good news and supported during the bad. You lot rock!
Love to you all,
Salbert
xx
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Evening everyone - hope youāre all doing ok!
Just wondering whether anyone has had a skin cancer scare at all?
I have been waiting for a dermatology appointment since last January and was then diagnosed with breast cancer in May and life obviously turned upside down. I then got my dermatology appt through in December for earlier this month. I went to it and was told that a mole on my back looks suspicious and they wanted to remove it urgently. Iāve had it removed today but am feeling so emotional and crappy. I had amazing results from the breast cancer surgery last week but feel like I canāt breathe yet because of this now hanging over me. Results will be 6-8 weeks and Iām so worried theyāre going to say I have skin cancer as well - I just canāt escape the feeling that itās going to be bad news. I just want to get my life back on track. Iām also feeling rubbish because I have cording after the lymph node removal and have been working hard with physiotherapist to help it loosen with stretches and exercises, which the dermatologist has now said I canāt do for 2 weeks or the stitches on my back could burst. Just had enough now 
Sorry for being negative and deflated, but I know this is a safe space with lots of lovely understanding people who know just what to say xx
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Hi all.
Hoping i can join. Ive just come from November chemo starters. Ive had surgery and just finished 12 weekly paclitaxel and i am her+ er+ and looking for advice and support.
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Hi @hlc. Welcome to the group, itās a fabulous bunch. Lots of support, advice and hand holding.
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Hi @rrey yes I had a scare too. It was actually something I had on my arm that I went to GP for in the first place, I just happened to mention the lump in my armpit at the same time.
In the end my arm was bcc, luckily they got it all at the first appointment (offered biopsy or just to remove all, so I said get rid). I waited about 10 weeks over Christmas for the results and yes it was horrible, like you my mind was going everywhere - especially as I had got my unexpected BC diagnosis too.
If I hadnāt have gone to get it checked I still wouldnāt know about the BC. So I suppose the moral of the story is if you know about it, you can treat it. Iām sorry you are in this situation, it sounds like youāve really through it recently and it is totally understandable for you to be having a massive wobble at the moment, especially with the fact you canāt do those exercises at the moment, but you are obviously a really strong woman.
I do hope that you get the positive outcome you are hoping for, and you can healing soon. x
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@salbert thanks for your message. The surgeon has suggested expander implant as there is a chance I need radiotherapy.
Itās all very confusing as they havenāt been able to measure the tumour since my first scan after I started chemo. But as I have DCIS (microcalcifications) they donāt know what is and isnāt cancer now so canāt give me any more answers until after my mastectomy.
Last night wasnāt good as I got into my head about it in the small hours. I hate the uncertainty and just wanted them to say I had a PCR even though I knew they couldnāt because of the microcalcifications.
I really wanted the DIEP and both my surgeon and plastic surgeon cautioned against this and I hadnāt researched the expander as I wrongly thought they used those for delayed reconstruction.
I was pleased to see your comment about expander which fills me with hope as you worry about the failure etc which inevitably my surgeon talked me through yesterday
Any more tips gratefully received. I assume your implant reconstruction was before your radiotherapy
On a plus note having my surgery either 31 Jan or 8 Feb so not too long to wait!
Also did you come home same day?
Sorry for the questions. I bet your glad you asked now xx
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Hi @galdiolus im alittle behind you and about to have round5 chemo tmw and my surgery will be in March.
I too have DCIS and have had the same worries as you as Iāve had my mid scan which showed reduction in size but then yesterday my onc was like we wonāt know anything until after itās out at surgery. Have you had a scan after all your chemo treatments?
My onc also said that my phesgo will stop with my six chemo cycle and nothing will happen until after they have the results of surgery back. Is that the same for you? I feel angsty about this as surely itās best to keep the tx going??
Anyway not long until your surgery. I hope you are getting some rest before that date xxx
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@purple_rain yes two scans during chemo last one after cycle 5. They say itās responding but canāt measure which makes me very anxious.
I am continuing Phesgo have one next week and carry on infact have all booked in.
Good luck with your last chemo and surgery xx
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Happy Sunday, Monday and now itās Tuesday Iām not a starter finisher. Half job hilling again!
Hello to new joiners to this marvellous thread.
Allow yourself a whole afternoon to read it in its entirety!
Thank you @Salbert for sharing your epic poem. Iām thinking of following the BOGOF theme with my surgery, Breasts Off Get Others Free.
My PICC line insertion on Thursday was a painless experience. Just the expected sting with the local anaesthetic. Arm ached for 24 hours.
First cycle of treatment trouble free on Friday with the exception of forgetting I was attached to an IV pump and a plug socket and strode off to the toilet 
. Rather embarrassing as I made an audible ouch as it twanged my right upper arm!
Light, bright unit. Kind and efficient staff. Fed and watered. Phesgo, aside from the needle entering was painless. Had Carboplatin and Docetaxol. Didnāt bother with the cold cap after a conversation with a nurse the day before decided that it wasnāt for me.
Tired in the evening but we had returned home and I wanted to go to B&Q then fancied a toasted sandwich. Prepped it all and turned on said machine. Acrid smoke emerged so had to whisk it into the garden incase it caught fire. Then decided to get a replacement from Argus. Not in stock locally so trip to retail park on outskirts of Brighton. Other shops drew me in- reduced hot water bottles, crinkly bottle like mine for husband (heās now peeing hourly too). Reduced food in M&S, Lucozade in Asdaā¦ Two hours later got home. Sandwich was an anticlimax. Not enough filling!
Slept well Saturday night. Went for a stroll around Wakehurst in the afternoon. Not such restful sleep Saturday and Sunday. 4 hours Steroids stolen it. Been awake since 0300 today so decided that as Iām knackered and aching I wouldnāt go into work. Pangs of guilt about it but no presenteeism anymore. Reminding myself people stay off with colds and plaster casts. Iām not shirking!
Last dose of steroids yesterday. Started filgrastim injections Sunday night. Had been wondering if and when Iām going to feel more rubbish. Aside from feeling shattered from sleep deprivation and aching I thought I was okay. By 4pm I felt like Iād been run down by a bus! Took a sleeping tablet last. 10 glorious hours of unbroken sleep. Bloody marvellous.
Next Tuesday we have my daughterās graduation at the Barbican. Mindful Iāll be in the nadir so increased risk of infection but it is my goal to go. Life goes on and I need to celebrate her achievements and take a risk. It is at 10 oāclock so Iāll be in with the rush hour commuters probably alongside people going for treatments with compromised immune symptoms.
Better get my arse into gear. No festering today. Using my voucher for a free coffee in Greggs and going to shoe repairers.
Iāve done a few commercial plugs today of well known high street storesā¦ I may feel up to going to work tomorrow. See what tonigh yieldsā¦
Xx
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Hi everyone . Diagnosed October 2024 with DCIS 10.5cm high grade invasive ductal carcinoma 2.5cm HER2 positive and ER negative .
Iām 4 cycles through out of 6 of carboplatin, abraxane and phesgo . Surgery being masectomy after chemo
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Welcome @lisalisa your story is similar to mine. I was diagnosed August 2024 7cm dcis, 1.7cm invasive. Completed 6 cycles of TC Phesgo and having mastectomy either next week or week after xx