Thank you that’s really great advice.
Yes if cancer free I will continue with Herceptin otherwise Kadcyla.
Having a bit of a spiral day again today! Then i have to keep telling my self my results i got and what the Dr said to me… eugh. Anyway im trying to push the thoughts away and i am sprucing up and meeting some of the girls later on tonight for a bit. Need a good laugh i think! Hope everyone is having a good weekend as much as they can.
Oh and i go tuesday for my scan to start radiotherapy so thats more targeted treatment going at it.
Enjoy your night tonight @jeml! Nothing like a laugh with your besties, definitely the best medicine!
Hit me with your positive stories, ladies
I’m stage 2 (wasn’t told substage), HER2 pos only, multifocal.
Finished TCHP (six rounds) chemo 12 days ago and had my completion MRI a couple of days ago. Now very nervously waiting for results and to book surgery (get them on Wednesday morning).
Had an MRI mid-way through chemo that showed the total extent of my multifocal tumours (largest one was 1.6cm at diagnosis, lots of other small ones and some axillary node involvement) had shrunk by 49%. My onco said the involved lymphs were also ‘almost all gone’.
My boob, which before I started treatment was VERY hard, inverted nipple etc, now just feels like a normal, squidgy boob (nipple normal). The only thing I feel now are random ‘aches’ in the affected boob, on and off.
In summary, I know the chemo has done SOMETHING, but am still fricking terrified. Hearing positive stories a) makes me happy, and b) makes me feel like this will one day just be a horrible nightmare that I once lived through.
I had surgery first then chemo/herceptin but many in here and on the monthly chemo groups have a CPR (complete pathology response) to the treatment and then surgery removes the residual tissue.
I’m sure someone else on here will let you know some positive stories.
The waiting for results is never easy.
Hi this is real
Thank you so much for replying to me.
When I got my pathology results I explained to everyone that the tumour has been removed of course but I didn’t really go into detail about the next phase and I was getting lots of congratulations whereas I knew the Kadcyla was coming. My mum struggles with it all mentally so it was really to protect her.
Thank you for sharing your experience which sounds as positive as it could be. As you say taking it slowly will be a sensible thing to do. I’m quite a few weeks post surgery now and feeling much stronger. I had sepsis following the mastectomy at the beginning of December. Lots of love to you. How many rounds of kadcyla do you have left ? Xxx
They certainly are and I’ve already had lots of replies which has calmed me down a lot. Thank you and love to you x
Thanks Sal I’m 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
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
Let’s stay brave together
Does anyone have experience or info if it’s better or safer to start with expander vs permanent implant. My team suggested permanent implant directly. What’s 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
Thank you
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
@pinklady3 I’ve 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 must’ve 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. You’ve had a good wash through your whole system with all that lovely chemo (yes, I know there’s nothing lovely about the process but I’m thinking of the end result) and you’ve 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 shouldn’t be one of the vast majority of people for whom this becomes a memory. Yes, it’s 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 you’ll do the Kadcyla and you’ll STILL come out the other side. You can do this. You ARE doing this. Hang in there and stick with us. It’s great that you are at a similar point to @musestad. You should definitely be buddies. And yes, I love that sentiment, let’s 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 don’t need to expand your tissue quite so much? Radiotherapy can affect the outcome but I was very lucky and it didn’t, so I’ve 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 you’ve 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
Evening everyone - hope you’re 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. I’ve 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 can’t breathe yet because of this now hanging over me. Results will be 6-8 weeks and I’m so worried they’re going to say I have skin cancer as well - I just can’t escape the feeling that it’s going to be bad news. I just want to get my life back on track. I’m 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 can’t 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
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.
Hi @hlc. Welcome to the group, it’s a fabulous bunch. Lots of support, advice and hand holding.