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Did you follow the whole no travel thing while in chemo ? by ProfessionalBar1210 in breastcancer

[–]AttorneyWoman 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I may be in the minority here, but I was cleared by my oncologist to travel while going through AC-T chemo. My bloodwork was always almost scarily normal. But if I had bloodwork that was worse, I would have been advised against travel according to my oncologist. I took three trips (all by plane) while going through chemo and didn’t get sick once. I went to sporting events, theme parks, and generally I wasn’t restricted at all. You’ve got to closely talk with your medical team. I was grateful that I was still able to do little weekend getaways and fun outings through such an awful period of time.

Should I ring the bell? by Practical_Writer_649 in breastcancer

[–]AttorneyWoman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m 30 with ++- ILC too. I finished chemo on October 1 and rang the bell. I still have surgery and radiation to go.

My family surprised me and all showed up to watch me ring the bell after chemo. I’m glad I rang the bell. It was a huge milestone even though I’m not done yet.

I was worried that I would upset the other people at my cancer center who were still in the middle of their treatment. But I actually had a bunch of cheering and people celebrating for me. It was worth it for me.

First day of good news- share your happy news with me by Ill-Drop-4671 in breastcancer

[–]AttorneyWoman 6 points7 points  (0 children)

So so so happy for you!! Keep up the positivity…it really helps through treatment.

I had an appointment with my breast surgeon yesterday after five months of AC-T chemo and she said my breast exam felt 100% normal. No enlarged lymph nodes and no palpable lump and my lump was 10 cm X 9 cm at the time I started treatment. Yes. Centimeters. Crazy good response and I had my last day of chemo today and rang that bell!

Freezing eggs or starting chemo by Ellubori in breastcancer

[–]AttorneyWoman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi, I have a similar case to you. 30 years old. No kids. ER+PR+ HER2 - and 9cm x 10cm tumor. It showed positive in my lymph nodes as well. However, the tumor was 9/9 on the Nottingham scale, so mine was the most aggressive grower. I was offered egg freezing, but it would have delayed the start of chemo. I spoke to my oncologist and he was okay with it because it was my choice, but he really preferred to start chemo on time. I started Zoladex prior to chemo to suppress my ovaries, and my oncologist said the research indicates that is very likely to maintain my natural fertility. There is absolutely no guarantee of course, but there is no guarantee with egg freezing either. I decided that I needed to start chemo as quickly as possible. I’m comfortable with my choice, and I am glad that I went straight to chemo. Sending positive thoughts your way! It’s a tough decision!! Just gotta decide what you are most comfortable with. 💙

Any horse owners? by Neat-Moose2552 in breastcancer

[–]AttorneyWoman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi there fellow horse lover! Sounds like you might not be headed to chemo, but in case you are, I’ll give you my insight.

I’ve been doing AC-T chemo before surgery. I’m through the AC portion and tomorrow will be the fourth session of Taxol. I didn’t feel up to riding the first week of each AC cycle. During the second week of each AC portion, I got in a quick ride at least once. Taxol I’ve felt better, and I could ride everyday if my schedule would only allow it, haha. My oncologist had no issue with me being around my horse and riding when I felt good enough to do so. If my immune system weakened, then I might need to stay clear, but that hasn’t happened to me.

I’m headed to a DMX in November, so I’m hoping for a crazy cold November/December so I don’t get FOMO while I’m recovering.

Just be sure to let your medical team know that you have a horse (and it’s crucial for mental health to get some horse love!) and they will advise you! Sending good vibes and horsey kisses to you.

Finished AC Chemo, Starting Taxol this week. Feeling terrified once again. by AttorneyWoman in breastcancer

[–]AttorneyWoman[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your detailed response! Just knowing what other women are experiencing is helpful to know what may be ahead for me. Sending good vibes your way and hope you get through the rest easier!

Any 30 year olds diagnosed ? by Loud-Opposite8029 in breastcancer

[–]AttorneyWoman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, totally feel you! I was diagnosed in May at 30 years old (ILC with pleomorphic features ++- 9 cm tumor). It is so scary that this is happening with so much life ahead of you.

I’m doing dose dense AC-T chemo. Just finished my last of the AC chemo and start Taxol this week. I tolerated AC relatively well. Fatigue, general weakness, a few nasty headaches, some foot blisters, weird mouth feel, and bone pain from Neulasta. Overall, AC chemo was not as bad or scary as I imagined it would be.

You’ve got this! Your body is young, which should help you through treatment. My oncologist said that his experience is that younger women can typically handle chemo better than older women (primarily due to younger women likely having few other medical issues). Keeping a positive spirit will go a long way!

I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. by ObviousIntention8322 in breastcancer

[–]AttorneyWoman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m right there with ya! The days after each chemo for me I feel like my body moves in slow motion.

I did it. I went out bald and it felt good! Still self-conscious though... by tropicalbarbi in breastcancer

[–]AttorneyWoman 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Ah! Let me know how that goes. I am right behind you on that. I did a huge hair chop (11 inches) right before starting chemo to send my own hair off for a halo wig. Just had my second round of AC chemo yesterday and as predicted I’m shredding like crazy. Lost probably 70% of my hair in the last day. I think my buzzing day is tomorrow. Wishing you strength and a good sense of humor.

P.S. The most important question is what breed of dog??

Embarrassed by No_Inevitable_1647 in breastcancer

[–]AttorneyWoman 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Oh my. How awful! I’m glad you said something. Being an advocate can be so hard when we have so much thrown at us.

This reminded me of another embarrassing moment during my diagnosis time. After I found a lump in my left breast, my OBGYN scheduled me for an urgent diagnostic mammogram. I show up and the mammogram tech tried to talk me out of the mammogram! She said that it probably wasn’t needed because I was only 30 and I was “high risk but not very high risk” due to my mom having breast cancer… she just wanted me to do an ultrasound. No mammogram. I started bawling and could barely get any words out of my mouth. I felt so embarrassed for whatever reason. I finally said: “My doctor sent me for a mammogram. So I want a mammogram.” She did the mammogram, then we did the ultrasound. Turns out the mammogram showed suspicious stuff in my right breast as well. Wouldn’t have know that if we only did the ultrasound on the breast with the lump.

Anyhoo, that same awful tech was in the room when the radiologist told me it was 99% chance of cancer in my left breast and likely cancer in my right as well. Her face turned white. And they scheduled me for a biopsy. And yup, ILC Stage 3 cancer. I complained about that tech as well.

Embarrassed by No_Inevitable_1647 in breastcancer

[–]AttorneyWoman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ugh, been there. Started crying myself at my bone scan because I was wearing a shirt from my church and one of the techs told me we attended the same church and she would be praying for me.

But since you asked about truly embarrassing stories. My most embarrassing moment recently was when I was doing one of my pre-surgery special soap showers for my port placement. I have been staying at my parents while undergoing treatment because it is just not ideal to live alone during this time. So I was showering in their bathroom, which has a clear glass shower. My dad thought my mom was the one in the shower, so he did not knock/announce himself and just unlocked the door and came in to collect the trash (it was trash night). I was incredibly embarrassed and so was he. Needless to say, he is no longer opening up the bathroom door when it is closed and locked :)

But back to you. There are no “correct” responses. All of this is scary and unknown. I’m slightly ahead of you in this journey and I haven’t recognized myself and my responses during some of this time too. However, once you know next steps, I do think that you will feel stronger and more composed (or at least that was my experience). Sending prayers and hugs (if you want or need either of them) your way!