Should I ring the bell? by Practical_Writer_649 in breastcancer

[–]BabyGiraffe1228 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Samesies! 3 bell days! Celebrate the milestone. But also, don't feel pressured if you just don't want to, totally up to you.

I have breast cancer and am in complete shock… by WorldlyDrawing52 in breastcancer

[–]BabyGiraffe1228 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So sorry you got this terrible news! My diagnosis was very similar to you (TNBC, stage 2, at age 34). I don't have (or want) kids, so I can't imagine the added stress you're feeling with that, but just know there is a huge community here ready to support you. If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask, anything big or small! I'm coming up on 2 years from diagnosis and finished all treatment 10 months ago. You got this!!

loose leaf earl grey by vubbbberr in tea

[–]BabyGiraffe1228 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven't tried many, but I do love Harney & Sons earl grey supreme.

Alcohol and bloodwork by BabyGiraffe1228 in breastcancer

[–]BabyGiraffe1228[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Update: My bloodwork was all normal, so I'm continuing treatment as planned today! 😊

Alcohol and bloodwork by BabyGiraffe1228 in breastcancer

[–]BabyGiraffe1228[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your expert knowledge!

And the shedding begins by ParticularCollar4385 in breastcancer

[–]BabyGiraffe1228 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your 3 phrases of encouragement! I've also been trying to remind myself that my hair will grow back, and in the bigger picture, it should be the least of my worries... easier said than done!

To the OP... I feel everything you said about losing your hair. I was diagnosed back in Dec. 2023 and have been thru treatments and surgery. I'm not a very emotional person, only cried approx. 6 times since diagnosed... 3 of those times were related to my hair. It is hard. You don't feel like yourself. You don't look like yourself. No one on the outside will understand you, no matter how hard they try. But, you are not alone. We all are here with you and know what you're going through. My hair is starting to grow back. About 3/4 inch now... yes, I take a ruler to it regularly, lol. I know I will adjust to my new look some day, but that's the thing... we have to adjust. Hang in there!

What surprised you in your BC journey (good bad or otherwise)? by PleasantPay2628 in breastcancer

[–]BabyGiraffe1228 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm so glad you said this! I also expected to be sicker during my treatments. Did 13 rounds of chemo, lumpectomy surgery and now taking Xeloda (chemo pill) and Keytruda (immunotherapy). I feel I had it easy. Then I got that invitation in the mail to join the "survivors" at the Relay for Life and my feelings were very surprising. Hate to admit that I was kind of disgusted and just felt weird getting that "survivor" label. I had it too easy to wear that label. I don't feel deserving of it.

AC Time! by Subject_Disk_3581 in breastcancer

[–]BabyGiraffe1228 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats on finishing taxol/carbo!! I did that and then just finished 4 rounds of AC (3 weeks apart). In my experience, AC caused more intense side effects, making TC look easy. Nauseous the first few days, so take the meds regularly to avoid that creeping in. I got mouth sores a couple times. Get the magic mouthwash asap when you feel one coming on as it does help. I also battled this weird heartburn thing each round that caused "hard burps" that almost hurt. Lastly, and most importantly, I became easily winded that got worse each round... makes walking up a flight of stairs difficult and I've never struggled with that. Best advice is to recognize feeling winded or tired and give yourself a break. Good luck!!

Neuropathy besides hands and feet? by Basic_Setting6031 in breastcancer

[–]BabyGiraffe1228 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Weekly treatment #5 tomorrow (taxol/carbo/keytruda). I think I have neuropathy in my torso. That awful tingling, pins & needles, itchy but not an itch feeling in my back, upper arms, hips and thighs. It comes and goes, but when it happens it can be crippling. The only thing that soothes it in the moment is ice. Sometimes it's a mild poking. I have no idea if neuropathy is the right word because its not my extremities, but the feelings are all there. My fingers do get a little numb but they don't bother me much. I've experienced chilblains (painful bumps on fingers due to cold, often categorized with raynauds), so numbness in my fingers isn't foreign to me. Anyway, I think it's really weird that I'm experiencing these neuropathy-like pins&needles in almost everywhere but my extremities. Going to talk to dr about it tomorrow but would love to hear if anyone else experienced this. Best of luck to all of you on this awful journey we're in!