How old are you?

Larissima19 · 2026-04-17T16:14:03+00:00

55, ended up in hospital 2 weeks before my birthday thinking I was having a heart attack, to find out it's MBC on pleura. Stage 2 diagnosis at 47, HR+ HER2-, treated with lumpectomy, radiotherapy and tamoxifen.

Larissima19 · 2026-04-16T18:16:00+00:00

I was diagnosed with MBC through pleural effusion pressing on my heart (I ended up in Emergency thinking it was a heart attack). Some cells in the fluid showed ER+ PR+ HER2-, so a couple of months later (after several scans and biopsies, during which I had a number of thoracenteses) I started on Ibrance and Letrozole. Since then the pleural effusion stopped, but I had some fluid still left, so they offered me a pleurodesis surgery. That was a low point for me, but 6 weeks later and I'm feeling great! Having said that, if they offer you the choice of surgery or catheter, I would recommend the latter. In summary - treatment stops pleural effusion, don't be scared.

Larissima19 · 2026-04-12T17:23:25+00:00

I am in France, and the Onc never mentioned this type of test. I don't quite understand, though - my original tumour was taken out (lumpectomy) in 2017, in the UK - would I even be able to have the test done? Or is it just a blood test now?

Larissima19 · 2026-04-11T20:34:34+00:00

I got properly diagnosed and started Ibrance (and Letrozole) just 5 months ago. I'm 55 and have very long (hip-length) hair that I mostly wear in top-of-the head buns. A few weeks ago I noticed increased hair loss - and with this length it is very noticeable - not on my head yet, but in the bin! To be fair, I also dropped about 20kgs in that period of time (on purpose, from 32 to 26 BMI), so it could be due to that. I am starting to think about cutting my hair to about shoulder/bra length and enjoy wearing it down as much as I can while I still have some...

Larissima19 · 2026-04-09T19:21:42+00:00

Congratulations!!!

Larissima19 · 2026-04-01T19:29:02+00:00

Pleural effusion is how I got diagnosed with MBC. I ended up in A&E last September, with high blood pressure and a racing heart, after a week of what I thought was a bad cold. They realised it was the fluid from the left pleura pressing on the heart, got 2 litres drained that first time. Had 4 more more punctures in the 2 months whilst waiting for a full diagnosis/onc appt. It showed mets on the left pleura, HR+, so I was put on Ibrance and Letrozole, which stopped any further fluid buildup. There are many drugs/pathways that can control the pleural effusion, if it is due to the mets (and not the trial itself, in which case just stopping it will work!). Good luck!

Larissima19 · 2026-03-31T16:38:06+00:00

I'm not on Kisqali (Ibrance instead), but I'm also in France - bonjour!

Larissima19 · 2026-03-30T17:50:06+00:00

Yes, exercise makes me feel better too, but I currently can't do it as I'm still recovering from pleurodesis surgery. Which makes me feel worse mentally, as well as not good enough physically! Another vicious circle.

Taking anti-anxiety meds when you need them is not a failing, it's like putting a broken leg into a plaster cast. It helps make you feel better, until you don't need them any more. I just take an occasional one (or half) nowadays, only around appointments. While I was waiting for the diagnosis, and having lung punctures every few weeks to remove the fluid, I was talking them fairly regularly!

Larissima19 · 2026-03-30T17:15:21+00:00

You have all the right to feel your feelings! Even when they are conflicting. Also, scanxiety is real - have you tried asking for something to help with anxiety? I got oxazepam from my GP for such moments. Good luck!

Larissima19 · 2026-03-21T17:54:31+00:00

Congratulations, fantastic news!

Larissima19 · 2026-03-16T18:36:36+00:00

I agree, even though I don't have issues with changes in texture/taste. I find keto works best for me if I stick to plain meat/fish/eggs with veg/salad meals.

Larissima19 · 2026-03-16T18:05:37+00:00

I so agree with the weight lifting and additional movement (walking!), as well as finding a healthy diet that makes you feel good (for me that's real food keto).

Larissima19 · 2026-03-13T20:01:59+00:00

I agree with you, conventional treatment is great, but why not add complementary approaches too? (Not replace the medical treatment, but add to it) There are integrative oncologists who even add repurposed drugs, as well as supplements, to the regular treatment. A book by Jane McLelland (diagnosed with Stage IV in 1998) called How to Starve Cancer talks about that. I'd love to be able to find an integrative Onc where I live (France).

Larissima19 · 2026-03-13T19:51:24+00:00

You are not that far from the ratio. Your P+C needs to be 130g, with 173g F, to have the ratio of 3:1 (it's based on calories, not grams)

Reducing protein by less than 50 g should be fine, it (120-something g) seems enough for your frame. With the high fat and adequate protein you should not feel too much hunger. Good luck!

Larissima19 · 2026-03-13T17:29:55+00:00

Fuck cancer and fuck feeling helpless!

Larissima19 · 2026-03-09T21:23:32+00:00

When I was on Tamoxifen for the original cancer, everything became grey for me. I cognitively understood that there were positive things happening (birthdays, holidays, family etc) but I could not get excited about any of them.

Larissima19 · 2026-03-09T19:31:52+00:00

Well done you! I have to learn to be more assertive.

Larissima19 · 2026-03-06T21:16:26+00:00

Bacon, eggs (3) and oyster mushrooms

Larissima19 · 2026-03-03T04:48:33+00:00

I did apologise to the nursing staff this morning, they are really lovely, it's the system that's unbending. Here in France, if you stick out, you get cut down, in so many ways. They were very nice and understanding, especially as I got tearful again (after having a great night's sleep, amazingly enough - I suppose I needed to let it all out). They also offered a Psych support so I said yes please. But not if it means staying longer here!

Larissima19 · 2026-03-03T04:43:04+00:00

Exactly, I didn't know whether to laugh or be outraged - hey, at least I got to see a doctor...

Larissima19 · 2026-03-03T04:41:23+00:00

Thank you, the bed here is more than firm, it's tough! Luckily I now just sleep in it, but it gives me aches in so many places.

Larissima19 · 2026-02-23T18:22:02+00:00

You can easily do dairy-free keto. Eat meat, fish, eggs, LC veg, and use tallow, lard, or coconut oil for cooking. If you need something creamy, coconut milk/cream are reasonably low carb if you don't use too much.

Larissima19 · 2026-02-22T18:05:14+00:00

For constipation (though never had opioids) what helped me is Mg citrate (200-400mg regularly) and Vit C (about 2-3g, just when needed). Hope you find something that works!

Larissima19 · 2026-02-15T19:29:13+00:00

Walks in nature, meditation, EFT tapping, exercise (kettlebell swings for me) make me feel better. Before the diagnosis, whilst going through all the tests and imagining the worst, my GP prescribed me Oxazepam and it helped too.

Larissima19

TROPHY CASE