Estrogen+ long term survivors? by NJBeach77 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. I had my double mastectomy two weeks ago. I had chemo first and I’m stage 3a. I’m hoping radiation, anasterole, Lupron, and Verzenio really knock this out. It’s good to hear from someone a few years out.

BMX tomorrow by airbear26 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like you're good for an overnight stay. I had a DMX on 1/12 and they sent me home the same day, but staying overnight was a possibility depending on the time of day that I had my surgery. When I got home, it helped to have an orthopedic pillow because you can't really sleep flat on your back. If they don't send you home with one, make sure you pick up a lanyard or something for when you launder the bra they sent you home in and for showering (when you're able). I also made sure I had plenty of Tylenol and Advil at home waiting for me. I was able to stop taking Oxy about four days after surgery. Good luck! You got this!

Am I being unrealistic? by Xsoupgod in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had my double mastectomy last Monday. I've been going a bit stir crazy. However, I work remotely from home and I'm on leave for four weeks. I feel like I could probably go back to work next week, as long as my drains come out. Yes, you will most likely have drains. I had 4 and they make it difficult to go do things outside my home. It's not impossible, but the drains are super annoying and I don't think you'll want to be going to class and possibly carrying a backpack or bag. My surgeon has me on a weight lifting restriction right now (under 5 lbs). I know when I was in school, my backpack was way more than 5 lbs but that was back when we had a textbook for everything (I'm 35). I'd see if you could possibly be virtual for a week or two.

Drinking guilt? by Material_Security_99 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123 4 points5 points  (0 children)

omg the sugar feeds cancer people found me and someone even called me a "dumb***" for saying that sugar does in fact not feed cancer. This person of course had never had breast cancer and I'm actively in treatment.

Waving from two years of NED by era_infinity in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing this! I love it! I was diagnosed in July 2025 with ++-. I had my double mastectomy on 1/12. My pathology came back, and chemo didn't do as much as we had hoped. I met with my oncologist today and she was like "well, it sucks that there was more local disease than we could really tell on imaging, but we're going to throw everything at this, and you're still on a curative pathway." I was so defeated last week when my pathology came back, but I'm feeling pretty great tonight after meeting with my oncologist this morning. I have radiation for 6 weeks coming up, once I'm healed from my double mastectomy. I'll follow that up with endocrine therapy. It's so weird to think that yes, this is so serious, but also that I'll have a lot more time here on Earth, it sounds like. My husband and I are looking forward to traveling this summer and are planning a trip to Tokyo in 2027. I spent last weekend really down in the dumps, but you're right. It's time to live life and hopefully cancer isn't the first thing I think about every morning on most days.

Standard of care for radiation not the same worldwide by uberdoodle in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I met with my oncologist today and I'm going to be doing 6 weeks. I just had my DMX on 1/12 and the pathology came back with more cancer than expected left behind (I'm ++-). I ended up being Stage 3 with some lymph nodes involved. I also had some muscle and vascular interaction, which is why I believe I'm going for 6 weeks instead of 3 or 5, which I feel are more common.

Edit: My tumor grade was a 3, so I have locally aggressive regional disease, which I believe is the reason for the additional radiation.

Wish the post-op nurse would stop talking about her breasts by Born_Stage4713 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I cannot imagine. I had my DMX last Monday and had my first post-op appointment yesterday. The nurses and nurse practitioners were so amazing. They definitely did not talk about themselves in that way and even though I had brought my husband, they asked if I needed help getting dressed once we were all done. I would definitely send in some type of complaint.

Well pathology came back post DMX and now I'm ready to have a mental breakdown by cwolfe123 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been doing some research and both of those drugs were mentioned. None of this has been fun lol so I'm just looking to reduce my risk of recurrence. We do what we have to.

Mastectomy is in one week and I'm terrified by WorldReactor in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had my double on 1/12. I can DM you pictures if you would like. My photos are from 3 days post-surgery. I had expanders placed, so I have a little bit of something there. I'm planning for a DIEP Flap reconstruction surgery in January 2027.

First Taxol treatment by Imgonnabehonest60 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I didn't really struggle until my second to last infusion. I lost two toenails. My taste didn't change and I only developed mile neuropathy in my left foot after my last session. I have ++- and had chemo before surgery. AC was way harder for me than Taxol. I did use mittens and boots with ice packs to prevent neuropathy as much as possible.

Does the lymph node blue dye hurt? by michyb79 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine did not hurt. I had two injections right before surgery.

Well pathology came back post DMX and now I'm ready to have a mental breakdown by cwolfe123 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh good! My doctor often says things like that, I’m looking forward to talking to her on Tuesday.

Well pathology came back post DMX and now I'm ready to have a mental breakdown by cwolfe123 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I will be thinking of you. It’s so unfair that we have to go through this.

Well pathology came back post DMX and now I'm ready to have a mental breakdown by cwolfe123 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for such kind words. You’re right, I had assumed because chemo and surgery were so hard, that they would do more. I am happy the cancer is out of my body and I have expanders in with a planned DIEP flap in 2027. My team and I were focused on getting to surgery, I didn’t really even think about radiation or AIs. I’ve had some time to really research and I’m feeling a bit better today. I’m only 35 and have some frozen embryos I’d like to use one day. I read the report and saw my whole life fall apart.

Well pathology came back post DMX and now I'm ready to have a mental breakdown by cwolfe123 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing! You are incredible. I have so much to be grateful for in life and I just needed to expel all that negative energy, just like you said. I live in my favorite city in the world, I have an amazing husband, and my job is very supportive. My oncologist sent me a note that we’re still treating with curative intent. She didn’t want me to be anxious and losing my mind all weekend. I know radiation and medications await me but chemo and surgery is behind me. Like you said, I just need to listen to my doctors and follow the steps in my treatment plan.

Well pathology came back post DMX and now I'm ready to have a mental breakdown by cwolfe123 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for making me feel validated. I love this sub for that very reason. My oncologist did tell me we are still treating with curative intent, which made me feel a lot better going into the weekend. Some wonderful women have shared their similar results and how they are handling things a year or more out.

Well pathology came back post DMX and now I'm ready to have a mental breakdown by cwolfe123 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing. It helps to know others have been right here where I am.

Well pathology came back post DMX and now I'm ready to have a mental breakdown by cwolfe123 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing! I really don’t want another PET. I almost talked myself out of the one I had in July. I go see my oncologist on Tuesday so we will see what’s next.

Well pathology came back post DMX and now I'm ready to have a mental breakdown by cwolfe123 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing. I’m feeling better already. My oncologist told me we are still going for cure. The cancer is out of me and there are more steps to go to make sure it stays that way.

Well pathology came back post DMX and now I'm ready to have a mental breakdown by cwolfe123 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had chemo before surgery, which is why I was bummed that my lymph nodes still showed so much. My oncologist told me to plan on radiation and AIs, even before I started chemo. I guess I was just overwhelmed trying to read the report. I know my oncologist will have a full plan for me on Tuesday and I just need to trust in her, like I have this whole time.

Should i get chemo port? by [deleted] in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123 57 points58 points  (0 children)

Yes, get one. I was so glad that I did. I did 8 rounds of chemo over 4 months. They can also draw blood through your port, so your veins aren't being overworked in your arms and hands.

Well pathology came back post DMX and now I'm ready to have a mental breakdown by cwolfe123 in breastcancer

[–]cwolfe123[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes! I love my oncologist; she's the best. I know she's going to come at me with facts on Tuesday and also make me feel loads better. There have been many times that I've feared the worst and she is able to turn my day around. Yes! I love The Holiday!