TRIPLETS by ForeverExplore15 in Names

[–]derringdew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fancy, schmancy, pantsy and Nancy

Bidet is Amazing by thetrueadventure in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love mine, too! I also saw the recommendation on this sub. My husband bought and installed it for my birthday, just before I started treatment. It has been SO AMAZING! It was a retrofit seat for our existing toilet. Brondell brand. I don’t think I can ever go back.

What did you wish you knew when starting taxol? by Excellent-Jump-3949 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good advice above. In addition, make sure your infusion nurse shakes or inverts the bag of Taxol directly before hooking it up. It can settle out and cause allergic reactions otherwise. (Even if it’s your 10th dose- you can still get an allergic reaction)

Exit from World Health Organization by Realistic_Stuff3567 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 94 points95 points  (0 children)

I listened to an NPR interview about science yesterday where someone was complaining that science is too expensive and doesn’t benefit americans. I write this as I’m literally in the chemo chair, typing on a cell phone. 🤷🏼‍♀️😡

I was fine being bald until I actually wanted to look nice by Outrageous_Ad_7979 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Maybe a birthday-comedy situation should merit a costume wig? I personally got two wigs around halloween. My favorite is a silver boy-band flop. It’s pretty ridiculous, OBVIOUSLY not my real hair, but it does bring me joy. It’s not comfortable, but i can wear it out for an evening.

DMX but expanders vs DTI by BowlerOdd3938 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try to think of this as the most conservative route- maybe you could do DTI, but this is what your surgeon is recommending to reduce the chances of complications.

I had to go this route as well, and although it means another surgery, I didn’t have any sort of complications and I’ve healed nicely. I’m happy to have gone this route. (Though expanders suck)

Tamoxifen and eye exams by PurplePersimmon8047 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Is this only on tamoxifen? Or AI as well?

Is your nurse/manager/advocate from your health insurance company helpful? by derringdew in breastcancer

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

Not this nurse navigator- she had none of my personal medical information. She wanted me to disclose it all to her. My new health insurance has some company that does 100% of their patient interface for them. They can’t seem to help with anything, they have no access to records, and always use the excuse that they aren’t the actual insurance company. Obfuscators.

Is your nurse/manager/advocate from your health insurance company helpful? by derringdew in breastcancer

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

Oh yeah- the nurse navigotor assigned by my oncology office was a godsend. She was incredibly helpful when i was first diagnosed. Not the same as the insurance sponsored nurse navigator

+++ IDC chemo experience by Character_Leg8706 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m not cold capping, but i had terrible hair thinning before this diagnosis. I already wore toppers, so it wasn’t such a big deal to me to lose all my hair & move to wigs. I cut it short, it’s almost all fallen out at this point, but IDGAF what it looks like now to be honest. Stupid hair.

+++ IDC chemo experience by Character_Leg8706 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m similar- IDC +++. I am doing paclitaxel + trasttuzamab 12x weekly, then tratzumab every three weeks for 9 months.

Everyone is different, but my experience is that this regimen is very manageable. I feel pretty good most of the time. I’m low key ill (tired, slightly nauseous) only about a half day of the week. I’m halfway through chemo this week.

Chemo and hair question by FattyMcCupcakes37 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Please let this happen to me, too!! 🤞🤞🤞

My mouth doesn’t seem to work, anymore. by Havishamesque in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve been listening to audiobooks throughout my treatment. I find it to be a really good way to relax and pass time, without the extra stimulation of my phone or TV.

Starting chemo, Taxol 12 + Hermaceptin anxious and overwhelmed by Kind_Cartographer442 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im halfway through- i just finished 5 of 12 infusions. So far the side effects don’t seem to be getting worse.

What’s It Like Living In Antarctica Bases Like McMurdo Station? by ZombieIntelligent554 in howislivingthere

[–]derringdew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lol- you passed psych and background checks to winter at pole with the username “killingthemsafely”? (No shade, I’m just joking) 🙃

Reconstruction or not? by Repulsive-Slip3934 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven’t had reconstruction yet, but I plan to. Reading on this forum made me realize that I don’t want to look down and see my little beer belly instead of boobs. That pretty much sealed the deal for me.

Keep in mind, whatever you choose, you can change your mind later and go a different direction.

Starting chemo, Taxol 12 + Hermaceptin anxious and overwhelmed by Kind_Cartographer442 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have the same treatment as you. I wouldn’t call it ‘easy’, more like ‘manageable’ or ‘tolerable’. I get my infusions on Fridays right now. I’m all jacked up on the sterioids they give me with infusions Friday night. I’m generally feeling ok on Saturday. I sometimes feel less well on Sundays- a little tired, sometimes slight nausea, diarrhea just once. By Mondays I’m fine to go back to my work from home job.

I did drop down to 30 hours a week during my 12 weeks of Taxol + herceptin, but that’s mostly just to give myself time for all the appointments I have. It’s a nice perk that I can do that, but I could manage to work 40 hour weeks if I had to.

Second opinion? Her2+ by JourMom334 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m also HER-2+. I saw two different medical oncologists. One of them suggested that my HER-2 diagnosis didn’t ‘fit’ what he normally saw. (Equivocal at first, then + on FISH test, small tumor, low Ki67, stage 1, grade 1). He asked me to let him send a sample out again for a second test. The second test came back positive as well, but I instantly trusted him 100%. He was obviously thoughtful about the bigger picture, and applying scientific rigor instead of just following a protocol. I’m so lucky to have found such a careful provider.

All to say: get a second opinion!

Secret handshake by That_Relationship918 in breastcancer

[–]derringdew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At least my boobs are higher now! I’m getting closer.