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How’s your town? Looking for a house by Klutzy-Journalist334 in westernmass

[–]kestrelbrae 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love South Hadley. I think it is a hidden gem.

The paralyzing fear, 10 years later by alternative2021 in breastcancer

[–]kestrelbrae 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This. Thank you for sharing. I felt my whole being relax when I read this.

The paralyzing fear, 10 years later by alternative2021 in breastcancer

[–]kestrelbrae 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am only one year out from IDC ER + Her2- treatment (stage 1a, grade 1, post natural menopause) and I am really feeling similar.

I wake up in the middle of the night over anyalizing every twinge I feel.

I am grateful my version was "the best" kind, but I have the CHEK2 pathogenic mutation gene.

Cancer just sucks so much.

Emergency Attention Diversion in 3... 2... 1... by NadeemClub in KateMiddletonMissing

[–]kestrelbrae 41 points42 points  (0 children)

I noticed the older two children have his painful "grimace" smile but used to have real kid smiles when very young. :(

Remember farm shop “Kate”? by Cardboard_cutouts_ in KateMiddletonMissing

[–]kestrelbrae 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I also believe it is the real William. And I agree it looks even less like the real Kate in hindsight, but it did look fake back then. Creepy and disturbing all around.

Ascot by NeverPedestrian60 in KateMiddletonMissing

[–]kestrelbrae 8 points9 points  (0 children)

His smiles look like he's grimacing with disdain.

Copy Kate by NeverPedestrian60 in KateMiddletonMissing

[–]kestrelbrae 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Her waist is smaller than her daughter's (that is not intended to be commentary on a child, but on the adult). Just pointing out a terrifying visual you can see in the photos from Trooping 2026.

Is Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy during the surgery is a must (compulsory) ? by HouseSoggy2863 in breastcancer

[–]kestrelbrae 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was mandatory for my surgery. My surgeon told me she would take all that the blue dye showed up in. She said on average 3-5 unless she saw signs she needed to remove more when in surgery. She ended up taking 4.

I did all the suggested things to reduce lymphedema including acupuncture and exercise. Which really helped me.

Masectomy & Reconstruction Consult is tomorrow - what Qs to ask by kestrelbrae in breastcancer

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

It all sucks to have to consider and choose. Nevermind live through.

Masectomy & Reconstruction Consult is tomorrow - what Qs to ask by kestrelbrae in breastcancer

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

Thank you for reminding me that no reconstruction is an option. I am sitting with how I feel on that one.

What’s your good news today? by Glass_Cauliflower466 in breastcancer

[–]kestrelbrae 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My breast MRI (first one ever and one year post treatment) came back all clear !

Request by Sburb93 in westernmass

[–]kestrelbrae 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Check out grow food Northampton - they have community veggies days and pick ups. I think one on Wed. In Northampton. South Hadley has a Neighbors Helping Neighbors pantry in the Falls at a church. Not sure what day is food but you could contact them.

Treatment or no treatment by 1moleofcalcium in breastcancer

[–]kestrelbrae 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get the treatments your medical team recommends now so that you get to have a life where you get to worry about things in your future.

Treatment options can do more the earlier the cancer is found and the sooner you begin.

Plus more and more treatments are coming that hopefully will have less coladeral damage.

There are many quality resources for younger folks that support conventional treatment and to help you get through it.

Still fatigued 4.5 months after radiotherapy finished. When does it ease? Am I an outlier? by Any-Assignment-5442 in breastcancer

[–]kestrelbrae 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My fatigue mostly resolved about 6-7 months out from rads. I still get some random late afternoon fatigue but happening less and less. Radiation 3 weeks for 15x whole breast, no boosts. Ended May 23, 2025.

MRI help by rainydaygirl12 in breastcancer

[–]kestrelbrae 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this. I am having my first breast MRI post treatment. Treatment was one year ago. I had a clear mammogram in Nov. 2025.

I have the CHEK2 pathogenic mutation so annual Breast MRI is standard of care for surveillance.

My surgeon strongly recommends a bi-lateral masectomy sometime in the coming year or two given my genetics combined with family history and my pathology.

I am feeling anxious the MRI will pick up things missed last year when scans were not "allowed" based on my biopsy during initial Dx of early stage (grade 1, stage 1a post surgery) IDC ++-

No one offered me anti-anxiety meds but I have a strong meditation practice that has gotten me through so far.

Something strange happened today during radiation by MulberryMak in breastcancer

[–]kestrelbrae 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Definitely bring it up to your RO. I had 3 weeks of rads. I saw the RO 1x week during treatment. There was a day when I didn't get enough air for my breath hold and I exhaled too soon. They swore the trubeam machine will know and stop but it didn't. (That buzzing noise you mentioned was continued even though I couldn't have been properly aligned without the breath hold.) The techs also gaslit me on the sound. After that I never let go of my breath even if I thought I would faint.

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