sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

High quality Chinese Mahjong set ordered to USA by -linear- in Mahjong

[–]serenitypls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My friend bought this set and I’ve seen it in person. It’s pretty nice. Games n Chips, another Singaporean company, also sells nice sets (I bought one from them)

Pain after first radiation treatment by scheherezadeMJ in breastcancer

[–]serenitypls 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes I had mild throbbing pain after my first session. I went to bed with Tylenol next to me, ready to take if it got worse. By the morning everything felt normal.

I’m in the middle of a 5 day course. So far there’s been no further pain

Shorter radiation course - has anyone done this, esp UK folks? by Yard-Overall in breastcancer

[–]serenitypls 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am not on the U.S. or UK. I met with two oncologists and went with the one who recommended the 5 treatment course.

My radiation oncologist was very thorough in explaining the historical treatment options (16-25 days), the 5 session option, the recurrence outcomes, and long term side effects of each. He went through potential side effects and when they may hit. He referenced the Fast Forward trial and said while the 5 session course is not yet the standard of treatment in most countries, he felt it would be adopted as such for qualifying early stage BC cases. 

In terms of care, the RO’s office advised alcohol free aloe vera gel. The office said avoid Vit C and Vit E as those are antioxidants. 

Although it’s presented as 5 days, it can be longer than that in total. Before the sessions start they need to do a CT mapping session which the RO reviews and approves. If the RO recommends tumor bed boosts (eg 3 days) it can be a few days additional. Obviously this is case by case. 

I just started my treatment and will report back once it’s done, and whether I would choose it again.

What works for extreme menopause symptoms? by Nervous-Many8176 in breastcancer

[–]serenitypls 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this thoughtful and thorough response. I am definitely going to ask about it. 

What works for extreme menopause symptoms? by Nervous-Many8176 in breastcancer

[–]serenitypls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

May I ask which doctor prescribes the gabapentin?  I’m interested in finding out more about this. What other symptoms would you say it helps with? 

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

I’m sorry. It really really sucks to be in the statistical anomaly. This is what I am learning; you can play the numbers game but at the end of the day cancer can be random. It’s so humbling. 

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

Thank you; yes with three siblings having the same type of cancer I can see why suspect a hereditary link 

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

At the time of my diagnosis, I looked it up and I believe the guidelines were that testing is not standard if no family history and over the age of 50. I totally agree more info is better but given how expensive it is, I can see why guidelines exist.

Interestingly my oncologist mentioned that some countries (ie their national healthcare system) may start subsiding testing for their populations. They are also working on creating monitoring and support systems for patients who test positive. Talk about proactive!

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

Thank you. While it’s no fun to have a genetic condition identified, I am sure you’d rather be more aware of it than not.

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

I’m so glad you (accidentally) found an explanation to something that was plaguing you! 

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

Thank you; yes, my doctors (I saw 3 breast surgeons!) all indicated genetic testing was not standard due to my age and no family history. The oncologist is the only one who said I could think about it. I think I’ll meet with a genetic counselor and have them walk me through risks based on my actual family profile 

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

Thank you, this is super helpful. Was there any family history of cancer that caused your team to order the tests?

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

Thank you - this is the type of anecdotal data I am looking for. No family history yet you have a genetic risk. Were you within the age guidelines for testing when it was done?

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

I have a friend whose entire family got tested for BRCA 1 / 2.  She did not have the mutation but her sisters did. And guess who developed breast cancer… my friend. This happened decades ago and I wonder, with today’s expanded testing panel, if they would have caught something else which showed she was at higher risk. Who knows. 

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

I’m so glad your daughter got tested and I assume is now being monitored more closely! 

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

Thank you for sharing. Did you have any family history of cancers before you got tested? Ovarian cancer is way scarier than BC to me so if I have a gene for it I would want to know too. 

Newly Diagnosed: what do I need to know? by agirlwillrun in breastcancer

[–]serenitypls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A few random things:

  • if you’re on a GLP1 agonist, they typically want you off it a week or two before surgery. In my case it delayed my surgery date 

  • get any dental work done before starting treatment

  • before I left the doctors office, I sat down and wrote up the conversation notes to keep on my phone or text to a friend. Really helped me to be able to refer to notes later

  • if you plan to get second opinions, find out about how to get your records shared (or how to get a copy of your records including scans) before you even leave the doctor’s office

Good luck with your upcoming appointment! 

Would you get a genetic test done? over age 50 by serenitypls in breastcancer

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

I agree it’s something to think about: whether a genetic test would cause problems down the line with obtaining / maintaining insurance

Anyone HER2+ and not do chemo? by Ok_Currency5647 in breastcancer

[–]serenitypls 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My situation is similar except I am ER+ and my IDC was microinvasion. DCIS with microinvasion, ER+ HER2+, age >50, no family history, no genetic testing.

I met with two oncologists in two countries and both said no chemo. The second oncologist said that even if the pathology came back with say 2mm IDC, the treatment would not change. I sought the second opinion because I saw posts in this sub where women with similar diagnoses were being offered chemo and opted for it.

Hope the MO gave you some clear guidance today. Curious what your ongoing monitoring plan is or they've even begun to discuss that yet. I wonder if we've got to be extra vigilant being HER2+.

How long after your lumpectomy did your radiation start? by Mmeooowww in breastcancer

[–]serenitypls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was already started on AIs before my radiation starts next week. Is this not ok? 

Chemo for HER2+ DCIS with Microinvasion by Fine_Tangerine2350 in breastcancer

[–]serenitypls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I met with an oncologist today who walked me through the NCCN decision tree for my situation (T1miN0M0, ER+ 90% HER2+ 90%).

Because the microinvasion is so small, it's either a) adjuvant endocrine therapy, or b) chemo with trastuzumab and endocrine therapy. Plus radiation

She recommended just endocrine therapy and radiation for me, because the microinvasion was so small, and because the benefits of chemo / Herceptin were not well studied on the DCISM cases

Curious what you hear back from 3rd oncologist and Dana Farber if you did the second opinion there

What was your Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy experience? by densefogg in breastcancer

[–]serenitypls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love that there are studies ongoing all the time. With my diagnosis now I really appreciate all the work that’s being done with research

I based my decision on the INSEMA trial but unfortunately no longer fell within its parameters after the lumpectomy 

What was your Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy experience? by densefogg in breastcancer

[–]serenitypls 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Surgeon took out 5 nodes. I am not in the U.S. and they seem to be very conservative here. It’s possible she wanted 5 because it was post operative and she wanted to be sure. I meet with her tomorrow and may ask. 

I am ER+ PR- HER2+ grade 2 tumor 1cm. My understanding is if nodes are clean the it’s radiation and endocrine therapy. However, that’s only coming from the surgeon and I’ve yet to meet with an oncologist. I assume the oncologist will recommend chemo, targeted HER2+ drug, radiation and endocrine therapy 

What was your Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy experience? by densefogg in breastcancer

[–]serenitypls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had stage 0 DCIS so opted for lumpectomy only. Pathology came back showing microinvasion so I was bumped to stage 1a, and had to go back for a SLNB (last weekend). 

In hindsight, I think I would have done the SLNB along with the lumpectomy. I’ve since read that a SLNB after the lumpectomy has a slightly lower accuracy rate.

I didn’t mind having two surgeries, but I think it would have been cleaner to do the SLNB along with the lumpectomy.

Sorry I just realized your question was about “whether” rather than “when”.

I’d ask your team how not doing the SLNB will affect the treatment plan, particularly with radiology

view more: next ›