What's Your Best Advice for My Breast Cancer Treatment?

I too have 2A clear margins and clear nodes, er+/pr+/HER2+. And will start chemo soon. Looking for advice as well. Will you be doing cold capping?

I did TCHP last summer. My goal was to stay on the max dose for the entire treatment period and was open to using anything to help with side effects. 1. Dirrhea- for me it was unpredictable. I would have urgency the same day or maybe 4 4 da

Whoops... fat thumbs accidently hit post too soon....diarrhea: urgency same day or maybe at some point within the week. Loperamide helped, but was a stop gap vs firming up stools. Diet helped the most. I ate 2 bananas every day. Had to hold off the veggies. Use preperation H wipes (this brand is flushable) and preperation H cream for your bottom to protect skin. Fatigue: Exercise! I rode my stationary bike 5 days/week, even if all I did some days was move my legs. I did 20min 4x/week of strength training. Makes all the difference in the world. Plus it made me feel like a bad a$$ 😉. Hydrate...I drank at least half of my body weight in water (flavored seltzer, crystal light, etc). Nap: I took my lunch break and used it to nap every day. I have an amazing supportive work environment. Diet: Protein heavy. Mouth: I never had sores, but had metal taste and sometimes sensitivity. It felt like it was burned, like if you eat something too hot. I used TheraBreath mouthwash everyday. I also used the baking soda/salt rinse for the times my mouth was esp sensative. Hot flashes: Drink ice cold water based beverage. Fans. I also found accupuncture extremely helpful. My cancer center offers it, but I couldn't get in until halfway through chemo. I definitely noticed a difference in all of my side effects. Best of luck to you on your journey! You got this! You'll be ringing that bell in no time!

This reply gives me hope. My first round of chemo was a nightmare because of diarrhea. I’ll try the 2 bananas a day and lots of water this time . I couldn’t even get out of bed for days except to poop and pee much less exercise.. hopefully things will get better ..

I had a few bouts that exhausted me. The struggle is real. Thinking of you. Hope the bananas help!

Fluids!! The drug regimen for this type ( Her2+) is brutal on the GI tract . I was fine until day 3 after chemo then everything hit me. The drugs for nausea work but not for diarrhea. Liquid Imodium works better than the pills .

I had 6 rounds of TCHP. About 6 days after the first infusion I had to have IV fluids. At 15 days post chemo febrile neutropenia started. I was in the hospital for 3 days. My infection was from fever blisters (mouth herpes which were inside my mouth. As soon as I began taking Valtrex, my mouth got better. No more problems with the mouth after first infusion. My oncologist ordered Neulasta for my next rounds. The diarrhea is bad. I couldn’t stop it even with Imodium and lomotil. I was totally fatigued and I lay in bed most of the time. I drank Gatorade to keep from becoming dehydrated again. Food tasted weird and I used plastic utensils to help alleviate metallic taste. Ate bananas, rice, potatoes and bread. The last 3 days before the next round, I started to feel better but the same symptoms started after each infusion. I cold capped and I had most of my hair until after the last infusion. I never shaved my head but my hair is scraggly. It is starting to grow in. I just feel glad that I am alive. My nails have been breaking after my last infusion but this might be due to the Herceptin and Perjeta targeted treatments that are continuing but I switched to Phesgo. I am still doing targeted treatment (17 rounds total is goal). I also used ice mittens and socks and I have no neuropathy. I started Phesgo shots and I was able to get my port removed.I have had no problem with Phesgo so far. I had 5 weeks of Proton treatment to my left side. It wasn’t bad. There is some soreness that continue. I started feeling like normal about 2 weeks after my final infusion. I lost about 70 pounds but this was on purpose. It took over a year to lose the weight. I take brisk walks every day for 3 miles. I have mild lymphedema from SNLD. I see a lymphedema specialist who has taught me exercises and lymphatic massage and I just got a compression pump which has reduced the seromas from surgery and also my arm is back to a normal size. I never had nausea but a few times I felt like heartburn was starting so I immediately took the meds the oncologist prescribed and it went away. I also was able to get Signatera blood biopsy ctDNA monitoring to check for recurrence. I had my first draw when I started chemo. I was stage 2B. Stage 2B or higher is covered under Medicare. So far all of my results have been negative for ctDNA in my blood. I get tested every 6 weeks. I also take anastrozole because I was 100% ER and 100% PR. After taking the HR levels lowered and my Ki-67 went from 80% to 30%. I started anastrozole 2 weeks before my lumpectomy and SNLD. I have no problem with it. I already had some arthritis and it has not worsened.

What does THCP stand for? I’m new

I was DX IIA, triple positive (er+,pr+, her2+), clear margins, no nodes, had taxol chemo, herceptin, put on exemestane for 5 yrs ( currently on my 4 th month) . My question to all pink sisters out there with similar DX, is there an alternative treatment to the AI (aromatase inhibitors)? These hormone blockers are so brutal to our body especially the joints and bones. Can they stop the growth of cancer cells without depleting us of hormones?

Starting treatment can feel overwhelming, but connecting with others who understand this journey can make a real difference. Many community members find it helpful to prepare questions for their care team, stay organized with treatment schedules, and focus on supportive care like nutrition and rest. This community is here to share experiences and offer encouragement throughout your treatment process.