In Treatment For Breast Cancer

Has anyone tried palliative care alongside treatment?

Palliative anyone?? I decided to give palliative a call and see what they can do for me. I'm curious if anyone has used/added palliative care to their treatment.

How can I manage severe chemo side effects?

Hi everyone, My name is Joanne and I just joined. I was diagnosed with DCIS estrogen negative in 2023. I had a lumpectomy and did radiation. I continued to have mammograms every 6 months, and all was good until last October when they spotted what they believed was probably fat necrosis from the surgery, so they labeled it "probably benign". I had another mammogram mid April of this year and another ultrasound and again "probably benign ". I felt a good size lump in the same exact area they'd been watching on Mother's Day and it turns out it is a tumor. I really wish a biopsy was done last October but I was told they don't biopsy every suspicious spot. I say bs, I had cancer in this breast less than 2 years prior you should definitely do a biopsy. Anyway, I started chemo on July 16th and I had a horrible 9 or so days, with, pain from the shot they give the day after that heightens your white blood cells, constipation which then lead to diarrhea for almost a week straight, dehydration and I also had a mouth sore and thrush. Oh and a sinus infection! I have my next chemo scheduled for August 10th and I am so afraid to go through it all over again. After 6 treatments of chemo which are every three weeks I have to have a mastectomy then 6 more months of chemo. Thank you for letting me share this. If anyone has had any similar reactions to chemo and can offer any possible help with side effects it would be greatly appreciated. ❤️

How do you manage severe hot flashes and anxiety on Arimidex?

I'm currently taking Arimidex (anastrozole) for breast cancer and dealing with multiple side effects. I'm having very severe hot flashes, joint and bone pain, fatigue, and severe anxiety with emotional distress. My doctor explained that these symptoms are commonly linked to this medication since it works by lowering estrogen levels. I plan to contact my oncology team to discuss these issues, but I'd love to hear from others who've been through similar experiences. • What helped you manage severe hot flashes and anxiety while on anastrozole? • What tips do you wish you'd known when dealing with these side effects?

Why does chemo nausea get worse and how do I manage it?

i’m tonja. 5 weeks of chemo and the nausea was worse this time. I thought it ended. wrong but didn’t last too long as soon as I ate a yogurt. my mouth is sore so I need a super soft toothbrush. gotta snack every couple hours to avoid the nausea.

How can I manage chemo side effects on eyes and nails?

Hi Everyone! I started chemo on Feb 26 (my 45th birthday) and just had my last infusion this past week. I started with 4 Red Devils every 2 weeks, then 12 weekly Taxol infusions. At this point, my eyes water constantly to the point where it looks like I’m crying. I can’t wear my contacts or any eye makeup or lashes. By the end of the day they are red, crusty and irritated from wiping them. My doctor has given me antibiotic eyedrops, but they do not help. I’m also having issues with my fingernails. They are lifting as I’ve heard can happen, but they also seem to be infected underneath. They seep a yellowish foul smelling liquid anytime I grab something or bump my nail on something. I have a taken 2 different oral antibiotics for this and neither seemed to do anything. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms, and if so, what have you found to help? I’m desperate to get both of these issues to go away!

What are the side effects of Eribulin for cancer?

I am going to start Eribulin this week anybody know what the side effects and how it works on the cancer cells

How can we talk more openly about breast cancer?

Breast cancer is one of those topics that reminds me how important early detection and support are. I think it's something we should talk about more openly. What's your perspective on it?

How many radiation sessions does typical cancer treatment involve?

1 week of radiation down, 3 more before I ring that bell!

What's radiation therapy like on the first day?

Just finished day 1 of radiation. Lots of holding breaths and taking pictures then breathe. Felt so weird laying there with my arms over my head gripping the bars. I kept feeling like I was gonna roll right on over. God bless us each and every one. Much love to you all.

How do others manage radiation after breast cancer surgery?

I have Stage III triple-negative breast cancer and just learned I'll need radiation therapy after my surgery and chemotherapy. My doctor explained that radiation uses high-energy beams to target any remaining cancer cells in my breast or chest area to help reduce the chance of cancer returning to the treated area. I'm trying to prepare myself for what's ahead and would love to hear from others who've been through radiation therapy after surgery for triple-negative breast cancer. • What was your daily routine like during radiation treatment? • What helped you manage any side effects or challenges during this phase of treatment? I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences and any tips that made the process easier.