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Starting on targeted breast cancer meds.
Hi all, hope you are coping well with your situation🙏. I am 12 years on from right sided mastectomy and SN biopsy. Last year I started developing cancer in the lymph removal scar, which spread up my arm and down my chest wall. Had it treated with radiotherapy 4 months ago. My onco radiotherapist said the treatment had gone well and he was pleased with the result. However, the CT scan showed a nodule in my left lung had doubled in size from 8mm to 19mm in 6 months. I have been referred to the thoracic clinic who wants to do a biopsy, which I think seems rather risky. Also the lumps in the skin under my arm and on my chest wall are coming back. My right arm movements are somewhat restricted. It is hard to pull a jumper off my body! I am considering starting treatment with CDK4/6 Palbociclib, Tamoxifen or AI Letrozole. I also have Osteoporosis. So, I would be very grateful for any response from anyone who have used these meds and what was your experience . For instance did you loose hair, were your bones affected, were you able to live a normal life whilst on them and how long have you been on them. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I would be most grateful for any responses🙏🙏🙏🙏
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I had a single mastectomy, out patient, home in 7 hours . I took one oxy with Tylenol that night for pain and switched to Tylenol 600 mg ( Rx strength) the next day and onward until I could take Advil ( regular strength) 3 days later.
I was amazed at how little “ pain” I felt. I do have a fairly high tolerance however.
Best to you!
@myoga just ask your doctor and mention that you want a paravertebral block in the pre-op appointment and any contacts with anesthesia.
I had two separate mastectomies. I had a paravertebral block with both. The first time, I made it clear I did not want pain meds but I woke with a dilaudid drip and vomited all night. The second time I made it REALLY clear to every person I spoke with that I did not want pain meds. I felt totally normal and pain free the second time.
I did have pain following those first days. I used codeine/tylenol combo sparingly (1/2 pill in late afternoon) for a couple of weeks. The second time had much less pain so apparently this varies!
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1 ReactionWow! Thank you for the information. I will request the block and hope they will provide that. I don’t tolerate pain well and am terrified of the surgery. It tooks me so long to make decision. It’s encouraging to know that the paraverbral block substantially reduces the pain. Thank you!
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1 ReactionThank you! I am having the lumpectomy on Tuesday.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I had a colon resection a couple of years ago, I wasn’t this nervous with that! I think it’s more the worry of the sentinel node biopsy coming back positive.
Thanks again for your reply. I will post again after the surgery.
@californiazebra Thank you!
I had lump and 4 sentinel node removals in the same surgery. Only 2 had cancer. My surgeon was able to get clear margins I did 6 weeks of radiation and taking anastrozole for the next 5 years-or 7.
My surgery was May of 2022 and still going strong. Since Al’s take a toll on my bones I am taking fosamax 70mg once a week.
Stage 2. Invasive ductal breast cancer.