Newbie & scared

Hope you continue doing well.

I was diagnosed in April 2023 and had a bilateral mastectomy in May. They found invasive ductal cancer with a stage 1 tumour measuring 7mm as well as another area with dcis. I am ER+, PR+ and Her2+. No lymph node involvement - thanking my angels for that. It’s terrifying to hear the news and I cried for days. I have had 5 /12 rounds of chemo so far and while the side effects for myself aren’t great- it’s one step closer to recovery and living a cancer free life!! I am currently loosing my hair which I loved - that’s hard, seeing your scalp and having it fall out in handfuls … but one step closer is what I try to tell myself. Yesterday I sported a hair halo and a hat. It looked great and made a small part of myself feel like the old me again. Has anyone had any issues with chemo affecting the skin on their face? Mine is so red and breaking out in this pimply type rash.

I am sorry for the loss of your hair. I cut mine to 1” and I was still very sad when it left. When it started coming out, I just pulled it all out, didn’t feel a thing. When it came back it was pure white and super curly.
Think white Bozo the clown hair. Lol I was in my 30s so it was a shocking hairstyle, but it was coming in gray in no time and the length started pulling out some curl.
I would call my doctor about the rash. That is definitely one of things my doctor always asks about.
You are almost halfway through, ❣️
Do you have a number through to your oncology nurse?

I do. I will try calling today. I did mention it to the Oncologist last week and he didn’t seem too concerned. I guess that’s a good thing? It’s not sore- just looks terrible and very red . Hope you are well and have a wonderful weekend 😊

I was just diagnosed with triple positive, 6 mm tumor. I have not met with anyone yet- appointments are in a little over a week. I’m so scared about chemo and now I’m scared that it’s already spread. I’m having a hard time with the diagnosis

Don't you hate the waiting? I actually counted the days, looking forward to my mastectomy just so that I would feel like I was doing something! I'm triple negative so I don't know much about triple positive. I have found information empowering so reading about what other women were doing and learning the lingo helped me. I don't know yet about chemo and will be discussing it with my oncologist next week. It is intimidating but there are different kinds of chemo (some worse than others) and things that can help side effects so it is important not to let the fear get to us.

You are so right about the fear- I need to work on that!!

@nikkifrn that is a pretty small tumor so I hope that is reassuring.

My cousin is very frail and has an immune deficiency as well as other health issues and did surprisingly well with chemo.

Will you do Herceptin? Aromatase inhibitors? So many great advances in treatment these days.

Waiting is tough. As I have written, I got a few Ativan and also walked, watched movies....hard to concentrate!

I totally feel what you are going through- I was there as well. I still struggle with what’s happened in the last few months. It feels surreal. I believe you will feel like
you are more in control of the situation once you see the specialists and you have a treatment plan. Chemo is hard - I am struggling with side effects and I have lost all of my once beautiful long hair… that’s been hard. Just know that you have a supportive group of women here, and that you aren’t alone. 💜

Is anyone able to work through this?