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Hi all, I’ve been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and I am starting AC chemotherapy on Wednesday. Feeling quite anxious, nervous and frightened, if anyone has any advice or tips for me on what to expect/do. Thank you.

Hi, new here. Sounds very fickle but finished chemo in the summer had surgery now waiting on radiotherapy. My hair thankfully has started growing but it is Silver/Grey..... not what I would choose. I wear a headscarf currently but I was wondering has anybody dyed their hair before the recommended 6 months or what did you use? I couldn't be in public with it as it is I'm in my early 40's. Thanks

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in June 2020 and I had an immediate implant reconstruction in December 2020. I got upset daily when I caught a glimpse of my new breast in the mirror as they were unable to keep my nipple. I found a most wonderful and skilled tattoo artist based in Dundrum Hannah Vard Ryan. I went to Hannah twice the first time was in July of 2022. To say she is an angel on earth is an understatement - she completely puts you at ease and takes time to listen to any concerns/nerves you may have and discusses in detail the process. The first session took c. 2 hours and was not painful and I went home with a pep in my step. Seeing it transforming over a number of weeks was very heartening. She provides you with detailed home care and is always available if you have any queries. I had my second appointment last Sunday (great she works Sundays no need to take time off work :)) . I was in there for about an hour chatting away to Hannah while she worked her magic - when she completed the job and showed me the finished result in the mirror I was beyond emotional and feel like the old me is slowly coming back that is thanks to Hannah. She is an expert in her field the 3D effect is unbelievable. I would recommend Hannah to anyone she is so kind, considerate, professional and an all round lovely woman and I wish her all the best with her career she really is a gem and the light at the end of a dark tunnel for us all. As I said to her she is the full stop at the end of a very tough chapter. Happy to answer any questions anyone may have. Hannah can be contacted at www.hannahvardryan.com where she has numerous photos of her fabulous work.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last September and had a mastectomy, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy and I am now on Hormone Therapy. All along I was adamant that I wanted Breast Reconstruction but after my appointment with the Plastic Surgeon last week I am now not so sure. I am exhausted after nearly a year of treatment and just don't know how I could face, voluntarily, into another surgery. I believe the procedure is around 5 - 7 hours long and there is quite a long recovery time. I am also worried about the side effects. I am on Tamoxifen and would be worried about the risk of blood clots etc. I would love to hear from anyone else in the same position or anyone that has had Breast Reconstruction and if you honestly felt it was worth it? Thank you.

I am a metastatic breast cancer patient, after 12 years remission from ER+, PR+, HER2+ my cancer came back as ER-, PR-, HER2+. It is a mass in my chest, in the lymph nodes of my right armpit and a tumour on my pancreas. However both my breasts are clear. I've been receiving Paclitaxel, Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab on the first week of each cycle, Paclitaxel on the second week and then a third week off. My recent CT showed things have shrunk a lot and after one more cycle of chemotherapy I'll start maintenance with just Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab every 3 weeks. I'm confused because when I first had breast cancer I was treated until it was gone, then put on Arimidex tablet maintenance. This time around I'm starting maintenance even though there is still some cancer left. My oncologist said it will never go away fully and this is what we do, but I just wanted to check if this is common? It feels a bit horrible still having it in me... All the best, Bernadette

Hi there, My mum had an appointment the week before last as she suffers with cysts a lot. On the day she was told yep her cysts were back and they were drained and not else was done or showed up on the mammogram or scans. She said her doctor did mention to a trainee doctor. this patient has been here before, knows the routine and something about coming back in 6 weeks. My mum then got a letter in the post 3 days later asking for her to come back in 6 weeks for another mammogram and ultrasound. Is this normal? Someone had mentioned that this was normal procedure if they didn’t get a chance to chat to you on the day and there is nothing to worry about. Thanks

Hi, I'm 95% vegan and am trying to increase my protein. I started putting tofu into soup. I take 1mg of Amidex tablet every day. Is it ok to eat tofu when taking this tablet? Is there any food I should avoid? Many thanks, Elaine

Hi all, I'm a hormone receptor-negative, HER2+ metastatic breast cancer patient receiving Paclitaxel, Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab on the first week of each cycle, Paclitaxel on the second week and then a third week off. I have osteoporosis that predates this relapse and take a Prolia (Denosumab) 60mg injection every six months to protect my bones. This is my first injection while on chemotherapy and I'm wondering if it's safe? My doctor said it was fine, but didn't really stop to think about it and I'd value a second opinion if anyone has had any experience!

Hi...I was diagnosed with stage 2 grade 3 IDC her 2 neg not in nodes. Finished AC therapy and I am due to start taxol for 4 rounds. AC was not great as in tired and weak shaky feeling but that was it basically....not bad really. How do women find taxol therapy? I know chemo affects people differently but just a general idea would be great. I'm done with no energy for few days after chemo with kids on school holidays.

I don't know what to feel think, say or do. I turned 39 in April and as a present I was told I have breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy on May 31st and nodes were removed. They thought tumour was 2cm and that it didn't look like any nodes were effected. I got my results yesterday. Tumour was 3.4cm and 5 of the 6 nodes have cancer in them. I now have to have every single node removed from.my armpit. I think its called axillary clearance. I was told I'm borderline stage 2/3 but that can go up based on results of axillary clearance. Chemo will start about 6 weeks after this next op. And last for 6 months(maybe more, maybe less). I have 2 young girls. Amira, meaning princess, is nearly 8 and a huge worrier and over thinks everything (like me) and Yara, meaning little Butterfly, is 3 and a huge Mammys girl and was breastfed up until 2 weeks before my first op. I havent told either of them yet what's going on. I was hoping to have lumpectomy and radio therapy as was thought initially based off ultrasound and scans. Now I will have to tell them. Have you advice about how to tell a complete worrier and Mammys girl almost 8 yr old. I don't know how or what to say. And also I'll have to say something to my 3 yr old. How do a explain things but not have it scary? I'm scared. Amira will be 8 on Friday and all thats going through my head is .... Will I be alive for 9th? Its so over whelming for me. I also have a tumour consistent with looks to be a meningioma which is parked aside for now. I feel like I've a huge mountain to climb and I don't know how to do it and still be a mammy. My husband works long hours. He's gone from 5.30 am til about 6.30pm so I do everything else, school runs,(about 25/30 min from home) activities (about 35 mins from home) and playdates, parties etc. Plus all in the house. We've cats, dog and chickens. Is there anyone who is in similar situation to me? How did you manage everything? How sick were you? Have you recovered? Did it get worse? I feel alone, I don't know anyone similar age with young family with this horrible diagnosis. Plus since my op, I cane home to a 5 day tummy bug inn3 yr old then I got uti and the bug, now I'm over them and she gets a uti (started antibiotics yesterday evening) yesterday (yes day of results) and 40.2 degrees fever I'm struggling to keep down. How do ye manage cancer, chemo and surgeries with young family? Sorry for long post. I feel completely derailed and overwhelmed. Thank you for reading.