Hi Dr D and All,

Haven't been on for a while because I'm fighting breast cancer.   I found it early thanks to Dr D. Thanks <3

Being only 38 I'm not eligible for the mammography screening.  Have had cysts for a while I'd already had the other one ultrasounded  ( if that's a word!)  Then there was a lump I had all year which I was worried about in the left breast growing very slowly, felt a bit lumpy with smooth parts - nothing like the cysts but I wasn't sure.  In June the ultrasound said:

Quoted Text

"?degenerating cyst.  A fine needle biopsy (FNAC) may be undertaken for peace of mind".

Well that just sounded just routine so I put further testing off for a few months while I moved house.  
(Yes!  We finally got out of that mouldy house by the main road into much peace and tranquility now (and better health!) for the whole family. )

I nearly didn't order the FNAC because finances are tight and it wasn't going to be fully covered on Medicare.  Then a voice of reason in my head said, "you're an enlightened type A and you know from Dr D that you are at high risk for breast cancer.  He recommends extra cancer vigilance for us Type As.  Best to pay the money even if you have to use the credit card for your peace of mind."  So I ordered the test.   Thanks Dr D - you probably saved my life! and the voice of reason too!

The result came back Malignant and nothing that made any sense at the time.  Didn't believe it until after the next pathology test.  By the end of August I had a lumpectomy and they took out 11 lymph nodes.  Can't fault the public system here! It was grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with some DCIS and lymphovascular invasion, 1.8cm, Oestrogen +, Progesterone +, HER + (so could be aggressive - so glad I found it early) and had minor spread to one lymph node (aka to be known as Nigel - nicer than the C word).  They cut Nigel all out and maybe too much but at least they got it all.  

Recovery went really well with my good diet and supplements helping out. Got full range of motion of my arm and am exercising still.  

Now I'm halfway through TCH chemotherapy to stop Nigel coming back.  They want radiation after that and then hormone therapy.  I'm thinking I'll skip Tamoxifen (cos it's linked with thickening uterine tissue and already have adenomyosis) will probably use monthly GnRH agonist like Goserelin (Zoladex) to induce menopause instead.  Chemo has bought that on temporarily and I'm quite happy to be free of monthly visits from Aunty Flo!  Having fatigue, mouth sores, lost hair, IBS, bone pains for a week from the Neulasta injections they give me to bring up white cells (they were wiped out after first chemo and I got a sinus infection needed IV antibiotics).  Having another sinus infection now that's making my eye twitch. Just as well I don't have to shoot or anything.  Overall I feel not so bad.  Taking it easy.  Missed you guys!

P.S. I'll be very interested to see if my high ANA (antinuclear antibodies) abate after this.  They were suspecting lupus but it may have been my immune system trying to fight the cancer.  Some say lupus is treated by chemo, but it makes you wonder.  I hope to feel better after treatment !  

It sure is good to hear from you, Symbi!     Well, that's a tough road to walk - I've been there & done that!     I worked closely with Dr. D's anti-cancer foods and supplements during treatment and also got an acupuncture treatment every week or two.  Yeah, it was a set-back in a lot of ways, and even that is now in the past.  Before long, it will be a part of your past and you will be getting on with other things.  Much love to you.  

So nice to see you on  here again & to hear the latest re Nigel... Have "enjoyed"(doesn't sound the right word somehow??!!) hearing your progress through this so far... {{{hugs}}} as always...

hello half of mine Symbi...yikes what an awful diagnosis... but you seem to take it well and may I allow myselve to ask you to get informed about Salvestroles and even about a certain medication called Ukrain..... I'm going to send you the infos
by pm from Isa

Be strong and use the Diet and Cancer book to the full oxo

Wow! how scary! I'm glad you're on the mend now.

Sending you healing wishes, Symbi....{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

Symbi,
I wondered where you were.  Glad to hear that you are doing better and that they caught it when they did.  You are in my thoughts and prayers  ((((HUGS))))
Jane

Symbi,  I've also wondered where you've been.  Soooo happy you caught it when you did, and that you listened to your inner voice, and Doc.'s advice I've missed all your research, all that cool stuff that I really didn't understand, but you helped me to.

Prayers that your healing speeds along at a good pace Symbi. <3

Thanks so much for the replies! <3
It cheers me.  Having the bad part of chemo cycle now day 9 - 10 (nadir with low blood cells) feel flat as a pancake for a few days but then I spring right back like a pineapple and carrot cake.  

Victoria - sorry you went through it but   you got through it.  Maybe it makes us stronger for it.  These things offer growth opportunities. <3

to sweet Isa - thanks I'll check that info out!

PC - good advice as always - hope your daughter is well and yourself?  I'm right into the dark berries vitamin C and fish oil atm.  Had dry skin bumps under the top of my arms for ages, was taking Vitamin A and Evening primrose oil but now I know fish oil was the other magic ingredient I needed more of!  Learn more in a crises sometimes!    I think my diet high in antioxidants etc kept Nigel in check, being HER2+ it could have grown like wildfire, in the three months between scans it hardly changed at all.  

Hi AKArtlover!  Not sure if I should do soy because of my thyroid antibodies and previous hypothryoid, and nonnieness? it's an avoid in my SWAMI Xpress.  Now I'm menopausal that might change.  I must re-run my SWAMI good idea!  But other phytoestrogens 4 sure.    

Love to you Possum - don't want to get all mushy but love how I met you on here good friend. C U on Facebook.

One thing that worried me after diagnosis was I read somewhere the licorice root can be tumorgenic (as well as oestrogenic).  Now I google it I saw it can be anti-cancer as well?  I had a cup of tea a day for a long time for my adrenal fatigue.
Not pointing fingers at one cause tho.  I have some risk factors: living on a main road, having had miscarriages before, smoked for many years, stress, I bumped my breast in exactly the same spot a few years b4, did night work for some years, too much oestrogen (getting an ovarian cyst looked at too this week), cysts in breasts.  Who knows?

You guys! You Guys! are the best (said in the style of Robert De Niro in Analyse this)

Quoted from deblynn3

Symbi,  I've also wondered where you've been.  Soooo happy you caught it when you did, and that you listened to your inner voice, and Doc.'s advice I've missed all your research, all that cool stuff that I really didn't understand, but you helped me to.

Cheers DebLynn!  Some of it I don't fully understand and put it on here in the hope someone will translate it for me.  

Oh yeah forgot to say I've kinda been feeling better than I had before.  Less sore throats all the time (maybe cos I stopped drinking cold drinks and only drink room temp now).  Less achy overall (except after Neulasta) and weirdly less fatigue, less headaches but maybe that was hormonal - I know it sounds strange.

I've suspected Lyme disease since in 2001 I was bitten by a tick in Ontario Canada.  But over here they don't have testing available.  I have taken courses of antibiotics for frequent sinus infections and a few other things and usually feel better after those for a while.  Apparently chemo will wipe Lyme out.   (not that I recommend it for anyone with just Lyme!)  So hopes are that some of the other effects of chemo will actually be helpful!  I do miss my hair but being spanish gypsy hair it will come back with vengeance.

Oh Symbi, hugs!!
Glad you are up to checking in here, and happy to hear things are going well as can do, pm me if you would like me to post you my copy of Dr D's fighting cancer book, happy to loan this one out if needed <3

Good day Symbi.. so good to read your posts.. so happy you moved and so astounded at how well you are undertaking all this..

I had a momentary scare, turned out to nothing... but all the time waiting and whatever, I was so REASSURED by being HERE, that no matter what I would have found, I knew I would be ok as long as I had the COURAGEOUS people here to keep me company.  I am soooo glad you came and said hallo.

The technicals are so much to absorb, but one does and then let go of it.  

Glad you opted for the test.. when you are done and are stronger.. how about taking the above (1st) POST you made and send it to all in your country who need to read such success stories that could have been a big tragedy...  We here could sign our name to it and give it weight in the mind of others.. at least to the local paper, or some such..  

I can only admire your courage, your good attitude and conviction that you will make all the difference by doing the cancer section foods.. and might I recommend that you buy Trehalose.. a new sugar that does not trigger sugar reactions, but is sweet.  IT also cleans up the body of all sort of trash hanging around.. I don't know if you can afford the one from DrD.. Trehalose Complex, but they make Trehalose plain from mushrooms, and since mushrooms are good for big C to begin with, buying 2 pounds for about 25.- might be worth the investment.

Where you here ??? when we first took it and had a big thread about its good value.. if not I will find it and post later.. here is the intro:  scroll all the way down to EAT ME..
http://n-equals-one.com/blogs/  

All the verrrrry best..    

Thanks for filling me on some that I missed out on Goldie.  Lovely to hear from you  
Found that link thanks
http://n-equals-one.com/blogs/?s=Trehalose

Did you mean this thread: "Yes, Trehalose Complex is definitely Wow!"
http://www.dadamo.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?m-1328006355/
Very interesting.  I've upped my mushroom intake since cancer diagnosis.  Yummylicious!

Yes lots of testicles, I mean technicals to absorb, but as I was told every cancer is different.  Makes sense since everyone is different  

Honeybee - that's really sweet thanks!  <<Hug back>> I will buy the book soon and have put cancer as a factor in my SWAMI Xpress.

fantastic!!
keep up the good job!!

Great to see you posting again.

Symbi - big hugs

Symbi that was lovely what you posted in response to me!!! Love & {{{hugs}}} right back at you too hun - one day we will meet in person ok!!! Just warning you lol

It is great that you have SWAMI, I think the cancer fighting book is very helpful too but SWAMI probably takes all that into account for you as well.