u/Turbulent-Tie5439

I was diagnosed with stage 2, grade 2 breast cancer with one lymph node involved based on the scans.. the midway u/s showed a 30% reduction in the tumor mass which I was told was good news.

I just keep being told so many different answers in terms of a surgical date after chemo.. even the admin and nurses at the breast surgeons office aren’t totally clear on the timing of the surgery when I ask them questions-I know they are also trying to coordinate a second surgeons schedule because I have decided to have reconstruction (DIEP) at the same time.. for those of you that are going this path or have been on this path (also f*** this path 😂)…

how long after your last dose of chemo did you have your surgery? Was it X amount of weeks post your last physical dose of chemo? Or was it X amount of weeks following the last “cycle” of chemo…? The nurse I spoke with on the phone recently was confused when I asked her that question..

I just want to make sure I’m advocating for myself properly.. I want this surgery done as soon as my body can handle it.. and I’m afraid of waiting too long to be honest.

Curious what other people’s experiences have been with surgery timelines following keynote ❤️‍🩹💕

I’ve been going through weekly treatments for the first half of keynote.. this Wednesday was supposed to be the end of 4/4 but my neutrophils are 0.4… I haven’t missed a week yet.. and was so looking forward to being officially halfway. I just need some words of encouragement/motivation.. delaying a week right now seems soo difficult. What’s worse than having chemo? Not having chemo..

I’ve recently completed the first cycle of chemo.. of what feels like way too many. Other than the typical drop in my bloodwork, general fatigue.. I’m still chasing around my 18 month old, walking my dog and even getting on my pedal bike. I’m also enjoying my daily glass of wine most evenings once my daughter is in bed. I’ve lost my hair (cried myself to sleep a few nights over that).. my mouth tastes like metal… but I’m still here. Putting one foot in front of the other. Planning zoo days, dinner dates with my husband, coffee with friends..
Will each cycle get progressively worse? Am I naive to think I might just get through this? Anyone else still doing “all the things” and doing more than just surviving?? I just don’t want to stop living through this.. and I’m determined to rest but also still enjoy all the things about life that make me.. me.