Hi Everyone, this is a post for the ladies, (no offense fellas!) Just wanted to share with you, that I have just done a Look Good Feel Better Workshop in my local hospital. This is a workshop run by volunteers, sponsored by the Cosmetic Industry in Australia for women affected by cancer treatment and it was sooo much fun! Lots of laughs and giggles, playing around with hats, wigs and headwear, and trying out make up and skincare, and we got to take home a nice package of skincare/make up! After the initial shyness, everyone was giggling and relaxing by the end of the workshop. Let's face it, we do have a lot in common and lots to talk about! If you have a chance, participate in these workshops, we all deserve a bit of fun. http://www.lgfb.org.au/ luv Barbe xox   ... View more

Hi everyone, my first post here and if it seems like I am not making any sense, it is because I have had chemo a couple of days ago, and most of you know what that does to the brain! I have also copied this post to the "breast cancer" section, because I wasn't sure where the best place was. First of all, this site is great, so many inspirational stories, so much love and support, and an Australian site to boot! I won't bore you with all the nitty gritty details about my C-History, it is all in my profile, but in short, for the relevance of this query/comment/wondering out loud, this is it: was diagnosed with breastcancer in 2002, lumpectomy, Her2+, joined clinical trial with AC/Taxotere/Herceptin and radiotherapy. March this year, I found another lump, same breast, different side. Biopsy was done under ultrasound, result came back as Her2+ again. This time I had a mastectomy with an immediate free flap (from the tummy) reconstruction. Had a port put in (ugly little bugger it is!), awaiting chemo, this time  carboplatin/taxotere/herceptin. Low and behold, biopsy report from mastectomy came in, and the tumour is not Her2+! Herceptin cancelled, and I am now faced with the idea, I have had 2 completely different cancers in my breast. This tumour is classed a triple negative breastcancer, which means it doesnt have estrogen, progesterone or her2 receptors! This also means, that after chemo there is no "blocking" after-treatment, and that's scary. From what I read, this is a far more aggressive tumour and has a very fast recurrence rate, and more likely to be a genetic tumour. I am considering prophylactic mastectomy of the other breast after my chemo is done. The one thing that keeps going through my mind - and it may be that only a professional can answer this one, none of the people I spoke to in the hospital had an answer to this - is this; if I wouldn't have had Herceptin in the first round, would this tumour have been a HER2+ tumour? Has Herceptin blocked that particular receptor, making the tumour an even more agressive one? Second question, has anyone here have had 2 different type of tumours in the one breast? Third question, I know I am being greedy for my first post, but these things are bugging me.. Is there a genetic testing available in Australia? I have read about it in Overseas sites, but haven't seen any local ones. Thanks for reading my rambling, hope it makes sense. take care everyone, Barbe xoxo   ... View more