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Breast Cancer

Archives for June 2003

Painful port
Hello all you Angels of information! I had a port put in place 5 days ago and the darn thing hurts like someone was constantly pushing really hard on that spot. Does this go away? Also they told me I might have to keep this thing in here through radiation treatments. Why on earth would the radiologists need it? I want this…
Tamoxifin & hot flashes
Hello all. I am seeing my onc this Friday for my 3 month follow-up. I am pretty sure that he will start me on Tamoxifin at that time, but I have my doubts about this medicine. I did have an ER/PR tumor, so I know that the research points to a benefit. Chemo put me into menopause and now I have hot flashes about every 2…
hello everyone
Dont want to make light of breasts cancer, but I just wanted to be the 15001st message here. But I do pray for you all. May God give you strength, hope, and patience. Your Carcinogenic Comrade In Arms, -Michael ALL survivor
lightheadedness due to smells of betadine etc. /Chemo-prep
OK, this may sound a bit off beat but here goes: The chemicals, that the nurses use to clean the area where the needle is to be inserted into the port catheter (through the skin on the chest wall), AND the heparin (flush) make me light-headed and dizzy. Is anybody else experiencing this? The nurse said to have them only…
Arimidex
I have been on Arimidex for a year and a half. The only real side effect except fatigue has been severe joint pain and swelling. In the last 4 months the pain is not as bad. Has anyone else experienced this side effect from the drug and have you found anything to take for relief?
red blotches
I've had 2 doses of A/C. I noticed about 11 red blotches...almost look like mosquito bites. I will go to the doctor tomorrow, but I was wondering if anyone else had this problem.
Survival Rates
While I agree with my doctors that it is not helpful to look at survival statistics...because for each individual you are either 100% alive or 100% deceased. I just discovered that the survival statistics from the Merck Manual and the Susan Love Breast book are pretty old (ladies diagnosed from 1983 to 1987). So, this…
Follow-up??????
I hear you all talking about follow-up care with your Oncologist and/or Surgeons. I had a 0.6cm E/P+ tumor with negative lymph and had a mastectomy in November 2002. The only follow-up I do is with my plastic surgeon due to problems with my tram flap reconstruction. I made the appointment for a follow-up mammo and called…
Taken off of Tamoxifen
My oncologist took me off of Tamoxifen after 1-1/2 years. He said that recent studies have shown that the med will not lower my risk of recurrance since my tumor was ER negative with high HER2. I am glad to be off the med since it had caused a weight gain, but feel very uncomfortable...like out at sea without a boat. Does…
digestion completely haults after chemo
As of the second day after chem, my disgestive tract almost completely stops functioning. I have tried acidopholis, aloe vera juice and stool softners. I also limit the amount of food I intake! This goes on for about 3 days. I feel gas rumblings and I urinate fine (too much) Any suggestions? I am about to get the co q 10.…
Please Glow
I have been so concerned about you Glow, I have been thinking and praying for you. When you wrote that you were terrified, I felt that to my heart. Please, let us know how you are? Do you have support of family and friends? I wish I lived close to you, you know the old saying the blind leading the blind. Keep us informed.
how do you know?
I have had a masectomy in November. I finished my chemo in April. I will go for my first 3 month check up in July. The doctor has never been clear as to how they keep watch on the cancer. How do they know? Does the blood test show cancer cells or do they have to wait for a lump to appear or even worse mets in your bones or…
Vision changes
Hi there. While I was on chemo, my vision seemed to change. I wear glasses but suddenly they don't seem to be strong enough. Has anyone else experienced this? I am going to go get my vision checked and get new glasses but I was wondering if anyone who experienced this could offer some advice. Should I wait awhile? Will my…
weight gain
I have been a breast cancer survivor for almost 10 years. I had a partial mastectomy > and my lymph nodes were clean. I had chemo, radiation and chemo and than 5 years > on tamoxifin. I am 50 and was pushed into menopause. I'm so grateful to be > alive but I'm having a terrible time with my weight. I know this sounds petty…
Could it be back so soon
Hi! I had breast cancer in Sept. Had a mastestomy,and reconstruction. My reconstruction was in April. I also had my other breast reduced at the same time. This weekend I found a lump on the reduced breast. Could if be cancer or is it too soon. I just finished 4 treatments of AC in Feb. Could the lump be scaring from the…
wrinkled implants
Hi! A friend needs some help. The implant on her mastectomy side is wrinkled at the top. (The augmented side is fine.) The Plastic Surgeon says there is nothing he can do! Has anyone experienced this? If so, did you do anything about it? Thanks for your input. Mary
Expanders
I can not believe how painful the expander is. It feels as if my left lung is being pushed on. To take a deep breath really hurts. I had the expander put in on May 8th. My doctor has put 200cc in so far and wants to do another 50 cc on Tuesday. After each treatment I can't raise my arm for days. Then my doctor plans on…
Grateful to have found this site.
I found this site yesterday and I am so thankful. I read many letters and found that what I was going through was not uncommon for those of us with breast cancer. I was diagnosed in July 2001 and recieved 6 cycles of chemo and three months of radiation. I am still feeling the results of the treatment and now realize they…
Stem cell transplant / Terrified
Hello. I am a 53 year old diagnosed in September 97 with breast cancer. 7/10 nodes were positive and estrogen receptor positive. I had a lumpectomy, lymph node dissection and 8 cycles of CMF-Adriamycin. Because of high risk of recurrence, I also had high dose chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Because of MANY…
Adriamyicin
I just went in for a re-excision on Monday as margins weren't clear the first time around (report today is they are now clear:) The surgery has pushed back the start date for my chemo and now I am beginning to question decision of going with CAF (have a choice of CAF or CMF.) Am concerned about heart problems associated…
Cancer support overseas
I am not a breast cancer survivor, however, my Mother is. Two mastectomies...on in '97 and one in '01. She's doing great. Does anyone know if there is support (financial and otherwise) for reconstructive surgery overseas? I am particularly looking in the Middle East. Does anyone know if there exists a list of doctors who…
No cure for widespread cancer
My mum has incurable cancer in her breast which has spread to her bones, lungs & liver. The primary in the breast has not been confirmed but that is where they think it started. She has had one session of radiotherapy for palliative effect only & is on combination painkillers. I have moved from my home with my fiance to…
breast imaging
I know there is a wealth of info. out there in the cancer underground. Anyone know of any type of imaging beyond mammogram that can detect DCIS? Mine doesn't show on mammo. Got to find what's going on in that breast before I decide about treatment. Experimental ideas also considered. Many thanks.
fibroadenoma
I've had a routine mammogram done just recently and was found to have a fibroadenoma in my right breast. It is said to be "probably benign" on the birads assessment. They say it is not very big, the paronioa I have is that I've gone through two bouts of hodgkin's disease once in '95 and then again in '97. I had radiation…
Tamoxifen??????
Was wondering if anyone knows if tamoxifen can cause tumors to grow.It was responsible for a tumor to grow in my urtrus so I had to have a hysterectomy so is it possible that it could trigger others to develop in other parts of the body?
My Favorite Web Sites - Helpful Information
I wanted to share some very helpful web sites with everyone. There is so much information out there, But these are the ones that I found to be most helpful. See Below: http://www.livingwithit.org/breast/ 1. Click on Breast Cancer and choose Spanish or English 2. Click on Join the Living with it Program. You can sign up to…
Dear Glow
I just read that you have bone mets and liver mets, and you have had this for over 6 years. How wonderful to hear this, that you are going strong. What treatment are you using, and does this effect the quality of your life, due to pain, ect. I also have a question about a book that was given to me when I started chemo. It…
Support Groups in DC/VA
I was diagnosed with breast cancer a little over a month ago. I've had a masctectomy and am preparing to have surgery at the end of this week to insert a port for chemo which will begin the week after. While people have encouraged me to find a support group, I hadn't really felt the need until now. I've never experienced…
Vitamins, Supplements...
Hi! I've posted several times before. I was dx with invasive ductal carcinoma, had a mastectomy in Jan. with immediate tram flap reconstruction. Went through 4 rounds of AC chemo from March to May. In July, I will start tamoxifen, as my bc was estrogen positive. The plan is the standard 5 years on Tamoxifen. Question? Do…
drainage from lymphnode surgery
Help. It's been two weeks since surgery and I'm still hooked up to this stupid drain. I know it's better if I can tolerate it, but why won't it stop flowing. I'm getting 70 to 80cc a day. Is this normal? Am I just juicy? Any info would be greatly appreciated!! Amelia

Breast Cancer

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