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Breast Cancer

Archives for October 2003

Happy Halloween
Hi All, Just wanted to say Happy Halloween....Put a smile your face....and have fun..... Leenie
STOMACH PAIN
I have completed treatments for breast cancer, chemo and radiation. My follow-up appointment for my mamogram after one year came back normal. All blood work and x-rays were also normal. The doctor tells me that everything looks good. However, I have been experiencing stomach pain in the lower part of my stomach on the…
update
Just wanted to let everyone know how my appt. went.The lump is just a sist.He said I was doing really well and am cancer free.I wanted to thank everyone for their prayers.I know how much they have helped.Teresa
Chemo or not?
I am 2 weeks post op an had an infiltrating mammary carcinoma. I had a partial masectomy and am recovering just fine. There was negative lymph nodes removed. My tumor size was 2.6 cm x1.2 x1.2. I have not met with an oncologist yet. Is there anyone out there that can help me with what treatment they will probably do?
Insurance Billings
Just thought I would mention to the discussion that once you are starting to feel better, it doesn't hurt to take a close look at the explanation of benefits that your insurance companies send out. Luckily I have several health insurance policies. You'd think coordination of benefits would be a pretty straight-forward…
arm pain
On Monday my left arm started hurting so bad that I had to come home from work. I had my left breast removed last March and this really scared me thinking it is related to the cancer. I went to my regular dr. on Tuesday ane she said she thought it might be a pinched nerve and I went to a physical therapist. Today is…
Taxol Settlement
Ladies, This information was passed on to me about there being some sort of settlement of a lawsuit against the makers of Taxol (chemo drug used for breast cancer) and the fact that this company overcharge for this product. There could possibly be a rebate involved. Following is the website. I did not get Taxol for…
Insurance Question
Okay wise board members- I have a question that I hope you guys have advise/information on. I have a job offer at another company. One of my major concerns about changing companies is insurance. I have completed all my treatments (chemo and radiation)but can an insurance company deny me coverage because of a pre-existing…
Raloxifene
Has anyone opted to take Raloxifene instead of Tamoxifin? I just had the discussion with my oncologist yesterday and am seriously considering it but I get the feeling he'd like me to try Tamoxifin first, then switch if I don't like the side effects. Any thoughts? I know Raloxifene doesn't have the same track record but I…
BIrd Seed Breast
WOw and thanks to all that suggested filling a nylon sock with cheap birdseed to the right amount and size and stuffing my empty left side of my bra with it. Not only does the BS side hang and behave like my other breast, but it helps me be more balanced also! cost less then $2.00 for this marvelous breast unlike the…
reconstruction with implants
Almost one year after my masectomy I have begun reconstruction. I had the expander put in almost 3 weeks ago. The first week it was really painful. It is getting better but still hurts. My question to those in the know is....will all this be worth it? I know it will never feel like the real thing but will I still feel the…
Finally finished with chemo.....
Hooray!!! The Lord has brought me over the bridge. I finish my last chemo on Oct 15. I have a few questions. I experienced weird side effects w/Taxotere (swollen and tingling finger tips, blood blisters underneath my nails, various degrees of chemical burn). How long before some of these start to fade? My hands look like…
lymphodemia
Hi Group, I was wondering if anybody here that has had all their lymph nodes removed, if you are worried about lymphodemia occuring? My surgery was in May and I am a wreck about worrying about getting it. I had good recovery and have great range of motion considering I had three surgery's two of which were for lymph nodes.…
Implants
Hi It's me again with more questions. My surgeon has recommended a "modified radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using breast implants." Also know as skin saving. The plastic surgeon is using the same type of silicon and saline implants that were taken off the market in the 90's. These have been reapproved for…
one breast gone
I am having trouble finding a breast prostethis to fit in my bra that matches my real breast. I am almost 50 and overweight my breast is saggy...all the prostethis or foam inserts make my fake breast look perky and up three inches higher then the other. Have any of you made one before? I know new boobs used water balloons…
Somebody get me an umberella...!
Talk about when it rains it pours! Brother went to MDAnderson, they say they are going to put in a central line. Port takes up too much time and costs them too much money to tie up OpRoom! Head 'em up...moooo've 'em out. Gee whiz. AND NOW.... Bone met in my right arm shows erosion since 2/02. I say radiate it again, doc…
Lasting side effects
I finished my last chemo 4 weeks ago and I am still having side effects from the Taxol. My hands and feet tingle all the time. Does anyone know how long this side effect will last? This started when I was taking taxotere (2 sessions) and continued with the taxol (2 sessions). I am so excited to be finished with my chemo…
Remove Ovaries vs Tamoxifin
I have been on tamoxifin since May 03 and I was just wondering if tamoxifin can cause cancer then why am I taking it? I am 38 years old now I had a tumor 3 cm removed, and chemo. Now I have my menstral cycle back and doesn't that mean I am producing estrogen? My tumor was ER positive thus the tamoxifin. But if I removed…
FEARS
Having completed my treatments for breat cancer and my follow-up-mamogram, chest x-ray and blood work my doctor informs me that everything looks good. But some days it hit me that this cancer may return. My surgical margins were negative and the lymph nodes that they removed were benign. But I worry about my progesterone…
Chemo/Spread of Cancer
Hi First let me say Thank You to all of you who took the time to answer my questions about life after a mastectomy. I've decided that there is a life after a mastectomy and went ahead and scheduled the surgery. Today my Onc. called and said that my liver panel was off and my tumor markers were up. Less then a month ago I…
Pathology Report
This is my first time on the board. Everyone seems very helpful and caring. I just had a lumpectomy on Oct. 17 and have my follow-up with the surgeon this Friday, Oct. 24. I would like to ask him for a copy of the pathology report so I can digest it at my own pace. I'm just wondering if this is common practice to ask for a…
Survivor Question
Silly question, I know...How do you count years of survivorship?...from date of diagnosis, from date of surgery, from date when doctor says you're cancer free or in remission? My diagnosis date was November 22, 2002. My surgery date was January 10, 2003. And, my doctor (oncologist) has yet to commit to the idea that I…
Tamoxifen side effects
I have a question regarding tamoxifen. I wondered if you may help answer some of them. I am 6 months diag and had lumpectomy with 1 node positive. I have just finished 8 cycles of dose dense chemo and will start radiation next month. My onc wants to put me on tamoxifen and i an trying to weigh the benefits with the side…
Blood Test
A friend of mine stopped me yesterday in the store and said I'd better make sure that I always have my blood tests done. I had a lumpectomy in July, and radiation. No chemo needed. I go for follow up in January. Does anyone know what blood tests she is talking about? Thanks, Laura
St. John's Wort and Tamoxifen
I stopped taking SSRI's because of dissieness but I need a little help with mild depression. I have been taking St. John's Wort and it works fine for me. However now I have read that it can decrease the effectiveness of Tamoxifen. I'm afraid if I tell my Oncologist he'll tell me to stop taking it. Has anyone has experience…
Arimidex vs. Tamoxifin
I have a question regarding when you are considered post-menopausal. I am in menopause now thanks to chemo but was premenopausal before treatments. Does this make me post-menopausal now? Can I opt for Arimidex instead of Tamoxifin? What else is out there? Can anyone give me any info on Femara (sp?)? Thanks, you ladies…
Update on brother........
Just wanted to thank everyone for the support here. My brother got his diagnosis last week. Seems the mass in his chest is Hodgekin's Lymphoma along with, of all things prostate cancer. He goes back to MDAnderson this week to discuss treatment plan. Any encouraging words, any success stories, and of course all the prayers…
Living with cancer
I want to share in other peoples experiences on living with breast cancer. I am 34,and was diagnosed of breast cancer 2 years ago.I was still breastfeeding my 6 months old baby when I notices a pink colour on the breast milk each time I expressed the milk( as a workingt mother) for the baby.At first I did not believe it…
Avlimil???
Wondering if anyone has heard of this? Saw it advertised recently and so looked it up first chance I got. www.avlimil.com Caution: the web site is contradictory. It states that the mixture is completely "estrogen" free, several times. If you read the ingredient list, it becomes clear that it does contain plant estrogens.…
Mastectomy ????
I need some information from women who have had a single mastectomy. I want to know what problems do you live with everyday? I hear that there can be swelling in the arm from the removal of nodes. What about problems with bras, clothes etc. Can you wear sleeveless blouses? HOW and WHAT do you do to live with these…

Breast Cancer

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