Please remember that these discussion boards are a public forum, which means open to the public (i.e. non-CSN members) and the content can be found via internet search engines. Members are strongly advised not to share personal identifiers such as real names, email address, telephone number, street address, etc. This information can be used to identify you and link you to the content you provide. Other areas of CSN are restricted to members only and cannot be found by search engines.

Breast Cancer

Archives for March 2004

gratitude and good news
Thank you to all who offered encouragement and prayers while I was awaiting test results. I have no evidence of spread to bones or organs, and the tumor discovered in the lymph node is shrinking after being on Armidex less than a month. Doctor expects it will continue to shrink and may then have radiation to try to…
Difficult Recovery from Tram Flap
I am just wondering if any of you who have had an immediate tram flap reconstruction has had any problems? I had a double mastectomy on 2-4 with immed. tram flap and the left breast has softened and looks fairly good. However, the right breast that had the cancer and from which the nodes were taken, is still swollen, hard…
strange lactation issue
I have a strange symptom and not certain which doctor to ask.I am 42 yrs old, femail, I had a radical mastectomy left side 2 weeks ago. Yesterday, my remaining breast began producing milk. I've always produced colostrum, even prior to my 2 children/pregnancies;but I've never heard of this side effect of surgery. Has anyone…
dumb question
I had a double mastectomy about 6 months ago. I never remember to ask my drs. when I am there. Is there some sort of x-ray/mammogram that I need to have done? I read that cancer can come back at the incision sight or on the chest wall. Since my cancer was found by a yearly mammogram I feel like I will be left out if I…
Depression & anxiety
My dear friend is undergoing chemo and is experiencing depression which required treatment in a mental hospital. How can I help her?
Just Two Quick Questions
Has anyone heard of Chemo-Brain? My family started kidding me that I had Chemo-brain because after all my treatments I could not remember things like I used to. I then found this term somewhere in my cancer reading material with the same meaning. Of course I have always forgotten to ask one of my doctors, LOL. I'd also…
PAIN THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY
I was treated for breast cancer last year and soon after my treatments I started having pain in my groin area and in my knee. I have had x-rays, bone scans and a MRI still no answer to the pain. It is not a bad pain and it does not happen everyday. I am determined to find out what is causing the pain. I will see my…
Immeasurable gratitude
Don't you hate how Thankyou seems so insufficient sometimes? I want to thank everyone of you who responded to my question about when one becomes a survivor. Even with the variety of your experiences, there seems to be a solid choice each one of you made to live. That makes a difference, obviously! To thank you all, I am…
Financial Help
I know this is going to sound crazy, but I figured this is a place to start. My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has had 4 surgeries in 10 wks and will start chemo soon followed by radiation. She is already on 50% disability and will recieve that for a couple more months. I'm just wondering if anyone knows…
bilateral masectomy
I had a lumpectomy, radiation Oct 2002--Feb2002 with no nodes involved now cancer in the other breast so considering bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction---would appreciate any feed back How long in the hospital what to expect when I get home--I know drains for 10 days
Immediate breast cancer reconstruction
help, I am looking for a surgeon who devotes a significant portion of his or her practice to immediate reconstruction practicing in Palm Beach County Florida. Thanks, MSL
Breast cancer book
My wife, Lizzie, and I have battled through the terrors of a terminal breast cancer diagnosis. That was nine years ago. In Lizzie's case, her chemo treatments (adriamycin) also led to end-stage heart failure - another death sentence - just nine months after her chemo protocols started. But my dear Lizzie (and I) were very…
What is this?Anyone know?
Last night my shoulder became very uncomfortable,as I reached back to massage it I found this huge knot about the size of a mason jar lid.I've also been having chest pains ,my check up was today,my doc sent me to radiology,chest x-ray and a sonogram of my left arm,shoulder and neck making sure there wasn't a blood…
Radiation
Hi, everyone I have 2 more chemo treatments to go and I am counting the days. I will probably start readiation sometime in June. I am still working full time and plan to do so through treatment. I am a little concerned about my energy level while taking radiation and working. Is the exhaustion such that I will have a hard…
Best Forum for IBC Patients
One of the first messages on this list is about the website www.ibcresearch.org This is the site of the IBC Research Foundation. ibcRF is devoted to finding the cause of IBC and spreading the word about IBC so that it is quickly and properly diagnosed. All ibc patients and caregivers are invited to join the discussion list…
Chemosensitivity Testing
Chemosensitivity Testing One approach to individualizing patient therapy is chemosensitivity testing. Chemosensitivity assay is a laboratory test that determines how effective specific chemotherapy agents are against an individual patient's cancer cells. Often, results are obtained before the patient begins treatment. This…
Just saying hello
I just wanted to reach out to the community as I am recovering from a double mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction on 2-4. I have such dark desperate hours and I really do not know how to handle them. My spouse works 2nd shift so I am alone some nights, my daughters do take turns hanging out with me in the evenings.…
problems with expanders/beginning of reconstruction
I had to have my expanders removed due to infection. The plastic surgeon didn't know if my body was rejecting them or if a bacterial infection occurred. I only had them in for about 3 weeks. I was in so much pain. Antibiotics didn't help. Now I am uncertain whether to attempt reconstruction again or not. It is really a…
ports
I just finished with my treatments of chemo and radiation. I was told that I could have my port removed now or wait for a period of time. I am curious as to what others have done - remove it right away or after a year or so...just in case.
When do you consider yourself a survivor?
I would love to know when or how you found yourself with the identity of a "survivor" - instead of a victim. My mom never got a chance to move into that category, since her b.c. had already metasticised to her brain when she was diagnosed. To our family, she was a survivor until the day she died, but I don't think she saw…
bi lateral masectomy followed by diep reconstruction
Hello, I will be going for surgery on the 29 of march, feeling a little apprehensive.I was wondering if you all had any suggestions on preparing for this surgery. Thanks
Loosing my hair
Well it finally started im loosing my hair and im so depressed about it. I guess since it had been three weeks since I started chemo I hoped I was gonna be lucky. This is really getting me down. Has anyones Dr. given them something for depression? I have been doing alright until this. Dont know if I can get through this or…
Great News from Maryland
Governor Robert Ehrlich and the Dept. of Individuals with Disabilities, in conjunction with the MD State Dept. of Education, is enabling me to keep my teacher certification by offering me some options after eight years of tutoring! I wrote LOTS of letters over the past two years about this issue, and his office has…
Tips for Getting through Radiation
Hi, everyone... I've just finished chemo 4 A/C; 4 Taxol and I'm about to begin radiation in 2 wks [6 weeks duration]. I was dx in Oct. 2003 and I had a lumpectomy in Nov. 2003. I've heard that so many women develop burns after radiation. I'm looking for any tips, suggestions, etc. which will help as I begin this new phase…
one year
It's hard to believe but I finished treatment one yr ago this week. Spring is here and so today I decided to go buy a pear tree to celebrate. I never had a fruit tree so I figured it was high time. I was told it takes several years to bare fruit but when it does I plan to still be here to see it and enjoy it. My friends…
Hello To All...
This is my first time posting. I was diagnosed in January with Advanced Stage 4 Breast Cancer. Because it is also in my spine, I spent most of Jan. & Feb. on pain meds for my back...and Radiation. I am being treated with Tamoxifen. I am trying my best to still deal with all with all the upset...emotionally & financially.
CA indicators
What is herp positive? My friend was told her bc was that, but I don't know what it means. She is stage 2 and just newly diagnosed. (I am a survivor of 3 years...) I didn't have the herp thing..only the positive estrogen receptors. Thanks Hugs, Jayne
Aromasin (exemestane)
hello all, has anyone heard about this new treatment medicine. it has been available in canada since Aug. 2000. It is supposed to be an alternative to taxmoxifen
Waiting, worried & confused
I just want to thank everyone so much for making me breathe a little easier on my mom's condition. All your information you gave me did shed more light on things. She informed me that the test "Her 2 new" just showed positive. Can anyone help me with that. Thanks again, and my prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Etta
first timer
This is my first posting to the group. I start my chemotherapy on Monday morning. I have been diagnosed with inflitrating ductal carcinoma 2 cm tumor, no lymph involvelment, margins clear. I am scared to death of the chemo. I know it is only 4 rounds but I am so afraid of being sick

Breast Cancer

Discussion List