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Breast Cancer

Archives for August 2007

When do you start counting?
I have almost finished treatment for "triple negative" breast cancer. Much of the research that I've read indicates that this cancer usually returns within 3 years. My question is this -- when you do start to count the three years? Is it three years from initial diagnosis or three years from the end of your treatment?…
I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member!!!
...With apologies to Groucho Marx, of course! It occurs to me, that with this ever-growing family of BC survivors, that I should tell you a bit about myself. Just as bit though, because I have a web-page here on CSN! Do most of you? It is just a wonderful way of getting acquainted even more than we do in these threads. And…
"Go Away", my onc said....
I went for my 3-month check, and my oncologist said "I don't want to see you for 6 months"!!!!! Music to MY ears!!! CEA (colon cancer marker) was 1.1, CA27.29 (Breast cancer marker) was 18....both WELL within normal range (probably the only thing on my body that IS normal..lol!). As an added bonus, my cholesterol is, for…
Menstrual Cycles after tx
I'm 31 & have always had regular periods until cancer. I had 1 period after I started chemo- a year later I had another, exactly a month later I had another. I was told it may come back so I just assumed my lucky days were over. After the 2 back to back I haven't had another. I took a preg test the first month I missed it…
Finishing Treatment & Fear
Next Wednesday, I will be having my 17th and last Herceptin treatment. While everyone around me is jumping for joy, my level of fear is increasing daily. I had a bilateral mastectomy in April 2006, had to deal with reconstructive surgery that failed, I had 4 cycles of Taxotere and Cytoxin, started Herceptin treatments…
5years
can you beleve it has been 5 years where did the time go!!!!i saw my occ she said all of my blood work is good except my liver. i will be on tomoxifen untill dec. then she will put me on famura. i feal so good. my girls are in college, we have a 1 bedroom condo overlooking in intercoastal and the ocean!!!! my husband and i…
Back on Femara
Well we are going to give the Femara another try. I really don't want to stop taking it. The risk is worrisome, for not taking it, and worrisome if I do continue to take it. I am walking my fool head off to try and correct the circulation in my leg. It seems somewhat better, but if it does not correct I guess I will have…
High Calcuim Levels
OK... Got a New Question Have any of you been told that you have too high of a Calcium Level... I have been on Armidex.. but then stopped it for 3 weeks and went to the Onc to switch meds...(lot a feet and leg swelling).. They always run blood test on me when I go... and they called back saying that I had high Calcium…
Re: Shrinking Breast
I went to the Dr. and to make a long story short, I have BC. It's called lobular and it's both ICS and LCIS(I think that is correct). Have to have both breast removed w/radiation. Not sure about cemo. I was soooo upset at first, however, I'm OK with it all now (for now). I'm trying to find a local group of survivors to…
So what have you done since being diagnosed?
I always wondered if being diagnosed with a serious illness would change the way I live my life. Would I continue to put off doing what I really want to do, or would I live more in the moment and be a little more hedonistic... less hesitant. I guess I got my chance to find that out when I was dx in 2004. I have to say that…
It's Been awhile
I haven't been on here recently, and haven't even checked this network in a while. Sorry... I'm now 4 years' out of dx, surgery (mastectomy), chemo, and still taking tamoxifen. I'm in the 1% who seem to get all the side effects of treatment, and have developed several health issues following chemo. I'm just wondering if…
Arimidex
I am taking Arimidex now for one year, need to take for 5 yrs they said. It's causing lots of problems, bone pain, muscle pain....I feel like a 90 yr old woman that can't climb the stairs or walk right...any suggestions? I will ask my OC if I can switch to Tamoxifen but am post-menoposal...mastectomy, chemo, radiation now…
My Mom's CT Scan
My mom had breast cancer 6.5 years ago. Had full masectomy, node negative, 6 treatments of chemo. From what I can gether she was er-. Was told that tamoxifin was not helpful for her type of early state breast cancer. Went every 3 months for follow-up for first 4 years and the last 2 years was 6 mos and 1 year. All blood…
I need advise
My name is Helen i've just beat breast cancer for the second time. I've been on Arimidex for 18 months and have found that my wrists, fingers, ankles, feet, elbows and knees have all seized up. I'm not sure i can handle this for another 3 and a half years. Has anyone got any ideas or advise? I'd really appreciate it.
Off Arimidex on to Tamoxifen
Hey Ladies,,, I am now off of all of the armitose inhibitors.... they all caused by feet and legs to swell badly. I tried all three of the vairations... but after taking them for about 1 1/2 years the swelling just got out of control I lost 4 pounds in one week. Just that much fluid was being retained.. So this week I will…
Abraxane use??
I will be meeting w/ onc Monday and am looking for something other than Taxol or Taxotere for my next treatment after A/C. I didn't do well on the 2 week dense dose plan - neutropenic 2xs. Does anyone have experience with Abraxane? I also want to see if he'll let me do dense dose 2 week intervals w/taxol. Comments about…
Arizona BC resources/groups
Hi. I'm new to the group. I currently live in Northern California but will be relocating to Surprise Az sometime in October. is there anyone out there that can tell me what bc services are available in that area? Or if there are any support groups? I do have family in the area, but I also need to get more involved with bc…
Done with surgeries!!!
Sorry I haven't written in a while. I have been taken my mom to 5 endoscopies during summer because her esophagus decided to close!!! I just wanted to update you... I had my expanders replaced last month and I think I am done with surgeries. The next surgery would have been the nipple reconstruction, but I have decided to…
Just flew in from Europe....
And Boy! are my arms tired!!! I ate all my favs, saw all my favs, and even squeezed in a trip to Prague in the Czech Republic. This is the first summer trip I could take since my diagnosis 3 years ago...I had forgotten how lovely Holland is in Summmer! Hugs, Kathi
after Arimidex
After 5 years of taking Arimidex, what is next? Thanks to all who answer. Sue
Scars
I had a double Mastectomy back in March and just had nipple/areola reconstruction this past Thursday and the stitches come out on Friday. Once the stitches come out what is something good to use to reduce the signs of scaring?
Still looking for anyone on Tykerb
Anyone on Tykerb yet? Would love to hear how you are doing? I can say ... my skin is as dry as sandpaper ... oh my! Thanks
Shut up and Get Back to Work!!!
Traci, I posted this a few YEARS ago, after Robin had surgery and treatment~ it is in regards to her Doctor who opined that chemo etc is almost easy, and can pretty much be scheduled in to fit anyone's life. BALDERDASH! This was not an indictment about Robin of course, as anyone dx'd instantly becomes part of the Family of…
Sentinel node qestion
This is SEOF. I thought I was going to respond to another person's question, but I have my own about the same subject, so I thought I'd better not try. As I understand it, there would be 2 reasons not to take out more nodes: a) to reduce chances of the arm swelling due to poor circulation/drainage of the lymphatic fluid…
Sentinal node or take em all
I was diagnosed with stage III invasive ductal carcinoma in April '07 (I'm 44 years old). I began chemo two weeks later - 4 A/C and 12 Taxol and Herceptin (I still have 4 more to go). Surgery is scheduled for October. I'm planning on having a bilateral mastectomy with (maybe) reconstruction - I'm still on the fence about…
Online Resentment
Have any of you met with anger, jealousy or resentment about the connections you have made with this amazing online family here at CSN? It seems to me that it is oftentimes easier to pour my heart out to those I have met in chat than those I live with! I feel such a connection with this online community, and I can't expect…
Moving and New Doctors
I don't know how many of you have actually moved through or after fighting the beast, but I was new in Memphis when it occurred. Then afterwards, we were relocated to Georgia. I have now started going to new doctors and have found it very emotional having to share the scars over and over both physically and mentally. I was…
Wife says no tamoxifen
My wife is about to undergo chemo treatment #5 out of 6. She is sick of it and wants to feel normal again. She is going to also do six weeks of radiation. She has heard horror stories about the side effects of tamoxifen and is saying she does not want to take it. Does anyone know the increase in recurrence without using…
POWERFUL PRAYER TO ST THERESE
I TRUST HER INTERCESSION FOR ALL OF US. O LITTLE THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS, PLEASE PICK FOR ME A ROSE FROM THE HEAVENLY GARDEN AND SEND IT TO ME WITH A MESSAGE OF LOVE. O LITTLE FLOWER OF JESUS, ASK GOD TODAY TO GRANT THE FAVORS I NOW PLACE WITH CONFIDENCE IN YOUR HANDS: PLEASE GRANT US ALL HEALTH OF BODY AND PEACE OF…
Finished fighting the Beast?
Hello all, just got my port removed this morning - I guess that means I'm finished my fight? It's kind of depressing and scary all at the same time. My Onc says that is all normal, that while seeing all the docs and getting treatments one feels like they are "battling the cancer or doing something about it" - I welcome the…

Breast Cancer

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