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Breast Cancer

Archives for January 2008

Your experience - Support groups?
Greetings, all - today marks one week with one breast, I am now cancer free with no chemo and no radiation. I'm wondering about finding a support group here in DC. I am emotionally raw and trying to live in the moment, but as each day wears on I get real pissed off about pain that doesn't stop and muscles that cease up.…
Anyone on Zometa?
I have been getting Zometa IV for 8 months, inside my mouth tends to swell and become uncomfortable, sometimes painful. I also swell near my eyes, it looks awful in the morning, like someone punched me in my sleep. Is anyone else having these problems? If so what do you do about your mouth being uncomfortable?
A question for survivors
Hello, I am a 6 year survivor and have a question about what kind of precautionary steps your oncologist takes. I had my check-up with my oncologist only to find out that he has LEFT!! No one told me until I read the sign on the window in his office. I was devastated,felt like I lost my best friend (after all he saved my…
If you could 'go back', would you?
As a result of my wierd frame of mind, I came up with this. If one day a fairy came and said "I can turn back the clock, give you back everything you had before cancer, including a memory wipe of your treatment experience and all of the people you have met since diagnosis." would you? What do you think? Hugs, Kathi
hair loss
I was just last week diagnosed with invasive intraductal breast cancer. They are still in the process of conducting a lot of tests on me, but have told me the tumor is very small (less than 1 cm) and that it is early stage breast cancer. It is still unclear whether or not I will have to have chemotherapy. Like everyone, I…
Fluid around expanders
Has anyone heard of this? I had a bilateral mastectomy in October and had expanders put in. There was a bruised spot on one breast that turned black after radiation. It then appeared to fill with fluid - almost like a blister. My surgeon, started removing the fluid with a syringe, then decided to go ahead and cut a nickel…
inflammatory bc
Hey everybody, I haven't been on here and posted in quiet some time...Alot of new ladies here so None of U remember me,but I know there is alot of support here for everyone...Any way I have a few things to pass around and would really value some input especially on my last sentence. 1st January was 4 years from my last…
breast cancer treatment
I have just been diagnosed with intraductal invasive breast cancer. I am going to a large teaching hospital (Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's in chicago). I just met with my doctors today for the first time, but so far have been told that the tumor is very small (1 cm) and that it's early stage breast cancer. I have two…
New today
I found out I was on the wrong chat room and it meets on Tuesdays. Someone told me about this part and I thought I'd give it a try. I have a bilateral March 17 of 2007. It was in both sides and I finished chemo. Hair is back in and quite curly. I've had to have 2 reconstructions because the first one ended up on my…
Cancer Markers
I want to know if anyone has had an alkaline phosphate test? My results have been 90, 102, 124 (taken 3 mos. apart). Is this anything to be concerned about?
Living with the long-term side effects
I know that this doesn't apply to everyone, but I'd like to hear from those that are affected, how they mentally manage the long term side effects of cancer treatment. I had my entire colon removed 4 years ago for early stage genetic colon cancer and ended up hospitalized within that same year for a small bowel obstruction…
Arimidex
Hi Everyone, I've been on arimidex now for 4 months...I'm having lower back pain and pain really bad all down my right leg...I've never had back pain before so I think its probably the arimidex...has this happened to anyone else and should I ask for another med?...thank you
new here
I am new to this site, but not new to breast cancer. I am 3 years ned. I am er/pr-, her2+, stage 1, and grade 3. I am doing good except for the lingering depression and sleeplessness. Oh yeah, and chemobrain. Right now it's very cold here and that adds to the depression, but zoloft helps. I'm just here to find out how to…
thanks for your responses
Thanks for all the input on Tram flaps. I have been looking at info on all the other types too. I have several questions for my Plastic Surgeon next time I see her. Her main concern with bilateral tram seems to be that it leaves very little muscle at the abdominal donor site. want to ask her about DIEP, or similar…
bilateral reconstruction
Ladies, I am still seeking info about bilateral reconstruction using your own tissue vs. implants. See my posting on 1/15 below for further information. Does anyone have a suggestion for where to go for info? Thanks, seof
Back from Holland...a GREAT time!!!
We returned home Monday late from 3 weeks in Holland. What a Great trip we had! Mom was in good spirits, and health-wise was at her peak! She made dinner for us almost every night (mmmmmm, all my favorites!!!). The weather was cold, but beautiful. No snow (sigh), but plenty of wind!!! No naked dancing, unless you counted…
Decisions for treatment..
I had a unilateral mastectomy in 2001. Never thought about a double or a lumpectomy. My plastic surgeon did a beautiful job with a tram flap. So, I looked great but had a loss of sensation. That effected my sexual response significantly. I remember hearing back then that Europeans got lumpectomies. The didn't automatically…
Decisions for treatment..
I had a unilateral mastectomy in 2001. Thinking of a prophylactic on the other side. My plastic surgeon did a beautiful job. So, I looked great but had a loss of sensation. That effected my sexual response significantly. I remember hearing back then that Europeans got lumpectomies. The didn't automatically have the…
prophylactic coverage
Are insurance companies paying for any prophylactic mastectomies? I was under the impression that if my BRCAs were positive that the recommendation is bilateral mastectomy and total hysterectomy. What is the experience out there? Anyone get coverage for a prophylactic without positive gene testing?
false hope?
I have a copy of a relatively new mag called "beyond Breast Cancer". In it are stories of women who have fought and beat (so far) breast cancer as well as practical information and advice. A couple of stories are wonderful but annoying. Did I mention I experience a cyclic mood disorder since taking docetaxal?? I only…
hormonal depression with chemo
Thanks everyone for responding about the taxol side effects. Here's one more thing. I talked to a y-Me volunteer who explained that my crying all the time might not have so much to do with my "problems" as just hormonal imbalance with the chemo menopause (I am three rounds into chemo). Makes perfect sense. I have been…
Deciding later to have the other breast removed...
I had a mastectomy with tram flap in 2001. I just had a biopsy because I am developing some skin changes in the remaining breast. I have been reassured by two surgeons that it isn't cancer looking but I will get the results of the biopsy on Thursday. When I was diagnosed, a double mastectomy wasn't discussed. Now, I am…
Lumpectomy vs: Mastectomy?
Has anyone ever regretted getting a lumpectomy vs: a mastectomy? I was only Stage 1 in Feb, 2006 - 2.2cm tumor was taken out immediately (lumpectomy) a week after diagnosis, followed by A&C, Neulasta, Taxol, Herceptin & Radiation - I'm Her2 positive which makes me so nervous of reoccurence and wonder should I have just…
Tram flap vs implant
Ladies, I have had a double mastectomy with expanders put in because I will be having reconstruction after chemo and radiation are done. I have talked to Dr. about recon. So far the best options seem to be Tram flap or implants. The biggest problem I have with implants is that they have to be re-done eventually, and the…
taxol chemo side effects
I am finishing up my four rounds with Adriamycin and now looking forward (?) to four rounds of Taxol for my stage 2 breast cancer. I am wondering if the taxol chemo is maybe easier to get through than the first drugs? I know the hair loss will be complete, but how about fatigue? I also know about the neuropathy. I know…
Help - Burning sensation around incision site
I had a lumpectomy 3 weeks ago. I have numbness around the incision where the tumor was, where they removed the sentinel nodes, my armpit and on the back of my upper arm. My margins were clear, but they did remove a quite a bit of tissue. I am experiencing a lot of discomfort around the numbness. It's like there is a one…
New Year-Denial or Acceptance?
First: thanks to all my breast cancer sisters for being out there. You women have given me more hope than any of the doctors ever could (especially the doc who is always surprised to see me still around)!!! Well, I didn't make any New Year resolutions. 2007 was not my best year: 22 pos nodes, chemo, radiation, surgery,…
stage 4 breast cancer
My mother has stage 4 breast cancer and it spread to her vertebra. She had surgery to try to remove the tumors. They removed as much as they could with the surgery. She is now being treated with radiation for her back. She is having a difficulty swallowing. Can anyone offer any suggestions to help her along?
4th. time breast cancer
Hello everyone. this is my 4th. time fighting cancer since 2003. it has gone to my bones. and on my lymph nodes again. they have me on gemzar and aredia. is anyone going through this and how are you doing with it. take care and God Bless you all
docetaxel - bloody noses, pain; Neulasta - pain - deep depression
I am taking docetaxel for my 4, 5, 6th chemos. I had my 4th chemo on Dec. 20/07 and on Dec. 25 I woke up and had a stuffy nose and blew my nose and there blood. I thought oops I had blown to hard, but is still like that and it is now Jan 7th, and I have my next chemo - #5 on Friday, Jan 11th. I was wondering if any of you…

Breast Cancer

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