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Need To Vent . . .
Hi Ladies, So, my 30-year old co-worker, who sits next to me at work, was dxed with cancer of the esphagus a month ago. This affected me very deeply. I have tried my best to be supportive and to listen and assure her that it will all be alright. I feel very protective of her, and it also brings back a lot of feelings and…
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I need help! It's about breast MRI after mastectomy again!
I have posted about this several times...although my oncologist and breast surgeon say it's not the recommended policy to have a breast and chest MRI after a bilateral mastectomy, I want to do an annual one. I am so desperate to get this I am willing to pay out of pocket if the insurance won't pay. I feel like I cannot…
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Of haircuts and refrigerators...
Isn't perspective wonderful? Here I sit, 2 years post any treatment (3.5 years rectal, 2 years breast) and going about living life! My hair, which I lost not once but twice, is back in such force, that I have to get it cut every 5 weeks!!! My refrigerator just went crazy, and I had to deal with that. My point? I remember…
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bilateral mastectomy/MRI
This is not the first time I have posted on this topic, but I am hoping to get more replies. I had a mastectomy in February, had invasive intraductal which did not spread to the lymph nodes and a small tumor(1.1. cm). After I had the mastectomy, I found out I was BRCA positive and in Sept. will have a preventive mastectomy…
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Life Goes On.... And it Can be GREAT!!!
For all of you guys currently struggling with the beast... just wanted you to know that Life Can be GREAT again. I am now 3 years Cancer Free... and Life is WONDERFUL. My son got married in March... (He married a lady that had a 6 year old child)... So I am a Grandmother... I decided to retire from my job after 30 years (I…
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White blood cells very low
They did the chemo treatment on June 4. The doctor decided not to give me the Neulasta shot because it seems it was always higher than the normal. Last week the WBC where 2.9, today 2.5. All the rest is within normal range. Now I'm anxious because next week I'm supposed to get the last chemo treatment, but if it continues…
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Home from surgery
I can't believe I've been home since Sunday morning. I thought I would share. My surgery was Friday, June 13th at 2:00 in the afternoon. I had a rt mastectomy and reconstruction with a port. I did not return to a room in the hospital until 9:00 PM from recovery. I was in agonizing pain which all of you are familiar. My…
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Relay for life
This Saturday I will do the survivors lap at a RELAY FOR LIFE. For what I read, it's going to be very emotional, and I'm planning to stay for the luminaries too. I thought it was not going to work out, because I'm going through the chemo treatments, but the next one (and last one!!!) is going to be on the 25, so I'm ready…
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My "C" story being published....
So here it is in a nutshell, my story of breast cancer is going to be published in a local magazine - the feature story no less in their Sept/Oct breast cancer awareness issue - Now this seams like awesome news, right? Well I've had some struggles with it already, like - How do you tell of such a personal struggle and keep…
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Pre-natal Vitamins
I've heard that pre-natal vitamins help with post-treatment recuperation like hair growth, nail growth, neuropathy, etc. Has anyone else heard this or taken them as part of their recuperation? I'm really tempted except that my pharmacist might laugh at me, considering I'm 66 years old. But, he needs a laugh, too, every…
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ovary removal??
hi again everyone, as usual coming here for some good advice before i talk to my onc. Has anyone had or considered ovary removal, read up on it, apparantly can reduce chances of cancer in other breast and of course ovarian cancer (if family history). I have right mastectomy and naturally am concerned my Left breast will…
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Not Coping Good Today
I know every time you guys see my post it is neg. or I am complaining about a hurt or ache, I am trying to do better but my attitude sucks. I don't know if I haven't giving myself enough time to except cancer (dx 01/24/08)my baby girl's 1st B-day and get pissed,sad, glad Im still here or what? Today I am just not coping…
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HOW IS EVERYONE
Hi everyone, I know that cancer gets you but now a 6 year survivor, and so happy. Going with my mamogram and blood tests tomorrow, getting my last doctor appointment Thursday. Off the tomoxien after the treatments, had breast cancer on both breasts, had 5 chemos, and 35 treatments on each breast. 70 treatments. But all of…
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Dream Interpretation
I wanted to share with you all this dream I had a couple of weeks ago. It still with me. I can't seem to shake it -- it affected me so. To give you some background, things have been a bit difficult lately . . . just the normal life ups and downs and I've been feeling overwhelmed. So, with that in mind, here is the dream .…
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overthinking node dissection?
I'm recently diagnosed with a 1.1cm non-aggressive cancer that they removed during surgical biopsy with all clean margins. Now I have to decide between sentinal node biopsy (and go out of my local area) or have an axillary dissection. My surgeon doesn't do sentinal biopsy because he has concerns that true nodal path may…
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breast reconstruction
I am looking for anybody who went through the same surgery i did. I had a bilateral masectomy in November, 2007. the rescontruction was done with a surgical procedure i believe called a tram flap??? something like that. This is when they take the fat from your belly to reconstruct your breasts. it is also known as a tummy…
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I just called to say I Love You
It is 11:30 at night, my step daughter graduated high school today, Reggie and I just finished a late glass of wine following a dinner/hip hop music, laughing house full of people we cooked for while hosting a post graduation party for a bunch of teenagers, and we are doing laundry and a million other things before our…
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Not Thyoid?!!!!!
I read a post by someone here a few days ago but i can't remember which one it was. Talked about being so tired and it was a thyroid problem. I had mine checked but it is okay. I have had night sweats, terrible hair loss(it's been 1 1/2 years since i had chemo), weight gain, fatigue and insomnia,slow processing(my saying-I…
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cannot stop thinking !
i am halfway through chemo, was lucky to catch my cancer at very early stage, no spread to lymph nodes and have had full mastectomy , chemo as an insurance really. why is my head so full of negatives, mainly, if it "comes back", why can't i be happy with my outcome, i'm luckier than alot of women, i get very frustrated…
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My daughter is scared.
Yesterday I have the change to talk to my oldest daughter (she's 16) about a lot of things. It's been not a good months and weeks between us. It all started during my cancer diagnosis. I have a lot of things going on with me, being off from work, surgery, well everything I can imagine that the cancer had brought into our…
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My Gyno Visit
Hello Ladies, have another adventure to share. Monday I went to see the gynecologist. I had not been to one in nearly 10 years. I know, I know. But being a caregiver for Mom. Then my own spinal cord surgery and it's aftermath. Then losing Mom, and all the other things left me no time to do anything. Not being in a…
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Jealousy?
My sweet Reggie and I went away for the weekend, and among other things, we went to a street fair. I was immediately attracted to the jewelry ( so what else is new??) and went over to see where I could spend money I don't have! The young artist ( she was in her early 30's for crying out loud!) had beautiful pieces, and I…
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decision
Hey all, went to the surgeon and have chosen with her recommendation and all the data to have masetectomy of rt breast. Its not scheduled yet but will be in about 2-3 weeks. Reconstructive surgery will be done at the same time and a port for chemo . Any thoughts to guide me along? How long will I be hospitalized? The…
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Wedding tears
I have cried a lot of tears through this fight and I have noticed that my tears are changing. I cry now, not always because I am sad or afraid, but because I just feel so deeply these days. I call this crying (yes, I do so much crying that I need subcategories) wedding tears, tears of joy at the awareness of how beautiful…
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Neutropenia, anyone else get it?
Well, just got out of hospital, my biggest fear whilst having chemo was to become ill and end up in hospital and have my chemo delayed. As much as i was careful, didnt go out to busy shopping centres, stayed away from anyone with a cold, i still caught something and my body just could not cope! now i feel i cant go…
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Here comes the ????
Ok, done the 4 rounds A/C, bilateral masctomy, doing reconstruction,expanders and on Taxol,12wks going for 6th treatment 6th week, e/p neg, her2-neg, BRCA1 pos, has any one every heard of any treatment beyond the ACT and surgery, worried about surprise when I go back, my oncon is shifty. Heathr
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Fingernails - Going, Going, Gone!
I've been complaining for a while about my fingernails since chemo. This morning, my thumbnail fell off and it looks like I may lose at least several more. I know chemo affects nails, but, please, if this has happened to you please let me know if your nails grew back and if they were "normal" once again. Chemo seems to be…
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Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Does anybody know of any one who had or has this type of breast cancer so that I can compare notes, as I was recently diagnosed of same. Hugs to you all and God bless. May
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1st Anniversary
Hey guys: What a year it has been. It seems sometimes that I've been to hell and back, I think back to when I was first diagnosed, the fear of the unknown, the why me, and the emotional ups and downs and can't believe that I made it. The chemo, the thyroid, the reconstruction, what a LONG year. But here it is my 1st…
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I'm done with chemo!!!
Hello Everybody, I'm glad to tell all my "sisters" here in this network of brave and strong women that I am done with another chapter of my on going journey. Today is my last round of chemo, I'm hoping that it will be easy on me but not really. The nurse poked me twice because she didn't get it right the first one ( my…