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I figured it out/it's the Femara
I knew what that dermatologist told me cannot be right, that I had underlying female pattern baldness that was unmasked or accelerated by the chemo. Why: 1.) there is no history of baldness in my family 2.) I had very thick hair prior to the chemo I have done my own research and now talked to many other women, and I am…
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Evista for ADH (atypical ductal hyperplasia)
My Breast surgeon did a BX/and excisional bx which diagnosed ADH in my breast and then sent me over to an Oncologist to discuss Hormonal TX. We discussed it at length and after much thought I decided to try Evista rather than tamoxifen. Do we have any members in here either taking tamoxifen or evista for ADH? I would not…
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Drugs Before Chemo
I need your expert opinion in regards to the drug(s) that you need to take before starting Chemo. I will be starting mine on April 1 (Wed) and I tried to call Dr's Office but he is on vacation til March 31, 2009. I was talking to my boss this afternoon as she had BC last year. During our conversation she asked me the…
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Tamoxifen..How did everyone do on it??
I am to take tamoxifen for 5 years after I finish my radiation treatments. Anyone that has been or are on it now....what are the good and or the bad of it? Thanks!
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sister diagnosed
My older sister has just been diagnosed with breast cancer also. I was the first one in our family to have breast cancer. My mom passed away in 2001 of ovarian. Because no one else in the family had breast, I thought it was a fluke and didn't get genetic testing. Now her doctors are recommending it. What a bummer. They…
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Radiation bad effects????
I finished my 8th radiation treatment today for breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy, but, did not allow them to take any lymph nodes, so, they are doing that area too. I have to take 37. So far..so good. My skin seems ok. Can anyone tell me when the burn comes or if there are other side effects? I went thru this in 85 and…
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Femara hair thinning
I have been doing more and more research into the causes of my hair thinning, which was diagnosed as underlying female pattern baldness accelerated by the chemo by a dermatologist. The more I read, the more I think Femara is the culprit: I had STRONGLY estrogen positive bc, and of the three drugs (Aromasin, Femara, and…
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Breast cancer
Diagnosed with breast approx three months ago two different tumors, surgery is scheduled for Tuesday double masectomy, is it normal to experience tenderness in the "sick" breast?
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Son supported MOM today
My 5 1/2 year old support me by having a buzz cut after I had my head shaved today. The local newspaper was there as well as some friends and family. My head feels a lot better.
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Never felt so alone...
Hi, I'm another Joyce and although I've replied to a few posts I haven't introduced myself. I'm currently going through radiation after a lumpectomy for Stage I breast cancer. My best friend has vanished since my diagnosis and my only real support besides my husband, who has his own health concerns, is my youngest…
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?? I think I'm catching a cold
I think I'm catching a cold. Will I still have treatment if I have a cold?
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If you can spare a prayer....
My beau's heart procedure on Monday did not go well. He is in CCU, being ventilated and sedated. The heart, already weak, stopped during the procedure. It was restarted, but is beating at a very fast rate. If you can spare a prayer, please send it. It is so hard to be next to him, and get no response, not even an eye…
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they're thinking it's back.
i just finished chemo june 08 and rad in oct. now i'm in ohio and have to get some bone scans and something down my throat to see if cancer is back. my throat has been sore for 3 or 4 mons told the drs in indy and they give me one antibotic after another my bones started hurting around then too. they did lung xray and it…
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Large patches of skin coming off?
I am posting for a friend who has no internet right now. She had rad'n, 25 treatments, that finished a few weeks ago. She has been getting large patches of skin peeling off from her chest area, where the rad'n was. Patches the size of her hand -- so that seems large to me. Is this unusual? How long might it continue?…
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Finally recommended to a Radiation Oncologist!
Surgeon referred me to Rad Oncologist at follow up visit. Rad Onc is sending me for Bi-Lateral MRI b/c margins are close & High Grade. Also recommends RE-Excision/plus Radiation about a month afterwards. MRI is this Friday! Has anyone had an MRI following surgery & a RE-Excision??
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head shaving and lost my cool
I had my second treatment yesterday 3/24 and then this morning in the shower hair was coming out fast and furious. I had already gotten my hair cut short before I started chemo but now the head shaving is my next step tomorrow at 1pm. I had a rough morning because I was not in control of what was happening. I was in…
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Lotions etc. Why avoid petroleum-based products?
I am posting for a friend who has no internet right now. Her rad. onc. asked her to get Aquaphore, for which the active ingredient is petroleum jelly. Some of the forum members have suggested water-based, especially with aloes. I encouraged her to use aloes, which are plentiful in her neighborhood. She has used them many…
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where the sun don't shine
What a crapy day i had! As some of you already know..i was scheduled for another colonoscopy. I was to have one done in Dec. same time as the mastectomy. My surgeon didn't finish it because there was a blockage and he didn't want to continue and put me through anymore stress.($charge up the butt for it though)!haha. And…
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Just told I have breast cancer
I was just diagnosed last week and I have accepted the results. My mom had it young, her mom had it, I knew it was coming. I am scared but I have accepted this and I know in my soul everything will be okay. What I didn't expect is all the tests, scans and WAITING. I know my options, I have made my decision for my surgery…
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Oh No!!!!!!! What did I do this time?????????
I chained up the Alsatian and answered the door yesterday morning thinking it was the mail-lady (it's my birthday April 1st) BUT...It was the Jehovas.......Last time they called in was during my chemo and I'm ashamed to admit I was completely inebriated (Pissed out of my skull) at 10am. Anyway, the nice lady remembered me…
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Replacement Parts, On the way!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi, Again... I contacted the Canadian Cancer Society today and they are sending me out a free Prothesis kit!!!!!!!!!.. Hey I might be able to look almost normal again!, They also told me where and when to get measured up for... "the real thing"..Do they mean coke?.. I hope this free "Falsie" weighs as much as my 40D or…
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Reconstruction Update (Part III)
Yesterday was my appointment with my surgeon. I went in there with the full intention of telling him not to put in any more more 100 cc's of fluid due to the pain I was having. Well, when he came in I explained the pain and he reclined the exam chair I was in as and was quite surprised as I winced and complained of just…
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Bilateral Mastectomy & DIEP Reconstruction
I am 50 years old and was diagnosed in Feb with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)... I live in Florida for the past 8 years - I am originally from New York... I am having a bilateral mastectomy and possibly DIEP reconstruction.. I have decided to go back to New York for my surgery. I have appointments the first week of…
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First time dealing with breast cancer
HELLO I am so scared and angry at the same time. After three biopies and lumpectomy/sentinel node biopsy surgery. I still have cancer in my lymph nodes which the pathologist at the time of surgery missed it.. My surgeon doesn't want to go back in an remove my lymph nodes. He wants me to start chemo and radiation…
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Lymphatic fluid in breast
My oncologist said mild swelling and discomfort was lymphatic fluid accumulating in my breast after sentinel node biopsy and lumpectomy in August 2008. I'm aware of arm lymphedema and its problems even though I don't suffer from that. This is not disabling in any way and I have exercises to help drain the fluid. Has anyone…
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chemo treatment plan in writing now
I finally got the whole schedule in writing: Adriamycin w/Cytoxan every 2 wks for 4 cycles or doses Taxol w/Herceptin every week for 12 weeks Herceptin alone every 3 weeks for 1 year. This is different than what she said the first time when we met. It is because she was able to look at my medical records more in depth.…
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taxol and hair loss
I go for my 3rd taxol/herceptin infusion Friday. It's an every Friday thing ... for 8-12 weeks. I have an appointment for my "routine" haircut on Thursday and I'm wondering what the chances are of me losing my hair? I have a feeling that my dosage of taxol may not be as strong as some get because I do go EVERY week ... but…
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How do they know if HER2+ is gone
How do Dr.s' know that the HER2+ is gone after all treatments? Do they do scans or biopsy on tissue? These are some of the questions I will be asking my oncologist today. They know Herceptin targets the HER2+ but how do they really know it is gone or in remission. If anyone has asked the answer to their oncologist I would…
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Just needed to talk
I was dignosed May 2007. I have been through chemo and radiation.And of course 2 surgeries. Finished everything by Feb 2008. Reaccurance found in the bone in my spine March 2009. Doing radiation again and changed my harmone theropy.I can no longer remember what my nomal life was like. Can anyone tell me more about dealing…
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RECONSTRUCTION RE HAS A QUESTION
Okay ladies who are in the throngs of recon or have been before I have a question. Tomorrow I go to see my surgeon for more fluid to be put into the expander, if you recall he put 200 cc's in the last time for a total to date of 400 cc's. Since then I have been quite uncomfortable, no quick movements because they hurt,…