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*Abbreviations* for all our Newbies
AC - one of the five most common types of chemo given to women with BC. Iit's probably the MOST common drug combination given to women with node-negative (hasn't spread to your lymph nodes) cancer. AC includes two drugs: doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). AI - aromatase inhibitors ADH - A benign…
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Some tips from CSN
Welcome to the CSN! Below are some tips to help you get started following and posting on the boards. You can follow your preferred discussion board to get notifications of new topics and comments. To follow a board, navigate to your preferred board and then select the bell at the top, followed by your notification…
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Lumpectomy Recovery
Hi. I had a lumpectomy on my right breast with some lymph nodes removed on Friday. They did put in a drain as well. I did not handle the anesthesia well. I woke up dizzy, nauseous and threw up all the way home. Three days later, while im not in pain, I am still woozy and get faint by mid day. I feel the best in the morning…
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Triple Negative Breast Cancer
I was diagnosed with a more rare form of breast cancer called "triple negative" which means my cancer is not fed by hormones therefore the only treatment recommended is chemo. I have already had a bilateral mastectomy and all my scans came back clear and my genetic test was negative. I thought with surgery and scans clear…
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Alcohol
I was just diagnosed. I’m having surgery next week. I just went to my primary MD for the pre-op and she said I have to quit drinking because it would increase the chances of reoccurrence. I wouldn’t say I’m an alcoholic but there’s a lot of wine at book club, out to eat and various parties every week. What if I just cut…
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Weary of Horror Stories - Aromatase Inhibitors
I will be starting Arimidex next week. All of my research and conversations about this drug seem to result in "horror stories" about the nasty side effects. I would like to hear from those of you have taken aromotase inhibitors and are having or had good luck with them. I guess I'm just weary of hearing all of the…
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Support for Breast Cancer
I just recently had a mastectomy of my left breast in August. I seem to be handling it fine but people tell me I am just in denial. I have nightmares and freak out when anything comes near my chest. I just want to find people that I can talk to
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Treatment / Survivor Contacts
Hello All — I am trying to find out and speak to patients / survivors going thru treatment similar to me. I connected with several friends who went thru BC but each one had different stage or bio marker than mine. Any patient/survivor here with HER2 +ve bio marker who went thru chemo & TCHP before surgery?
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Why HER2 +/- Changed
Hi all, I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer with two lymphnodes involved in Oct 2022..... PR negative, ER weak positive and HR2 borderline positive (and FISH test confirmed HER2 positive in Oct). With that diagnosis, I received Taxel and HER2 target drug Herceptin and Perjeta as neoadjuvant therapy before the…
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Metastatic Breast Cancer
Hello, I am new here, 64 yrs old, and was in remission for 15 years. Breast cancer stage II with hormone positive, her2 negative. I had a lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, and 6 years on tamoxifen. I was supposed to go on another hormone inhibitor for 5 yrs but refused. Side effects from tamoxifen was enough for me. I'm not…
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Risk Calculation when the fallout of Tamoxifen intake
I am 29 and was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer a year ago with a BRCA-2 positive mutation. I underwent bilateral mastectomy surgery and was treated with 19 sessions of chemotherapy therapy (4+15)(taxol). The tumor was invasive, not lobular, and the biggest part was 2 cm. Lymph nodes weren't involved; only…
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Needing answers regarding 9 year's after port was removed
After surviving B.C. for 9 years, in the area where my port "used to be" is giving me "sharp" pains when I do any exertion like walking, sometimes pain goes down my left arm, laying down or bending over, etc. It has been going on now for about a year. EKG doesn't show anything. This sharp pain is scaring me with my age of…
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Clogged tear ducts
about a week after my first round of chemo, I started getting clogged tear ducts. I am wondering if anybody else has had this experience and what you did to help? I have discussed with my nurse navigator, but I don’t get quick feedback so I thought I would post here. So far, I am using a soft washcloth, soaked in warm…
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Hair not growing back after Cold Capping
I cold capped and managed to keep about half my hair, but 12+ weeks after finishing chemo, I'm not noticing any new growth. I'm worried the cold cap permanently damaged my follicles. Has anyone experienced slow growth after cold capping and/or permanent hair loss?
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First Day of Chemo
how did you prepare for your first day of chemo? Did you have breakfast, did you fast and only have fluids? What did you bring or what was priority to bring? I know to bring ice mitts and booties for my taxol/carboplatin/keytruda. Did anyone have a reaction to taxol and if so what happened? After chemo did you have nausea…
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Lymphedema
I had l4 lymph nodes removed (6 had cancer). I was sent to a lymphedema specialist and she gave me exercises, a massage routine, and a sleeve to wear. I'm wondering what other survivors do about the possibility of lymphedema. Somehow, dealing with preventing it is a constant reminder of the cancer.
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Gemzar infusion
I’m stage 4 metastatic breast cancer patient. The only treatment left for me is an infusion of Gemzar chemo of which I don’t know anything about. They want to start the infusions in about two weeks. I was told if I choose to do nothing I have about 6 months; I have no idea how long I can survive on the infusion. I want to…
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Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer
My mom (48) was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer two years ago. She finished chemo and radiation treatment 6 months ago and just got results back that it’s now in her brain, lungs, spine and esophagus. She isn’t doing well mentally and every time we talk ( I live 6 hours away) all she does is cry. I’m worried about…
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Emotional Support Recommendations for Newly Diagnosis Young Breast Cancer Patients
Hi, looking for advice and/or suggestions for in-person or virtual breast cancer support groups.
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Just wanting to be happy after cancer
Did You have a full life before you found out? How did you react to the news? Are you feeling defeated now that chemotherapy and radiation treatments are done? Are you struggling with what you used to look like vs how you look after cancer? If you are like me, I wish to talk to you about your journey and what you’re doing…
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Breast Cancer new to boards
I beleive i will like this once i get use to moving around. I was a 20 year breastr cancer surviror until a couple weeks ago when diganosed in my left bresat. previous was my right bresat. then i had a lumpectomy, radiation then chemo. had one portion of node maligment. i can not rember what the size was. The current lump…
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SKIN CARE advice for those with accelerated aging effects from AI and Lupron?
Please forgive me in advance if this seems trivial, considering these drugs are intended for one purpose - to significantly reduce the risk of a metastatic recurrence. I am trying so hard to be grateful for a chance to not deal with cancer again — I'm struggling in so many areas of my life and was already at rock bottom…
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Needing opinions regarding chemo as an unhealthy 62 year old
Good morning to all. I was diagnosed with IDC on 8/22 and had my lumpectomy on 10/4. My tumor was 2.4cm, HER2 neg, ER+ 100%, BRCA Neg, neg lymph nodes. I was all set to start rad in the next couple of weeks when surgeon called saying I needed chemo because my oncotype came back at 29. 8 years ago, I had a large (7 inch)…
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Teeth problems
I was wondering if anyone has had teeth issues so long after treatment. In December it will be 3 years for me. All of a sudden I am having bad tooth aches and even an abyss after years of no cavities and very healthy teeth. Am I looking for a reason or is it just old age and my teeth are tired? Anyone else out there with…
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Tamoxifen and still want to have children
I’m done with treatment and I’m on tamoxifen for 1 year now. but I want to have kids and I am 34. My period hasn’t come back yet, since i started chemo, I did received the zoladex 10,8mg to protect my ovaries. So because of the zoladex I did not have me period. But now I’m tamoxifen and not sure if that’s the reason my…
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Anyone considering NOT taking hormone therapy?
I just wondered if anyone here said no to the hormone therapy, or, if after taking one or the other, you had too many side effects and just quit. I have read where some of you took breaks, but, didn't know if anyone just didn't take them. I am considering not taking tamox after rads. Thanks!
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Metastatic Breast Cancer
Hi, I recently found out my cancer has spread to my liver and hip bone. My oncologist has put me on Fulvestrant and Xgeva injections. Also he ordered a genetic blood test looking for Mutation genes. Next week I get 2 more injections & he will discuss the results of the genetic test. He mentioned that he wants me to start…
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Flu with cough when on Tamoxifen - What can one take?
Hi everyone! I am wondering what you all take when you get sick while on tamoxifen? Since as you know, most ingredients in most cough syrups/suppressants conflict with the effectiveness of Tamoxifen, is there a specific brand or recommendation when dealing with a flu/ongoing cough/cold? Thank you and looking forward to any…
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husband cheating while sick
I wonder if anyone else has had this experience: it is somewhat embarassing for me to talk about this, but I discovered my husband responding to a personal ad online. From the date of the email, I realized he had been doing this while I was undergoing treatment (or at least while I was at my plastic surgeon's office). I…
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Help! New to this
My daughter has bc stage 4 in her spine and now in her leg. She found out her tumors are growing. Has to change treatment and do radiation. I need help on how to help her. What to say and do? She get so angry and frustrated. She says she doesn’t want to get addicted to painkillers. What advice can I give her?
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Free hats, scarves and more for those starting chemo!
I know these sites helped a lot of the pinkies on here before, and, it might help some of you now that are going thru chemo. I think they all offer FREE stuff for you. I hope these sites can help some of you! Franceluxe.com - Beautiful free silk scarf Everyone loved these a lot! Headcovers.com - Scarves, headwraps, hats,…
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Hair growth
ready for living again stage 4 breast cancer treatment for life so time for blonde hair again