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Pregnancy after breast cancer
Hi all, I was diagnosed with stage II IDC with one lymph node involved in Feb of 2020 at age 28. We have a son that we welcomed via surrogacy in 2021. I’ve always dreamed of having a big family and am finding it difficult to let go of the dream. I’d love to give my son a sibling, but surrogacy is horribly expensive and due…
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First Day with No Hair!
I finally had to shave my head today. I knew this was coming, and I didn't want it to be a big deal, but it is. I really wanted to be one of those people who could just confidently rock the bald head, at least in my own home. My husband is out of town and I thought it would give me a couple days to make this normal for…
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Pain
Has anyone else read about how common it is for bc survivors to continue pain two to three years after initial treatment? This is the article: Breast Cancer Treatment Leaves Patients With Chronic Pain Baltimore Sun, 2009 Nov 11 Persistent pain affects nearly half of breast cancer survivors for 2 to 3 years after completion…
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Peripheral neuropathy from Cytoxan/Taxotere - permanent?
Hi everyone, After my second round of Taxotere/Cytoxan, I am experiencing pain in my fingertips and some tingling in my toes. Is this peripheral neuropathy? If so, what does that mean? Is it permanent? Will it get worse? Does it mean I should stop the chemotherapy? Any thoughts appreciated. Eva
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Sex after Mastectomy
I know the answer is going to be different for each person but I'm curious. If you're willing to share, (1) when were you told it was safe to resume sexual activity and (2) when did you actually resume sex?
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How did you get your energy back?
"I finished my treatment back in December of last year, but I still haven't been able to regain my energy. I have no desire to do anything at all, and my life feels like a never-ending cycle of procrastination. In December of 2021, I found out that I had cancer with five masses in my breast. In the first month, I froze my…
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Double mastectomy How long till I feel better
I know it takes a while but I was wondering when the swelling and discomfort might stop?
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Relentless ANGER!!
Metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma currently stage 3C - so far! Still need bone scan! I read online these "stages" were supposed to go through and eventually we are supposed to arrive at "acceptance" well I'm almost 2 months from diagnosis and I'm not there yet!!! I HATE everything about this!! I hate all the procedures,…
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Emotional
When I was approaching the oncologist's office yesterday 1 month after completing my chemo, a mom (with head cover) and her daughter were just walking out. The daughter gave her mom a big hug and said "Yay, Mom! You're all done! You did it!" Mom was beaming. I began tearing up with emotion, such was my joy for these two. I…
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DIEP flap surgery...anybody else having problems?
I've been waiting for over 6 months to get breast reconstruction. My insurance won't cover the doctor cause he's out of network; but he's the ONLY doctor in my area that performs the DIEP flap surgery. I am in no way interested in implants cause I don't want to have to get any other surgeries when it comes to removal or…
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Idk what to do
hello! I’m new here. According to doctors , I have Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, bones, brain and spine . Treatment I have been on has been working well , which was Enhertu, Zometa, and Faslodex. Recently doctors said cancer now spread to my liver and cancer is no longer HER2+ it’s negative, so treatment needs to…
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Mastectomy after Lymphedema?
I'm 73. Had two lumpectomies and 25 lymph nodes removed 4 years ago. Cancer is back. Small stage 2 only 4 mm infiltrating lobular carcinoma, same breast. Have to decide to have bi or uni lateral mastectomy. My lymphedema is bad and my breasts are very large. Hate making this decision! I didn't have radiation because tumors…
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Lymphedema and eczema
Hi everyone! I am nearly five months post lumpectomy surgery and 3 months post radiation. I've been dealing with a seroma and lymphedema ever since the surgery, and now having MLD therapy twice per week. I finally got my permanent compression sleeve, and my therapists wrapped my arm so that it would fit into the sleeve,…
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The In Between
After the diagnosis; before the prognosis You haven't slept for three nights. The thoughts keep you awake. All you know is there is cancer inside your body. You hope it's just contained in your breast. You don't have a prognosis. You don't know the stage. All you know is that it's called Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. You sit…
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Is this chemo brain or just me?
hi all, I was diagnosed with TNBC with positive nodes April 25, 2022. I have finished 10 rounds of taxol/carbo, 7 rounds of keytruda, lumpectomy, 4 rounds of ac and 20 rounds of radiation. My last chemo was January 28th and radiation was march 23. I’m looking for a little reassurance for what I’m feeling. I’ve told my onc…
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Abandonement by children
I was diagnosed with breast cancer January 2021 - surgery and then 19 radiation treatments. At the time, I was sole caregiver for my 88 year old blind father. Fast forward to September and my cancer metesticized and now the prognosis of stage 4. Chemo treatment was an absolute. Knowing the horrific side effects that Chemo…
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Mastectomy, messed up armpit
Is it just me, or is everyone's armpit a mess? I had my surgery on April 1st, and my armpit still feels messed up. It's like there is extra stuff there when I put my arm down. It's very annoying. Maybe, if and when I get "fixed" the plastic surgeon can remove this excess skin. I feel like I got hacked up. It's not pretty,…
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Radiation fatigue
Has anyone experienced extreme fatigue after full breast and node radiation? I am currently two weeks post radiation and still extremely fatigued. any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Anyone else having Severe All Over Body Pain Years out from Radiation?
I am a 2 1/2 year Metastatic / Invasive Breast Cancer Survivor. I Started having Severe All Over body pain with Radiation and it has Never Stopped. My Last Radiation was on March 3, 2021. I also have had Severe Exhaustion ongoing for that Long as well. It’s been Extremely hard to Walk, Stand, Sit, or Rest.
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Interior Breast Staples
In late 1993 I had a lumpectomy and axillary dissection followed by 33 radiation treatments. Surgical staples were left inside my breast and underarm. Now, almost 30 years later, another doctor needs me to have an MRI (if possible) regarding a much different condition. My question: Does any other long-term survivor or…
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Expected to keep a chemo port for 10 years.
I am so disgusted. I don't even know where to begin. I have been a cancer patient for 15 months already. I have survived 16 chemo treatments, my right breast being surgically removed, 5 lymph nodes removed, 18 radiation treatments. I could only tolerate my chemo port for 3 months. About a week after I got the chemo port, I…
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anastrozole where it is manufactured??
I am looking for a drug company that manufactures "anastrozole" in the USA or the company is HQ in the USA that is FDA approved. Anastrozole is priced from 30ct for $18.00 to $250.00. Very Difficult to find the source location of some of the online places that is selling anastrozole.
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Personal care products with good ingredients
Thought we could start a thread for this where people can post the “good stuff” they have found. please post if you want to share. I have found a new foundation I like called DOLL10 by Doris Dalton. She is a breast cancer survivor herself and it is made with only good ingredients, no bad chems, etc. I now have that and…
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Struggles in Survivorship?
Hello, I'm new to this group, though I wish I'd joined years ago. I'd like to first say that I hesitate to post this question given the weight of so many recent posts about currently going through the diagnosis and/or treatment phase. However it is something that I have struggled with greatly and can't be the only one, so…
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breast cancer questions
I had my yearly mammogram. I have a history of breast cancer on both sides of my family. I was called back in a week to come in ASAP to have a diagnostic mammogrgam. This was done yesterday. Tech left and told me to wait. Dr came in and told me I had a close cluster of 5 calcifications on my left breast that were different…
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UC Davis anyone
Hello I am newly diagnosed with breast cancer and have yet to meet with my surgical oncologist. May 1st. I was very disappointed to realize that UCDavis medical center in Sacramento has no breast cancer support of any kind. I was hoping to see other breast cancer patients and waiting rooms and meet new people and join this…
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Side effects
Hi, I just had my second treatment of taxol, my nose has been bleeding off and on, my doctor says its dryness due to the chemo, I'm using a humidifier and saline naso gel but its not working. Today I felt like giving up, I can't handle much more of this, its breaking me down mentally. I looked in the mirror and didn't see…
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Tamoxifen and Rash
I have been on Tamoxifen for four months now, and although the side effects have been minimal (hot flashes, couple of night sweats, feeling of heaviness), I have now developed a rash on my legs and shoulders...very itchy and blotchy. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm not finding any other allergens that could be…
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Blood draws after double mastectomy
I’ve read you shouldn’t have blood drawn, blood pressure or IV’s on the arm on the same side as your mastectomy. What do you do if you have a double mastectomy?
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Dry mouth
Hi all, anybody have any suggestions for the dry mouth that seems to be on going with chemo and Emend and heaven knows what else? Other than walking around with my constant glass of water, I really don't want to suck on candies with sugar, too much, because that'll cause as many dental problems , as dry mouth. Thanks for…