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Breast Cancer

When am I considered a survivor?
I think I didn't look into these boards before because my treatment has not officially begun. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma March 22nd and plunged into countless appointments/consultations for a few weeks and now I am waiting for my bilateral mastectomy May 11th. I lost my sister to ovarian cancer and my…
Verzenio/Abemaciclib
Hi everyone- My oncologist wants me to take Verzenio in addition to hormone therapy and ovarian suppression. I’m not convinced I would benefit and have read about the potential adverse side effects. Was wondering who is on it, what your experience has been, and what your cancer staging/lymph node involvement/Oncotype etc…
Extreme Thirst on Tamoxifen
Hi. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer at the end of February. I had genetic testing and I have no mutations for breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy with regular lymph nodes removed due to their thick appearance on a breast MRI, and I had 20 rounds of radiation. I did not not need chemo due to my low oncotype score.…
Weight loss being Breast cancer survivor
Has anyone taken Modere or NAT Keytones after having breast cancer to help jump start weight loss?
Breast Cancer Metastasis with newly developed Cholangiocarcinoma
Hello, My grandma has breast cancer metastasis to the bones and also the doctors have in the past two months discovered cholangiocarcinoma in her bile duct. The doctors have recommended against surgery for the cholangiocarcinoma due to her age and because she also has breast cancer metastasis. Is there anyone in a similar…
Reconstructive surgery and blood tests
I had reconstructive Delayed DEIP surgery at the end of February(4 months ago) and my recent bloodwork shows anemia and my CEA number went to 4.5. I am still swollen and may have an incisional hernia. Has anyone else had similar problems after this surgery?
2nd time but different
Invasive Mammary Carsinoma. Any info.please
mTNBC
Looking for others who have/had been diagnosed with mTNBC.
DIM and Sulforaphane as an alternative to drugs
I was diagnosed in 2021 with estrogen + breast cancer. Lumpectomy and no nodes involved. I had 16 treatments of radiation and was put on arimidex. The results of the drug I was hospitalized for very high all over the place BP, fast heart beat, chest pain, it throw my thyroid off . I can’t take the other drugs because I may…
Eight years later...
Hi everyone. I am eight years out of having breast cancer and I had all the things that go with it.. Chemo, radiation, etc.. I am now really suffering with osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and all the symtoms of fibromyalgia.. not to mention I have had insomnia since as well.. Is this common? Has anyone else suffered with…
Arthritis after Chemo
I finished my chemo treatments in October 2010, A/C and Taxol. In the past two months, I've started to experience a lot of pain and stiffness in the thumb on my right hand as well as in my back. I'm taking therapy on my thumb but so far it hasn't improved. When I started my chemo treatments my oncologist told me that if…
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…
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…
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…
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
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?
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…
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?
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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!
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.

Breast Cancer

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