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Breast Cancer

Sharing this in two forums
Hi everyone, I was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer in February 2017. I had a complete hysterecomy on May 5, 2017, and when the pathology report came back, I was told I had not only ovarian cancer, but uterine cancer. My chemo regimen changed (they removed one of the ovarian cancer treatment meds and added another…
Happy National Cancer Survivors Day!
Survivorship starts the day of diagnosis.
"Living Flat"
Does anyone have experience with a plastic surgeon in Vancouver, WA who works with women who do not want to reconstruct their breasts and Live flat"? I am having a bad experience with my current surgeon around this subject. I really appreciate any insight! Thanks!
Tomoxafin
Could some of you weigh in on Tomoxafin? I will finish radiation in about two weeks and my next step is supposed to be Tomoxafin. For my paricular genetic profile Tomoxafin does not statistically reduce my chance of recurrance/new breast cancer by much, but I am 100% ER/PR+ and my MO does want me to take it. An AI with…
Nerve and bone damage from Radiation
Hi, I have looked around the site and cannot pinpoint this particular problem. It is not for me as I have never had radiation for BC. My friend is 3 years out from her last radiation. She had a lumpectomy. She is experincing deep pain in her rib area with muscle spasms. She had test and it is not from her back. Blood test…
Time soon for a wig any advice please
I will be starting Chemo Tues. Where is the best place to get a wig.I would like to try it on.I got one from acs. But don't fit good or look good after I got it.You get one every two years.So I need to buy one.Any suggestions are appriatted.Thank you.
D day
I just got back from the doctor's office and have agreed to give chemo a try. I will have the port put on next week and chemo starts next Friday. It was a tough decision, but my daughter really felt strongly that she wanted me to try it. So, if my heart can handle it, I will give it a go. I need to get geared up for this…
Removing dressing after lumpectomy
Hi. I had a lumpectomy Wednesday and I have been doing fine. They told me to remove the outer dressing 48 hrs. After the surgery which is now. I am having a hard time getting it off. It is gauze topped with a waterproof square tape. The skin is coming off with the tape and it is still bleeding. Any tips? Ouch.
Let's talk pot and it uses, what is your opinion of it?
Recently, I was on another discussion board researching and came across an interesting discussion. Some people were very judgemental and some even seemed a bit hostile to the subject of marijuana use for cancer patients. So I jumped in with both big feet and addressed my opinion of the taboo topic. I am curious to hear…
1st Chemo Treatment today!
Today is the day! I'm a mix of emotions, mostly anxious. I'm starting my 1st round of A/C, so any helpful tips, suggestions and encouragement are all welcomed. I know we all react different, but this chemo combo scares me a bit I'll let you know how it goes
Back Again
Hello everyone, Well after 7 years I'm back again! This is not a recurrence, it a new breast cancer on the left breast this time. I had surgery, chemo and radiation the first time around on the right breast, then took meds. for 5 years. I so thought this was over!!! Well, I had surgery on April 26, 2017 on the left breast…
radiation neuropathy
A few months after radiation therapy for breast cancer, a lymph node on the collarbone started to become sensitive and slightly reddish. This has progressed for more than 2 years. I began to seek answers 2 years ago but no one of the 13 Drs I visited could come up with a diagnosis, including the Pain Center clinic, which…
Triple negative status change
I am new to the boards and am grateful for the support and information. i have been diagnosed on biopsy as triple negative but also grade one. That seems improbable My surgeon indicated that might change after the lumpectomy when there is a larger specimen to evaluate. I don't fit any of the usual characteristics for…
Rates of recurrence free survival
Does anyone know where I can get those stats? Do others really consider the cure rates or do patients just usually go for doctors recommendations? It seems like the more questions I ask, the fewer answers I get. I guess I am just overly logical.
Has Anybody Heard of Taking Low Dose Asprin To Prevent An Occurance or Recurrance of Breast Cancer?
I just read an article on a Breast Cancer Website about the cancer fighting properties of low dose asprin for many cancers, including breast cancer. Is anybody taking low dose asprin for this purpose? I googled it after reading the article, and there have been many studies and articles written about it. Is there any merit…
Chemo side effects with itching
Hi everyone.I haven't been on for awhile.I am doing well since treatments.I have had a problem of itching really bad.I went to reg. Dr.She thinks it is nerve damage from chemo.Have any of you had this?If so have you found anything that helps.Thank you.God bless.
Biposy is Rescheduled
They said that they had operating room scheduling problems so the biopsy is now scheduled for June 9 and get the results on my birthday, June 14 (ugggggg). Tried to change the date of the results but surgeon is going on vacation until the end of June and I'm not sure I'll be able to wait that long for an answer. It's…
Medicare?
Is anyone else here on Medicare? I went on Medicare in February. I just got in the mail today that Medicare denied coverage for doctor and for Pet/Ct which diagnosed my BC. Just what I needed today to add to the sense of giving up! I am on A, B, and F. This was the best coverage I could buy. The scan cost more than 10k. I…
Decision time
I hope that everyone has a restful weekend. I saw the MO yesterday. She spent over an hour with me and presented me with all the options for treatment. I never cease to be thankful and so impressed with the doctors and staff at MGH! They are just fantastic in every way! So, we ruled out the AC regimen due to my age and…
Treatments.....do they work?
If the chance of reucrrence is the same if one opts for no treatment, then I think all the treatments don't really do anything but cause more suffering. I have been looking at some of the data and some of the treatments only improve the chances of non recurrence by 2 %. I just don't know if the drastic treatments are worth…
Side Effects/Hang in There
Hello Everyone out there that may be experiencing a "multitude" of side effects. I was diagnosed with stage IIA breast cancer in 2016. I am undergoing chemotherapy every three weeks at Virginia Oncology Center. The side effects are worse the first couple of weeks after treatment. Everyone hang in there and take it one step…
Living alone
Has anyone here gone through the treatment regimen of lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, while living alone? I do not want to put my extended family through needing to drive me to treatments, etc. Also, will I be able to take care of myself, drive 2 hours each way for treatment? I am semi retired, so I don't need to worry about…
Path report from lumpectomy
Hi. The pathology report from the lumpectomy and sentinel node excision came in today. It was good news! There was no cancer in the nodes and none in surrounding tissue and the tumor was 1.8 cm. , but triple positive. So. i don't need more surgery! YAY! Now, I see the MO on Friday and they are still reocmmending chemo,…
I'm having a biopsy done
If none of you have read my previous posts, my mammogram showed some calcification spots at my annual mammogram and last year had my breast implants removed so this is first mammogram after removal. The surgeon thought it was due to injury to breast tissue along with radiologist and thought it could wait for a 6 month…
Working through Chemo Treaments
Hello All, I was wondering how many of you opted to and were able to maintain your jobs while going through Chemo treatments. I have not started mine yet (I get my first chemo on June 1st). I know that each person handles Chemo differently, but I am single and rely solely on my job to survive financially I also want to…
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
My Mom had a double mastectomy in early January. There were issues that caused her incisions to open up so she had to go back into the hospital to have the wounds cleaned and closed up again. The left breast still didn't heal and slowly began to open up again. We were asked if she ever had radiation to that area...and yes,…
Something Helpful
I just wanted to say that being diagnosed with breast cancer is scary however, if you surround yourself with a good team of doctors you can get through it easier. My cancer was stage 1 with no lymp nodes involved but I had 3 tumors. 2 in the left breast and 1 in the right. The team during surgery was my breast surgeon, the…
Just looking for some good vibes
Hi All, Whew, ALOT has happened in just one week. Had a biopsy on Monday, on Tuesday positive diagnosis of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with one positive node. Thursday, found out my tumor was 4cm and talk about a ton of stuff. It has all been completely overwhelming and scary. I have cried non-stop and really am just looking…
Sentinel Node Dye Injection
Hello, Lumpectomy surgery is tomorrow, but the sentinel node injection and locating was this afternoon. I've been nervous about will it or won't it hurt and I just want to put my two cents' worth in: the injection didn't hurt at all. I'm glad since I'd walked to the hospital and had to haul myself back home:) Hope this…
capsule contracture
Hi, ladies. What are the signs of capsule contracture? I had implant surgery on Dec 8 and now half of the implant feels hard to the touch. If I move my arm to the front I feel the tightness in that area too. I developed capsule contracture with the expansor and I asked the PS what was the probability I would develop it…

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The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

Breast Cancer

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