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

Julia Sanford
Hi all. Early this morning Julia passed away peacefully in her bed with her husband by her side. In lieu of a funeral service we simply ask that you raise a toast to an awesome person and a life well lived. A small party will be held in her honour in the near future, details to follow for those who wish to come. If you…
I get to ride the roller coaster again.
Met with my breast surgeon on Friday he confirmed that I do indeed have cancer in the other breast. Not sure about the stage yet, I meet with my oncologist on Tuesday. Breast surgeon seemed very optimistic, used the word cure. I'm waiting to see what the oncologist's advice is, I think she may be more realistic since she…
Is anyone taking Faslodex
I am starting Faslodex next week. 2 500 mg shots every 2 weeks for 3 weeks and then once a month. Any advice on what to expect.. My lobular breast cancer came back after 4 1/2 years and I also had MMMT uterine in 2014. Thanks for your help. Sue
Surgeon's appointment today
He read the mammogram and other pictures from the failed attempt at the previous biopsy and then came into the room and said "are you nervous." Of course I said, "yes, very much." He answered, "well I'm not." Although they do see something on the mammogram he thinks right now it is due to the trauma from the surgery last…
Opinions from survivors needed
OK. I am wrapping my head around all of this today and I would like opinions of those who have completed the 6 week radiation, weekly chemo for 12 weeks, and the Herceptin for a year, followed by 5 yr. aromatase inhibitor regimen. I am currently being treated by an excellent hospital that I love. It is about a 90 minute to…
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…
When is mastectomy recommended?
Sorry to be asking so many questions. I am triple positive, grade 2, in one breast. Don't know stage yet. Everyone keeps asking me, "why don't you just have a double mastectomy?" I had asked the surgeon whether she would recommend that and she said no and that breast cancer doesn't spread from breast to breast and that I…
Another Chemo or Not Question
I'm trying to decide whether I should do chemo or not. My Recurrence Score is 22. I had stage 1 with no lymph nodes involved, bilateral cancer. I did lumpectomies and have clean margins. My score indicates a 14% Distant Recurrence with just the Tam and 12% if I do the Tam and chemo. I'm wondering if the 2% difference is…
Recovery from lumpectomy?
Hi. I am wondering what the recovery is like for a lumpectomy ? How many days before I should make plans? Thanks.
Quitting Tamoxifen
Hi All, I started Tamoxifen (after chemo and radiation) in January 10. I was taken off of it for 3 months in June 10, because my hair was coming back in fine, and sparse with huge bald spots ant he docs didn't know why. They said I could try going off the tamoxifen to see if that was the cause. My hair stayed thin and…
Diet and healing
I have been doing research on diet and healing cancer. I just bought the Anti Cancer book and Dr. Joel Fuhrman's books. Has anyone tried any particular anti cancer diet and/or supplements? Because this is my third unrelated cancer, I want to do all that I can to get healthy. I already had what I thought was a healthy diet,…
Statistics on refusing chemo
I am newly diagnosed with this cancer, but not new to cancer. I am trying to decide whether to accept chemo for Her2 positive, and positive for both hormones, grade 2, (don't know stage yet). What I need to know is what the statistics or odds are if I refuse the weekly chemo, but have the lumpectomy surgery, radiation and…
My mother just told me she has cancer!
Hello friends, My mother had a biopsy on her breast this past Monday. She was told to call her doctor if she hadn't heard anything in 2-3 days. When she called, on Thursday, the nurse told her that the doctor wanted to see her in person, the next day. My father took her in to see the doctor on Friday and when I called her…
Metastatic Breast Cancer
I'm So Confused
Hi all. Well my biopsy was today and of course being scared just didn't have too many questions. They got me into position up on a table - felt like I'm up there for an oil change or something. Just didn't expect to be hoisted up on a table. They tried to get some pictures and said they were taking smaller images of the…
herceptin side-effects
Is anybody else having side-effects from herceptin? Mine aren't too serious but am curious to connect with others who are also on the treatment because the oncology centre said most people don't have any side-effects and it makes me feel "spacey" a few hours after getting it and I also feel more tired from it.
Herceptin is chemo?????
So when you go to the herceptin sites it does not say it is chemo or not. It just talks about it being a targeted therapy or an additional therapy or adjunct therapy. So I went through the a/c high dose chemo and was too messed up from it to do the taxol. (nerve damage bad) So the doc started me on herceptin treatments…
Sharing resources for people newly diagnosed
When I was first diagnosed I felt like a deer in the headlights. Total shock. I worked hard to research things that would be helpful to me from surgery forward. Just wanted to share some things that helped me and maybe others will follow with their feedback to make it easier on newly diagnosed woment going through the…
Not all hair fell out. Now what?
Most of my hair fell out less than 3 weeks after my 1st chemo. The hair that didn't fall out got "buzzed". This was back in January. The hair that didn't fall out also has not grown. Just wondering what to expect later, when my hair starts growing back. Will the hair that is still on my head continue to grow or fall out…
Nerve Damage from radiation
I had 30 rounds of radiation in fall of 2015. For about 10 months now I have been having issues with numbness in my hands and radiating pain down my left arm. I have lost strength in my hands. Just wondering if it has anything to do with the radiation. Anyone else experience any of this? Thanks
Has anyone ever skipped the Neulasta shot?
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I had my 4th chemo on Thursday... just 2 more to go! I have always had treatment on a Thursday and my Neulasta shot the next day after work. Because yesterday was Christmas, they said I could wait until today. It's my son's birthday tomorrow; he's turning 18 and I wanted to take him…
Just recently diagnosed
Hi. i was just recently diagnosed with IDC stage 2. I had Bilateral Mastectomy 2 weeks ago. My drains only stayed for 1 week. Now the tumors were on the left breast and the nodes as well but my right side between the surgery area and the armpit is so painful and is swelling. Is this normal? Also my armpits has this really…
Breast Cancer Survivor being sued over Pathology bill
I just dont know what to do! I recieved a summons from the Municipal Court about the $1200. Pathology bill. I had thought the hospital financial aid covered itm but I guess they did not. I also just found out the anethesiologist was not covered either. I called and set up payyment arrangements with the anethesiologist, but…
Pink bus needed
Went for my annual mamogram yesterday thought it would be uneventful. Lucky me, i just got a call from the breast center informing me that the radiologist found a something in my right breast . Honestly after all the trouble I went through with the left breast, I really thought that I was in the clear on the other side.…
tamoxifen question
Hi everybody! hello newbies lol, I've been on tamoxifen for about 3 or 4 months now, and im not feeling well, I have shoulder pain that eases up at night and hurt so bad in day time , i take goody powders and it helps but doesnt take the pain away., i was at my ocologist office last week and he sheduled a bone scan and i…
? tamoxifen?
Hi I am a stage three BC survivor, I have been on Tamoxifen for over a year. Not really liking it. But i know i have to take it. Don't care for mood changes, hard to lose weight, etc. But i do have a question about this drug, with red light therapy, and the sun, and even very low grade tanning beds. Is it bad? My…
No work during radiation
Did anyone out there decide not to work as time went on due to fatigue, itching, no bra... during radiation? From what I've been reading, it sounds like a lot of women out there would not work during radiation if they had to do over again. More so, starting the 4 week and beyond, especially a week or two after treatment is…
Radiation Burn - What To Use?
I am starting to get burnt with rads, and, I am using what my radiation oncologist told me to use. What has anyone else used for the burn? Thanks!
4 days post mastectomy with tissue expanders
Hello! I had a bilateral mastectomy on Tuesday (4-11-2017) with tissue expanders put in to begin the reconstruction process. I'm doing pretty well; quite a bit of tightness and soreness under both arms (6 damn drains) but the meds are keeping it well under control. My husband has been a saint. Keep fighting like a girl!
Biopsy
I was just diagnosed with uterine cancer.My doctor on the day of biopsy set up an appointment for a mammogram.When I got result I had to go back for a diagnostic mammogram and ultasound that they had seen a mass in my left breast.During the diagnostic mammogram the tech commented that it was not compressing so off to…

Please remember that these discussion boards are a public forum, which means open to the public (i.e. non-CSN members) and the content can be found via internet search engines. Members are strongly advised not to share personal identifiers such as real names, email address, telephone number, street address, etc. This information can be used to identify you and link you to the content you provide. Other areas of CSN are restricted to members only and cannot be found by search engines.

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

Discussion List

Discussion Boards