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Latent fears
I'm an RN, have been thru SN Bx, bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction underway. (expanders being filled) When I first heard my dx., treatment plan, it was all surreal, but in my "nursing trained" mind, I was "handling" everything well. I had always felt that is I ever diagnosed with Breast Cancer, I would go for…
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Exemestane and sense of smell
I am slowly losing some of my sense of smell. Sometimes coffee, cinnamon and chocolate have very little smell to me, though I can faintly smell them if I'm close enough. I wonder if it has anything to do with the exemestane that I am taking. Does anyone else experience a loss of sense of smell while taking an aromatase…
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Femara . . . hair thinning?
I have been on Femara now for about 8 months. I was diagnosed 3 years ago ER+/PR+. I took tamoxifen for 1 1/2 yrs and then oncologist switched me to Femara citing lower recurrence rates for postmenopausal women. I noticed over the past several months what seemed like an increased loss of hair, eyebrows and eyelashes too.…
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Lumpectomy with "cage"
Hello everyone, I am new to this group. Just came across it on a search. Wish I would have seen it last year. I went through breast cancer in 2015. Chemo followed by lumpectomy then radiation. During my lumpectomy surgery last August my surgeon put in something she called a "cage" in place of where the tumor was. She told…
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What is in your GO Bag?
Thinking ahead to when i will be starting Chemo in 2-3 weeks, and working on putting together a GO Bag. I have a great tote: it's a backpack, but it also has wheels and an airport-style pull-out handle. I am assuming that i will put in my paperwork tote, my laptop and current book, maybe a donut neck pillow and a small…
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Coping with Existential Terror?
I am in very early days, just diagnosed last week. I don't event know what Type, or Stage, or any of that technical stuff. The mammogram and biopsies were enough to make them now want CATscans, MRI's (happening next week), so it may have spread -- in which case i am prettymuch Effed, right? But i am already set for a Port…
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Today is the day
all the appointments 2 surgerys.Them not knowing what the one of two Cancers are.what kind it is.the one is Ovarienan Cancer.I have hunk they will have answered today.And treatment plan.Not looking forward to Chemo .But want to get it done.This is my second bout with Cancer.Also I have ovarian Cancer with no overys.How…
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Happy Cancer Survivors Day!
I went to a celebration for cancer survivors today and had a ball! I laughed and cried and left feeling awed and renewed. They said your survivorship starts the day you're diagnosed, so Happy Survivors Day to you all! Much love!
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Women Who Were Diagnosed With DCIS Currently & 5 to 10 Years Ago (Your Experience & Decisions)
Hello All, I just happened to come across this board as I was researching my options in reference to if I should go the Bi-Lateral Mastectomy route or do the Radiation Therapy. I am currently waiting on my BRAC test results and scheduled for a radiation consult to address my question and concerns this Friday. Just a little…
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breast cancer spread to bones
i found out about 4 months ago that my breast cancer has metastisized to my bones. I guess I am looking to someone else who has been here and has found a treatment that has contained the cancer from spreading.
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Anxious and scared see dr. Monday for treatment plan
After all the surgery so dr. Appointments since Jan.I see Cancer Dr. Monday.Hopefully have a treatment plan.And find out what kind the one Cancer is.The one is ovarian Cancer after having no overys.for 28 yrs.they have had my case before several Patholigy boards to figure out what kind the one Cancer is.I have strange…
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Metal taste in mouth
Hi all, Has anybody found a good remedy to get rid of the metallic taste in your mouth due to chemo? I have tried using biotene and found it only provides very temporary relief. I literally cannot stand it as I have no appetitte, don't want to drink fluids which I know I need to, and am just really frustrated. Would…
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Totally confused about reconstruction
I'm 37 and last Oct was diagnosed with stage III invasive ductal. Also found out I'm BRCA 1. Had a great result from 4 rounds AC and 12 rounds Taxol. Right now I'm preparing for a bilateral mastectomy and then will do 7 weeks radiation. But I am totally confused about reconstruction ... Totally, hopelessly confused. The…
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Pleased to meetcha!
I've been lurking and posting here and there, but haven't yet shared my breast cancer story. I was diagnosed in July 2015 after my annual mammogram. They said it was a small tumor, the size of a pea, and I was Stage 1. I opted for the lumpectomy and lo, I went in a Stage 1, and came out a Stage 3. There were 2 tumors, the…
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2 year anniversary & graduation
This last week I celebrated my 2 year anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis. Mammogram was clean and surgeon said I've graduated from visiting him. Taking my arimidex, and must say, the joint stiffness seem to be getting less noticeable.
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chemo brain
Hello I stopped chemotherapy on 10/9/15. I still find I am foggy and vague at times. Quite frankly, I am just not the same as I was before chemo. If I get over tired or stressed, I feel very foggy. I have a stressful job at times and it worries me. I was wondering if any one knows how long this will last or if they have…
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Numbness, tingles and pain in hands
Hello everyone. I am a breast cancer survivor and am in remission. I had a double mastectomy and had both of my auxillary lymph nodes taken out. I have been doing well other than pain in my left breast (or what's left of it). I had radiation therapy on my left side since the cancer was on the left side. Well the problem…
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5/31 Port Installation
Thumbs up! Yesterday 5/31: had the Port installed near my right shoulder. As ever, i kinda spazzed over having to get the IV inserted -- they wanted to put it in my hand and i just broke down and cried. I know it's not rational, but i just am seriously bothered by needles. So they were very accomodating, and when i got…
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Is radiation working 8/
Hello Everyone~ I am worried radiation is not working. My Dr said they want to see a change in my skin as that is an indication that the radiation is working. I have gone 5 days a week for 4 weeks now and there is no change in my skin at all. Anyone else have this happen? I have only 10 sessions left. I have asked the dr…
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anyone turn down Taxol?
Hello All, I am recently diagnosed. I have completed 3 of 4 rounds of AC (neoadjuvant therapy) and I am seriously comtemplating turning down Taxol as the side effects from AC have already been severe. My tumor has responded to the AC by shrinking almost 2/3 of its original size. I want to move forward with surgery after…
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breast reconstruction
I am 45 years old and my mastectomy was four years ago, but I am only now looking at reconstruction. Not a good candidate for implant because of radiation, so we are looking at a tram-flap procedure. I'm very nervous about the potential damage to my abdominal muscles. Is there anyone out there who has had this procedure…
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Gemzar - who is on it?
Hi, My dad is a lung cancer patient taking Gemzar. We understand that Gemzar is mostly given to breast cancer patients. My dad was originally on Abraxene and Carboplatin (abraxene is another breast cancer drug). He had to stop those drugs due to neuropathy. The doctor put him on Gemzar about two cycles ago. Amazingly, he…
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Diarrhea and nausea with Taxol
Hello, I recently finished week 4 of 12 with Taxol (weekly) with Herceptin. Week 1 - virtually no side effects (only fatigue, leg pain, and neuropathy) Week 2 - all the above, plus chemo rash on my face Week 3 and 4 - all of week 1 plus severe diahrrea and nausea My issue is weeks 3 & 4 with the nausea/diarrhea. I went…
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Updates 5/19 and 5/20: Diagnosis & Treatment
Here is my Diagnosis: Stage 3 Breast Cancer, ER+, Invasive, with lobular and ductal features . I have an approx 6cm mass (think nearly the size of a pool cue-ball), and a bit of the cancer in one Lymph Node, all on the left side. Definitions: "Stage 3"... means ...the breast cancer has extended to beyond the immediate…
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The hits may be small but..
I'm doing well physically. Chemo shrunk things so I was able to have a lumpectomy and the 41 lymph nodes removed were all negative and I am grateful for that. I have a small but terrific support system. But it seems like the hits just keep on coming. Things like a port that stopped working before I even finished chemo,…
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Treatment plan it's so real now
It's been a long trip going through second cancer diagnoses.two stomach surgerys.lots of dr. Appointments.I have overuse cancer with no overs for 28 yrs.i have two kinds of cancer.the other one it has taken several pathology boards to figure it out.I go back to reg. Cancer dr.june 10.she will know what kind of Cancer it…
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taxol and itching?
Hi! I have just had my second week of taxol, and I itch like crazy. Last week, the itching was mostly around my eyes and forehead, but this week it feels like all over. Has anyone else had this issue? I told my oncologist about it, but she didn't seem to think it was related to the taxol. Funny how it starts right up after…
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Probiotics?
Wondering if anyone has any experience with and/or information for/about Probiotics. My understanding is vague at best, but from what i gather, one's "gut flora" are a key part of one's physiology: how food gets procesed, how toxins are cleared, and so on. And seeing as how Chemo kills stuff in the body, does it impact the…
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"Book of Life"
i bought a pretty bound notebook/composition book, and i have begun to ask all teh people i am working with -- teh nurses, techs, doctors, and also family and friends -- to Autograph it as i go through meetings, test, treatments. It's a way for me to remember everyone who helped to bear me up and keep me alive. So far,…
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As done as it gets!
While we are never "done" with this breast cancer thing, I have decided to DC Tamoxifen after just a little over 5 years. I saw my onocologist yesterday and said I didn't want to do 10 years unless she really felt I should. I had treatment in 2010 for IDC including chemotherapy because I had a high oncotype score. That…