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lymph nodes negative
I had my follow-up with the surgeon. 13 lymph nodes all negative. It was unbelievable news.!!! My next scheduled appointment with my oncologist is tomorrow to find out what type of chemo, how often, side effects and when I begin. I'm thinking of going away for a few days with my boys (14 & 11) before I begin treatments if…
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pity party
Hi everyone, I am having my own pity party. I can't believe after 4&1/2 years being cancer free I am now going through this nightmare again. Had my port put in yesterday, and they did a biopsy on left breast the one I had invasive cancer in because now I have inflammatory cancer in both breasts and cancer has spread to my…
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Anyone with Brain Mets
Hi everyone ... I only come on this sight when I am scared. People always cheer me up and then I can go on. I don't contribute because my experience is not common and I don't want anyone to worry that this junk can happen to you. However, I do need a shot of encouragement! Original DX stage 2 in 2000. Regular protocal and…
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My "C" story being published....
So here it is in a nutshell, my story of breast cancer is going to be published in a local magazine - the feature story no less in their Sept/Oct breast cancer awareness issue - Now this seams like awesome news, right? Well I've had some struggles with it already, like - How do you tell of such a personal struggle and keep…
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Hair Loss
Hi everyone! Tomorrow I start chemo! Someone told me that they'd heard that wearing a tight headband during the infusion cut down on the scalp circulation and possibly delayed or decreased the hair loss. Does anyone have any experience with this? I'd read that applying cold compresses to decrease scalp circulation didn't…
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New to the site - 6-2008
Greetings! I am a survivor (almost 3 yrs)I have posted replies to some chat boards last night. I need some bonding, I am feeling isolated even though I have a great life...I wake up every day and that's great! I am frustrated because I have gained a ton of weight and I am experiencing gurd! How fun is this!! Ha Ha Ha! I…
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Lymphedema-1 year and counting
Today is the first time I have looked at the ACS site and the first time I have viewed the Cancer Survivors Chat Board. I don't know why it has taken me this long to do either but there is always a first time for everything....I was diagnosed two years ago last Thanksgiving with a very aggressive form of breast cancer. I…
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soft prosthesis
This is just a silly little question. I recently got my prosthesis and love it, But in the evening I'd like to wear a softer one around the house. I'm rather large on the other side, so it looks quite lop-sided without something. I have one that came with my post-op camisole, but it tends to rub and ride around. Anyone…
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cannot stop thinking !
i am halfway through chemo, was lucky to catch my cancer at very early stage, no spread to lymph nodes and have had full mastectomy , chemo as an insurance really. why is my head so full of negatives, mainly, if it "comes back", why can't i be happy with my outcome, i'm luckier than alot of women, i get very frustrated…
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Life Goes On.... And it Can be GREAT!!!
For all of you guys currently struggling with the beast... just wanted you to know that Life Can be GREAT again. I am now 3 years Cancer Free... and Life is WONDERFUL. My son got married in March... (He married a lady that had a 6 year old child)... So I am a Grandmother... I decided to retire from my job after 30 years (I…
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Does the Fear ever go away?
This is my first time on this site, sharing my feelings and thoughts. I thought maybe this would help me if I knew how other people felt. Sometimes you can feel very alone even with friends and family around you. I had a digital mammogram and ultra sound 4/2007. I found a lump in June 2007, 3 surgeries in two weeks of…
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1st Anniversary
Hey guys: What a year it has been. It seems sometimes that I've been to hell and back, I think back to when I was first diagnosed, the fear of the unknown, the why me, and the emotional ups and downs and can't believe that I made it. The chemo, the thyroid, the reconstruction, what a LONG year. But here it is my 1st…
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breast reconstruction
I am looking for anybody who went through the same surgery i did. I had a bilateral masectomy in November, 2007. the rescontruction was done with a surgical procedure i believe called a tram flap??? something like that. This is when they take the fat from your belly to reconstruct your breasts. it is also known as a tummy…
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My first Relay for Life
Hello Everybody, I attended my very first Relay for Life last night. I went there not knowing what to expect. It was a great experience being welcomed and honored. When we did the opening survivor lap, it was so emotional. I can't help my self and cried while everyone where clapping and applauding during our walk. I meet…
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Walked the Relay for Life
What an experience!!! I'm so grateful that I was able to attend this event in between chemo treatments. The survivor Lap was so emotional, with all these people cheering and applauding, and walking with my husband and some friends, all holding hands. And the luminary was something I will never forget, all walking in…
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Taxotere?
Hi Everyone I am starting Taxotere tomorrow and was wondering what to expect. I have heard it is much better tha a/c but I am still scared I learned what to expect with a/c now they are throwing something new at me. So I was just wondereing what all everyone else experienced with it. Thanks
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final path report
I had a MRI, PET and core biopsy done showing IDC 1.6. Due to family history, gmother died from BC at 42, her sisters had BC and mother had melanoma, died at 50 and myself had cervical cancer insitu. I had a bilateral with expanders placed at that time, sentinental node test done with 4 nodes all neg. My final path report…
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Can't make a decision
I am new here. I had been having 'worrysome' mammograms since November, tests.... and a biopsy this month (June). It came back positive for invasive ductal carcinoma, 1.1 centimeters, nuclear grade 2. I think it's stage 1, I don't know if lymph nodes are involved or not, and I THINK I will find out after surgery?? My…
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Need To Vent . . .
Hi Ladies, So, my 30-year old co-worker, who sits next to me at work, was dxed with cancer of the esphagus a month ago. This affected me very deeply. I have tried my best to be supportive and to listen and assure her that it will all be alright. I feel very protective of her, and it also brings back a lot of feelings and…
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5 years cancer free and still tired
Hello this is Marilyn and I'm 5 yrs cancer free and I still stay real tired does any one experience this if so what is a good vitamin to take and do any of you seem like you are going to break down because you are tired all the time . I take womens one aday vitamin but still stay tired all the time . I went through the…
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New Normal?
how do you find your new normal after all the treatment? and everything you've been through. living with the idea the cancer could come back.
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Of haircuts and refrigerators...
Isn't perspective wonderful? Here I sit, 2 years post any treatment (3.5 years rectal, 2 years breast) and going about living life! My hair, which I lost not once but twice, is back in such force, that I have to get it cut every 5 weeks!!! My refrigerator just went crazy, and I had to deal with that. My point? I remember…
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bilateral mastectomy/MRI
This is not the first time I have posted on this topic, but I am hoping to get more replies. I had a mastectomy in February, had invasive intraductal which did not spread to the lymph nodes and a small tumor(1.1. cm). After I had the mastectomy, I found out I was BRCA positive and in Sept. will have a preventive mastectomy…
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Home from surgery
I can't believe I've been home since Sunday morning. I thought I would share. My surgery was Friday, June 13th at 2:00 in the afternoon. I had a rt mastectomy and reconstruction with a port. I did not return to a room in the hospital until 9:00 PM from recovery. I was in agonizing pain which all of you are familiar. My…
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White blood cells very low
They did the chemo treatment on June 4. The doctor decided not to give me the Neulasta shot because it seems it was always higher than the normal. Last week the WBC where 2.9, today 2.5. All the rest is within normal range. Now I'm anxious because next week I'm supposed to get the last chemo treatment, but if it continues…
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side effects of chemo
I need as much input on the side effects as I can get before I chose to do this espically the memory loss thing. Please help!!!
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Relay for life
This Saturday I will do the survivors lap at a RELAY FOR LIFE. For what I read, it's going to be very emotional, and I'm planning to stay for the luminaries too. I thought it was not going to work out, because I'm going through the chemo treatments, but the next one (and last one!!!) is going to be on the 25, so I'm ready…
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Not Coping Good Today
I know every time you guys see my post it is neg. or I am complaining about a hurt or ache, I am trying to do better but my attitude sucks. I don't know if I haven't giving myself enough time to except cancer (dx 01/24/08)my baby girl's 1st B-day and get pissed,sad, glad Im still here or what? Today I am just not coping…
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ovary removal??
hi again everyone, as usual coming here for some good advice before i talk to my onc. Has anyone had or considered ovary removal, read up on it, apparantly can reduce chances of cancer in other breast and of course ovarian cancer (if family history). I have right mastectomy and naturally am concerned my Left breast will…
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HOW IS EVERYONE
Hi everyone, I know that cancer gets you but now a 6 year survivor, and so happy. Going with my mamogram and blood tests tomorrow, getting my last doctor appointment Thursday. Off the tomoxien after the treatments, had breast cancer on both breasts, had 5 chemos, and 35 treatments on each breast. 70 treatments. But all of…