-
hair loss/scalp pain/questions about chemo
I had invasive intraductal bc with a 1.1. cm that did not spread to my lymph nodes. I'm supposed to have 4 chemos (Taxotere/Cytoxan) and the 2nd one will be on May 9. I have several questions: first of all, my hair just now started falling out. My scalp hurts a lot and is very painful. When, if ever, does this pain go…
-
Tamoxifen
Can anyone tell me the effects of tamoxifen after breast cancer surgery?
-
great wig resource for Chicago
For those who live in Chicago, I wanted to pass along a great wig store resource: Fantasy Costumes (they are a costume store but have a large selection of cosmetic wigs for chemo patients) at 4065 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, (773) 777-0222. The person who helped to fit my wig was Amie and she was simply wonderful! She…
-
Birth Control During Treatment
I am 34 years old and recently diagnosed with BC. I have had surgery and, luckily, will not have to do chemotherapy. I do, however, have to do hormone therapy (Tamoxifen) for 5 years. I will also begin radiation next week. My onco tells me that I should not get pregnant while on this medication. This brings up several…
-
When Cancer Gets Old
This is a vent..I realize I am the one with cancer and fighting cancer to be here for my family and my daughter. But what do you do when your family gets tired and cancer gets old..They don't want to talk about it hear about it or even know if you are still strugling with cancer. I am not going any where soon so if the…
-
Thanks, Opps I did it again...
Thank's everyone, I get a little crazy pre-chemo week and then just crazy from Chemo,nulast,expansion of my breast and the drugs they give me to counter act the other drugs. I did do my 4 rounds of A/C before my bilateral masctomy with reconstruction. Last week they couldn't expand my chest because of nerve sensitivity and…
-
prosthesis??
Hi all, I have been listening in but post mostly on the colorectal site since that is what I had. My Mom was dx with breast cancer 8 weeks ago, masectomy and femara is what she has done. She was fitted with a bra and prosthesis last week, hates it because it hurts, the prosthesis is very heavy and weighs on her shoulders…
-
Radiant (radiation)
I want to write to all those anticipating or undergoing radiation. I am halfway through my six week sentence. I have some burning, nothing much YET. But what I want to say is that somehow it feels great! It is a positive experience for me. I feel like that big ole piece of machinery is zapping me but good. Killing cancer…
-
Body aches and joint pain
I am 3wks post-op from my bilateral masctomy with the beganing of reconstruction. I went to day to get inflated but was in to much pain and to nerve sensitive my dr. is going to wait a week. But I have been having terrable bone & joint pain with muscle aches. Any one every get that after surgey or am I over reacting to…
-
severe burning/itching with radiation
Ladies, At the center I go to for radiation, there is a lady who is at the 4 week mark who is having severe burning/itching with tiny blisters which have begun to open. She has tried Benedril, Aveeno, Oatmeal, Aloe vera, and other OTC lotions. It helps for a short time, but Doc. told her not to put anything on the radeated…
-
Should I be worried??
My mom went for a mammogram last November and the radiologist asked her to come back in six months for a follow-up on one of her breasts (cannot remember which one). Any way, he saw something (very small) but wrote in his report that he did not think it was anything important (not very concerned) but he would like to look…
-
Last Day Of Radiation
Hello Everyone..Today was my last treatment of radiation.Thirty-six treatments of a lop-sided sunburn.Next I see my doctor in 5 weeks, do a blood work-up in 6 weeks, and then the oncologist in 7 weeks. They told me that it takes at least one month for the radiation to leave my body. At least a couple months to heal and…
-
I MUST be ok-I'm going to Turkey!
I just booked a 13-day trip to Turkey. I am soooo excited! It's in November, and we will return in time to eat turkey (the bird, not the country...lol!). I think this means I'm planning to stick around awhile! Hugs, Kathi
-
post bilateral mastectomy swelling and pain
I had a bilateral mastectomy, April 11th,'07. and had the drains removed 9 days after surgery and now have hard swelling below my incisions and over under my armpits, which are painful. I had fluid aspirated from my left side and the Dr. said the swelling is normal. I have huge folds of skin below my incisions which are…
-
BRCA gene
I just went thru a mastectomy in February (I have invasive intraductal, did not spread to the lymph nodes with a 1.1.cm tumor). I am currently going thru chemo, but just today found out that I have the BRCA 1 gene. I am so depressed that I have this gene: I listened to what my doctors said - which was that it does not…
-
lymphedema
I am a three year breast cancer survivor and have only recently started experiencing lymphedema. I thought I was not going to have to endure this but three years post surgery, I am doing PT and now wearing a "sleeve" to keep down the swelling. It is a gentle reminder of my battle that is always there, never completely in…
-
Mad at the gynecologist
I had a mastectomy, 18 lymph nodes removed (all neg) and now on my first chemo treatment, and I'm still battling with the new things coming up every day, and I'm also battling in my mind what to do with the gyne I've been going for almost 15 years. I put all my confidence in this guy, with almost 30 years of experience. I…
-
Breast Cancer treatment guidelines
I just checked into Medscape to see what's on the oncology horizon. They had a new set of guidelines for breast cancer treatment decisions: 115 pages worth of great stuff aimed at helping doctors anywhere and everywhere make state of the art decisions to improve our situations. I know reading stats and medical treatment…
-
Brand New in all this!
Hello everyone, this is all new for me. It's been a month and a half since the biopsies, diagnosis, mastectomy, and now after the first chemo treatment... I know that the only way to take it is one day at a time, sometimes moment by moment. I know that I have to set my mind to win this. I know that I have to accept this at…
-
Young woman with breast cancer
Hi everyone, I am new here. I am 29 and diagnosed with BC two months ago. I am now in chemo. I feel all alone even though I have great friends and a loving husband. Noone knows what I am going through and how to help me. I know it may sound like I am feeling a little down but I am. It is hard trying to be mommy to toddlers…
-
DCIS, lumpectomy done, next?
Hi - I was recently diagnosed (3/25) with DCIS-very early (1.5mm tumor); negative margins; just turned 42 (what a birthday present!)no family history. I am ER+. My Oncologist is giving me the option of tamoxifin only (because I am stage 0 and very small spot) or radiation w/tamoxifin. Does this sound like you? I am really…
-
Radiation side effects
Can someone please share with me the effects of radiation? I'm meeting with the radiologist on Monday and don't even know what questions to ask. I have a choice of surgery and radiation and several people have mentioned about later side effects. Help..I'm confused and scared.
-
breast scan
we just lost our health insurance, need a ct scan.can anyone who lives in the miami fl area suggest a place that will work with me on self pay?
-
good intentions, bad vibes
I am writing a post to vent, which probably means I need a hug. Today I went to a regional meeting for work. I looked cute in a dress up skirt and wig, of course, and little black hat and high heels. I felt great, got involved in work stuff. Then someone I don't know, but who must have heard about my BC came up to me and…
-
Chemo DONE!!!!!!
I just needed to share my happpiness at having completed my final round of chemo. I'm still on my decadron high or low, I don't know which it is at this point. I'm awaiting my neulasta and some of the aches. But somehow, its all doeable! You all said it would be - and you were right. Thanks so much for all the support,…
-
thyroid problems
Just discovered I have hypothyroidism. Not sure if chemo or rads have anything to do with it. Possible it has been going bad for 20 years considering my symptoms. Our local Bi-Mart store was having this blood test thing so I did the thyroid one and my #'s are about 13, which was high enough for the lab to actually call me.…
-
BRCA1 OR BRCA2 Positive Change...
Everyone in our family knows BC envolves if not effects every generation of women. My mother got dx BC when she was 45 had a lumpoctmy, I was dx at 33 and just had my bilateral mastomy a few weeks ago and now have reconstruction and 4 rounds of Taxol to go.. We did gene testing and she was BRCA1 pos. Now they will test me…
-
Newly diagnosed thanks you
I want to thank all of you for your support. I have been in and out of doctor's appts and had not had a change to log on. My oncologyst said my prognosis is good but the process is long and hard. I'm still waiting to find out if a second surgery will be necessary. I see the radiologyst on monday and if it's possible to do…
-
Thank You & Terrified
I just wanted to thank you guys for you response to my bilateral masctomy post. Also if I get my last two drains out tomarrow I start taxol the following week and I am scared to death I have already had weakness, numbness and loss of sensation in my right and left arm and hands. I fear it will get worse. Thanks for the…
-
radiation
Day four of my radiation and I feel pretty tired and emotional. It must be in my head to feel tired already, but it made me realize that I had not given radiation much respect. I figured it would be nothing to get through it. I might need to gear up for this a little. Any suggestions for easier journey? I am being radiated…