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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…
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invasive lobular questions??
My Mom was dx with invasive lobular carcinoma in her right breast. She has had a masectomy and now on femara. She has it in her head that the oncologist said this kind of breast cancer would for sure spread to the other breast but I heard him say it has been known to do this(funny how 2 people can hear two different…
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Enough Cancer Already
Hi All I haven't been on this site for awhile. I'm back at work and feeling good and not thinking much about my cancer. Until today. My youngest (45) brother was diagnosed with Melanoma. That brings the total up to 4 siblings (including me)diagnosed with cancer by 50. The positive way to look at it is since my sister died…
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Just finished bilateral masctomy
I just finished my bilateral masctomy with reconstruction. I am having a lot of nerve pain in the backs of my arms, shoulders, and of course chest. Any input on how long it last & my nodes were neg. Has any one ever heard of reoccurance with neg. nodes? Thanks,33yrs young, mother & wife. Heather
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Pain in my other Breast
Hi All- I had many surgeries relating to reconstruction. My cancer was on the left side & I had modification done to my right side so I matched in size etc. I'm about a year & a 1/2 out of my last surgery relating to my right breast & I am experiencing allot of pain (on the right.) I of course freaked out, went in, got a…
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BRCA Tests
I am a breast cancer survivor of 7 years. My mother also had breast cancer but did not die of it. We both had it in our 50's. What are your thoughts on having BRCA testing done? I have heard that I am the one who should be tested since I had cancer and if I'm negative for BRCA then no one in my family needs to worry about…
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Wanted to Share a Story
I was in a hospital waiting to get a scan last week. I hate anything affiliated with hospitals, waiting rooms, and doctors. I was sitting in the waiting area in my hospital gown, waiting for them to call me, growing cold and impatient. The only other person in the room with me was an older lady. She was frail; probably in…
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Newly diagnosed
I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, had a lumpectomy almost a week ago and now find out that there is cancer on the lymph node that was removed. After telling me the news, the doctor started talking about treatment,additional surgery and percentages or some kind of number, I don't remember wat he said after that…
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I got my new girlz
and I want to say thank you to all of you for your support during this time. I am happily home and recovering - for what will be my last surgery. Yeay.
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Is Cancer a pancreatic enzyme deficiency condition?
An interesting article on the topic of is cancer a pancreas enzyme deficiency at http://expertlifeskills.com which takes a brief look at John Beard theory. Thoughts and discussions welcome! ------------------------ RRR http://expertlifeskills.com Nutritional deficiencies are the root causes of most of the health problems
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afraid to go outside
Hi, I dont like to go outside since I lost my hair. I dont know what to do... How do you manage? I had a wig fitted but didnt like the color of the hair... they didnt have much to pick from...
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Nioxin
I have been hearing about a hair care product called Nioxin that supposedly slows hair growth during chemo and makes the hair grow back faster. Is this just hucksterism, or does it really work? Has anyone tried it, and where did they buy the Nioxin? Are there any unpleasant side-effects (like hair on your face)? Ohilly
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21 years survivorship
I just realized what date today was! 21 years ago on April 13 I had a mastectomy. There have been ups and downs in the last 21 years of my journey with cancer - but I am still here! I celebrated my 60th birthday this year and I feel great! I am so thankful for the wonderful doctors and medical care that has enabled me to…
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Are there any chat lines for breast cancer on the internet?
I have been waiting forever for the chat line to be back up and running. Is there anywhere else just for breast cancer that has a chat line?
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Cataracts and chemo
I had my last chemo treatment in December [A/C x4 then Taxol x 12]. Now I have developed a cataract that is developing quickly. My eye Dr said that is normal for a chemo induced cataract. Anyone else out there have the same problem?
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Itchy palms and feet??? Dry eyes
I've been on taxotere and cytoxan. I have one more chemo left. However, after the last round, I developed some new side effects. Most aggravating is the dryness of the skin on my hands and feet. And, they itch like crazy. Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, was there anything other benedryl that helped? I've also…
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Silicone vs Saline
Help me decide which is better. I was really ready to go with saline, my PS wants me to have silcone implants - spec: cohesive gel as part of Mentor CPG continued access study. Surgery is 4/14. Any/all advice is welcomed. I miss u all! Cathe
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hair loss/Taxotere
I am due to start my chemo soon which will be four treatments every three weeks of Taxotere/Cytoxin. I know you can't believe everything you read on the internet, but in the Forum (email discussion) section of breastcancer.org, some people wrote in that in a small number of women, taxotere can cause PERMANENT hair loss!…
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10 thoughts...
1. Learn to PLAY--it's the source of youthful energy. 2. PAUSE before you eat; reconnect with your sense of taste. 3.Small, conscious actions can sustain your SPIRIT. 4. PACE yourself. Fatigue has a way of sneaking into our lives. 5. Set LIMITS. No one said you have to do it all. 6. Desire is an EXPRESSION of your deepest…
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How is everyone.
Sorry chat down, but am to help. Going on the 6th year here of breast cancer free in PR. So Lucky. Cindy
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fear of the unknown .....
I joined CSN back in January '06 as a caregiver to my husband who was just diagnosed with tongue cancer. I met so many great people who helped me through some trying times and I like to think that I was able to be there for some of you who needed an ear to just listen, words of encouragement to hang in there, a prayer…
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Vitamin D, exemestane & joint pain
My nurse practioner at last visit told me to go get tested for vitamin D deficiency. She said that it is very common and contributes to joint pain in folks like me on an aromatase inhibitor. I'm on exemestane (aka aromasin). In spite of 3 glasses of milk a day, a multi-vitamin with D, and a calcium supplement with D, I was…
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Tissue expanders and radiation
Hello ladies. I met with the PS yesterday who shared with us his ideas about what I can do immediately following my mastectomy. He said that since I will have radiation and reconstruction will be delayed, he can put in an expander. Okay, I feel like that would be a good option. Something will be there when I finish…
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New Here, Need Spirts Up lifted
Hi, Iam 33 with a husband and 13mth baby girl, I have a tumor in both breast, one is a stage one the other is a stage 3. I meet with the reconstruction dr. yeasterday and became completely catatonic with a slight melt down. I just finished 4 rounds of A/C and will have a bylateral Myscetamy in two weeks. I am trying to be…
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Facing mastectomy
Hello! I'm new to the site. I'm 32 with invasive ductal carcinoma of my left breast. I had neoadjuvant chemo and will have my last Taxol on Thursday (yay!!) I'm going to have surgery next month, and am very nervous about it. I would love to hear your experiences about how to cope with a mastectomy. Also, I am constantly…
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bad fingernails
Since starting on Xeloda & Tykerb, fingernails developed ridge and catch on everything, fear ripping them off! suggestions?
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Thyroid problems after chemo
Hi to all my sisters. Was wondering if any of you developed thyroid problems after going through chemo. I had 8 rounds of Adriamycin and Cytoxan. I finished my chemo on Nov. 16th, and am now having complications that seem to be thyroid related. I have had an ekg and echocardiogram and my heart is good, but I am retaining…
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Intimacy following reconstruction
Hi,Ladies, I would really like the straight talk about sex and intimacy following reconstruction. I'm really going back and forth between having a unilateral vs. a bilateral mastectomy. I will have delayed reconstruction because of radiation treatments. My husband is 100% fabulous and has told me that he loves me (every…
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Mouth Rinse for Sore Mouth
My doctors gave me a mouth rinse for my sore mouth, throat and tongue - one of my side effects from cytoxan/taxotere. It worked. I was told to swish and gargle 4 -5 times a day. It doesn't taste great, but it sure soothes. Here is goes. You may need a pharmacist, chemists or someone good at conversions to put this into…
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Hair - How Fast Does It Grow?
My peach fuzz and stubble started to come back shortly after my first chemo. I was thrilled because it was a little reassurance that it would grow back. My final chemo is scheduled April 18th. Once I'm finished, how long does it take for your hair to really start growing and how long does it take until you can wear a…