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Friends and Mortality
I have found when trying to discuss with my friends how life has changed, how faced with our mortality, how there is no cure and that this beast can raise it's ugly head at any point in time, I frequently get the response that "they also could be hit by a bus tomorrow". They seem to think it's the same thing. Yes, we all…
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Cheer
I wonder sometimes about the newly diagnosed or new to the site people who stop by and read a few of the posts. Of course we write when we are troubled (and I sure have!). Today I want to write that I am not troubled. Probably because my hair has just started to grow in. Yes, you need to look in the magnifying mirror to…
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fluid build up after mastectomy
I had a mastectomy on Feb. 21 with reconstruction (lat flap). My plastic surgeon (or rather, his Physicians' Assistant) told me I have developed a common complication of mastectomy called a seroma (fluid build-up). My drains were taken out and the P.A. said they could not be left in any longer because it could cause…
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They just don't get it
This is in response to the Friends and Mortality question, really, but my take is a bit different from the ones I read, so I thought I would state my thoughts separately. First, some brief history: My Sister was diagnosed with BC in 1998 at the age of 40, did treatment, surgery, recurrence, repeat, and died in 2006. I was…
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shingles....ouch!
I have read so many positive things at this site, but I for one am feeling very discouraged today. It seems like since I had chemo, I have to fight one infection after the other. I try to stay upbeat, but after having what seems like at least 2-3 sinus, throat, and ear infections every year since chemo, it makes me feel…
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RE: Friends and Mortality
I have just the thing for all of us who share the problem of friends who shy away from talking about C and who ask "how are you?" never really wanting to know the truth. Next time you are in a Hallmark shop, go to the section with the talking cards. There is a card featuring Gilda Radner's picture on a TV screen and she's…
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Sad about Chat
I know they are working so hard to get the problem with the chat rooms fixed but I will miss my sisters tonight. I was needing a little help up the roller coaster since in the morning I go to the oncologist. It is my one year mark and 6 months 8 months since chemo. What questions do I ask? I keep hearing where the cancer…
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reoccurence fear
How do you cope with the fear of the cancer returning? There seems to be lots of conflicting info. My doctors have told me that after my bilateral mastectomy, it's like only 1-2 percent likely, but research at the National Cancer Institute puts it more like 10-20 percent. My doctors told me it would come back as a lump…
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new to cancer
Hi. I'm newly diagnosis with breast cancer in Jan 15.I found a lump on my right breast in November. I had a mommo right before Thanksgiving.I had my biopsy that showed I had Breast cancer. February 20 I had surgery a Right Segmental Mastectomy and Sentinel Node Biopsy. I cut my long hair after 2 days of crying. March 13 I…
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Navelbine
Has anyone been treated with Navelbine? I am having so much trouble with it hurting my bones.
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update on DCIS recurrence, etc
Well, the health insurance issue is resolved. Too boring to go into but a company we do not even do business with sent the cancelation letter. I am writing them a letter. The core needle biop. failed. They could not hold the breast in position to be seen on the screen so that the needle could be guided. The microcals. are…
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from femara to arimidex and nothing
Hi everyone. Well it will be 2 years in July, and I am hoping for a great mamo reading in July. Daughter will be married in September and it would be great to have joy in our life. I stopped Femara because of horrid side effects, and let my oncologist talk me into trying Arimidex. Well, I am on day 5 and the pain in my…
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Chemo and Heart Attacks.
This week I started experiencing some tightness in my chest along with shortness of breath. My chemo book said that these may be side effects of the treatment. So, I thought maybe it was the taxotere or maybe the neulasta. But, when taking my blood pressure this morning, I noticed that my pulse rate was extremely high for…
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my mom's masectomy
Hi All, I am a rectal cancer survivor and my mom just had surgery last Tuesday, modified radical masectomy on the right breast. Just wondering about the drains, she has two and I empty them often. He said about 3 days on one and about a week on the other. She is experiencing a burning sensation at the top of the…
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Stage 3C or Stage 4 Reconstruction
Hi All Is there anyone out there who was diagnosed with Stage IIIC or Stage IV that has had reconstruction? My seromas seem to have finally stopped and I'm feeling so much better now that they discovered that my thyroid function was severely damaged during chemo/RT. (I went 8 or 10 months without thyroid function) I've…
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liver problems?
My values for the blood tests for liver damage are up. Anybody else go through this? I am currently one round away from finishing my taxol. I have no symptoms, just wondering if elevated liver counts (aminotransferase) happened to anyone else and how serious it became. Thanks for any responses. Otherwise, I am doing great!…
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tightness with implants
I had my mastectomy and reconstruction on Feb. 21. I had the lattisimus flap with implant reconstruction, but I wanted to ask if anyone experienced a tightness sensation in this breast right after the procedure was done? I think what I am feeling is from the implant. I asked the physician's assistant at my doctor's office…
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latis reconstruction
Back from my plastic surgeon who tells me that implants/expansion is difficult with radiation and that I am too thin for anything except a latissimus flap recon. Anyone do expansion after radiation? Anyone have a latis dorsi reconstruction? I am tempted to live with what I have (and what I don't have). First I will go see…
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arm discomfort
I had a mastectomy on Feb. 21 along with lat flap reconstruction. My pain has improved 90%, but I just wanted to ask if other people have experienced pain and discomfort under their arms, and if, and how long, this takes to go away? My doctor said it's from when they removed the breast tissue, the nerve endings were…
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recurrence after tram/dcis
Hi, I am an old timer but have been inactive for a while. I was dx in Jan, 2004, with dcis in my rt. breast, hormone and pr. negative, high nuc. grade 3, comedo subtype with extensive necrosis. And it was 2.5 c.m in size, so it was large and ready to rock and roll. Had to force the biopsy as the microcal. looked benign,…
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Started My Radiation
Hello Everyone...Just had my second radiation treatment today and all is going well for me. I know I will get through this and come out okay. But I have a question to all of you. When you were taking your treatment, were you bothered by seeing so many other people going through so much and struggling to just live?…
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Hot Flashes relating to tamoxifen therapy
Hi, my name is Patti, I just had my 3 anniversary of being (Breast) cancer free. The last stage of my treatment after chemo & radiation is Hormone therapy (tamoxifen therapy) I have been on tamoxifen therapy since 11/1/05 & have 2 1/2 years to go before I'm done. I have HORRIBLE hot flashes & they have consumed my life!…
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Scams?
Wow, talk about cancer! Am I wrong, or every once in a while do people come on this site to sell or promote things that have no business on a place of safety such as this should be. I didn't check out the link from Juan, maybe I am overreacting. If there is something amiss from time to time, does CSN Dana step in? I don't…
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Just read....there are over 250,000 of us!!!
Yup, over a quarter of a million people have been diagnosed with breast cancer all told....whew! And with better 'early detection techniques', more and more are surviving...Yea! So my question, and one posed by the article as well, who should follow we long-term survivors, since the oncologists are getting more and more…
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poorly differentiated?
I am including a copy of an email I got from SusanLoveMd for all of you sisters, like me, who were told that their tumor was poorly differentiated. Getting this news was scary for me, but a doctor told me that it was good news because the chemo is effective against these poorly differentiated boogers. It is a small thing,…
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chosing a plastic surgeon
My question is like the one below. Specifically, what can I do to make sure my plastic surgeon knows what he is doing. Websites to look him up on? Questions to ask? He is, by the way Jesus Garcia, with Kaiser, if by small chance anyone has run into him. Thanks for writing! love, Joyce
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Oncotype/decision to get chemo or not
I just had a mastectomy for invasive intraductal bc. My tumor was 1.1 cm and did not spread to the lymph nodes. My tissue is being analyzed in the new Oncotype test and I will have the recurrence score on March 24. It is my understanding that it will either fall into the high or low risk categories of recurrence, or there…
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Hot Flashes (Pleeeeeeeeeease Help!)
Hi everyone- my name is katie and i am new to this website. i am looking for some advise and support for hotflashes!! I am a breast cancer survivor of almost 5 years and believe me I am so greatful, but trying to resume a "normal" life again is seeming impossible. I would much rather of course have hot flashes than…
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Look for me on the catwalk!!!
I am soooo excited! After narrowing it down to 8 survivors, I am now going to be in a fashion show hosted by Komen Race for the Cure (I participate yearly) in Anaheim, CA, near where I live. They are partnered with a natural foods company that is underwriting it, and we 8 will be at the end, wearing dresses made from the…
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Worried....
Hello everyone, its me again, Josie. I have been reading the boards lately and have found so much support and comfort in you ladies, I can't even tell you how much you all have helped me in my 3 year road trip with BC. I completed my chemo treatment for my recurrence in Oct and low and behold, I feel like its back already.…