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false hope?
I have a copy of a relatively new mag called "beyond Breast Cancer". In it are stories of women who have fought and beat (so far) breast cancer as well as practical information and advice. A couple of stories are wonderful but annoying. Did I mention I experience a cyclic mood disorder since taking docetaxal?? I only…
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thanks for your responses
Thanks for all the input on Tram flaps. I have been looking at info on all the other types too. I have several questions for my Plastic Surgeon next time I see her. Her main concern with bilateral tram seems to be that it leaves very little muscle at the abdominal donor site. want to ask her about DIEP, or similar…
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Decisions for treatment..
I had a unilateral mastectomy in 2001. Thinking of a prophylactic on the other side. My plastic surgeon did a beautiful job. So, I looked great but had a loss of sensation. That effected my sexual response significantly. I remember hearing back then that Europeans got lumpectomies. The didn't automatically have the…
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hormonal depression with chemo
Thanks everyone for responding about the taxol side effects. Here's one more thing. I talked to a y-Me volunteer who explained that my crying all the time might not have so much to do with my "problems" as just hormonal imbalance with the chemo menopause (I am three rounds into chemo). Makes perfect sense. I have been…
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Back from Holland...a GREAT time!!!
We returned home Monday late from 3 weeks in Holland. What a Great trip we had! Mom was in good spirits, and health-wise was at her peak! She made dinner for us almost every night (mmmmmm, all my favorites!!!). The weather was cold, but beautiful. No snow (sigh), but plenty of wind!!! No naked dancing, unless you counted…
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Is Tram Flap that painful? Please give me any info
Hi everyone. My story is the 10th message down on this board. I have to go for this and need some advice. I need the blood supply to the radiation side. How long will the recovery time be? Is it that bad? Can you take the time out and tell me some of your story. I really appreciate any info you can give me. Its been a…
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Tram flap vs implant
Ladies, I have had a double mastectomy with expanders put in because I will be having reconstruction after chemo and radiation are done. I have talked to Dr. about recon. So far the best options seem to be Tram flap or implants. The biggest problem I have with implants is that they have to be re-done eventually, and the…
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LuisaLuisa
Does anyone have any experience with dealing with the LuisaLuisa company? They make mastectomy camis, pajamas, and other types of mastectomy wear. I tried calling, faxing, and e-mailing all to no avail. I'm a bilateral and I would like to try some of their products.
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Lumpectomy vs: Mastectomy?
Has anyone ever regretted getting a lumpectomy vs: a mastectomy? I was only Stage 1 in Feb, 2006 - 2.2cm tumor was taken out immediately (lumpectomy) a week after diagnosis, followed by A&C, Neulasta, Taxol, Herceptin & Radiation - I'm Her2 positive which makes me so nervous of reoccurence and wonder should I have just…
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Help - Burning sensation around incision site
I had a lumpectomy 3 weeks ago. I have numbness around the incision where the tumor was, where they removed the sentinel nodes, my armpit and on the back of my upper arm. My margins were clear, but they did remove a quite a bit of tissue. I am experiencing a lot of discomfort around the numbness. It's like there is a one…
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prostheses or implants?
Hi. I'll be having a bilateral mastectomy and am wondering how any of you who have used prostheses have found it to live with them. A friend of mine says that hers causes her to sweat often and itch constantly. Is this typical? I'd never heard of this before. Hopefully some readers will be willing to share their…
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Diep Flap
I had DCIS with lumpectomy and radiation in 2001. Most recently, I had stage II Ductal Carcinoma in the other breast. I elected to have a bilateral mastectomy with expanders for implants at the same time. The radiated one got infected. After 6 rounds of antibiotics, and surgery to remove the expander, it was diagnosed as a…
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Reconstruction
Ok guys I am having quite a dilema. When I had my radical mastectomy they removed sooooo much that my chest is now concave. My dilema is should I go with implants or the tram flap. I am afraid that if I do the implants you will still notice that I am missing lots of fatty tissue should I wear a v neck. If anyone out there…
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stage 4 breast cancer
My mother has stage 4 breast cancer and it spread to her vertebra. She had surgery to try to remove the tumors. They removed as much as they could with the surgery. She is now being treated with radiation for her back. She is having a difficulty swallowing. Can anyone offer any suggestions to help her along?
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docetaxel - bloody noses, pain; Neulasta - pain - deep depression
I am taking docetaxel for my 4, 5, 6th chemos. I had my 4th chemo on Dec. 20/07 and on Dec. 25 I woke up and had a stuffy nose and blew my nose and there blood. I thought oops I had blown to hard, but is still like that and it is now Jan 7th, and I have my next chemo - #5 on Friday, Jan 11th. I was wondering if any of you…
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DIEP/SIEA FLAP RECONSTRUCTION
There are new technical advances in the fight against cancer. One of those is the DIEP RECONSTRUCTION that is an advancement of the Free Flap. I live in Puerto Rico but here it is not perform and doctors do no tell there patients about this wonderful alternative. As is in someway understandable. I receive this surgery 4…
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Stage 4 Breast wound from Radiation
Hi guys, Many of you responded to my last post, but I realized that I didn't give enough info. I rec'd about 31 rad. txs. then developed mastitis followed by an breast abcess. The result being that I had to have and I and D to that breast which has left me with this wound that I have to pack everyday with iodform. Needless…
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Happy New Years Everyone
May Everyone find a Healthy New Year in their Future...., Down with the beast.... and back to a full new life... Take Care.... God Bless to all Susan
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What do you think (about radiation)?
I want to hear some of your thoughts on my situation. The pathology report from my double mastectomy came back. The only cancer cells they found were in one of the 20 nodes that were removed, and a few in the location of the original tumor on the right side, none on the left (left mastectomy was prophylactic...never was…
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Taxotere, Neulasta, Stage 4 Breast Cancer
Hello, I posted a question back in Dec about my sis who was diagnosed with Stage 4 BC in Feb 2007. She was on a hormone therapy for about 10 months and after they discovered a tumor in her brain and her breast tumors were increasing, they insisted on chemo. She began a taxotere treatment and just had her 2nd. Her white and…
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Some advice for you. And can you help me?
Dear friends, First off Im 4yrs. cancer free!! I had the works a double mastectomy by chose. chemo and all. So I was doing great and decided to put the babies to rest and put this nightmare some what behind me. I got the toppings on the cake. My very own nipples. My advise to any of you Dont play around with any radiation…
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Bilateral Mastectomy- Help with Sister's recovery.
In two weeks my sister is having a bilateral mastectomy and she has asked me to take care of her. I have no idea what to expect. Can someone please let me know what I can expect and what I do to make her recovery less stressful, less painful, less depressing, less anything.... I hate that she is going through this and I…
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Two Lumpectomys and Looming MastectomyRecovery Time Needed!
Dear Forum Members, My grandmother is a 78 year old type II diabetic with high blood pressure. She has undergone 2 lumpectomies in the past 3 months, with the last on Nov 30th, 2007. She now complains of being easily fatigued and of trouble breathing. Her surgeon says that she must have a mastectomy within a month of the…
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Cytoxan and Adriamycin?
I will be starting chemo on the 27th for Stage I breast cancer treatment. I am having a Mediport put in this week. The two chemo drugs I will be taking are Cytoxan and Adriamycin every 2 weeks for 4 treatments. Is anyone out there familiar with these drugs? I am truly afraid of all this stuff! Thanks in advance for your…
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cold drinks
This sounds weird, and I have never seen it mentioned, but after my double mastectomy, when I drink something cold I get a strange, almost painful sensation, while the fluid is going down. Is this from the cut nerves? Will it go away? Or do I have to start having my drinks at room temp? I'm laughing as I write this. It…
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Help please...Sis in Law just diagnosed with Stage zero DCIS
Hi, My sis in law was just diagnosed on Friday with stage zero DCIS...can anyone give us any info on this? Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Indydaughter
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update to my update
seof here, I went to recon. surgeon today and got 2 of the 4 drains out, have appt. to get the other out Thu. Have yet to meet with other docs. to plan what's next. My biggest problem now is tiredness and impatience...but I really have no complaints. I pray that you all have a great new year's. seof.
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mastectomy update
fellow survivors, thanks again for sharing your experiences. The double mastectomy was successful on Fri, and I am already at home and doing well. My Mom and my husband are taking care of the drains, and I am having very little pain, even without meds. Next step will be radiation, then maybe chemo or maybe not...depends on…
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Cancer Personality
I don't know if this topic has been covered yet, but I stumbled upon an article concerning the "Cancer Personality". Some Doctors are convinced that there IS a Cancer Personality but I think the last word in the medical journals is that there is not a Cancer Personality. I am always looking at ways cancer may be caused and…
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second mastectomy
HI..I had a unilateral mastectomy in sept but now I am trying to get my insurance company to give me the ok for a prophylactic 2nd removal...I am not comfortable with the prosthesis and I'm having back pain ...anyone have an suggestions for getting my insurance company to cover the surgery.