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Arimidex
Hi Everyone, I've been on arimidex now for 4 months...I'm having lower back pain and pain really bad all down my right leg...I've never had back pain before so I think its probably the arimidex...has this happened to anyone else and should I ask for another med?...thank you
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inflammatory bc
Hey everybody, I haven't been on here and posted in quiet some time...Alot of new ladies here so None of U remember me,but I know there is alot of support here for everyone...Any way I have a few things to pass around and would really value some input especially on my last sentence. 1st January was 4 years from my last…
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Deciding later to have the other breast removed...
I had a mastectomy with tram flap in 2001. I just had a biopsy because I am developing some skin changes in the remaining breast. I have been reassured by two surgeons that it isn't cancer looking but I will get the results of the biopsy on Thursday. When I was diagnosed, a double mastectomy wasn't discussed. Now, I am…
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Cancer Markers
I want to know if anyone has had an alkaline phosphate test? My results have been 90, 102, 124 (taken 3 mos. apart). Is this anything to be concerned about?
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New today
I found out I was on the wrong chat room and it meets on Tuesdays. Someone told me about this part and I thought I'd give it a try. I have a bilateral March 17 of 2007. It was in both sides and I finished chemo. Hair is back in and quite curly. I've had to have 2 reconstructions because the first one ended up on my…
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Living with the long-term side effects
I know that this doesn't apply to everyone, but I'd like to hear from those that are affected, how they mentally manage the long term side effects of cancer treatment. I had my entire colon removed 4 years ago for early stage genetic colon cancer and ended up hospitalized within that same year for a small bowel obstruction…
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Fluid around expanders
Has anyone heard of this? I had a bilateral mastectomy in October and had expanders put in. There was a bruised spot on one breast that turned black after radiation. It then appeared to fill with fluid - almost like a blister. My surgeon, started removing the fluid with a syringe, then decided to go ahead and cut a nickel…
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new here
I am new to this site, but not new to breast cancer. I am 3 years ned. I am er/pr-, her2+, stage 1, and grade 3. I am doing good except for the lingering depression and sleeplessness. Oh yeah, and chemobrain. Right now it's very cold here and that adds to the depression, but zoloft helps. I'm just here to find out how to…
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prophylactic coverage
Are insurance companies paying for any prophylactic mastectomies? I was under the impression that if my BRCAs were positive that the recommendation is bilateral mastectomy and total hysterectomy. What is the experience out there? Anyone get coverage for a prophylactic without positive gene testing?
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New Year-Denial or Acceptance?
First: thanks to all my breast cancer sisters for being out there. You women have given me more hope than any of the doctors ever could (especially the doc who is always surprised to see me still around)!!! Well, I didn't make any New Year resolutions. 2007 was not my best year: 22 pos nodes, chemo, radiation, surgery,…
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Decisions for treatment..
I had a unilateral mastectomy in 2001. Never thought about a double or a lumpectomy. My plastic surgeon did a beautiful job with a tram flap. 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…
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bilateral reconstruction
Ladies, I am still seeking info about bilateral reconstruction using your own tissue vs. implants. See my posting on 1/15 below for further information. Does anyone have a suggestion for where to go for info? Thanks, seof
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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