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When do you say "I HAD cancer"?
Hi, I'm fairly new to all this. Dx in Mar 07, had right mastectomy, no chemo, no rads. Stage 1. Currently taking tamoxifen and undergoing reconstruction. (More on my web page.) The question is: When do you say that you "had" cancer, as opposed to saying "I have cancer"? I know it may be splitting hairs, but I guess I just…
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A small celebration...
Hi, all. Today marks 6 months as a survivor! While that's not nearly as long as many of you, I'll celebrate this life every chance I get. Thanks for all the encouragement I get here. It's a blessing to see all the support given, even though we don't know each other in our everyday lives. Hugs to all! Here's to many more…
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A celebration of Boobs!!!!
Back in February, just a few days before my reconstruction surgery, some girl friends and I went out for a "Celebration of Boobs". We went to Hooters! What could be more appropriate? We had a blast! I posed for pics with the Hooters girls. What a 'hoot'! They had fun as well, and even put together a team for the Relay!…
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Menstrual Cycles after tx
I'm 31 & have always had regular periods until cancer. I had 1 period after I started chemo- a year later I had another, exactly a month later I had another. I was told it may come back so I just assumed my lucky days were over. After the 2 back to back I haven't had another. I took a preg test the first month I missed it…
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When do you start counting?
I have almost finished treatment for "triple negative" breast cancer. Much of the research that I've read indicates that this cancer usually returns within 3 years. My question is this -- when you do start to count the three years? Is it three years from initial diagnosis or three years from the end of your treatment?…
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So anyone up for a party?
... online that is. I was thinking it would be cool to chat live with all the new ladies I've met over the past couple months. What do you think? I know we all live in different time zones... maybe a 6pm PST/9pm EST would work? Anyway, if any of you are up for some fun chat, let me know! :)
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rib cage pain
My breast cancer was caught before it affected any lymph nodes, but they removed a lump the size of a walnut, and 4 nodes.Because I was #7 in the family with cancer, they decided it was best to do the 33 radiation treatments, and 4 doses of chemotherapy. About 18 months after finishing everything, removal of the portacath,…
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I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member!!!
...With apologies to Groucho Marx, of course! It occurs to me, that with this ever-growing family of BC survivors, that I should tell you a bit about myself. Just as bit though, because I have a web-page here on CSN! Do most of you? It is just a wonderful way of getting acquainted even more than we do in these threads. And…
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Pass it on.....
Hi everyone. Did you know you can help fund free mammograms for women who can't afford them just by clicking on 'thebreastcancersite.com'. All it costs you is a click a day. You can even ask for a reminder in your email inbox so you don't forget to click! AND if you are a new registrant you can receive a free breast cancer…
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Arimidex
I am taking Arimidex now for one year, need to take for 5 yrs they said. It's causing lots of problems, bone pain, muscle pain....I feel like a 90 yr old woman that can't climb the stairs or walk right...any suggestions? I will ask my OC if I can switch to Tamoxifen but am post-menoposal...mastectomy, chemo, radiation now…
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"Go Away", my onc said....
I went for my 3-month check, and my oncologist said "I don't want to see you for 6 months"!!!!! Music to MY ears!!! CEA (colon cancer marker) was 1.1, CA27.29 (Breast cancer marker) was 18....both WELL within normal range (probably the only thing on my body that IS normal..lol!). As an added bonus, my cholesterol is, for…
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double mastectomy reconstruction on hold
I had a double mastectomy Mar 12. Finally had to give in and remove my expanders. I feel that my cancer was removed via surgery. I'm a stage 1 and opted for no chemo. I am lucky and thankful but do admit to having a hard time facing the next 6 months with or with out prostics. I realize that most people on this site are…
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Finishing Treatment & Fear
Next Wednesday, I will be having my 17th and last Herceptin treatment. While everyone around me is jumping for joy, my level of fear is increasing daily. I had a bilateral mastectomy in April 2006, had to deal with reconstructive surgery that failed, I had 4 cycles of Taxotere and Cytoxin, started Herceptin treatments…
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So what have you done since being diagnosed?
I always wondered if being diagnosed with a serious illness would change the way I live my life. Would I continue to put off doing what I really want to do, or would I live more in the moment and be a little more hedonistic... less hesitant. I guess I got my chance to find that out when I was dx in 2004. I have to say that…
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Re: Shrinking Breast
I went to the Dr. and to make a long story short, I have BC. It's called lobular and it's both ICS and LCIS(I think that is correct). Have to have both breast removed w/radiation. Not sure about cemo. I was soooo upset at first, however, I'm OK with it all now (for now). I'm trying to find a local group of survivors to…
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Arizona BC resources/groups
Hi. I'm new to the group. I currently live in Northern California but will be relocating to Surprise Az sometime in October. is there anyone out there that can tell me what bc services are available in that area? Or if there are any support groups? I do have family in the area, but I also need to get more involved with bc…
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Moving and New Doctors
I don't know how many of you have actually moved through or after fighting the beast, but I was new in Memphis when it occurred. Then afterwards, we were relocated to Georgia. I have now started going to new doctors and have found it very emotional having to share the scars over and over both physically and mentally. I was…
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Back on Femara
Well we are going to give the Femara another try. I really don't want to stop taking it. The risk is worrisome, for not taking it, and worrisome if I do continue to take it. I am walking my fool head off to try and correct the circulation in my leg. It seems somewhat better, but if it does not correct I guess I will have…
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Sentinal node or take em all
I was diagnosed with stage III invasive ductal carcinoma in April '07 (I'm 44 years old). I began chemo two weeks later - 4 A/C and 12 Taxol and Herceptin (I still have 4 more to go). Surgery is scheduled for October. I'm planning on having a bilateral mastectomy with (maybe) reconstruction - I'm still on the fence about…
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Sexual Healing????
At the Relay for Life last weekend, a woman was relating her cancer experiences and she told the crowd that she is The Princess at home. Only now, she said, instead of her husband kissing her backside, he now has to wipe it! We all laughed, of course, but later on, it did make me think... Since cancer, we have this…
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High Calcuim Levels
OK... Got a New Question Have any of you been told that you have too high of a Calcium Level... I have been on Armidex.. but then stopped it for 3 weeks and went to the Onc to switch meds...(lot a feet and leg swelling).. They always run blood test on me when I go... and they called back saying that I had high Calcium…
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It's Been awhile
I haven't been on here recently, and haven't even checked this network in a while. Sorry... I'm now 4 years' out of dx, surgery (mastectomy), chemo, and still taking tamoxifen. I'm in the 1% who seem to get all the side effects of treatment, and have developed several health issues following chemo. I'm just wondering if…
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My Mom's CT Scan
My mom had breast cancer 6.5 years ago. Had full masectomy, node negative, 6 treatments of chemo. From what I can gether she was er-. Was told that tamoxifin was not helpful for her type of early state breast cancer. Went every 3 months for follow-up for first 4 years and the last 2 years was 6 mos and 1 year. All blood…
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Abraxane use??
I will be meeting w/ onc Monday and am looking for something other than Taxol or Taxotere for my next treatment after A/C. I didn't do well on the 2 week dense dose plan - neutropenic 2xs. Does anyone have experience with Abraxane? I also want to see if he'll let me do dense dose 2 week intervals w/taxol. Comments about…
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I need advise
My name is Helen i've just beat breast cancer for the second time. I've been on Arimidex for 18 months and have found that my wrists, fingers, ankles, feet, elbows and knees have all seized up. I'm not sure i can handle this for another 3 and a half years. Has anyone got any ideas or advise? I'd really appreciate it.
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Off Arimidex on to Tamoxifen
Hey Ladies,,, I am now off of all of the armitose inhibitors.... they all caused by feet and legs to swell badly. I tried all three of the vairations... but after taking them for about 1 1/2 years the swelling just got out of control I lost 4 pounds in one week. Just that much fluid was being retained.. So this week I will…
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Just flew in from Europe....
And Boy! are my arms tired!!! I ate all my favs, saw all my favs, and even squeezed in a trip to Prague in the Czech Republic. This is the first summer trip I could take since my diagnosis 3 years ago...I had forgotten how lovely Holland is in Summmer! Hugs, Kathi
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Scars
I had a double Mastectomy back in March and just had nipple/areola reconstruction this past Thursday and the stitches come out on Friday. Once the stitches come out what is something good to use to reduce the signs of scaring?
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Done with surgeries!!!
Sorry I haven't written in a while. I have been taken my mom to 5 endoscopies during summer because her esophagus decided to close!!! I just wanted to update you... I had my expanders replaced last month and I think I am done with surgeries. The next surgery would have been the nipple reconstruction, but I have decided to…
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Online Resentment
Have any of you met with anger, jealousy or resentment about the connections you have made with this amazing online family here at CSN? It seems to me that it is oftentimes easier to pour my heart out to those I have met in chat than those I live with! I feel such a connection with this online community, and I can't expect…