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I'm back and Happy Thanksgiving!
I kind of lost touch with CSN after I beat my breast cancer in 2004. In Sept. of this year, I found a lump in my left breast. To make a long story short....last time Stage II invasive ductal, tumor 5cm, 3 lymph nodes +, ER+/PR+, mastectomy rt. breast no reconstruction, 6 cycles A/C/Taxotere, 28 days radiation, Tamoxifen.…
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Bone Biopsy
Can anyone tell me about this? Procedure? Pain level? How and why you may have had to have it done? Is it the natural next step after an abnormal bone scan? etc. Thanks, heaps! (I had bc dx in 2002, mastectomy early 2003 with tram flap recon; 4 rounds of AC chemo March to May 2003; and have been on Tamoxifen ever since.…
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Re; still stay tired is that normal
hello I went through Chemo treatments April - June of 2003 and Find out that I still stay tired . Is that normal . I take walks but it seems like I do not have any energy what so ever. Does any one have these problems at all. marilyn
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Beware the bathroom cleaner!!!
I finished all my treatment back in June of this year with radiation. I had been warned that I had a little damage to my left lung from the rads. That was ok. BUT, last Friday I cleaned the bathroom in a hurry, wasn't watching, and inhaled some of the overspray from the bathroom 'scrubbing bubbles' stuff. I am still…
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Hair Finally Growing Back
My hair is finally growing back after chemo. But my main concern is that it is also growing on my face. I used to have a little fuzz on my face but not like this. Has anyone exerienced this? Please tell me it will go away.
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What to Expect?
I'm new to this site . . . . and recently diagnosed. I've had a mastectomy and the possibility looms that I may need another soon. Because of family history - grandmother w/breast cancer, father w/colon cancer, mother and my oldest daughter w/ovarian cancer (all passed away now) - I've been tested for the BRCA1 & 2 genes.…
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Susabella
HI there, I just wanted to let you know you are in my prayers and thoughts today. And, tomorrow I will pray for you at church. Then the M-day, that you will do very well with, because having a good attitude alone can save us all. And, you do have it!! I don't want you to worry, we all love you…
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breast reconstruction with implants
Hello Everyone! Six years ago in 2000,I had a radical mastectomy and breast reconstruction on the same day. Expanders, Chemotherapy and finally silicone gel implants. Everything went smoothly and I almost forgot that I had implants! Only recently, the past two years I have had small infections, tightness and painful breast…
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Scars after Bilateral
I had a bilateral masectomy and they used muscle from my back to begin my reconstruction. I am wondering what anyone else has used to put on the scars to make them heal faster and appear less visible. I had this surgery Oct.31st so the scars are somewhat new. I will be having the reconstruction on May 26th,if there is…
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Rise in blood pressure with A/C treatment
I just finished my 3rd A/C treatment with Neulasta shot the day after. Both days my blood pressure was 20pts higher than 2 weeks ago. Has anyone else experienced to rise in pressure. I have never had a problem before. Is this normal?
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Oregon Star
HI...I responded to your earlier query on that message today. And, I was wondering how your port insert went???? Hugggs, Kathy
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Radiation Pneumonitis
Anyone else get this radiation side effect? I have been coughing for two months now and can barely hold a conversation! Taking prednisone and cough syrup. If anyone has had this, I am looking for 1). how bad was the coughing 2). how was the condition treated 3). how long did it last 4). did it wipe you out?! Thanks in…
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chewie3
It is hard to believe all our body and mind can do to the way we fell and how our physical beings exist. It is hard not to be scared of what the future may hold but like others have said there are no guarantees in life. There is so much we have no control over but I can venture to say each and every one of us knows our…
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"Everyone should have a porn name"....to quote a movie!!!
So, I watched the movie about a breast cancer mastectomy survivor, and, during her conversations in the treatment room, she met a gal that stated that 'Everyone should have a porn name! It should be the name of your first pet, and the street you live on'...so, here goes.... Mine would be "Zippy Baseline".... How about…
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Follow up care
I have an oncologist and a radiation oncologist. The last time I saw my oncologist I asked him about a scan after treatment and his response was that I would have to discuss that with my radiation oncologist. The last time I saw my radiation oncolost (which was the last day of my radiation) I asked her about a scan and her…
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mastectomy and reconstruction
Hi, I just got diagnosed with DCIS after 3 biopsies. Originally thought it was just ADH, but now know the margins aren't clear, etc. A total mastectomy is necessary, having it on 11/6. Am having immediate reconstruction. Hopefully no chemo or rediation, but they will be checking the nodes. I feel such loss and grief. My…
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so I'm a survivor now - now what?
In May I found out I had cancer, in June I had a lumpectomy, in July, Aug, Sept (complications) I had radation. Now I'm on tamoxifin - So for months you deal with all this physical stuff - making decisions - and not really having much time or energy for the emotional stuff. That is where I am now - trying to work thru the…
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Gemzar vs Zeloda
My sister has breast cancer gone to bone (pelvic and vertebrae). She can barely walk. Her last chemo a couple of weeks ago finished with Xeloda or Zeloda. She was nauseous throughout and had other complications. Her new onc. wants to start her on Gemzar, a drip once a week. Her redblood was deficient so they gave blood…
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Out of the hospital & in my new home!
Well ladies-- I made it! We survived the month of recuperation at my sister's without anyone killing anybody and arrived at our new home in Chapin, SC Tuesday night-1 month after I left the hospital after my mastectomy. I'm surrounded by boxes, have no idea where about 70 % of our stuff really is but I do know that this…
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Tara
Hi Tara, I just wanted to congratulate you on your upcoming Anniversary.Your Anniversary for surviving,living a truer more fulfilling life.Realizing and understanding the past and helping others on their journey, making it a little bit easier or bearable.Your contributions to this site have been tremendous and deeply…
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Happy Birthday... Billswife
Kathy, Just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday... Hope that you and your husband will find a great way to celebrate. By the way, their is a place called the "Newberry Oprea House" that brings in shows. It is only about 30 minutes from where you live. You can find it on the web. My mom works there as a volunteer seating…
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Off to California for my reconstruction
This discussion group has been a wonderful source of inspiration and direction for me. You women have really helped me get out of my slump. I finally came to terms with the fact that I have a great life. I have accepted this and look forward to handling this next hurdle with strength, grace and integrity. What I have…
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Got to Wonder...
It has been 9 years 7 months since I finally got the diagnosis of cancer that I had been dreading. After not being heard and taken seriously my cancer was left to spread. You would think after all the years of battling cancer that Doctor's would start to listen and learn more. My best friend lost a mother to breast and…
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#2 chemo tomorrow
Time flies when you're having fun...It's already time for #2 chemo treatment tomorrow. I really dread it. I hope to avoid all of the nausea and vomiting this time. I am going to ask for stronger or different meds. Please keep me in your thoughts. Hugs to everyone!!
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bone/joint pain
I really dont post a lot here because I also have colon cancer (stage 4) and that's our biggest concern right now, but to make a long story short I was dx back in Dec. with breast cancer ( I only had radiation because it wasnt in my lymph nodes) Anyways, every single bone in my body hurts...I walk like an 90 year old lady…
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Pity party
I was feeling sorry for myself one day and my best friend told me to go ahead and have myself a pity party and get it out of my system. Well, my birthday was around the corner, so instead of a birthday party, I decided to literally throw myself a pity party! We had black balloons and crepe paper everywhere. Everyone has to…
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the art of asking the right questions?
Hello, can somebody explain to me, what all these letters mean? HER, ER/PR,... I juat had my first treatment with Fluorouracil, Epirubicin (Atviamycin) and Cytoxan, all together and a Neulesta-shot after 3 days. The second cycle will be Taxotere. I feel so stupid, because I am not a medical doctor and don't know exactly…
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The 5 Stages of Transformation
A Woman's VoIcE on Breast Cancer.... ANOTHER VOICE This experience, all of it, has changed the ground of my being, the tone of my emotions, the tenor of my mind, and the texture of my heart. I suppose each person must discover her own list of essentials. Here are some of mine. I am practicing how to say them precisely, for…
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Vomiting and Nausea
I heard of this trick from someone who seemed to be much more sick than I at the time. I struggled for years with this problem and lived allot of the time on booste or Ensure. I often thought if it goes down and stays that is good enough not caring what that food of choice was at the time. This person told me they carried…
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Plan B!
Well, on to plan B! I had all my pre-op work done yesterday for my surgery on 11/6, and met my plastic surgeon for the first time. I was really hoping for a bilateral pedicle flap reconstruction, but I don't have enough tissue for 2 breasts and with a bad back he wouldn't consider risking making it worse. Implants, it is!…