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bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction
i was diagnosed with dcis about two weeks before christmas (2004) - since then i've had two surgeries, however these have indicated that the cancer is spread throughout both breasts, along with plenty of atypical cells. in spite of all this, i feel positively blessed that the cancer is of the non-invasive type! on friday…
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hope this does not embarras anyone
I have a problem and need advice I do not have any breasts due to having breastcancer twice the first time was in 1989 and the second time was in February of 2003 .The first time I went through 6 months of chemo treatments and the second time I went through a total of 4 but I was on Adrimyacin Rubex which they call red…
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Not the greatest Question
Hi everybody. I haven't been here for awhile. I have been trying over the three years since my diagnosis to help newly diagnosed girls get through this rollercoaster. And I try really hard to be upbeat and positive and a "cheerleader". But lately I am not doing so well. I do see other boards but they seem to all know one…
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blood from the breast
Hi..First I want to say that in May of this year, I will be a 5 year survivor. I am doing very good, with only minor problems from the tamoxifen. My question is not about me, I have a friend that had breast cancer 3 years ago, and she told me that she woke up the other morning with blood on her nightgown and that it came…
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New to the Site, Introduction
Hi! I'm new to this site (after seeing an ad on TV). I am currently being treated for breast cancer. On January 10th, I had a skin-sparing mastectomy (left side), for what they thought was DCIS. It turned out to be Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. Fortunately, there was NO lymph node involvement. At the same time, I had tram…
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Arimidex Side Effects
I've been on Arimidex for almost 3 years. After reading the message boards, misery loves company! I too have been on a l-o-n-g search for anything and everything to help relieve the side effects and make it through the next two years. I offer these and, because everyone reacts differently, they may or may not help you. But…
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Coulda, woulda, shoulda
Hello all, I have been recently diagnosed with dcis non-invasive breast cancer in my left breast. My pathology on my last re-excision has come back with too many sections with unclear margins. My breast surgeon has pretty much summed up that the dcis is too widespread and recommends a simple mastectomy and will need no…
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Anybody over 60?
I do enjoy the message board and find many concerns are shared by all ages. I am a long time survivor, for which I am thankful, but I have not found many survivors in my age range. If there are any out there, I would like to communicate with you. Betty
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sentinel node procedure
Sorry I do not know all the correct terminology, but I will try. I am unsure how I feel about what happened to me. A day before my bilateral mastechtomy, I had the dye injected in my breast so (I thought) I would have only a couple of lymph nodes removed. Well, I had 16 and no cancer was found (thank God). But I questioned…
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Fear after Cancer Treatment
Hello my good friends, I just wanted to say a few things. Being a survivor of leukemia, for those of whom survived breast and other cancers, living life after treatment is not so easy at first. We all have the emotional impact of *no treatment*. The treatment has become our security blanket. We are now at home and finished…
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port-a-cath
Hi everyone! I am scheduled on 3/16 for a port-a-cath (I think that's what is called). I'm not sure what to expect so if anyone would like to share their experience & give a few words of advice, I would appreciate it! I know it is scheduled as an outpatient procedure & was told not to eat or drink after midnight the night…
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Genetic Testing/Insurance
This is just a warning. My oncologist wanted me to have genetic testing done for BRCA 1/BRCA 2. My insurance plan did not cover testing, but Myriad Laboratories checked with my carrier and told me it would be covered based on medical necessity. After the fact, I found out they didn't get the approval in writing and now my…
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tram flap reconstruction
On 2/16, I had a mastectomy w/ tram flap reconstruction. I still have the drain. How long does this drain normally stay in? I'll be glad when it is removed so I can take a shower. Comments and suggestions would be appreciated!
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Breast reconstruction-To Do and How?
I have completed a left breast mastectomy, chemo and radiation. Got approved for implant or tram flap reconstruction. Not sure what to do? Seems like a lot of procedures and recovery for the convenience of another boob? Which type should I get? Please help.
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hair question please help!
Hi Everybody, I have a hair question. To tell you all the truth I thought I was pretty much done with hair issues since my chemo ended Sept 03. My hair came back really fast and thick. Different color and different texture at first but it pretty much turned back to normal. Here is my question. I noticed the other day that…
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Thanks
DebRoa, Jili, Jerlice, Ktinkey,JKAlley,Sweet Onion: I appreciate your advice on how to handle the aches and pains of life now without thinking it is cancer...I have had tunnel vision this past month and moved myself pretty quickly through the whole thing because I refused to become paralyzed with fear (although last night…
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Mammogram showed spots! 3/05
When i went for my mamo it showed spots. No big worrie the tech. said will have another mamo in 6 mo. That just doesnt do it for me though. Anyone else have a spotty mamo?
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Emotional help
I am 48 years old, diagnosed on Feb 23, 2005 with ductal carcinoma in situ, stage zero...there is no history of breast ca in my family...had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on march 9,2005 will have radiation, as a precaution (as per my breast surgeon)for 40 days...cancer was a low grade..here is my question...how do…
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Desperately need advice for my mom
My mom had a double mastectomy one year ago followed by chemo and radiation on one breast. During the surgery, she had breast expanders put in. Since the radiation, the breast that received the radiation has been varying stages of black, purple and red. The skin is thin and looks like it could open at any minute. She is in…
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Blood count keeps going up!
My count started at 0.5/0.8/1.1 that was every three months so now i have to go every two mo. To me that sounds like activity? What do you think?
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M&M's scam??
Hi. I haven't posted here in a while but I seem to remember some discussion here before regarding the email going around about pink and white M&M's being sold for BC research. It's going around again and since I've never seen these in Northern California I wonder if this is a hoax or are some of you able to buy these in…
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Scared need Opinion!!!
Hello everyone!!! I am new to this section of this site. I have been a caregiver for a year and a half for my husband who just resenly passed away from Colon cancer. I made him a promise to get checked out and I did. I have had 2 mamo's and ultra sound of my Left breast. I found out that in 99 I had a lump that they said…
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Anyone have a laprascopic hysterectomy?
Finally had my long awaited GYN appointment to discuss having my ovaries out. She actually suggested going one step further and remove the uterus as well. This can all be done vaginally with the aide of abdomenal laprascope and instruments. Anyone consider this or have it done? I am aiming for surgery the beginning of…
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Help Requested: Mouth/Gums/Teeth Problems
My friend is experiencing "dry mouth/achy gums/sensitive teeth" supposedly due to chemo-induced menopause. She's using all the biotene (dry mouth products,toothpaste, gel, spray/gum) and started Salagen (pilocarpine) 5mg 3x/day. Any other suggestions? Your help will be greatly appreciated.
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Final Goodbye
To all my friends here on the CSN site. Due to circumstances beyond my control I must bid you all a fond farewell. You all continue to fight for life. Love Your sister in this fight Kelly
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MRI results - calcification
Had Breast MRI last week. Radiologist says it could be beningn breast calcifications, pre-cancerous or DCIS. Have call out for my medical oncologist but waiting for a call back. Anyone have any experience with this. Original CA diagnosis was May 03; I'm suppose to have TRAM reconstruction this month but afraid this might…
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ANY TROUBLE WITH ARIMIDEX
Hello, My oncologist wants me to start taking Arimidex because my cancer is hormone positive. Even though the cancer was tiny and they feel they got it all the lymph nodes where negative. as well as bone scane and chest x-ray. He wants me to take this as a preventative. What experience have any of you had out there. I…
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Wanting to reach out
After one year of being diagnosed with breast cancer, my aunt has just informed the family. We are 2500 miles away from her. She's young, early 50's, and energetic. Her spirits are high. She's been in treatment (chemo) for 5 months. I want to send her something. Any suggestions of what someone needs while going through…
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Tamoxifen side effects
I've been on Tamoxifen since August 2004; will be on it for 5 years. Had a lumpectomy in January 2004, 4 rounds of chemo, and the standard 33 doses of radiation. The chemo regime and Tamoxifen are part of a trial I'm in. (I'm 42, pre-menopausal, hormone-positve.) I haven't had the most common side effects from Tamoxifen -…
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Question for Inkblot
In reading a reply that you made to another subscriber I learned that radiation changes take up to 2 years to happen. This is the first I have heard of it. Can you tell me any more? Here's my story in brief: At age 51 (year and a half ago)I had a small lump removed, no node involvement, then had DCIS removed to clear the…