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Breast Cancer

Financial Help
I know this is going to sound crazy, but I figured this is a place to start. My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has had 4 surgeries in 10 wks and will start chemo soon followed by radiation. She is already on 50% disability and will recieve that for a couple more months. I'm just wondering if anyone knows…
problems with expanders/beginning of reconstruction
I had to have my expanders removed due to infection. The plastic surgeon didn't know if my body was rejecting them or if a bacterial infection occurred. I only had them in for about 3 weeks. I was in so much pain. Antibiotics didn't help. Now I am uncertain whether to attempt reconstruction again or not. It is really a…
Just saying hello
I just wanted to reach out to the community as I am recovering from a double mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction on 2-4. I have such dark desperate hours and I really do not know how to handle them. My spouse works 2nd shift so I am alone some nights, my daughters do take turns hanging out with me in the evenings.…
Decisions, decisions...
Recently I had a lumpectomy showing positive margines, but my 'nodes are clean. The team of doctors has left the decision to me as to whether to have another lumpectomy, and MAYBE get the rest of the cancer ("50/50 chance of getting it all"), followed by radiation, or to have a mastectomy. I am curious as to what other…
Breast cancer book
My wife, Lizzie, and I have battled through the terrors of a terminal breast cancer diagnosis. That was nine years ago. In Lizzie's case, her chemo treatments (adriamycin) also led to end-stage heart failure - another death sentence - just nine months after her chemo protocols started. But my dear Lizzie (and I) were very…
Best Forum for IBC Patients
One of the first messages on this list is about the website www.ibcresearch.org This is the site of the IBC Research Foundation. ibcRF is devoted to finding the cause of IBC and spreading the word about IBC so that it is quickly and properly diagnosed. All ibc patients and caregivers are invited to join the discussion list…
Great News from Maryland
Governor Robert Ehrlich and the Dept. of Individuals with Disabilities, in conjunction with the MD State Dept. of Education, is enabling me to keep my teacher certification by offering me some options after eight years of tutoring! I wrote LOTS of letters over the past two years about this issue, and his office has…
waiting for test results
trying to wait without trying to guess what results will be is very difficult. I know I have some spread to lymph node, ct scan showed no spread to organs, still waiting for results of bone scan. I am trying to take it a day at a time and manage pretty well through the day but find myself awake during the night trying to…
getting ready to start reconstructive sugrery
Hi iam getting ready to start reconsturction in may i i forgot to ask the doc or if he said i dont rember from beging to end how long does it take for this.iam doing the saline implants.If anyone could help me out i would appreciate it.Bunnie
one year
It's hard to believe but I finished treatment one yr ago this week. Spring is here and so today I decided to go buy a pear tree to celebrate. I never had a fruit tree so I figured it was high time. I was told it takes several years to bare fruit but when it does I plan to still be here to see it and enjoy it. My friends…
CA indicators
What is herp positive? My friend was told her bc was that, but I don't know what it means. She is stage 2 and just newly diagnosed. (I am a survivor of 3 years...) I didn't have the herp thing..only the positive estrogen receptors. Thanks Hugs, Jayne
Aromasin (exemestane)
hello all, has anyone heard about this new treatment medicine. it has been available in canada since Aug. 2000. It is supposed to be an alternative to taxmoxifen
Special bra's?
I had breast cancer ten years ago. I lost half a breast and a large portion of my underarm. I had chemo and radiation. I was left with residual pain in my arm, breast and rib cage. Having younger children at the time I refused the pain meds because I was afraid of something happening and me not being able to be in control.…
CALCIFICATIONS
I HAD A MAMMO ON 11/07/03. SHOWED MICROCALCIFICATIONS IN LEFT BREAST. HAD CORE BIOPSY ON 12/03/03. CANCEROUS CELLS. HAD 1ST LUMPECTOMY ON 12/08/03 TO REMOVE CALCIFICATIONS. ALL MARGINS WERE CLEAR EXCEPT SOME CELLS WERE VERY CLOSE TO ONE MARGIN. HAD 2ND LUMPECTOMY 0N 01/08/04 THOSE CELLS TAKEN FROM THE 'CLOSE MARGIN' WERE…
DIEP and/or GAP reconstruction
I am thinking about one of these reconstructions...anyone ever had this done? Also, it's not done very many places and was developed by 2 drs in New Orleans. Anyone had it done specifically by them? Thanks. CD
Health Insurance
Hello: I'm new to this, so excuse me, if I sound dumb. I'm a breast cancer survivor of 3 years. I haven't had a check-up in about a year, because I haven't been able to afford the insurance, or mammograms, etc., and I'm above the income level for State Aid. I live in SF and although I've tried to get health insurance they…
Waiting, worried & confused
I just want to thank everyone so much for making me breathe a little easier on my mom's condition. All your information you gave me did shed more light on things. She informed me that the test "Her 2 new" just showed positive. Can anyone help me with that. Thanks again, and my prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Etta
Joint Pain after Chemo is finished
Had a bilateral mastectomy in sept, 03., with reconstruction.(still have expanders :( I had my last round on chemo in Jan. I was given A/C plus taxol, together. Not fun but thank the Lord i'm now finished. However; i am still having pain in my joints, especially in my hip. i did have some joint pain during my treatment but…
The wig is gone.....
Today is the first day I've gone out without my wig. I used to have long hair but that was a different me. I remind myself that my "new" hair is the beginning of a new me. And like you all told me, it did come back very different. It's wavy and really fine. I want to thank you all for your help and support. You helped pull…
estrogen negative
My tumor was estrogen negative. Do I need to worry about anything? According to my doctors there is nothing for me to take. Thanks
breastfeeding with Paget's
Hi! I'm looking for someone in a similar situation. I am a young mom with 2 small children, one who is still nursing. I was diagnosed with Paget's Disease in Feb. and also had a mastectomy with reconstruction on the right side. I am having a hard time finding people in my situation. I don't know at this point what my…
preventive hysterectomy
I am in my 50's and just had my cancer recur. It is estrogen receptive. I'm taking a hormone suppressant drug and oral chemo. I've asked repeately if a hysterectomy would be helpful; however, since I've been in a chemo-induce menopause since 2000 I've been told no. Has anyone received advice to the contrary at this age?…
Breast Cancer to the lungs
Hi there, I am new to this and am looking for someone in a similar situation - BC that has metastatized to the lungs. I am on Taxol and Bevacizamub (Avastin) after being on Femara. Just want to link up with some people,compare stories, get some hope.
PetPepsi?
Just wondering how things are coming along in your world.... Stay in touch, yes? Marty
surviving
I just celebrated my new birthday, March 3. This year was 11 years, cancer free. I remember the wind being sucked out of my body the day I was told I had breast cancer. I had a 12 year old daughter still to raise and I worried if I would be around to see her graduate from high school. I worried that she would be forced to…
Hair Regrowth
I finished 5 cycles of chemo on 6/18, had a lumpectomy and axillary dissection on 7/17 and should begin radiation around labor day. I was a Stage III, and luckily had incredible results. No residual tumor found and all 14 lymph nodes sampled negative. While it seems a trivial concern at this point, I was wondering how long…
Tough decision
I was diagnosed in February 2004 with invasive lobular carcinoma. I've since had a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy. The last surgery was 3 weeks ago. The tumor was Stage I, low grade, the margins were clear, and the lymph nodes are negative. The cancer is ER positive. I have seen 2 oncologists regarding treatment and…
Hair loss - what to wear?
My friend is struggling with the loss of her hair and finding hats has been awful. I shaved my head with her six weeks ago but I have already gotten enough growth back to be OK. Any suggestions what is the most comfortable, is style important? She really isn't in the mood to go looking herself.I wore a fleece cap when it…
finger nails & toenails
I am done with my treatments: chemo on Dec. 10th and radiation on Feb. 29th. How long does it take for your nails to go back to normal looking. Mine are three colors and thick. Very ugly!! ANy suggestions on how to take care of them??? Thanks
Clean up for silicone leak/rupture?
Has anyone had to have clean up done for a silicone implant leak/rupture? What was done -- any surgery? Was anything prescribed -- medicine or vitamins? Did you know you had a leak/rupture or was it found by a test or dr?

Breast Cancer

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