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One Year Anniversary
I made it, doesn't seem possible that it's only been one year. So much has changed. Of course all the cancer stuff and surgery, but on the positive side I am now a mother-in-law to a wonderful young man and the grandmother of the most beautiful little girl ever!!!! The good with the bad, which prevails? Its all a matter of…
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arm pain
On Monday my left arm started hurting so bad that I had to come home from work. I had my left breast removed last March and this really scared me thinking it is related to the cancer. I went to my regular dr. on Tuesday ane she said she thought it might be a pinched nerve and I went to a physical therapist. Today is…
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Lymphedema
In May,1995 I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my right breast. I had a bilateral mastectomy- just to be safe on the left breast which was riddled with cysts. They removed 20 lymph nodes under my right arm, two were cancerous. I had 6 treatments of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments. On one of my check-up visits…
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Down and don't know why
I don't know what is wrong with me lately. I just feel so down. I have finished my chemo (5 weeks ago) and still have some residual side effects but certainly no worse than I had DURING chemo. I have had pain in my left shoulder for the last week and I am not sleeping very good so I guess that is bringing on the…
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Chemo or not?
I am 2 weeks post op an had an infiltrating mammary carcinoma. I had a partial masectomy and am recovering just fine. There was negative lymph nodes removed. My tumor size was 2.6 cm x1.2 x1.2. I have not met with an oncologist yet. Is there anyone out there that can help me with what treatment they will probably do?
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BIrd Seed Breast
WOw and thanks to all that suggested filling a nylon sock with cheap birdseed to the right amount and size and stuffing my empty left side of my bra with it. Not only does the BS side hang and behave like my other breast, but it helps me be more balanced also! cost less then $2.00 for this marvelous breast unlike the…
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update
Just wanted to let everyone know how my appt. went.The lump is just a sist.He said I was doing really well and am cancer free.I wanted to thank everyone for their prayers.I know how much they have helped.Teresa
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Raloxifene
Has anyone opted to take Raloxifene instead of Tamoxifin? I just had the discussion with my oncologist yesterday and am seriously considering it but I get the feeling he'd like me to try Tamoxifin first, then switch if I don't like the side effects. Any thoughts? I know Raloxifene doesn't have the same track record but I…
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Happy Halloween
Hi All, Just wanted to say Happy Halloween....Put a smile your face....and have fun..... Leenie
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STOMACH PAIN
I have completed treatments for breast cancer, chemo and radiation. My follow-up appointment for my mamogram after one year came back normal. All blood work and x-rays were also normal. The doctor tells me that everything looks good. However, I have been experiencing stomach pain in the lower part of my stomach on the…
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Insurance Question
Okay wise board members- I have a question that I hope you guys have advise/information on. I have a job offer at another company. One of my major concerns about changing companies is insurance. I have completed all my treatments (chemo and radiation)but can an insurance company deny me coverage because of a pre-existing…
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Taxol Settlement
Ladies, This information was passed on to me about there being some sort of settlement of a lawsuit against the makers of Taxol (chemo drug used for breast cancer) and the fact that this company overcharge for this product. There could possibly be a rebate involved. Following is the website. I did not get Taxol for…
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Insurance Billings
Just thought I would mention to the discussion that once you are starting to feel better, it doesn't hurt to take a close look at the explanation of benefits that your insurance companies send out. Luckily I have several health insurance policies. You'd think coordination of benefits would be a pretty straight-forward…
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inflammatory breast cancer
A friend of mine called and asked if I knew anything about inflammatory breast cancer. Apparantly she knows someone recently diagnosed with this. She knew I came on this website so she recommended it to her friend. But her friend does not have a computer and describes herself as computer illiterate. (weren't we all at one…
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Finally finished with chemo.....
Hooray!!! The Lord has brought me over the bridge. I finish my last chemo on Oct 15. I have a few questions. I experienced weird side effects w/Taxotere (swollen and tingling finger tips, blood blisters underneath my nails, various degrees of chemical burn). How long before some of these start to fade? My hands look like…
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reconstruction with implants
Almost one year after my masectomy I have begun reconstruction. I had the expander put in almost 3 weeks ago. The first week it was really painful. It is getting better but still hurts. My question to those in the know is....will all this be worth it? I know it will never feel like the real thing but will I still feel the…
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lymphodemia
Hi Group, I was wondering if anybody here that has had all their lymph nodes removed, if you are worried about lymphodemia occuring? My surgery was in May and I am a wreck about worrying about getting it. I had good recovery and have great range of motion considering I had three surgery's two of which were for lymph nodes.…
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Implants
Hi It's me again with more questions. My surgeon has recommended a "modified radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using breast implants." Also know as skin saving. The plastic surgeon is using the same type of silicon and saline implants that were taken off the market in the 90's. These have been reapproved for…
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Remove Ovaries vs Tamoxifin
I have been on tamoxifin since May 03 and I was just wondering if tamoxifin can cause cancer then why am I taking it? I am 38 years old now I had a tumor 3 cm removed, and chemo. Now I have my menstral cycle back and doesn't that mean I am producing estrogen? My tumor was ER positive thus the tamoxifin. But if I removed…
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Survivor Question
Silly question, I know...How do you count years of survivorship?...from date of diagnosis, from date of surgery, from date when doctor says you're cancer free or in remission? My diagnosis date was November 22, 2002. My surgery date was January 10, 2003. And, my doctor (oncologist) has yet to commit to the idea that I…
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Pathology Report
This is my first time on the board. Everyone seems very helpful and caring. I just had a lumpectomy on Oct. 17 and have my follow-up with the surgeon this Friday, Oct. 24. I would like to ask him for a copy of the pathology report so I can digest it at my own pace. I'm just wondering if this is common practice to ask for a…
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Lasting side effects
I finished my last chemo 4 weeks ago and I am still having side effects from the Taxol. My hands and feet tingle all the time. Does anyone know how long this side effect will last? This started when I was taking taxotere (2 sessions) and continued with the taxol (2 sessions). I am so excited to be finished with my chemo…
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Chemo/Spread of Cancer
Hi First let me say Thank You to all of you who took the time to answer my questions about life after a mastectomy. I've decided that there is a life after a mastectomy and went ahead and scheduled the surgery. Today my Onc. called and said that my liver panel was off and my tumor markers were up. Less then a month ago I…
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Information re freezing eggs
Hi, I do not have cancer tho found this site because my mother is battling lung cancer. I'm doing research on freezing eggs as a fertility treatment and am trying to find someone to talk to about this (via phone or email). If you can help please reply and I'll give you my email address. Much thanks. Linda
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coming out day
Well I wanted to share with everyone but yesterday was my "comimg out day". I went without my wig in public, yes I mean work. I am the new blonde Hallie berry. It is pretty short and quite curly. Still a little thin. It was scary, sort of another turning point. I actually think it was more traumatic then losing my hair. I…
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FEARS
Having completed my treatments for breat cancer and my follow-up-mamogram, chest x-ray and blood work my doctor informs me that everything looks good. But some days it hit me that this cancer may return. My surgical margins were negative and the lymph nodes that they removed were benign. But I worry about my progesterone…
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Blood Test
A friend of mine stopped me yesterday in the store and said I'd better make sure that I always have my blood tests done. I had a lumpectomy in July, and radiation. No chemo needed. I go for follow up in January. Does anyone know what blood tests she is talking about? Thanks, Laura
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Tamoxifen side effects
I have a question regarding tamoxifen. I wondered if you may help answer some of them. I am 6 months diag and had lumpectomy with 1 node positive. I have just finished 8 cycles of dose dense chemo and will start radiation next month. My onc wants to put me on tamoxifen and i an trying to weigh the benefits with the side…
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Arimidex vs. Tamoxifin
I have a question regarding when you are considered post-menopausal. I am in menopause now thanks to chemo but was premenopausal before treatments. Does this make me post-menopausal now? Can I opt for Arimidex instead of Tamoxifin? What else is out there? Can anyone give me any info on Femara (sp?)? Thanks, you ladies…
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St. John's Wort and Tamoxifen
I stopped taking SSRI's because of dissieness but I need a little help with mild depression. I have been taking St. John's Wort and it works fine for me. However now I have read that it can decrease the effectiveness of Tamoxifen. I'm afraid if I tell my Oncologist he'll tell me to stop taking it. Has anyone has experience…