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Breast Cancer

High tumor marker
Today my doctor called to tell me that since I started Femara/Zometa 2 months ago that my marker has gone from 360 to 880. The cancer is in my spine and skull. I am so scared. The doctor said I should wait a month more to see if the drugs are working. Every month seems so precious to me and I'm wondering if any of you have…
BRCA1-2 Genetic Testing
I was diagnosed in June 2002. I had a 2 cm lump and a micro amount in one lymph node. I had 6 treatments of AC and Toxatere and 33 radiation treatments. I had an appointment yesterday with oncologist and he recommended this test. My mom, her 4 sisters, my dad's 3 sisters, my 2 sisters have never had cancer. It was my…
Returning to Work
Hi, I have gone through the therapy for lymphedema and am trying to return to work. Is there anyone out there with lymphedema as a result of lymph node removal that is currently working for the postal service? If so, please respond. Thank you. Phyllis Marie
Cellulites
I have just returned home from the hospital following an infection in my lymphedema arm. I have no idea how I got the infection. There was no puncture, or bite, I hadn't even overdone the use of the arm. I had the surgery in '93 and this is the first time I've had an infection. I have tried to treat the arm using a pump…
Follow-up monitoring
Can anyone tell me what follow-up monitoring they received after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy were completed? I was specifically wondering about CT scan and bone scan? I'll be seeing the oncologist once a month and will be having labs drawn. Thank you.
Search for Creativity
If you are a singer or songwriter and have had an experience with cancer, there might be someone interested in making a CD with cancer survivors, so keep up your creativity! Will keep you posted!
reconsturction
Hi iam starting too think reconstruction know that iam done with everything and i have woren a prothsis for awhile it is not the most comfortable thing.Anyways my question might be a stupid one but i am leaning towrds doing the Saline implant and i was wondering if i want too go a little bigger in the breast how do the do…
Update on my longtime friend
My friend had several nodes that were positive during her bi lateral masectomy. (Did right side as a precaution) SoO, now she is terribly afraid. She now knows radiation and chemo are on the way. I had no positive nodes so, what do I tell her now? What do positive nodes mean as far as how far the cancer has progressed? I…
BRCA1 positive-TRAM Reconstruction
I tested positive for the gene mutation which increases risk for breat/ovarian cancer. I have been diagnosed with breast cancer, have had the lumpectomy. Also had my ovaries taken out (as preventive measure). I am getting ready to start chemo. I have a couple months to decide if I want a double mastectomy and recon. i am…
out of the blue
Here's something to take your mind off breast cancer: acute appendicitis. Yup, August 2 I had the worst heartburn. I said to my husband "must've been that pork sandwich last night." Uncomfortable night Saturday, with pain in my lower right abdomen. Sunday morning we went to breakfast, I made the family eat and then off to…
Nutritional Support To Boost Immune System
My experience with the right nutritional support to keep my immune system in check while in treatment. I returned back to work within 30 days after surgery and continued working during radiation treatment and did not get sick, not even a cold.
Prosthesis that works
Hi, I am the daughter of a brest cancer survivor. My mom had a mastectomy two years ago and has had problems getting her prosthesis to work properly, or should I say "wear". It weighs practically nothing compared to the brest she has remaining (44DD) and as a result, her bra rides up which makes it difficult and…
Womenhood or Momhood
you are so right, I love being a mom, I sent my kids to school today and cried, I have a senior,sophmore and my baby is in 7th. Where did the time go. Enjoy them while you can. If you taught them well it will come back to you two fold or in my case 3 fold..... Happy thoughts back at ya Colleen
chemopause issues
After 4 rounds of CMF chemo, my periods have stopped. The last one was July 10. I have started with what seem to be hot flashes in the middle of the night only, so far. I have not had any sweating, just an overheated feeling that wakes me up one or more times each night for the last week. I'm having difficulty sleeping and…
The Joys of "Womanhood"
Got an email today, kind of tongue in cheek about why woman are cranky. (Periods, sore breasts, pregnancy, delivery, menapause ect.....) kind of got me thinking about the real moments of joy only woman can experience. Holding our newborn and knowing "I made this", that look of complete faith your 3 year old gives you when…
Extreme amemia
Just when I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I realize it is a train bearing down on me. With only two more taxotere treatments awaiting me, I thought I would get to work through this and I got so tired and light-headed that I could not get out of bed. It took me 3 hours to get dressed. I kept breaking…
pain in arm
I had a masectomy in November and 3 nodes removed.I am thru chemo and feeling good. I had no pain whatsoever in my arm until about 2 months ago. I seem to be getting weaker in that arm also. I asked my oncologist about it and all he said was "anytime you have surgery you will have problems on that side". I still don't…
Good Old friend with new diagnosis
Just wanted to ask your prayers for an old friend that moved away and we lost touch. She called this past week and has been diagnosed stage II-III invasive ductal breast cancer during her 1st age 40 mamogram. It was a cluster tumor 6 or 7 cm in size! So, keep her husband and children as well as Mel in your prayers. I told…
pain in arm
Thanks for all your helpful advise. I have been more active recently, swimming and gardening so maybe that is all it is. I will try the pillow and icepack idea. My surgeon said my arm shouldn't be affected by my surgery. Thanks again.
waitng for surgery
IAM A 34 YEARS OLD AND THIS PAST FEBRUARY I FOUND OUT THAT I HAD BREAST CANCER WELL, I HAVE TAKEN CHEMO AND NOW IT' TIME FOR SURGERY BUT MY SURGERY IS TAKING SO LONG. I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE SURGERY THE 8TH OF JULY AND IT PROBALY WANT BE UNTIL NEXT WEEK AND TODAY IS THE JULY THE 19TH. MY QUESTION IS THIS THE LAST TIME I HAD…
Taken off Tamoxifen
Hi, I'm a Stage 1 bc survivor (dx on Nov. 22, mastectomy surgery in january, immediate tram flap reconstruction, 4 rounds of AC chemo until early may, hair starting -- slowly to return, started tamoxifen on july 2, had SEVERE joint pain...) who was yesterday told to STOP taking the Tamoxifen, and had an appointment…
No Chemo
Hi all, just wanted to give you update. Saw Oncologist for the first time yesterday. He said my tumor was small, 1.5cm and with neg nodes, did not feel I needed to do chemo. He did say that he wanted me to start taking Tamoxifen. I'm not looking forward to be thrown into menapause, but I want to be doing something to make…
thank you
I just wanted to say thank you for all the imput that was given to me about reconstuction.I still haven't decided,there is plenty of time.Meanwhile I go to the onc on Tuesday to see how I am after my last chemo on June 30,2003.Thanks again.Twinks 56 aka Teresa
Not A Lot of Action Here
Come on girls. This site has been a little slow this week. Remember there are new people to our "club" that need and learn from our chatter. Log on and communicate! Hope you are all doing well and the reason you all have been so quite is that you are at the beach sunning and swimming or in the mountians resting and…
nails after A/C chemo
My nails are absolutely beautiful after 4 doses of A/C chemo.....strong and long. I used to have nails that would split, and I couldn't get them to grow long. Anyone else experience this? Thanks, Sue
can't sleep
Well, here I am again at 3:15 a.m. and I am wide awake even after taking sleeping pills. I have been up since a little after one trying to go back to sleep. I had my 2nd taxotere chemo today and am taking dexamethosome (generic of decodron, I think) to help with side effects. I am wondering if sleeplessness is a side…
lymphedema concerns
Hello all. I saw my surgeon last week for my 6 month followup. He said "see you in one year"!!! So he is pleased with my progress. The soreness at the surgery site(s) that I complained about was deemed to be within his expectations and he allowed that it might be sore for a while longer. We discussed lymphedema and he…
How to support SIL
My 36 year old Sister in law (who I think of as a sister) has aggressive breast cancer - it has gone to her bones and liver. She was taking oral chemo, but it didn't work and her liver spot spread. Now her gall bladder hurts because of the closeness to the liver they are saying. Obviously she isn't feeling great about all…
Surviorship
I have been reading this board for several months. I have found great comfort in all I have read from all of you. I am so afraid of my future that I can hardly breath some days. I am 47 years of age and was diagnosed in 1997, my tumor was estrogen positive and I had 9 nodes positive. Considered to be Stage II and went…
joules112
How do I contact you? Would like an e-mail address if that is Ok. As I said in my first post I am new at this board and still learning all the tricks. I wanted to thank you for the encouraging words. I needed to hear I still have a fighting chance at this thing, Thanks again, HUGS TO YOU-----Angie

Breast Cancer

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