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Painful port
Hello all you Angels of information! I had a port put in place 5 days ago and the darn thing hurts like someone was constantly pushing really hard on that spot. Does this go away? Also they told me I might have to keep this thing in here through radiation treatments. Why on earth would the radiologists need it? I want this…
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Depression
Will this ever end? I have been Susie Sunshine throughout this whole ordeal. I have a 13 and 10 year old, so I have been the strong mom. But oh my this week has got me so in the dumps, and I can't shake it. I'm on the last leg of reconstruction - I have the expander and will get my implant in August. My hair is starting to…
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prayers
help i need all the prayers i can get. i am going to go to moffitt cancer research for my stem cel transplant in the middle of july, and i am so scared. the place is in tampa and i live in ft. lauderdale, my husband has to work so i will be there without him, i think that is why i am so scared. i know i need to be strong…
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Toenails
My last chemo was taxotere/herceptin, 3 years ago. I lost the nails on most of my fingers and toes. My finger nails healed up well. My toenails are another sotory. The underlying nail bed is still thickened on many of my toes. My two big toes have not yet grown out. Is it normal for this to be occurring after 3 years? Or…
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Survival Rates
While I agree with my doctors that it is not helpful to look at survival statistics...because for each individual you are either 100% alive or 100% deceased. I just discovered that the survival statistics from the Merck Manual and the Susan Love Breast book are pretty old (ladies diagnosed from 1983 to 1987). So, this…
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after a year mamo
I just had a mamo and they found microcalcifications in the surgical area on the left breast. could this be a result of scar tissue or radiation. I had a lumpectomy in July 02 and followed by that chemo and radiation. Is it possible for cancer to grow while going through treatments? I have to have a biopsy but have to wait…
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strange feelings in arm post-biopsy
Hi, I am wondering if anyone can tell me if it is normal to have a weird feeling in your arm following a biospie. My girlfriend had a 'vacuuum biopsie" (perhaps the equivalent of a needle aspiration?) yesterday. A few hours afterwards she commented that her arm/hand was feeling as if it was always asleep - we thought it…
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Is it menopause or the chemo?
I've stopped having my period after my 4th chemo treatment. I'm 43, is this the real thing with the hot flashes or is it temporary while undergoing chemo? I'm assuming this is good if it's the real thing as estrogen seems to promote breast cancer. Anyone else experience this?
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Side Effects of Chemotherapy & Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy Side Effects The side effects of Radiation Therapy can be classified as Acute, Subacute and Delayed. Acute reactions occur during the course of treatment and are temporary. They are manifested as signs of increased inter-cranal pressure or worsening of neurological deficits. They results from an increase…
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Chest pain from radiation
Hi everyone. I have been lurking and reading what everyone posts and it has been very helpful for me. I had my last chemo round in April after a mastectomy for Stage III BC. I'm now receiving radiation and just had #14 out of 33 total. I'm having mild to severe chest pain. It's located in the middle of my chest and makes…
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lightheadedness due to smells of betadine etc. /Chemo-prep
OK, this may sound a bit off beat but here goes: The chemicals, that the nurses use to clean the area where the needle is to be inserted into the port catheter (through the skin on the chest wall), AND the heparin (flush) make me light-headed and dizzy. Is anybody else experiencing this? The nurse said to have them only…
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Tumor Marker High
Hi, I had my breast and one node removed last March 1st. Today I was told that my tumor marker, which has averaged around 30, is at 300. I am scared! What can this mean?
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Thankyou RE: Tumor Marker High
After writing of my scareyness, I received 2 replies that have really helped me stable myself. Thankyou so very much......Carol
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Vision changes
Hi there. While I was on chemo, my vision seemed to change. I wear glasses but suddenly they don't seem to be strong enough. Has anyone else experienced this? I am going to go get my vision checked and get new glasses but I was wondering if anyone who experienced this could offer some advice. Should I wait awhile? Will my…
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how do you know?
I have had a masectomy in November. I finished my chemo in April. I will go for my first 3 month check up in July. The doctor has never been clear as to how they keep watch on the cancer. How do they know? Does the blood test show cancer cells or do they have to wait for a lump to appear or even worse mets in your bones or…
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red blotches
I've had 2 doses of A/C. I noticed about 11 red blotches...almost look like mosquito bites. I will go to the doctor tomorrow, but I was wondering if anyone else had this problem.
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Follow-up??????
I hear you all talking about follow-up care with your Oncologist and/or Surgeons. I had a 0.6cm E/P+ tumor with negative lymph and had a mastectomy in November 2002. The only follow-up I do is with my plastic surgeon due to problems with my tram flap reconstruction. I made the appointment for a follow-up mammo and called…
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weight gain
I have been a breast cancer survivor for almost 10 years. I had a partial mastectomy > and my lymph nodes were clean. I had chemo, radiation and chemo and than 5 years > on tamoxifin. I am 50 and was pushed into menopause. I'm so grateful to be > alive but I'm having a terrible time with my weight. I know this sounds petty…
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Taken off of Tamoxifen
My oncologist took me off of Tamoxifen after 1-1/2 years. He said that recent studies have shown that the med will not lower my risk of recurrance since my tumor was ER negative with high HER2. I am glad to be off the med since it had caused a weight gain, but feel very uncomfortable...like out at sea without a boat. Does…
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hello everyone
Dont want to make light of breasts cancer, but I just wanted to be the 15001st message here. But I do pray for you all. May God give you strength, hope, and patience. Your Carcinogenic Comrade In Arms, -Michael ALL survivor
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Tamoxifin & hot flashes
Hello all. I am seeing my onc this Friday for my 3 month follow-up. I am pretty sure that he will start me on Tamoxifin at that time, but I have my doubts about this medicine. I did have an ER/PR tumor, so I know that the research points to a benefit. Chemo put me into menopause and now I have hot flashes about every 2…
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Adriamyicin
I just went in for a re-excision on Monday as margins weren't clear the first time around (report today is they are now clear:) The surgery has pushed back the start date for my chemo and now I am beginning to question decision of going with CAF (have a choice of CAF or CMF.) Am concerned about heart problems associated…
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Could it be back so soon
Hi! I had breast cancer in Sept. Had a mastestomy,and reconstruction. My reconstruction was in April. I also had my other breast reduced at the same time. This weekend I found a lump on the reduced breast. Could if be cancer or is it too soon. I just finished 4 treatments of AC in Feb. Could the lump be scaring from the…
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Cancer support overseas
I am not a breast cancer survivor, however, my Mother is. Two mastectomies...on in '97 and one in '01. She's doing great. Does anyone know if there is support (financial and otherwise) for reconstructive surgery overseas? I am particularly looking in the Middle East. Does anyone know if there exists a list of doctors who…
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digestion completely haults after chemo
As of the second day after chem, my disgestive tract almost completely stops functioning. I have tried acidopholis, aloe vera juice and stool softners. I also limit the amount of food I intake! This goes on for about 3 days. I feel gas rumblings and I urinate fine (too much) Any suggestions? I am about to get the co q 10.…
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Grateful to have found this site.
I found this site yesterday and I am so thankful. I read many letters and found that what I was going through was not uncommon for those of us with breast cancer. I was diagnosed in July 2001 and recieved 6 cycles of chemo and three months of radiation. I am still feeling the results of the treatment and now realize they…
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fibroadenoma
I've had a routine mammogram done just recently and was found to have a fibroadenoma in my right breast. It is said to be "probably benign" on the birads assessment. They say it is not very big, the paronioa I have is that I've gone through two bouts of hodgkin's disease once in '95 and then again in '97. I had radiation…
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Please Glow
I have been so concerned about you Glow, I have been thinking and praying for you. When you wrote that you were terrified, I felt that to my heart. Please, let us know how you are? Do you have support of family and friends? I wish I lived close to you, you know the old saying the blind leading the blind. Keep us informed.
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No cure for widespread cancer
My mum has incurable cancer in her breast which has spread to her bones, lungs & liver. The primary in the breast has not been confirmed but that is where they think it started. She has had one session of radiotherapy for palliative effect only & is on combination painkillers. I have moved from my home with my fiance to…
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Expanders
I can not believe how painful the expander is. It feels as if my left lung is being pushed on. To take a deep breath really hurts. I had the expander put in on May 8th. My doctor has put 200cc in so far and wants to do another 50 cc on Tuesday. After each treatment I can't raise my arm for days. Then my doctor plans on…