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Xeloda Tablets
Has anyone here taken the chemo called Xeloda in tablet form? I got an email from my girlfriend today and she said this is her latest treatment option. She started last week. She takes the pills twice a day for 14 days and then rests for 7 days before starting the cycle again. She didn't say how long this will go on. Does…
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Retreat for Breast Cancer Survivors
There are two ladies here in Oregon who have started an organization called "Breast Cancer Renewal Project". Their theory is that even when someone has been cleared physically, they still need an emotional healing. This was their second annual retreat. I had the most uplifting, rejuvenating, refreshing experience of my…
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Successfully Swimming With a Wig
Hi everybody it's lilmermaid (Sylvia. I went to the Y today to siwm for the first time with my head shaved and swimming with a wig. I belong to an aquatics class in the Y for people how are physically challenged, I have bone mets so that allows me to be in the class. The instructors are wonderful and give us a lot of TLC.…
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procrit
At my last treatment I was informed my red cell count would likely be low by the time the next treatment rolled around and I would need a shop of procrit. Is there a way to avoid this? What is your experience after having a shot?
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Thank you Friends
Thank you so much all of you! You have emailed with tons of suggestions and prayers. I have contacted a friend who is in the local Church board. He is contacting churches and trying to get us some help. We got word from Social Security that my husband cannot get disability because I make too much money. So now we are…
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No more chemo!!!!!!!!
Just wanted to tell everyone that I don't have to have any more chemo! Earlier I posted a message on if I should finish or not. I went and discussed everything with my oncologist and she then told me that there was no proof that Taxol would actually help me or that I would benefit from it in the long run! I am now just…
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Stage I
I was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer (2.0 cm; sentinel node; node negative, ER+/PR+) in June. Have finished 2 of 4 A/C chemo and doing pretty well with that. Even though onc says chances of spreading is slim and that is reason for chemo I still worry all the time. I feel like every "ache and pain" is something. It…
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HELP...Black Tongue???
Hi All My tongue has suddenly turned black all over. I have never heard of this side effect from AC. Even my dr says its suprising. I'm in no pain but it looks like I sucked on black candy ... horrible!! Did anyone else experience this? Thanks Reni
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Extremely Tired on AC
Hi my name is Sylvia. I had my second AC treatment Tuesday August 14. Today is Sunday the 19th and I'm not able to do much of anything. Until yesterday I slept most of the day and the night. I'm very weak and tired. Is this normal? My doctor told me I would be getting probabally 8 treatments of AC. This seems very…
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Pain
Hi, Just letting you know that I came through surgery just fine. I am having a lot of pain because of the removal of my left breast, and the pain medication does not help at all. I am also dealing without a lot of nausea for some reason. If you have any suggestions for either problem, I would appreciate if you would let me…
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Life is an experience
Hello friends: I wanted to share something with you today. Recently I met up with an old high school friend whom I haven't seen in years. I knew through the grapevine that she had had Lupus for years, but I was not prepared for how sick she looked. This was on a good day, too. She needed a walker to get around and her face…
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fluid under my arm
I had a masectomy in march of 1995 ,they removed 16 lymph nodes & 1 sweat gland. I have had problemns with it from the first day i had my surgery. I would walk that wall no matter how much pain I was in. I wouldn't stop.Well in this last year it has got so badthat I can't hardly raise my arm .My husband he gets & breaks…
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"I'm Alive and the Doctor's Dead"
Hi Everyone! I wanted to recommend this book to any of you who might be interested. It is written by Sue Buchanan, and is all about her journey through breast cancer and her long survival of ten plus years with her 'sense of humor and her sexuality intact'. I got it through Amazon.com--around 11.oo; paperback. Brenda
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Lymphnodes
Hi fellow breast cancer survivors...I was diagnosed in September 2000. Had 17/23 lymphnodes with cancer. On june 11 I finished 6 mos of chemo and 5 1/2 mos of radiation. I felt I was fighting the fight while I was in treatment. I just try to think positively that I have won the battle!!I too am looking forward to walking…
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Self-examinations
I hope that each of you reading this understands just how important self-examinations of the breast can be to your health. I have had breast cancer twice. Both times the mammogram did not pick up the tumor. Each time I found a lump and went to my doctor where he did futher investigation. I am glad he did because each time…
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Made it - Day 1
Hi all, Praise the Lord I made it very well through the first treatment. I tried to remember all the things you told...not looking at the Adriamycin as it went in, have some relaxing music to listen to... It was a very uneventful even. No pain, no nausea, no nothing. Yeah!!! I am patiently waiting for anything to happen at…
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Quick Question
Hi all, I forgot to ask anyone...can I or should I eat breakfast before I go to chemo? Will I make a 40 minute ride home before the nausea kicks in? Thanks Jayne Thanks, Jayne
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New hair
Sorry about the previous unfinished message...I completed taxol treatment in July. I lost my hair in May and have been sporting a bald head for the summer. My hair is starting to grow back, but I'd like to have a wig made for when I return to work in September. I am African American and I save my locs that I cut off when I…
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Chemo start
Hi all, I am 2 days away from celebrating my 46th birthday with the start of my chemo treatments. I am very confident that this is the road to take, but of all things, I find myself getting very anxious about the hair loss thing. I have looked at wigs and hats, and scarves. Then I look again. I even bought some costume…
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Did I give up?
I went to see my oncologist today. I was to start taxol and herceptin. I have been debating on whether or not to have the taxol. I had done a lot of research on it an found that it was really only helpful in metastatic breast cancer paitients. I asked my Doctor about it and she said if I didn't want to take it, I didn't…
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Egg storage
I've been told there is a possiblity of becoming infertile after the AC chemo treatment. Someone mentioned that I could store my eggs? Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks Reni
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pains after radiation
I finished 6wks or radiation 4mths ago and I am still having aches and pains in my breast. Will they go away eventually? It's almost like a constant toothache! It's the only reminder I have left so I want to feel normal again!!
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Starting new treatments
Well everyone, I am starting my weekly taxol and herceptin treatments on Tuesday. I have to admit that I am getting nervous, but have heard from quite a few of you that weekly treatments are by far very tolerable. My hair has started to grow back after finishing 4 treatments of A/C. As my husband says it is about an 1/8 of…
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not sleeping at night
I just went into menopause from chemo and the hot flashes are starting. They are not too bad really but I wake up every night about midnight - 2pm and have a hard time falling back to sleep. Is anyone taking sleeping pills or have any other remedy to recommend? Thanks, Lorrie
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looking for answers on white blood counts
Hi! I'm Maggie It has been 2 years since I was diagnosed with aggresive breast cancer. I finished all my treatments in March 2000. I have been going every 3 months to my onocologist for check-ups since then. My white blood count has stayed under 3000 & each time I go in, it as dropped some more. THe dr. said this time he…
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Lifetime TV Pledge
I was just sent an e-mail from a friend about trying to get a breast cancer patient bill of rights through Congress. Lifetime TV is making this possible by offering a web site where you can cast your vote in support that will go before Congress. The more names the Congresswoman who is pushing this through has--the more…
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colonoscopy
My colonoscopy this morning was clear!!!! Praise the Lord! Thanks for your prayers. Keep thinking the good thoughts. love, judy
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What comes next?
I consider myself blessed...I have had successful surgery to remove my tumor, completed my chemotherapy and radiation with minimal side effects, and am due to see my oncologist this week. My question: what is the "normal" followup procedure/schedule after you have been treated - how often do you see the oncologist and how…
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Halway results
I went to clinic today & got CT results & 4th chemo. The lung tumours are definitely all gone - what a blessing as they were the real life threatening ones. Also my marker tests (which are done 3 weekly) are starting to fall again. They had gone as high as 170 before I started chemo & after 3 cycles are now down to 120.…
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DCIS 10 years after Hodgkins Disease-any others?
I have been free of cancer for 10 years after surviving Hodgkins, and just recieved a DCIS Stage 0 dx. I am , as well as my doctors, leaning towards a bilateral mascectomy, with a latissimus reconstruction. I have been assured that I am not overreacting, as the reality of cancer reacurring is very real. I don't think I…