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Breast Cancer

*Abbreviations* for all our Newbies
AC - one of the five most common types of chemo given to women with BC. Iit's probably the MOST common drug combination given to women with node-negative (hasn't spread to your lymph nodes) cancer. AC includes two drugs: doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). AI - aromatase inhibitors ADH - A benign…
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Doxorubicin
hi everyone, my mother has stage 4 breast cancer that has metastasized to the bone and liver. A month ago she started cisplatin however, the platelets started dropping and when she did the pet scan the result came as there is bone marrow infiltration. The doctor started her on doxorubicin, she took her first dose 2 days…
UPDATE to "Surgery & Radiation Now" versus "Mammograms every 6 Months"
A month ago I was trying to decide whether to proceed with the recommended lumpectomy and radiation treatment or let it ride and see what the status was after six months. Thank you for your responses and suggestions. I did do the surgery. In the end, I thought that if I waited there was a good possibility that the cancer…
DCIS
I was diagnosed with DCIS January 2. From my first mammogram in November to surgery in March, I have struggled. I hear that DCIS is not cancer because it’s non invasive. I read that it’s pre cancer. Anyone else with DCIS struggle with this? My treatment has been the same, to some extent, as if it was cancer. I even feel…
Recovery time for bilateral mastectomy?
I'm starting to get a little scared because next week I'm having a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction. I just finished chemo (4 rounds of A/C and 4 rounds of Taxotere). I'm wondering if anyone out here has gone through this and could tell me what to expect after the surgery?I'm scheduled to be in the hospital for…
20 YR SURVIVOR
This Sunday marks my 20 yr survivor anniversary. I was 38 yo when diagnosed with Triple Negative, Stage 2, Grade 3 breast cancer. I will not regret my aggressive treatment choices, as I wouldn't probably be here otherwise. For all you newly diagnosed, please keep hope in your heart as you can also kick cancer's butt! I do…
Tamoxifin
DCIS of right breast. Mastectomy 2 weeks ago. Started tamoxifin 5 days ago and woke up feeling like a truck hit me this am. Nurse says not the drug but Google says highly likely to cause fatigue in the beginning. Suggests taking at night. Any suggestions or help?
Who went Flat with no reconstruction
Hello all, I am a newbie, yes thank you, thank you..lol…So I just recently had a BM surgery on 11/4/25 and though I am still recovering, I would like to connect with the peeps who decided to go flat. Its a very big decision and I have mixed feelings about it and kinda need to talk to the people who have chosen this route.…
Do Chemo treatments get worse each time?
Just wondering........i have been told by people that with each treatment you will have more side effects and try to take one day at a time but can't help but worry, can anyone help?
How to cope the 1st day quimo, what to think about how to control fear?
Hello i am 48 yrs old recently i have been diangnosed right breat cancer type HER-2 positive 3, stage 3. Also my MRI detected a 1cm nodule under my armpit which biopsy can back positivo. Now doctors says requiere quimo 6 seccion every 21 days in 5month cirgury to remove the breast and nodule armpit. Doctors say these are…
Ascitis
Hi everyone, My mother has stage IV breast cancer that has metastasized to the bones and liver. She has been treated for it and recently she has started having ascitis in the abdomen. The doctor said no need to drain it currently because the fluid is no much, but i am a bit concerned about it and wanted to ask you guys if…
Low platelets count
Hi everyone, my mom has stage 4 breast cancer that has metastasized to the bone and liver, she was stable for a while but recently scans showed progression in the liver. The doctor added carboplatin with abraxane and that made her platelets low. They gave her Nplate injection on Sunday and today (Thursday) she was supposed…
Abraxane and herceptin perjeta
hi everyone , my mother has stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to the bones and liver. The doctor started abraxane (weekly) with herceptin/perjeta (every three weeks) treatment. Any advice regarding this? How to tolerate the side effects? She's been on 1 dose now but she's been having stomach issues (diarrhea,…
Well, that hurts - taxol update
My taxol experience is definitely fascinating from the outside although rather rough from the inside. Great news, my tumors don't like taxol and are shrinking. Bad news, I don't like taxol either. Imagine stepping on a Lego or hitting your funny bone, now imagine that sharp spike of pain anywhere on your body jumping to…
Feeling deflated and resentful
I am 18 mos post breast cancer treatment for Stage 2B invasive ductal Cancer. Surgery chemo radiation all I attended mostly alone. My spouse in WC family there for first appts and surgery but then work and family took over. I am feeling very deflated and alone right now as my family treats me as if I never had cancer. No…
Stage IV metastatic breast cancer
This is my first post. I have been following this site for a couple of months now, but don't seem to find many metastatic survivors out there. I'm trying so hard to find some encouragement and hope. It's been a year and a half since my diagnosis and I just want to reach out to someone who is going through this also. Your…
Tumor down 75% in 5 chemo treatments, 3 left to go!
Who hoo! Great news from ultrasound and MRI. My main tumor is down 75%, my additional tumors are no longer detectable on imaging, and my lymph nodes are down 75% too! Yay for kicking a grade 3 highly aggressive type's butt. Happy Saturday everyone!
Help
Please i ask for help guidance since i have written here i recieve no answer to guidance or opionion. I am just terified next step need guidance how to cope. I will start treatment next week with all 4 medication listed below and i e been told shot before theapy which will make my bones hurt what can i do to reduce the…
Afraid of changing from AC to taxol
I just finished my fourth dose of AC and I feel like I know how to handle it. I have my little system down. Next week, just in time for New years, I switch to taxol and I'm scared. I don't like AC, but it's a devil I know. Taxol is a new thing to figure out. How different were people experiences between AC and taxol?
ER+ HER2+ breast cancee
hello all, I was diagnosed with ER+, HER2+ breast cancer this past September. 1A, grade 2. No lymph node involvement. Lumpectomy. I qualified for a trial that my oncologist recommended. No chemo, 20 rounds of radiation, Phesco shots every 3 weeks for approx a year, and Letrozole estrogen blocker for 5 years. I’ve completed…
Depression and anxiety
anyone experiencing depression and anxiety after double mastectomy, and after chemotherapy is over. I should be happy but I am more depressed and anxious now than I was at the earlier treatments. Anyone feeling like me??
Cancer X2
I was 37 years old when I was first diagnosed with stage 2 Breast cancer. ER/PR+/ Her2-. Now, 8 years later, I've just been diagnosed with bone mets, ER/PR -, HER2+. My cancer cells completely changed characteristics this time around but is still considered to originate from my BC. We also had genetic testing done for this…
Oral thrush and weak taste buds
hi everyone, my mother had oral thrush a while ago and it has cleared! however, she still cannot taste food as she did before. Is there any treatments or remedies we can try to clear this up?
"Surgery & Radiation Now" versus "Mammograms every 6 Months"
Happy New Year!! I have DCIS Stage 0 in rt breast, with markers inserted. I am 68 years old. I have lumpectomy surgery scheduled on Jan. 7, 2026 (in 6 days). I made an appointment with my surgeon to discuss everything on Jan. 5, 2026. I would like to ask what people have done in my situation or what people think are the…
Newbie! Tiny 1.7 mm triple negative w/amended lymph report needs help choosing right treatment plan
Hi all, My best friend recommended this site as a resource for making a huge decision in the next couple days. You guys helped her through a very rough ovarian cancer treatment. She suggested that you may help me too. This site looks great! I need to decide this weekend which treatment plan to go with as I am scheduled to…
The Affordable Care Act (Related to Health Insurance)
Today a friend sent me an e-mail regarding the The Affordable Care Act. I cut and pasted what I thought you would find informative and beneficial. The Affordable Care Act, signed into law earlier this year, makes breast cancer screening and coverage for treatment available and accessible by requiring health plans to cover…
TNBC Survivors Who Skipped Chemo
Hi! I’m 47, diagnosed with small (5 mm), grade III, node-negative, LVI-negative TNBC. I am choosing not to have chemo and am looking to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I had lumpectomy and will be doing radiation. Would love to hear about your journey, follow-up, and how you navigated life after…
Having a good day!
Good morning! My last AC infusion knocked me on my ****, but this one I'm doing ok. I made my child breakfast, had some coffee, and even got to my 9am doctor appointment early enough to post here. I think today's going to be a good day. Happy Thursday everyone!
Moms breast cancer question
Hi all. My mom is 79 years old. YES, 79 years old. She found out she had breast cancer about a year and a half ago. They said stage 2 at the time. She got put on letrozole right away, and took it for about 9 months before any surgery. Rhey said she'll be taking it for 7-10 years. She had a bilateral mastectomy about May of…
What did you wear?
I will be having a mastectomy soon & want to buy myself some new pajamas to recover in. However, I find that I can't decide on what style to get and am hoping that some one in here can help. I worry that the T-shirt & bottoms might rub on the drainage tube, the tank & bottoms might be to exposed, anything with bottoms will…
Ladies wigs
I am a lung cancer survivor and I have several new ladies wigs that I would like to donate. Different colors and lengths. I live in Wichita and will deliver them. Thanks, Susie

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The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

Breast Cancer

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