Recent Questions

  • Is the DIEP surgery when they use belly fat to reconstruct breasts? Had anyone done this and what do you think? I'm cancer free now and had a lumpectomy...considering a mastectomy

    Asked by anonymous

    Survivor since 2011
    about 4 hours ago 4 answers •
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    • Missing
      anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Yes you are using your belly fat. The pro is its your own tissue. The con is there is a longer recovery time.

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Survivor since 2011

      Do they do both at the same time? With about a month recovery, would I be able to work at all? (I'm a teacher) or maybe try to have it in the summer

      Comment

  • Has anyone had the IORT Radiation treatment done???

    Asked by anonymous

    Stage 1 Patient
    about 16 hours ago 3 answers •
    • anonymous
      Stage 1 Patient

      Yes it is a new procedure and they do during surgery. It is a one time radiation treatment right after they remove the tumor. Radiation is only given the the tumor location and not the whole breast.

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Patient

      I may be wrong, but I don't think that is for invasive bc. Anyway, my radiologist said that this , and also the three week protocol were not options for me. My mother had a small noninvasive bc, and was able to have radiation twice a day for 4 or 5 days. Not all ways of giving radiation are best...

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      I may be wrong, but I don't think that is for invasive bc. Anyway, my radiologist said that this , and also the three week protocol were not options for me. My mother had a small noninvasive bc, and was able to have radiation twice a day for 4 or 5 days. Not all ways of giving radiation are best for different situations.

      Comment

  • Had a mammogram and had a 2nd with more details images. Got results in mail today BIRADS Category 3 need another mammogram in 6 mths

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    about 21 hours ago 1 answers •
    • anonymous
      Stage 2A Patient

      As I recall from my days working as a Mammography Tech. Birads cat. 3 simply means they saw something, that is benign appearing, and recheck in 6 months to make sure it is stable. That may not be quite the wording, but pretty close I'm sure. Also when I was working the Birads codes went from...

      more

      As I recall from my days working as a Mammography Tech. Birads cat. 3 simply means they saw something, that is benign appearing, and recheck in 6 months to make sure it is stable. That may not be quite the wording, but pretty close I'm sure. Also when I was working the Birads codes went from 0-5 and they've since added a 6.

      Comment

  • Did anyone try false eyelashes during chemo ?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    1 day ago 9 answers •
    • View all 9 answers
    • anonymous
      Survivor since 2011

      I didn't even try. If I had anything special diring that time I would have given it a whirl or gone to a make up person.

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Patient

      I was thinking of trying lash extensions if needed .. I'm going to try and do chemo the best I can and lashes will make me happier ;)

      3 comments

  • Just an update post for those curious about Diep surgery. I am 7 wks post op and feel great!!! What a difference from the 3 wk mark:) it was a long surgery and recovery has been pretty steady. Overall pleased with my surgery choice :)

    Asked by anonymous

    Patient
    1 day ago 8 answers •
    • View all 8 answers
    • anonymous
      Stage 2A Patient

      Thanks for the update. I hope to have mine in. December.

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Stage 2A Patient

      Glad or worked out well for you. How many days were you in the hospital.?

      1 comment
  • Missing

    I have had challenges with my insurance company. If the company refuses to pay for my chemo. Anyone know what 4 sessions of TC might cost ?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    2 days ago 13 answers •
    • View all 13 answers
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      All great answers. The makers of the chemo have help avail also. I know Genentech maker of herceptin picked up the cost that my ins didn't pay. You may also talk to the cancer society in your area. There may b programs avail too you also - I had TCH each round was 20,000. In 2012 to fight cancer...

      more

      All great answers. The makers of the chemo have help avail also. I know Genentech maker of herceptin picked up the cost that my ins didn't pay. You may also talk to the cancer society in your area. There may b programs avail too you also - I had TCH each round was 20,000. In 2012 to fight cancer was 400,000 - I pd 2,000

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Stage 2B Patient

      I don't, but in the meantime, ask for a social service referral at your Oncology Center to see if they might provide guidance with dealing with the insurance company. If you have coverage I don't see how they can refuse treatment for cancer! Also, call the American Cancer Society and ask them how...

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      I don't, but in the meantime, ask for a social service referral at your Oncology Center to see if they might provide guidance with dealing with the insurance company. If you have coverage I don't see how they can refuse treatment for cancer! Also, call the American Cancer Society and ask them how you should proceed. I am sure there is a challenge process whereby you can ask to speak to the insurance supervisor, go up the chain of command, etc. You shouldn't have to be dealing with this at such a time. Burns me up!

      Is there a family member who can help with this? Write down everything and include names of reps you speak with.

      Ya gotta fight cancer AND the insurance company. Not right!! Good Luck.

      Comment

  • Ok ladies. I'm a almost 2 mths post surgery and the very discreet rib pain hasn't gone away. Ive mentioned it at every appointment. It was suggested to me by PT that it might be a hair line fracture. I guess it's possible right?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    2 days ago 7 answers •
    • View all 7 answers
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Thanks for the variety of new ideas.

      Comment
    • Missing
      anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      I also have pain under my left breast rib cage . Keeps me up at night. I was becoming very concerned. I guess I will wait a month until my exchange surgery happens . Lots of prayers and hugs being sent your way.

      Comment
  • Missing

    I had breast reconstrution several years ago and I am have severe pain can I have the breast removed again?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    2 days ago 3 answers •
    • anonymous
      Stage 1 Patient

      You shouldn't be in pain. Please see your Dr. And yes, you can. Prayers to you.

      Comment
    • Missing
      anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Yes you can.

      Comment

  • For chemo - when do you find it best to take Zofran meds ? Before ? As soon as you get home ? Or only when you feel nausea coming on ?

    Asked by anonymous

    Patient
    2 days ago 6 answers •
    • View all 6 answers
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      T/H did not take any meds at home.
      A/C I take Emend, Zofran, and dextron on timed schedule as well as carafate and glutamate . Emend two days with Zofran three days . We played with steroid to taper dose over five days. Your oncologist and pharmacist will design it based on what your response...

      more

      T/H did not take any meds at home.
      A/C I take Emend, Zofran, and dextron on timed schedule as well as carafate and glutamate . Emend two days with Zofran three days . We played with steroid to taper dose over five days. Your oncologist and pharmacist will design it based on what your response to drugs is...

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      I had T/C and never felt nauseous positive thoughts that you can get through this :-)

      Comment

  • Any young women who were hormone receptive positive?

    Asked by anonymous

    Stage 3A Patient
    2 days ago 7 answers •
    • View all 7 answers
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Not young but Er positive and I am nice!

      1 comment
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      You are not alone. This site is fabulous for perspective even if we are in higher stages. Here is both an extended story and some practical mom advice. I offer it so you know it is doable but you'll need to pull in people for their skills.
      My friends use the site i posted a few days ago to...

      more

      You are not alone. This site is fabulous for perspective even if we are in higher stages. Here is both an extended story and some practical mom advice. I offer it so you know it is doable but you'll need to pull in people for their skills.
      My friends use the site i posted a few days ago to organize meals.
      Im a mother of one with triple positive and 6 lymphs involved and I am also Her2 amplified. Expecting infusions of all sorts for fifteen months. Once genetics came back negative, the experts said do
      Lumpectomy with nodes out. At that time I also had the port put in. So one surgery They did a margin MRI and put borders in the breast to help surgeon get both the cancer and some funky breast tissue. I had enough breast tissue and location was low to do this procedure All went well.
      As a mom to the family I have been amazed at how helpful my neighborhood friends and my daughters school community has been. The biggest help comes the week after chemo in the form of meals for the family-- I don't ask people to cook for me. I'm following an antiestrogenic diet and am gonna stick to that. I've read and read and read all before chemo. Now I've stopped reading and decide what to priorotize for the day and what is my energy level.
      You'll need emotional space so organize sleepovers for the kids the weekend after chemo. I also make sure I get a nap before I'm on mom duty after school.
      Sounds like you have little ones. It is time to rally everyone on your email and see who surfaces. It is time to ask for help of all sorts.
      The side effects are manageable but you will need space to process the journey and the kids don't need to live through Every aspect of that. Protect but be honest
      My daughter checks that I'm ok after chemo by asking if I can take her to school on Monday. If I can drive I'm ok. At school functions and recitals etc I have a mask on Schools are just too germy and moms don't have a lot if down time.
      A week after chemo I'm in the garden and more or less back to routine and cooking.

      Comment

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