Recent Questions

  • Scheduled for my expander/implant exchange early March. I don't have a consultation appt. prior to surgery. Shouldn't the PS talk with me about size, shape, texture of implant prior to surgery? The way it's set up now, I just show up for the surgery.

    Asked by anonymous

    Patient
    3 months ago 5 answers •
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    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      I wondered the same thing at first, but my surgeon talked to me right before surgery and answered everything about size, shape, etc. he was so great! I bet that is what your surgeon will do! If you have concerns please call their office before the surgery. If he is a great physician, he won't...

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      I wondered the same thing at first, but my surgeon talked to me right before surgery and answered everything about size, shape, etc. he was so great! I bet that is what your surgeon will do! If you have concerns please call their office before the surgery. If he is a great physician, he won't mind. May God watch over you. There is nothing like the feeling of having the exchange. It's another hurdle you have gotten over:)

      1 comment
    • anonymous
      Survivor since 2011

      I just had my implant exchange on Thursday 2/14 and I had an appt with my PS about a month ago. I even talked with him at length on the day of the surgery when he came in to mark me up. I just wanted to clarify some things. You should ABSOLUTELY see the PS prior to surgery. There are so...

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      I just had my implant exchange on Thursday 2/14 and I had an appt with my PS about a month ago. I even talked with him at length on the day of the surgery when he came in to mark me up. I just wanted to clarify some things. You should ABSOLUTELY see the PS prior to surgery. There are so many options....I can't understand why they wouldn

      2 comments

  • Watching Pink Ribbons, Inc. and WOW, just wow.

    Asked by anonymous

    Stage 2A Patient
    3 months ago 7 answers •
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    • anonymous
      Stage 1 Patient

      Its a documentary about how "pink washing". If you find this documentary interesting. You should also read the book "Not Just a Pretty Face". There is a non-profit organization that has tested more than 79,000 beauty products for their toxicity levels. Ranked 1-10 with 10 being the most toxic. ...

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      Its a documentary about how "pink washing". If you find this documentary interesting. You should also read the book "Not Just a Pretty Face". There is a non-profit organization that has tested more than 79,000 beauty products for their toxicity levels. Ranked 1-10 with 10 being the most toxic. 98% of beauty products shampoo, conditioners, soap, make-p, lotions, hairsprays, etc have parabens. These parabens are absorbed into you body and trick the body into th8inking its estrogen. So if you are an estrogen positive cancer patient, you may be feeding you own cancer by the type of beauty product that you use. Here is the link for the database on the toxicity levels: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

      My cancer was estrogen and progestrone positive...and after I read the book...I was SUPER angry at cosmetic companies for being made, sold, and used by women to help kill WOMEN. THIS IS A MUST READ!!!

      2 comments
    • Missing
      anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      What channel?

      Comment
  • Missing

    Alright ladies I have did 30 Radiation treatments with 4 more too go, I will be done Thursday on my birthday, What a wonderful birthday gift...

    Asked by anonymous

    Stage 2A Patient
    3 months ago 7 answers •
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    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Happy birthday!

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Happy birthday and congratulations!!! Celebrate!

      Comment

  • Anyone face issues with your husband not being attracted to you during treatment?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    3 months ago 10 answers •
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    • Missing
      anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Shannon, my husband was pretty upset throughout most of my treatment. Intimacy was the last thing on my mind. I slept a lot so by time he made it to bed I was already asleep. I went to sleep around 7 everyday and my mom slept with me 95% of the time throughout my whole treatment due to him...

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      Shannon, my husband was pretty upset throughout most of my treatment. Intimacy was the last thing on my mind. I slept a lot so by time he made it to bed I was already asleep. I went to sleep around 7 everyday and my mom slept with me 95% of the time throughout my whole treatment due to him getting up at 5a.m. To work & I didn't sleep but an hour and awake 2 and so on and so forth. It was really hard. I pray that my husband still remember its me, even if I am bald and in a way disfigured. A mastectomy is no joke. Having my arm wrapped all the time, no eye lashes, no eyebrows, my nails falling off b/c of the chemo...lol
      My goodness I hadn't thought about it...lol. Now I can't stop laughing. Oh my goodness I'm a total mess. My poor baby. Hang on there, Hon. It will be okay. God bless.

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Survivor since 2011

      Today we are celebrating our 39th wedding anniverary. He had the same "feelings" he was as scared as I was. He didn't want to hurt me. It took talking to him and telling I wanted "us " too. I had to make the first step, and no cancer talk. That is easier said than done when you are bald and...

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      Today we are celebrating our 39th wedding anniverary. He had the same "feelings" he was as scared as I was. He didn't want to hurt me. It took talking to him and telling I wanted "us " too. I had to make the first step, and no cancer talk. That is easier said than done when you are bald and bloated. Hang in there and God Bless.

      Comment
  • Missing

    Have anybody gotten a tummy tuck plus breast implants

    Asked by anonymous

    Stage 2A Patient
    3 months ago 1 answers •
    • anonymous
      Stage 1 Patient

      Yes. My nipples & areola was grafted on from skin used from my bikini line. So mini tuck. Also had lypo. He sucked fat from my tummy & arm pit area & put it around my implants for contour. I'm very happy with my results. Prayers to you.

      Comment

  • How is everyone doing? I can't believe we are in February already. Just thinking of all you in treatment and wanted to do a "shout out".

    Asked by anonymous

    Stage 1 Patient
    3 months ago 5 answers •
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    • anonymous
      Stage 1 Patient

      Hello Roz, was the reason you had chemo because of a high OCTO DX score? I am stage 1, ER/PR positive , Her2 negative, grade 2. No lymph node involvement. My oncologist confirmed no chemo of my OCTO DX score comes in low. I had a bilateral therefore no radiation. Test results will be known by...

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      Hello Roz, was the reason you had chemo because of a high OCTO DX score? I am stage 1, ER/PR positive , Her2 negative, grade 2. No lymph node involvement. My oncologist confirmed no chemo of my OCTO DX score comes in low. I had a bilateral therefore no radiation. Test results will be known by Friday. We seem to have the same type of cancer, just curious on why you had to have chemo.

      2 comments
    • anonymous
      Stage 1 Patient

      Hanging in there!

      1 comment

  • Noticing some muscle aches in the chest wall and near shoulder joints. Not severe, just sore. Double mastectomy (first 4/12, second 8/12). Anybody else have this?

    Asked by anonymous

    Patient
    3 months ago 4 answers •
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    • anonymous
      Stage 1 Patient

      I have shoulder joint pain every day but I believe the cause is either the chemo or Tamoxifen. Are you on Tamoxifen?

      It could also be healing pains but if it gets really uncomfortable I'd let one of your docs know... just to be on the safe side. It could be something as conventional as a...

      more

      I have shoulder joint pain every day but I believe the cause is either the chemo or Tamoxifen. Are you on Tamoxifen?

      It could also be healing pains but if it gets really uncomfortable I'd let one of your docs know... just to be on the safe side. It could be something as conventional as a pulled muscle but once you've been through all we've been through... every ache seems suspect.

      Love & Luck.

      2 comments
    • anonymous
      Stage 3C Patient

      My double mastectomy is split also, first is 3/12 second will be after healing from radiation. I am very depressed about this but nothing I can do... Good luck to you

      Comment
  • Missing

    I've done 21 rads with 12 to go and have rather large breasts. Now I've blisters in fold between breast and chest that are very raw and sore. I'm slathering on lotion and trying to keep fold separated. Anyone have any advise to get some comfort?

    Asked by anonymous

    Stage 2A Patient
    3 months ago 5 answers •
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    • Missing
      anonymous
      Stage 2B Patient

      Hello Nikki,
      So sorry to hear that. I finished my rads end December, and because I was so afraid of blisters, this is what I did:
      Slathered my boob (not tiny ones either) with 100% Aloe (cannot contain alcohol), and literally aired my boob (I was alone at the house and would watch TV and cover...

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      Hello Nikki,
      So sorry to hear that. I finished my rads end December, and because I was so afraid of blisters, this is what I did:
      Slathered my boob (not tiny ones either) with 100% Aloe (cannot contain alcohol), and literally aired my boob (I was alone at the house and would watch TV and cover my upper body with a very loose blanket)
      DO NOT WEAR A BRA - trust me on this one - I did not for 8 weeks and it was the best thing I could do!!! The bra does not let the "heat" from rads escape and your chest needs air circulation
      Wore 2XXL big t-shirts, so air can circulate
      Once you have developed blisters, use or ask your oncologist for:
      SSD cream; 1% Silver sulfadiazine cream (my cost was $56.00) but it will HEAL those blisters very very quickly, silver is a natural antibiotic and will help.
      Other ladies said AQUAPHOR, I never used that, I only used 100% Aloe (I used 1 tub a day, that is how much I slathered on, let it dry, put on some more) Old t-shirts, no harm done.
      The silver cream is not too messy either and really helps and disinfects.
      Take an old sock, fill it with STARCH, roll and tape it up (like a sausage) and gently put it under your breast - the starch does not do any harm, but soaks up the body sweat - and helps to keep this sensitive area dry. Also lay on your couch (if you can) with arm up above your head (good against lymphedema, and airs that area)
      Sorry if my answer is long winded, but my skin looks fabulous, because I went overboard on "pampering" it.
      BTW if you use the silver cream, and continue your radiation, your skin will discolor, I had one white boob and one black book, and they lived in harmony (ebony and ivory, sorry I can't resist)..... the dark skin faded quickly after radiation, so don't panic. Don't hesitate to ask more questions. Best of luck and gentle hugs :) Radiation Girl
      Drink that water!!!

      5 comments
    • anonymous
      Stage 1 Patient

      I finished 30 rads mid-Dec. I did get some burns and was raw & wore. My oncologist recommended a vinegar soak,which really felt wonderful for the burning. 1 T white vinegar to 1 pint water. Soak about 15 minutes,up to 4 times day. I used aquaphor at night..and also eucerin lotion. I agree,NO...

      more

      I finished 30 rads mid-Dec. I did get some burns and was raw & wore. My oncologist recommended a vinegar soak,which really felt wonderful for the burning. 1 T white vinegar to 1 pint water. Soak about 15 minutes,up to 4 times day. I used aquaphor at night..and also eucerin lotion. I agree,NO bra. My onco nurse had me roll pillow cases under books so help 'prop' & let air to that area. I had rads on both sides/bilateral lumpectomy. Good luck. It does get better fast after treatments over.

      1 comment

  • I'm gonna be off of work for 2 weeks from my mastectomy and 6 weeks for my hysterectomy. Is there disability or some way to get paid???

    Asked by anonymous

    Patient
    3 months ago 6 answers •
    • View all 6 answers
    • anonymous
      Stage 1 Patient

      Do you have short term disability through your work? If not, you can check on the state care like Becky said. Maybe you would qualify for assistance. Prayers to you.

      1 comment
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      You should have 12 weeks of FMLA. You may also have disability through your employer. I didn't even know my employer had long term disability which is different from social security disability. Go and talk to you HR people and find out all the details.

      3 comments

  • Has anyone had chemo the same day as port placement?

    Asked by anonymous

    Stage 1 Patient
    3 months ago 7 answers •
    • View all 7 answers
    • anonymous
      Survivor since 2007

      Linda,
      Yes, I did. It was a long day but I just headed "into the wind." I had the surgery for the port installation (general anesthesia) and then right over to the oncologists office for the first treatment. That 1st. treatment was longer than the rest. It was grueling only because it was a...

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      Linda,
      Yes, I did. It was a long day but I just headed "into the wind." I had the surgery for the port installation (general anesthesia) and then right over to the oncologists office for the first treatment. That 1st. treatment was longer than the rest. It was grueling only because it was a long day. It doesn't hurt to have the treatments and with all the electronic whiz-bang devices to entertain you, the time goes by fairly fast. I ALWAYS had a snooze through part of my treatment as they put something into your recipe that relaxes you. I would put your mind at ease, it was, relatively, in the not-a-big-deal catagory. Everybody reacts in a different way so that is my story. Hang in there Linda, you will be ok. Take care Sharon

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Stage 1 Patient

      Yes I did. Had the port placed at 9 am and later the same day had chemo at 1pm. I love my port. It made getting lab draws and chemo so much easier. Good luck to you!

      Comment

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