Recent Questions
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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- View all 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...
2 comments 0Hello 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.
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anonymous
Stage 1 Patient
Hanging in there!
1 comment 0
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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- View all 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...
2 comments 1I 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.
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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
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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- View all 5 answers
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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...5 comments 3Hello 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!!! -
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...
1 comment 2I 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.
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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- View all 6 answers
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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.
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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 0
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Has anyone had chemo the same day as port placement?
Asked by anonymous
Stage 1 Patient- View all 7 answers
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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...Comment 1Linda,
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 -
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!
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Need financial help see post
Asked by anonymous
Survivor since 1998- View all 7 answers
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anonymous
Stage 1 Patient
Thanks for sharing Colleen. This will be so useful to some. Prayers to you.
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anonymous
Survivor since 1998
The federal government runs a pr called The Hill-Burton program
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PORTA-CATH PAIN. My PORTA-CATH was inserted 2 days ago and I have to say it actually hurts worse than my mastectomy. Anyone else experienced this? Cripes this is some damn ride I am on! ;-)
Asked by anonymous
Stage 1 Patient- View all 8 answers
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anonymous
Survivor since 2011
I'm 2 years out. I hated the port every minute of every day that I had it. I hated the way it looked, the way it felt, and what it represented. I was, by the onc, told to keep it in at least 1 month after my last chemo. I jad mine out 1 month and 1 day after my last chemo. BUT, with time and...
Comment 1I'm 2 years out. I hated the port every minute of every day that I had it. I hated the way it looked, the way it felt, and what it represented. I was, by the onc, told to keep it in at least 1 month after my last chemo. I jad mine out 1 month and 1 day after my last chemo. BUT, with time and distance it was the best thing I did for me and my treatment AND taking it OUT it put an !!!!!! to the end of chemo. I not only survived I won, and you will to. I chose to put 2 rose buds and a pink ribbion tattoo over my scar. It is my own personal badge of honor. God Bless your journey.
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anonymous
Stage 1 Patient
I was taken by surprise by how much pain I was in after my port surgery. I wasn't prepared for that. The good news is, it only lasted a few days. Good luck to you.
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I have to have an ovarian dermoid cyst removed in addition to my double mastectomy, and cannot decide in which order to have the surgeries. Any advice?
Asked by anonymous
Patient- View all 4 answers
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
I've had a dermoid cyst removed (along with the ovary). It was done laparoscopically. I was on pain meds for the first two days, but in 2 weeks I was back to normal & riding my bicycle. What does your surgeon recommend?
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anonymous
Patient
Well, the first group of surgeons I saw planned on removing the cyst/ovary laparoscopically at the time of mastectomy. The group that I've decided to go with does not want to do the surgeries at the same time. I'm basically waiting for a final mastectomy date before scheduling the cystectomy. ...
Comment 0Well, the first group of surgeons I saw planned on removing the cyst/ovary laparoscopically at the time of mastectomy. The group that I've decided to go with does not want to do the surgeries at the same time. I'm basically waiting for a final mastectomy date before scheduling the cystectomy. (So far it's scheduled for March 18, but I am trying to get an earlier date.). If the mastectomy isn't actually until March 18, then I'm thinking I should get the whole cyst thing over with beforehand. (I am also meeting with a fertility specialist about freezing my eggs, so the dermoid needs to go before they take the eggs, and the eggs need to come out before I begin actual cancer treatment...so the timing gets pretty sticky.)
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Im 33 and was diagnosed with IDC (stage 2, tumor grade 3) on January 3. I just got my mastectomy date--March 18. I'm freaking out! My PET was all clear but..another month?!? Am I over-reacting??
Asked by anonymous
Patient- View all 8 answers
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anonymous
Stage 1 Patient
Hello Candace...the waiting was agonizing. I was lucky as everything moves very quickly. Found lump the week of Christmas, incisional biopsy on 12/31 and the call that has forever changed my life
came on 1/4. Bilateral surgery with expanders on 2/4. Even waiting a month was agonizing as all I...Comment 1Hello Candace...the waiting was agonizing. I was lucky as everything moves very quickly. Found lump the week of Christmas, incisional biopsy on 12/31 and the call that has forever changed my life
came on 1/4. Bilateral surgery with expanders on 2/4. Even waiting a month was agonizing as all I can think about was spread. March will be here in no time. This site has been a blessing. Their advice, support, prayers are priceless. They all know firsthand what we
Are going through. Hang in there. Sending you positive thoughts and prayers. God Bless :-) -
anonymous
Stage 1 Patient
I always said the waiting was THE WORST. I was diagnosed on 4/6 and had my surgery 5/7 so that was the longest month of my life. Once you find out it's cancer you just want it out, out, out!! The good thing is that these few weeks won't make a huge difference with your actual cancer. It's...
Comment 1I always said the waiting was THE WORST. I was diagnosed on 4/6 and had my surgery 5/7 so that was the longest month of my life. Once you find out it's cancer you just want it out, out, out!! The good thing is that these few weeks won't make a huge difference with your actual cancer. It's really more of a mental thing at this point. You just have to stay busy and put things in order so when you have your surgery you can kick back and recover without much stress.
Hang in there. Before you know it, you'll be on the other side of this whole ordeal. Hugs!
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Double mastectomy on 8/2012 now will have tissue expanders removed and implants inserted this coming week. Any advice on how to prepare or recover from surgery?
Asked by anonymous
Stage 1 Patient- View all 8 answers
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anonymous
Stage 1 Patient
Everyone is different, but if you aren't having any revisions done, it is a breeze. He'll make a small cut in your incision & switch them out. Since you don't have feeling, no pain. My shoulders hurt worse from being laid out on table. Didn't have to take pain meds. And what a difference!!!...
2 comments 1Everyone is different, but if you aren't having any revisions done, it is a breeze. He'll make a small cut in your incision & switch them out. Since you don't have feeling, no pain. My shoulders hurt worse from being laid out on table. Didn't have to take pain meds. And what a difference!!! You'll have the normal no lifting or stretching for 2 weeks. Prayers to you.
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anonymous
Stage 1 Patient
Cannot wait. These expanders are a %!#*! Glad to hear that recovery is so much easier. I am currently recuperating from my bilateral mastectomy. Hugs :-)
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