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Twists and turns
The whole experience of stage 4 for me had been filled with twists and turns and just sheer dumb luck. Covid, delayed treatments, health issues. After attempting the oral chemo I was able to do three days before I ended up in the floor. I just ended a 12 day hospital stay where they have determined that there is no viable…
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Waiting for biopsies appointment
I had a mammogram on June 9th, they called and wanted more images. On June 23rd, had more and an ultrasound done. On the 30th they called but I missed the call, they wanted me to come in on the 4th for biopsies. I'm in Canada, so we are open on the 4th. Now I have my biopsies on the 15th. Just got my report and would like…
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Experiences with oncology PT?
I met with my new MO last week and after listing all of the miseries that I’m experiencing from Letrozole, he suggested I try oncology PT. I completely forgot about it until his notes popped up on my patient portal this morning. I’m game as long as my insurance covers it, but I’m not sure what to expect. His notes…
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Confused with biopsy findings vs ultrasound
Hi all, A few weeks ago I noticed spontaneous bloody discharge from my right nipple. I got an ultrasound and mammogram, followed by a biopsy for a suspicious growth they found in my right breast under my nipple. Pathology report as follows: Clinical Information Spontaneous + Nipple D/C Rt Br on US intraductal (illegible)…
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11 years since original diagnosis
It almost escaped my notice but it was almost exactly 11 years ago that I was dx’ed with breast cancer. Although considered stage IIB initially, a bone met was found incidentally a mere six weeks later. The met was radiated and I have had no progression since. Time really does fly. I am incredibly grateful but my most…
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Aging alone
This issue has been on my mind more frequently lately as my parents and I grow older and I find them needing more assistance in life. I have three siblings who have helped when they can, but often have other responsibilities or things on their plate, so most of the responsibility falls on me. I don't mind this, as I enjoy…
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MRIs on Silicone Implants
I see that the FDA recommends screening silicone implants for leaks every couple of years. Has anyone had trouble getting your insurance to pay for these screenings? Thank you
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Interpreting Benign Pathology Intraductal Microcalcifications
Hello all first time poster. I am a 39F classified as high risk with a 40% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer due to family history (no gene mutations) and previous biopsy result of Usual Ductal Hyperplasia (my understanding slightly increases risk). I go in for 6 month screenings for the last 4 years; rotating MRI…
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anyone had bad radiation side effects?
hi.....wondering if anyone has had bad side effects from radiation. i will be needing it next month, and want to know what to expect. I'm nervous about it. Also, if you were given the choice between lumpectomy w/radiation....or mastectomy (without radiation)....which would you guys choose? Thanks!
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Leak in implant
I had my implants (silicone) put in at the start of May. Last month I felt a lump, but an MRI showed it was scar tissue. But the MRI also showed a leak in the implant -- with what appears to be two small specks of silicone outside the implant. I obviously need it replaced, but have no idea how that would have happened…
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MRI can’t rule out pelvic metastasis
I started Tamoxifen in late January and was given a list of symptoms to call the gynecologist about if they showed up because I'm premenopausal. Well, three weeks ago, I had about four days of abnormal spotting and I called. Ultrasound of the pelvis ordered and completed within a week. Results were a possible hemorrhagic…
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Disappearing lesion?
Hello everyone. I'm a 32 year old who is currently going through testing. In May during a breast ultrasound they found a 3x2cm mass in my left breast. I was labeled Bi-RADS 4 and referred for urgent mammogram & repeat ultrasound. I had these tests done 5 days later. The mammogram didn't locate anything due to extremely…
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Lumpectomy regrets anyone??
hello..... has anyone had a lumpectomy...and wish they had a mastectomy instead? i have surgery soon....and nervous about that decision. thanks
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Starting Radiation January, 2022
Anyone else starting radiation in January who would like to share experiences and provide support to one another? As I’ve been waiting to be cleared for rads, I have been following the experiences of those in the November and December radiation topic threads and have learned so much from the discussion there! I had my UMX…
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DCIS with additional areas of non-mass enhancements
Hi Everyone, I was diagnosed with intermediate grade DCIS in my left breast (at 12 o'clock) 2 weeks ago. Last week I had an MRI and the following areas were noted as needing additional biopsies: Left - non-mass enhancement of 2.6 cm in lower outer quadrant. Linear with fast uptake then persistent kinetics. Left - non-mass…
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Anyone regret having a mastectomy??
hi everyone......has anyone regret having their mastectomy surgery? if given the choice between lumpectomy or mastectomy? im just having a hard time deciding. i know i dont want the hormone therapy pill. thanks. I'm ER+ PR+ HER2-
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Starting chemo February 2018
I've searched several times and have not found a thread for this. So... Anyone else out there? I'm starting 4 rounds of dose dense AC, followed by 12 weeks of Taxol. I'll be starting the week of the 4th and they're letting me decide what day to start on but I'm struggling to figure that out. I'm aiming to disrupt things…
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Concerned about progression
<sigh>. About 6 weeks ago I noticed a lump on the same side as my original diagnosis. I’m not sure if it’s something new, or scar tissue that I’ve already had a biopsy done to “prove” that it’s not a concern. I’ve noticed the same breast is shrinking in size (can cancer leave ANYTHING alone?!) so I’m not sure if it’s just…
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Dealing with extreme fatigue after completing active treatment
I am now about 6 months out from completing active treatment (surgery, chemo, radiation), and now just continuing with Zoladex (goserelin) injections for the next 5-10 years for medically induced menopause. I was hoping that by now I would start to notice some improvement in energy level, but it anything I find it is…
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Risk of Heart Problems Lower in Survivors Who Exercise
Risk of Heart Problems Lower in Breast Cancer Survivors Who Exercise Jun 27, 2022 Exercise helped reduce the risk of heart problems in women receiving treatment for breast cancer. Read more...
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Any advice, same breast 2 yrs later, small nodule near surface
So 2 yrs after my stage 1 left breast cancer treated with partial mastectomy and radiation daily for 3 weeks, to my surprise what seemed like a minor small nodule in same left breast, was just found cancerous. My Dr says surface ones like this tend to be aggressive, I am afraid to search the internet to confirm this. Just…
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Antidepressants and Stage 3
Just wondering whether anyone has been on antidepressants long term. I’m considering on taking something to help with the anxiety that I have thanks to my diagnosis. Thought by now that it would have passed but it hasn’t. Any thoughts on an antidepressant that doesn’t interfere with my aromatase inhibitor.
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Stage IIB Positive in Two Nodes No Chemo/No Radiation
I am stage IIB with two positive lymph nodes. I had left breast mastectomy with node dissection at end of October. My OncoType score was 11 so we determined chemo was not necessary. I have an auto immune condition (Scleroderma) which is a connective tissue disorder. The oncologists at two places discussed performing…
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body/mind/soul/spirit talk - no religion please
hello! I am starting this thread in hopes of not offending any person or group. This thread is to have a safe space to discuss the ideas of our soul and what is spirit. What does spiritually mean. What happens to us when we die? What is happening to our cells as we are alive? This thread welcomes scientific discourse and…
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Which BC Surgery Offers Better Long-Term Quality of Life?
Which Breast Cancer Surgery Offers Better Long-Term Quality of Life? May 5, 2022 Women were satisfied with their breasts 10 years after either lumpectomy and radiation or mastectomy and reconstruction for early-stage breast cancer. Still, women who had lumpectomy and radiation had better psychosocial and sexual well-being.…
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had a second biopsy done few months after the first...
hello everyone. I just got a 2nd biopsy done and it showed scattered atypical ductal hyperplasia...in the anterior portion of the breast. i have an 9mm tumor in the same breast too...which they found in the first biopsy. So now they have to take more tissue out, if doing a lumpectomy. Is a lumpectomy still ok to do? I'm…
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Mammogram
Just a little background. I'm almost 61. I was diagnosed in November of 2012. ILC 1 cm so stage 1 grade 2, left breast. I had a lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation. I have a mammogram every June and an MRI every December. I'm considered higher risk because my mom had breast cancer and my dad had prostate cancer plus I have…
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Some Women W/ Luminal A BC May Be Able To Skip Rads After Lx
Some Older Women With Luminal A Breast Cancer May Be Able To Skip Radiation After Lumpectomy June 15, 2022 Women ages 55 and older diagnosed with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive, progesterone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that had low levels of Ki67 protein and a very low risk of recurrence were…
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Regrets about not being better health advocate
I wasn't sure where to post this, but I wanted to put this out there in case anyone is in a similar situation. So, last summer I was concerned about breast changes and I looked at the letter from my previous mammo and noticed that they mentioned dense breast tissue and said that I "might benefit from supplementary…
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Infection after bilateral mastectomy
I had a bilateral mastectomy on May 31st and wow that totally sucked. Really underestimated the pain involved. Anyways I have a 6 month old baby which I had lined up family and friends to come over and help me with lifting and carrying her and such. It was so hard to not hold her like I have since she was born. I will…