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Scan0002

Member Since: September 1, 2003
Last Login: December 2, 2008
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Diagnosis

Recent Posts by ps123

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Hormonal Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Oct 27, 2008 09:21 pm

Anyone taking AI (femara, aromasin,arimidex) past 5 years

I've been on Arimidex for 5 years and will continue taking it.  I was also Stage III and evidently there are some studies that show that for women with larger tumors staying on it longer than 5 years can be beneficial. 

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Radiation Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Oct 13, 2008 06:09 pm

Radiation After Mastectomy?

I had a mastectomy and radiation, but I also had a large tumor.

Pat

Posted in: Day to Day Matters + Humor and Games, Created: Oct 9, 2008 10:40 pm

things to buy in dept store

Scarf

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Help Me Get Through Treatment, Created: Oct 8, 2008 08:49 pm

Who Do I Believe?

Hi Patrice,

 I also did chemo first. I did 4 rounds of chemo (A/C) then had an MRI to check how well my tumor responded.  I then had 4 another 4 rounds of chemo (taxotere).  After I finished the taxotere I had another MRI to see how the tumor had responded.  This time the tumor itself had shrunk alot but I also had a lot of dcis so ended up with a mastectomy anyway.  My docs waited about 6 weeks between my last chemo and surgery.  Because I originally had a large tumor I had radiation after surgery also.  I did have a flu shot while still doing chemo. 

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Oct 6, 2008 09:18 pm

Worried I might have infection in incision

I would call your ps and check with them.  If it does happen to be an infection it would probably be best to start treating it as soon as possible.

Pat

Posted in: Site News and Announcements + Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests, Created: Sep 25, 2008 09:45 pm

where did the nurses with bc thread go?

I think the thread you're looking for is under "Just Diagnosed"

 http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/5/topic/721289?page=2#post_1072235

Pat

Posted in: Recovery, Renewal, & Hope + Moving Beyond Cancer, Created: Sep 25, 2008 09:37 pm

Arimidex question

My onc is going to keep me on Arimidex.  Evidently there are some ongoing studies that are showing, especially for women with larger tumors, staying on arimidex beyond the 5 years can be beneficial.  Since I was stage 3, I fall into that category.

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Surgery - Before, During, and After, Created: Sep 23, 2008 11:07 pm

Anybody a nurse or doctor?

It's not uncommon....everyone's different.  I only had 7.

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Radiation Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Sep 17, 2008 08:31 pm

Radiation burning on back of shoulder???

I had a red sunburn like patch on my back too.  When I asked about they said that it was normal...it's where the radiation exits your body.

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Surgery - Before, During, and After, Created: Sep 4, 2008 10:09 pm

Breast MRI after Neo-Adjudivant Chemo?

No, I just had the 2 MRI's during chemo.  I didn't have one before starting.

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Lymphedema After Surgery, Created: Sep 4, 2008 09:57 pm

A FEW NEW (to me, anyhow) PRODUCTS!

Hi Binney,

 Thanks for all the info!  Do you happen to remember what the item from CircAid that was swelling on the back of the hand was called.  I looked on their website and couldn't find anything.  Since that happens to be my main problem, and since nothing else I've tried seems to work, I'd be very interested in finding out what it is.  Thanks.

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Sep 4, 2008 08:24 pm

Expanders so different. Will implants be also?

It should be fine. Expanders are really just there to stretch the skin and muscle. When they put the real implants in they'll make everything symmetrical and the implants will look more "breastlike".

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Surgery - Before, During, and After, Created: Sep 4, 2008 08:21 pm

Breast MRI after Neo-Adjudivant Chemo?

I had an MRI after my first 4 rounds of chemo (A/C).  It it had shrunk a lot they would have done the mast. then and then I probably would have had my 2nd round of chemo after the mast.  However, the MRI showed it hadn't shrunk enough so I did the next 4 rounds (taxotere) and then did another MRI which showed it had shrunk. I then had the mast. followed by radiation.

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Sep 2, 2008 10:34 pm

Radiation AFTER immediate recon with expanders

Hi Tracy,

Like Laura, I had chemo first, had a single mast. w/expander placed at the same time. I was quickly expanded and once I was fully expanded I had 28 rads.  About 3 months or so after completing rads I had my exchange and have had no problems.  If your surgeon doesn't have a medical reason for waiting I would go with your ps opinion.  If implants is the type of reconstruction you want, it's my understanding that it would be more difficult to wait until after rads was done before starting it.  Rads can make it harder to stretch your muscle and skin so waiting until after rads to start the expansion would make it more difficult.

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Sep 1, 2008 09:19 pm

How long is reocovery from nip surgery

I don't remember about the shower but I never had any stitches removed with any of my surgeries.  Take a list of questions with you when you go...the only way you can get answers is to ask the questions.  Your ps shouldn't mind answering them....I'm sure he's used to being asked alot of questions before surgery.

Pat

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer, Created: Sep 1, 2008 05:36 pm

No Insurance

Try:  http://www.patientadvocate.org 

I've heard they can be helpful.

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Sep 1, 2008 12:24 pm

How long is reocovery from nip surgery

Hi Held, my ps had an assistant that I could call with questions if needed.  Does your ps have an an assistant you could call and and who could answer your questions.  It's hard to take in everything that's said at your appointments.  Why not call and ask to clarify what to expect.  Doctors also just sometimes prefer to do things different ways. There are also different ways of constructing a nipple which could make a difference also.  It sure does make things confusing though!

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Radiation Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Aug 31, 2008 10:37 pm

how many rads should we have?

My bc was invasive and I had 28 rads, no boosts.  I asked my rad onc at the time why no boosts and it had something to do with the fact I had had a mastectomy.

Pat

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Aug 31, 2008 10:29 pm

How long is reocovery from nip surgery

I had a saline implant.

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Aug 31, 2008 09:44 pm

How long is reocovery from nip surgery

I wasn't out for the surgery. I was wide awake.....just had a local.  The local worked fine and I didn't feel a thing.  I can't remember about showering though.  I wasn't allowed to drive myself home either, but drove later in the day.  Don't be surprised when you first see the new nipple.....it will be huge...but it does shrink.

Pat

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