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Any advice on Letrozole
I am 60 yo (Post menopause) and i had mastectomy on right breast with one SNB removed two weeks ago. Path: DCIS, stage 0, lymph node clear, Grade 2, no evidence of any invasion. Saw oncologist yestersday. He wanted to take letrozole 2.5 mg for 5 years for my L breast. I asked if i can take less and he said that less will…
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radiation-induced brachial plexopathy
Looks like I'm special as I'm one of the <2% of patients who get this complication. Really tired of being special... I don't want to scare anyone off of radiation....it's an important part of breast cancer treatment. There are risk factors for my complication such as supraclavicular and axillary radiation, high rads dose,…
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How do you lift your spirits, even briefly...
…when you receive troubling news about your tx, health, etc.? How do you comfort yourself and make yourself feel safe in spite of troubling labs, scans, etc.? I ask because it seems lately my check ups have been disappointing and although I try not to have any expectations about any of the tx I'm getting, I have to have…
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Post Chemo, currently Radiation 20/30 Pain in under-crease redness, & peeling lumpectomy scar
Not sure on the appropriate subject line, so I just listed where I am in my treatment currently for my Invasive Ductal Carcinoma HER2+ Pr+ ER+ (IDC HER2+ PR+ ER+ Post Chemo, Radiation 20/30 Pain, redness, peeling lumpectomy scar) I should be sleeping as it is already 5:42am and my 21st radiation session is at 8:45am and I…
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Anyone starting Chemotherapy in March 2023?
Hi all, I am new to this club that no one wanted to join. I am 51, premenopausal and was diagnosed with IDC stage 1, 1.1 cm, Grade 3 tumor, no lymph node involvement. Sadly, my Oncotype was 29, so chemo it is for me!!! I will be getting 4 rounds of TC (docetaxel & cyclophosphamide) every three weeks. I'll also try to cold…
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How Breast Cancer Has Changed How I See Myself
I feel like my identity has changed since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. I’ve become profoundly changed, not only my physicality although that’s significant, but my psyche as well. My thoughts are consumed with breast cancer, wanting to know more and how that will effect my future.…
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How has normal, day-to-day life changed for you after diagnosis? Share your “different normal.”
We're using the phrase "different normal" instead of "new normal" here. A person's transition out of active treatment into this "different normal" varies. All people and situations are unique. There are no right or wrong answers or timeframes. Share your experiences here!
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Are there side effects when you come off hormone therapy?
Hello - I've been trying to find women who have finished hormone therapy to ask about your experience. What was it like for you to stop taking your medication after 10 years? I expected some anxiety, and I have moments of that. But I was pretty excited to see how I would feel off exemestane. It seemed like it might not be…
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Newly diagnosed IDC Stage 2 Er+(25%), PR-,Her2-
I am newly diagnosed and fall within a grey area with only being 25%ER+. My oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic is still finalizing treatment plan and taking me to tumor board to get more opinions. Currently going to treat me as both tnbc and hr positive with surgery first. Are there any in the group that have had a similar…
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Chemotherapy and Parkinson’s Disease
Hi, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in July 2024 and just had a lumpectomy on August 21st. I’m waiting to get the results of my oncotype to determine whether chemotherapy is recommended or not. I’m preparing for the response. My miotic rate was high, 3 of 3 and ki67 was 47%. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s…
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Prophylactic Mastectomy
Looking for anyone with shared experience. From my 1st mammogram 15 years ago at 40, I have had issues. Multiple biopsies and lumpectomies, tons of scar tissue as a result. I have extremely dense breast tissue, complex cysts, breast disease, multiple bilateral papillomas and just recently diagnosed with LCIS. I do not have…
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MRI results
I got the results of my MRI today and everything is said to be normal. That’s all the letter that I got said. Although I’m thrilled to get this negative result, I still can’t relax because I’m still in pain and I still have a lot of swelling in my armpit. Are MRI’s more reliable than mammograms and ultrasounds? I’ve had…
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Back this time with local skin infiltration
Hello ! I am back six year after lumpectomy and brachy therapy. This time same breast but close to surface that it grew into the skin. Per my pet scan, all other lymph and organs are clear. They lost my node during my unilateral mastectomy. Stage IIIA -IV. Not sure how to get final stage. Onco dx pending. Anyone else like…
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secondary breast cancer spread to my colon
Good afternoon, I have just had an operation to remove my large bowel and had a permanent stoma fitted 6 weeks ago. I have secondary breast cancer in my spine ribs and skull. Today I was told the cancer in my colon is spread from my breast. The question I have because my oncologist has never come across this before is what…
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I just got diagnosed with ILC and think my mom had it
Anyone else have family members with ILC? I just found out i have ILC stage 2 i am 62, i see sugeon september 18 so many questions. My mom had ILC early finding at 50 she has mastectomy and lymph node removed no radiation or hormone treatment she lived to 83. My grandmom had breast cancer at 83 and 86 took both breasts and…
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Starting Chemo March 2024 Support Thread
Gather here to support one another, ask questions, and share experiences. We're all here for you. What is the type of chemo and regimen you'll be doing? When do you start? Share your thoughts and get support!
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September 2024 Surgery Planned?
Looking for others preparing for surgery this September 2024.
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Breast abscess
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Anyone need a touch up after tattoo?
Hi there! After 6 years, I FINALLY got myself all the way down to Maryland from Massachusetts to see Vinnie Myers and complete my reconstruction. I was extremely happy with the results but he warned me that since I have some areola tissue, the ink might not take as well on that part, and sure I've seen some fading. It…
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Moving on from Ibrance to Orserdu
After 7.5 years on Ibrance & Letrozole I had slight progression. A blood biopsy was ordered and I remained on I/L. I had developed great pain in my shoulder and this was found to be cancer. Blood biopsy reported ERS1 & PIK3CA mutations. I completed 5 rounds of radiotherapy to the shoulder and 2 days later on 29th of March…
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Not diagnosed with progression but worried for my Sister
Hi everyone-Some of you may know me and remember that my younger sister also has breast cancer. Diagnosed at age 50 (age 60 now) w/ILC stage 3B, and once to MO she ordered a bone scan which led to a biopsy and was then diagnosed with bone mets. AIs worked well, Xgeva, and after a couple of progressions she has been on and…
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Waiting for MRI results
on Friday I had an MRI due to some ongoing armpit pain and swelling as well as breast pain. I was told 2-3 days for results. I was doing well on Friday, not as well yesterday, and now today I can barely keep it together. I’m petrified of what the test could show. On one hand I just want to know what’s going on, and the n…
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Anastrozole and Zometa
my onc wants me to do radiation plus Anastrozole and Zometa infusions every 6 months for 5 years. I am stage1A, no spread, no lymph nodes involved and my oNCO score was a 1. I have poor dental health and have to get clearance from dentist before I can start Zometa. I’m scared to death of the possibility of jaw issues due…
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Tamoxifen and long term joint pain
Hello BC Sister's, I am 5 years bc cancer free. I was stage 2 w/ no node involvement had bi-mastectomies w/ reconstruction. No chemo, but I took Tamoxifen for 3 years. I have been off Tamoxifen for 2 years, and had my ovaries removed as I was premenopausal. I was 32 when I was dx. That little ugly pill has ruined my life.…
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Terrible pain from tissue expanders
Hi there, Last week I had a skin sparing double mastectomy/sentinel node removal with the placement of tissue expanders (300 cc's put in the left expander and 240 in the right). I am experiencing terrible pain/burning sensation along the bottom of the implant (top of rib cage area). I was in the hospital one night and was…
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Icing Gear - Taxol treatment
I have a question - should we wear the ice booties and ice gloves for the entire infusion time (for one hour)? After 15 minutes, my ice gloves is no longer cold. Should I get two pair of ice gloves to keep my hand cold?
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Icing Gear - Tampa/St Pete - To ice during Taxol
Anyone starting Taxol and want to ice your hands and feet? PM me! I’ve got ice booties, ice gloves, and inserts to change out during infusions. This gear worked for me and I have no neuropathy in my hands and feet. Kept my nail beds from falling off as well;just had some minor discoloration. Located in the Tampa/St Pete…
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Could Someone Give me Advice on Post Mastectomy Recovery and Emotional Support?
Hello there, I am reaching out to this community for some guidance and support as I am currently navigating a challenging time. I recently underwent a mastectomy; and while the physical recovery is progressing, I am struggling with the emotional aspects of the experience. The surgery itself went smoothly; but now that I am…
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Ignore this, how do I delete
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MRI Anxiety
Not sure if I'm posting to the right place. I'm scheduled for an MRI on Monday and I'm concerned they will find additional things which may or may not be important. I have an appointment with a breast surgeon on Wed, so doubt the results will be ready by then. Also wondering if I will be able to work that day after or ride…