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Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate
BRAS.......whether you love them or hate them, they are often part of our reconstruction journeys. Whippetmom and I decided to share some information that we discovered throughout our respective journeys through breast reconstruction. There are different practice styles and philosophies among plastic surgeons (PSs), and…
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Post unilateral mastectomy - recovery
I’ve read through a lot of the recovery posts, but am wondering how long (roughly) does it take before lifting heavy and doing things like vacuuming are ok after a mastectomy without reconstruction. I realise our healing is individual but would just like others timelines.
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Dream about bc
Just diagnosed 12/26/25. Woke up this morning with a gasp. Dreamt I felt the lump in my breast and it was more pronounced, much easier to feel. I’ve been waiting for my surgery date and this is giving me anxiety.
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Screening after Bilateral Mastectomy with Reconstruction
Hi all. For all of you that have had bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction (implants) what has been your screening process after? Do you have MRI's? How do you detect if cancer has come back behind implants or somewhere else? I have been told that some people don't have any scans after but just do self exams. That…
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Returning to work after completing Taxol treatment
I completed my last Taxol & Trastuzamab (Kanjinti) infusion 2 weeks ago. I had my first solo Kanjinti infusion last week, and I'll continue these every 3 weeks until November. My question is, how will I have the energy needed to return to work full-time? That's my plan. I work in a hospital, and walk all over the place…
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Waiting for biopsy, but pretty sure lobular cancer is back
From my report: "In the left axillary tail and low axilla there is an ill-defined hypoechoic hypervascular mass with shadowing measuring 1.5 x 0.8 x 2.8 cm. No enlarged abnormal-appearing lymph nodes seen." Maaaaabe not, but I always had a suspicion it would come back. Previous history: DCIS - 2007 ILC, stage 2, grade 2 -…
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Thinking About Skipping Radiation – Anyone Else?
Hi everyone, I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I’m curious if anyone here has ever skipped radiation. I had chemo and got a complete response—no cancer—and I ended up having both breasts amputated. My right breast was healthy, and my left had a fast-growing 7 cm tumor. I was Stage III. I went with a…
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Cold Capping
Hello, has anyone tried cold capping? I will be getting chemo and will be receiving ddAC-T. The side effect is hair loss from two of the drugs. I was offered cold capping. I am estimated to save possibly 49% of my hair with cold capping. Has anyone done cold capping?
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Waiting for a second biopsy to learn the course of treatment
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma grade 3, stage 1 and triple negative in my left breast. After some tests and an MRI, a large mass was found in my right breast. Now I am waiting for my biopsy in my right breast to see if cancer is there as well. This will change the surgery and chemo treatment. It is hard to…
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Searching for less invasive treatments
This discussion was created from comments split from: Connect with others by creating your profile! Here's how..
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Reconstruction after radiation?
Hi everyone, Back in 2022 I was diagnosed with high-grade DCIS in my right breast. I had two wide excisions but still ended up with positive margins. At that point, I could have had a third surgery or a mastectomy, but I decided instead to go with radiation and close monitoring. Since then, I’ve been having mammograms,…
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Lumpectomy vs Mastectomy
Hi! I've recently been diagnosed (67 years young) and am in the stage of deciding what to do to treat my breast cancer. My tumor is about the size of a peanut (2.0 x 1.9cm) and I am fairly small breasted (36B). Both my oncologist and surgeon have said I'm a candidate for lumpectomy but the idea of having the surgery,…
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Exemestane snoring symptoms ?
ever since my mastectomy and reconstruction surgeries I’ve started snoring. At 1st we wondered if it was due to being intubated . Then I read something which I can get back to, that indicated Exemestane may cause sleep apnea? I don’t think I have sleep apnea as I do not wake up gasping for air. But I do snore (and now my…
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Probably BRCA2 positive?
I have stage 1 breast cancer. Did genetic testing to cover my bases. Only 2 family members - second cousin and an uncle have had cancer, so little family history. Monday I was told I carry a founder BRCA2 mutation. So, from lumpectomy to bilateral mastectomy. Drs. were so surprised, they are checking for test accuracy…
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Slnb recovery
Seem to have recovered from the smx, no problems, scar is ok and not painful but the armpit area seems to be a bit swollen amd very achy by night time , is this normal ? Have been exercising and doing light activities but the area is so sensitive, bras irritate it and the pain seems to radiate down my arm at times
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Penn SURMOUNT & ABBY clinical trials
Hi there, I'm curious if anyone here is enrolling or planning to enroll in either of these clinical trials. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02732171 https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04523857 I sent them some questions just to be sure I know what I might be committing to. Looking to connect with others may be…
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mastectomy and possible reconstruction
I had lumpectomy a couple of months ago. A week or so later surgeon called and told me she didn't get it all. So I had a single mastectomy about ten days ago with the intention of having an implant and a lift on the other side. The plastic surgeon wasn't able to put the expander in during the mastectomy so I'm left with a…
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KISQALI
I have completed one cycle and am on week off in 4 days I’m supposed to be back on My blood numbers tanked like worse than in chemotherapy My white blood cell count is 1.8 platelets 130 Will they pull me off medicine? I was in getting my fulvestrant shot not at same clinic as my onocologist so nurses were unable to answer…
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🌟Starting radiation in January 2026? You don’t have to walk this road alone.🌟
This is a space for all of us traveling the radiation road together—to connect, encourage one another, and lean on shared experience. Whether you’re just getting your start date or already a few sessions in, we invite you to jump in and share: Your diagnosis and any treatments you’ve already had Your radiation start date…
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Post lumpectomy hematoma
I had a lumpectomy with sentinel node removal on 12/29. Clean margins and node and DNA analysis shows no need for chemo. 4 days after surgery my breast was swollen and developed a hematoma. I ham still wearing a compression bra 24/7. I have seen the surgeon 3 times for follow-up and waiting for the widespread bruising and…
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Cording/Mondors
Hi All. New here and hoping someone can see this and talk me off the ledge. I have been having pain in my ribs. At first I thought it was a broken rib again (had it 6 months ago post radiation for no reason). But the I saw the cord and now two cords from my breast to rib. I am freaked out because my surgery was over a year…
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Breast Cancer
I am 69, just diagnosed this month. I would love to talk to any survivor (s) around my age or older? I was there with my mom when she went through chemo, now I am much older than she was.😐️
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Knowledge is power. Tell me all things IDC related.
Hi all, I am new to this group and newly diagnosed. I am a 43yr old female that had IDC Grade 3, Estrogen Progesterone Positive, Her negative cancer. So far, we believe my cancer is contained to one tumor appx 2cm in size, no lymph node involvement shown on MRI. My mother recently passed from breast cancer. However she was…
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Vegan Heathy diet cookbook available!
yellow breast cancer survivors I became a dedicated vegan in 2012 after experiencing a brain tumor which was a met from breast cancer. I have been well ever since I had Traditional Brain surgery and a novel type of radiation stereotactic.. I began collecting all my recipes and I’ve written the vegan healthy diet cookbook..…
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just finished my four chemotherapy treatments
i am just realizing the journey may soon be over. even though i need another transfusion. I am feeling aware. My Dr listed all the side effects and provided medication. I am feeling blessed next step to confer with Radiation oncologist , it has been a journey!! My son has gone to every appointment and rearranged his job…
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Radiation Questions
I’m a seasoned 71-year-old 2X survivor who is going for #3 & #4!!! Each cancer has been new. Except for the 1st, they were all small. I was notified today that 2 recent biopsies of the same breast indicate cancer. I have questions while waiting for the referral to a surgeon. Has anyone had the full course of daily…
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Any new info on ATM VUS?
I’m positive for ATM p.N31K, which is classified as a Variant of Unknown Significance (VUS). Does anyone know if science is any closer to being able to determine if this VUS is Likely Benign or Likely Pathogenic? I had bilateral mastectomy with sentinel lobe biopsy about six weeks ago for grade 3 DCIS with comedo necrosis…
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Chest Wall Recurrence worry after Mastectomy for grade 3 DCIS
Hello all, It's been a while since I've posted. Looking through the forum I'm finding a lot of comfort knowing I'm not alone! I had a giant 8cm Grade 3 ER-/PR- DCIS back in 2015 that was treated with Uni Mastectomy. No chemo or radiation. After 8 1/2 years of everything clear on MRI every year, I have now discovered an…
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Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
I just started a regimen of taxotere and cytoxan for four rounds. I really need to talk to someone who has been on just this regimen. My first session did not go well. It dropped my sodium levels too low and I had a couple of seizures. They kept me in the hospital for two nights. I have been achey and weak since. Does it…
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Should I be more proactive
hello, I have a strong history of breast cancer in my family. Mom, Aunts, Sister and Cousins. I am 60 and have had annual mammograms since I was 35. My recent mammogram results were indeterminate asymmetry. All other have come back normal. I called my doctors office to get a referral so I could schedule the additional…