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Weakness and spasms after DIEP
I had a Diep flap reconstruction in September of 2021. I had ongoing problems with lower abdominal weakness and cramps like large charley horses since recovery. It’s only on one side. I’ve had pt with a group who specializes in breast cancer patients, and pt remotely through MD Anderson. They all focus on building strength…
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DIEP - supporting core muscles long term after surgery
Hi – I had my procedure done a little over a year ago. I still have a lot of weakness in my core muscles. I'm doing exercises to help with that (yoga, rowing, physical therapy), but this lack of support gives me a lot of back pain. I try to remind myself as often as I can to engage my core muscles, but it's just not…
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How about women over 70
when do you call it quits? When does quality trump quantity
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Tips/Tricks to Heal Incisions After Radiation?
I had my DIEP on 2/20. My non-radiated side and abdomen healed beautifully, my radiated side...not so much. The flap is fine, but the radiated skin necrotized shortly after surgery. After a few weeks of wound care and debridement, I had skin grafted to that breast on 3/18. Some of the grafted skin took, some didn't, so I…
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Seroma Issue
I have a Seroma on my left breast four weeks after double mastectomy. It’s fairly large and seems to be causing a wrapping pain to the left shoulder/back area. Has anyone else ever experienced this? They told me to watch for signs of infection and I have to get an earlier appt this coming week. I’m just IN PAIN. Is this…
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How well do you feel your family understands your diagnosis?
Please take our poll and share your experiences below on navigating a breast cancer diagnosis at any stage with your family!
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Need swimsuit resources w/ prosthesis
Hello, I am post masectomy 8 yrs with an implant on my left breast that has absolutely worn out her welcome as I have gained a bunch of weight in last couple years and now have a huge right breast 40 D and a tiny left breast of only 34 A/B!! Im probably not going to do a reconstruction as I am 60 yrs old and dont want to…
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mastectomy with saved nipples and skin. Implant inserted during the surgery
i recently had my surgery. the surgeon was supposed only to take the cancerous tumour out instead he took all the breast tissue out. It is only a week after the surgery and my chest is completely numb. I do expect some feeling to come back but I worry, what if it is not enough. .i am wondering if any of the new nerve…
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Kadcyla side effects
Hi, Like to know how tolerable Kadcyla is and it’s side effects. Appreciate any comments.?
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My Results: Anyone knows what this means
Results Abnormal Impression 1. Negative left 2. 6 mm asymmetry central right MLO posterior third. Recommend right ML, spot right MLO, rolled right CC, right ultrasound 3. Prominent right axillary lymph nodes. Recommend right axillary ultrasound 4. Ultrasound may be cancelled if finding does not persist. BI-RADS CATEGORY 0:…
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Lobular Stage IV Imaging Issues - I Know I’m Not Alone
Hi, everyone. I was thinking about starting a Facebook group for those of us who have so many issues with imaging. I got some feedback from others that they did not want me to start a separate group, so I am starting a group here. Below is my post on Facebook so that you can get a sense of the imaging issues I've had.…
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What to ask at first appt?
I need help understanding what to ask and how to advocate for myself at my appointment tomorrow. First, my condition: My right breast has hurt for five weeks, it’s really sore, but not hormonal sore. Totally different feeling. Sometimes it’s a low key burning sensation, sometimes a shooting pain, sometimes throbbing, but…
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BIRADS 5 Awaiting Biopsy Results & Very Anxious
I very well understand that I should not dwell on all the possible diagnoses that might come back from my biopsy. However, quite honestly, this is consuming all my thoughts and energy. I am so scared of the unknown and of what a cancer diagnosis could do to my family and my life. Only my husband, my sisters, and one friend…
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Do I need to find a breast surgeon?
I've been waiting a few weeks to have a biopsy done for a .7mm spiculated mass. It is scheduled for Thurs but giiven the likelihood of a future week(s) long wait for the results, I'm wondering if I should try to get an appointment with a breast surgeon, or if I am jumping the gun. I'm concerned about the delays, especially…
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My mom was just diagnosed
Greetings everyone. After months of not knowing, my mom has just been diagnosed with "metastatic adenocarcinoma and [results] are most consistent with origin from breast primary." The results are from colonoscopy and pathology is showing ER/PR+ and HER2-. For some background, she was diagnosed in 2013 with IDC on the right…
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Focal Non Mass Enhancement with Washout Kinetic Enhancement
Hello- I'm back again…I have dense breast tissue (48y/o) and finally advocated my way to an MRI approval. In January I had my annual mammogram which was clear (I've had 4 biopsies over the last 8 years, so it's rare that it's completely clear). However, I'm in peri-menopause and have had left side arm-pit pain (right where…
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Breast Reconstruction with Latissimus Dorsi Flap
My name is Sherry and i'm 58 yrs old. This is my 2nd bout with breast cancer. I had it in 2002 and I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. It came back in December 2021 in the same breast. This time my surgeon said that I would need a mastectomy. I have also seen my plastic surgery. On February 16, 2022, they will be…
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Waiting on biopsy
Hi! Never thought I'd be here, but I guess that's the same for everyone. Long story short, I found a lump while in the shower a few weeks ago. Went to see PCP, referred for mammogram and ultrasound. Got back the report with a bi rads score of 5. Findings: Heterogeneously dense breasts. Upper Inner quadrant, 1 o'clock,…
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Abemaciclib Verzenio for All Stages
I've noticed there is a Verzenio discussion in the Stage IV only section, and another in the Stage III forum. I'm starting this thread because I think there could be a benefit from sharing between all the stages - especially when, and if, Verzenio becomes a more common standard of treatment. I started Verzenio 14 months…
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Waiting on Biopsy
I just had a mammogram and ultrasound done and the radiologist put Birad 4 and told me I needed to get a biopsy. Looking at the details, it seems that I have two areas of "fine pleomorphic" one with grouped distribution and one with linear. I have a biopsy scheduled next week. I am very very upset with this news and am…
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Birad 4 -suspicious abnormality
Hello all of you wonderful brave women, This is my 2nd time coming back to this site and reading through posts of encouragement from others. At 41, I had a suspicious finding and a stereotypic biopsy. Results were benign. Now I am here again 5 years later and playing the wait game. My annual mammogram was April 18th and on…
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Rib pain after Double Mastectomy
I had a double mastectomy three weeks ago. I’m now having pain in my left side which may? Be a rib out. I’ve never had a rib out before. Is this common after a double mastectomy to have rib pain or possibly a rib out of place? I don’t feel ready to go to the chiro but boy does it bother me 😫
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Tips for fighting the dark clouds
I've started this thread at the urging of fellow Stage IV sisters. I've been fortunate enough to get a lot of really good advice from friends, healers, therapists, etc., on how to fight the dark clouds that come with Stage IV. Not everything will work for everyone and not everything will work all the time. But hopefully…
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Important Links About ILC
For helpful information, check out Breastcancer.org's ILC section. Podcast: Imaging Tests for Lobular Breast Cancer Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance Brochure - Information for Patients There is also advice and personal experiences from other community members here on the discussion boards, including: ILC Long Term Survivors…
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Delayed allergic reaction to Taxotere
Has anyone had a delayed allergic reaction to Taxotere? I had a severe reaction 9 days after my 3rd treatment of Taxotere. I thought I was having a heart attack, it turned out to be a severe reaction. It started with hives all over my head then moved to my arms. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance and they gave me…
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Pain in back over rib cage
Hi y'all. I just was getting into the car yesterday and my back hurt really bad when it brushed past my rib cage. There is a raised and tender area right there on the side/back of those ribs. Have others experienced this? Cancer survivor brain is real thing I guess. Everything that comes up becomes cancer returning.
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Bottle o Tamoxifen
Dear All, (and Layne are you there?) Got my Tamox today and will start in a week. Where are my tamoxi pals? It says weight loss for one of the side effects. Now that's a good thing. Basha Edited by Mods to add content from the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Tamoxifen in Pill Form (Brand Name: Nolvadex): Benefits,…
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Tamoxifen question
Good morning! I have a question about experience with Tamoxifen. I started on 5mg daily just about a month ago. I understand that is not the recommended dosage but I agreed with my MO to start there. I’ve noticed some mood changes and things like that. The one that is bugging me quite a bit is that I feel like I have…
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fatigue on ovarian suppression and AI?
It's been a long time since I've posted here. I was so scared when I was initially diagnosed but have gotten through a lot - surgery, chemo, and several years of endocrine therapy - no small feat! I'm finding endocrine therapy mostly quite tolerable but have pretty consistent fatigue. Does anyone else experience this on…
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Stage IV - mets to liver and bones need advice
Hi all, Does anyone have experience with ascites/fluid build up caused by liver mets? To give a bit of context, my mum had breast cancer around two years ago and underwent chemo, lumpectomy, and radiotherapy and given the all clear. Over the past couple of weeks her abdomen has been swelling up and it was noticed she was…