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Low WBC
Dear worriers, I hope you all are doing well. I need your collective wisdom. My wife finished chemotherapy 2 months ago and radiotherapy 3 weeks ago, but her WBC count doesn’t seem to be recovering that fast. I was wondering, how long after your last chemo, did your levels achieve baseline again? Thank you all for the…
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skin sparing mastectomy without implant
I had a single mastectomy about a month ago. the doctors spared the skin but the plastic surgeon wasn't able to put the expander in at the time of the surgery. Now I'm thinking of not getting the implant but can I keep the skin or will I have to have another surgery to go flat?
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Change in friendships after cancer
I’ve been reflecting on my cancer journey and how grateful I am for the love I’ve received. While most relationships and friendships have deepened over the last year, there are some that have surprised and unfortunately disappointed me. I find it easy to move forward with the ones that stood strong with me, but I’m…
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Advice on MRI over 5 years post treatment
Hello all. Just curious if everyone is still having MRIs? My oncologist and breast surgeon have different opinions on this and I'm leaning to just doing mammograms at this point. Concerned about all that contrast dye accumulating. I am a TNBC 12 year survivor and tested negative for the BRCA genes however my mom had breast…
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Stabbing pain from biopsy
Hello all, I've just had my second biopsy on my right breast, which was fortunately negative. I'm high risk due to several family members having had breast cancer, which is why I'm checked every six months. This biopsy, however, was horrible. I told the doctor I wasn't completely numb, but she told me that I was just…
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Thoughts on not taking Anastrozole for a 75 year old woman and 0 oncotype
My stepmom was recently diagnosed with early stage ER+/PR+ (HER2-) BC and had a lumpectomy and radiation. She already has a lot of the side effects from Anastrozole from her age and other issues, and while I know it's her decision with her doctor, I am wondering if anyone has opted out of taking it. Her oncotype score was…
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Debating continuing Letrozole after 2 years
Hello everyone. I had a mastectomy for Stage IIA breast cancer in 2022. No nodes or metastases. Started on Letrozole in 2022. I was very fit and well till then. The side effects, pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, feeling low are really getting to me. My lipid profile is altered and there is osteopenia. I have been…
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Penguin vs Paxman
Hello! I will be starting chemo about September 28th. I am receiving a second opinion on September 22nd and will need to make a decision within a day regarding which hospital to use AND to use cold caps or not. I am curious if anyone has done carboplatin and Taxol and used cold caps. My first opinion said I would be doing…
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CA 27.29 elevated
I finished chemo for Stage 2 ER+ Her2- about 7 months ago, then 20 rounds of radiation, and been on anastrozole and Verzenio since then. CA 27.29 was 21 about a month after chemo but was tested this week (6 months later) and has risen to just out of normal range at 41. I know these tests are not reliable on their own but…
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insurance Diep
I had a mastectomy of the right Breast with a DIEP reconstruction at the same time. A year later, I had a follow-up operation to adjust the size and symmetry of the breast. The skin flap was removed as well. My insurance, Axa (with which I was insured fully for cancer cover), didn't want to cover the cost because they…
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Fearful of IV Bisphosphonates and ONJ - Q About Dental Implants
Hi all, I have taken a combo of Tamoxifen and Letrozole for 5 years. I started with Tamoxifen and switched over to Letrozole after a secondary endometrial cancer put me into surgical menopause. I am now having lots of dental problems which everyone attributes to chemo. Am now on my way to losing my 4th tooth and the oral…
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Hair thinning on Kisqali
I have always had things hair but it has gotten bad, im getting ready to start my 3rd month and I feel I will be bald within a year if it doesn't stop. No actual bald spots, but you see my head plain as day
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Zoladex/Goserelin + Letrozole + Kisqali
hello! I was diagnosed with Stage 2 ER/PR+ HER2- lobular breast cancer late last year and have completed surgery and preventative chemo as there was no sign of spread post-surgery. I started hormone therapy consisting of monthly injections (Zoladex) and daily Letrozole in July and will add Kisqali this month. My hair is…
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Diagnosed with TNBC in April
I have not started treatment yet but have been told to do keynote 522, surgery and radiation. For multiple reasons I do not want to do chemo treatment at this time. The tumor has gone from 3 cm to 5 cm and there may or may not be lymph node involvement scans say no but doctors think may be. I would like to do surgery and…
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No information provided about late effects of radiation before treatment
I'm not sure where this goes with respect to topics, as I am no longer in treatment, so I am taking a stab at it. There was no mention of the possibility of radiation induced fibrosis when I met with the nurse or the radiation oncologist. The written resource they gave me was a booklet from the National Cancer Institute…
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Waiting for FISH results
it’s been 2 weeks since my biopsy. Stills waiting on FISH results. I was really hoping to have them by tomorrow when I see my oncologist. How long did your results take? Last time my FISH results came back very quickly.
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Diep and abdominal swelling
My abdomen is still swollen after my Diep surgery back on March 3rd. A cat scan shows no hernia, but "deformity of abdominal wall muscle" per my family doctor. I'm waiting to speak to my PS about my the noticeable bulge on my right side - and in the meantime, found this very recent article (May 2008) about complications…
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Help so overwhelmed
I have just been diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma in my left breast. I have had my consultation with my surgeon and he suggests I get a lumpectomy and then radiation. I have a second opinion visit set up but after speaking with my children they were set on me getting a double mastectomy. I emailed him and he met…
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Lumpectomy with Breast Reduction and Lift
Hi! I am new to this site. I am trying to get feedback to see if anyone has had a lumpectomy and then had the breast lifts and reduction to go with it. I am trying to see if I just want a lumpectomy or if I want a lumpectomy with the oncoplasty. If anyone wants to share their story of just having a lumpectomy and how that…
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A place for progressive atheists.
After some back-and-forth on “Is anyone with BC an atheist besides me?” about whether or not political comments should be allowed, I decided to start a new thread. To make way of thinking, the current political situation is inextricably linked with religion, since the Republican Party actively pushes for mandated religious…
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Is anyone else an atheist with BC besides me?
Hi I am newly diagnosed and I know alot of people rely on their faith for support and find great peace with that, however I am a atheist and was wondering if anyone else here was also. thanks
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Switching from Letrozole to Tamoxifen
Hi All, My sister was diagnosed with ILC stage 2 in October 2023. She had double mastectomy and she been on anastrozole and letrozole since then. She is post-menopausal. Recently side effects of AIs been hard. Her oncologist recommended switching to Tamoxifen. From what I have read Tamoxifen isn`t very effective for…
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Signatera test -pros cons
I have seen discussion on here about this test, But my oncologist has never mentioned it. Looking for information you have received from your doctors on pros & cons of test. Thanks.
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Starting chemo in October 2025? Let's support each other here!
Is your chemo treatment scheduled soon? Let's share experiences and lift one another up here. We encourage you to share your feelings about starting chemo, what the planned regimen is, how you're preparing, ask questions and learn what to expect from others, side effects you're experiencing and how to alleviate them, and…
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Her2+ MULTIFOCAL
Hi. Anyone here Multifocal with her2+ only ? Er/pr- ? I was diagnosed with 2 tumors they are about 3 cm each and several satellite lesions around them. Nodes were negative. Started my treatment of TCHP. BUT I’ve heard with my tumors being multifocal and large, I have a higher chance of reoccurrence? Is that correct ? Any…
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Concerned
I had my yearly mammo monday. I am 49 with family history of paternal grandmother having breast cancer. Mammo showed small mass 9 cm away from my areola. She had me do ultrasound after and then a cone biopsy for 3 samples. I was given Bi Rads 4 but with no subcategory. Ultrasound biopsy read Oval hypoechoic 0.6 x 0.3 cm…
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Letrozole and frequent UTIs
Hi. I had a mastectomy on my right breast in March 2023. I started Letrozole in May 2023. I have noticed that I am getting frequent UTIs since I have been on Letrozole in addition to Osteopenia and increased cholesterol numbers. Any advice on how to reduce the UTIs. I don’t want to keep taking antibiotics.
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Just diagnosed with invasive Lobular Cancer
Hi i Just got diagnosed with ILC and feeling really shook. I’m a young, active 57yo in “great” health. I have two tumours in my left breast and multiple complex and funky looking cysts. Right now I’m in the waiting game to get in to see my oncologist and get surgery. I was wondering if anyone out there was in the same boat…
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Latissimus myocutaneous flap
Hi I would like to know if anyone has had this procedure? I had breast cancer 15 years ago and then treated with radiation. Breast cancer returned this year and I had a double mastectomy. I decided to go flat. One side healed normally. The other side due to radiation damage with the skin and underlying muscle and tissue…
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Anyone every tried mistletoe therapy
Hello. I am new to this forum — actually I am new to any forum. This is my first-ever post of this nature. I have had a lumpectomy and radiation and now I'm taking estrogen suppression medications for 5 years. I want to do whatever I can to ensure this cancer never returns. Has anyone added mistletoe therapy to their…