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Preparing for reconstruction - weighing options re: fat grafting
Hello community~ I had a bilateral mastectomy in October 2024 and am preparing for the second phase surgery, removal of the awful tissue expanders and placement of the final implants. The plastic surgeon usually recommends fat grafting, and did initially until we discussed how painful and difficult the mastectomy was for…
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Guardant 360 testing
I didn't see a top for the Guardant testing so I thought I'd start one. Does anyone know what it means when the first Guardant test showed a PIK3CA mutation, and then ten months later, it doesn't show that? I might need to change my treatment if I no longer have this mutation!
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Watched 2 years and now possible dcis plus invasive?
I had a bout of 1/8" dcis five years ago that was mid grade. Had lumpectomy good margins, but no rads as surgeon said it was too small and if it came back they could not radiate again. Ok, so fast forward 3 years, got another bout of tiny 1/8" dcis same area. Pathology was still dcis but higher grade. Surgeon wanted me on…
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Capivasertib in Hormone Receptor–Positive Advanced Breast Cancer
Hello, I looked at this paper published in "The New England Journal of Medicine on 31.05.2023 with regards to Capivasertib. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2214131 1. In general Capivasertib is AKT inhibitor for patients with AKT pathway–altered (PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN) tumors. It's given with Fulverstrant. 2. The…
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Gastrointestinal symptoms after finishing 10 years of Tamoxifen
After 10 years of Tamoxifen it was time to stop taking it. Just a couple of weeks after I stopped I got gastrointestinal issues. I am wondering if it is because I stopped the Tamoxifen. I have bloating, constipation/diarrohea, feeling a need to do but not doing, going often to the toilet. I had several tests and am waiting…
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Second diagnosis
in 2019 treated for breast cancer chemotherapy surgery radiation Monday tested positive in lymph node and possibly lungs but too small to biopsy Assuming I would fight it it sounds like no surgery or radiation Verzenio and when I said so maybe year she said maybe less Did garden 360 and petscan tomorrow I was attempting to…
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Third time…now Stage 4 with bone mets
Based on testing with CT, bone scan, MRI’s, it’s confirmed I have bone mets to hip (several areas), pelvis (five spots) and a rib or two thrown in for good measure. I’m thankful nothing showed up in vital organs. I’m not surprised as I was diagnosed with ILC Stage 2B 13 years ago. I’ve been having positive Signatera…
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Surgeon put titanium clips during breast cancer surgery against my wishes
Surgeon put titanium clips in my breast during breast cancer surgery against my wishes. I expressly told the surgeons nurse during pre-op that I did NOT want the clips placed in my breast. I understand why and what for but declined. How to handle this wrong doing. My body my choice.
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Are mammograms effective?
I have read that there are studies showing the rate of cancer is no better for those who get regular mammograms when compared with those who haven't had them. Also, mammograms have been linked to causing cancers. I plan to thoroughly research this and, if true, I may ask my healthcare team for an ultrasound instead. What…
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Anyone in So Ca area?
I'm in the Santa Clarita Valley. Anyone else here, or neighboring areas or valleys?
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AET omission in ER-LOW early stage breast cancer
I'm being asked to consider aromatase inhibitor therapy even though my ER receptor level is low. Relatively new research indicates a significantly worse overall survival when AET is omitted. (Grace Mei Yee Chong et. al. And Mayo Clinic).What have others heard about this? I was HER2+, went through chemo and Phesgo,…
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Nodes confusion before or after surgery?
Confused here. I was told that if you went in for Lumpectomy (dcis) but final surgical pathology shows some invasive then you go back for surgery to examine nodes. But, then someone told me, they evaluate the biopsy before surgery to see if you need nodes evaluated during lumpectomy all at one time. (Which makes sense and…
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Not responding to treatment
Hello. I am new to this group and was curious if anyone else has had a similar experience with their breast cancer fight. For full back story, I was first diagnosed with DCIS back in May of 2020. I opted for double mastectomy because they said it was the best chance of never having to deal with it again. My margins were…
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PET-CT scans after node recurrence (and while on Verzenio)?
Hi everyone. Looking for some advice from all you wise, brave folks. I had IDC 18 years ago; ER+, PR+, HER2 neg/double mastectomy/chemo/tamox/negative sentinel nodes. A year ago was diagnosed with an aggressive axillary node recurrence; surgery to remove 8 nodes, 4 pos, 4 neg. Went on letrozole, had radiation, now 9 months…
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Blood Thinners and Invasive Breast Carcinoma ER/PR+ HER2-
Good morning, last week I was diagnosed with Invasive Breast Carcinoma ER/PR+ HER2-; most likely stage one, depending what they find in the surgery. I am 42 with two young children. I have a history of blood clots and pulmonary embolisms and have a stent in my iliac vien. I am on an anti-coagulant for life. I don't know…
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Chemo curls?
who else has hair coming in EXTREMELY curly?! I’m wondering if it’s here to stay or just “chemo curls” and will subside. My dad has extremely curly hair so wasn’t sure what was happening! My hair used to be dirty blond and slightly wavy now it’s almost BLACK with LOTS of curls. Who else?!
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Metallic Taste & Appetite Loss on Chemo (AC regimen/ TNBC) – Any Tips?
Hi everyone, I'm caring for my mother who was diagnosed with Stage II Triple Negative Breast Cancer in November last year. She is the third generation along my maternal line to be diagnosed, but her genetic markers came out negative. She’s been undergoing chemotherapy for the past 5 months and is currently on Adriamycin…
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Tell me about the environment at the clinic where you get chemo
Hi everyone. I'm halfway through a 12 week treatment plan, and wondered what things are like in other chemo treatment centers. In mine, the nurses are nice but there's no effort to make the place quiet or peaceful. They yell back and forth across the floor at each other, speak really loudly, and there's one tv in the…
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Asymmetric Non Masslike Enhancement
Hi there. I'm high risk because of a strong family history (no known genetic mutations) and had been alternating yearly MRIs and Mammos. I was a year behind on my MRI and had one yesterday that came back with asymmetric non masslike enhancement in one breast. (Ironically NOT my troublesome one that had been biopsied…
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PASH
Hi Just wondering if there is anyone that is dealing with PASH and would love to discuss whom they are seeing and what direction their surgeon is taking. If you know of other websites or physicians that deal with PASH in the Chicago or the NorthShore area would like if you could provide that info. Found lump two years ago,…
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Bigger of the PASH
Hi guys I had got biopsy and confirmed with PASH, B9, and i had regular check up these few years. However, it seems the size of the lump with PASH gets bigger. I know someone who suggested that just wait and see, but i m really worried about the enlargment. I am not sure if it the lump will be come back after removal? Will…
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Movement! Set a goal that feels right for you.
Whether it’s chair exercises, daily walks, or training for something bigger. Every step matters, and you’re not alone. Join us, share your progress, and lift each other up.
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POLL: How are you supporting your well-being?
How are you supporting your well-being? Our community is made stronger by the ways we care for ourselves and each other. What’s feeling most meaningful to you right now? How do you express care for yourself or others? Share your reflections and inspire others in our community—we’re on this journey together. Share your…
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I guess it hit me today that my days are numbered
I’m not sure why today is any different than the last two months when I’ve known I’m stage 4 with bone mets and my days are going in the negative direction. Maybe because tomorrow is Mother’s Day, and as usual, nothing in the mail from my kids. I guess they aren’t thinking that this could be my last Mother’s day and that…
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Should I skip recommended radiation?
I am grade 3 DCIS ER/PR negative and had a lumpectomy. My surgeon mentioned that I needed to take radiation due to high grade. He referred me to a radiation oncologist, whom I met this morning. The oncologist said my recurrence rate is 20 to 25%, and radiation can reduce it to be less than 10%. The side effects include…
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A place to talk death and dying issues
This post is for those of us with concerns and issues about death and dying to talk about them. IF YOU CANNOT HANDLE IT, THAN GO TO A DIFFERENT POST PLEASE. We do not need people telling us to live life or to hear that other people have lived a long time, we have concerns. We are living life and would like for our…
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Recurrent Breast Issue
Forgive the longer post. I'll try to be as concise as possible. To preface, I am non-lactating due to having a hysterectomy in 2019. I am 36 years old. Back in 2022, I had an excisional biopsy for a fibroadenoma in my left breast. About one month later, I developed a seroma and had it drained. Fast forward to 2024, I…
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Focal architectural distortion
Hi All, i need some advice to help me stop from spiralling out of control. Thanks in advance for your guidance. I am 40 years old. My screening mammogram identified a focal asynmetry (BI RADS 0) in my left breast. The followup diagnostic mammogram said focal architectural distortion 12 o clock centrally 5 cm from the…
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March/April 2025 Surgery Support Thread
Please gather here to get and give support. Feel free to share your type of surgery, date, and let us know how you're preparing and how you're doing post-surgery. We're all here for you!
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Scheduled for Surgery May 2025? Gather here for support!
Add to the discussion below to share your scheduled surgery date, type of surgery, what you're doing to prepare, ask any questions you have about what to expect, share your experience after surgery, how you're recovering, tips to help others recover, products and other practical advice for those coming after you. We're all…