-
Cold Caps and African-American Hair
Hello all, I thought I'd start this thread to share my experience with cold caps and African-American hair. I just started chemo and would like to save some of my hair, and some sense of normalcy, if I can. BC has turned a lot of things upside down - and hanging onto a small part of myself would be encouraging. There's a…
-
Any Texas Hill Country BC Warriors?
Just reaching out to any and all Texas Hill Country BC Warriors? Where are you on this BC journey...newly diagnosis, in treatment, finishing treatment. Thought it might we might be surprised to find somebody right in our own backyard who can come alongside and offer encouragement, support, tears, laughter, just be there.…
-
Dizziness on verzenio or fulvestrant
Hi all, anyone get dizzy or faint while on either? I got up to pee last night and got super dizzy heading back to bed. Found myself on the floor of the bathroom after fainting 😲I’ve never passed out in my life so it was pretty scary. I was only out for a second or two, the dizziness went away quickly and I didn’t hurt…
-
Interpreting Mammograms: Assymetry
from the American College of Radiology's Breast Imaging Boot Camp (some of the terms used are those taught by the famous lecturer and researcher Lazlo Tabar, MD)
-
Catholics
Hello, I am Catholic., and I have been walking with Jesus my whole life...and He has saved me from "me" many times...LOL.... One thing I do, is pray.. a lot. I think we all do as Christians. I headed this thread Catholic only because of what I am posting. All are welcome to pray this anytime.. but I did not want to offend…
-
Impacts from radiation
My apologies if this has already been discussed, but I’m having a major issue with the breast that had the original lump/lumpectomy. I finished radiation years ago, but my breasts are now at least 2 sizes different. The radiated one is much smaller, like at least 2 cup sizes smaller. How do you deal? I have inserts, but…
-
Radiation
I started my first radiation treatment yesterday. I’m supposed to receive 15 total. I would say my breast feels tender and afterwards it was slightly achy. However, I am TIRED. I went to bed a bit earlier because I was tired early. I’m tired today also. Does this sound normal? I was told that the fatigue would come on…
-
Can't Decide Between Lumpectomy or BM(x)
Age: 51 IDC stage 1 (possible2) right breast Estrogen Positive Tomorrow, I see my breast surgeon again, and I am supposed to share with him if I want to go for a Lumpectomy or mastectomy. If I did a mastectomy, I would do a double mastectomy. I have been thinking and thinking. In one way, it would be easier to do a…
-
Cyst like lesion
Hi! I had some imaging done today because I’ve had pain on my left side. The report came back with this comment - “Unusual 2.1cm thick walled peripherally enhancing possible cyst in the left adnexa.” Not sure what that means other than there is some kind of mass/maybe cyst on or near my left ovary. I know tamoxifen can…
-
Stage III and almost 6 years on hormone therapy
I’m about six years cancer free. I had a bilateral mastectomy with 14 cancerous nodes, rads and chemo, and my onc recommended I continue hormone therapy for another four years for a total of 10. I’ve switched back and forth between letrozole, exemestane and tamoxifen due to side fx. I lasted almost 4 years on tam but last…
-
Gloves & Socks for Icing Hands & Feet During Chemo
Hi Everyone - I just finished my chemotherapy and used gloves and socks with blue ice inserts to ice my hands and feet during the chemo to prevent neuropathy. Since I am finished with them now, I'd love to be able to pass them on to someone who could use them. I have quite a supply - 2 sets of gloves with an extra set of…
-
Anyone living or recurrence free after 10 years?
I received Neoadjuvant chemo then bx mastectomy. I just got my pathology report and am pretty devastated by the amount of residual cancer left and comparing the stats on the Rcb calculator. Anyone able to provide any hope?
-
Let’s Talk About Taxol
I am in my dose dense AC era right now and looking ahead to starting Taxol. My oncologist has given me the choice of 12 weekly Taxol or 4 dose dense Taxol every other week. I’m so wanting to get this over with. Has anyone has experience with dose dense Taxol x 4? My understanding is treatment outcomes are basically the…
-
Zoladex shot and Tamoxifen
I have been receiving Zoladex (gorselin) shot for 5 months now and have been taking tamoxifen daily for 4 months. Does anyone have any advise on just having ovaries removed instead of continuing the shot? I meet with an OB/GYN surgeon in May to discuss this
-
Soy Compounds May Reduce Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk
Soy Compounds May Reduce Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk Feb 1, 2024 Natural compounds found in soy might reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Read more…
-
Three-Stage DIEP?
I'm scheduled to have my implants removed next month as part of my post-mastectomy DIEP. However, the Stage I and Stage II I see described in many posts isn't what my PS has planned. My Stage I surgery is only on my abdomen - something about isolating the blood flow to the tissue that will be transferred, so the remaining…
-
How Many are doing 10 years on Aromatase Inhibitors
When I started on Femara, I was told I would need to take it for 5 years. Now that I have finally reached the 5 years (and having experienced many side affects from the drug along the way), many oncologists are now saying that it is best to extend treatment up to 10 years. How many out there, are being told to continue…
-
2013 Survivors!!!
I was going to create this thread under the "Recovery, Renewal & Hope" thread, but then I decided that the IDC forum is our "home". We started this journey here as the "2012 Sisters" and grew, and grew, and grew. Although truly sad to see how many of us there are, each new member of our little family has been given the…
-
male, undiagnosed but concerned after Multiple CT scans last year-
I had several CT scans two years ago for non-cancer related issues that have since resolved, but am now having some breast symptoms I'm afraid might be something serious. Unfortunately, I'm laid off and have sky-high health insurance deductibles, so I'm trying to do my due diligence before getting professional advice. Can…
-
Severe anxiety, depression, and insomnia following quitting progesterone cold turkey
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts in December of last year. Prior to her diagnosis she was taking progesterone to treat the effects of menopause. She stopped taking the progesterone after the diagnosis. Since then she has been experiencing extreme anxiety, depression, and insomnia. What treatment…
-
Second time for me
It's good to know this forum exists. Had a lump in my armpit and, after waiting seemingly a long time to get a biopsy, it came back malignant. Same cancer, I think, as the larger tumor that was removed in my mastectomy in 2018. Doctor I spoke to said there is still breast tissue — "axillary tail"— left after mastectomy. I…
-
Did you spend the night in hospital after bilateral mastectomy
Did you spend the night in the hospital after your bilateral mastectomy? My surgeon said he would probably send me home, but it seems like an extensive surgery, so I'm wondering what others did. I am having reconstruction at a later time, not the same time as mastectomy. I am having a skin-sparring mastectomy with…
-
Question about IBC BC statistics
I've been trying to find the answer to this via journal data, but no luck. Inflammatory breast cancer is cited as "very rare" and that "1-5%" chance of IBC. However, most women with IBC seem to be diagnosed once the IBC has caused the 'typical symptoms', many of these symptoms seem to imply that the BC had been in the…
-
Heart Issues and Breast Cancer: What's Your Experience?
February is American Heart Month All people — especially women — are encouraged to focus on cardiovascular health this month. Heart disease can be affected by cancer itself and sometimes can be a complication of breast cancer treatments. A MUGA scan or an echocardiogram (echo) may be performed before a person starts cancer…
-
DCIS diagnosis
Hello, I went for right breast stereotactic biopsy on 1/30, and received DCIS grade 3 pos er/pgr diagnosis on 2/1. While dealing with this I still have 3 biopsies scheduled for Wednesday 2/7 (they couldn’t do them all in one day), two in the right and one in left. Does this mean they will come back bad too??? I can’t…
-
Just diagnosed - how fast do I need to act?
Hi everyone, I just received my path report this afternoon. DCIS, high grade with Central comedo-type necrosis. My question right now is, I know that DCIS is "Stage 0" and not invasivie, yet the High Grade part is a worry. How fast do I need to act on a high grade diagnosis? In other words, is it bad that I can't see the…
-
Soy or Not?
Can someone please clear up whether women who have hormone positive breast cancer can have soy milk or not? Studies on this subject are very conflicting. I asked my oncologist and she said it’s ok to have. I’m so confused.
-
Rise in Tumor Marker
I’m about 1.5 years out of treatment with left IDC stage 1a triple positive. Had a routine blood panel run and my CA 27.29, which had never been high, was 159. A bilateral diagnostic mammo a few weeks ago was BIRADS 2 with a lingering, but shrinking seroma. They’d finally moved me back to annual screening mammos and six…
-
3 years out 2 nd time.
a woman who knew what I’ve been through came up to me put her hands on my Buddha belly and asked when I was due. I was in shock. Brought me to my knees in heart break. Had many friends supporting me but they also could not believe it.
-
implants uncomfortable? And questions about saving my natural nipple
Hi, I'm scheduled for left sided mastectomy in one week. I've had mixed messages about whether I can save my nipple. I'm a 38D with grade 1 ptosis and was told it might not look good if I try to save it but that it's okay from a cancer standpoint to keep it. I've heard about the natural nipple looking weird or getting…