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5 year survivors, post your screen name here!
Seeing this will inspire our newbies!
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Reconstruction ‘PLANE CHANGE’ from under muscle to over muscle
In 2015 I was diagnosed and had double mastectomy with reconstruction. At that time they recommended subpectoral (under muscle) implants as. Over the years the animation deformity when I flex has been annoying and uncomfortable. I am an active person a feel it every day. One side has started to droop noticeably and I am…
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Stage III and Verzenio
I may need to venture into the mets forum for SE coping strategies, but I’m wondering if there’s anyone else who’s been put on Verzenio (vs Ibrance or Kisquali) to prevent recurrence? My MSK oncs and Yale onc (I switched to Yale this past summer) all agreed that I should be put on a CDK 4/6 inhibitor. We waited until this…
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Sharing towels with others, including a young kid, after more than a year of radiation therapy
Hello Everyone, I was just wondering if anyone shared towels with your husband and young children after more than a year of radiation therapy treatment. I did share with my kid sometimes, especially things like going to the beach or pools or accidentally using mine when he finished showering. So, is that fine? Thank You!
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Surgery for newly diagnosed stage 4 MBC?
Hey there. Newly diagnosed with stage 4 MBC ER+PR+HER-, multiple spots in lungs. When the lump was first discovered the expectation was that it was curable as there was no spread and the lymph nodes looked clean - that all changed with the PET scan. So…question: The only option offered now is hormone treatment, but the…
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Flap Reconstruction - Decisions
Hello all! I was diagnosed in 2012 and had a mastectomy with TE/implant reconstruction. In November, I had a biopsy (benign 🙏) on three tiny bumps on the reconstucted breast. Unforntunately, the wound became infected and the wouldn't heal so they removed the implant (which they then found was ruptured) and replaced it with…
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Focal Asymmetry?
I’m turning 60 this month and had my yearly mammogram this morning. It said “possible focal asymmetry” 8cm from left nipple upper quadrant. No other suspicious findings. No idea what this is. I don’t feel a lump. So I go for another mammogram on Thursday and US if needed. Obviously a little worried.
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Little rise in tumor markers, terrified
Hi everybody, I know markers for somebody work, for somebody not...i'm talking about CA 15.3 Mine were high before the cure, and low when cancer was stable (i started Capecitabine September '23). they were always about 20/23. Now they went up to 31.7 Normality is up to 31, but the 35% increase really scared me. I have a…
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Aromatase Hormone inhibitor “5 year pill” side effects?
Has anyone used these? what were your experiences as far as side effects? cardio-muscular-bone damage?
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Bone Scan and CT scan- Worried
hi! I’m not diagnosed with Stage 4, but will be having surgery Monday and treatment to follow. But recently I’ve had this upper back dull and deep pain. Went to chiropractor. Didn’t help. Now I’m worried. I’m having a bone scan and CT scan tomorrow. I hope it’s nothing. 😫 how did your spinal bone met feel? Or any…
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Are CT scans safe?
Hi, I have the BRCA2 mutation and will need a CT scan of both knees to have Bilateral Knee Replacements. . I am 69 and have not yet been diagnosed with Cancer . Is it safe to have the CT scan of each knee? The MAKO robotic surgery requires a CT scan preop. Otherwise , I could go somewhere else and undergo the ROSA robotic…
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cold caps from penguin
I have stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma and will receive chemotherapy (taxotere and cyclophosphamide) starting on the 16th of April. I would like to use cold caps and was wondering what your experience is with the penguin ones. Is it tolerable? How difficult is it to put on and take off? How often do you change the pack?…
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Tamoxifen dosages - anyone with IDC do 5mg?
I recently got a hold of my doctor's notes for each follow-up I had with him since 2019. I reviewed everything, and saw how my dosing of Tamoxifen was all over the place. For intervals of a year or several months, I was taking 20 mg, 10 mg, or 10 mg every other day (effectively 5 mg). I did have some endometrial thickening…
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PET Scan results are on portal - have not heard from doctor
After being diagnosed with a new breast cancer (my third in the same breast but apparently not a recurrence based on pathology), I had a PET scan prior to my scheduled SMX. The results were in my portal a few hours after the test yesterday morning but now, a day and a half later, no one has called to discuss the results.…
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Changing time/symptoms, mets in lungs and spine
I am very new to having stage 4 metastatic breast cancer to my lungs and spine. I was initially treated as stage 2 in 2019, had surgery and radiation and was placed on Tamoxifen. In June 2023, I developed this persistent cough that wa making it hard to breathe. I had a PET and biopsy in August that confirmed my cancer…
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Keytruda Adverse Event and Rechallenge
Hello fellow TNBCers, I am reaching out for help regarding a situation I am in. I was recently diagnosed with TNBC back in January 2024. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 2B (maybe A, 4x lymph nodes lit up on my petscan, but the axillary node which was biopsied 2x, one as FNA and a repeat with a core needle, both came back…
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Worried
I noticed a patch on my breast couple of weeks ago. I feel no lumps and it doesn’t hurt. Any one can help with what this might be ? I’ve scheduled a dr appt but can’t stay off the internet googling (Edited by Mods to remove photo. Posting pictures of symptoms is prohibited per our Community Rules)
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Did you get a 2nd Opinion regarding Oncology Report?
Hello, My onctype report should be back this week, and I am scheduled to meet with an Oncologist. I am just wondering if people get second opinions on oncology and the steps taken after mastectomy or lumpectomy.
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Is this Lung mets? Petrified with every day...
that goes by with this cough. So I'd like to start this with the fact that most of my adult life (now 63) when I get a cough, it hangs on for weeks, Most of the time we are talking 4-5 weeks. I started having a very very slight cough, I want to say last winter. It was so slight, I would cough once or twice in the morning,…
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Warm & fuzzy owls, goats, kitties, dogs, birds ETC. PICS &LINKS
With W&F's take time to transfer your goodie connections---visual, youtube, short stories etc., or even go and find things to post here. It's a place our sisters and brothers can come to when they are recovering from sx's , chemo's, rads.......or as time passes for those that this damnable disease causes them to be to weak…
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How has your BC experience changed you
We want to hear about how your experience of BC has changed you and how/in what ways is your life different now. Have you made lifestyle, relationship, work changes?
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Exemestane and halting treatment to get pregnant
My daughter has just started 5 years of exemestane and an ovary suppressant. She wants to have a baby but has been advised not to halt treatment in a few years to try and get pregnant. But she would go back on the drug after a period off it. Has any young ladies here been in this situation?
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Mammogram results
My mom had breast cancer in her 40s. Had genetic testing which was neg. I had my first mammogram 2.5 years ago (before age 40) bc of that. No evidence of cancer. But extremely dense tissue noted. Followup at age 40. Fast forward to this past week. I am now 40. So had my second one. This report, my density was changed to…
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Finding and Treating Inactive Breast Cancer Cells
Finding and Treating Inactive Breast Cancer Cells Feb 2, 2024 Dr. Angela DeMichele explains her research on treating inactive breast cancer cells to prevent recurrence. At the European Society for Medical Oncology 2023 Congress, Dr. DeMichele presented results from the CLEVER study, which looked at ways to treat inactive…
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SUV 3.7 in breast on PET for ovary mass
ok so my story is I had BC in 2013 ER+ PR- lumpectomy left breast and rads and 5 years on hormone blockers. Next up was non Hodgkin primary bone in 2015 (very aggressive). Had RCHOP. And more rads. Genetic testing came up with CHEK2. I have a cyst on ovary that has been growing so after lots of other imaging and tumor…
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Exemestane suspend to get pregnant
Are there any younger women, premenepausal that are taking exemestane with an ovary suppressant, that have halted treatment to try for a baby, then returned to the drug after?
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Bone Scan
today I had my first ever bone scan. Also a ct scan. During my bone scan after the full body they did a close up of my forearms, chest and then a side chest view. Does that mean there was something concerning or is that normal with breast cancer?
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Scared to LOOK at new Me
Hello All, Has anyone felt like me? I had a skin sparring bilateral mastectomy last week. I had one fill-into my TE since surgery. I still have drains in. So far, I am healing well and feeling good. Yet, I have NOT looked down at the new me. I am scared to see the change and results. I don't regret having the surgery. But…
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Antidepressants
Are there any Stage 3ers on an antidepressant and if so which one.
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Have you experienced cancer "ghosting"?
Have you experienced a withdrawal from any friends or family members since your cancer diagnosis? Please feel free to share your detailed experiences with others below.