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What is hospice care? Info and resources for end of life.
You may feel good for an extended period of time if you decide to stop treating the cancer. But eventually you may need help controlling pain or other symptoms and staying strong. Hospice care offers physical, emotional, and spiritual support at a center or in your own home. Hospice care is covered by most health insurance…
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What is palliative care?
Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life of those who are facing challenges associated with life-threatening illness, along with their families. Symptom management includes physical, psychological, social or spiritual care, and involves a variety of services delivered by a range of professionals that all…
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Timeline
Hi all, I'm new, I was just wondering what was the timeline from you from when you were diagnosed to when you had surgery? I had a biopsy on the 18th and it came back May 1st positive for IDC. I now have an appointment I think with the general surgeon on Tuesday May 9th. I'm sure she's going to schedule me for an mri, but…
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second lumpectomy
I opted for a second lumpectomy on the advice of my surgeon instead of a mastectomy. Has anyone done the same and did you have a reoccurence of cancer?
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Tissue Expander Placement Surgery - How Painful?
I had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with TEs at the beginning of January 2023. In Feb. 2023, the expanders were removed due to non-healing wound edges from the mastectomies. Since then, I've been waiting to re-do the reconstruction (likely around the end of July/early August.) My question is, for anyone…
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In Memoriam List from the BCO Community
[Note May 4, 2023: Due to its length and difficulty to load and make additions, we have closed this discussion. A new thread has been created by @celia088. If you would like a name to be added to the list, please visit the BCO In Memoriam thread, Part 2.]…
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Mastectomy with close margins
Hi, I recently had a bilateral mastectomy to remove a large section of DCIS in my right breast. My surgeon said the margins were clear and that’s all that matters (the closest ones were the superior at 1mm clearance and the deep at 2mm clearance). He said the recurrence rate is less than 5%. However, I’m 35 and the dcis…
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Stage 4. Feeling ready to throw in the towel
hi everyone, Im feeling very defeated. I have been through several of the pill options and have started iv chemo (navelbine). I have been on iv chemo for 3 cycles and my tumor marker continues to climb. Now at 1210. Im so sick and tired of the fatigue, the headaches, the nausea, the anxiety etc etc etc. Im thinking of just…
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Right side Delayed Latissimus Dorsi Flap with left side preventive mastectomy and implants
I am 11 years out from neoadjuvent, modified radical right side mastectomy, radiation and Xeloda for stage 3b idc. I am now looking into reconstruction along with preventive mastectomy. PS recommended lat flap on the right w TE and TE on the left after mastectomy followed by implants. I am 60 years old now and seem to…
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Being rushed for a biopsy, worried!
Hi everyone, If this comes across as "all over the place", I apologize. I had my very first mammogram last week as I just turned 40 this past December. I got called back. Completed my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound and the doctor is worried. She rushing a biopsy for tomorrow and results by Monday. My head is spinning.…
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recurrence patterns
I have been wondering if there are any statistics regarding recurrence patterns. When do most recurrences happen? In the first 5 years? 10 years? Or is it all just a crap shoot? Do treatment choices change recurrence patterns? I know that mastectomy has a lower recurrence percentage than lumpectomy, which makes sense as…
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Architectural distortion but nothing on ultrasound
I’m 35 with a history of cysts in my left breast. I noticed a new more stretch marks and what looked like a dimple a few weeks ago. My doctor scheduled me for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. The 3d mammogram found an area of “architectural distortion and two well circumscribed masses”. The ultrasound showed 2 small…
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Uncertainty about life
We all have a busy life and on top of that we have to face up to the uncertainty and fear…about breast cancer. Let’s share some words, if possible, that bring each other courage on this journey.
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I cannot believe what I have just been through with our local hospital
In Feb I found a lump in my breast and went to a bulk billing GP to ask for a3D mammogram as I had been told in the past that I had a dense breast tissue and it was hard to read. At this stage it was offered re bulk billing in 2 imaging services in Townsville 2 days a week. I 1st asked the GP for a blood test form as the…
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Minimal response to neoadjuvant chemo. Hope needed
Hi All, this is my first post. I'm hoping for a little support I have just had pathology results following neoadjuvant chemo and have had minimum response. 7 nodes still positive and tumor still large. Im absolutely devestated. I have 2 small children and im struggling to see a light at the end of all this, I'm heartbroken…
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Implants after radiation or go flat
I am about to have UMx soon. I met with my plastic surgeon. Once my PS heard that I need radiation, he started to talk me out of implants. I have small breasts to begin with, so if I do implant, I will need to augment the other side too. My PS worries that if I have capsular contracture - then I will end up with asymmetry…
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Periods after Chemotherapy
Hello, want to know if/when your periods restarted after chemotherapy. I completed my chemotherapy on March 15 and my periods haven't started yet. I am receiving radiation therapy currently.
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Bio markers for DCIS
hi everyone, I found out my bio markers for a large area of dcis were estrogen positive (11-33%) and progesterone negative, her2 status ( not tested). Does this matter with a dcis diagnosis? There does not seem to be a lot of people with this type of hormone status (er pos, pr neg). Trying to navigate this new normal of…
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Plan to decline last chemo
Hi all, 5 days ago I had the 15th infusion ...and it`s been hell. Felt extremely bad especially after having the Neulasta, with bad muscle and bone pains, continuous chills(scary especially after neutropenia last month), foggy brain, burning skin on my face, back and shoulders, liver and spleen pain. I am also…
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Waiting for Biopsy Results
I don't have a breast issue; I just didn't know where to turn since my issue is rather unusual. A few weeks ago I found a small lump behind my left ear. Since then I've gone through a rollercoaster of despair, hope, extreme fright, you name it. An ultrasound showed a 2.3 cm nodule in my parotid gland. I had a biopsy on…
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Headed to high school reunion
In a few weeks I will be attending my 50th high school reunion. Haven't been to one since 10th. The class was large , but I have a small group of BFFs . My hair has grown back from chemo, but it's still very short and curly /frizzy, instead of straight. It's also totally silver where before the last round of chemo it still…
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Chemo damage
I have just turned 70yrs and had 2-3 more sessions of chemo to go. Two weeks ago I saw my local doctor due to being in leg pain which had prevented me sleeping at night. I was teary eyed and down and out and had enough of my leg and the fluid on my feed which would not go down, no matter what I did. My legs would not stay…
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Just diagnosed with Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH)
So... I was just diagnosed with ADH (had steriotactic biopsy after single cluster of microcalcifications appeared on mammogram). Which they said is "not cancer", but cells that are at risk for turning into cancer one day and puts me at moderate risk overall for developing breast cancer in either breast in the future, based…
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implants when you have to have radiation
I had a mastectomy one month ago with expander placed at time of surgery. I have not needed to take any pain meds post surgery- I have a pretty high tolerance to pain- but the expander is terribly uncomfortable and aesthetically doesn't look anything like a breast, very tight and constricting under my armpit—I think maybe…
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Hello Im new here.
Hi my name is Pam. Good morning. I'm just looking for support and advise or knowledge concerning my treatment. I was diagnosed in May of 2021 with metastatic breast cancer. I had breast cancer in2014 and had a right mastectomy and 12 rounds of chemo 5 years of anastrozole. Then this diagnosis. My oncologist started me on…
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Affordable Care Act/Obamacare Questions
The company I work for is going bankrupt and I won't be able to do COBRA with my current health insurance with them because the plan will be closed when the company closes. My husband's employer does not offer health insurance. I am in the process of looking for another job but we will need to have health insurance with no…
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What can I expect post-lumpectomy?
Hello, My lumpectomy is finally happening next week and I'm not sure what to expect as far as the healing/post surgery journey. (So far diagnosis is Grade 1a, 8mm tumor) I was thinking of planning a trip (flying overseas) after my two week check up. Is this unreasonable? How soon after the lumpectomy do they typically want…
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New PA Breast Cancer Testing Bill April 2023
A bill to boost early detection of breast cancer earned unanimous, bipartisan support in the PA house this week and is on the way to the governor's desk! Senate Bill 8 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs associated with BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling, as well as supplemental screening such as breast MRI and…
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Decorative/artist tattoo on reconstructed foobs
Are there gals here who have done decorative tattoos on their reconstructed foobs? Every time I see photos of them, they are gorgeous. Through a wonderful organization, I have to privilege of having mine done. I'm 16+ years old from diagnosis - finished radiation 16 years ago this week. Finally at my senior age, I love…
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Wife Just Learned Of Brain Metastases
Married to the Love of my life since April 13, 1985. Our marriage like many has had it’s extreme highs and lows but after 38 years we are still together. The day before Thanksgiving 2020 we were caught totally off guard with the news that she had breast cancer and they were waiting on final results but almost positive it…