Our online breast cancer forum offers helpful information for cancer patients and their loved ones. Explore CancerCompass.com to research treatment methods and compare stories. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancers/breast-cancer/1,0,119,1.htm Sat, 25 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 25 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I know this isn't the most important thing but I know I'm going to bum out when it happens. Sure. I'm glad the cancer was caught early and happy to be alive but I'm still scared and will feel like a freak until it grows back. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71606,0.htm Kathy48 Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I have had 14 radiation treatment and got burns i have had a masctomy was wondering if anyone else has had the burns go through to your back it is also very red http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71628,0.htm monkeycu23604 Sun, 05 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and occurs in rare cases in men. Last month i got this major illness in my body really i am so disappointed. I am looking and doing more ssearch about this critical illness. I found one book A Cancer Survivor by Julia Fortune if you have any reference books or any solution please share with me I am worry about this ................. Thx Linda http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71920,0.htm Linda_Care Sat, 25 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I am almost finished with 5 years of aromacin therapy for breast cancer. The side effects have been very difficult especially the fatigue and joint pain.  Please hang in there everyone on these drugs. Beat breast cancer. I will post again after about 4 months to tell of the changes after the drug. Regards to all. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71908,0.htm malinche6 Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Stage 1 breast cancer 20 yrs ago, lumpectomy, radiation then Tamoxifan for 5 yrs.  Cancer metasticized to bone Stage 4, 1-1/2 yrs ago  Have had 3 rounds of radiation. Also, have alot of arthritis (sclerotic bones.) Am on Femara and monthly infusion of Xgeva (Denusumb) to strengthen my bones.   Problem is pain in lower back, pain in right clavicle - small fracture and newly, shooting sharp pain in my left groin.  I also have numbness when sitting and reaching with right arm am having it now, using the mouse- all down my arm and hand.  Also, numbness back of legs after moving or standing awhile Numbness goes away if I shake my right arm, move my position, walk around.  Another major complaint is that upon getting out of bed - for 1-2 hrs - It seems like my muscles(or tendons) - back and legs have tightened up so much that I yelp in pain when I sit and/or get up to walk Oxycondone 5-10  mg not helping.  Not one dr can answer why am having spasms/numbness  I have just had all my 3 month restaging tests:  PET, BONE,CAT SCANS - Nothing has spread outside of the bones - which is good but does not answer why  Been to Neurologist (brain scan - ok)  Pain Mgmt Specialist etc.  Been given script for Gabapentin 3x day and Cymbalta 60 mg bedtime. On three weeks and of no help.  I am not depressed - just very aggravated not getting any answers. Have any of you have/had  the numbness, tightness in a.m. Only suggestion from pain mgmt dr is above meds, get a personal trainer - low impact or get messages (he said I was tense - well, yes, he'd be tense he lived in my body for even one day) - neither of which can I afford.  Also, since on the fremara (18 mos.) have gained 30 lbs - Oncologist said it is a side affect of femara and Xgeva.  I have to have my left thyroid removed soon - have a 4 cm mass biopsied 2 x - negative but because of the size, my drs. feel should be removed for a total biopsy to be sure cancer not in mass somewhere.  Anyone else have this weight gain  problem?  I can't lose no matter what diet I am on.  I'm not allowed to go to gym (per my oncologist - my bones are fragile) and can only walk - not on tredmill - but I can 't walk more than 1-2 blocks - due to the pain in my lower back - gets so bad it takes my breath away. Any input would be so appreciated. Thanks' for taking the time to read this lenghty message.   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71812,0.htm dehrah Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hey everyone! My name is Margo Rey, and I'm currently on my second of four rounds of chemo treatments. I made this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6HvG4-exIY ...in the hopes of giving back some inspiration to those who've inspired me. I'm also a musician and am sharing my journey with all of my fans. I'd really appreciate it if you took a few seconds to check out my music right here: soundcloud.com /margorey I'm hope someday to be a source of inspiration and motivation. Embrace the mohawk ladies!! Thanks! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71856,0.htm Marg0Rey Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I  just had an operation to remove another lump in my breast and the lymph nodes under my left arm. All went well, scars are fantastic compared to what i imagined BUT I have the most horrendous pain down my left arm. Many of my fellow patients complained of 'something' in the arm, but none said it was bad. There is a language problem with the doctors, and they tell me this is normal. Has any one else experienced this?. I have no pain or discomfort in the breast, but my arm --- I could cut it off. Any info or advice would be appreciated http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71852,0.htm saltie Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I have stage iv breast cancer with two small bone mets to pelvis and spine. Feel great and an taking tamoxifen ... Only side effect is night sweats and hot flushes. Oncologist wants to put me on monthly zometa infusions. Having had a look at the side effects am not happy about bisphosforates in general. Have found out by googling that natural strontium citrate plus calcium and vit d can do the bone building just as well without side effects ( not strontium range late). Am fairly sure onc will try to put me off this route as its not a 'pharmaceutical' and I am now of the opinion that pharma companies do not create cures they create customers! Not once since my diagnosis has diet and nutrition been mentioned except to say eat what you like ! Is there anyone on cancer compass who can advise me. Do not want to sign up for monthly infusions if there's a more natural way.... Look forward to your comments http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71760,0.htm pradapee Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I am a college student, 24 years old, and my Mom was daignosed with breast cancer last Thursday, the 18th of April. This will be her third time having it, but this time is so different.... It's stage 4, incurable, and has spread from a lymph node between her lungs to her right ribs. I wasn't alive for the first bout with it; that would be what caused early menopause, and the reason that I am adopted. The second time, I was 12 and 13, in eighth grade, and my Dad died of Hemochromotosis two months after my Mom finished her Chemo treatments.... I've essentially been taking care of my Mom since I was 13. I don't know what to do right now, though. I feel so alone; we moved to a different state, and we don't have any family --that counts as close family-- here, and all of our family friends and our support system are back in our home state.... My Mom is talking about how she won't see me graduate, or get married, or see any of her grandchildren; tomorrow we're going to meet with an oncologist who is going to tell us what we can expect, including life expectancy.... My Mom is a tough cookie. She was given 5 months last time, and is still going, and that was about a decade ago. But she's in such a depression, and I don't know how to help her. I don't know what I'll do if I lose her.... She's trying to teach me how to run her business so that I can have some sort of income while I'm still in school. Everything has such a final sort of feeling to it, that I don't know how to cope. My head is reeling, and I'm trying to keep up with my classes and manage my Mom's clients and inform our family and friends about the situation and make her doctor's appointments.... I know that there are people who do this every day, and I can't even express the respect I have for them.... I am in awe of their strength. I've been trying to find mine.... I've been trying to keep a happy face on for my Mom, and not cry around her, and not freak out or have a mental breakdown.... I keep bottling up everything that I am feeling, for lack of any coping mechanisms. I need advice. I need help. I need to know what I should be doing, and what I can do to help her.... Please.... Help me? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71484,0.htm Nicole.H Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT My sis in Law was treated for breast cancer 2 yrs ago.Yester day only we came to know it has spreaded in her liver uterus n breast again and it is in its advance stage.How long will she survive? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71570,0.htm manibedi Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I have just been diagnosed with Ductual Carcinoma in Situ. But it is high grade and has comodo patterns in it. I am also ER + ,PR-. My Mother had Breast Cancer last year and had a mastecomy and my step sister had breast cancer at age 32 and died. So, I have decided to have a mastecomy. I want to have reconstruction surgery immediately. Thinking abou the DIEP or the implants. Being cut in two places is scary and the length of the surgery is scary. Need advice. I live in Florida. Where is the best reconstruction plastic surgeons. I heard about some in New Orleans. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71627,0.htm pbixler Sun, 05 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I read a thread on here similar to the question I am asking but I have more to add. A little over a year ago I found a lump (rt breast 10 oclock).  A year ago I had a mammogram that showed nothing and the discussion with my obgyn was that she would send me back for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound.  Then she said if it was just a cyst it would show up on the ultrasound and if nothing showed up on the ultrasound she would send me to a surgeon because it would need to be biopsied.  Both showed nothing so I went to see the surgeon.  The surgeon felt the lump and looked at the imaging reports and said he couldn't do a needle biopsy because they couldn't see it on imaging.  He said he could do a biopsy if I insisted but it could give a false negative reading because they would have no idea if they actually went into the lump.  That made sense to me.  My choices were to wait and see if it grows and recheck in a year or he could do surgery and remove it.  We reluctantly agreed we would watch it.  Partly because I feel like even though I am worried, they act like I shouldn't be and kind of "poo-poo" it for a lack of better words.  Which then makes me feel silly but that doesn't take the worry away.  It's been a year.  It feels a little bigger or as I told my husband there may be two lumps now.  I went to my obgyn yesterday and I didn't tell her anything and she confirmed she felt two lumps and sent me back for another diagnostic mammo and ultrasound.  When I had the mammogram today the gal told me I could leave and I told her I still had to have my ultrasound and she said they didn't need to do one since they didn't see anything on the mammogram.  Grrr . . . I insisted they do the ultrasound because that is what my doctor ordered.  They weren't thrilled and they certainly didn't take much time doing the ultrasound.  The quickest one I ever had.  So now I don't have the results of ultrasound yet but by her words she is saying nothing showed up again on the mammogram.  I know I will be sent back to the surgeon and he will say the same thing.  That I can wait and see or I can have surgery.  I feel like they keep putting me between a rock and a hard place!  What can be done?  Are there any other tests that can be done and determine if it is fibrous tissue or something else?  Or do I just need to have an expensive surgery for peace of mind.  Any help would be good!  From what I read, cancer and tumors don't always show on mammograms and ultrasound so I can't believe they act like it is not a big deal to have bigger lump and a new one beside it but if it doesn't show it doesn't exist to them.  :/ http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,70574,0.htm CJmomof6 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT WARNING For Women With Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) and Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer Serious and life-threatening events associated with Tamoxifen in the risk reduction setting (women at high risk for cancer and women with DCIS) include uterine malignancies, stroke and pulmonary embolism. Incidence rates for these events were estimated from the NSABP P-1 trial (seeCLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY,Clinical Studies,Reduction in Breast Cancer Incidence in High Risk Women). Uterine malignancies consist of both endometrial adenocarcinoma (incidence rate per 1,000 women-years of 2.20 for Tamoxifen vs. 0.71 for placebo) and uterine sarcoma (incidence rate per 1,000 women-years of 0.17 for Tamoxifen vs. 0.4 for placebo)*. For stroke, the incidence rate per 1,000 women-years was 1.43 for Tamoxifen vs. 1.00 for placebo**. For pulmonary embolism, the incidence rate per 1,000 women-years was 0.75 for Tamoxifen versus 0.25 for placebo**. Some of the strokes, pulmonary emboli, and uterine malignancies were fatal. Health care providers should discuss the potential benefits versus the potential risks of these serious events with women at high risk of breast cancer and women with DCIS considering Tamoxifen to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. The benefits of Tamoxifen outweigh its risks in women already diagnosed with breast cancer. *Updated long-term follow-up data (median length of follow-up is 6.9 years) from NSABP P-1 study. SeeWARNINGS,Effects on the Uterus-Endometrial Cancer and Uterine Sarcoma. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71574,0.htm babyboomer1977 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I am going off of all the anti hormone pills that I have tried because first I was put on Armimidex and it caused me to have upset stomachs all the time and feel weak and in extreme pain walking and pain in my utrus and blurred vision and extreme hot flashes where it feels like someone threw a fire ball at me! Than she suggested that I take Letrozole and it cause extreme hot flashes and gave so much pain in my legs that it was hard to walk at all! And it to caused nothing but upset stomach too! and also light headedness too!  And recently she suggested for me to go on Tamoxifen!Tamoxifen which I read from the FDA that they said that women in there 50s have a very high risk of taking these pills! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71512,0.htm babyboomer1977 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi everyone, I had a double mastectomy two years ago and I am ready to have breast reconstruction. The plastic surgeon I met is highly recommended here where I live and heard he does an excellent job. I can not remember the name of the flap procedure but it is the one where they take the muscule from the back and use gel implants. My question is had any of you had this procedure done and if so are you happy and please with it? I heard that you might have some limit to using your arms afterwards. I would really appreciate what information and experience you had. Thanks, Deb http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71564,0.htm smilingdeb Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Biopsy done, Ductal carcinoma; Surgery in two weeks... I am sure many have it worse than me...Just trying to figure what next....I have not received any other news on it, Have no idea...what the pathology reports state as my dr's office closed due to a snow storm here in the north east...Guess there are other things that may come into play ...am I wrong?? just readding a lot since they told me...... Thanks to anyone who replies.... D.......... http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,70829,0.htm NWTF13 Sat, 09 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi, I am a supportive lady, who reads alot of research. I am travelling to MD Andersson Houston, 03.00 Sunday, a win and loose thing, due to ruptured ovarian tumor and scattered multiple fibroadenomas that just have popped up. Dense breasts. Wish to take the whole breast away, due to many symptoms. Looking for a friend,  take care, Ann   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71529,0.htm annikamolander Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi, I am a positive 46 yr old Swedish lady, who has multipel small fibros that just have popped up im my dense breasts. Strong pain. I have lesions popping up in my liver, livertumorconference diagnosis. I am going to take away my right breast, as I  had previous CA125, ovarytumor. Going to MD Andersson.    What is your experience? Ann http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71530,0.htm annikamolander Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT i was diagnosed in 2011 with stage 4 b.c.   i went thru the chemo and have been doing very well.  now all i am hearing is that i am riddled with arthiritis.  they quit the armidex and started a shot once a month that is about the same.  my bones feel so much better.  When i wemt to see a bone doctor, he looked at my mris bone scans etc. and said he would question what the doctors thought was cancer as he sees it as a form of arthiritis.  i feel great but question if i had stage 4 cancer, because of the contradiction of the new doctor.  Any comments?  has this happened to anyone else? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,70593,0.htm pipperpain Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Anybody stage 1 not in nodes and estrogen and HER2 positive? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71409,0.htm Angie33 Sat, 20 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Can I ask the strangest question -- did anyone out there miss going to the hospital and seeing the staff once chemo was over? And how did you deal with it? I feel like it is such a community. I have 4 chemo treatments left, and I am kind of sad I will not see the chemo nurses after that. I have been going to the hospital for weekly Paclitaxol treatments, and feel like it is a community. The Taxol agrees with me much more than the AC I was on at first, so I do not come home and feel really icky like I did on AC. I think some of this relates to me being home alot, plus I am on the social side and like to be around people. I have not been to work in several months, so I do not see the people at work. I have young children and gave up my hobbies when I had them. I am exercising on our home treadmill about 10 minutes a day, and am almost thinking of joining a gym so I can start being part of that "community." I think there are also support groups I can join at my hospital, but I would not see the nurses and other hospital staff there. A friend of mine with cancer said she hopes she never sees the hospital staff again. I know for some patients, the hospital reminds them of cancer. But for me, it reminds me of people who have been extremely kind to me the last few months. :-( Am I nuts? :-( http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71472,0.htm KathyAd Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hello! I am new to this site, and am hoping someone can give me some input and/or links to articles about a double mastecomy vs. radiation. I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in Novmeber 2012. I had a lumpectomy in December on the right breast. I am currently in chemo, and am supposed to do radiation after that. I am Triple Negative, and my lymph nodes came back negative (a sentinel node biopsy was done during the lumpetcomy.) I am 43 years old, with no BRCA mutation. I am also rather busty - a size G on the healthy side, and a size DD on the side that had lumpetcomy. :-( Before the lumpetcomy, the breast surgeon told me she thought a double mastectomy would not really decrease my chances of more cancer. I was also under the impression that, once all my treatment was done, I could get surgery on both breast to even them out and make them perkier and such. It is now my understanding that the breast getting radiation cannot have surgery after that. I am toying with the idea of a double mastectomy instead of radiation since: (a) I am quite busty (like I said G on one side, and now a DD on other side), and don't necessarily feel like it's critical to "save" my breasts. They are quite large and I kind of wanted a reduction anyway (to maybe a C or D). Plus, they are obviously pretty saggy at that big size and age 43. I figured reconstructed breasts would be more perky... (b) A double mastecomty and reconstruction does not sound fun, but neither does radiation. It sounds like radiation is for someone who is really determined to save the breasts they have. (c) Exposing my body to radiation doesn't sound like it's the safest/smartest option. I am wondering: (1) Can anyone send me links to good article about a double mastectomy vs. radiation? (2) Do many people in my case choose double mastectomy instead of radiation? (ex. it is not genetic, the lumpectomy had clean margins, etc.). It seems like radiation is "standard." (3) Do you know if insurance would cover a double mastectomy and reconstruction, even though I've already had a lumpectomy with clean margins? (4) In trying to reduce the chance of more cancer or cancer returning, would a double mastectomy and reconstruction do that better than radiation? At the end of the day, if radiation is the better bet, I could live with it. I would keep the breast that had cancer (size DD) and have my healthy breast (size G) reduced in size. But my breasts would still be pretty big, and pretty saggy. Sorry if this sounds like I am worrying about things that aren't important. I am happy to be alive and happy the cancer was caught at stage 2 and not stage 4. Thanks!     http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71191,0.htm KathyAd Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hello, I am currently taking tamoxifen actually just started in December 2013. I have awful side effects like constipation, hot flashes, night sweats and tiredness. I am miserable and not sure if I should continue. I was diagnosed as a stage 1 not in nodes but all 3 positives. Any advice would be great. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71346,0.htm Angie33 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT My partner (64) is a breast cancer survivor. She had a lumpectomy, radiations and chemo over ten years ago and her annual mammograms have all been negative(she had one two weeks ago).To make a long story short, while we were intimate recently I smelled cancer near her left breast ( my mom had breast cancer, and I will never forget the smell) She is going to get and ultrasound, probably within the month, but other than that is not taking me seriously. I am very upset about this. Am I over-reacting? I care deeply for my partner and don't want to lose her. Does anyone have any input? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,20874,0.htm Windsurfer1 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi! my name is Wendy. I was dx with breast Cancer two years ago, and since then I have had Chemo and Radiation. I have gained 30 lbs I have now been dx with Fibromyalgia and the pain is very extreme to which I can barely walk at the end of the day. I am having trouble getting the weight off with the medication I am on. I do go swimming but not much strength for any thing else. Can you suggest any thing to help me. They told me Chemo fried my nerve endings and I have no cartlege left in my knee I am a 43 yr old female. and really just want my life back, I used to bike 15 miles a week and go to the gym twice a week, and now I can barely make it thru a 8 hr shift at work. I really need help !!!!!! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71411,0.htm wmayers Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT