Beyond The Shock(R)

Havevrecurring breast cancer after double mastectomy 8yrs ago. This time I will need chemo. I’m so anxious about losing my hair and everything else that results from chemo. Still in shock. Anyone use cold caps during chemo ?

I have fibrocystic breast diease the lump as 2 small cyst like lumps can this mimc cancer because my medical dr. Says my biopsy says cancer i dont belive u can have both dieases

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  anonymous

  Survivor since 2013

  Have you gotten the written biopsy results? I'm not a doctor but you could have both. By the way I had 4 areas of cancer 3 of which were different types in my one breast.

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  anonymous

  Learning About Breast Cancer

  Yes, you can have both. If you did get biopsy and the result says cancer , then you need to have your doctor explain the type of cancer and the next step of evaluation/intervention. Some cancer is very early and local but still need to act on.

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Hi. I’m 29 yr old. BRCA1 positive. Stage 1a triple negative breast cancer about 3 weeks ago. Would like to know more about your journey and experience regarding mastectomy if you’ve been through it; the mental preparation, the recovery time.

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  anonymous

  Survivor since 2013

  Everyone's body handles surgery differently. I never had any pain with mine 5+ years ago. As to your hair some suggest cutting it off a little at a time. My friend went from waist length hair to her shoulders first, then her chin, before shaving the rest off and that comforted her. Mine was...

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  Everyone's body handles surgery differently. I never had any pain with mine 5+ years ago. As to your hair some suggest cutting it off a little at a time. My friend went from waist length hair to her shoulders first, then her chin, before shaving the rest off and that comforted her. Mine was short to start with and when I asked my gal to shave the rest off after losing some with my first infusion she felt I wouldn't lose anymore than I already had but it was a nuisance so she took the rest off and one more time a month later then we let it grow back, took about 9 months for me to have enough hair back to get a decent hair cut and it was longer than what it was when I started and really curly. Everyone is different, just take a deep breath and try to relax and that will help your body and mind heal.

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  anonymous

  stage_3a Patient

  I also cut my hair to my shoulders because I had long hair. When it started coming out in little clumps, my hairdresser shaved it. That was a tough day for me. My mastectomy wasn’t as bad as I thought. I didn’t get reconstruction. I was sad and scared to look at my chest. It’s a hard transition,...

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  I also cut my hair to my shoulders because I had long hair. When it started coming out in little clumps, my hairdresser shaved it. That was a tough day for me. My mastectomy wasn’t as bad as I thought. I didn’t get reconstruction. I was sad and scared to look at my chest. It’s a hard transition, but I’m used to it now. The whole cancer process is hard , but just take one day at a time. Good luck .

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My mom had surgury and in biopsy report it is found that 13 out of 16 lymph nodes are effected but lungs liver don’t have it. We Pr is 80%. No Her2. What should be further treatment

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  anonymous

  Survivor since 2013

  Everyone's cancer has different characteristics and thus the treatment plan is individualized for that patient. I would guess perhaps some chemotherapy, radiation, a combo of those or something totally different. Her team will come up with a plan just for her and no I am not a doctor.

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  anonymous

  Learning About Breast Cancer

  Thanks

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Cold caps to prevent hair losses I am reading some think it prevents some of cancer cells from destruction. Thoughts???

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  anonymous

  Survivor since 2013

  They hadn't been approved by the FDA in the US when I was doing chemo. 5 years ago. I've seen stories both pro and con with using them.

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  anonymous

  Survivor since 2013

  My girlfriend tried it and it was a waste of money. After a while during her treatment she couldn’t be bothered wearing it.

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I do not want to take Tamoxifen, is there a natural estrogen blocker I can use?

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  anonymous

  Survivor since 2013

  That sounds like a question your doctor(s) should be asked.

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When do seromas go away? My surgeon said that my skin is not scarring down after my mastectomies. I've been wearing very tight ace wrap bandages for 4 weeks, and still the fluids returns. I've done no activity for past 4 days to decrease amount of lymph.

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  anonymous

  Survivor since 2013

  Everyone's body handles seromas differently. I know you wrote this 3 weeks ago but I wasn't able to answer your question. I had a friend who after taking out her drainage tubes one side kept getting seromas which made her miserable so the surgeon went in and put the tubes back in for a time.

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Hi I was using replen doctor change me to ovestin course I was dry do eney body use it thank you

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  anonymous

  Survivor since 2013

  Why would a doctor discontinue the med. you were using for vaginal dryness to one that has the same properties as hormone replacement therapy?

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Hello everyone have not been able to login due to phone issues. Anyway today is my birthday and April made 5 years I’m Breast cancer free. I’m just wondering if I should stop taking the armidex. My doctor is giving me the choice

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  anonymous

  Survivor since 2013

  My 5th year was up on 1July on Letrozole. I will be asking my doctor about it in a couple of weeks. If they can give me a good reason to continue another 5 years I will if not I just may go off of it. My PCP has already told me if I'm taken off it he will discontinue the med. I take for...

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  My 5th year was up on 1July on Letrozole. I will be asking my doctor about it in a couple of weeks. If they can give me a good reason to continue another 5 years I will if not I just may go off of it. My PCP has already told me if I'm taken off it he will discontinue the med. I take for Osteopenia, he's already cut the dosage in half since my bone mass has improved.

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  anonymous

  stage_1 Patient

  Are you having any bad side effects from it?

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Ihad a mammogram yesterday n got n message saying i have a appointment in oncology breast clinic should i be concern

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  anonymous

  Learning About Breast Cancer

  You can go

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