#3 Knocking me OUT!!! |
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sicknurse 
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Joined: Oct 28 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 24 |
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 Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 4:14pm |
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Hi, Gina! It's great to see how many of us have so much in common! I'm a nurse too and yes we do know too much! Oh, yes, didn't anyone tell you about the early menopause and hot flashes?! I still get them and my chemo ended in May. I have not yet gotten my period back yet either. My husband and I are trying to work on our first baby as well. My doctor sez now it's safe to try without the possible effects of chemo may have on a fetus. You're lucky you have an embryo stored away. My doc wanted me to start on my chemo right away after my diagnosis, so there wasn't time to save any eggs
 . I'm still hoping for the possibility that you can still get pregnant even without a period !I endured the mouth sores and metal taste cos the magic mouthwash was worse and a waste of money! There is a mild mouthwash out there called Prevention and made specifically for chemo/rad patients that did help a bit. You can get it at Walgreens.
Anyone else out there in the same boat? How long was it before any of your periods came back after chemo? Anyone get pregnant after chemo? Is there hope for us???
Take it easy, y'all! Edited by sicknurse - Nov 03 2008 at 4:21pm |
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sicknurse
dx: 12/07 Left breast St.II,TNBC,BRCA neg 1/08-5/08 ACT chemo 7/28/08 Lumpectomy,3 nodes - NO CANCER! 9/08-10/08 Radiation |
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cg---
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Joined: Jul 20 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1379 |
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Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 7:13pm |
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Dear Gina,
There was a meta-analysis done about radiation post mastectomy and they concluded that there is a 5%-6% increased survival rate. If it is left-sided breast cancer they tell you about possible heart disease years down the road, etc. I had 3 positive nodes - my cancer clinic had a 4 node policy. Finally, I got a wonderful radiation oncologist who actually read latest stidoes and agreed to do radiation...and he said the nicest thing...."I hope you one day visit me as a really old lady with no heart disease." I told him my heart had been in my throat since I heard the diagnosis so there was no chance of it being radiated and as a backup plan my heart had a shield of Co-enzyme Q10 and other heart-protecting supplements.
He was the only compassionate, open-minded physician who was not threatened by questions and welcomed them. He encouraged me to make available anything that could help me by researching, networking, contacting places for information. He empowered me. Of course, he was 6' 4" and handsome and kind. His name was Jonathan (translated - Gift from God - I thought it was an omen)
I understood I probably could not have implants on the radiated area - and I was okay with that.
Connie
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kmartin
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Joined: May 02 2008 Location: Central Maryland Status: Offline Points: 126 |
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Posted: Nov 04 2008 at 8:11am |
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Here's a good story ~ the woman who runs my BC support group had CT and RT 3 years ago ~ TNBC, and has a 6 month old!
Wanted a third child ~ calls him her "Miracle Baby"
Positive thoughts of fertility and hope are coming your way
 Kathy
PS I'm a nurse of 28 yrs...
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Round 1 - 2/8/08
IDC, Stage 2, Grade 3, TN (R) Lumpectomy, ax nd 3/11/08, 4/33 positive TAC x 4, AC x 1; RT x 33 genetic tests - |
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sicknurse
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Posted: Nov 04 2008 at 9:46am |
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Thanks, Kathy, for sharing!
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sicknurse
dx: 12/07 Left breast St.II,TNBC,BRCA neg 1/08-5/08 ACT chemo 7/28/08 Lumpectomy,3 nodes - NO CANCER! 9/08-10/08 Radiation |
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GinaMarie
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Joined: Jun 19 2008 Location: New Jersey Essex cty Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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Posted: Nov 04 2008 at 11:15am |
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Hi Ladies
Thank you all so much for sharing all of your encounters and words of encouragement!!
Sick nurse if u dont mind me asking how old are u? Im 37, really does sound like we are in same boat, my thoughts and prayers and hugs too are going out to u as u try for your baby!!  My onc at first told me i had to wait about a year, but im not waiting that long, i think 6 mos is sufficient, if i wait a year and my embryo doesnt work im in big trouble with my age!! Kathy THANK YOU!!!! Its so nice to hear positive things, we always hear the negative!! My husbands family also has a close family friend who had Hodgkins and was treat not once but 2x with heavy duty chemo in her early 20's was told she would never have kids, never got a period, or even ovulated!! She now has a 15 month old, and hes beautiful GOD BLESS HIM. So i truly believe its in gods hands and whats meant to be will be.
And thank you all for sharing your info about radiation, im seriously going to look into it before i do anything, because i did not have any pos nodes my margins were clean, i know i had an aggressive tumor but was caught very early. So i have alot of questions about going forward, but i am seriously considering the mast (bilat) due to my BRCA status.
Also did anyone else notice getting the nausea back after it subsided about half way into wk 2 after treatment?? Im noticing alot of nausea the past 2 days comes and goes, its VERY annoying, and im sooooo bloated i feel like i want to POP!! Dr says thats from the decadron and side eff from the taxotere, but god help me i feel huge!!
Hope to chat soon
Love to u all and thank you so much again BIG HUGS
Gina
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gigi
Stage 1 Grade 3 dx may 2008 2 lumpectomies, first one wrong dx of fibroadenoma!! chemo 4 rounds ovr 3 mos Taxotere/Cytoxan BRCA 1+ Bilat mast. with Lat flap recon done 1/9/09!!! No rads!! |
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sicknurse
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Joined: Oct 28 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 24 |
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Posted: Nov 05 2008 at 4:32pm |
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Hi, gigi!
I'm 36. I'm never gonna give up hope! Miracles happen all around us. If it's God's plan, it'll happen. Thanx for sharing your story, too! Good luck!
-sick nurse
 Did you ever tell us what meds you're on for the nausea? Edited by sicknurse - Nov 05 2008 at 5:59pm |
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sicknurse
dx: 12/07 Left breast St.II,TNBC,BRCA neg 1/08-5/08 ACT chemo 7/28/08 Lumpectomy,3 nodes - NO CANCER! 9/08-10/08 Radiation |
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SnoozBar
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Joined: Aug 27 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 65 |
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Posted: Nov 12 2008 at 10:14am |
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Gina,
Hey there. I was dx in Jan of this year and ended my chemo in June, so pretty close to when you did. I lost my period right away and Guess what it just came back last night. I am 35, and I have also not had children yet and want them desperately. I just wanted to send some hope your way. Hope all is well. Mary |
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GinaMarie
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Joined: Jun 19 2008 Location: New Jersey Essex cty Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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Posted: Nov 13 2008 at 3:07pm |
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Hi Snooz Thank you SO MUCH!! Im having my last treatment tomorrow and only had one period after my first treatment, i had a breakdown tonight and just had a good cry, i pray with everything i have that only God knows how badly i want a baby and that he will allow me that privledge when this nightmare is over!!! So it took about 5 mos for yours to come back... did u have any during chemo? And what did the dr's say about your fertility? Mine keeps nagging me to get a surrogate!!! HES NUTS i want to carry my own and hes afraid of it stirring up another cancer, im so confused and sick of all the major life decisions i need to make all at once.
Please let me know what you have been told im curious to see what they told you, i just turned 37 Oct 17th so im alittle ahead of u with age
Hugs and prayers to u!!!! Good luck
Gina
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gigi
Stage 1 Grade 3 dx may 2008 2 lumpectomies, first one wrong dx of fibroadenoma!! chemo 4 rounds ovr 3 mos Taxotere/Cytoxan BRCA 1+ Bilat mast. with Lat flap recon done 1/9/09!!! No rads!! |
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SnoozBar
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Joined: Aug 27 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 65 |
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Posted: Nov 13 2008 at 3:59pm |
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Gigi,
I definitely recommend prayer. Keep God close to you and I have to say that in the beginning they had said that I had a 30-70% chance of being infertile, HELLO, can they be anymore vague. I just said to myself, it is 50/50,and just prayed. God knows I want to be a mother and I know it is hard to imagine not having a baby the "old fashion" way, but you must surrender that to God and take care of yourself first. But believe me, one step at a time. I never had a period through chemo and in fact my "visitor" just visited for a few hours it seems, but I think she is trying. I did notice that my hot flashes, that had been constant this whole time, subsided over the last couple of weeks, so I think my body is trying to go back to its old self. So, I know this sounds dumb, but does getting your period mean that you are not infertile? Maybe we will find some resources on this site to answer that for us. I think I will google that now. I tested positive for the BRCA1, they said I have an "unclassified" mutation and that they would not recommend a hysterectomy (I spelled that wrong I think) now, but would by age 40. Try and remember that 99% of major life decisions do not have to be made today. I was thinking about it a bit and worrying and then I had to just say hey, this is too much. If you want to set aside of bit of "worry" time, do so, but try and not let it consume you. GEt rest, rest, rest. Things always felt worse when I was exhausted. Believe me, when I found out I had cancer, my boyfriend and I were just together 1.5 months, and then found out about this possibility of infertility issue, so I was like hey you better run if you want to, hahahahha, but he has stuck around. Sorry, now I am rambling, so I will research and see what I can come up with to share. Keep your head up. Mary |
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Lauriejn
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Joined: Oct 18 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 178 |
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Posted: Nov 13 2008 at 4:18pm |
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Prayers, worry boxes and problem trees are all good. Have too much on your plate for the time being, put those away on the tree or in the box and pray about them. They don't seem as bad when you go back to them later on and sometimes the answers are waiting with the worries/problems.
Good luck on tx #4!! Happy thoughts and hugs to you.
Peace. Laurie
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Dx Oct2008- IDC Gr 3/Stage 3C
Mastectomy 11/7/08- 6/21 nodes Bone Mets dx Dec 2008-Stage 4 Albany, NY BRCA neg |
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GinaMarie
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Joined: Jun 19 2008 Location: New Jersey Essex cty Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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Posted: Nov 14 2008 at 2:39am |
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Morning Mary You are absolutely right, i have been stressing so much about everything do i have a mastectomy, can i have a baby, and im also BRCA 1 pos. they wanted me to take my ovaries out immediately i said NO WAY,i agreed to also do it by age 40ish, i did do a fertility cycle before my chemo started but as my luck would have it i only got 1 good egg!! do u believe it, you should get like 6-10, so my husband and i did an embryo and froze it, and its not a definite it will work and my husband and i are having so many problems i dont even know if we will get to try it!!!
But i did go for a 2nd opinion in New York and the dr who was on the committee to find the BRCA gene said no rush right now to do Hysterectomy or even remove my breasts, his theory is they always leave some breast tissue behind and it can recur in chest wall!! That is scary, but im seriously considering a bilat. mast i just want my chances at least reduced, i dont EVER want to sit in that chemo chair again after today
NUMBER 4!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im so greatful to be done with the chemo portion.
Are u doing the mastectomy?? And im also curious to know about the period thing, im not sure that getting a period warrants fertility, id like to hope it is, but whatever you find out let me know, and i will ask my onc today and fill u in if he has any input.
And thank you Laurie for the wishes, and how did u feel about your mast? did u do bilateral? i really need to research all my options i need to make decision before the radiation, which would be in 1 month!! Lot to take in
Have a great day ladies and i will check in over the weekend
Hugs Gina
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gigi
Stage 1 Grade 3 dx may 2008 2 lumpectomies, first one wrong dx of fibroadenoma!! chemo 4 rounds ovr 3 mos Taxotere/Cytoxan BRCA 1+ Bilat mast. with Lat flap recon done 1/9/09!!! No rads!! |
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SnoozBar
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Joined: Aug 27 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 65 |
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Posted: Nov 14 2008 at 6:00am |
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Gina,
Good luck today!!! I actually did a bilat mast. When I found the initial lump, and they did all those test, they discovered two more smaller spots, so now I was looking at two places in my left and 1 in my right. So I was like ok, 3 places, tN, and BRCA, so opted for the double, which my onc was supportive of. She was pretty good about being neutral about it being my decision, but I could tell she was more in favor of the double. There has been alot of debate on this site as others and I know I read that the survival rates are supposedly the same, but mentally for some reason I felt the double mast sat better in my mind. I know that it is not 100%, but LIFE is not 100%, but I feel mentally great about my decision, and I think that is really important when going though this hurdle in life. Only you can decide, so research, research research and then sit with yourself and decide what you will be able live with and be mentally ok :):):) Talk to you soon Mary |
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GinaMarie
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Joined: Jun 19 2008 Location: New Jersey Essex cty Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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Posted: Nov 14 2008 at 1:58pm |
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Hi Mary
Thank you for the input!!! Im thinking i will probably do the bilat. i have an appt with a plastic surg in about 3 wks, i want mast with immed reconstruction or im not doing it, i just cant live like that, the whole body image thing!!
By the way i did ask my onc about period returning and fertility he said if u are menstruating most likey u ARE fertile again!!!
 So u go girl and try to make that baby!!! I will pray for mine to come back ASAP Im going to lay down, had some ativan today in my drip and im wiped, but i will talk to u soon.
Gina
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gigi
Stage 1 Grade 3 dx may 2008 2 lumpectomies, first one wrong dx of fibroadenoma!! chemo 4 rounds ovr 3 mos Taxotere/Cytoxan BRCA 1+ Bilat mast. with Lat flap recon done 1/9/09!!! No rads!! |
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sibu
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Joined: Jun 27 2008 Location: FL Status: Offline Points: 660 |
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Posted: Nov 14 2008 at 2:07pm |
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Hi Gina,
Couldn't tell by your signature if you were doing rads first, then the mast.? If so, it should be no problem for them to do reconstruction with the mast. If not, they put a temporary expander in that actually looks quite natural, then swap it out after chemo. My 'final products' were a bit bigger than the temporary expanders, but you could hardly tell. They looked pretty darn good right from the start. Best of luck, Donna |
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Donna, age 42
Dx IDC 12/06, 5/18 Nodes + BRCA1+ Double mast. 1/07 Chemo 6 X TAC 6/07, rads 10/07 Hyst./Recon. 12/07 |
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GinaMarie
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Joined: Jun 19 2008 Location: New Jersey Essex cty Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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Posted: Nov 15 2008 at 2:07am |
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Hi Donna
No rads yet i was told if i was going to do the mast. i wouldnt need the rads, so i guess over the next few weeks i need to make decisions quick onc said he would start rads within 4 wks of chemo, and i know the right decision is to do the mast, but i just need to talk to a few more drs. It really is a scary thing, but even scarier to have to deal with this again!!
Im glad yours came out good, ive been finding some great plastic people right here in NJ where i live and some in NY which isnt far, so i have some consults coming up
I JUST THANK GOD CHEMO IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!
 Thanks again Donna
Hugs Gina
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gigi
Stage 1 Grade 3 dx may 2008 2 lumpectomies, first one wrong dx of fibroadenoma!! chemo 4 rounds ovr 3 mos Taxotere/Cytoxan BRCA 1+ Bilat mast. with Lat flap recon done 1/9/09!!! No rads!! |
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Lauriejn
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Posted: Nov 15 2008 at 5:19am |
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Gina- I had the rt side mastectomy done primary and it was the good choice for me. I have not had the BRCA test done and will deal with that info once done and will move forward w/the lft side and oop if positive. I had an expander put in which will take the implant in a few months. It looks good!!
Laurie
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Dx Oct2008- IDC Gr 3/Stage 3C
Mastectomy 11/7/08- 6/21 nodes Bone Mets dx Dec 2008-Stage 4 Albany, NY BRCA neg |
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GinaMarie
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Joined: Jun 19 2008 Location: New Jersey Essex cty Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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Posted: Nov 15 2008 at 11:13am |
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Hi Laurie Thats great news im glad its looking good. I just figure even tho it was one sided for me, i think i will do bilateral and nip it in the bud so i dont need anymore surgery, spoken like a true nurse LOL I was worried about expanders thinking it would take too long to look like a normal breast but thats why im going to see a few specialists, do they hurt when they inject to make them expand the skin? Ive heard different stories.
And did u have any chemo? sounds like no if u did mast already and if not do u need to? Its amazing how different all these dr's treat this disease because honestly if they told me i could have mast and no chemo i would have done that to save myself this dreaded chemo CRAP!!! Im just glad its done and i just have to deal with the next 2-3 days of feeling lousy and its OVER!!!!
Lets chat soon
Gina
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gigi
Stage 1 Grade 3 dx may 2008 2 lumpectomies, first one wrong dx of fibroadenoma!! chemo 4 rounds ovr 3 mos Taxotere/Cytoxan BRCA 1+ Bilat mast. with Lat flap recon done 1/9/09!!! No rads!! |
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ty
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Posted: Feb 07 2010 at 5:37pm |
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Water retention? Check your protein intake. Sometimes water retention is a result of not getting enough protein in your diet. The lack of protein causes your body cells to release water into your tissues instead of eliminating it the natural way. There's a chart you can check to see if you're getting enough protein in your diet at http://charticopter.wordpress.com |
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Posted: Aug 15 2011 at 9:43pm |
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My surgeon recommends radiation pursuing mastectomy in most cases. I in
no way requested why, thinking about which i experienced been
possessing a lumpectomy. It didn't make impression to possess my boobs
eliminated when it may be saved, and wind up possessing radiation in
possibly case. If it is as well decent for getting true, it most almost
certainly is.
I see my surgeon in dec and will grill her concerning the recommendations we appear to acquire concerning the survival rates-who especially are they speaking about-garde 1, grade 2, grade 3---negative or positive---how do the stats break lower on this? |
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Katastrophe
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Joined: Jul 22 2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 287 |
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Posted: Aug 19 2011 at 10:38am |
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Hi Girls, Its funny I have been on this site for two years, I have read all sorts of different posts and only today I suddenly realised something ....
Chemo - Radiation - Clinical Trials - Lumpectomy - Bilateral Mastectomy - Lymph Node Removal - Reconstruction to Do or Not to Do - Freeze Eggs - Menopause - Hair Loss - Hysterectomy - Medications Creams Lotions Potions - Second Opionions - Reoccurances - To Live or to Die ....
My God!!!! the list never ends ... I am amazed that any of us can remain sane during this nightmare. There is nothing cut and dry about it. Its like a snowball effect. Its so difficult to make any one firm decision because there is always some kind of repercussion to that choice. The doctors themselves dont seem to have a clue what to do sometimes, yet we are expected to make choices with our fingers crossed, or us down on bended knee and our hands clasped in prayer hoping God can solve it for us.
Sorry Girls it just suddenly hit me that we have all been on decision overload for so long that I hadnt realised to what capacity until now.
I HATE THIS BLOODY DISEASE!!!
Take care all ... I've finished venting ... Luv Kat xxx
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Age 49. Stg2 gr3 19mm lump in L/br 1 lymph node in L/br 3/14 lymph nod under left arm full clear bil/mast 6rds Chemo 3wkly 25rds Rad 18rds of Avastin finished treatment on 19th August 10.
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