Has anyone done acupuncture for Chemo

Tracy,

My chemo is finally over. I wanted to try to boost my immune system but they are really expensive around this area. They want 165 for the initial appt and then 85 per session. They said they accept my insurance but I am not sure if I have to submit it as a claim out of pocket because it so costly.

Tracy,

My lumpectomy is fine. There are varying factors on whether a lumpectomy may work for you. Not that I was told that or even given the option but I am happy with my outcome. Depending on lump size ,area of tumor and breast size will affect visually. My nipple veers towards the right slightly..maybe 1/2-1". Visually that could be seen as maybe a normal imperfection. My scar is in a reverse "C" shape to go with the round of the breast. Now it is almost 13 years later and the scar looks a bit like a wrinkle ( more because of slight discoloration than actual fold or skin). There is a slight puckering at the bottom of the scar which the surgeon had said he could fix (this was 1-2 years after original surgery). I didnt find it worth the bother of surgery. I am a D cup size and with location of 2cm lump there really wasn't a need to fill anything in. My breasts look fairly symmetrical.

I wasn't given an option as to surgery choices and was overwhelmed with decision making. This was before TN was named so I really don't know how much was known. Neo adjuvunct (among others, such as DD and amount of chemo) wasn't being done then. I have been grateful that I had a lumpectomy. It certainly lessens some of the continuing issues and doesn't call for need of adjustment. There is also sensation factor which is intact except right along scar. I knew if the cancer did return mastectomy would be my next step. I had spent time researching options in the first several years to be prepared...just in case. By now all that is on the back recesses of my mind.

With weight gain and not spending much time at the gym (weight lifting) my breasts look more their age! Weight lifting is great for developing pecs to keep breasts naturally lifted and is great for bone density too. Good luck in your decision. I'll answer any questions you may have. I will send pic if that is needed,

i'm a huge believer in acu during chemo, rad, the whole shebang.   a really good acupuncturist can do wonders.    there are more and more community acupuncture places popping up and here they charge as little as $20.   

i was blessed to find a lady who studied, and truly lived and believed chinese medicine and i feel i can never repay what she did for me.   chemo was pretty easy and although i did burn, the radiologists were very pleased with my skin throughout and i healed incredibly quickly afterwards.   they even cancelled my follow up appts because i didn't need them.   

listing some things that acupuncture helped with include energy, nausea, pain, surgical healing, neuropathy, stress, burning, skin healing, digestion is a big one, and i learned things that i can carry with me always.  

acupuncture is powerful if done well.   i still go every two or three weeks.   good luck to you, always, this is an amazing place for those of us going through a terrible journey.