Questions & Answers

Anyone Stop Taking The 5 Year Pill? I Cant Take The Side Effects Anymore!

What Was The Stupidest Thing Someone Said To You When You Announced Your Diagnosis?

I know that we are all supposed to focus on the positive only so if this question is out of line please just disregard or ask Mary to delete it. I know that I personally started to cringe at some of the things "well meaning" friends/family/perfect strangers would say when they found out I had BC. I always tried to temper my outward response by thanking them for their kind thoughts and words because I know cancer makes most people uncomfortable, and most were at a loss as to what to say to begin… read more

How Public Are You About Your Cancer Diagnosis?

I recently diagnosed and have surgery scheduled for this Friday. Obviously my immediate family (so now extended family) know; my close friends know; and my employees know. But I'm struggling with whether to tell others... Like my regular customers, other friends I don't see often, etc. On the one hand, I hate the pity I see when I tell people. But on the other hand, I want to shout it out on facebook for all women to check themselves because it can happen to anyone. Thoughts?

Are You Afraid Of A Recurrence Of Your Cancer?

I am among the women who was first diagnosed with breast cancer that was Stage 2 with nothing in the sentinel nodes and then 2 1/2 years later found out the breast cancer had spread to bones, liver, lung (Stage 4). The first time I didn't want to know anything about women whose breast cancer had recurred and metastasized. It was too scary. The reality is that many of us (~30%) will have a recurrence.

Chemo Alternatives

Hi, I just got a call from my surgeon with oncotype score of 28. My oncologist had told me if it came back 25 or higher she would recommend chemotherapy. I know chemo saves lives, but I am terrified of it because I know it does a lot of damage in the meantime. I'm not saying I will refuse chemo, but just wondering if there is anyone out there who has heard of or used an alternative method to chemo. I have a double mastectomy coming up as well, another challenge that I am not looking forward… read more

So I Am About 6 Month Cancer Free. What I Am Struggling With Is People Seem To Think You Get Back To Normal Like The Flu.

Especially at work and with my teenagers. Sometimes I feel depressed. Emotionally its like a bit of Past Tramatic Stress Syndrome combine with a body that will take a year or two to get back to normalish. How do you deal with this?

How Do You Get Over Being So Tired?

I find that I get so tired from doing everyday things and can't do a lot 2 days in a row. I am 8 months out of lumpectomy and 4 months out from radiation ? Any helpful hints or ideas. I am on tamoxifen

Why Chemo?

I know I might ruffle a few feathers but why do people go thru chemo just because doctors say it's part of cancer. I realize there are many of you who absolutely need it but I'm also seeing it being done with women who are stage 1 or 0 or who score low on onco testing. Some are being told right at the time of dx without any further tests being done. It seems so unnecessary for some considering the side affects and long recovery time. I don't mean to anger anyone but does anyone else feel the… read more

To Women Who Have Tissue Expander Implants...

Hi ladies who are suffering from what I liked to call "rock boob syndrome". I wanted to post this as someone who had tissue expanders in for 8 months, gone through exchange, and seen the other side of it all.

1. I know tissue expanders suck. They are severely uncomfortable and you feel like a weight is on your chest constantly. Sleeping on your side is uncomfortable and sleeping on your stomach is impossible.

2. I had my expanders in for about 8 months as I had to do chemotherapy right after… read more

Fibromyalgia

Has anyone else been dx'd with fibromyalgia after chemo and radiation? All of my cancer ONC's just said it was de,ayes chemo symptoms and it was normal. My Rheumatologist sent me to a pain specialist who dx'd me with Fibromyalgia. So I have the diagnosis but there doesn't seem to be a treatment besides pain meds and exercise. How do you exercise when you are in a constant state of fatigue. I am one year past chemo.