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Hi, Just came across this message board and thought I'd join. To give you a bit of background, I was dx with bc about 18mths ago. Had a mastectomy, chemo, rads and I am currently on hormone treatment - zoladex and tamoxifen. I also started on zometa about 6 mths ago due to loss of bone density. I read recently that new research shows that zometa combined with tamoxifen can cut recurrences by nearly a third- good news! Unfortunately like many women, I was only in my twenties when I was diagnosed and was initially misdiagnosed for over a year. Ok, I've rambled on for long enough. Thanks for listening and hope to hear from you soon.

Hi i just wanted to say hello,i was diagnosed over 3 years ago with breast cancer and happy to say im doin very well thank God,its great to find a site like this xx

Just wondering if anyone else went throught this. Its now 6 weeks since I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstrucion. Op was tough but I am recovering well, I think, and prognosis is very good. The thing is I seem to be more upset now than I was before. My diagnosis was a bit hectic I suppose. I was told I was fine only to get a call back 10 days later to say the dr had reconsidered. I am delighted he did as he was right and he was brilliant and looked after me well. I have absoutely no complaints. Naturally I was upset being told I needed a mastectomy as I had large area of DCIS but now that I'm recovering I cant get the whole thing out of my mind. It's now after 3am and I have been up crying for the past hour while the house sleeps. Its very difficult getting comfortable to sleep anyway but I find it's my mind that keeps me awake really. Every moment I seem to be thinking about the drs, the operation, the breast clinic etc How do I move on from this as I'm begining to think I'm losing control. I'm usually a very level headed person and to everyone else thinks I'm coping so well but I'm not really. Sorry for rambling and I know there are lots of people with much worse diagnosis but I'd be grateful for any advice Thanks. Aileen

I just wanted to drop a post on the day that is in it to wish everyone a very happy christmas. I know its difficult with everything going on for us but things will get better, treatments are tough but they will end and we will be better again. Here's to a very healthy 09 for all of us!! Linda

This is an update on how Rebecca's illness is progressing. She is under the care of the Oncology department in UCLH London and finished her chemo st the beginning of December. She was due to pay her first visit to Ireland since becoming ill in 2005 but on the evening of December 11th she was admitted to her local hospital due to a high temperature and so had to cancel her trip. however she hopes to make it over on January 9th for a weekend in Donegal. Yesterday, 29th December, we were at clinic at UCLH to get the results of a biopsy carried out on December 17th and her other post-chemo results. Unfortunately some live cancer cells were found in her sacrum and her L4. A calcified spot was found on her right lung which confirmed the presence of cancer there. She was due to undergo surgery in January to remove her sacrum but the presence of live cancer cells has led to the cancellation of that. Instead she will begin radiotherapy after her return from Ireland for about six weeks. Thats about it for the moment. When you finish reading this say a prayer for her, thanks.

Hi, My mum has recently been diagnoised with a localised advance tumour in her stomach. She is having trouble keeping food down & losing weight. Any tips for helping her to keep the food down or stop the weight lose would be greatfully appreciated. Also any positive stories or ideas as to how i could help her would also be appreciated. Thanks

Hi just wanted to know is there anyone here with liver lung and bone cancer my partener of 17 years has she was giving one year to live that was 3years ago she refused chemo and last week she got her first round of radiotheraphy which she still has a lot of pain after it....... realy would love to hear from ppls who had chemo for the liver...we were told 4weeks ago the cancer had gone to her liver up until then she was doing great....the bone lung and liver are secondary....

Hello I am starting Chemo next Week. New to all this. Any tips or advice greatly appreciated. What do you do to pass away the time in between sessions ? My chemo is for every 3 weeks for 6 months.

My beautiful, kind, caring, genorous aunt died this morning. I cant believe it. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in Dec 08 and the cancer just spread through her like wildfire. It wasnt enough that she was suffering from this but they she ended up having a heart attack and stroke on top of that. Up until last night she was stuck in a cubicle in A&E and it was heartbreaking to see her dying in such an environment. When she woke up she wasnt able to see us because the stroke distorted her vision. She eventually was moved to an observation ward last night and after a few restless hours she went to sleep and never woke up. Im so angry that such a good woman had to suffer like this. She never did harm on anybody, was always helping other people and never asked for anything in return. There is about 200 mass cards in her house from friends and family. Thats how much she was loved. She was like a second mother to me and I cant believe she is gone. Im in shock and dont know how I should be feeling. She had no kids, myself and my brothers were like her children. I want to cry but I cant. I just feel numb.

Hi, I had my mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on 1st December last. Everything was going ok but for the last few days it has been getting sore and red. I thought I was just imagining it at first or maybe it was the cold but it's been getting sorer. Thankfully I had an appointment with the surgeon set for today anyway so I didn't panic. The dr was very concerned and said it looks like a serious infection. He said it was very unusual at my stage and, if it was going to happen, it would usually happen in the first few weeks. He put me on the strongest possible antibiotic and if I develop a fever or feel sick I have to go straight to A&E. I have to go back next week and if it's still the same they will take me back into hospital. Now my brain is in overload... could it have something to do with the cancer coming back.... is my body rejecting the implant.... I got such a shock as I though everything was going so well I hadn't imagined anything that sounds as serious as this sounds. I contacted my breast care nurse when I got home and they said just not to panic. I asked about implant rejection etc. and they just said not to start going down that road at the moment but I can't help it. I'll be ok if it's not the cancer but if it is likely I will need another operation to have the implant removed I think I'll be leaving it out! Why was the dr so alarmed about going straight to A&E? Has this happened to anyone else. I'll be 10 weeks post op next Monday. Thanks. Aileen