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I had a wide local excision and sentinal node biopsy done this day last week. My scar is much bigger than I thought, around the nipple and right across the breast. That hasn't been too painful, but my God is the sentinal node biopsey scar sore and painful. Is this normal? It's definately not inflamed or infected but my underarm area feels a bit numb and feels as if its being pinched all the time.

I am having chemo every 2 weeks I have suffered from GERD or Reflux (acid) for years, controlled it with a nightly pill. but the chemo seems to have brought on excess acid 100 times over, got medication from my doctor but like taking smarties, anyone out there in a similar situation, perhaps could give me some tips, it is not my diet as I am very careful what I eat in fact I am afraid to even eat in case this awful acid starts bounding up my body again I get cough in my lungs from the acid, have just started a course of antibotics to help in order to be ready for my next session on 29th June I started May have done 4 sessions every 2 weeks on drug A&B Start session 5 29th June on Drug C, My tumour in my breast has been reduced from over 4cms now to 1cms I am happy with this positive news to date, if only I could get some relief for the 'ACID' attacks Treatment going to plan. last chemo 10th August, some weeks later surgery, then radiation dont know how much yet Capricorn Cork

Hi there, I too visited this site in March 2011 and there was no posts on the Melanoma board. My husband had just been diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma and I felt like our world had been turned on its head. He's not a sun worshipper, when we went on our first few holidays together he would drive me mad as he spent so much time putting on sun-cream, i used to slag him, so this diagnosis left me gobsmacked!! There was no-one to share it with and nowhere to get advice specifically on this type of cancer. A couple of people laughed at my "over-exaggeration" at this and I had comments like " oh sure skin cancer isnt that serious - its not like real cancer" - So I googled my life away (and his with all the horror stories on the net). So after a mole from his face came back as cancerous, he had the wider excision done top left side of his face with skin grafts taken from his chest. They also did the sentinal node biopsy and then 2 out of 5 lymph nodes were positive. Back in for a full clearance of the nodes on the left side - all came back clear - 36 in total. Then in July last year he started Interferon - through IV 5 days a week for the first month and then 3 times weekly. He finished the other day!! His CT scan came back clear although there was a remark about his glands on the right looking a little swollen. The doctor said this could be for any reason but of course Im thinking the worst. We have 2 youngsters not even in school yet and I live in fear constantly. He will be back in with them every month for awhile so theyre keeping a close eye. I wish there was a support group for Melanoma, there is so much support for certain types of cancer. It has been a lonely place for him this last year and I wish he had people in the same situation to talk to. When he was starting the Interferon Beaumont Hospital didnt even have another patient on the same drug that could advise him. I find that we all get warned about skin cancer and there is screening available but should you find yourself actually diagnosed with it then you hit a wall. I know there are plenty of sufferers out there so although I wouldnt wish this on anyone it is good to see posts on this board. It would be great for people to come and find a place to tell their story, get advise and share theirs also. Also I cannot praise the Irish Cancer Society enough for their support last year, i think theyre phenomenal. Em

Hi all Have had 4 chemos no surgery yet and today have a very painful, red and swollen arm anything to be worried about? Or is this just part and parcel of chemo? Anyone had this before?

Hi Girls, I'm starting my chemo this Friday (6 x TCH) Any advice on how I should expect to feel. I would appreciate any advice you can give.

Our daughter, 25 years old, was diagnosed last July with oral cancer. She had an operation on her tongue, neck and no follow up was necessary. She visits her doctor every two months and is followed closely. She is angry with her parents, siblings and in general has shut her family out. We need to know how to help her come to terms with life now without making matters worse. Thank you

I am taking salvestrols as I have breast cancer. The person who developed salvestrols is Prof Gerry Potter, who also developed the new drug for prostate cancer called arbiterone - you might have seen it in the papers recently. Salvestrols are based on fruit and vegetables so cant be patented - there are lots of case studies but of course no clinical trials, as no one would fund them. If you look on cancer compass.com salvestrols at work, or salvestrol case studies, or just go through 'salvestrols' on the internet, you can find out how they work. You can get them on the internet. The scientists who developed salvestrols have been asked to speak to oncologists in Germany and Belgium as they are very interested. I found out about them by accident - and hope that anyone reading this checks it out. Cancer is so rotten - Best wishes to all. Jennette

Hi all I was diagnosed on 8 may. Had mastectomy and axial clearance 13 jun. I'm to start chemo on 18 jul. 4 x AC then 4 x T every 2 weeks. I never heard of anyone on a 2 weekly schedule. Anyone I spoke to was on 3 week schedules of different chemo and all said by the 3rd week you are feeling ok. I'm really terrified and tears are only a blink away at all times. I am 45 with 3 kids 16,14,11.

My prostate cancer was picked up on a PSA blood test which had a reading of 6.3. I then had biopsies done which came back with a Gleason scale reading of 7 in 6 out of 12 samples. I was offered surgery and radiotherapy with three options for each. I spoke to the consultants for both and became more confused. I am widowed for 5 years but have recently met a new partner who is very nice and we both want to continue our relationship. I fear however that side and after effects from both radio and surgery treatments will impinge on our new beginnings. Namely that erectile dysfunction and incontinence are not good bed fellows. She is an understanding and caring person but I am wondering for how long? Trying to find the treatment which offers the the best prognosis and the least side effects is difficult. Both consultants are understandably pro their own methods, but this does not help me. I am looking for men who have been through these things and have advice for me. I am aged 64.

Hi everyone. Like most people I'm amazed to be here. 3weeks ago I found a lump, had the tests done super fast and now have been told last Friday that I will be facing into a double mastectomy within 2wks approx. followed by chemo/radiation therapies. In hindsight I've had a niggling irritating sensation under my armpit for a little while, fidgeting with bras/clothes that felt not right on that left side. But at least now I know...and that in itself is so empowering to me. The week I had of 'waiting' on biopsy results was hell on earth. The 'relief' of knowing this news is so much better than that week. So I have 2 malignant lumps and its in the nodes too under my arm. Wow.....how much my image of myself has changed in a week. I now look at my breasts and can feel one lump. They are slowly but surely becoming alien to me. A friend asked me how I felt about them going and I said it was different than I thought. When you think of this you have healthy breasts doing what they are meant to do and looking (reasonably) okay But when you have breast cancer I feel my breasts are not a healthy part of me and like anything unhealthy I will be nearly 'glad' to see them go. I found out on the Friday and was so lucky to be able to get 'the haircut' that day going from long to short in one day, the same day I went from not knowing to knowing I had cancer. Again, I felt it was me saying 'I'm in control of some of this'. I've been told I will definately loose my hair with this treatment and I feel its coming at me so fast. So my way was to decide today I cut my hair and give me the most time I have to get used to it changing bit by bit. Its strange but its not as bad as I thought it would be. It's now part of me and will be for a while to come. But I am embracing 'my cancer' as mine and not anyone elses. It will be with me on my journey for the next while and hopefully given time it will be part of my life story and not something I think of everyday. So this is my 5th day 'knowing' and so far so good (so to speak).