Starting Chemo July 2012
Comments
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I am so sorry you are having such a bad day. I am not going to work ever again. I am a Hospice Nurse. I help and comfort Woman dying of my kind of Cancer. I can never do that again. On a brighter note my hair is falling out in huge clumps and I am not dealing with it well . I am praying we all have a better day. God Bless us.
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OMG Susan, vent away doll! I will have that drink with you. I am Director of Care for a retirement home and had to take time off because I could not do treatment and tolerate the stress at the same time so I admire you for that.
That's terrible your husband left you in your time of need.
I loved my breasts too. I paid $9,000.00 for them two years ago and they were amazing!
Let's go for a rusty nail somewhere lol
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Hi SusanHG23, keep up that angry energy, it'll get you through the day. Freakin' cancer! Grrr!
It's my last normal day before AC #2. I have a work meeting, my pre-chemo blood draw, then a therapy session. I've heard it said that this is the time to drop any relationships that aren't 100% positive, and I'm dropping my therapist. It hasn't been the best fit for the past few years, and I don't have the time and energy for it any more. I had a session the day I was diagnosed, and ended up more agitated and upset over that session than over the diagnosis! It's going to feel a bit like a divorce though. A divorce that was a long time coming, and will ultimately be for the better.
I'm dreading the work meeting a bit, since there will be people who may not know about my cancer, and I'm bald and wearing a hat now. I'm bracing myself for awkward comments or questions. I hope nobody has a serious foot-in-mouth moment.
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Susan - MsSunshine- and all. YES! I feel angry at so many things. I try to pin a smile on, and act positive. Well, you can fool some of the people all of the time, (as the saying goes), but you can't fool yourself. I MISS my hair, maybe even more than my right breast, which was a miniscule thing anyway. Think positive, I tell myself. With a baggy shirt on, hardly anyone can tell its gone.
My 2nd chemo took longer to get over than the 1st did. Think positive, I tell myself. At least I'm not having to go to work, or cope with little kids.
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Ramols: I asked my ONC at my last appt about the vaccinations for our 4 year old (he gets 4 shots next Friday 8/10). She told me not to be concerned about the vaccinations since they have to get done for school (just take as many precautions as possible once he's home) but focus on how to combat the germs he may pick up when he goes to his appt at the pediatrician's office. She advised that my DH take our boys since nobody can know what colds or germs the other children may have who I could come in direct contact with (in addition to being around the chairs, toys, etc... that probably don't get a good sanitizing wipe down each night like they do at the ONC's office). Then I think we'll bathe them first thing really good once they get home and give him some Tylenol to combat any fever. They'll also get a lot of hand sanitizer once he's back in the car knowing how diligent DH is with it whenever he and the boys go out in public.
I also just wanted to post this quick little blurb for those of us with small children because it made me feel a little better yesterday. We had an appt with our youngest son's social worker yesterday (he is adopted and annual reports must be sent to his native country) and unknown to us for years, our social worker had been a counselor for cancer patients/survivors as part of her intern work. She emphasized to me yesterday that what I'm going through right now is just a blip in our childrens' lives and when it's all done, they're not going to remember it. They remember it as maybe the time when Mommy slept alot or we didn't go anywhere on vacation or in some form like that. She never mentioned to me that they're resilient, but that at their age (6 and 4) they are not continually focused on Mommy being sick so any emotional toll that I think I'm having on them continuously throughout the day is not really in their reality right now.
It felt so good to have someone sitting down with my DH and I who has experience and training in two areas of concern for our family right now. She asked such really good questions of each of us to get us talking about how we were handling my diagnosis and put in perspective what is important. First that it really is about me right now and I shouldn't feel guilty about it. Second when I voiced concern about how I felt that I was failing as a wife and Mom and the sacrifices everyone was making because of financial costs and emotional tolls of my diagnosis, she told me that most importantly right now is that my husband needs his wife and the boys need their Mom and if we ended up living in a small home, apt, tent, whatever or the kids had to go to the worst ranking school, it wouldn't matter because what really mattered was that I was around. She also asked would I have the same guilt about finances if it had been one of our children diagnosed with cancer. Of course I said no, so she asked why I was feeling guilty because it was me. I'm worth everything that is having to be spent right now, I'm worth everything that we are having to go through right now and I am worth everything that may come at me in the future. My DH was just looking at me with these loving eyes the entire time. Almost lost it in front of her, and she said if I have to cry, go ahead and also, not to be afraid to tell people who are trying to turn my diagnosis into their own therapy session right now that this diagnosis is about me, my DH and our boys and if they need consoling, they need to find their own network of friends or family to help them through it. Wow, yeah I can see myself telling my mother-in-law that. Not! LOL.
Anyway, I know I babbled a little, but I really wish that everyone could have a similar sit down with someone trained to listen and ask questions and get things out that are bottled up inside. This should be a standard with any health insurance policy in my opinion.
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Hey Melsrose and PAEagles Fan-
Thank you guys for the hair responses. I took the start of my hair falling out much harder than I thought I would. I noticed my hair in my nether region starting to come out yesterday and it's worse today. I thought I could ward off a breakdown but it happened at home, eventhough I've been pretty strong about all this thus far, as has my wife. I took a shower, and my hair on my head gathered in the drain about 1.5 times of what it usually does. So this is all about 12 days after my first TAC treatment (7/19). The shop at the 'spa' where I am being treated said my wig should be in tomorrow, and I just FEDEXED myself 2 sleep caps. I also have a 'hat with hair' at home, that I got at the same shop a few weeks ago, as a pre-emptive strike, LOL. Not looking forward to shaving my hair off, but I won't let it come out in clumps. Just hoping the wig fits (I go to work on my good week and a half, and though my boss is ok with me wear my 'hat with hair', it would be nice if I had some 'full hair' option as a security blanket of sorts and ego booster. Been a strange few days for sure....feel like I am going through puberty down south, and on the verge of being committed up north (joking). What a bizarre, fast and (often) unpredictable ride, whew!
Teeballmom-great post-the psychological toll this takes on families and individuals is often way underestimated in the 'fog' (no pun intended), of the actual medical treatment that needs to occur for obvious reasons. The need for support for mere 'coping' with this (and there are great support groups out there, as well as other 'complementary' services and treatments for mental well-being), is an area that often falls through the cracks via insurance and because of the breakneck speed with which all of this occurs. I am so glad you had a chance to tap an expert to help you put things in perspective-counseling and non-medical therapy continue to be 'must haves' for any person or family dealing with something emotionally complex like this, and the anger, confusion, uncertainty, and overall emotional tornado from diagnosis, to treatment/surgery and beyond. For most, the time span in between finding out, and jumping right into this often physically and mentally annihilating treatment/side effect combo is quick, and doesn't allow for much 'processing' by the person herself, and/ or the loved ones, which makes this even harder than it is already. The best I guess we can do, is get as much help as we can for the various aspects of this experience, and each day, reset the clock (again), to re-focus on the task at hand-to get beyond this in terms of our bodies, health, self esteem (don't even want to see or touch my left breast, damnit!),etc.
Strength and hugs to everyone here weathering this crazy storm-may many, many, many more better days be ahead, than tough and seemingly insurmountable ones that crop up in interim. I, myself, am currently in 'recovery' mode and at work-feeling back to my old self, generally). # 2 of TAC is 8/9-hope to have learned from some mistakes (poop drama, lack of adequate hydration on some days, etc), and take the next one on with less hitches. But to say that I am not a little bit of a trainwreck at this very moment currently with hair nonsense, resentment would be a little bit of an understatement. I am as strong for everyone else and myself, as I can be, but I am definitely starting to come undone a little. Plus the usual 'WTF! I am 36, I thought I had a fracking 'deep tissue bruise'!!!' 'Just started seriously considering starting a family', 'Having a hard time planning anything', yadda yadda. And I've had a 2nd biopsy scare in same breast, for which I needed last minute surgery (2 days before 1st chemo!), and am still store, but was benign'. Still....rowin' on in same 'July chemo boat' (is there an 'Olympics Team Logo for that?) as you all...and still more surgery, radiation and hormone treatment ahead (UGH!). Can't get to the finish line, otherwise. Bah! Trying to maintain my sense of humor through this @%&*#^&*(@ storm, however.
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itsalltemporary, yes, I'm on my third round of four cycles of AC every other week. Had the infusion on Monday and feeling OK. I forgot to take my anti-nausea meds, and while I'm not nauseous, I do feel like my stomach is a little sensitive. Please keep in mind that everyone is different, but my experience from cycle has been pretty consistent with respect to nausea (none), mood swings (one the steroids of the anti-nausea meds taper off), a little energy lull (usually on days 3 and 4, and I woke up feeling great this morning, but I do feel myself not as energetic as I ordinarly might be. Then again, I'm writing this from the PS's office where I've been waiting almost 2 hours and have not had had anything to eat so this isn't a typical day.) On my 2nd cycle, the hair started to thin so I shaved it, and a week later the teary eye started and was off and on for a three days. In fact, my left eye - the usual culprit - is a little at it today, but not as bad as that first day - the Monday after my 2nd infusion when it really interfered with my quality of life because I couldn't do anything. It hasn't been that bad since and certainly not an every day occurrence. It is only now that I noticed that my nail beds are a little darker. I have had no thrush any mouth issues, but my tongue and gums do have some dark spots. I rinse several times per day with biotene. I even carry a little spray bottle of it with me so I can rinse on the go.
So all of this is to say is that in my singular experience, new SE's may pop up, but for the most part, your first cycle is indicative of how the rest will go. That's what my onc kept telling me, and for the most part, I've seen that he's right. By the same token, the new, minor SEs that have been occurring - the inevitable hair loss, the dark spots, etc. are temporary, cosmetic issues that will go away once treatments end. Frankly, I've been tolerating chemotherapy so well, that these signs that the medicines are working have been a blessing - especially since they have been so tolerable when you consider the kinds of SEs on could experience!
Come to think of it, I guess I could say my first treatment was the worst of the three so far. I just have to say that I was so blessed that it really wasn't so bad. A little constipation here, a little diarrhea there (because of all the prune juice I drank to address the constipation without having to ingest another damn drug!) Other than that, I'm proof that one can thrive through chemotherapy. i wish that for you and everyone.
Everyone thank you for the kind comments on the pics with my dad. That made it very special. And it does help that I have a good-shaped head lol! Or so everyone keeps telling me. It was a concern of mine before the Big Buzz, and now that I know inherited a good one, I actually do walk around bald most of the time. I have my scarves and hats but usually only where them when it's chiily.
Hi CItyFi - you seem to be one of the few that is already on your 3rd round of treatment - interested to hear how it compared to the second. Do symptoms subside even more or are they about the same as the second one? Had my second of 6 TC treatments on Thursday and I feel soooooo much better than after the first treatment. The symptoms are MUCH more managable this time compared to the first. The doctor did tell me that the first treatment is the worst because it is such a shock to the system, and the others are easier. Just curious to know if it gets easier each time or stays this way for the remaining treatments?.
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teeballmom and boobzilla - great posts today - I have been thinking about going to talk to someone about my feelings and your posts are definitely reinforcing that idea.
City - I go for my second round of AC on Monday and the injection nurse told me the same thing about my SE for the first round should be what sets the stage for the remaining rounds. Similarly, I plan to learn from last week's experience. I wrote down most of what I ate, drank and experienced last week as a reminder for next week. I also wrote about how good I feel this week as a reminder for myself when I feel like crap next week.
Question about hair loss - I am nine days out from my first treatment and I feel like the texture of my hair has changed. Am I imagining this? Anyone else have a similar experience?
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teeballmom-
What a wonderful post! I feel like I talked with your conselor and got her good advice becausse ot it. I don't have a therapy goup- (live out in the country...drive an hour each way to get chemo...not about to drive just for therapy!) So this forum will be my group.
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No, you aren't imagining things Emilybrooke, I asked my hair dresser about it the night she was shaving my head and she said her other chemo clients have thought the same thing. We both assume it's from the folicles dying off and the hair isn't getting the nutrition it needs.
Glad to hear you are open for talking to someone. I just recommended the same thing to another woman I met who is just starting her BC journey and has a lot of family stress issues. Now is the time to get rid of the garbage in your life!Cityfi, that is GREAT information! I had #2 last Tuesday I found that from treatment day till Sunday morning, it was like I was re-living the same week from treatment #1. SE's weren't horrible, but not how I would want to feel for any length of time. The one that bothers me most is my vision gets very blurry on day 4 and I feel slightly off balance when walking and I also have this odd feeling all over, like I've been to the dentist and he numbed my whole body. By Monday morning I felt pretty back to normal again. Except someone dipped my legs in cement sometime Sunday night while I slept and they both weigh a hundred pounds a piece. I won't even discuss bathroom habits of those few days... I think we all know what those are like lol.
Still missing my tastebuds. If anyone sees them, please send them home.
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teeballmom - thanks for the info. Very helpful. What is it with the dang mommy guilt? Why do we put the whole world on our shoulders and feel so responsible for everything? I obsess about how my illness is affecting my kids and husband and ignore what it is doing to me. When I was first diagnosed I promised myself I'd finally put me first and take time for me - but old habits are hard to break, aren't they? I finally heard back from the oncologist's office tonight about the vaccine and was not encouraged by what I heard. They are going to call me back tomorrow after hatching a plan - but it sounds like I need to get him vaccinated asap and start my treatment before the 30 days have run out. So I'll likely be moving in with my mother-in-law for a week or so until it is safe for me to be around my son. I realize in the grand scheme of things this is not a big deal and that I should welcome the respite. But all the mommy in me can think of is that I'll be abandoning my kids at a time when they miss me already since I haven't been able to pick them up and cuddle them to pieces in three weeks. Don't know why I can't let go of that and just let this be about me and focus on healing me. Argh. Anyway - your wise words are ones I will take to heart and I'll attempt to adjust my mindset.
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Hello ladies! I'm starting chemo in August, and I've been reading your posts and learning a lot about what to expect. I'm a single mom, and my kids will be at their dad's for a week starting the day before my first treatment. I know that SEs vary from person to person, but should I plan on having someone spend the night with me until I know how I react to the treatment?
Thanks!
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Day 13 since my first treatment and, yes, my scalp is starting to feel sensitive and tingly and stuff like that. So I'm preparing to say good-bye to what's left of my hair. As with many of you, I thought I was prepared but I don't think I am. And what's weird is I think this is the one thing my darling, sweet, beautiful boyfriend is having trouble dealing with as well. I think because it's a big, obvious, in-your-face manifestation of the disease that you can't avoid.
It's been great reading everyone's posts these days. So much emotion, so many feelings and so much honesty. Love and light to all of you. -
I would. I had my first chemo last Thursday-AC and injection Friday. Slept from Friday evening to Monday noon. Woke for meds for nausea and bone pain. Two of my daughters were with me and I was so glad. They made sure there was something to drink and tried to encourage food. Nausea did not allow much food other than toast. Know SEs are different for everyone--and I don't know you--but sure would feel better if you had a friend for the first 2-3 days.
Best wishes.
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Got up at 4 this morning becasue my leg muscles wouldn't quit twitching and read through the rest of these posts. How glad I am that I found this thread...wish i had found it earlier. Tried a "older women" thread...no support there. Tried a "triple negative" thread...not much there either. I don't need to have a lot of hugs and kisses, but sometimes I have questions I need answers to.
- the leg muscles twitching - anyone else have that, any suggestions to prevent it. I'm not noticing the feeling now that I'm up and sitting at the computer.
- dry eyes - is that from the taxotere? What kind of eye drops help?
= someone mentioned taxotere's "horrible" side effects. I didn't know ahead of time that it was worse than any other chemo drug. The Onc said that's what I would have, so that's what I have, along with cytoxin. Every 3 weeks. Have had 2 rounds so far.
Looking forward to hearing from someone who's been through this. Thanks in advance.
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Lifeonitsside-sounds like we're experiencing this roughly at the same time. 2 days ago mine started tingling too. My wife and I talked at length about this yesterday,because we both rationally know that the main objective needs to be getting rid of the cancer 'inside' of me. For me, and maybe for most, the hair is the first true 'outward' thing I am 'losing' to the disease, if you will, and I guess I hate the fact, that aside from my sanity, and all of this fear and shock my body has been through (biopsy, some surgery, scars, and the overall rollercoaster from diagnosis to now), that I have to also 'give up' other things in interim, while this is eradicated. My friends (some of which I've known for several decades) keep reminding me that I am defined by who I am as a woman-inside, the things I do, my heart, my actions, and my wife repeatedly says she'd rather have me on this earth, regardless if it's bald, nauseaus etc, than the alternative, of course. So over the last few days, I have tried to re-center, as my hair is shedding. It's a hard trade off, because you see yourself every day, and we 'take for granted' how we look, brushing our hair, or whatever you do with it. I wish you the best in working through this-it's not easy, but in the 'grand scheme of things', we need to let our loved ones cope, too, as they are losing a little part of us, that they've grown accustomed to, as well. After all is said and done though and we remain standing after this journey, hopefully we'll all look back and see the hair as a small blip and sacrifice in the name of reclaiming our bodies from this disease. Hugs and encouragement to both you and your boyfriend:)
Nat-I know at one point some of us were talking about a 'firecracker' type sensation all over our bodies. To curb or eliminate the 'bone pain', I was told to take Claritin or the Allegra 180 I already took previously for allergies, 1 hour before Neulasta shot I get 1 day after my infusion. The Allegra 180 is stronger mg-wise than the Claritin in my case, and it worked. I did have some 'minor' bone pain, here and there (literally, completely at random), but it was nothing like what it could have been, based on what I read and doctor said. But, I also had this weird shooting pain all over (even in muscles, too). It was not constant, but I'd be sitting somewhere and then all of a sudden I got little sharp pains, here and there, like I was being stabbed by little needles. It was really weird. Someone here summed it up as 'firecrackers' and I thought 'that's it!'.
I am not sure if your 'twitching' is something like this, but you could always mention it to Onc just to be sure, so you can describe exactly how you are feeling and make sure it's a legit side effect, and not something else. So odd, all of these random side effects aren't they? Makes for a long list of strange 'odds and ends'.....smiles and hugs to you!
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Natl12 - I'm on TC and didn't get the leg twitch thing but my eyes have been a bit dry. Not too bad so I haven't really done anything about it but I did buy some eye drops just in case. The lingering se I'm dealing with is dry mouth. I'm drinking constantly and always seem to be dry. Other than that, I have been very lucky and haven't had horrible SE's, even right after my infusion. We'll see what the second treatment brings but so far, it's been tolerable.
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Thanks PAeagles - I really thought I was nuts!
donna - I would recommend having a friend or family member stay with you the first night. My husband kept a log of what I drank, what I ate and any SE I experienced to report to the nurse before the neulastsa shot the next day. He also helped me in and out of bed the first night when I needed it
boobzilla - I'm having an emotional day especially over the idea of hair loss. Your post brought some happy tears on. Your friend is right We are defined by our heart, qualities and actions. Thank you for sharing, I will tuck that away for when I'm feeling down.
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natL12- I'm heading into my last round of chemo next Tuesday-- 6th of Cytoxan/Taxotere. I'm not sure what "horrible" side effects you are referring to. I can tell you that fortunately, my side effects have been minimal and manageable. You can always private message me if you have questions. Hope this helps.
- For the dry eye, my opthamologist recommended OTC eye drops/ointment--- Gen-teal eye drops/gel for nighttime or Refresh nighttime ointment. You can get these drops at Target, Walgreens, CVS. I also got prescription eye drops before I started chemo.
- For the leg twitching, call your onco just to make sure everything is okay with that. The chemo may not be the cause of the muscle twitching in your legs.
- Regular 24 hour Claritin is taken for the bone pain as a result of having the Neulasta shot. The Neulasta shot is administered to help boost the white blood count and given the day after receiving chemo. I take the Claritin the morning that I receive my afternoon shot of Neulasta and continue taking the Claritin for at least 7 more days.
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Hi NatL12, I'll pass along a tip I got from a nurse for muscle cramps. If you're drinking a lot of water you may need to add Gatorade. I was having cramping in my legs and back despite massage. I was actually over-doing the fluid intake and Gatorade cleared it right up. I'm not sure if it's the same situation with your twitching or not.
Here's something to make you feel good about being on Taxotere http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/SABCS/7689 The news came out a few years ago about that study saying it has better results than AC plus saves you from the risk of heart damage. I have been wondering why I'm not on TC instead of AC. Yet many women are still getting AC so I'm sure there are reasons to use that one as well. I want to ask my MO about it though.
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Hey guys-just curious, if anyone here is on TAC-when or did your tastebuds change? I am heading into treatment # 2 on Aug 9 and just curious if anyone knows if this is a progressive thing, or if it would have occurred by now? I know each person is different, but I am curious if it's possible to set any expecation with this side effect? Mine seemed to change for a few days, but not drastically. Thanks for any info.
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Hi Boobzilla -- I too will be getting my 2nd AC treatment on 8/9 and have not noticed any change at all in taste buds...yet. Hair is getting dry and shineless (is that a word?) though, but my first treatment was 7/26 where I see yours was 7/19.
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Minor Case of Hair Panic
Well, my hair has started to fall out, just on schedule (14 days) and I am not too crazed about losing the hair, but am a little nuts over whether I am prepared to cover my head with nice-looking things. I have some hats and scarves, but suddenly it seems like nothing goes with my clothes. I know I'm being unreasonable and a little freaky about it. I just ordered another bunch of sale hats from TLC.org and I may or may not actually need them.
Anyway, there's a calmer part of me standing back from myself and watching this show....
I guess I'll go upstairs now and sew myself another headwrap. I found some nice soft, light, cute leftover fabric in my sewing stash...
Best wishes to all the sisters, especially the 7/19 group!
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virginiab - not sure if this thread has included info about buffs, but I just ordered some the other day and am actually excited to get them (strong term - since there is nothing exciting about hair loss). But if you go to buffusa.com, and look for the womens ones - there are lots of really pretty patterns. And they seem pretty easy to put on and wear. If you go to youtube and search for buffs, you'll even find a video of how one very beautiful chemo patient wears them. I think she has other videos of how she deals with her eyebrows and lashes (somewhere in the IDC 2012 sisters thread you'll find the exact link for this from websister). Good luck!
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Hey ladies-
Yesterday was day 14 from my first treatment and my MO was surprised that I still had my hair. Well I sure wish she had kept quiet. This morning as I was blow drying I lost about 50 strands and then as I styled even more cam out. I guess this is it. I have no desire to see it come out in clumps........ My wig is ready so I am scheduled to go to the salon tomorrow morning and my girlfriends are going with me. We are going to have mimosas and toast the hair goodbye. We thought about doing shots but I dont want to push my stomach too far. I hope I am ready for this step....... -
Ladies, I'm loving the rants and the info and the energy. I was sort of not feeling plugged in anywhere on the site until this thread.
NatL12, I too am having a very rough time of it with the side effects from 1st AC - severe nausea and vomiting (am now trying my 7th drug change in as many days), fierce headaches, and horrific Stephen King-style nightmares that border on night terrors. Everyone is right about asking ONC re: muscle twitching, but it sounds like what I have, which is a form of restless limb syndrome, often induced by mitigating drugs like Claritin and Benadryl - bad feeling too.
On the other hand, I still have my hair! It's a party in here. Where's the Rusty Nail crew? (THAT was a funny rant.) I am also feeling encouraged that I am managing to keep down my nursery school breakfast of one cracker plus two sips of apple juice.
I wish you all all possible ease today. I don't know how some of you are coping with your particular set of burdens. -
Right on schedule, day 14, hair has started to fall out and I have turned into a sobbing idiot. Thought I was ready, thought I could handle it but bit handling it well today. Gonna probably shave it all off tonight and then it'll be done.
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MaddyMac--
Congratulations on keeping down the single cracker and 2 sips of juice. It's one step at a time around here (and sometimes one step backwards in the mix) and we have a right to celebrate the tiny triumphs.
ramols--
Thanks for the reminder about buffs. I almost ordered one recently, but freaked out when they wanted $6 to ship a single buff. I guess I'll just have to get over it.
Lifeonitsside--
I'm sorry you're having a hard time with the hair thing. I think I'm doing okay with it, but when the time comes to shave it,who knows how I'll react??? I can feel my scalp all wierd today, so it's just a matter of time before we go from a bunch of hair in the tub to a LOT of hair relocating itself by gravity.
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virginialab- You might check at a sporting goods store/ bike shop to see if they have them ( ie Dick's sporting goods/Wild Country) i went to the official US Buffs website and saw there are two sources where you live. Here's the link: http://www.buffusa.com/dealer_search
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Virginia - I just received three scarves from headcoversunlimited.com - love them! Beautiful assortment of prints and styles
Boobzilla - my tastebuds were completely out of whack last week just days after the treatment. This week they have come back and I suppose next week they will be gone again =(
Pinky - I am 9 days out from 1st treatment and I too have lost the hair shine and my texture is like straw
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- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team