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Candle Lighting Site

I located the Candle site!! It was apparently removed by WebMD but we can still access it and make use of it...

Just when the caterpillar thought her world was over, she became a butterfly! Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!

Posted by Rachael67

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Candle Lighting Site I located the Candle site!! It was apparently removed by WebMD but we can still access it and make use of it...

Removing The "Other" Breast (Part I)

Jan just sent me an article from Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and Army of Women focusing on possible...

Just when the caterpillar thought her world was over, she became a butterfly! Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!

Posted by Rachael67

Jan just sent me an article from Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and Army of Women focusing on possible considerations in removing the non-cancerous breast. I am putting this into the "Tips" so that any of us who might need the information may have it available. (I will have to divide it into two parts as it is too long for a post.)

Thanks, Jan!

Is The Other Breast at Risk?By Dr. Susan Love On Monday, December 3, 2012 Â· 10 Comments Lots of medical meetings are held at this time of year, which means lots of media coverage of new breast cancer research. Whenever you hear about a new study, keep in mind that any results that are presented but not published have not passed the critical peer review process and are considered preliminary.
This will undoubtedly be the case with many of the stories coming out of the 2012 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium , which begins tomorrow. I won't be attending this year, as I am still recovering from my transplant. But I will be using my blog to keep you abreast (pun intended) of what emerges from the meeting and help you separate the important news from the hype.
Right now, I want to address two recent studies that illustrate women's concerns about their other, healthy breast after a cancer diagnosis. One study looked at the risk of getting breast cancer in the other breast; the other explored women's understanding of the benefits of a contralateral mastectomy.
The first study, about breast cancer risk, was presented in September at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer Symposium by Courtney Vito, a surgical oncologist at City of Hope in Duarte, Calif. Vito and her research team used a Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to look at second cancers that occurred in 109,411 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast between 1998 and 2006. All of the patients had a mastectomy, with 10 percent also choosing to have a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (preventative removal of the healthy breast).
The standard teaching has been that the risk of a second breast cancer is 1 percent per year. But Vito's study found that the risk of a second breast cancer is actually lower: less than 1 percent over 51 months (four years). Specifically, a second cancer was diagnosed in only 867 women, the majority of whom (66.2%) had their cancer detected at an early stage. The women with the highest risk of developing a cancer in the opposite breast were those who were known to have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation .

(Continued in Part II)View Thread

Just when the caterpillar thought her world was over, she became a butterfly! Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!

Posted by Rachael67

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1 Reply | ReplyReport This| Share this:Removing The "Other" Breast (Part I) Jan just sent me an article from Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and Army of Women focusing on possible...

The Save Lids to Save Lives Website

Dannon Yogurt has a promotion going on with its products. The aluminum seal has a code on it which...

Posted by SzelmeczkaCaregiver

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:The Save Lids to Save Lives Website Dannon Yogurt has a promotion going on with its products. The aluminum seal has a code on it which...

Breast Cancer Survivor

I had breast cancer surgery on right side just below my breast 2.2 cm part since 2001. It also removed 21...

Posted by An_248183

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Breast Cancer Survivor I had breast cancer surgery on right side just below my breast 2.2 cm part since 2001. It also removed 21...

DIEP Flap Survival

Sept 7, 2012: Bilateral Mastectomy and immediate DIEP Flap reconstruction. I live in Washington, DC,...

Posted by JulieNewSurvivor

Sept 7, 2012: Bilateral Mastectomy and immediate DIEP Flap reconstruction. I live in Washington, DC, area and have great insurance and access to some of the best surgeons and doctors in the country and for this I am v. thankful. Dr. Cocilovo, Medical Director for Inova's Breast Care Institute performed the bilateral mastectomy and Drs. Venturi and Mesbahi performed the DIEP Flap. I am 49 y.o., 140 lbs, 5'5", active adult: swing dancing, running with dog, heavy yard work, clean my own house.

Five days at Fairfax Hospital and I was most thankful to go home. Nurses ran the gamut from saints and saviors to the other end of the spectrum. A friend who is an administrator within INOVA was appalled by nurses and lack of protocol in ICU when she came to visit me as a visitor. She apologized, took notes and plans to take action.

My doctors told me at two weeks I would be feeling better. Indeed, I do feel better. I am off narcotics but taking 4 ibuprofen every 6 hours for pain. The pain does wake me up in the middle of night right at the six hour time frame.

Just a few days ago I was finally able to get myself in an out of bed. I am walking around the block 1-3x/day with a friend at a glacial pace. It is a big and hilly block. Sometimes I walk a little stooped, but I'm trying to straighten up. Scars are healing. I have one scar, low on my abdomen, from hip to hip that is healing nicely. A new belly button, also healing nicely. Left breast requires antibiotic ointment and is tender and sore. Right side is also a little sore.

I put on 22 lbs of water weight which is finally gone today. I brought loose fitting clothes to the hospital and none of them fit when it was time to go home. My sis ran out to Kmart and bought me a small wardrobe two sizes larger than I usually wear to accommodate my extra weight, swollen belly and breasts, and the four drains. I was given a lot of saline every time my BP dropped. My Oncologist said this amount of weight gain happens all the time.

Pillows, pillows, pillows. The squishy pillows are awesome in the car across my lap because the seat belt runs straight across the belly scar. Silky PJ's make it easy to get in and out of bed. A "Grabber" is essential. Relocate everything at a lower level prior to hospital stay. T-shirt dresses are now my most comfortable clothing option. Pants are binding on the belly and I no longer am required to wear a restrictive bra 24/7. Thankfully, the weather is cooperating with the t-shirt dresses and flip flops. My sis stayed with me the first week at home and took care of all the little things, parenting my kids, screening calls, etc and it was nice to have her here to help me get up in the middle of the night when the pain meds wore off. I had to step up and do more after she left but it felt good to let my body heal the first week and let the pain meds work while I slept a lot.

My doctors and Breast Navigator told me that as a rule, the first 72 hours are the worst for this procedure and I agree with this. They also said that two weeks is a turning point for most patients. I agree, as I am writing this at exactly the two week point.

I'm tired by about 5 p.m. I get up at 6 a.m. with my daughter to see her off to school. A few walks per day, light housework, thank you letters, insurance paperwork, phone calls, emails, bills keeps me busy at this point. Evenings are dinner and a movie.

I hope this helps you with your recovery. I wish you the best!View Thread

Posted by JulieNewSurvivor

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:DIEP Flap Survival Sept 7, 2012: Bilateral Mastectomy and immediate DIEP Flap reconstruction. I live in Washington, DC,...

Social Security Disability Benefits

When dealing with any kind of stressful situation, the last thing anyone needs is to have to deal with...

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.
Maya Angelou

Posted by Rachael67

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1 Reply | ReplyReport This| Share this:Social Security Disability Benefits When dealing with any kind of stressful situation, the last thing anyone needs is to have to deal with...

Nuclear injections prior to breast surgery

Some tips about the Nuclear Med injections. Demand that they numb the area 45 minutes before the injections...

Michelle
Read my blog at www.mch-breastcancer.blogspot.com
Smile and the world smiles with you!

Posted by mhall6252

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Nuclear injections prior to breast surgery Some tips about the Nuclear Med injections. Demand that they numb the area 45 minutes before the injections...

Bathsheba's Breast - Book

This book is written by James S. Olson an historian who lost his left hand to cancer while writing this book....

Posted by judyfams

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Bathsheba's Breast - Book This book is written by James S. Olson an historian who lost his left hand to cancer while writing this book....

Lymphodema Help

Good morning, Folks! Yesterday I had my annual exam and mammogram. (All seems to have gone well, but I...

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.
Maya Angelou

Posted by Rachael67

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8 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Lymphodema Help Good morning, Folks! Yesterday I had my annual exam and mammogram. (All seems to have gone well, but I...

Just for fun: Emoticons!

Here is a list of emoticons you can use: : smile : : grin : : sillygrin : : eek : :...

Posted by Haylen_WebMD_Staff

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Just for fun: Emoticons! Here is a list of emoticons you can use: : smile : : grin : : sillygrin : : eek : :...

Cooking Crucifers

UK food scientist Dr. Paul Thornalley has some helpful tips for cooking crucifers to make sure we...

Posted by eatandbeatcancer

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Cooking Crucifers UK food scientist Dr. Paul Thornalley has some helpful tips for cooking crucifers to make sure we...

Without Health Insurance?

I just came across another possibility for those who are without insurance...(I don't think it has been...

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.
Maya Angelou

Posted by Rachael67

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1 Reply | ReplyReport This| Share this:Without Health Insurance? I just came across another possibility for those who are without insurance...(I don't think it has been...

question on mom's cancer

Hi, my mom who is 83 was just diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer. she is going to have a mastectomy for...

Posted by elijah05

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1 Reply | ReplyReport This| Share this:question on mom's cancer Hi, my mom who is 83 was just diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer. she is going to have a mastectomy for...

Radiation burn pain and itch tips

I will get right to the point....I tried it all......and this is the ONLY thing that worked for me.............

Posted by sadblossom

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Gifts For Cancer Patients

Suggestions For Gifts/Helping Cancer Patients (A recent post reminded me of how so many of us and those who...

Always listen for what is in the silence and see what is invisible...That's where miracles hide, and it can make all the difference!

Posted by Rachael67

Suggestions For Gifts/Helping Cancer Patients

(A recent post reminded me of how so many of us and those who love us have floundered when it comes to what we can do to help a patient. Therefore, assembling a list in our "Tips" seemed a good idea. I have tried to select items for both men and women patients. Pleaseâ€¦.feel free to add to this!)

GIFTSâ€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦

A Journal (to record the "journey")
Inspirational and Humor Books
One Large, Very Soft Teddy Bear
Chocolate!
Assorted Herbal Teas
Cute Nightie/PJs
Bags Of Assorted Hard Candies
A Beautiful Box ~ Inside Place A Special Poem From You
A Soft Blanket Or Throw
Funny DVDs
A Notebook With Pockets And Several Pens/Pencils
A Calendar Organizer
Gift Certificates For Pizza (And Other Delivered Foods)
Gift Cards For Book Stores
Bath Items
Tape Recorder For Appointments ~ To Help With Recall
A Small Photo Album Filled With Special Photos of Friends and Family
Magazine Subscription
Thick Socks For Winter
Body Lotions (Might Want Fragrance Free)
A Silk Scarf
Crossword Puzzles
Hats And Head Scarves
Jigsaw Puzzles
Something Fresh-Baked
Any Equipment That Might Ease Recovery (cane, couch-side table, etc.)
ã€€
ã€€
GIVING OF YOURSELFâ€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦

FIRST AND FOREMOST: KEEP IN TOUCH!
SECONDLY: LISTEN!
THIRDLY: REASSURE! ALL Emotions Are Normal;
The Patient IS NOT The Illness!

A Booklet of "Promissory Notes" To Do As Needed
Arrange A Schedule With Friends/Family/Co-workers To Bring A Meal
When Going Shopping Call To See If You Can Pick-Up Anything
Surprise With A Favorite Food
Pick Up Books From The Library
Visit
Change Bed Linens/Freshen Bedroom
Send Little Notes Via Snail Mail For Encouragement (In today's world of email,
something that is delivered by a real mailman can be quite special!)
Baby Sit During Treatments/Appointments
Taxi Children Places
Take Kids Out To Give The Patient Some Down-time
Offer To Clean The House, Do Laundry
Mow The Lawn
Shovel The Sidewalk
Weed The Garden
Wash The Car
Walk The Dog
A Box Of "Mental RX" (This might be filled with donations by friends and family
â€¦jokes, notes, thoughts, quotes, cartoons, etc. Have the sender sign it so
that the patient realizes how many folks care. An Emotional "One-A-Day
Vitamin"~ Refill as needed!)
When The Season Is Right ~ Plant a Little Tree, A Reminder of Life!
Accompany Your Friend To Appointments, Etc.
Happily "Surprise" With Visits At Chemo
If Patient Is Up To It, Offer A Drive, Lunch, A Movie

(One Caveat: Be very selective in books, movies, CDs, etcâ€¦Some can be very emotionally draining and that is not what the patient needs!

A Second Caveat: While being thrust into the world of cancer, it always nice to be reminded that there really is a "normal" world surrounding you, and that soon you will rejoin the ranks. "Escaping" with good friends and happy discussions can be a real shot in the armâ€¦and that one doesn't require a needle!!)
ã€€
There is no "Right" thingâ€¦..JUST BE A FRIEND!

Blessings all.
Rachaelã€€
ã€€
ã€€
ã€€

View Thread

Always listen for what is in the silence and see what is invisible...That's where miracles hide, and it can make all the difference!

Posted by Rachael67

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**FOR WOMEN WITH DENSE BREASTS**

Breast Specific Gamma Imaging BSGI is another diagnostic tool that can detect invasive and non-invasive...

Posted by judyfams

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:**FOR WOMEN WITH DENSE BREASTS** Breast Specific Gamma Imaging BSGI is another diagnostic tool that can detect invasive and non-invasive...

PRE-EXISTING CONDITION HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

If you do not have health insurance and have a pre existing condition you still may be eligible to get health...

Posted by judyfams

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:PRE-EXISTING CONDITION HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN If you do not have health insurance and have a pre existing condition you still may be eligible to get health...

NCI - Cancer reference guide to stages, path. repo...

The National Cancer Institute is a wonderful source of all kinds of information about all types of cancers. ...

Posted by judyfams

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:NCI - Cancer reference guide to stages, path. reports, definitions, etc The National Cancer Institute is a wonderful source of all kinds of information about all types of cancers. ...

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