Guestbook
My mother was is undergoing is lumpsectomy today with radiation. She was diagnosed June 1998 (she is 66 yrs. old). This is the very first (and so far - only) diagnosis in my entire family - I am very scared. I want to thank you for your site - it has given me information as well as stories from other women who have had similar happenings. Prayers would be appreciated as I will continue to pray for everyone diagnosed. Thank you. Annette James <ajames@shearman.com> Union City, NJ USA - Thursday, August 06, 1998 at 10:01:58 (EDT) I have just read all the inputs on your site and I am very glad to see all the letters of incouragement. My mother in law just found out Saturday that she in fact does have breast cancer. (Hard to say!!!) She had her breast removed this a.m. and we will not know anything for 24 hours. No one really says but I know our whole family is so scared. My father in law passed 4 years ago of lung cancer and here we go again. Please pray for her and I in return will keep all of you in my prayers. God will take care of all of us. Donna Christman <Gizmo1@flash.net> Southlake, Tx US - Monday, August 03, 1998 at 14:31:07 (EDT) I am grateful i found this site. I have a question. My friend's mother who is now 66 years old had a locally advanced breast cancer(11/16 axillary lymph nodes positive) 3 years ago and underwent a Halstead's surgery followed by RT and chemo. Now she has Multiple bony metastasis. Is there any role of salvage chemo or should we just accept hte inevitable? She is also severely depressed. please advise. yogesh jain yogeshjain <yogeshjain@mailcity.com> new Delhi, India - Sunday, August 02, 1998 at 13:52:22 (EDT) Two days ago I passed the five year anniversary of my diagnosis. I am officially a five year survivor. I thank God every day for the priviledge of living and watching my 4 beautiful children grow into wonderful people I know they will be. Laura <laura523@Juno.com> Amherst, Ma - Thursday, July 30, 1998 at 23:00:20 (EDT) MY search is over. Thanks for providing this service. DB Dot Bright <dbright@intop.net> Cleveland, MS USA - Wednesday, July 29, 1998 at 00:47:13 (EDT) Someone I have worked with for 18 years has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She doesn't know what therapy the doctor will recommend until the results come back on the lymph nodes. It makes each of us realize how important mamograms and exams are. Marie Medina <MMKSAT@swbell.net> San Antonio, TX USA - Tuesday, July 28, 1998 at 17:46:09 (EDT) 40 year-old diagnosed with breast cancer this year! Just finished Cytoxan, adriamycin and now on tamoxifen. kay Ashton <mary-ashton@uiowa.edu> iowa city, ia usa - Friday, July 24, 1998 at 16:19:31 (EDT) I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39. A 2cm lump was found on my baseline mammogram. Underwent a modified radical masctetomy with a 3 month aggresive chemo. Underwent reconstructive surgery. No nodes were involved but I was estrogen positive. Currently I am taking tamoxifin. I will be a 4 year survivor November 1st of this year. If anyone needs to talk please contact me. Debra <denman@palacenet.net> Pardeeville, WI USA - Thursday, July 23, 1998 at 20:18:10 (EDT) I received a scholarship from a man whose wife died of breast cancer this February. One of the stipulations is wearing the breast cancer pin. Your website is a good source of information for women who want to know a little more about this terrible disease. I am doing a research paper on breast cancer to educate myself a little better on this disease, and your website has helped me a lot. Thanks!! Megan McRae <mlmcrae@hotmail.com/> TX - Wednesday, July 22, 1998 at 19:47:22 (EDT) i would like to know all about the side effects of radiation therapy and the drug and effects on weight gain etc. tamoxifen. ANN HALLIDAY <dhtravel@glen-net.ca> ingleside , ont canada - Wednesday, July 22, 1998 at 09:15:02 (EDT) My dear friend is struggling with the after effects of chemo and radiation. She has lymphedema effecting both arms and her face. Originally diagnosed with inflammatory cancer of the breast in 1985 she has undergone multiple rounds of chemo and radiation since then. The doctors do not know what to anticipate since she is such a rarity. I would appreciate any information about coping with lymphedema you can provide. She does not surf the internet, so I feel that I can provide a little help that way. Reach me at Finley2115@aol.com Brunilda Torres <Finley2115@aol.com> boston, MA USA - Tuesday, July 21, 1998 at 11:21:55 (EDT) I wrote in a year ago, but more has happened to me since. At the time, I was looking for some help with my body's reaction to Tamoxefin. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer January, 1997. I had a mastectomy in February. Had 4 treatments of AC Chemo. Finished June 21, was put on Tamoxefin July 23, by the end of August my both shoulder had seized up to the point where I couldn't get dressed or undressed, eat without escruiting pain. I went off the drug, but even though I got somewhat better I have permanent damage. Also, at the time of my third chemo treatment, I began loosing balance. I was on AC Chemo. I had an MRI of my brain last year and one this last month. The outcome is I have cerebellum degeneration, "brain damage" since taking the chemo and tamoxefin. I had a very low grade of cancer. It has been that way for a year now, and it is looking permenent!!!! Gwen Compton <compton@oanet.com> Edmonton, AB Canada - Tuesday, July 21, 1998 at 01:29:55 (EDT) Yesterday my 17 year old daughter found a lump in her breast. I had a partial mastectomy done in Mar. 98 for an Intraductal Papiloma. I immediately called my surgeon. He saw her today. The mammogram was clear as well as the ultra sound but she definately has a lump. He performed a needle biobsy for pathology and we find out the tissue type tomorrow at 1:00. I am having a difficult time finding information about breast cancer in adolecent patients. He says that her tissue is different from an adults and is very dense for both typical testing. My daughter is reall passive about the who thing and hasn't really grasped what all this means for her. I asked about her examinations and both my gyn/ob and her pediatrician said nothing until 18. For you with teenagers please teach them monthly check ups early. Juan McGowen <jaymac@toast.net> manor, TX USA - Monday, July 20, 1998 at 18:22:07 (EDT) RICHARD MACDONALD <macdon01@cybersurf.net> CALGARY, AB CANADA - Monday, July 20, 1998 at 10:10:32 (EDT) Renee Calderwood - Friday, July 17, 1998 at 10:53:08 (EDT) My mother just found out that she has breast cancer and I am really worried. Not only am I at high risk but I was diagnosed with endometriosis, and I found out that it puts me a even a higher risk can I please get some information. and also my moms cancer has spread to the lynphnotes. Please help. Laura Evans <dlevans@theriver.com> Tucson, Az USA - Sunday, July 12, 1998 at 01:32:09 (EDT) I have just been diagnosed with intraductal breast cancer. No lymph node involvement. Radiation therapy and Hormone therapy are my course of treatment. I am on Evista (raloxifene). I am 41 yrs. old. Is anyone else on this drug instead of tamoxifen? I've read different things on the results of raloxifene. Gwen Henderson <gwen@genesiscomputer.com> Lafayette, LA USA - Saturday, July 11, 1998 at 23:25:04 (EDT) Gwen Henderson <gwen@genesiscomputer.com> Lafayette, LA USA - Saturday, July 11, 1998 at 23:20:15 (EDT) Two weeks ago I signed in here the morning that I went in for the biopsy, I am now on day 3 after the Lumpectomy and removal of lymph nodes. We find out this Tuesday if there were any signs of spreading. I am 45 years old and I was adopted when I was a baby in Downey Calif. I am also now looking for my birth family for more medical info. Best wishes to all. Marianne Portteus <rz4free@jps.net> Union City, CA USA - Friday, July 10, 1998 at 16:49:54 (EDT) I have breast lymphedemia due to radiation.The breast continues to fill with fluid which is drained every 6 months. Isn't there another way to deal with this probem? HELP Sue Gay <suefsu@bigfoot.com> Riverview, Fl USA - Thursday, July 09, 1998 at 19:06:57 (EDT) I was diagnosed with lobular carcinoma Sept/97 at age 30 (no family history). I had a lumpectomy, six treatments of chemo and 16 of radiation. 9 out of 21 nodes were involved. I'm interested in hearing about any long time survivors who had 9+ nodes involved. My prayers are with all of you and thanks for any information. Wendy Dashwood <wdash@islandnet.com> Victoria, BC Canada - Wednesday, July 08, 1998 at 22:16:25 (EDT) I came into your site for information for a report is school. I found all the ifnormation that was needed. Thank you. Wendy <wendi64193@aol.com> San Diego , Ca. USA - Wednesday, July 08, 1998 at 18:35:23 (EDT) Thanks to all of you for your comments and insights.I am 38 and was diagnosed with DCIS in late April. I had a mastectomy done 4 weeks ago, and because they found signs of invasion at 3 different places on the breast tissue, I had to go back for lymph removal 2 weeks ago. Boy, that hurts. Finally I got good news. I don't need chemo, and I was told that there is a new study that shows that getting pregnant after breast cancer does not increase the risk of recurence. Thank God because I really want kids. I would like to hear from women who have had mastecomy and then had kids. What was it like? Also, if anyone has good tips on how to get over the lymph nodes removal that would be great. Thanks in advance Christel the amazone. Christel Libiot <clibiot@aol.com> Washington, DC USA - Wednesday, July 08, 1998 at 11:39:37 (EDT) I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Dec 5/97. During my post-op, at-home recovery, I built a website titled "Health, Wealth & Happiness." Building the site was an empowering experience as I learned much about my disease (more than was being volunteered by my physicians) as well as the emotional/spiritual challenges one encounters when facing a life-threatening disease. It is my hope that people (especially women) will visit the site and benefit from the referenced information to take charge of important life issues, especially their own healthcare. The URL is http://maxpages.com/debweb Debra D'Souza <debra_dsouza@hotmail.com> Keswick, ON CANADA - Tuesday, July 07, 1998 at 20:37:15 (EDT) I was just surfing the web for information to post at my school about breast cancer and it's effects on African-American women. I would like to commend your efforts and pray that God will bless you. Debra L. Wright <dlw2590@garnet.acns.fsu.edu> Tallahassee, Fl USA - Tuesday, July 07, 1998 at 17:26:07 (EDT) Im trying to find out if itichy nipples are something to be worried about. ave <b.marshall@xtra.co.nz> Upper Hutt, New Zealand - Monday, July 06, 1998 at 19:34:43 (EDT) I am almost 50yrs.a breast cancer survivor of almost 10 yrs,1988,<1cm node neg,lump,rad, 7mos cmf. In 1992 calcif in mammo led to rt br.masectomy.Routine mammo on 6/1/98 @ 11mos,(1 mo early) detected tumor in left breast mast 6/13 2 pos nodes. chemo begins 6/13 standard adrymicin/ taxotere? Is This Taxol? if not what? I will survive this too but the only up side I have found so far is that all those chin hairs your mother never told you about might be gone for a few months right? Everyone out there, hang in there, if I can so can u. p.s. am presently being reconstructed with" expandomatics" feels like a truck ran over me. susan <apc@herald.infi.net> miami, fl - Monday, July 06, 1998 at 11:04:32 (EDT) My mother was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer two weeks ago. I don't know anything about the disease, and I would appreciate any help, info, or suggestions from anyone who has experience with this form of bc. Thank you so much and God Bless! Amanda <ChandlrA@aol.com> Tampa, FL - Saturday, July 04, 1998 at 23:23:14 (EDT) My Mom has been struggling with breast cancer for five years, and we have recently learned that it has spread to her liver. She is a stage four cancer patient, and has the opportunity to join in on an experimental study involving stem cell rescue (also referred to as transplant). If anyone has any personal stories to share that could help give us more of a background, we would really appreciate it. Thanks so much, and all of you are in my prayers. kristi <kidd@mb.sympatico.ca> winnipeg, mb canada - Thursday, July 02, 1998 at 15:17:13 (EDT) I found a lump in Nov. of 1997. I was scared and the doctors say that it is nothing to worry about, except that if I have it removed, I will likely not be able to breast feed because of the location that it is in. I have it checked every two months by a surgeon, and I am thankful that it has been ok so far. Aspen Pikowicz <a.pikowicz@cheerful.com> Pierceland, Sk. Canada - Monday, June 29, 1998 at 16:34:47 (EDT) I had a lumpectomey in Sept of 97. I had 21 nodes removed and one had cancer in it. I went through cemo and 33 radiation treatments. I lost all my hair and wore a wig for approximately 7 months. I now have beautiful curly hair. It was very straight before, what a treat. This was the hardest thing I have ever been through. My husband also ask for a divorce just prior to findiing the cancer so I really felt alone. With my belief in God and good friends I made it through. So, I know who ever is reading this that they can make it too. I am going June 29th for a followup mamo. My doctor has recently died so I am searching for another one but he will be hard to replace. Does anyone know who is considered the best breast cancer doctor available in this country? I have recently noticed that my right breast which was the one I had the cancer in feels warm to touch. This concerns me so I am having that checked out this Monday also by my radioligist onicologist...I don't know where else to go. This has been a life changing experience for me. I would like to share with anyone who wants to e-mail me and I will message you back. Vicki <vicki@waveone.net> Warsaw, IN USA - Sunday, June 28, 1998 at 10:04:04 (EDT) I am doing a research paper on breast cancer, i am a junior in college, pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy...i have currently had a breast exam, and everything was fine, a lady that i know had to have a double mastectomy at age 29. Karen C Hall <khall15@bellsouth.net> Denham Springs, LA USA - Sunday, June 28, 1998 at 01:27:25 (EDT) I thank God every day for my blessedly ordinary life. Five years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 35 years old and the youngest of my four children was only 3. I had a mastectomy and 6 months chemotherapy (CMF). A lot of women said "I just couldn't do what you are doing." The truth is we find the strength to do what we have to do. Laura A. <laura523@juno.com> Amherst, Ma usa - Saturday, June 27, 1998 at 22:01:01 (EDT) My Mother, Diane Bondar, is a 2 year breats cancer survivor. For this our whole family is thankful. I'm glad mom had GOD and her family to help her thru this awful time. GOOD JOB MOM!! Kellie Bondar <MomBondar@aol.com> Dearborn, MI USA - Friday, June 26, 1998 at 12:30:46 (EDT) Carol, I tried to e-mail you but the postmaster said it was undeliverable. I will post it here in hopes you will read it. Thank you for responding to my entry in the guestbook. Hi Carol, I just got back from having the stitches removed from my left breast,the right breast will have to wait till next week because of a hematoma.My family had been told after the surgery that it was benign. When I went to see the doctor Tues. he said that that the pathologist would not confirm if I had an early cancer or fibrocystic disease. My specimen will have to be sent to another pathologist and I won't know till next week. I was told that bi-lateral cancer was rare but as you have experienced , not that rare when you are one of the unfortunate people that has it.Thank you for your e-mail. I would like to continue communicating withyou if that's all right. Hopeful for our future, Nancy Nancy <nlck88@nut-n-but.net> FL - Thursday, June 25, 1998 at 13:26:13 (EDT) Two weeks ago I found a lump, went to the Dr. the next day and was scheduled for a mammogram 5 days later. I am 45 years old. I was adopted as a baby so I have no history to fall back on. In 4 hours I go in for a biopsy because they found calsifications on the mamagram. Yep I'm scared. My husband of almost 6 years and I hvae been planning for the last 6 months to move to Colorado from California in August, have the house plans to build a log home ourselves in the Rockies. I refuse to let ANYTHING stand in the way...as I told the Dr., "I don't have time for this shit!" I'll keep you posted. :) Marianne Portteus <rz4free@jps.net> Union City, CA USA - Wednesday, June 24, 1998 at 13:51:17 (EDT) Denise Johnson, PT - Tuesday, June 23, 1998 at 23:04:57 (EDT) I'm new to the internet and just found your site. Absolutely wonderful. Thanks so much. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 1993, I didn't realize all of the information available to me. I had great difficulty coming to terms with the decision I finally made regarding the form of treatment I was to have, which was a radical mastectomy. Breast cancer really scared me. At 15 yrs old, I watched what my paternal grandmother had endured when in treatment for breast cancer. I later lost her to the disease when it had spread throughout her body. Since then, I have lost two paternal aunts to the disease. I didn't realize that my diagnosis did not mean a death sentence. I was given Bernie Siegel's book "Love, Medicine and Miracles" and with the love and support of my family and friends, I overcame my fears and began to educate myself about the disease. Today, five years after my radical mastectomy, I volunteer at the local Canadian Cancer Society office and I have joined the Breast Cancer Support Group. Both have given me strength and knowledge to continue my fight to be a survivor. My advice to anyone facing this disease is to trust in those who support you and read all you can about the disease. This site is a good place to start! Keep your prayers solid and live, live, live! Health and Happiness to all....You can make it. Geri P <brieri@imag.net> Rosedale, BC Canada - Tuesday, June 23, 1998 at 22:39:03 (EDT) I'm new to the internet and have just discovered your web site. Very interesting. I am a Director of the Scottish Breast Cancer Campaign and would welcome any e-mails from breast cancer patients. we would also welcome any support from Scottish women. I have one suggestion for your web pages. I was prescribed Tamoxifem three years ago at the age of 42 and almost immediatley suffered from the dreaded hot night sweats. However, I find that tincture of sage, taken twice a day in water, helps keep those dreaded flushes at bay. I though I would share this tip with your readers. moira adams <ssf.int@virgin.net> scotland - Tuesday, June 23, 1998 at 08:58:08 (EDT) My mother is 53 yrs old, and was diagnosed with breast cancer about 5 weeks ago. Knowing about the advances in medicine that have been made over even the last couple of years, I'm confident that b/c it was caught early, she has a good chance of survival. However, she also has a weak heart. She is petrified that once she "goes under", she won't wake up. We've all tried to reassure her that her oncologist and her cardiac specialist are communicating very well, and that she will be just fine, but alas, she won't listen. Could somebody please offer some Christian words of encouragement that I can pass along to her? [incidentally, I'm the family's rock of strength and could use a few words of my own :) ] Thank you, and God Bless everyone who's ever had to deal with this heart-wrenching disease. Rebecca Morrison <smurf_becca@hotmail.com> Shelby, NC USA - Monday, June 22, 1998 at 19:48:40 (EDT) My sister had a mammogram March 10, 1998. She was told that if she heard nothing in a day or two all was well. After hearing nothing for ten days she decided to contact her physician and found out that in fact something had been detected on the mammogram, ( a calcium deposit). No lumps were detected during physical examinations. She had a second mammogram, and a biopsy. A small tumor less than 1 cm in diameter was removed from a duct.. It was malignant, a surprise to everyone concerned. Because no one expected this diagnosis she did not have lymph nodes biopsied until a couple of weeks later, 16 of 23 nodes involved. The oncologist has recommended a bone marrow transplant. It is now 3 months since her first mammogram and nothing more has been done. We are trying to find information on autologous bone marrow transplants for breast cancer, survival rates etc. and so far have had no luck. She has an appointment with another oncologist on June 26 at the Toronto Hospital but we don't even know what questions to ask. We would really appreciate hearing from anyone with information regarding this type of therapy. Anne Wiseman <AnneW@mcw.net> Barrie, Ont. Canada - Monday, June 22, 1998 at 07:33:29 (EDT) |