[Andrea Barnett Budin]

I still have pain in my left arm. They removed 21 lymph nodes. Don't think they do that anymore. Sentinel nodes. Anyway, especially when lying down, I get really bad pain throughout my arm. Sometimes I boost it up on a bolster pillow. I rearrange my 3 pillows for my head (hard, medium and super soft). I use a neck U (like the one in the airports) only I use it in bed. With the rounded part beneath my neck. I try various positions and finally get comfortable.

Some pain in armpit still. Tram flap breast (foob for fake boob) has no sensation. I still have pain where my 12 yr old port was. That was my 2nd port. It is scar tissue.

I always report every symptom to my onc. I bring a list, not to forget anything. Not to complain, but to do my job and be responsible and report it.

After Taxotere I would occasionally experience deep muscle pain in my legs and arms YEARS OUT... I know this sounds crazy, I'd begin, and I'd report to my onc. NO, it's not crazy. Many patients tell me of the same experience. It was comforting to know I wasn't the only one. It took yrs for it to stop. That plus my Carnitine, Coenzyme, Alpha Lipoic Acid combo. (See WHY I TAKE SUPPLEMENTS thread for more on that...)

I developed severely dry super dry eyes from Taxotere. Lived clenching a tissue perpetually, even throughout dinner, which makes it really difficult to cut your meat. Friends would question if it was psychological/emotional. No. I have an excellent attitude. Use huge amount of eye drops and manage to not tear all day. Or have that pain like there's ground glass in my eye.

I HAD VERY DENSE BREASTS. SOMETIMES REQUIRING A SECOND READ @ MAMMO. I HAD A CLEAR MAMMO THE AUG BEFORE I WAS DX. I HAVE LOBULAR BC. A RADIOLOGIST'S WORST NIGHTMARE I'M TOLD. IT HIDES. YOU CAN'T SEE IT AND WHEN YOU DO -- IT IS HUGE.

SO I GET THE MAMMO AND A SONO ANNUALLY. HAVE A CHEST/ABDOMEN/PELVIC CT NOW ANNUALLY -- (BEFORE EV 6 MNTHS, BEFORE EV 4 MNTHS, BEFORE EV 3 MNTHS, BEFORE EV 8 WKS.) I LIKE THE DOUBLE CHECK AND I SPACE THE CT MNTHS AWAY FROM THE MAMMO.

I DID SEE MY BREAST SURGEON EV 6 MNTHS, AT HIS SUGGESTION. BUT I'VE STOPPED THAT. Believe it or not, my wonderful breast surgeon passed on. I outlived the breast surgeon! And 1 cancer center! Pretty amazing I must say.

Report everything. Get a sono w/your mammo. That's what I think.