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01-14-2011, 10:23 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 81
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question on birth control
Hello! I've not posted in a long time but I do still browse from time to time and still love this board. I currently have a question and since I don't have my mommy to consult with, I will ask you lovely ladies.
I've been thinking about going on birth control pills for a while, mainly to treat stubborn acne. The thing is, I'm worried about the hormones in birth control which are usually a combination of estrogen and progestin. I know that they are much lower than they used to be but being the worry wart that I am and considering my family history, I wonder if it would increase my risk of breast cancer. Does anyone know anything about there being a link between oral contraceptive and breast cancer particularly her2?
I knwo my post is so not as pertinent as other ones on here but having lived half my life with a (very brave) mom with her2 I guess I look at things in a different way, and I know you guys understand me.
__________________
Hi i'm Sue. I've been part of the her2support family since 08'. My amazing mother Hong was her 2 stage IV 9 years and bravely earned her wings, I still love this board and continue to her fight. Plz reach out if you want to connect:)
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01-14-2011, 10:55 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Re: question on birth control
Hi Sue. I remember you and your devotion to your mother.
I don't have an answer for you. Sounds like you need to weigh the pros and cons with medical specialists. But it does seem to me that there must be other acne treatments that are more targeted than BC pills. It is wise of you to be asking questions.
Keep the faith.
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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01-15-2011, 01:44 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 434
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Re: question on birth control
Hi Sue
I don't know the answer either but I'm glad you're still visiting the site. It is important to be able to articulate the issues to discuss with your doctor and hopefully some fine minds here will be able to give you some advice.
Trish
__________________
5/2004 (R) 30mm bre gr3 infiltrating ductal ca 16/18nodes er (2+) pr (3+) HER2 (3+)
6/2004 6 cycles(FEC), Oct 40 rads, Tamoxifen
5/2006 oopherectomy, Arimedex
12/2006 liver mets largest 9cm
1/2007 Herceptin,
3/2007 Taxol + Herc
1/2008 Herc alone
4/2008 Multiple bone mets,Zometa
7/2008 Herc + Gemcitabine
8/2008 Herc+Navelbine/vinoralbine
10/2008 Herc+Carboplatin+Taxol
12/2008 Tykerb+Xeloda
2/2010 Herceptin + trial drug
5/2010 Herceptin+Tykerb
8/2010 Tykerb+Abraxane
9/2010 Abraxane
12/2010 Abraxane+Tyk+Herc
4/2011 Tyk+Herc+Femara
6/2011 Liver and bone mets prog.Abraxane continue Herceptin,Tykerb,Femara and Zometa
8/2011 Probable liver progression and increased neuropathy. Xeloda with Tyk+Herc. Zometa 6 weekly.
9/2011 Liver progression,TM +++. Cyclophosphamide and Methotrexate metro Herc Zometa
10/2011 liver mets prog.Herc, 3 Tykerb +2mg decodron daily,Zometa
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01-15-2011, 08:07 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 253
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Re: question on birth control
Hi Sue,
My cancer is/was hormone negative yet my onc took me off birth control right away, so from an oncology perspective you would be putting yourself at a higher risk (and I was on the second to lowest hormone dose per my OBGYN). I agree with Bonnie, if the main concern is Acne...there should be something better than BC (and I would question my skin doc on that).
__________________
4/09 suspicious lump in left breast
5/09 biopsi lead to diagnosis ER/PR -
Her2+.Grade 3,full masectomy left breast,sentinel nodes clear,Stage 1
6/09 Adriamycin + Cytoxan 4 treatments (every 3 weeks) followed by Taxol + Herceptin, 1 treatment weekly for 12 weeks, followed by Herceptin for 40 weeks
MRI Brain 4/10 clear
CT Body 4/10 clear
PET Body 2/11 clear
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01-15-2011, 09:51 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Re: question on birth control
I don't know either Sue but do suspect there may be a connection and have often thought my many years on birth control pills may well have had a lot to do with my diagnosis.
I agree that if this is for skin issue's, I'd use something else.
__________________
Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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01-17-2011, 12:03 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 76
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Re: question on birth control
Hi Sue,
I was on fertility meds (high estrogen) when I was diagnosed with Her 2, Estrogen and Progesterone Negative cancer. Although my doctors said that the tumour was hormone negative, they have strongly advised me to not take any hormones nor try to get pregnant (causes an increase in estrogen.) Perhaps you could ask your Family Doctor to check with the Oncology Dept. where your Mom was treated about the birth control question?
Now I will sound like a commercial: Have you tried ProActive? My Niece uses it and it cleared her skin up beautifully in just a couple of months (she's 14 now.) My sister did not want my Niece to take any meds to deal with her acne, this is due to my diagnosis. Also, there are laser treatments for acne too.
Have you consulted a dermatologist? Many benefit plans will cover that.
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01-17-2011, 02:26 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Haarlem, the Netherlands
Posts: 835
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Re: question on birth control
Hi Sue,
Good to hear from you. I remember you from when you posted about your Mom. I used to have pretty bad acne, and it didn't get much better when I was on birth control pills.
My acne disappeared when I went on a gluten-free diet. I didn't get on the diet for that reason, but it was a very welcome side effect. Just saying that there could be other ways to deal with the acne. And it doesn't have to be gluten, it could be dairy, or other foods. You would need to work with a nutritionist or food sensitivity specialist. It doesn't have to be a classic allergy, so a regular allergy doc might not be able to help.
I'm not saying this would work for you, but if you decide you want to try something non-hormonal, it would be something you could look into. Just let me know if you want to pursue this and need more info.
Jacqueline
__________________
Diagnosed age 44, January 2004, 0.7 cm IDC & DCIS. Stage 1, grade 3, ER/PR pos. HER2 pos. clear margins, no nodes. SNB. 35 rads. On Zoladex and Armidex since Dec. 2004. Stopped Zoladex/Arimidex sept 2009 Still taking mistletoe shots (CAM therapy) Doing fine.
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01-17-2011, 02:54 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Re: question on birth control
Of course we remember you!!!
Happy to hear from you and also that you think so much of us to ask for opinions.
I think that in light of the negative effect that birth controls pills may or may not have on your body, why not try (maybe you have already) other options.
Antibiotics, light facial peels, even regular facials may be of help. There is also some interesting articles on diet and certain supplements to help the skin.
I would exhaust those options first. (maybe you have?)
Sending you hugs,
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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01-17-2011, 08:02 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New Boston, NH
Posts: 275
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Re: question on birth control
So glad you are roaming the boards and asking this question for yourself! I for one would try another avenue for the acne. Supplements or change in foods you eat would be where I would start. Have you thought about meeting with a nutrionist or a Naturopath? Looking back, I was on the pill for 9 plus years and sometimes I feel it could have contributed to my breast cancer. Of course I can't be certain, but I really do think it may have had something to do with it. Have you talked with your OB about this? I hope you are doing well. I know how difficult it is not being able to ask your mom these kinds of questions. My mom passed on 6/17/08 from BC and it isn't easy. I miss her to pieces as I am sure you do as well.
Hugs to you.
__________________
-Sarah-
Jan '07 felt lump (PCP "thought" it was a cyst)
Nov '07 "bloody nipple discharge" (OB-GYN "thought" I had fibrocystic breasts and told me to take 400 IU's of Vitamin E)
Note: Mother was dx w/BC in 2004 (ER/PR+ & HER2+) & mets to brain April 2007 (she passed away June 17, 2008)
2/1/08: Biopsy Dx: DCIS (age 34)
2/22/08: Surgery R-side Mast
2/28/08: 1st Path Rpt Dx: IDC 1.8cm tumor & DCIS 2.1cm
2nd Path Rep DFCI - IDC (0.9cm) & DCIS (2.1cm)
Stage 1b/Gr 3; ER+(5%), PR+(2%), HER-2+++
5/5 nodes NEG; Clear Margins
Chemo: AC 4 rnds (1st one 3/31/08) finished 6/2/08
TH (Taxol/Hercepin) 12 weeks (1st one 6/25/08) finished 9/8/08
Herceptin 9 mos (every 3 weeks) finished 6/8/09
BRCA 1/2 NEG
Bio: Age 39, married to James 1999, 2 boys 12 & 10 yo
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01-17-2011, 09:54 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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Re: question on birth control
It's good to hear from you, Sue.
Acne is annoying. My junior high school (homeroom)teacher once pointed her finger at (the pimple on) the tip of my nose and laughed. Everyone had a theory and 'solution' to cure it. Since my three older brothers (12, 10, and 3 years my senior) all had pretty bad acnes in their teens, I did not worry too much about it.
I did find that exercising, drinking a lot of water, eating fruit and vegetables (such as curcumbers and watermelons) and avoiding fried/greasy stuff helped. Be sure to get plenty of sleep and avoid caffeine and spicy foods.
Taking birth control pills is a 'No, no' if you are at high risk of getting breast cancer. I had been taking 'the pill' to control the uterine fibroids for a little more than three years when we found the 1.2 cm bc tumor. The first thing my family doctor told me was to stop taking the pills.
Your dermatologist should be able to prescribe a topical cream/solution to reduce your symptoms.
It is very annoying to have those pimples/acnes. Be sure to keep your face clean - you can try the Clineque facial soap as it is recommended by most dermatologists.
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2
NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa
Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
Last edited by Jackie07; 01-18-2011 at 01:49 PM..
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01-18-2011, 10:21 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sardegna, Italy
Posts: 362
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Re: question on birth control
I have said no to birth control at this point as my Oncologist said it was out of the question after having BC. However, you weren't the one with cancer.... so I am not sure what the advise is to give you.
I am thinking that if you are just looking to help with acne... I would highly suggest you read this book and maybe you will find a way naturally to cure the acne. Most of the time it can be cleared up by diet .... this book is a diet book and not a "cancer" themed book but it is written by a doctor that helps people lose weight and change their lives so that they can ward off getting things like heart disease and cancer. He explains it all so wonderfully and I honestly really enjoyed his book. I eat pretty much like his plan and I am thrilled with how great I feel .... lots of energy - and I am NEVER sick which is awesome! AND I really didn't need to lose a bunch of weight --- 10-15 pounds but that came off very easily... I read the book because it was recommended on the diet that was good to help ward off cancer. THAT I was really interested in!
It is: Eat to Live - by Joel Fuhrman, MD.
Might be better for you long term....
:-) Good luck. Karen
__________________
Karen Wheelhouse Age: 46
Facebook id: Karen Wheel
2-09 – Age 44 -Biopsy-Cancer
3-09 – Right Quadrantectomy. Clear margins.
3 lymph nodes taken - all clear
Tumor results: Stage 1, 1.5 cm, Her2 +++
Est positive 80% - Prog 10% - Ki67 postive 30%
4-09 – Became a vegan! pH balance of body - cancer can't grow in neutral pH!
4-09 Started Herceptin & Chemo (9 weeks of Navelbine *)
* FYI - when coupled with Herceptin has the same results as more toxic chemo. No brainer!
8-09 - 30 RADS
9-09 - Said NO to hormone therapy
4-10 Finished Herceptin!!!!
7-10 PET Scan & other exams .... All clear! YIPPEE!!!!
11-10 Breast, organ Ultrasounds and lung x-rays all clear no changes ... NED!
2-25-2011 --- 2 years from surgery and NED!!!!!!
7-2011 Clear bone scan and full body and head MRI! NED! NED! NED! ;-)[/SIZE]
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01-18-2011, 10:45 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Re: question on birth control
Jackie,
How unprofessional, cruel and simple minded that homeroom teacher was. It is scary and unfortunate that people like that are in position to influence young minds. Behavior like that is never forgotten.
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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01-18-2011, 01:47 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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Re: question on birth control
Thanks, Jean.
It was a very big 'bump' right on the tip of my nose...
A lot of people are not very tactful when they speak. A college basketball teammate (2 years my junior) had made a comment while visiting us just a few months after my husband and I had got married: "How come a handsome guy like him would marry you? Why would a smart girl like you marry him?"
Mind you - she had received her PhD in U. of Colorado (where her husband got his in chemical engineering) soon after making that comment and is currently an English professor in a college in Central Taiwan.
People don't change. She had asked a similar question back in the college days when, through one of her high school friends, she had learned that the most popular guy in her friend's college bore a very similar name to mine. "Is M. H. T. related to you?" "How could he be your brother? He's so handsome and popular!"
My skin has improved dramatically ever since the life-long brain tumor was resected in 1990. (The increased cranial pressure had been affecting my sleep - constant nightmares had prolonged/aggrevated my skin problems.)
Hubby is still terribly youthful looking. With my gray hair and 'weary' look, I would have been mistaken as his 'mother' in public had we been of the same race. But, in his mind, I am still the prettiest girl he's ever met...
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2
NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa
Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
Last edited by Jackie07; 01-18-2011 at 03:19 PM..
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01-18-2011, 02:00 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Re: question on birth control
Jackie,
I really think there is a book waiting be published.
Do you remember the show people say the darnest things?
Well maybe a book - the unkind stupid questions
and remarks that people make...and adding the smarter they are the larger the remarks.
Before I gave birth to my son I would mostly ignore
most silly and stupid remarks, but after my son's birth,
all bets were off. I did not want him to learn that it was approved that it's acceptable for anyone to be unkind.
I remember well when my son was in 4th grade. He had a major hip surgery on both hips. He was doing very well with his recovery process - his teacher complained to me that he was too slow in gym class.
Could he not be any faster?
I responded with "you are aware of his medical history,
can you not be any smarter and kinder?
Understand your feelings.
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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