It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.

Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.

Thank you.

 

Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.

 

So I've just been diagnosed with breast cancer....

page: 1
75
<<   2  3  4 >>

log in

join
share:
+45 more 
posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:27 AM
link   
Talk about a game changer! It feels like my life has just stopped and it's not going to
start again until this is all over.

Last summer the nipple on my left breast started to change, like it was drying up and
started to retract. Then after about a month or so it went away. I thought it was a skin
rash of some sort and didn't worry too much about it. Until it came back about a month
later...with a vengeance.

I'd lost my job and didn't have insurance so I felt there wasn't much I could do about it.
Meantime it's getting worse. It itches like crazy and it hurts.
Finally I qualified for special program that allows for reduced medical rates. My doc
prescribes me a steroid cream to see if that might get rid of it. It only made it worse.
She wants to schedule a mammogram and I tell no, no more mammograms. So she
agrees to schedule and ultrasound instead.

So I get the ultrasound and immediately they find a tumor. A few days later they biopsy
the tumor and it comes back cancer. A week later they biopsied my nipple (they used
a device the size of a pencil to punch a hole in my nipple and then sew it back shut.
Ouch! nothing for the blinding pain, either). The biopsy for my nipple comes back a week
later and it is a separate cancer. This particular type of cancer (2 cancer for the price of one)
is called Paget's Disease. Paget's Disease affects 1% of all women and men with breast
cancer. The rarest breast cancer there is. Furthermore, the vast majority of women who get
it are in their 60's or 70's. I'm in my 40's. Gee! Almost feels like I've been personally selected,
LOL!.

My doctor's treatment plan includes surgery (next week). She'll take out the tumor AND my
nipple (which I shall miss greatly) as well as taking out several lymph nodes under my arm.
What the lymph nodes look like is going to determine whether or not I'll have 4 months of
chemo or homone therapy and possibly more surgery. Then, when I'm done with that barrel of fun, radiation every single day for 6 weeks. Then reconstructive surgery.

I feel like I'm on this roller coaster ride that I can't get off. Since I lost my job my income is very limited. There's several foundations that help with breast cancer...once the treatment has started, and I'm grateful for those. I've
been filling out tons of forms to get help. I can't imagine anyone would hire me while I am going thru this treatment.

My biggest problem, I suppose, is that I want to try some alternative therapies but I just don't have the money
and my new special Medicaid for breast cancer won't of course, cover ANY alternative treatments.
ALL of the help, the support groups, the group mind think all talk about the standard treatments...
surgery, chemo, hormone therapy and radiation.
I've been smoking for years and have been trying to quit these past few. The RN asked me if I smoked
and when I told her I was trying to quit she told me not to worry about it because I was already under enough
stress. (She's an RN and she knows damn well surgery and smoking are not a good mix)
Not once did anyone question my eating habits or any environment factors.

The hospital has patient navigators to help me wallow through all the bureaucracy, the forms and hopefully
answer any questions I might have. Of course I ALWAYS get their voice mail and they NEVER call back.

In general the feeling I get is, your stuck with it lady, now deal with it. Support groups are limited to once a month
(the next one is the same day as my surgery) and I haven't been able to talk to a single person who has gone thru this experience. A few I've known in the past have gone thru the standard surgery, chemo and radiation.
Is there anyone out there who has a different experience dealing with cancer using alternative therapies?
I'd sure like to hear about them.


+7 more 
posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:34 AM
link   
sorry to hear this as my wife has breast cancer also ,she chose to use cannabis butter for the aftereffects of the lymphectomy and lumpectomy ops ,which she says was absolutely brilliant at killing the neuropathic pain ,she chose not to go the whole cannabis cure route though ,as in the uk everything is taken out of your control and a schedule of chemo and radiotherapy is the norm ..very thorough but painful too ..

if your interested in the alternative route then google pheonixtears.ca ,the rick simpson oil method works wonders and very quickly ..and believe me there are people out there that will help you free of charge too .

hang in there its only a ride .



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:37 AM
link   
reply to post by orbitbaby
 


My heart goes out to you, runs in our family.

Obviously you can't afford alternative therapies but you CAN do better than that by completely changing your diet using low GI foods high in vitamins and other minerals.

This website will give you plenty to read up on re which foods to consume to help for those with cancer; some of the links will head you in to other sites worthy of good advice too:

www.naturalnews.com...

Big hug for you and I wish you all the best and many prayers



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:37 AM
link   
I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through!

Like you, I would be searching for alternative therapies if I were to be diagnosed with cancer. I have no personal experience with any of them, but have done some reading about various therapies. I know Suzanne Somers has written a book about various alternative treatments (calle Knockout), so if I were you I'd probably start with that book.

Best of luck to you, and I hope you find something that will work for you. This is the news that all of us as women dread hearing.



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:41 AM
link   



Just to clarify...

edit on Tue Mar 27 2012 by DontTreadOnMe because: (no reason given)



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:41 AM
link   
I'm sorry to hear what you're going through, but you seem to have an amazingly positive attitude considering the circumstance.

I don't think most of us on ATS should be giving medical advice for something so serious, but I will say that whole, natural foods go a long way in making a body better.

Your positive outlook will carry you through this. Best wishes to you and yours.



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:42 AM
link   
reply to post by orbitbaby
 

So sorry to hear of your diagnosis and impending treatment. I would urge you to look at small but possibly effective diet changes to aid your recovery. Cancer needs fuel and by cutting that down, you can do your bit to help too.

Little or no red meat, little or no dairy products, no alcohol, and organic produce as much as you can find/afford. If you smoke, try and cut that down although that traditionally attacks the lungs, it might help in other areas too.

There are many threads on ATS regarding healthy anti-cancer foods (among other things) high in antioxidants and other beneficial things. I'll be thinking of you and your nipple. Well, not in a pervy way.
Chin up, I have faith in you.


edit on 26/3/12 by LightSpeedDriver because: Clarification



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:44 AM
link   
 




 



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:45 AM
link   
NO SUGAR, SUGAR FEEDS CANCER!!!!!! NO SUGAR

2ND line



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:47 AM
link   
reply to post by TinkerHaus
 


i dont see how natural foods will rid of cancer?? sorry but i know someone who is healthy as a horse and all of a sudden he get testicular cancer???? organic foods, i dont think will make a difference except in the bank! just eat healthy and think positive and LOVE! its hard but love!!!!!



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:48 AM
link   
Heres an interesting thread you may want to read and see if you may be interested in trying. Mebendazole
I;ve already told myself that if I got cancer, I would not go the main stream way of treating it.

Alternative would be my first rought!!



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:50 AM
link   
I am so sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I have tried to reply on two occasions now but wasn't able to find the words to respond.

the only thing I can say is that a friend of mine was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in her knee. She had a horror year but has come through it and beaten it. Cancer is not a death sentence..

I really liked what eliteosbo wrote:


Originally posted by eliteosbo

hang in there its only a ride .


You will get through this!!


edit on 26/3/2012 by Thurisaz because: spelling



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:52 AM
link   
reply to post by orbitbaby
 


Hello Orbitbaby, I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I recently finished 6 rounds of biochemo as well as radiation therapy and endoscopic surgery to get rid of my cancer(stage 4 malignant melanoma) that I was diagnosed with last July. So I can definately relate to the roller coaster of emotions you are talking about. I had subcutaneous tumors all over my abdomen, head, neck back as well as a tumor the size of a plum in my sinus. also tumors in my brain and lungs. It really spread everywhere very fast. I was lucky enough to go to MD anderson in Houston and recieve treatments there. I did do alot of guided imagery(imagine pacman eating up the cancer cells) and meditate and pray alot when I was home from the treatments. I felt I couldnt do much else except lay up because the medicine they gave me is so toxic your body gets slammed hard every treatment. I just had a full body scan 2 days ago and my doctor told me there is absolutely no signs of active cancer anywhere in my body. The biochemo only has a complete effect like it did on me on about 8 percent of people. Even though the treatments came close to killing me and they are so toxic very few people can take all six without getting to sick or delirious.
It lists sinus cancer on their website as "very low rate of survivability". So I feel very lucky to be alive, much less NED. My doctor told me when she came in the room "Do I have to tell you the good news?" I told her "No, you've already told me thousands of times in my head before now." From the time when I was first diagnosed every time I prayed, or laid in the hospitol sick I would always imagine that day when the doc came in and told me I was No evidence of disease. I highly recommend to you to adopt this practice, this is going to be a journey that you are taking where you have to really see the light at the end of the tunnel for there to be one. You'll be in my prayers and if theres anything that youd like to talk about please U2U me.



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:54 AM
link   
First off ,I'm so sorry about your situation. I've have a friend on radiation right now for breast cancer.
If you google Breast Cancer forums, there are plenty of women out there going thru similar situations. It could be helpful to you. The National Breast Cancer Foundation has a forum.
I had a total hysterectomy in May of 2010 and found Hyster Sisters, the site has provided me with the opportunity to chat with women going thru similar situations. Hope this helps.
Good Luck.



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:57 AM
link   
reply to post by orbitbaby
 


I used to volunteer at the cancer breast center here in my neck of woods, please do not feel alone and hopeless as many women are experiencing and have experience the same hardship you are going through.

You are not alone.

Try to find a cancer support group in your area they are out there and they are very good at support and help and perhaps they will be more informed about alternative medicine.

Also just remember that while you feel too young to have one of the type of cancer you have, I remember seen many young teens coming in with advance cancer in their breast and already terminal, that is hart breaking.

You have a chance to beat this and come out a winner.

The worst part of this is not so much the surgery, but the chemo and cancer treatment that comes after.

Alternative treatments work best when cancer is found in early stages, but is lots of alternative treatments to help you alleviate the side effects of conventional treatments that are heading your way.

Your immune system will be compromised during cancer therapy that is what will be your main concern and get your body ready and strong.

I wish you the best outcome and hope you will share the great news after treatment that you have been cure.

Our prayers will be with you.



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:58 AM
link   
breast cancer support services
susan g komen

sorry to hear your news, here are a couple sites i found that may be able to help you find what your looking for. also i would try to join some of their forums and read up on what other people have done and to ask question. As a ats'er im sure you are a seasoned info hunter. my heart truly goes out to you and your family as cancer does hit close to home for me. my thoughts and prayers go out to you. On one of my local morning radio shows that had a women on that preformed nipple tattooing as a final step to reconstructive surgery, and their ability to add depth perception is amazing. please be in a positive mind frame while looking into this tho, as some of the images can be disheartening but from what i understand from listening to the lady speak was that most women just want to look and feel normal and this was a procedure that brought them this relief. good luck to you and god bless
nipple areola tatoo



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 07:59 AM
link   
reply to post by orbitbaby
 


BTW, Thanks to share this challenging time in your life with us here in ATS, you are a brave woman.


edit on 26-3-2012 by marg6043 because: (no reason given)



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 08:02 AM
link   
Sorry to hear that you are suffering, Wish I could make it all better but I can't.

Instead Ill give you my best wishes to make a speedy recovering and over come this.

Best of luck.. I will prey for you.



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 08:12 AM
link   
I am sorry to hear your news, as someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, I can understand some of your feelings. It can be a very lonely experience, which is why, if there are any support groups, it may give you comfort being with people in a similar situation. I found it beneficial, for a time.

I hope that you can put your faith into the doctors and specialists who will be treating you. I'm all for alternative therapies, but not in place of regular medicine. Your doctors have undergone years of training and academic research to help fight cancer. I believe they have your best interests at heart.

Good luck with everything, my thoughts are with you.



posted on Mar, 26 2012 @ 08:15 AM
link   
reply to post by orbitbaby
 


I feel for you, really. This really hits close to home for me, both sides of my family have been plagued with cancer as long as I can remember. My mother has been thru the general treatments, chemo, radiation, surgery.... Not in that order... Reading your story brought tears to my eyes, as I have spent many many nights beside her hospital bed durring the worst of it, and I have heard her make the rollercoaster ride comparison many times.. In almost the exact same words you have used.
As far as alternative treatments, after the surgery and chemo/radiation (wich was absolute hell on my Mom, not trying to be negative but it really was, she even had a little ceramony for being all done) it came time for a CT scan to see how the treatments had worked, the results came back and it really wasnt great... It was almost like her doctor was like "oops, guess thats not gonna work" durring her treatment they ignored how weak it had made her system and it spread like wildfire...

Sorry Im am going somewhere with this, not trying to be a "downer"... Heres where things look up a bit... She was offered the chance to go back through some of the treatments again and declined, thinking that she would rather spend her remaining time out of the hospital with her grandkids. She gets regular CT scans and stuff and since her treatments stopped about 8 months ago her tumors have not spread/grown enough to measure. She still medicates herself to ease pain and help sleep.
Im sorry if this doesnt seem too helpful, others on here may have more insight into what you are looking for... From what I understand my post will disapear if I mention the plant that has replaced my moms pain killer/sleepaid/appitite enhancer...




top topics



 
75
<<   2  3  4 >>

log in

join