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.

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 .

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.

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.

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NO SUGAR, SUGAR FEEDS CANCER!!!!!! NO SUGAR

2ND line

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!!

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.

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.

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.