Beyond Tomorrow - Surviving Cancer

[QuietWOW]

One out of Eight women will be affected by Breast Cancer. Cancer is becoming the leading cause of death in women. Having a place to share information, resources and coping techniques is essential!

[DrHilieWho]

<i>This was a forward sent to another message board I'm amember of. It checked out at ( http://www.snopes2.com/toxins/paget.htm ) Urban Legends.</i>

"The sister of my friend developed a rash on her breast, similar to that of young mothers who are nursing. Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her with antibiotics for infections. After 2 rounds and it continued to get worse, her doctor sent her for another mammogram, and this time it showed a mass.

A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo was started in order to shrink the growth; then mastectomy; then a full round of Chemo; then radiation. After about 9 months of intense treatment, she was given a clean bill of health.

One year of living each day to its fullest. Then the cancer returned to the liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality of life, not the after effects of Chemo. We had 5 great months and she planned each detail of the final days. After just a few days of needing morphine, she slipped away saying she had done what God had sent her into the world to do and now it was her time to go.

PLEASE be alert to any thing that is not normal, and be persistent in getting help as soon as possible. Her message is shown below:

Paget's Disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureola. It appeared as a rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have never suspected it to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me, so I went to the doctor.

Sometimes, it itched and was sore, but other than that it didn't bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak. They seemed a little concerned but did not warn me it could be cancerous.

Now, I suspect there are not many women out there who know a lesion or rash on the nipple or aureola can be breast cancer. Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureola.

One of the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care. What are the symptoms? The symptoms include:

1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to itch and burn. (As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much, and had no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one side.)

2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on the aureola area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).

3. Usually only one nipple is affected.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of both breasts, done immediately. Even though the redness, oozing and crusting closely resemble dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on.

This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your relatives and friends as possible; it could save someone's life. My breast cancer has spread and metastasized to my bones after receiving meg doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation andtaking Tamaxofin. If this had been diagnosed as breast cancer in the beginning, perhaps it would not have spread..."

[susieB28]

Thanks for the info Hilie, can never hurt to be informed!

[Sunshine]

It has been awhile since I have had a Dr. appt but I want to make sure that I am getting the help needed to check myself for breast cancer. Does anyone have a recommendation, until I can get to the doctor? Sunshine!

[Tammy]

I ran across this while I was looking for something else.. interesting.. the entire article is at <A HREF="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_2002000/2002809.stm">the BBC website</A>.. but here are the introduction paragraphs..

Scientists have developed a cancer-scanning device which is worn as a bra and finds tumours with electrical pulses.

It is to be tested on thousands of women in a trial about to start in China.

Researchers from De Montfort University in Leicester designed the bra, which they believe could be as effective, or even more effective than traditional x-ray mammograms, while being safer and cheaper.

[MintyFemme2]

It has been awhile since anyone post has posted in this folder which is a good thing I think.
I am posting today because as a few of you know my partner NapaNaitve/Random_Chaos has been diagnosed with cancer in her cervix that has advanced to vaginal cancer. She has already had hysterectomy and now will be starting radiation and chemotherapy.
The doctor explained to us when he gave his final diagnosis Tuesday that Boobla's pap smears had been coming back "normal" including the papsmear done 3 weeks before her hysterectomy. If the OBGYN hadn't taken a biopsy and found cells that couldn't be ruled as cancer nor ruled as cancer we probably would have never known.
I think our only warning call was her cycles becoming irregular. First it started out as coming more frenquently then in Jan it was continual for the most part with a day or two here and there of not being on her cycle till March when we got things checked out.
If anyone has any suggestions on how I can help my partner during chemo and radiation I would greatly apprectiate it.

[WA114]

{{{ Minty & Napa }}}

I can't begin to imagine what a difficult thing this must be for the two of you. One thing I've become more aware of in the past year is the link between <a href="http://www.womensweb.ca/health/repro/std/hpv.php" style="color: red; text-decoration: underline">humanpapillomavirus</a> (HPV) and increased risk of <a href="http://www.womensweb.ca/health/cancer/cervix.php" style="color: red; text-decoration: underline">cervical cancer</a>.

I can't stress enough the importance of proper reproductive health (including HPV), safe sex, and regular <a href="http://www.womensweb.ca/health/repro/pap.php" style="color: red; text-decoration: underline">Pap exams</a>.

I have access to a wealth of information, and I'll see what I can dig up in terms of support resources for you both. In the meantime, I suggest looking to the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/" style="color: red; text-decoration: underline">National Cancer Institute</a> web site, produced by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. This is a great source of information, for patients and professionals alike.

You may also wish to <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/help" style="color: red; text-decoration: underline">contact them</a> via e-mail, live Internet chat, or mail. The information specialists can offer you far better support and information than any of us here likely could, despite our best of intentions.

{{{{{{{ gentle hugs to you both }}}}}}}

[susieB]

{{{minty - napa}}} my thoughts are with you.....

[WA114]

Hiya, susie!

Oops, I neglected to mention that the National Cancer Institute also has a toll-free number you can call for information.

Talk with an information specialist from the NCI's Cancer Information Service - within the United States, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time.

1-800-4-CANCER
(1-800-422-6237)
TTY: 1-800-332-8615

I am thinking about you, {{{ minty & napa }}}

[susieB]

hi {{WA}} nice to see you

[brede]

(((((Minty & Napa))))

I am a cancer survivor and was lucky enough to have surgery be the only treatment I needed. I had the same experience Napa did with my period and instead of spreading down to my vagina it went up into my uterus. My lymph nodes were dysplasic, but not cancer so I did not have to have chemo or radiation.

I wish I could be a better help to you. I do remember needing lots of reassurance that I was still loved in spite of the diagnosis. And I needed to know that my partner would stay with me. My partner during that time was my EX husband and his lack of support was one of the reasons (there were many) that I did divorce him.

Just let Napa know how much you love her and show her you care with little things you can do. Sometimes the best medicine is a long hug. Physical contact is very important. Do you know how to give a basic massage? If you don't, there are some great books that you can learn from.

Big hugs and prayers are in cyberspace for you!

[WA114]

{{{ brede }}} How nice to see you. It's been a while, and I have been thinking about you lots.

You raise a very good point -- and a very real worry among women living with cancer. Though not a cancer survivor myself, I've known a few women stricken with cancer in its various forms, and the one common thread is that they all invariably fear their disease will somehow rob them of their femininity and, by extension, their desirability and attractiveness.

Having your womb, cervix or breast(s) removed, while certainly a shock requiring lots of adjustment -- emotionally, spiritually, physically -- does not make you a less of a woman.

Womanhood, in my opinion, is defined by your beliefs, values, behaviors, spirituality, faith.

Support and love are out there -- for both the woman affected by cancer, and her partner. Remember that, you two!

[MintyFemme2]

(((((((((( TANGO)))))))))) Thank you I will check out the info.
(((((((((((BREDE)))))))) I hear where you are coming from. I am trying so hard to be supportive of Napa. She does have her low momments but I remind her that I am with her every step of the way. I cuddle as much as we can.
(((((((((SUSIE))))))))) TY for the hugs and thoughts.

[brede]

Hi WA, I'm still around, just either sick or busy. My father-in-law takes up a lot of my time anymore and I've also been pretty sick again. As a result, I haven't been on the computer very often.

The whole body/feminine issue was a big one for me mainly because I had been living for years with my eventual ex telling me I wasn't lovable. I have no doubt that Gregrr would stay with me no matter what happens. He told me the other day that while waiting to find out if my neck was broken after my motorcycle accident that he had mentally redesigned our house if I came home in a wheelchair. He has been with me through so much illness and just loves me more each day. That is reassurance that I need from time to time, especially when my body wastes away and I look decidedly unfeminine.

Just keep on keeping on, Minty, it sounds like you are on the right path. If I can help you out in any way just let me know.

[viragoinc]

Thanks for the information

Alex Virago