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Hi, im 28 and i have recently been diagnosed with melanoma after having a cyst removed. Due to the diagnosis I have had further surgery done a few weeks ago to take a deeper and wider excision of the original area. Waiting on results. I was to have a sentinel lymph node biopsy also on the day of surgery but for some reason it was not done. While all of this was going on i also lost my dear uncle very suddenly to merkel cell carcinoma. It has taken a few weeks for the word cancer to actually sink in but now that it has i am extremely worried as there is a strong history of cancer in my family. Also got a shock when i saw the hole in my face after the surgery, i was not at all prepared for it or even expect it. Should a sentinel lymph node biopsy have been done or do i need to have results of surgery back before any decisions are made. Also, i did mention to my surgeon when i went to have stitches out if i should have a scan but they were quite reluctant to send me for one. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Panicked at this stage while waiting for results! Thanks, misty

Hi All, Sorry if I'm starting a thread that's already been discussed on here. I'm at my wits end with this whole menopause lark!! I know I need to do more research myself but I said I'd ask for a little advice from you guys first. I finished my TCH x 6 on June 6th. I'll be getting Herceptin until Feb 2013. I also finished 18 sessions of RT on July 27th. (Exhausted!!). I stopped having periods immediately after starting chemo on 22nd Feb, so I did start having a few hot flushes back then. But holy God almighty above in heaven this Tamoxifen lark is no joke at all. I'm crucified from the hot flushes and night sweats. Actually I don't really mind the hot flushes during the day it's the ones when I'm in bed that bother me the most. I'm triple positive so obviously I can't take anything hormone-related, or simulated to ease my symptoms. Does anyone have any helpful hints or tips that might help me through these few months? Also, I'll only be 42 when I finish taking the tamoxifen, and there's a possibility that I'll come back out of this chemical menopause, but I really really don't ever want to have to go through this again. What are my choices? Sarah. XXX

Ladies Just received news last Friday that post 5 chemos chemo didn't really work for me and only a very small shrinkage of my tumors occurred. Has anyone been in this boat? Oncologist expected a very good response .... hence my surprise, disappointment and let's be honest, fear that it is not the case. Anyone else experience this at all?

Over the last few months my teeth have been falling apart. Has this happened anyone else? I had 6 months of chemo and 33 sessions of RT. Finished this last year. It has been a bit of a shock as I look after them!! Sunflower

WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANY ONE OUT THERE WHO IS DIABETIC ON INSULIN AND HAS BEEN TREATED FOR BREAST CANCER. I HAD LUMP REMOVED.. RADIOTHERAPY.. AND A YEAR ON HERCEPTIN I DID NOT HAVE CHEMOTHERAPY DUE TO OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS MY EMAIL IS : glucosesweet2002@yahoo.com smiles are because i am in remission and also because I have remained positive through out

Hi all Just wondering how long it took for people's hair to grow back? I finished chemo last october and had radio in January and February finished herceptin in June. While the hair on my body has come back with a vengeance the hair on my head has remained very sparse. I am beginning to worry if it will ever grow back. Would like to know how others have got on. Thanks Madge

Hi, I had a mastectomy and reconstruction on my left side six years ago. I am now pregnant with twins (thought it would never happen) and my issue is that my right breast has increased in size and I need advise on what to buy and where to buy it for the other side to make them match!

Hi ladies Quick question,big toe on my right foot has been black and lifting since second last chemo.Cleverly i managed to stub it yesterday and yes as painful as it sounds!!!Was in for herceptin today and assumed that they would remove it for me,as the whole nail is just attached at the cuticle now,but the registrar just gave me antibiotics and painkillers.Just wondering if anyone has had any problems with nails and if a chiropidist would do something? I know this is a small complaint but i can barely walk and wearing shoes is a non starter. Thanks

Hey there all I finished my treatment at Easter. Diagnosed Jan 2011, on tamoxifen for 3 months to shrink large tumour, followed by chemo for six months, then two lumpectomies and eventual mastectomy (jan 2012) and then radiotherapy. All done now, on tamoxifen again for five years and awaiting reconstruction. It's 8 months now since the mastectomy and I feel like I'm coping with it less than I was when it was done. I feel really out of sorts, can't bear to look at myself and have taken to even sleeping in my bra as I hate waking up in the morning with no boob. Is this normal?? I am keeping active, swimming, walking, am back to work, taking care of the kids etc and on the outside I seem fine - and some days I am grand, not down at all time. I am generally a very positive person, during my treatment everyone was impressed with how positive I was and it really helped me get through it all. But now I just feel kinda lost...and I don't feel able to talk to family or friends about it, which is why I'm on here I guess. Maybe I need to get some counselling, I don't know...anyway, just fancied a moan/rant and find this place always helps.

Hi all, me again with more questions for my friends to answer. How long after treatment do you wait to apply your first lot of aqueous cream/ Aloa Vera and how many times do you apply the creams each day. When applied after treatment do you wash off all traces of creams that night before next treatment. Not too sure if all the washing might harm the skin. Are you best to wear a cropped type vest or a bra. I know you can't shave, use deodorant, talc, perfume shower cream etc but when radiotherapy is fully finished when can you start using deodorant and start to shave your underarm and stop using baby wash creams,not looking forward to the no deodorant and hairy underarm now as with these hot flushes I will be sweating and smelling so much. Thanks for the help. Take care G x