Sleepwear during treatment for breast cancer.
Posted By: Please help. on 2007-12-19
In Reply to:
A close friend of mine is going for bilateral mastectomy on January 2nd for grade IIa invasive ductal cell carcinoma. I will be doing some caretaking after she get home and am currently shopping for sleepwear for the hospital and postoperative convalescence.. I was wondering if there is anything I should know about the type of sleepwear that is especially appropriate for postoperative mastectomy/chemotherapy patients? I am planning to get natural fiber only but beyond that, I am wondering about the pros and cons of gowns versus PJs versus front-closure robes. Any tips from BC survivors, family, caregivers, etcetera, out there?
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breast reconstruction/prophylactic treatment
Yes, insurance and/or medicaid pays for reconstruction of any kind. It's a law. They must. If you do not have insurance or are underinsured Medicaid will kick in. Bill Clinton signed this into law in 2000. This is a federal law, also mandating that all insurance companies pay for reconstruction. Also, if you have breast cancer on one side only, as a friend of mine did, insurance paid for bilateral mastectomies, so yes, to answer your question about prophylactic measures at that stage. I think, though that if you have a strong family history of breast cancer, mom, sisters, grandmother, etc., and you haven't been diagnosed, you might have to check with your insurance company about that, as well to find out if being tested for the gene that detects a predisposition for breast cancer.
I hope that helped a little. If you're worried a little, maybe calling the American Cancer Society could give you a little more info. Their web page gave me tons of information.
Breast Cancer
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Thurs. and will have a lumpectomy this week followed by six weeks of radiation therapy. Are there any ladies who have been through this and can you tell me how soon you were able to get back to work and did it affect your ablility to work and focus. My brain won't work and my feelings are all over the map. I'm an independent contractor with my own clients. Thanks for any help or advice. PinkLady
Breast Cancer
Thanks for you kind response. I will get the book today. I don't know what happened to the rest of the responses. I emailed the moderator to ask where they went, as I would like to reread them. My head is spinning, but putting one foot in front of the other is all I can do, plus yesterday I used the push mower to mow about an acre of my 5 acres out back. That did wonders for my anxiety. Didn't do much for the owie where I had the biopsy, but at this point, that bruise doesn't matter too much. Blessings to you for your care and concern.
Breast Cancer
Gosh - Sometimes it just seems so overwhelming. My thoughts and prayers are with you. The waiting can make you CRAZY. Please let me know your results and how you're holding up. What part of the country are you in? I'm in Virginia, south of Roanoke.
Breast Cancer
I know exactly how you feel. I was diagnosed with an occult breast cancer 13 years ago. I did not have a lumpectomy but I did chemo and radiation afterwards. The radiation was a breeze. I didn't find that I had any symptoms from the radiation. I wish you the best of luck. I did have prophylactic bilateral mastectomies 7 years later and for me, it was the best thing I ever did. That relieved a lot of the anxieties. Once you are done with all of the treatment and they say that you can just follow up at certain intervals you'll feel much better and relieved. Try to think about that part of it.
What are we doing for men with breast cancer?
nm
Breast cancer posts
Only one message moved over to Gab from Main. Please get your hands on Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book, it will help. Also get other opinions. Perhaps this is on here somewhere but I know you only have today to prepare. Be strong and positive with positive vibes all around you.
men with breast cancer reply
Honestly I don't know, I just follow for the women, since my diagnosis last year. I'm sure there's something out there though. If not maybe you can start something up for the men... Best of luck.
We should be outraged at the prevalence of breast cancer.
I am so sorry you have to go through this right now.
I understand how you feel. As posted earlier, I am awaiting results which will be delivered tomorrow after bx on Thurs morning. I am on my knees and praying this will be benign because I am going through the tragic and unexpected death of my 51 yr old brother and only remaining immediate family member, just over a month ago.
And like you, my thoughts are "can I work through the treatment," and "where is my support system that should be in place but isn't?"
As one woman said to me, just take it moment by moment, try to join a local breast cancer support group where you will undoubtedly make life-long friends, I am sure of it. Nothing can bond two women more than going through this together.
What I have done is get supplies that can last (dog/cat food, frozen/canned food for myself, etc), pay some of my bills ahead of time in case I end up drifting through the days, and I try to do things that will allow me a few months of inactivity such as leaving the house for anything other than leisurely walks with the dogs and the appointments this will require. I have read it is important to drink plenty of water and to apply 100% aloe vera gel on skin that is irradiated immediately, get an anti-depressant and an anti-anxiety med to get you through this.
Get plenty of rest and eat right. (You could line up back up help just in case.) Also: Try to enjoy a favorite hobby be it reading or gardening, sewing. Try to walk each day.
I have read the first two weeks of this are the hardest and that is due to the overwhelming realization of the seriousness of this disease.
Also, I have read that it is important you have confidence in your M.D. Second and third opinions from specialists were encouraged.
I will think of you often. E-mail me if you'd like to correspond.
This is one web site and there are more where women with breast CA ask questions and find others who understand exactly how they feel.
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=23
And as my surgeon said, remember all of the survivors, there are very many actually.
Especially if you have a family history of breast cancer sm
You might even want to start earlier than age 40 with your mammograms. You can start at age 30 or 35 and have them every two or three years until age 40, and yearly after that. It is particularly important if members of your family have had breast cancer at an early age.
As a former x-ray tech, I can tell you that a mammogram should be no more uncomfortable than having your blood pressure taken, unless you are already having breast pain. Sometimes your skin can get pinched at an awkward angle under the pressure plate, and that will hurt. If that happens, TELL the mammographer immediately, and she will adjust it.
I did hundreds of mammograms while I was an x-ray tech. I always took a little extra time to smooth out the skin and try to make sure that my patients did not experience discomfort. Some patients had fibrocystic disease or other breast issues which made it painful no matter how careful I was. So I tried to work as quickly as I could to minimize the discomfort.
The point is, a mammogram should not be an unpleasant experience. The mammographer is a professional; you should feel no more uncomfortable exposing your body in a mammography room than you would in the examining room of your doctor's office. The mammographer wants your experience to be pain-free and as pleasant as possible; sometimes that may require some communication on your part.
But please, PLEASE have regular mammograms. It breaks my heart when I transcribe reports on young women in their 30s who have metastatic breast cancer. I always wonder how many children they will be leaving behind without a mother.
Received a dx today of fibrocystic breast disease. Painful lumps in my breast. Going for a mammo
towards the end of the month. Anyone have any info on this disease?
Yes she did, but the treatment she got in
the puppy mill had her literally terrified of people. Ute had to keep her collar and leash on her day and night even when she slep, because the trauma of putting it on a screaming dog that was urinating when you approached her was just too much. This dog was terrified of a human's hands and legs. That tells me a lot. She was not a disciplinary problems, she had no trust. It has taken a very long time, and she is not 100%, but she is well on the way. Ute and Joe are the best. They were determined to give this darling little dog a loving home.
treatment
My husband is diagnosed with these on his nose as well. Don't know where the heck they come from but every once in a while they pop up. They treat him with Keflex every time. My daughter get the sores on her lips and they give her acylovir cream.
Have you tried a hot oil treatment?
That might be a quick help. I'd go to one of those really good salons. I'm impressed with the products they have, not that dryness is my problem.
Equal treatment
I wasn't allowed to get my ears pierced as a girl until I was 12. My mother's reason was that I was too young to take care of them. Since boys mature slower than girls, I think 13 is perfectly reasonable. Also I don't know your son's interests but make sure he understands that some sports will require him to take it out to play.
hiaiball treatment
I have found that a hairball treatment (paste form) works well for this. My short-haired cat doesn't really have hairballs but it helped her to stop vomiting so I assume hair was contributing and maybe it was just not enough to see like our other long haired cats. Any brand works fine. I just buy it at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, whatever. It's only a couple bucks a tube and they love it if you don't force it.
Mother's Day Treatment
I've noticed a lot of women don't teach their kids to honor them on "their" days. It's our job to teach them to gift us. It really is. Just like we need to teach them to wipe their behinds, we need to help them to remember our birthdays, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas, whatever is special to us.
If I don't teach my kids to honor my days, I'm teaching them that they're more important, more special than I am. I'm certainly not suggesting extravagance, more like a homemade card or something they make in school, breakfast in bed has been my kids' favorite way to celebrate Mother's Day.
With a 12-year-old you might ask him which "special" days does he enjoy being honored? Then ask which "special" days does he think it appropriate to honor you?
I see no excuse for your husband's treatment of you. I feel like the saying "What we allow we teach" applies here, too. Somehow, from what you said, it sounds like your husband believes you were responsible to keep him on track with his mom for Mother's Day. That shows he at least is aware that he has a responsibility to his mom to honor her on that day.
Not that you asked, but I would suggest that you do nothing and say nothing to him for Father's Day. That might show him how it feels. Or you could take the high road and do as always, and then calmly mention something to the effect of, "Isn't it wonderful to be remembered on your day? Please don't let another of mine go without some of your attention. It felt so bad when you blew me off on Mother's Day that I felt like not honoring you on Father's Day. But of course, I know 2 wrongs don't make a right, do they, honey?"
I hope you get an answer and some treatment nm
nm
No, to date one can CHOOSE one's treatment.
nobody can force a treatment on you.
The mother has the son's trust, otherwise he would have stayed with the father.
Obviously the father wants to subject the son to this chemo, therefore mother & son ran away.
This boy is going through he** durin this chemo treatment and his mother looks for a less aggressive, accepteable one.
I hope they make it to Mexico...
I doubt your children are happy with that treatment.
At least we hope so.
I'm so sorry that you had to endure that kind of treatment for a week. sm
Since you can't do anything about the way another person thinks, feels, acts, etc. and the only thing you can do anything about is how you think, feel, act, etc., you should first do something to take care of yourself. Take a bath, listen to your favorite music, read something inspirational, whatever makes you feel better. Have you eaten a good, nutritious meal? Do you need to take a nap or go to bed early tonight? Now remember this, you do not need to figure out what to do about this right now or today or even tomorrow...and not only that, but maybe the thing to do is not to do anything, but even that can wait.
New Cancer Vac.
 Frankly it scars me and I have had cervical cancer myself. I work part-time on a onocolgy account and they say it "may" prevent cervical cancer. You still have to screen for this type of cancer and if you screen every year it would be caught early and can be cured -- as was in my case. We don't know what the long-term effects are. What if this drug would make your child/grandchild not able to have a child of her own? There could be and are some side-effects. To me the side-effects sound worse than maybe getting the cancer. I had to have LEEP surgery and go for screening every 4 months for the following year. If the shot had been available for me in my younger years, I still would not take it evening knowing that cancer was in my future. A lot of times these new drugs are worse than what they are supposed to cure/prevent.
Cancer
 I had a close relative go through this and I also did work for an oncology doctor for a few months. I would not do the surgery. That is my personal opinion. It is major surgery and you don't just bounce back like nothing took place. It is a well-known fact in my state that doctors operate just for the $$$$. I know this is not the case with most, but there are some doctors out there just to make as much $$$$ as they can. My relative was told to have the surgery or die. She didn't have the surgery, went to another doctor who agreed she did the right thing. What cancer she did have was gone. It has been years and she is healthy. Why be cut up for something that may or may not happen? To each his own, but I would not jump into this without a ton of thought. I wish you good health. I am also a cancer survivor -- cervical. No more surgeries for me. Again there was a doctor only out for money and I looked for another opinion. I had LEEP the cancer is gone and has been gone for almost 5 years. Did you know that if it doesn't cancer does not return in 3-5 years it most likely will not return at all? Wait and see. I did and I am glad I did.
HELP!! CANCER
Hi,
My uncle has Ductal Eccrine Adeno Carcinoma. The Doctor's say they do not know much about it and do not know how to treat it. Does anyone know of anyone who has it ( it is rare) and any info. you can give on the subject will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
MT
Actually, he's not a breast man
He is a realtor and doing very well. Large breasts are not what he looks for in a woman - and he knows what breasts are meant for first and foremost - nutrition. You did things your way - I did things mine - and I doubt that we will ever read of one of our children becoming sexual perverts or serial killers - I think this thread was probably very encouraging to those who did not post but have emailed me because they were afraid of being blasted like I have been - but I say - who cares - to each his own - and mine was BF for 6 years. Now you want to hear about my sex life?
Cancer vaccine
I do NOT agree with this either. I lost a daughter to cancer. One thing I learned while she was being treated was that the side effects of the chemo and radiation were cancer. I do not agree with this. This vaccine has not been around long enough to just start making it mandatory and I for one do not like the government making medical decisions for me.
New Cancer Shot
I saw it on the evening news here in PA. Unfortunately, it is for real. There are two ways parents can opt out, but they have to jump through hoops to do it.
Cancer injection
But this particular injection only protects the cancer which supposedly comes from a virus. It does not protect from all cervical cancer. It does not protect from the cervical cancer not attributed to the STD. You are correct, not all cancer comes from having sex, but this injection only protects from the kind that does and even that is a debate.
Don't know about cancer or anything, but it does make me
.
esophageal cancer
Does anyone have any experience with family/friends and esophageal cancer? I want the good, the bad and the ugly. My DH was dx'd last week and given a very poor prognosis. I would like some idea of how others have coped and what to expect. Thanks in advance.
I feel the same as you with cancer or other
Also, I really don't think there are "huge pot heads" out there robbing banks for their next J to roll.
I'm for legalizing it for everyone (drinking age of course). Why not? Booze is allowed and drunk drivers kill innocent people every day. There are crosses along the road in my state to prove it. I say legalize it and save the jail for the real criminals.
I'm not into a pickled liver, so I stay away from the booze. But definitely decriminilizing is better than jamming the jails up and using our taxes to pay for 3 hots and a cot for a pothead... 
breast pain
Go ahead and try the Vit E - I took it for a couple of years and didn't notice any difference, but that doesn't you won't. I did the diet elimination of caffeine, which was really rough for me, but it made absolutely no difference. I think that pain is hormone related. My GYN told me after I did a year of the no caffeine diet that they had found that almost no one responded to it.
I have been told, since my first mammogram at age 37 that I have "changes consistent with fibrocystic disease." Even after menopause, I still get breast pain off and on. My right breast feels like it has a little rock in it; sometimes the discomfort/pain/tenderness shoots into my underarm area. It hasn't gotten better or worse in 20 years.
Sorry to not be more helpful.
Breast pain
I have a very personal question. Does anyone have severe breast pain before their menstrual cycle. I literally have excruciating pain for about two weeks before my cycle. I have tried Motrin, heat, Primrose, herbal supplements and changing my diet. Nothing works. I've had a couple of mammograms which were both normal. I am at my wits end. I am questioning a hysterectomy to relieve the symptoms (it's that bad). I have always had this but the pain seems to be getting worse. I only have about two weeks without breast pain. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations. I am willing to try anything.
Thanks ahead of time..... 
I had a breast reduction so do not have to even
wear 1 if I don’t want to. If I do, cannot wear the underwire deals. Used to be the breasts would enter the room about 5 minutes before I did, hated that!!
breast reduction
Double D's here -- can relate to the boobs entering the room first. LOL I have thought about a reduction -- if only I had the insurance coverage. I think the extra up front contributes to my low back problems. Was the surgery a difficult thing to go through? Is it painful?
My children were not breast fed and
incredible stable and social. They are both straight A students and are very well-rounded. Breast milk does many things, but it doesn't make a child perfect.
I have a breast machine also
Only thing is I told him I would not tell!! He, he.
anybody ever had a breast lipoma?(sm)
What does one feel like and what do they do about it?
Breast biopsy
What is the normal length of time time to wait on the results of a biospy for a lump in the breast. I was given a very vague answer today about when? Thanks!
breast reduction
I am seriously thinking of having this done because I'm so tired of aching shoulders and not being able to wear the clothes I really want to wear. I am just a big baby when it comes to going under the knife! Has anyone gone through this, was it very painful and how long is the recovery time? TIA!
breast reduction
I keep mulling over the same thing, but I am 50. I have huge grooves in my shoulders, and have had cervical disk problems, fusion and all. I wonder if that is why I have neck problems because I never had an accident or anything. I am a 36G or H if I can find it. Forget about breast-feeding my kids, I felt like I would fall over from the weight of them and couldn't wait until they went back to normal (for me anyway :) I am only 5Ɖ, slightly overweight. I think being so huge on top makes you look heavier anyway. I still think about having it done. I am sure my ins would pay for it, just so afraid of the pain and scars, but now you have me thinking again!
Breast feeding.....
I had a child via a surrogate and I breast fed her. Sometimes just suckling the baby will stimulate milk supply but it is a very long and time consuming process. Also, I used a system called Lact-Aid that uses a small bag that holds formula and has a thin tube that is near the nipple so the baby suckles both the tube for the formula and you for the stimulation to trick your body into producing milk. And yes, I did produce some although not enough for nourishment. I used the system for several weeks just for the bonding.
Had a hysterectomy 6-1/2 years ago, not for cancer, but
by far, one of the best decisions I ever made. I did get to keep my ovaries, but knowing what I know now I still would have it done even if it meant both ovaries being taken out, too. I know it's a tough decision and my prayers are with you. I'm glad the cancer was contained to the one ovary.
cervical cancer injection.
Me too! I agree with everything you have said. If I have to home school to avoid this I will. It was mentioned that this is being done in case a girl is rapped as well. Well the shot doesn't protect against all the other STDs so why not do something to all the males in the world then so that they cannot rape? We all know that will never happen. That would be crazy and so is forcing our daughters to do this.
Anyone who has had cervical cancer (not dysplasia)? (sm)
I have been dismissing symptoms as perimenopause but now I am VERY concerned I might have cervical cancer. I am going to the doctor today. But if there is anyone who has had cervical cance before, can we please talk?
Moh's procedure for skin cancer
Pancreatic cancer is almost always fatal,
has already spread. Same with ovarian cancer.
Hemp Kills Cancer
Check this out, these people claim to be cured from their cancer by using THC oil.
http://www.youtube.com/chrychek "Run From the Cure-The Rick Simpson Story" (if you look on the left column there are PubMed Study numbers you can check to back this up)
Simple FAQ's if you don't want to watch the video:
http://sites.google.com/site/phoenixtearsmovie/faq
My friend sent me this info recently, what do you all think about this?
BTW, Rick Simpson makes and gives the medicine away for free (he's not looking to make money on this or "scam" people)
Too bad that all of those with cancer are just too stupid to see the light...
smoke a little pot and - presto - you're cured! I imagine with all of the hippies coming down with cancer these days that, if this actually worked, we would all know by now, but I might just say that to make my not-a-pothead-self feel better about the cancer I will someday not be able to cure because I don't smoke weed, right?
Most vaginal bleeding is NOT d/t cancer.
Often it's related to hormonal changes associated with menopause, thyroid problems or even obesity.
It's not unusual for a woman in her 40s to develop irregular or prolonged periods, but you need to be aware of blood loss over time. When my mother was a few years older than you she had an episode of vaginal bleeding between periods that lasted for a couple of weeks. At some point she started feeling weak and asked me to take her to the ER, which I did. She had an emergent D&C and was sent home with iron pills, and that was that. She never had another period and had completed menopause lol.
Cervical cancer is highly treatable and even in invasive stages doesn't necessarily require hysterectomy or chemo. I've had 2 friends with invasive cervical carcinoma; both had only conization procedures and both are well years after the fact.
You're doing what you're supposed to do by following up with your doctor, but until then try to keep things in perspective and not worry!
Being a wet nurse and breast-feeding a 6 yo
Competely different. I have been a wet nurse. I have several children. I've been a gestational surrogate. I have NOT, however, breast feed a 6-year-old. That is disgusting.
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