Writing your Way Through Cancer Part V: Connecting with Others

I just wanted to say that this site has been the most helpful and you have become an inspiration to me. I too have IBC and now in the final stages of treatment, with hope that I do not have a recurrance. Chemo from 10-1-08 to 1-7-09, (4AC & 4Taxol every 2 weeks), Bilateral Mastectomy 1-28-09, Radiation 2-26-09 to 4-14-09 and more chemo pill Xeloda from 2-26-09 to current (to finish on 6-4-09). On 6-10-09 my next oncology appointment will then start the 3 month visits. Not sure about more scans yet. I will be told that in June.

I also am now on the Ellen Degeneres site for Breast Cancer Survivors (http://community.ellentv.com/group/breastcancersurvivors).

I have become email friends with a couple of people that found me on this site also. My husband is not comfortable talking about "the cancer" and my Mom just keeps saying "poor Joanie that you have to go through this." I don't want pity. I just want someone to talk to. That is why I join this site and others.

My sister in law found this site http://breastcenter.com/welcome that gives information about the reconstruction procedures. My sister in law had mastectomy using inplants and now is looking into the SGAP Flap. I am not able to think about reconstruction yet but it helps to know there are alternative reconstruction procedures out there.

Anyway, just wanted to thank you for your posts as they always give me great information. Having IBC gives us different things to worry and think about.

Johanna

Another specialized group is one for cancer survivors who suffer from lymphedema.  I like http://lymphedemapeople.com/phpBB3/index.php, which lists various forums one can join to learn from and discuss with others this isolating disorder.

I was diagnosed this past April and am now half way through chemo. I have an unusual story, as I was diagnosed with regional LCIS in September, 2007. I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction in January 2008, because I wanted to prevent cancer in the future. Just 15 months later, I now have IBC. I am still trying to cope with the shock. My doctor is great, but I seem to be causing some discussion among medical professionals as to how to proceed when chemo is done. How many mastectomies can one person have?  I have been unable to find anyone in my area that has IBC so I would appreciate support, information about treatments etc from this online community. Thank you all.

95+% of the products sold today are anti perspirant and as the name clearly indicates, prevents us from perspiring.

Directly under the skin of the underarm, we have lymph nodes which are a part of the immune system fighting infections, diseases and removing foreign particles and toxins. These nodes accumulate "dirt" through the blood stream which is then secreted with the perspiration.

If we stop the perspiration the nodes swell and toxins stay in our body for a longer time and at a greater concentration.

We absorb and store deodorant chemicals applied to the skin. In a recent study 18 of 20 breast tumors contained parabens (synthetic preservatives) found in underarm products. Parabens mimic estrogen, and estrogen can drive tumor growth.

Source: Journal of Applied Toxicology, February, 2004

The FDA which authorizes selling of cosmetics and drugs in USA classifies antiperspirant as a drug, since this product changes a natural body act (blocks perspiration from the underarm).

While a deodorant which only fight the odor of perspiration but does not block it is classified as cosmetic.

The FDA says in an interview to CBS news on 05/12/05 that it is aware of the concern that using antiperspirant together with shaving the underarm is connected to the increase of the risk of breast cancer.

The underarm area is a main gate of perspiration. The perspiration process is a part of our body's immune system.

You can read more regarding those problems at lovlis.com in the information catalogue which explain another important issues regarding this subject.

The chemicals from deodorants and antiperspirants stay in the underarm area for a long time during the day and might penetrate the thin skin layer (exactly like the stickers sold in order to make our body temperature lower), mix with the blood stream and so reach every place in our body.

When I was first diagnosed at age 58 with high grade comedo DCIS and my surgeon told me I had to have a radical mastecomy, my elder daughter (middle of my three children) gave me a wonderful, informative and humorous book that was of immeasurable help in educating me as a relative novice on all aspects of breast cancer. In it she wrote an inscription entitled: 'Dear Mum, when an uninvited element enters your life, you can either ignore it, surrender to it, or educate yourself on it. This book will help you do the latter, along with all our love and support. Take care, lean on us, keep your head high and remember how very much we love you'. I hope her words might help other children of breast cancer mums/moms to stay strong and always lend your support. It is very precious.

Leila Brown, Melbourne, Australia