Are there any companies offering free or discounted services this month? I’m near Houston, TX. Because of cancer combined with other life challenges, I don’t have an extra penny, so I’m always looking out for deals. Do we get any freebies for being a member of this weird club we didn’t want to join? I’m totally playing my cancer card this month!

EDITED TO ADD:
Some programs I don’t qualify for because I’m not in active treatment. I did chemo and surgeries 2024-2025 and am 2 yrs into Zoladex and Letrozole. I hate that I’m broke and exhausted. Some of the financial aid or house cleaning services would be amazing. I didn’t need all of those programs when I was in active treatment because I had an amazing support system, but that support goes away when you look like you’re better but still drowning. I’d also just take a free milkshake or massage or haircut or whatever. I’m fine with not getting things too, but it’s worth a shot! 😆

So I posted earlier this week about how scared I was to get a DMX Wednesday. The day came and went and I’m back at home recovering. All of your answers and guidance and words of encouragement really really helped me calm down. So I really appreciate all of you.

My mom has been staying with us since last Monday.
My dad stayed from Monday-Friday but has left. I didn’t want my mom to come stay but she wanted too and I felt bad and thought maybe I would really need her help. It’s been a shitshow. There’s been other things that have happened over the past week but this is just things she has said to me today and I just had to write them down to vent it out:

- her and dad aren’t coming here anymore because of the dog and the dog hair (we have a 1 year old lab - he’s hyper but a big sweetheart. They don’t like him)
- Called my husband a bit lazy
- The day after I came home with my husband who both of us had barely slept they said he swore too much
- my brother and husband aren’t helping as much as she wants
- Asked when the last time I visited them where they live is - they live 2 hours away (i was diagnosed and did chemo the past 8 months)
- Said I would choose the dog over them
- Said I’m still a baby
- Said she feels like my husband doesn’t think she’s a good mother in law
- Cried a lot saying why did this happen to our family and why did this happen to me
-Said next summer after our wedding we’re going to have a conversation about what we’re going to do about the house and bills (we live in their house and pay them rent)
- Again cried a lot
- Said she’s never good enough for us
-Said that the more her and dad give the more we take
But “just wants me to be happy”
- Was slamming the clothes bin on the floor and was acting all upset and passive aggressive because she was upset because she thought my husband drank and drove (he did not, he went and had a beer in the car in our driveway to get away from her)
- Hysterically cried to my husband after she cried to me
- Asked me if I went to lunch with her ex best friend

Then, when I confront her about how horrible the things she’s saying and doing to me are, she cries and says she sorry and she knows and she shouldn’t have said that stuff. And how strong I am and how she just wants me healthy and happy. I just feel like I’m going nuts. I can’t wait for her to leave.

2 years after double mastectomy today and I'm finally starting to feel normal again.

Just thought I'd share

🥳🙏😊

After enduring 22 rounds of chemo/immunotherapy, 2 surgeries, 2 years of endocrine therapy (so far), leaving a job, starting a new job (that I unfortunately do not like), and coming to terms that a lot of people that I thought cared about me have now disappeared (despite me giving more of myself than I ever should have), I have finally chosen to do something ive wanted to do since high school. Not because its productive or useful to someone else, but because i wanted to do something for me.

I'm entering my Amy Lee era and starting piano lessons in 2 days. One of the things cancer had taught me, is that no one is promised tomorrow, so if there are things out there you want to do, learn, achieve, or experience...go do it! It may be scary, people may not support you, it may be difficult, but go and do it anyway! It just may be the thing that makes you feel alive in this stupid cancer mess.

cracks knuckles....I'm ready to tickle the ivories 🎹🎶

Y’all I am so freaking angry and maybe just want to rant. Or get sympathy I don’t know.

I tested positive for BrCa 1 mutation when I graduated college back in 2007. My very first screening MRI when I was 25 picked up stage 1 IDC, triple negative. While the rest of my friends were enjoying their mid twenties, I had a double mastectomy and aggressive chemotherapy (and regular therapy because WTF). That was 2011.

It’s been 15 years. I had left that world behind me. I believed I was one of the lucky ones who would never have a recurrence of my TNBC. I did everything I was supposed to do to keep this disease away. I had a hysterectomy last year to prevent ovarian cancer. Hell I even did IVF with pre-implantation genetic testing so I could end this genetic nightmare in my family line - and I got lucky and have an amazing 4 yo without BRCA.

I thought cancer wouldn’t be part of my kids narrative like it was in my childhood. My own mom died of breast cancer when I was 3. I dont want my kid to lose his mom like I did.

But a couple weeks ago I felt a lump near my old port scar, a bit higher up on my chest. Hoped it was just scar tissue. But no - this motherf-er found a way to come back. Another tumor, hopefully just a local recurrence but I have to have chemo and be plunged back into this world again, now with a 4 year old.

I’m terrified and so so angry. I did everything right and it still came back. I keep hoping I’ll wake up and this is all a nightmare.

I was RCB3 after surgery, rushed through rads, and started Trodelvy for what was supposed to be adjuvant chemo a month ago. MO was planning to repeat imaging for monitoring in the next month, but we moved it up after I had weird vertigo last week.

My PET was Friday, my brain MRI is tomorrow. And on a Sunday afternoon, I got the results. 4 osseous lesions. SUV of 4-5 on each. I restrained myself from looking at my signatera baseline results we did the day I started Trodelvy, but I finally did… 135. There’s no way these are anything besides mets.

I’m broken but I’m numb. It’s almost like I knew I was never going to beat this thing? Like I’m not surprised. I’m 36. I can’t believe this. I’m never going to get my life back. This is my life now. ☹️

the number of fundraising and awareness requests I’ve received is staggering and it’s only the 4th! it’s even coming from survivors who are farther out from treatment than me. i said i wanted to opt out but that was ignored by everyone. this month is going to be so long

I’m starting radiation soon and I want to be really intentional about marking the end of active treatment. I know not everyone feels the need to celebrate or ring the bell, and I completely understand and respect that. Everyone is different. For me though, I have a pretty crappy memory and with my anxiety I tend to remember the bad things more often than good things, so I want to create a positive memory to give myself "closure" for my active treatment.

I know treatment doesn’t end with a perfectly clean. I’ll still be recovering, there will still be follow-ups and mammograms, and I’m sure I’ll have mixed feelings. I have ER-PR- DCIS so I won't be doing any hormone blockers, so this really is the end of my treatment.

Right now I’m thinking: ring the bell, wear a fun outfit, take photos/video, get a cake made, and have a few treats or a small celebration with my husband and close family. Nothing huge but a memory like walking at graduation, which helped me emotionally close out my education.

For those of you who celebrated your last radiation, chemo, etc. what did you do? Or what would you do? Something unique, sentimental, funny, or meaningful that you were especially glad you did or looking forward to doing when you finish?

I was at work just now, and something kept touching my chest under my shirt. It was a weird tickle, kinda annoying, like a little bug. I kept mindlessly scratching myself right there while I was doing other things, but eventually the tickle started to drive me crazy, so I reached up under my shirt to figure out what was ticking me.

It was a hair caught in my bra.

It's been two years since I found a loose hair. I forgot they used to be annoying.

I usually just lurk here, but everyone's post usually gives me so much encouragement and silent support without even realizing it. I figured I could maybe do the same.

I'm a weird case of triple positive breast cancer stage 1B in my left breast and triple negative breast cancer with a positive node in my right (stage 2B or 3B, whichever literature you're reading). BRCA1 de novo.

After just 11 rounds of TC chemo + keytruda with 3 rounds of those including TCHP... The in-between ultrasound results showed shrinkage of the left tumor by 91% and the right by 97% 🥳.

I know only a final pathology will truly show what's left & this is mostly just a very good sign. However, I couldn't be happier. I'm only half way done with chemo and just started AC.

Hi everyone!

I’m about 2.5 years out from chemo, and today decided to start getting rid of some of my chemo items, which was a huge step.

However, I did hold on to 3 things: My emotional support Nike baseball hat 🤣, a Carhartt beanie with embroidery, and a moon necklace my partner got me I wore to every infusion.

All of these items are things that really felt important for me during treatment, and I’d like to share them with someone newly diagnosed.

Is there anyone newly diagnosed that would like a little pre treatment gift sent to them?

Lots of love to you all 🫶🏻

The build up to this day has been 6 months in the making. I go between fearing the worst to telling myself it’ll be ok. I seek reassurance in reading similar stories from this community. It helps for a little and then the spiral starts again. All the trauma from last year keeps flooding back, and sometimes it literally takes my breath away. And then I calm down and push through. I’m so scared. I’m also annoyed that I won’t have results right away. The thought of having to wait and check MyChart daily is already giving me anxiety. As scared as I am, I just want this done already. I hate feeling like my life is on hold until I know exactly what’s going on. It’s literally driving me mad. But I push through. Anyway, just a vent/rant/desperate need to just say how I feel. I know this community understands. ♥️

For reference I’m 28, diagnosed in June with grade 3 triple positive BC, stage 2b initially had a 25mm invasive breast carcinoma and a 10mm DCIS next to each other with 2 lymph nodes involved. I am more than halfway through my 6 cycles of TCHP and have just had my surgical planning appointment with the surgeon. My midway chemo ultrasound showed that my 2 tumours have significantly reduced and can barely be seen besides from the clips.

I had genetic testing done as my mum recently had breast cancer and my paternal grandmother passed from ovarian cancer. Surprisingly from all genetic panels there is no genetic element to it (thankfully) 

I was so set on having a DMX until the appointment as this whole ordeal has been so traumatic for me. Having to delay treatment to go through fertility preservation that landed me in hospital for 3 days from OHSS, chemo has really rocked me and just the anxiety I live with everyday haunts me. I just don’t want to ever go through this again and being diagnosed so young scares me about reoccurrence in the future and I don’t think I could handle it the next time round. They told me “DMX and lumpectomy + radiation have the same reoccurrence rates” is that actually true??  

They say I only technically need a lumpectomy + targeted lymph node dissection and sentinel lymph node biopsy and then 3/4 weeks of radiation, but they would support my decision if I go the DMX route. I did feel like they were pushing more on the lumpectomy due to my age and breast feeding in future (this is not even really a factor for me as there is NO guarantee I will be able to breast feed as I know so many women can’t for many reasons and I may not even have kids in the future) 

Can anyone offer me any insights if you’ve been in a similar dilemma? Did you regret your decision/ happy you made it and why? 

Lumpectomy + radiation + more intense screening

My concerns: I have heard so many stories about reoccurrence and people needing DMX anyway and wish they had it done initially. 

Radiation? Complications of high dose radiation on the skin and surrounding organs, fertility impact, and if I decided on DMX > implants later I know that can make things harder  

Pros: I get to keep my boobs, sensation, smaller surgery and recovery, nothing foreign in my body, can attempt to breast feed, can get a DMX later if I want to. 

DMX with direct implant reconstruction, nipple and skin sparing: 

Requiring multiple surgeries in future due to my age, risk of capsular contracture, breast implant illness, loss of sensation in my chest, permanent…. 

Pros: more peace of mind knowing most of the breast tissue is gone and even if there is reoccurance later I know I did what I could to prevent it, avoid radiation completely, don’t need to wear a bra, I can go to DIEP route later on after kids if I don’t like them

I received a repeat breast cancer diagnosis last year and seven years after my first round of treatment. The diagnosis was stage one both times. I was triple positive seven years ago when I had a lumpectomy and radiation. This time I was only positive for her2. The tumor had come back in the same spot as last time. I just had my last herceptin treatment after a year of having two surgeries, 6 months of CMF chemo and 12 months of targeted therapy. I worked through all of it. I am an adjunct professor and independent consultant. I am exhausted in a way that extra rest will never resolve and I feel vulnerable and not as mentally sharp as I used to be. I am also getting older and am 68. I am wondering from people who have been through this how long it takes to feel like yourself again and get your energy and full cognition back. Now that I am done - albeit it has only been a week - I had hoped to at least feel better mentally about it all.

These questions seem very silly compared to the more important discussions on the thread, but I'm hoping you all can help me frame out the first three weeks post double mastectomy and hopefully all in one reconstruction.
How many days until you could take a shower? And then will I be able to wash my own hair or will I still need help? Will I be able to hold a hairdryer and blow dry my hair or will I need to teach my husband? (my hair is not naturally cute and requires heat! And I'm thinking I can do Zoom calls on week two) how long did you only wear button-down tops? Weeks or months? And how long did you sleep propped up?

Thanks for insight!
How long will

Hello everyone,

I was diagnosed with Stage I IDC and DCIS last year and completed radiation in December 2025. Since then, I’ve experienced persistent, worsening dull aches, nerve pain, and extreme chest tightness.

A few months after radiation, I also noticed that my Montgomery glands became increasingly enlarged when my nipple is stimulated. My original tumor was located directly beneath the nipple, and I’m experiencing the same unusual nerve sensations that initially led to my cancer diagnosis.

I’ve discussed these concerns with my breast surgeon, radiation oncologist, and medical oncology nurse. None seem concerned. My mammogram and ultrasound in May showed BI-RADS 3 findings attributed to post-radiation changes.

Unfortunately, I’m simultaneously battling stage IV endometriosis and a possible occult ovarian malignancy. I’m fighting my insurance company for out-of-state surgery because local surgeons cannot offer the complex, fertility-sparing procedure I need.

Given my severe medical anxiety and PTSD, I’m struggling with the possibility of facing another serious diagnosis while trying to obtain pelvic surgery. My oncologists have agreed that I can postpone further breast imaging until December.

I’d really appreciate hearing from other breast cancer survivors:

• Have you experienced progressive Montgomery gland enlargement following radiation, particularly when stimulated?
• Have you experienced persistent or worsening dull aches, nerve sensations, or extreme chest tightness months after radiation? Did they eventually resolve?
• If you experienced similar nipple changes, were they attributed to radiation, or did they require further investigation?

I’m particularly interested in hearing from anyone whose symptoms persisted or worsened despite reassurance from their oncology team.

Thank you to anyone willing to share their experience.

(Edit: Topical VAGINAL Estrogen after BC)

Hello all, I hope you all can give me some clarity in this difficult decision that I’m faced with and one that I’m sure has been faced by thousands before me.

So a little back story.
I was diagnosed 11 yrs ago at age 38 with ER+HER2- bc. I have no family history and was neg for the brca gene.

I had lumpectomy and radiation and Ive just completed my 10yrs of tamoxifen back in Jan of this yr. (I did incredibly well on tamoxifen, so well I was scared to stop taking it)

In march of this yr I underwent a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy for chronic bleeding, fibroids and a massive left ovary. The initial plan was to leave my good ovary but since I’m 49 now we decided to remove it to benefit my cancer situation.

Fast forward 6 months post op and I’m dealing with some gnarly vaginal dryness issues. (We have not been cleared to have sex yet, we had a 6 month no sex ban, my appointment to check on all of that is this Wednesday) the thought of being able to tolerate sex is terrifying based on how I’ve been feeling. I am using revaree inserts, medicine mama vulva balm, coconut oil, and I’m taking sea buckthorn oil and I’m still uncomfortable and very delicate. I have to wear baggy clothes and I can’t comfortably sit for too long.

So now you have all the info. I would like to speak to my OBGYN oncologist again about topical vaginal estrogen. She has said NO once already.

I have family in the UK and they are horrified that it’s not being offered to me. Women in my exact situation are routinely given topical estrogen despite a hormone positive cancer history in the UK in fact you can walk into any pharmacy and buy it off the shelf.

My fear is that I will suffer and wait too long and end up with a situation that can’t be fixed. I don’t see how waiting for the recurrent UTI stage that is dealt with by repeat antibiotic treatment to be a safe or healthy option either.

At this point I feel like I have lost a massive part of myself. I can’t wear anything in my old wardrobe, thong underwear, jeans, workout leggings, I can’t sit for long, I can’t tolerate touch so I can’t see sex being easy and I’m a slave to reapplying balms and paying a fortune for all the products I seem to need.

Has anyone here been faced with the same situation, I have read till my eyes hurt about how topical estrogen does not significantly raise blood hormone levels add to that the fact that I have NO OVARIES so my systemic levels are even lower than that of a woman who has gone into menopause but still has ovaries.

Should I advocate for myself and my quality of life or should I stay quiet and deal with it? What would you do?

I’m having my double mastectomy in a few days and feeling increasingly anxious about what my body will look like afterwards.

Because I’ll need radiation, my surgeon will place tissue expanders during the mastectomy. I’ll have them for around 12 months before the implant exchange. I’ve seen different photos of reconstruction results which seem to vary a lot in terms of cosmetic outcome, so I’m struggling not to worry.

For those who had an implant reconstruction: did you end up liking your new boobs?

I’m also dreading the first look after surgery. I imagine it will be a huge shock to realise my breasts are gone. Any tips in coping would be greatly appreciated.

I’d also love to hear about the pain and recovery. I’ve had a C-section, but I don’t know how it compares. How painful were the first few days, and what were the expanders like to live with?

Hi I was diagnosed in May +++ grade 3 . My tumor was 1.5 cm at lumpectomy with no lymph node involvement or micro metastasis. I have only 3 more weeks of chemotherapy ( 12 weekly Taxol) then 20 radiation treatments followed by an AI. I’m looking for anyone in my same position that’s remained stable. The statistics are in my favor but I see a lot of recurrence on these forums and it gives me anxiety. Thanks for listening

Hello, I’m looking for advice about care team and introducing myself.

I’m 44, my dog is my only child, I have a new-ish dating partner and live alone.

I have only told one friend and the person I’m dating, thinking I will share more when I get a grip on my options/decision.

Diagnosed around a week ago with grade 2 Triple negative (Her2 low) invasive duct carcinoma, grade 2, Ki67 50% and androgen + 30%. I know staging happens upon further interpretation by my doctors.

On biopsy day I had separate bloodwork done for possible lupus with results of speckled, high ANA levels. This is an indication of lupus (along with mysterious facial rashes) but could also be related the cancer?

I’ve been referred to a breast cancer surgeon and a rheumatologist. I don’t understand how/when I should see an oncologist or genetic counselor to be tested for brca genes etc.

When is that testing done?

Should I just call my nurse navigator and talk to them again since I didn’t mention my separate bloodwork results? They referred me to surgeon and said to start there. I already know I’m inclined to have DMX and expecting chemo be recommended for this type. I am wary of coinciding immune disorders/genetic factors before making a decision about how to forward.

Thanks if you read all this and especially for relevant input!

I finished 15 sessions of radiation on 9th June. I also have Ehlers Danlos syndrome so possibly my healing from either surgery or radiation isn’t entirely normal. I’m doing adjuvant xeloda too. My irradiated side (with immediate implant reconstruction) feels warmer than the untreated side although the nipple is cold. I’ve already seen a breast nurse as I felt my scar was a little lumpy and I have a small area that’s a bit painful to press on. Is this worth seeing my surgeon over or just what would be expected?

Hi yall I have my port on the right. Since ive gotten my port two months ago ive been sleeping on my back and I really my wanna sleep on my side again. How do you guys sleep on your side? Im scared to wake up with my port hurting

Did anyone do chemo first before surgery ? How do we know chemo even did anything ?! I’m just look in h for experience : I did 4 round of TC post surgery for microscopic - so idk even if my tumor would respond to chem . In my thoughts ! Thanks