Ask an Expert is a free question-and-answer service about breast cancer and breast health that is available on weekends. If you'd like to ask a question or comment, please visit us again on Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime, please search the existing topics using the search tool at the top of the page. It's quite possible that one of our many existing topics already addresses your question.
If you would like a consultation with a breast specialist at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, call 443-778-2778. It is possible to get an appointment for a second opinion within a few days of contacting us.
We hope you find the information helpful!
| Forum | Questions | Ask a Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Metastatic Breast Cancer Questions about advanced metastatic breast cancer. |
2,606 |  |
| Asked | Publicly Submitted Question | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/20/2005 | Hello - I am 38, wife of 16 years and mother of a 7 year old daughter and a 10 year old son. My original diagnosis was 3/2001 stage 3-B, (a gumball-sized tumor, inflammatory, Paget's Disease, and 12 positive lymph nodes of 36). A year of treatment (chemo, surgery, chemo again, radiation) put it into remission. I was diagnosed with mets to the bones 3/2005. Lytic lesions and minor fractures in several ribs, hot spots in several other areas: hips, pelvis, skull, spine, sternum, and bone marrow. I'm taking Tamoxifen and monthly Zometa. I've not been able to see my doctor for 4 months due to lack of insurance, and I have a couple of concerns. Lately I have had 1: loss of bladder control that seems to be getting worse every few days; 2: Very sensitive skin - the tags in pajamas and clothes that I have been wearing for YEARS are suddenly very irritating to my skin; 3: From December to July I lost almost 40 pounds without trying and now suddenly about 20 poundds seems to have appeared overnight (I also suffer from moderate to severe lymphedema). Any thoughts that suddenly come to mind regarding these three issues in relation to the metastatic cancer? I am working on getting my clinic to allow an appointment, my doctor's plan since March is to see her once a month. Thank you. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 12/20/2005 | no one can guess without seeing you and whether you have insurance or not you need to be medically followed. | ||
Please note: This service is not intended to provide primary medical advice concerning specific medical care or treatment. Ask an Expert is a free service operated by health care professionals at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. Due to the volume of questions and their complexity, there are times when medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists or oncology nurses are consulted for their input. These individuals volunteer their time for this service and will respond as soon as they are able. Please do not post or send the same question to us in multiple locations or categories.