Member Since: January 13, 2006
Last Login: November 20, 2008
Birthday: August 20, 1956
Location: Ft Lauderdale , FL United States
Occupation: Business Owner (Consulting)
Biography
Abn mammo 9 Dec; dx DCIS w/micro IDC left 12 Jan, ILC right 31 Jan. Lumpectomy&SNB l&r 10 Feb; Axillary Node Dissection 10 Mar Finished TAC 6 July; started rads 7 August
Diagnosis
| Diagnosis: | Dx 1/15/2006, ILC, 1cm, Stage IIIb, 6/16 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
| Diagnosed: | January 15, 2006 |
| Type: | Invasive or Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma |
| Recurrent? | No recurrence |
| Metastatic? | No |
| Stage: | Stage IIIb |
| Lymph Nodes Removed: | 16 |
| Positive Lymph Nodes: | 6 |
| Tumor Size: | 1cm-1.9cm |
| Tumor Grade: | |
| Hormone Receptor Status: | Tumor has both estrogen and progesterone receptors |
| HER2/neu Status: | Tumor does not have an excess of HER2/neu receptors or genes |
Recent Posts by jpsgirl96
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Chemotherapy - Before, During and After, Created: Nov 18, 2008 11:08 pm
For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....Just bumping this thread in case folks find the TAC info of use - thinking good thoughts for you all, coming up on three years post-DX. Leigh Dx 1/15/2006, ILC, 1cm, Stage IIIb, 6/16 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
Posted in:
Recovery, Renewal, & Hope + Moving Beyond Cancer, Created: Nov 18, 2008 10:47 pm
TAC - Sisters 2006 - Roll CallHey! I'm a TAC sister, started chemo March 2006...ER/PR+, invasive lobular but with 6/16 postive nodes so hard to stage but probably 3. Doing well...just saw both my breast surgeon and my oncologist and I'm moving to a once a year mammogram and once a year MRI (MRI found the more serious lobular cancer in my right breast after mammogram found DCIS with micro invasion left)...others were Marcia and two Karens and a bunch of others...would also love to have updates. Leigh Dx 1/15/2006, ILC, 1cm, Stage IIIb, 6/16 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Mar 23, 2008 08:07 pm
FERNE HAS HER WINGSOh no, oh no. She was one of my TAC chemo sisters in March-July 2006, and seeing these words just twisted my heart. Thank you to those who knew her personally, and thank you for the lovely, lovely photo. Leigh Dx 1/15/2006, ILC, 1cm, Stage IIIb, 6/16 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Mar 9, 2008 02:16 pm
Please Pray For FernePlease tell Ferne that her TAC (March/April 2006) sisters are keeping her in our thoughts and prayers! So glad you heard from her. Leigh Dx 1/15/2006, ILC, 1cm, Stage IIIb, 6/16 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Chemotherapy - Before, During and After, Created: Mar 5, 2008 08:25 pm
For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....Bumping...Ferne, if you visit, know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of your TAC sisters! Dx 1/15/2006, ILC, 1cm, Stage IIIb, 6/16 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Chemotherapy - Before, During and After, Created: Mar 4, 2008 12:05 pm
For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....Hello All! Still lurking around here but wanted to check in and found Karen, Marsha and Darlene's posts since my last in December. Doing well, worrying about our TAC sister Ferne who is going through WBR right now, wishing there weren't so many new stories and new posters every day. We re-upped for one more contract year in DC, so life is still on the slightly crazy side but I must say I feel very, very blessed every day I'm here and well. Hoping one of you sees the post before it gets buried and checks in! Leigh Dx 1/15/2006, ILC, 1cm, Stage IIIb, 6/16 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Jan 28, 2008 11:33 am
BC reoccurance in 18 monthsHello Valerie, In January 2006, I was dx with DCIS and a micro-invasion of IDC in my left breast. Protocol in my area, given that I was also pre-menopause with dense breast tissue, was to send me for a breast MRI. This found (as mammogram had not) a larger Invasive Lobular cancer in the right breast. No node involvement left; 6 of 16 on the right. I was able to have lumpectomies in both breasts, then chemo and radiation. It is my understanding that the current thinking is that estrogen positive cancers are less 'susceptible' to chemo, and that lobular is also less likely to respond to chemo. My guess is this is not a recurrence, but that the lobular was there already when you were dx with the ductal. So glad you got the MRI - once they do the surgery and check the nodes, have at least a second opinion about the efficacy of chemo. I would do it again, even knowing it may not have 'helped' - I wanted all the odds in my favor - thinking good thoughts for you. Leigh |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Chemotherapy - Before, During and After, Created: Dec 3, 2007 02:13 pm
For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....This is just Leigh checking in at the start of the holidays... Got to a nice milestone with my oncologist on Friday - I'll see her every 6 months in alternation with the breast surgeon every six months. So, it's still a doctor visit every 3 months, but only ONE. I see the radiation onc annually now...small victories. Started Femara after about 9 months on Tamoxifen, as it was clear that the menopause that started when I started TAC is permanent. A little hand and foot achiness in the a.m. but otherwise no SE's. I still come here pretty often; it helps me to keep my perspective. I don't feel all that capable of helping folks - once in a while I see a post I can answer from my own experience - but I've forgotton a lot. Another kind of victory, I guess. Anyway - thinking fondly of all my TAC sisters as I approach 2 years since dx (December 30). Leigh |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Stage III Cancer, Created: Nov 24, 2007 12:09 pm
How often do you see your oncologists?Hi Janis, I was dx early January 2006, finished treatment September 2006. I see my onocologist every three months. I am one of those weird borderline Stage IIIa-er's (ILC, mass was not large, but 6/16 positive nodes AND I had DCIS with a micro invasion of IDC in the opposite breast), er/pr positive. Switched from Tamoxifen to Femara once I had been 6 or 7 months out of treatment and clearly in menopause. We don't do tests or scans other than for general health (blood pressure, blood glucose, etc) but that means she wants to have a look and talk pretty regularly. MIGHT get to a 6 month interval with her soon. I'm now on annual with the radiation onc, and 6 months with the breast surgeon (mammograms every 6, MRI annually since that's what found the ILC)...Leigh |
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Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Oct 22, 2007 05:17 pm
Putting up a front....Bimmer - I don't have much to add, but here is something I learned when my Dad died, too young, at not quite 61. As much as his children felt that loss, and we did, and his grandchild too, and his brothers, and his friends - NONE of us were walking in the shoes of my Mom, losing her life partner. You do what is right for you, and of course for your Diane, honor your love and partnership, share what you choose and what you can with others, including your kids - know that there is no 'right path' for this journey. I am so sorry for this - my best thoughts are with Diane and with you. Leigh |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma), Created: Oct 4, 2007 01:02 pm
Did anyone NOT have a bi-lateral?My profile is a bit different - I had bi-lateral breast cancer, DCIS with a micro invasion of IDC in the left breast, and ILC in the right, with 6 of 16 positive nodes on the right. I was able to have lumpectomies both sides, followed by chemo and extensive radiation and now Femara after 6 months of Tamoxifen (chemo sent me into instant and permanent menopause; I was 49 going on 50 at dx). I have had several sets of first and second opinions, and all (breast surgeon, oncologists, radiation oncologists) supported this approach, some offering the opinion unsolicited by me. Still, I must second the other posters - you have to do what feels right to you. I have mammograms every 6 months, so live with that (so far) short lived anxiety, and MRI once a year (since that is what found the ILC). Thinking good thoughts for you. Leigh Dx 1/15/2006, ILC, Stage IIIb, 6/16 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Chemotherapy - Before, During and After, Created: Oct 3, 2007 10:02 pm
For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....Just don't want to lose complete track of the TAC sisterhood. I mostly lurk these days... Getting ready to go to Spain with a small group of the friends I did my MBA with many moons ago. Still working in DC, still commuting the East coast, still cancer free, so far as one can know. Feeling well, nealry 'normal', still surprised a bit that the cancer is so life defining. Karen - The time does fly by, doesn't it? Ferne - I think good thoughts about you - always glad to read your posts, sorry you have to go through this at all. Marcia - Hope this finds you well. Leigh |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Sep 19, 2007 08:01 pm
Shelli is an angelGeeta, As much as I tried to tell myself this post would come, it still broke my heart. My thoughts are with Shelli's mom and her husband and children, and with those who had the privilege to know her 'in person'. Such a loss - she is gone much, much too soon. Leigh |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma), Created: Sep 6, 2007 10:16 pm
Worse results from surgery than anticipatedI also got surprises every step of the way. First, DCIS with 'micro' invasion, left breast. MRI ordered b/c that's the protocol for my surgeon and it led to biopsies that found ILC right breast. Sentinel node biopsy at the same time as bilateral lumpectomies - positive on the right. Axillary node dissection 4 wks later - 5 more positive nodes. Had chemo (TACx6), radiation (33 days - both breasts) and now on anti hormonals. A year from finishing rads - feel great, all is well - you just get through each day, each procedure, one at a time. You CAN do it - come here for support...Leigh |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Sep 5, 2007 05:04 am
I saw Shelli today!!!Geeta - What a gift your message was to me this morning. Thank you so much for being with Shelli and sharing it with us. I can't speak for others about how or why Shelli has a special place in our hearts - for me, it's the intelligence and humor that comes shining through her posts, even as she describes a journey that takes such courage. I hope she doesn't mind too much that I think of her as a model for how to live life as it's meant to be lived, in the face of anything and everything. Leigh
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Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Aug 31, 2007 06:50 am
Shelli UpdateNothing to add that has not been said. The grace, strength and courage of this woman I never have met will inspire me all my life. Geeta, thank you and thank her family for their generosity in sharing this awful news with us. Tell them that as long as they and we who have 'known' her here are alive ourselves, Shelli will be present. Leigh
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Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Aug 22, 2007 06:57 am
Shelli UpdateJust to say I think about Shelli every day, and of course you and her husband and children. Thank you so much for taking time to let us know what is happening. Sending healing vibes to you all. Leigh
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Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Aug 13, 2007 05:56 am
Please pray for ShelliGeeta, Thank you for posting...Shelli is in my thoughts every day. I have always taken such inspiration and strength from her story. Leigh
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Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Aug 13, 2007 05:51 am
Ruth Ellen's BattleDave, I am so sorry for your loss. I have read your posts and have been so touched that you could find it possible to reach out to others here even as you were going through your own pain. My thoughts are with you. Leigh
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Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Chemotherapy - Before, During and After, Created: Jul 11, 2007 03:45 pm
For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....Hello TAC '06 Sisters! Of course, the calendar was on my mind again, as July 6 was the anniversary of my last chemo. I'm in for a round of check ups this week and next - mammogram, onc, surgeon and primary care - the radiation onc graduated me to annual check-ins in May - hooray! Still on Effexor for the hot flashes, but they are much diminished (other than on 105 degree heat index days in DC!) and so far the Tamoxifen SE's are okay (maybe more on that in the Mojo thread?). I think of all of you very often. Someone (Marcia) talked about having more patience - I am both more and less patient, I think. I am so aware of the clock now, and really don't want to do anything I don't love to do. On that note - we are seriously contemplating a sabbatical starting next May - living aboard our boat and cruising first north to New England and then south to the Caribbean. I'll keep you posted! Hope you all will do the same. Any news from Fern? Leigh
PS My hair has all of a sudden started to straighten out again. It was driving me crazy because with the curl it just didn't look like it was growing. I'm going for a tiny trim on Friday to get rid of the Carol Brady look! Still salt-and-pepper. |