Profile for kchance

Member Since: May 27, 2007
Last Login: October 4, 2007
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Recent Posts by kchance

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer, Created: Oct 5, 2007 02:08 am

recurrence after 3 months from radiation

Tender,

Thanks for the encouragement.

As with all recurrences, they believe it was something left behind.

But the nodule growing, after just finishing chemo was discouraging. Yes, my onc tells me me about the possibility that the vascularity was not so good due to the surgery... who knows?

I have been on herceptin every 3 weeks, but my last echo says my EF decreased from 55% to 45%, and now I have mitral regurgitation which was not there before. I have decided to hold off on the herceptin for now until I can have a another echo and EF is > 50%. Again, who knows how much of this damage is reversible.?

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer, Created: Oct 4, 2007 01:29 am

recurrence after 3 months from radiation

Please respond. Has anyone read "Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person" by Miriam Engelberg? I could really relate.

I haven't had much of a response to my other posts on this thing, so anything is appreciated.

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer, Created: Oct 4, 2007 01:01 am

recurrence after 3 months from radiation

Don't wait.

I had a nodule (~0.5 cm) after ACx4 and Taxol/herceptinX4 *before* I had the chance to get radiation.

Nobody (surgeon, radiation guy, oncologist) thought it would be cancer, but I insisted on bx. Yes, it was cancer.

Go with your gut.

I have now had a wide re-excision (after bi-mastectomy) and radiation therapy. Am scared Sh*less.

Has anyone had a local recurrence this early? Was the chemo in vain?

Any response appreciated.

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer, Created: Jun 28, 2007 04:51 pm

Can we do a Her2 roll call?

Dx 12/06. Stage IIIA. Did dose dense AC --> Taxol/Herceptin. Now on Herceptin.
Just had a local recurrence at scar site.

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Jun 28, 2007 12:45 pm

local recurrence and negative PET scan

Shen,
How large was the nodule after 3 months? What treatment are you now receiving?

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Recurrence and Metastatic Disease, Created: Jun 28, 2007 10:37 am

local recurrence and negative PET scan

I had bilateral mastectomy 12/26/2006 - multifocal 2.4 cm tumor in left breast, grade III, with lymph/vascular invasion, ER+, PR+, HER-2+. All left axillary nodes positive with nodal extension.
I was treated with 4 rounds of AC, then 4 rounds of Taxol/Herceptin. In May I began Herceptin every 3 weeks. Just begun on Arimidex last week. Was to start radiation last week, but I was concerned about a small (3-4 mm) nodule just medial to the inner part of my left scar. Oncologist, Radiation oncologist and surgeon thought it was scar. I insisted on biopsy --> metastatic cancer in dermis and subcutis. Next day I had a PET scan which was "negative". Two day ago I had wide excision of the lesion.

My oncologist says he considers me not to have systemic disease since the PET was negative. Wants to continue with the Arimidex and radiation.

Is PET really the best scan for breast cancer? What about MRI? I am worried since I had local recurrence just after horrible chemo. The PET did not pick up the chest wall nodule.

Opinions, thoughts welcomed. Thanks.

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Stage III Cancer, Created: Jun 28, 2007 10:04 am

chest wall recurrence

Ilene,
I had a slight thickening or nodule (tiny) just next to the inside part of my scar. The radiation doc thought it was scar. My surgeon thought it was scar. My onc thought it was scar. I insisted on biopsy. It was cancer. Radiation onc then thought it was so small, it would not show up on PET.
Karen

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Stage III Cancer, Created: Jun 23, 2007 06:52 pm

chest wall recurrence

The fact that is is dermal/lymphatic, how did that affect your decision? If there had been residual breast tissue there, I suppose that would portend a better prognosis?
Mine preliminary is "scattered foci of CA in dermis".

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Stage III Cancer, Created: Jun 23, 2007 05:34 pm

chest wall recurrence

Thanks.
I have already had 4 rounds of Taxol. I was supposed to start radiation this week, but it was delayed of course on the results of biopsy. Present plan is to do "wide exicion" on Tuesday. I am having the PET scan on Monday. My oncologist will only say let's wait to see what that shows, but did say if it is negative, I would get chest wall radiation.
Karen

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Stage III Cancer, Created: Jun 22, 2007 10:13 am

chest wall recurrence

Thanks Anna,
The Taxol was so difficult for me. I hope that's not in store for me. Did you have a PET scan?
This recurrence is actually before I have completed Herceptin.
My sister who lives overseas and was diagnosed with breast CA 5 years ago is coming into town this weekend. Unfortunately, there's no time to relay the news to her before she gets here. I hate this. I have another sister (just turned 40, 90-1/2 years younger than I) who is not doing well with the stress, and I have not even told her about this latest news.

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Stage III Cancer, Created: Jun 22, 2007 08:33 am

chest wall recurrence

I had bilateral mastectomy on 12/26/06, then 4 rounds of AC, 4 rounds of Taxol/Herceptin followed by Herceptin every 3 weeks now. I just started Arimidex yesterday.
I was also supposed to begin radiation Therapy this week...I asked the radiation oncologist about a small nodule (4 mm) that I had noticed near my scar site. He said he wasn't worried, but since I was I should see my surgeon first. My surgeon thought it was likely scar tissue and fat necrosis because it "was too early for recurrence", but agreed to biopsy in the office since I was worried. I got the result yesterday - "scattered foci of carcinoma in the dermis". I am in shock. When I saw my oncologist before I had the result back, he also had thought recurrence was unlikely "so early.
I know this doesn't bode well for me. I have more complete excision on Tuesday, PET scan scheduled for Monday...
Has anyone had chest wall recurrence this early - 6 months after initial diagnosis and 6 weeks after end of chemo.
If the PET were to be positive, I am wondering whether surgery is even indicated.

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Hormonal Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Jun 8, 2007 09:01 pm

Anyone have trouble sleeping that is on Arimidex?

I have not started arimidex yet, but have had difficulty with sleep since treatment. At night I would be either sweating profusely or shivering cold. After being on Effexor 75 mg for a few weeks now, that has improved. But still couldn't sleep. The only thing that has helped is low dose seroquel, and sometimes I need ativan too. Ambien made me crazy, and benadryl left me hungover the next morning and lunesta nor melatonin did nothing.

Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Radiation Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Jun 8, 2007 08:43 pm

anyone with rads to wider region(neck,chest,ect.)

I begin radiation next week, but haven't seen the radiation oncologist yet. At this point, I just know it will be chest wall radiation, following AC -> Taxol/Herceptin -> Herceptin. I'll be interested to see how extensive the recommendation will be, and how it compares to other's experience.
Now, I'm wondering if my insurance will cover a second opinion.