I have been diagnosed with stage IIIA grade 3 breast cancer after having the lumptomy on May 1st. Now they say I need chemo & radiation. They have kept us on a roller coaster for two months. Please tell me there will be no more surprises.
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NancyD Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 769 |
May 11, 2008 07:16 pm, edited May 11, 2008 07:16 PM
by NancyD
NancyD wrote:
Before they give you chemo, be sure to have a more systemic check like a PET/CT scan and/or an MRI. Those tests will tell if the cancer has already started growing in other areas of your body. Be prepared for the chemo regimen. Once you have a start date, check into the Chemotherapy, Before, During, and After section of the boards for a group that's startiong in the same month. It's great to have a support group of women going through the same thing. If your oncologist doesn't offer a "chemo school" preparation class, read up through some of the other threads on what to expect. I'm so sorry you have been diagnosed with this awful disease. But you have found a wonderful resource in this bulletin board. |
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cstock39 Joined: May 2008 Posts: 7 |
May 11, 2008 11:28 pm
cstock39 wrote:
I have had the CT scanof the chest and bil breast mri. I need the PET and I meet with my oncologist on May 14th. I just don't want to go though this to find out in a couple of months that I need a total removal of my left breast. |
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NancyD Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 769 |
May 12, 2008 06:54 am
NancyD wrote:
No one can say what will happen down the road, but if your scans have been clean...no other areas showing in your breast, then a mastectomy will not be called for. However, you will have more attention paid to your breasts by your drs in the future. You will have to have more frequent mammograms and dr visits for several years. If you initially requested breast conservation, that is what the drs were aiming for, but in the end, if it comes down to saving your breast or saving your life, I think you know the right choice. |
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Skyrat Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 185 |
May 12, 2008 07:57 am
Skyrat wrote:
Unfortunately, I think the diagnosis of 'Cancer' carries a never-ending supply of surprises. I had originally had a lumpectomy, then a reincission because of no clear margins - and after that, my oncologist told me I would need a mastectomy because they still could not get clear margins. That was a surprise! Throughout treatment were some little surprises - an anal abcess surgically removed, is one that comes to mind immediately. LOL You learn as you go, roll with the flow. Stage IV mets to the spine, 19/21 nodes metastatic adenode carcinoma, abundant vascular involvement; http://360.yahoo.com/mistyroz
Dx 4/12/2007, IDC, 4cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 19/21 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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cstock39 Joined: May 2008 Posts: 7 |
May 13, 2008 09:04 am
cstock39 wrote:
Thanks ladies you don't know what a relief it is to have some advise that is not coming from a doctor or a family member that has no clue. I keep telling everyone I'll be fine don't worry. Then we get the next bombshell. So tomorrow is when I meet with oncologist. I think I'm more scared of that then I was of the surgery. I love the quote "Roll with the Flow" my new motto. ....................................................................................... IDC,5.3cm, stage IIIa, Grade 3, 1/3 nodes er-/pr- her2- |
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Shirlann Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 6054 |
May 13, 2008 09:26 pm
Shirlann wrote:
Hi new sister, and welcome! I too had a lumpectomy and because my cancer was small and I had negative lymph nodes, I did not need chemo. You are so right. Just one long litany of bad news. We have all been through it. It is so hard on you and the family. It is hard to talk to others so close, they get upset, you get upset, and you find yourself reassuring THEM, when you are the one that needs this comfort. So come along with us and post as often as you can, you will be just fine, 90% of us are well and back to normal. We will help you all we can. I am 9 years post treatment and just fine, you will get well too. Gentle hugs, Shirlann |
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therese71 Joined: May 2008 Posts: 4 |
May 13, 2008 10:57 pm
therese71 wrote:
Hello! Your conversations are already a blessing to me- I was just diagnosed tonight at 6:58 PM CST. This is a complete shock to me of course, but to my surgeon too. He sincerely thought it was a fibroadenoma. I just found this lump on April 17 and had an excisional biopsy on May 10. I am 36 with 2 amazing kids, 4 and 8 years old, and an awesome husband. I am to call my surgeon's office in the morning to make an appointment to go over treatment options, which I HOPE are lumpectomy and radiation therapy. The path report is not yet final though...I am so scared. |
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cstock39 Joined: May 2008 Posts: 7 |
May 14, 2008 01:21 am
cstock39 wrote:
Welcome Therese- Big shock-I totally understand. In less than one month I have had a CT scan,Core biopsy,Bil MRI,Lumpectomy w/sential node removal and now tomorrow I meet the Oncologist. Welcome to the roller coaster. I'm glad to hear you have a Famous family-My family and friends have been great. They will all come together to help you through this. I have two teenagers at home-my daughter has graduation on 6-8 and Grad Party scheduled for 6-29. Everyone I know is trying to get involved to help out. The surgery is not that bad pain for a week or two. The pain is more discomfort-here is the most important piece of advise I can give since I'm new at this too-Go buy a sports bra that hooks in the front-make sure they are comfortable. You will live in them 24/7 until further notice. Your breast will feel like it did a week after having the babies. Don't let anyone make your decisions for you-trust your gut- make sure you have a relationship with your surgeon, that you are able to talk to him and trust him. Good luck and keep me posted we are in this together |
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heidib Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 191 |
May 14, 2008 09:38 am
heidib wrote:
Yes, Cstock39 is correct - the best advice I got was to buy a bra (walmart's has them very inexpensive) that hooks in the front. YOU NEED THAT. Things are going to happen very fast at this stage - it is so scary but fast is good. You need to get all your scans done - push for this. Knowledge is power and made me feel so much more in control. This board is SO helpful - I honestly didnt know what I woudl do without it. You need to take care of this step by step and also just as importantly, when you are on chemo, to have some help with your kids. My prayers are with you and you will get thru this. Things are happening so fast in the BC world of drugs that who knows what they have in a couple of years! Best to you, and keep us posted. Heidi Ain't No Such Thing as a Free Lunch :)
Dx 2/14/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 2/12 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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LorenaB Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 478 |
May 14, 2008 11:02 am
LorenaB wrote:
I'm another one who had a lot of surprises -- my situation sounds similar to Skyrat's in that I had two smaller surgeries and now they are recommending mastectomy. Therese, just to prepare you in case the recommended treatment is more than what you are expecting: often chemo is recommended for younger women, even if the original tumor is small, as a type of long-term insurance. It depends on a lot of factors (aggressiveness of cancer, node involvement etc.) so it might not happen in your case, but you may want to prepare yourself for the possibility. I'm 41 and just completed chemo last week. Dx 12/20/2007, IDC, 1cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 1/11 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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