Best Of
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Mara- So sorry to read about your news. It is good you are getting the Social Worker involved. And I am glad you and family are speaking now and pray things with them going forward will be a help to you.
Re: Just diagnosed, feeling shocked, anxious, lost
thanks @maggie15 that makes sense. I think my doctor mentioned there will also be more additional testing to be done before a treatment plan is finalized. What are some common ones I can expect? I read there's genetic testing, CT/MRI? And then there are other doctor apts with surgeon, oncologist, plastic surgeon - any other's?
Also other than nymph node biopsy, how will they test to see if there's cancer in other areas? I have an apt with my GP tomorrow as I've been finding it hard to breath (working harder to take full breath, chest tightness and feels like airway is contricted). I know it can be a variety of reason for this and unrelated to BC but nervous it could be a sign the cancer has spread
Re: Just diagnosed, feeling shocked, anxious, lost
just spoke to my hospital and it looks like based on size of lump, they need additional testing on my biopsy sample until the doctor will be ready to speak to me. It's looking like Oct 22 to review the pathology report…gosh, ita a long time to wait…the nurses are wonderful though. I appreciate the info they provide.
Re: Treatment plan
I truly appreciate the input everyone has given. I am just still in the shock and denial phase, but Im sure once I have my surgery Wednesday, I will be given more insight. I thought I could just take the easiest route, but you have all enlightened me on how important treating that Her2 is to give me my best chance. My husband said he will always be here for me through this, and I always want to be here for him too. Thank you everyone.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@eleanora Sorry to read about your progression. I have not had your issue, but will keep you in my pocket…
Re: Treatment plan
It just seems like a lot to put your body through, not to mention the other issues it can cause with your heart and other organs that might not have been affected otherwise etc. Im sorry you have been through so much.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Looks like I'll be moving on to a new treatment. After 3.5 years of Kisqali/Faslodex, my bone scan shows increased tracer uptake in a left rib and the parietal bones. It states that the parietal bone uptake correlates with a sclerotic mass shown on the CT scan and describes it as "limited progression". Not sure how to interpret that. Not sure how they treat parietal bone lesions other than with a new systemic treatment.
Anyone have this issue?
eleanora
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
Thanks for sharing your experience with diverticulitis. I don't know anyone else who's had it. Did you need surgery for the perforation? You must have been in terrible pain. 4 months of oral augmentin didn't fix mine, just kept it to a low roar. I was referred to an infectious disease doctor who prescribed 14 days of antibiotic infusion. Went this morning and had a mid-line inserted so they don't have to stick my poor veins every day. I just had the second day of infusion and I think I feel a reduction in pain. I contacted palliative care and they were wonderful. They prescribed morphine pills for the really bad episodes.
I don't want to scare anyone, but I never had any GI issues before Kisqali and have had issues every month since I started it. I'm beginning to believe it's the source of my diverticulitis. Don't think I'll be dealing with it any longer anyway, as my bone scan from yesterday showed 2 areas of increased uptake - 1 in a rib and 1 in the parietal skull bone, Everything else was stable or decreased. I see my MO next Thursday and assume there will be a treatment change.
Please rant away. That's what we're here for. I love dogs as well and grew up having them but their owners seem to think they have no responsibility.
eleanora
Re: Treatment plan
Thank you for your insight. I might be willing to do the immunotherapy and Armidex, but the chemo is out of the question for me at this point. I have suffered from depression since the age of 15, and its not a vanity thing, but an insecurity thing when it comes to losing my hair. I know it would plummet me into despair, and I feel that depression can be just as deadly as cancer. I also cant justify doing a "whole body" treatment when its a "localized" area. Not to mention what it puts your body through. My oncologist told me that sometimes people can have the lumpectomy and lymph node removal and never get it again. I was just curious if anyone on here had a similar situation and managed just fine. I wont make my final decision until the labs come back on my lymph nodes of course. Im just trying to prepare at this point. Thank you so much for responding!
Treatment plan
Hello! I'm 56 yrs old and found my lump a year ago. It appeared almost overnight and I assumed it was a cyst or a byproduct of the life long fibrocystic disease I had growing up. Finally broke down and had it checked. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 2, Grade 3, Estrogen positive, Her2 positive. I am scheduled for a lumpectomy on Wednesday, as well as removal of corresponding lymph nodes. I declined chemo, and will probably decline radiation as well. I know its not advised, but I just dont want to put my body through more than I absolutely have to. Has anyone had success with just the surgery, without any type of therapy? My oncologist said that for some (although few) people, the surgery was sufficient and the cancer didnt return. Has anyone had this same success?