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CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

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Comments

  • raincitygirl
    raincitygirl Member Posts: 700
    edited February 2011

    Oh Kymn - sorry it is getting so complicated.  While I only know bits and pieces based on what you said above, I don't think I have often heard that DCIS needs chemo, because it is self-contained "in situ".  Don't worry yet.  I don't know the stage or grade of your IDC but a 1 cm IDC often escapes without chemo too.  I assume you are stage 1 based on size.....

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited February 2011

    It will depend on the status of hormone receptive or not, too.  TN usually gets the whole shebang no matter what the size!

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited February 2011

    So the Triple+

    My tumor was 1.2 cm

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited February 2011

    Mine was 1.5+ cm.

  • barbaraa
    barbaraa Member Posts: 3,548
    edited February 2011

    {{{KYMN}}}} hugs to you gal!

    Mine was 1.8 cm. I had a micromet in one node and a low Oncoscore so I didn't need to do chemo. Lucky me.

  • raincitygirl
    raincitygirl Member Posts: 700
    edited February 2011

    I did forget about the Triple N!  Thank you for noticing that.

    I just got a jury summons for the end of the month - I understand and value my civic duty but I sure wouldn't want me sitting on a jury in my current frame of mind and discomfort.  Requires two medical letters to get removed along with a date for when I can serve - cause I don't have enough to do.

  • Teal3Pink1
    Teal3Pink1 Member Posts: 57
    edited February 2011

    Hi everyone,

    Been lurking every day and thinking of everyone who is dealing with things. What a nice supportive place this is to be!

    I'm in a bit of a funk b/c I went to the first of 3 breast med oncs on Monday. Although we know that radiation and arimadex are a given after lumpectomy, this doctor did not have a recommendation for me about whether or not to do herceptin and if so, which chemo to use with it. Things are complicated b/c of prior history with ovarian cancer. I have 2 appointments tomorrow and am hoping that someone has a gut feeling about how to proceed. Gee, aren't subsets fun?

    I know I will be able to find my happy place once I have a plan in place.

    Thank you to everyone for just being there. 

    Hugz,

    Annie 

  • barbaraa
    barbaraa Member Posts: 3,548
    edited February 2011

    Aw Teal3Pink, the waiting stinks! I am surprised your onc had no opinion about chemo. Herceptin is almost a given with HER+. Hopefully, opinion #2 will be more forthcoming. (((HUGS))) gal!

  • Kymn
    Kymn Member Posts: 887
    edited February 2011

    Hello all ok so am home from work and have a copy of my report in front of me. ON the comments section it says isolated tumour cell ITC clusters, defined as samll clusters of tumour cells not greater than 0.2 mm or fewer than 200 cells were identified in the lymph node of specimen #2. lymph nodes containing ITCs are NOT considered as positive lymph nodes for purposes of N classification.

    Lymphatic channel invasion by tumour is strongly suspected (block 1-05)

    so that is very confusing to me it sounds like they are saying there is cancer present in a node but not enough to consider it invasion??? Isnt cancer cancer?

    It also says Tumor Site invasive Carcinoma  Tumor size of largest invasive carcinoma is 1.8cm additional dimensions 1.2 x 1.0cm......does that mean there was another one?

    then says

    Ductal Carcinoma in situ is present, EIC positve.....what is EIC?

    Size (extent) of DCIS: at least 1,5 cm

    Number of blocks with DCIS 6 Number of blocks examined 12 Architectural patterns : cribriform, Apocrine Nuclear Grade: grade 111 (high) Necrosis : present focal (small foci or single cell necrosis)

    Glandular Tubular differentiation score 2 nuclear

     Pleomorphism score 3 mitotic count score 2 Overall grade grade 2, score of 6

    Ok I will apologize now for boring any of you with all this jargon but that is exactly what it is to me jargon PLEASE if someone can explain this to me, any of it would be helpful i would be so grateful. all i know is that I have to go for more surgery but I am waiting to go for my MRI first.

    thank you

    Kymn

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited February 2011

    Not sure of all the jargon but it sounds like you have both IDC and DCIS. That is possible.  Are you going to meet with your MO to have this explained to you?  I sure hope so.

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited February 2011

    Kymn....This is the info I found. Like jo said i think its DCIS and IDC with no nodes incolvment

    Extensive intraductal component (EIC) and estrogen receptor (ER) status in breast cancer.

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited February 2011

    EIC is extensive intraductal component.  Something to do with the spread pattern on the breast.

    The dimentions are most likely one tumor. Most tumors are not round like marbles.

    Check out the Abbreviations for Newbies thread  for more clarification on abreviations.

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited February 2011

    Kymn no apology is necessary.

    We are here to help when we can.

    HUGS

  • raincitygirl
    raincitygirl Member Posts: 700
    edited February 2011

    Kymn - this is the hardest part in my opinion, the understanding of it all!  I wish I had some answers for you but hope you are seeing the breast surgeon or medical oncologist quickly to learn about it. I am surprised they gave you a report without an explanation. One thing I noticed, the individual scores don't add up to 6, did you perhaps make a typo?  The 6, I believe, refers to  the  Nottingham score and would give you a 6 of 9, which is essentially considered intermediate.  I have been living in the intermediate world since last summer and I think it is the hardest place to be because the decisions become yours.  I hope you get some good rest tonight and lots of answers tomorrow!

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858
    edited February 2011

    Kymm---bring a tape recorder with you tomorrow.the sistas told me that at the beg.of my journey(after i made lots of mistakes).the best advice i got.you can never ever remember everything.

    my SIL is still in a coma and my brother has pneumonia.He has an appt.to see her dr.tomorrow.i told him to bring the recorder too.he doesnt remember anything except the questions he asked.Please keep the prayer comin.I have 3 more tx. of the rads.and if everything goes as planned off to LI ill go to support my brother(with drs.permission)

    Thanks for the prayers.Good luck to everyone who is suffering(like all of us)God bless

    huggggggggggggs K

  • barbaraa
    barbaraa Member Posts: 3,548
    edited February 2011

    {{{GRannyDukes}}} only 3 to go! You are on the home stretch!!

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited February 2011

    Three more and maybe you can catch your breath, granny.  Keeping you and your SIL in prayer.

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited February 2011

    Get my CT & Bone Scan results tomorrow - hope the roads clear in time.  Will let everyone know what I find out - so ready for this boob pain to go away - 32 days now but who's counting.

                              

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited February 2011

    jo.....Ill be waiting for tomorrow.

    Sorry I missed you tonight.

    Good Night my friend and plenty of Hugs for tomorrow.

    ♥                ♥                 ♥                        ♥

  • Kymn
    Kymn Member Posts: 887
    edited February 2011

    Good evening just popping by to say Hi, just having a day....you know get up go to work make dinner for the family help out with homework watching american idol with my son. Its almost like nothing has changed......almost.

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited February 2011

    Kymn....You used the magic word American Idol. Are you a fan?Smile

    Im glad you are having a quiet evening.

    HUGS

  • Kymn
    Kymn Member Posts: 887
    edited February 2011
    Sheila, yes lol I am a closet watcher I blame it all on my 14 year old son its our bonding time so I have to watch it Laughing and seriously who cant get enough of that Steven Tyler he could put a smile on anyones face.I dont even watch our Canadian Idol lol
  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited February 2011

    We have couple of other Sisters here that we are obssesed with the show very openly.

    We do countdowns on FB.

    Ive been watching it since the beginning and always vote.

    My friends think I'm crazy but I really loved that show. I even had to come home on my lumpectomy night it was late and they told me I could stay overnight.

    I said i have to go home and vote for Carrie Underwood.

    The looks on their faces were priceless.

  • barbaraa
    barbaraa Member Posts: 3,548
    edited February 2011

    (((JO))) Hugs, gal! Fingers and toes crossed! Now it is 31 more days.

  • Teal3Pink1
    Teal3Pink1 Member Posts: 57
    edited February 2011

    I found my happy place and have a plan! After 3 appts and 3 tumor boards, we're going with herceptin and femara and radiation (not yet determined). It was a stretch for my medical team to decide to individualize treatment without a lot of early stage data, but I am comfortable with this option and I'm ready to get started. (NOTE: without a history of ovca, some type of chemo would have been included.) Will have heart scan next week and a PET/CT to make sure ovca is still in remission--we're not expecting to see anything since last ca-125 was 5, but it doesn't hurt to check. Cancer life is full of uncertainty and there are no guarantees, but I am very comfortable with this approach.

    Will I be able to go to work after herceptin only? It looks like they'll be scheduling the infusion in the morning.

    One more thing: I have a little lymphedema going on and will be getting a referral to a specialist. Who would have thought with only 4 nodes? Actually, it was only 2 nodes but 1 of the nodes was like a triplet, so my surgeon says the grand total is 4. Weird huh?

  • eph3_12
    eph3_12 Member Posts: 2,704
    edited February 2011

    Jo????????????????????? I'm calling you all over BCO

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited February 2011

    JO......Where are you?

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited February 2011

    Teal3Pink1.....I'm so happy you have a treatment plan.

    For me Herceptin was almost nothing. I could go out shopping after.

    Since you are having it first time maybe you should take that day off.

    Are you getting it weekly or every 3 weeks?

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited February 2011
    Jooooooooooo
  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858
    edited February 2011

    HEY JOOOOOOOOOOOOO------------WHERE ARE YOU?????