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CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

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Comments

  • carolinachick
    carolinachick Member Posts: 135
    edited January 2010

    Just checking in after taking a two week break over the holidays.  I wish each of you a very happy 2010.  I'm hoping it will be much less eventful than 2009!  Thank you for all your support during this journey, my bc sisters!

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010

    Carolinachick, I don't know how you'll ever catch up after two weeks off.  It has been a busy place.  Hope you had a nice break.

    Meece

  • Debbie68
    Debbie68 Member Posts: 19
    edited January 2010
    Hannahbearsmom:  Glad to hear you didn't need chemo.  I'm hoping I won't have to have it either, but if the ONC can convince me that I do, then I don't have a problem doing it if the advantages outweigh the SE.  Also happy to hear that you did not test + for BRCA genes.  I do not have a strong history of bc in my family, I am the youngest of seven, 4 girls 3 boys, mom and her twin sister did not have bc, nor grandmother on mom's side.  My fathers mother did however have bc.  My father comes from a family of 10, one sister had bc.  I still don't know if I will have the test or not, I keep going back and forth.  Thanks for sharing and I don't think you rambled on... it's nice to hear other peoples perspectives on things.
  • labarbera2006
    labarbera2006 Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2010

    I am doing pretty good.  I had a mast, recon and chemo.  Started femara in 2007, but had too many side effects so I have been on tamoxifen.  I have some side effects and struggle with depression.  I tried efflexor, but made my vertigo worse.  So stopped that drug.  I just recently found a lump in the breast that I had surgery.  Waiting for breast mri and also thyroid ultra sound.  I had clear margins after my mast., so not sure what foreign object is in there now.  Thanks for starting a place for Stage I, really is nice. 

  • milly71
    milly71 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2010

    Hi and I am new with you all---I am also stage 1 and I'm thinking about not doing rads or femara--had lumpectomy Nov. 16th . I've been reading so-o-o much about radiation causing a rare agressive angiosarcoma and femara causing a LOT of problems for women who are a lot younger than me where they feel like they are 90  or 100 yrs. old.with a lot of pain and it just about scares me out of all of it !  I am 71 and my DR's say that I am a young 71 and that I'm not 90 and I think YEH, RIGHT, just so I do all of the things that they want me to do. My question is, what do all of you think? I am getting so informed and overwhelmed that I don't know what to do and I don't think that I will do anything. Am I dumping all of my chances or what /  THANKS A LOT !!

  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 41
    edited January 2010

     Hi All -

    I am also new to this discussion area.  I am glad to have found this forum, I have already learned so much from reading all the old posts.   I am 45 married with a daughter 9 and a son almost 11.  I went for my yearly mamogram in October and they saw microcalcifications in my left breast that they thought were suspicious.  I was brough back in for futher mamograms to verify and then sent for a biopsy in November.   On November 13th I was diagnosed with DCIS and was sent for an MRI.  The MRI showed a lot more extensive DCIS then the mamo.  I had my lumpectomy on 11/30 and 4.5 cm of DCIS along with .8cm of ICD was removed.  I have a high grade comedo type DCIS.  Dr. called a few days later and told me they didn't get clear margins in 16 out of 20 blocks around the lump and that I would need to come in to discuss my options.  Boy was I stunned, here I go from having a "nothing" stage 0 pre-cancer (all the doctors words) to a stage 1 bc needing my lymph node removed and having to decide if I want them to go back in and take out more to try and get clear margins or have a mastectomy.     

    I went for second opinion at Sloane Kettering and they recommended a Mastectomy due to the extensive DCIS.   My bs thinks that I should let  her go back in and do another lumpectomy to get clear margins and that I should not rush into the mx.  If she doesn't get clear margins this time, then she would recommend a mx.   The pathologist working with my bs thinks that my bs won't  to get all the bc and that I should get a mx now.  I keep going back and forth not knowing what to do.  Can't decide whether to just jump in and get a mastectomy now.. and maybe a double to have it all over and just get reconstruction (too many choices there too).  Lots of decisions to make.  I have been taking the last couple of weeks to think and I am still not sure what to do.  I will get BRCA tested on Wednesday since my mother is adopted even though she has found her two 1/2 sisters and no one in my family has bc.  I meet with the bc on Thursday and I am sure she is expecting a decision.  

    Sorry to ramble on so much... sometimes it is good to just get it all out.

    Thanks alot!!!!

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    Milly71...I'm 58 and on Femara for almost 4 years now and no pain or feeling 90. What your Doctor is recommending?

    Laura   My first lumpectomy didn't have clear margins either and I had a second re excision that did the job. Of course its a personal choice

    Labarbera..Glad you found us. Let us know all your new results.

    Ladies, my sisters Welcome to our group.

    Sheila

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    Welcome to all the newbies...  Milly, Laura M, Labarbera, and Debbie68

    Just a quick pop in...

    today is my 24th wedding anniversary!!

    Hugs to all

    Harley

  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 1,605
    edited January 2010

    Happy Anniversary Harley!  Glad to hear you are feeling a little better.

    HUGS,

    Linda

    Good Night Ladies!

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    Thanks Linda!  Oh, and thanks for the advice on Vitamin D, too!! 

    Hugs

    Harley

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    Harley what are you doing on the computer on your 24th anniversary? lol

    Sheila

  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 2,441
    edited January 2010

      Hi Labby.  Hugs♥

    Harley Happy Anniversary





  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 1,089
    edited January 2010

    Happy Anniversary Harley!

    Welcome Milly, Laura M, Labarbera, and Debbie68!

    LauraM - lumpectomy or mx is such an individual choice...I knew instantly if the biopsy came back cancer I would have a bil MX with recon but that was me...I had DCIS and IDC in the right breast. You have to make a decision you are comfortable with.   

    I saw my PS today, my foobs "look GREAT" (his words) and I am healing nicely...no need to make another appointment until September or I decide on nipples...which ever comes first :) 

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    Thanks everyone!!    :D 

    Good night...

  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2010

    Hi Debbie.  I'm going for a lumpectomy and node removal this Friday.  If margins aren't clean I think I am going to consider having a mx for sure...no question.  My 'girls' have let me down and so I'm going to spank 'em good.  LOL

  • valjean
    valjean Member Posts: 1,110
    edited January 2010

    Had my onc ck-up today & all is good. Blood work is good except WBC & potassium is still a little low. Intend to work on getting more potassium in my diet before resulting to supplement, I take enough of those! Will get vitamin D checked on next lab draw in 3 months. (didn't want another needle prick today!)

    Tumor marker still at <12.0. NP told me it goes no lower than that. And, no, I am not relying on that test as an indicator because I know that it can be unreliable. Just another thing to have knowledge of.  

    Welcome all newbies ~ so sorry you had to join us, but there is comfort & lots of knowledge here.

    lindagarside ~ Best wishes this Friday for clean margins.

    Harley ~ hope your anniversary was lovely!

    Michelle ~ Wonderful news on your healing nicely!

    good night ladies,

    {{hugs}}

  • milly71
    milly71 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2010

    THANKS for the welcome, Harley and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !!  I'm going to head to bed---will check with you all, tomorrow  and I'm so-o-o glad to be able to talk with you.  Much Love !

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010

    Welcome, Milly, Lindagarside,LauraM, and any other Newbies I missed.

    Valerie, I am glad your check-up went well.  What do they plan on doing for your wbc?

  • sue-61
    sue-61 Member Posts: 262
    edited January 2010

    Harley, congrats on your anniversary. I was married for 36 yrs (my husband is now deceased) and when people asked him how long we were married, he would always say "two happy years, but 36 in all." He thought he was so darn funny. Actually, he was!

    LAURA, such a hard decision you have to make. I was 60 when dx. I knew I had a small IDC in one breast and the MRI showed that the "cyst" in the other breast was also IDC. The doc did talk to me about bilateral lumpectomies but I opted for mastectomies. I was a widow at the time but did discuss my options with my adult girls and they agreed with me. GET IT OUT is all I could think of. The final pathology showed another area of DCIS in one breast so  I made the best decision for ME. When I was first diagnosed and was discussing options with a nurse buddy, she asked me if I felt my body "defined" me. I said NOPE.  I had a couple of sisters in law who were appalled at my decision, but I never regretted it. Of course I am older than you but you will finally figure out what is best for you. Again, such a hard decision. I wish you well, Sue 

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    Thanks, Sue...

    Hi to all my breast friends and sisters!

    Sheila, I think I need to explain... 

    Last night was kinda quiet... we just watched a movie on Netflix!   See, we celebrated on New Years Eve, because our favorite restaurant is closed for the month of January!!  

    Well, I gotta go!  I have LOTS of errands to do...   Hope everyone has a GREAT day!!

    Harley

  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 41
    edited January 2010

    All -  Thank you for the many welcomes and the advice! 

    Can I get some opinions on breast reconstruction...  Did anyone have the TRAM or Tram Free Flap?  How did it go?

    Thanks! 

    Laura

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    Valerie, I am so glad your test is fine. Do You get the results right there?

    I have to wait 24-48 hours the phone to ring.

    Hi All.

  • AL1841
    AL1841 Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2010

    Was just diagnosed with an Oncotype of 13.  had a double Mast. on 11/24/09, no nodes involved.  2 tumors (larges .7mm). Some slight evidence of Lymphatic invasion (whatever that means).  100% ER/PR+; Her2-. My oncologist is recommending CMF chemo (8 cycles over 6 mos) followed by Tamox.  A 2nd opinion suggests ovarian suppression injections into abdomen (1x/month for 2 yrs.) coupled with the Tamoxifen.

    I also have a mild form of Multiple Sclerosis, which adds a slight wrinkle.  With chemo, I get to go off weekly MS injection for the 6 months---that's a plus. Witth the hormonal treatments, I will need to continue with MS injections.

     Can't decide on which approach? Any advice?

  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 188
    edited January 2010

    Hey, LauraM...My name is Laura too (when I'm not being called "cake" which is my favorite, LOL!).  Sorry this post is so long everyone! Embarassed

    As everyone else mentioned, we early stagers sometimes have choices between surgeries based on how we will feel afterwards (ie, will I freak at having "foobs" or do I really need to keep my boobs as in tact as possible, or do I not give a hoot).  So, I'm not suggesting what you should do, but here's my story if it helps...

    My diagnosis is similar to you...I was 37 when dx'd in June and had 5 cm DCIS and IDC in several places in the micro millimeter - .1-2mm back in June...first mammo--WOW!  The surgeon recommended lumpec/rads and he did not get clear margins, so I had the second surgery to widen margins.  I wanted to get a bilat masectomy with recon right from the start but the doc talked me out of it and said reoccurence rates are the same...so like a good patient, I did what the doctor asked.  But it never settled right with me because of the extensive DCIS. 

    Meanwhile I got onto these boards and talked to lots of people...I found out from my onc also that the reoccurence rate is the same because the techs are on top of bc survivors with lots of mammos, tests, etc.  But if I got a masec...no more mammos, biopsies, poking around at every little calcification...and I would have peace that almost all my breast cells are gone!

    So, I went back after radiation and asked my surgeon if I could get the bilat mx w/recon so I could sleep in peace and he's like "sure."  I'm scheduled for surgery February 18 with DIEP reconstruction because I had radiation, so my options are limited to DIEP.

    I think looking back, the doc did not want me to make a hasty decision to "whack the puppies off" when I was in such a state of shock.  Also, because I am young to get bc, he probably thought I'd care about my boobs later or something.  But what I really care is living to raise my kids and knowing I did everything possible to keep the bug away.  So far, that hasnt changed, so off those puppies go in 6 more weeks!

    Hope it helps!

  • sullykm
    sullykm Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2010

    Hi everyone, my name is Kelly. I was diagnosed on Oct.1, 2009 and went through a long string of tests and more tests before I had a BLMx/TE on 12/10. I'm 42 yrs old with two kids, so suffice it to say that this whole thing has been a shock to my system (but then again, when isn't it?). I've had problems with cysts, calcifications, fibrosis- you name it- since I was 36. In the course of 2 years I was flagged for 5 biopsies because of calcifications. I'd had enough of that and decided to go with a bilateral mastectomy. Regardless of all of this, I consider myself extremely lucky and blessed. They caught this thing very early and I'm so thankful! I'm overwhelmed with gratitude sometimes. I went to the Oncologist today- no chemo but he's putting me on tamoxifen. I was hoping to get off without anything, but again I'm grateful. I'll deal with it. I'm in a constant amount of discomfort  with these stupid TEs, but I'll be fine with that too. Main thing is that I'll be around to watch my kids grow up.

    I hope that all of you are starting off 2010 with a bang. Blessings to all.

  • valjean
    valjean Member Posts: 1,110
    edited January 2010

    Meece ~ Such a good Q on WBC - what do they plan on doing? - because it is a little low. I asked my NP at the time & she asked me if I drink water & I told her, "Yes, a lot. It is my drink of choice. I don't like coffee or tea, rarely have soda or alcohol." But, on the side, I DO love an occassional frozen strawberry Margarita!! Woo-ha!! Anyway, your question got me to thinking, so I e-mailed the NP & will hopefully hear from her tomorrow about what else I can do to raise that level. It has been low since rads, went up some & then came back down some. Again, great Q!

    Sheila ~ My blood work is done 7-10 days before the actual appt. so I can have the results at that time. Is that what you mean by the test?

    Hey "Lauras", you have a beautiful name. My oldest DD is Laura!

    hugs to all,

    Valerie

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010
    Valerie, I had low wbc during chemo, but I don;t think it has been low since.  At least not enough to concern anyone.  I had Nuelasta every time I had chemo.  I wonder if it it only for chemo patients.
  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    Kelly Welcome to the club nobody wants to join. i also had numerous scares and biopsies.

    Valerie...Thanks for clearing that for me, because I was ready to ask my oncologist how come I didn't get the answer the same day. isn't there a some kind a medicine to raise your WBC like Meece said, beside Neulasta. Are they giving you any answers what you are suppose to do if it stays low?

    Hi Meece.

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    VALERIE

    Step
    2Avoid drugs or medications such as antibiotics, diuretics, antihistamines, barbiturates, sulfonamides and anticonvulsants. According to the National Institute of Health, these drugs can cause a decrease in white blood cell count. Sometimes, discontinued use of these medications can help to reverse leukopenia.

    Step
    3Include certain foods in your diet. Foods rich in zinc such as oysters, pumpkin, pot roast, dark turkey meat and squash seeds can help increase your white blood count. Foods containing garlic and shiitake mushrooms can also boost your immune system. Eat yogurt that contains live active cultures of Strepococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus Bulgaricus. According to to a study published in the 2006 edition of the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, both conventional and probiotic yogurt helped to increase white blood cell counts in approximately 30 percent of women.

    Step
    4Exercise daily and find healthy ways to relieve stress. This will help to strengthen your existing white blood cells. According to The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, low level aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, can strengthen the immune system.

    VALERIE I JUST GOOGLED THIS MAYBE IT MIGHT HELP YOU. YOU CAN ALWAYS DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. HOW TO RAISE YOUR WBC!

    SHEILA

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010

    I have a perfect meal plan for that.  Garlic tur-potroast with oyster/mushroom gravy served with pumpkin soup garnished with squash seeds.  Yogurt for dessert.

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