CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS
Comments
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Blownaway...Yes..!.. The pathology can bring very nasty surprises.. Surprises is too soft a word.. shocks really.. I was dx with DCIS.. And luckily I decided to have a mascetomy because pathology found a small Idc 7mm..in a different spot in the breast.. Because of the mascetomy I didn't need radiation.. And now have started on tamoxifen..which is going O.K, so far, touch wood.. Sorry about your HER2 "shock ".. It would of been awful discovering such a huge change in your treatment plan. Good luck with the final 7 radiations.. YOU CAN ! I find the emotional side of this train-wreck the hardest..:-(
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Hi Lucy....i hope you can find some comfort here
All your sisters care about you
Sorry i missed your post
I promise now on will pay more attention
Hugs
Sheila♥
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Hi Sheila.. Thanks.. I have been reading on here for quite a while.. without joining up.. and this thread, that you started, has helped so much to get me through the awful dark days of biopsies, dx, mascetomy ... and even darker nights ( in so many, many ways)... I'm so sick of obsessively reading studies / statistics trying to find written words to comfort myself.. Guess it's time to stop it..and (try) to get on with living and enjoying life... I have 7 little Grand-babies... The oldest is 4..and there's another way on the way, due in March.. So lots of little ones to love and enjoy..I want them to remember me as a fun part of their lives growing up...not as this sad, stressed person that bc dx is fast turning me into.... Lucy
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Hi Lucy...i was also blessed with my first granddaughter March 2014
God Bless all our children...i know how you feel when i was dx my 2 daughters were still home now they are both married
My youngest one moved to Hawaii
The older one who had the baby lives at walking distance
That's what i try to concentrate and thankful that I'm here to see my girls getting married and my precious baby Isabel
Hugs from NY
Sheila♥
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Welcome to our sisterhood Blownaway and Dorisanderson ♥
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Hi ladies, I don't post here often, but wanted to stop in and say "hi". My Grandmother once told me, "you never know what life will bring."...words of wisdom! I totally get all of you Grandmas out there. I was blessed with a new grandson on the 7th and expecting a GD in March. I have 5 now! They are the light of my life. I am so glad they live close enough to see often and watch them growing up. I agree-I want them to remember me as being there, taking them places, spoiling them, slumber parties, treats, etc.
Lucy, hang in there. Give yourself some time. I think I am finally at a place where I don't think of BC every moment of every day and hardly at night any more. I still fret when a Dr appt is around the corner, but I guess that won't go away any time soon!
Doris, so sorry you have another DX, but so glad you are diligent in follow ups and caught it.
Blownaway, I had a HX, oophorectomy, too 9 yrs ago...go figure! Estrogen is also produced in the adrenal gland, I believe, and we store it in our body fat...I guess sometimes it doesn't take much. Good luck with the rest of your TX.
((HUGS))
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Keepthefaith... It's reassuring for me to read that you've got to a stage where BC isn't occupying your every thought. Glad you are enjoy your 5 grand- babies.. I am babysitting 2 of mine today while my daughter works.
BosumBlues..so sorry you are still struggling... But with so many issues going on it would make it very hard to put BC out of your mind. Also sorry about the SE with the chemo.. I didn't have chemo but am having lots of issues trying to get full shoulder movement back after the mascetomy.. Sometimes it seems like there is no break from it all:-(
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Keepthefaith.. Thanks for your post. It's reassuring to read that you've got to a stage where BC isn't occupying your every thought it. glad you are enjoying your 5 Grand-babies.. I am minding 2 of mine today while my daughter works.
BosumBlues.. Sorry you are still struggling..with so many ongoing issues it would be very hard to put out of your mind. I didn't have chemo but am having lots of issues trying to get full shoulder movement back after the mascetomy. Seems like there is no break from it all.
Sheila.. Yes, a blessing to be able to.see our children grow, marry and become parents themselves. I bet having a daughter in Hawaii makes for great holidays. I'd be off visiting baby Isabel all the time if I were you :-)
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Deleted the above message.. I somehow managed to post it twice ..
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Hi Lucy, I am five and a half years out and today my oncologist told me I can quit tamoxifen. Statistically beyond this point it offers only 1% of benefit to me that is not worth the aches and pains and fatigue. I started out on Arimidex, toughed it out for two years, then grew tired of what for me seemed like unbearable stiffness and pain and by significant bone loss after my first bone scan at the time of diagnosis to my second one two years later. Tamoxifen was easier on me, I felt better, my bones grew stronger, but I guess it's time to stop. Like you, in the beginning, I worried too much, slept poorly, and became obsessed with searching these discussion boards for any encouraging piece of information, or horror stories about treatment, or validation of my own experiences, or just to read some comforting words.
The obsession with BC and the associated relentless reading of BC stories and statistics will eventually ease. I think I was obsessed for about a year or more and then I let it go and started to open myself up to new experiences. You are lucky to have grandchildren. I look forward to grandchildren some day. Enjoy yours and try not to worry so much. All my worrying did not help me or give me any advantages in this path we're on. Pay attention to your body, but not every new pain is something to be concerned about. Pay attention to being alive and enjoying your grandchildren! You can't snap your fingers and make your fears vanish, but you are stronger than your fears and eventually they will lose their power over you. Don't give them power. I found that writing down my dreams helped me to sort out my fears and move away from them. There is great support available to you on this site.
Best wishes to you.
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Blown away - my goodness, wow, I send you the strength you need everyday to get through the rest of your treatment. Celebrate "small accomplishments" - understand that some days may be better then other days, some days you may feel totally wiped out but don't give up thinking "I'm gonna be fine, I'm gonna get through this, God give me the strength to, please find a way to get me through this etc" it is both a lot physically, mentally and emotionally all why normal stresses from everyday life continue - pace yourself, meditate, try to limit unnecessary drama/stress and take time every day to rest and be still and let your body be quiet and mind think affirmation, positive thinking and in a comfy, warm, quiet area alone.... to decompress. inner strength is so important in healing. my prayers for you are on the way..
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I have seen some ladies post things about knowing what your estrogen level is - when I was diagnosed with IDC stage 1b (1.1cm total right breast near 11:30am/pm on breast about 3 cm under the surface - dense breasts,,, a 34C so was told the tumor was about middle of the breast - not near chest wall and not that close to actual nipple - and no lymph node - 1 LN taken out ... where would I see my estrogen level??what is a normal estrogen level - if there is any NORMAL level to have? I am trying to know if my estrogen level was on the low or high side - as I know when it is on higher side - DR feels risk higher for recurrence - is it on my ONCA test result or on my bloodwork that they did before my Mastectomy?
just curious as am 43, may be in perimenopause and not taking any Tamoxifen (my onca score was a 7 and my BS said my chance recurrence is around 12-15% in my lifetime - I am hoping it will never be found again as all of us on here hope to not have any more BC again.
also if I had IDC - if a recurrence were to come about - has anyone had one type BC and then heard of getting a different type - like DCIS or ILC in opposite breast and if so - is that common within the first few years of first Diagnosis OR there is just NO way to tell - anthing could happen...?
thanks
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Hi Sparkle2014,
I looked on my biopsy pathology report and my estrogen, progesterone, Her2 levels were listed in the section marked staging. Both my estrogen & progesterone came back pos >90% and the Her2 came back neg +1. I was told that since my levels were pos with high %, that my tumor needed the estrogen to grow so therefore hormone therapy (arimidex) would be part of my treatment as that stops the estrogen that is produced in my body. This information is important for the drs. to decide on what kind of treatment is best for the specific cancer. I've heard of women having more than one type of BC but everyone is so different and their cancer behaves so differently, it's difficult to predict who will have a recurrence & who won't. My BS told me that even though my genetic testing came back neg., my onco score was 9 and recurrence prediction 7%, with my family history she thinks my recurrence risk falls into about the 18% range. Over the years, I have done everything plus some to head this off. I had my yearly mammos, had 2 clinical exams every year, did self breast exams monthly and even took Tamoxifen for 5 years preventivly when I was in my 40's and still developed it. So I just keep focusing on that we live in a country where access to healthcare is excellent, treatment options are many and are improving daily, and my cancer was caught early. If I should have a recurrence, it is out of my control. I just need to listen to my body and stay in control of my health. Hope this helps
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gwerfil..Hi Penny.. Thanks so much for your post.. and a big congrats on being 5 and a half years out.! it must feel good :-)
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Hi Stage 1 sisters...this was my first "home" here on BCO 3 years ago. I learned everything from the ladies here.
Sheila, it is good to see you are still checking in. I know how much joy Isabel has brought to you. Life after BC can be very normal and bring wonderful things amidst the chaos of BC.Hi Lucy, I hope you are finding answers here to living through Stage 1 BC. It meant so much to me to have this place to go.
Wishing everyone here a quick recovery from surgery and treatment, and a beautiful life ahead.
Joan0 -
Hi Joan.. when I was first dx, before "coming out of the closet " and joining up with BCO , I would sneak on here and read... The warmth and support seemed amazing.. I think the really great thing about reading this thread was the realisation that for the most part everyone was posting about their day to day lives.. and while the dreaded BC was definitely a (unwanted) part of their lives, it was their Whole life..
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Hello! I'd like to introduce myself to this thread too. I was dx 2 months ago and except for scheduling reconstruction, I guess I'm on my new "path" and I have to say I'm having a hard time figuring out what normal is again. My oncotype score was 17, so chemo was not recommended for me (thank you God) so I started tamoxifen on Monday. I'm still off from work until Dec. 1 and I just need to find a way to stop obsessing now. Is that possible? I think so, I hope so! It's nice to be a part of such a wonderful group of ladies here. The comfort and support has been so awesome! I just hope one day I don't fall asleep and wake up thinking about BC. I have a wonderful family, a hubby of 25 yrs that I adore and a 9 yo son who is the light of my life. A great job, a great life....just this disease as well.
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Pita - That is very interesting that your doctor thinks family history impacts recurrence %. I figured it was all about the Oncotype score. Also the fact that you took five years of tamoxifen preventively blows my mind. Would you mind telling me about your family history? Have you had any genetic testing beyond brca?
My mother was dx at 27, her sister at 43, it may be something from my maternal grgrandmother. She passed young and left my grpa an orphan but that was around 1920, so I can't find any records. My onc wants me to do extended genetic testing, but so far my insurance won't cover it.0 -
Hi Hummingbird.. Seems I was dx just one month before you.. This dx certainly takes a lot of coming to terms with.. Yep.. As soon as I wake it's the first thing I think of  :-(.. Actually I had a tiny reprieve from obsessing about BC.. I went and had my moles checked and had to have one removed.. So, while I was waiting for pathology results ( which I found out today were begnin.. Thank you God) I was alternating my googling between BC and melonomas ! UUGH..I can't believe that 3 short months ago my googling was targeted at recipe sites.!! .. I too have lots to be thankful for.. Happy marriage, great kids who all live close by, and wonderful grandkids.. I am doing fine with the tamoxifen so far.
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Thanks Lucy!! I'm so glad your mole biopsy came back negative! I've actually had 2 melanoma in-situs in the last 5 yrs so I'm an expert on obsessing about skin cancer too. I actually was waiting for the results from a mole taken off while I was waiting to schedule my BC surgery. It was not a happy week for me. This feels different than melanoma for me. I've learned to live with that and am diligent about checking my skin and just get suspicious spots removed. This BC stuff? It's not like I can keep tabs. I'll take my meds and try to be healthy and try to put it in the back of my mind. At least that's my hope. Thanks for the welcome!
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Farmerlucy,
My maternal grandmother & mother were dx'd at 58 (both deceased)...my sister dx'd at 52 (4 years ago & doing well). I was dx'd this past August at 58. No, I have not had any other testing done other than the BRCA1 & BRCA2. I was thinking of checking into other testing but haven't started down that path yet. Yeah, I was quite bummed after having taken the Tamoxifen 16? years ago for 5 years that I ended up with BC anyway but I am trying to stay positive...it was caught early, treatment options are many and constantly improving. One of my biggest concerns are for my daughters aged 34 & 32. They will start this year having yearly mammos & yearly MRIs of the breasts.
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Pita - My wonderful onc has agreed to follow my DD and advocate for yearly MRI's for her. She is only 24 soon to be 25, but since the fam has such an early onset my onc feels she needs to start screening. I hate it so much. I lived under the spector of BC my whole life, and I'd like to give her a few more years without the angst. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the extended testing found a mutation for us, and then our DDs subsequently test negative. Thanks for the info.
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Hummingbird..I know what you mean about the melanoma versus BC.. You can check your skin for changes..and SEE whats happening. With BC all you can do is swallow a pill...( and pray) !
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yesterday was a big day for me.. After 3 months since surgery I finally bit the bullet and had my appointment to get fitted for a prosthesis.. I also got one to wear swimming.. I just been wearing a soft one , as my skin and are has been taking a long time to recover.. Anyway.. I guess it does feel better with the prosthesis.It's the same weight as my other breast.. So I feel more balanced.. So.. I guess that's another job out of the way.. Hugs to all.
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Hi
I'm back again and again and again
Stage 1 b/ll mast chemo finished in July. Still taking Herceptin every 3 wks. Breast cancer back again. Third time in 5 years.
I cant even think what to do. I know it maybe a local recurrence I'm getting a Pet Scan tomorrow. I've already had radiation the first time. Now they are thinking more radiation.
I'm feeling pretty beat.
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Thanks Good luck. What is MO? Sorry not sure.
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Funthing.. Oh.. So sorry you are dealing with this again..will be keeping you in my prayers for tomorrow ((Hugs))
BosumBlues.. Also sorry you are having issues as well.. Doesn't sound as if it will be cancer related as you've been having problems for so long.. But still very annoying!
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Funthing...I have no words..Sending Hugs from NY and will be thinking of you as you start this journey again
MO=Medical Oncologist
BB...please update us
And to all my sisters here I care very much and send hugs to each and every one of you ♥
Hi Lucy
(((((((((((((((♥♥)))))))))))))
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Bosum Blues my mom is 73 and she says the same thing. She hasn't been to a Dr in over 10 years and there is nothing wrong with her, so she says why go.
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Thank you so much for the welcome, I was diagnosed February 12, 2014 with stage 1 triple negative, finished my last chemo August 5th, had a Masectomy and implants, just had 4month check up everything was good, my Mammogram is Scheduled for January 5th and I'm very nervous, there isn't one day that I'm not greatful for making it through but I'm still always Concerned about what if, i will continue to pray and continue to live. God Bless us all..
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Latise, when you get the good news in January you will feel relief. You may want to get an appointment where they will have radiologist read the results same time. Each time I have my mammo I go through the fear and luckily the relief. Remember each year that goes by the chance of reoccurance goes down. My mo was telling me they are coming out with a vaccine for her2 positive breast cancer.
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