CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS
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Sugar...I have 2 scars like you.
BS said the sentinel node removal was much more difficult than removing the lump in the breast.
My breast scar is 6 o'clock position, so its not visible to naked eye. but its a long one.
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Yep. Two scars but one "surgery". I just think of it as one surgery and forget I had it done. I wish I could say that it got better for me. The numbness has continued, and the sensitivity to touch is still around 6 years later.
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Sherri: I have one scar - they did the two surgeries but more than one procedure from the first scar where the first tumor was removed. Although the first surgery the scar was much smaller than the second time around (the second surgery was a sentinel node biopsy and revision of the margins and this is when he found a second tumor) and they went into the first scar to do this surgery - accept the scar is longer the second time around.... Charmaine0
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Hi ladies. I posted a few weeks ago, but still very new to your site. Have been following through my emails and didn't have a chance to post.
Mari65--congrats on Oncotype DX score. I had a 14 from mine and was so thrilled. No chemo. I think that was the FIRST good news since my dx. Sorry you have to drive so far for your rads.
Sherri--congrats about finishing rads. That is great.
Redbarb--good look with the results today. We all will have positive thoughts for you.
I had my TE surgery on 4/7. Go to ps tomorrow for the first fill. I am hoping that everything is OK and nothing shifted, etc.. First follow up app after surgery. Thursday I go to see onco for first follow up after being on femara. I am glad I have vacation this week. Fortunately I work in a high school (guidance counselor) and have school vacations off.
Hope everyone has a good Monday.
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Hi ladies,
Good news. All the margins are clearnow! I go Wednesday for my ono consult. figure I will start chemo in about 2 weeks. I have a follow up with bs on Monday.
Goodvibesonly: Good luck tomorrow!
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redbarb--Congratulations. That is fantastic news.
Thanks for wishing me good luck.
Have a great Tuesday, ladies.
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Great news Redbarb!
goodvibes - good luck today for the first fill. I hope you get to have some fun on your "vacation" week from school!
Sherri
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Congrats, redbarb.
Good luck, goodvibes.
Goodmorning, Sugar!
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Hi ladies. Didn't get my first fill today. PS said that he wanted to wait because I needed more time to heal (3 weeks post op). It may be because I had severe pain in my rt chest after the TE surgery. So ps wants to take is slow to make sure. So, I go in for first fill in 2 weeks. I am just happy that ps said all looks well post op. Now at least I can get back to some simple daily activities.
Have a great day.
Jean
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Jean, I am glad your PS didn't push it. I have noticed that many ladies here get sent away from their first fill appointments without the fill. Better to err on the side of caution, and you seem to be in good spirits. That's important.
Take it easy though, you might want to keep your abilities to yourself awhile longer. Isn't it nice to watch someone else do the vacuuming once in awhile?
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I only saw my rad onc once after finishing rads. This was 3 yrs ago. My onc said I don't have to see him anymore because you are done with radiation. You just see me from now on. I have HMO BCBS so I did not pay for anything, thank goodness. I see my onc every 4 months.
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Wonderful news Redbarb.
goodvibes...how was it today?
Hi Ladies.
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Hi ladies,
I got a call at 7:00 pm tonight from my bs. He said he had some news for me. I knew this couldn't be good. He said that he took 2 layers when he did the re-excision. The first layer he took out showed 2 additional tumors. one slightly smaller than 2cm the other under 1cm. The second layer is where the clear margin came from. So I guess it's a mixed message. I let him know that this is the second time his nurse gave me "false or incomplete" results. The first was after my lumectomy she said it was DCIS and it turned out to be a tumor (anywhere between 2-4.5 cm, not exactly sure the size.) He said he would have a talk with her, and for now on I will not get any results from anyone except my doctor. The doctor told me I still have 3 options. continue on the planned schedule, chemo, rads. Then check to see if everything is gone. 2. Go back do another re-excision, then chemo and rads. 3. Mastectomy. The doc said all the cancer is gone, but 3 doctors also told me they doubted they would fine anything in the margin. He also said this is an unusual case. any advice anyone.
NOw my question for all of you: has this happened to anyone else?
How many times do I have to be on top of this darn roller coaster and then be pushed back down the hill. I know everyone says to stay positive, but this is getting harder and harder. My youngest (12)saw me go in the back room and close the door while I was talking to the surgeon. When I put him to bed he started to cry. He told me he was scared that I was going to die. I tried to explain to him that I am not going to die yet. I also told him that I closed the door because him and his brother were fighting. He seemed better after that. I hate what this is doing to my family. I have such wonderful kids and a fantastic husband. I know this isn't terrible news, but I feel like once I have made my mind up on what i want to do another road block is thrown in front of me. Thanks for listening to my ranting.
Jean: sorry you things didn't work out for you, but better safe then sorry.
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Hi, I'm new to this site although I have been reading posts for a month or so.
I had a stroke while at work at the age of 57 in April of '07. On 10/1 of last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was in a state of shock. I had a lumpectomy, a reincision to get clear margins, radiation, and chemo. I just finished chemo on March 16 (four rounds of taxotere and cytoxan). After my last chemo and even though I had the neulasta shot, my WBC plummeted and I was in the hospital for a week and received several blood transfusions.
It is so nice not to have weeky blood work, doctor visits, hospital visits, and etc. I am regaining my energy and getting back out and about. My hair has just started to grow (more peach fuzz than anything) but still no hair on legs or body. I did not lose my eyebrows.
Look forward to posting in the future and getting to know all of you.
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Redbarb I am so sorry that your doctor had to call you back only to give you information that was correct but more difficult for you to make a decision about. Personally I didn't have a similar situation. The most important thing is to make your decision based on what is best for you. How you feel and what do you want. What can you live with and what do you feel secure with. Regardless of what the surgeon tells you about doing a re-excision or mastectomy, rads and chemo, etc. you are the one that has to go through all of the treatments and all the surgery. Good Luck with your decison. Sending hugs and prayers your way.
Renee
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Thanks Renee. I know that's what i have to do, but I'm at the point I want someone to tell me this is what you have to do.
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Redbarb -- I faced the re-excision decision too. Dr didn't tell me about the "bonus" tumor or the additional DCIS he found until several days after surgery. At that point I was already thinking about getting rads and moving on. I felt like I had already made a decision and someone changed the deal. After I calmed myself, I went back to my research and realized -- in my heart and on paper -- that I had already made a decision. My initial decision (lumpectomy and rads) was not wrong, it was just based on incomplete information so I had to look at it from the perspective that I now had this information (like it or not) and what I thought was best for me back when I was being rational enough to do the research and express my objectives for treatment. It is just so disappointing when things don't work out the way you had planned! Good luck with your decision.0
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Redbarb ~ I echo Renee, she said it very well. I am sorry you have to go through all this indecision. A positive thing is the second layer at the re-excision was clear, that is wonderful news. It just breaks my heart that your boys are so worried for you. Again, everything Renee said I would also say to you. Sending a {{{{big hug}}}} your way.
Welcome swolfram ~ You have been through a lot & have come out the other side. Regaining your energy is great news!
Hi Jean! Take care.
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Welcome, swolfram, So sorry that you have had to deal with these ealth issues the past few years. But, glad that you are feeling better now.
Redbarb, Ditto to what Renee said. ((((hugs)))) as you go through the research for your decision.
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Redbarb--I was almost in tears as I read your post this morning. I am so mad that the nurse gave you inaccurate information in the first place. That is so terrible. The roller coaster ride is so hard waiting for the results, then to have the wrong information given to you makes it so much worse. I can't imagine how you are feeing. I copied your 3 options in my reply since I wanted to respond to each of them:
"The doctor told me I still have 3 options. continue on the planned schedule, chemo, rads. Then check to see if everything is gone. 2. Go back do another re-excision, then chemo and rads. 3. Mastectomy. The doc said all the cancer is gone, but 3 doctors also told me they doubted they would fine anything in the margin. He also said this is an unusual case. any advice anyone"
#1 option---what does your bs mean when he said to check to see if everything is gone after chemo and rads? I am confused. The margin was clear after the second layer was taken. Would he go back in again anyway. Or is he concerned that because the first layer had tumors found? #2 if the margin was clear why is he giving you an option to go back for another re-excision. 3. Mastectomy---did your bs give you an option of mastectomy in the first place?
I don't know how you feel about having a mastectomy. This is a very personal decision, I know. I will tell you that I have not regreted my decision to have my BM in January. I had a lumpectomy in November and did not have clean margins. Knew that I was not going to have a re-excision if the first time was not clear. My bs would do whatever I wanted, though. Decided to do both breasts cause didn't want to go through anxiety about healthy one in the future. I have a good friend who is a surgical nurse in breast cancer unit at my hospital. I asked her advice and she said she would have a BM. I asked about re-excision and why the docs talk to much about that instead of mastectomies. She said since the research does not indicate a better prognosis with mastectomy, the surgeon look towards the least invasive and less chance of complications, etc.. Which of course is a re-excision. However, this does not take into account the anxiety, extra surgies if clean margin is not found, etc..Anyway--they found 3 tumors in my affected breast--all under 1 cm. The other breast was clear. Never bothered me about that. I guess I was happy that I didn't have to do radiation. (For me, they said I didn't need radiation. Although I have heard of BM that have had radiation.) This also helps reconstruction, etc.... But, I only say that this was my journey. I am not saying that is what you or anyone else should do.
I guess you will need to balance the options. One thing you may want to do is start separate thread regarding re-excision decisions. I am sure there are alot of women out there that have had to face this terrible decision like you.
My thoughts are with you at this time. It is the hardest decision that you will have to make. I am so sad for your family--especially your children. This is so hard and scarey for them. I could just imagine how worried your son was when he saw the door close... It is so good that he shares with you his feelings. I have 2 older sons (18 and 21) and they are freaked out at times. Your guys are much younger. I realized that sometims I go through the motions and forget to tell my sons what is going on. Not the major stuff....but follow up apps, etc.. We all get so busy with our own thoughts, worries, etc... that we sometimes forget to check in with our family.
Good luck with your onc visit today. I hope that you can get some answers/help from this appointment.
Meece--Thanks for the info regarding other ladies not getting fills at first post-op app. I was wondering if I missed something and should have known I wasn't getting a fill. Docs sure don't understand how worried we get about this stuff.
Solfram--congratulations on being done with chemo. Sorry to hear that you were back in the hospital for a week afterwards, though. Good you are getting back to going out, etc... You have been through so much. It is great to not have dr. app, etc... Did you suffer any complications with your stroke? I hope that they caught it early. Welcome to this site. I am new also.
My ps said that I could wear any bra now and a puff! So, I wore my post mast bra with the puff (that I wore 1 month after my mastecomy). After 4 hours I was hurting. OMG. Took a pain pill, which I hardly EVER do (except post op). I guess it is better to have my 'boy chest' then to put these darn puffs on! I will wait a week and try again. Good my doc did wait for the fill, I guess.
I don't have 50 posts yet, so only get 5 per day. So, I am rambling....
Have a great day, ladies.
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Thanks Goodvibesonly. I appreciate all your in sight. As far as the margins. They did get clear margins, but not as much as wide as they would have liked to. That;s why he recommends as an option to do a re-excision. As far as checking to see that everything is gone, I think just to double check that the chemo was successful. My ono recommeded doing chemo, rads and then the re-excision. I have no problem having a mast, but if there is no better prognosis why not do the least invasive surgically and then hammer it hard with treatment. I think after talking with my husband after the ono appointment I think I can going to go with the chemo, rads and then re-excision. But of course that could change by Monday when I meet with the surgeons. I just think the sooner I start to kill these cells, if there are any the better.
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Hi Redbarb. I feel for you. Whatever you decide we are behind you.
Waiting trying to make decisions are very anxiety producing.
I can only say what you already know I had a lumpectomy and 1 re-excision.
Will be thinking about you.
HUGS
Sheila
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Thanks Sheila, I have decided to start chemo , May 13, then do rads and then another re-excsion. That was a suggestion from my ono. I liked the idea because I will finally get started on treatment and then I will know how the chemo and rads worked when I am done. Thanks for your input and support!
Barb
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Barb--Thanks for explaining why your bs wants to do a re-exision after the chemo and rads. That makes alot of sense. I don't blame you at all for wanting to get on with the chemo and rads tx. It is so good that you did have the clean margins and you can move onto the next steps. I am glad that your onco suggested that, too. That must make you feel good. I think that you are doing what is right for you. There is no reason to do a more invasive surgery, especially when you have the chemo and rads ahead of you. I support you at every step!
I hope that you are feeling OK after your re-exision. Take care of yourself. It is so hard with these decisions. I am so sorry that you are faced with this! I am glad that your DH is there with you to help and support you. That makes the world of difference when we have support from our family. My DH has been to every app with me! Thank god for that!
Jean
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Barb ~ Now you can move forward & that is such a good feeling. I'm sure you feel like you now have a little bit of control in what is happening, as so much seems to be taken away from us throughout this journey.
{{hugs}}
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Congrats Barb on finally making a decision that you can live with. I know you will be much happier once you get the treatments behind you. Praying all goes well for you!!
Renee
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Redbarb804: I had 2 separate surgeries - and the second surgery was originally suppose to only be for a revision of the margins and a sentinel node biopsy. In the first surgery is where he found the first tumor (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma) and when they did the second surgery, the were not expecting to find a second tumor and they did - (Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma).
First surgery was September 17 2009, and second October 5 2009
They did not bother to make 2 separate incisions, they went into the first incision, but they ended up making the first incision 2 times longer then...
Charmaine
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Redbard804:
I was with the 2 tumors Stage 1b Grade 2. I too was also given the option of a mastectomy, however I told the doc that I preferred just to have 2 lumpectomies. I could not imagine losing my breast, I felt too traumatized psychologically and emotionally at this stage... so he did the 2 lumpectomies...
Charmaine
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I am thinking about getting my ears pierced tomorrow (Friday April 30th). When I was going thru chemo I was told to be careful about this. I am now nearly 3 months PFC, is this still too soon?
Thanks, Charmaine
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Charmaine - I just love that you threw the ear piercing in! Seems such a 'normal' thing to be talking about after all the talk of treatment etc. Guess they would have been concerned about infection from the piercing when you were having chemo but I can't help with your decision as I didn't have chemo so don't know the protocols surrounding it. Will be a breeze after all you have been through lately I'm sure.
Enjoy your day ladies
Rae
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