CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS
Comments
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Then I would wait the 3 weeks. I don't think that would be considered a long delay. I know it's hard, but you want to be comfortable with your decision and the oncotype is an important piece of information to have.
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Hi Mah from Sydney Australia
I had chemo because I was node positive. I understood from the Onc. that if we are node negative chemo doesn't do much good at all.
Chemo is no picnic and has lingering side effects, Make sure you really want this chemical in your body, especially if the oncs say you don't need it.
Glenis (grew up in Narrabeen).
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Thank you everybody for the 'happy birthday's' and also for the compliment on my picture.
Renee: hope that the results are positive ones.
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Well if this helps you my primary tumor was 9.25 mm IDC well differentiated grade 1, stage 1 all good...a few days before lumpectomy was scheduled my doctor ordered an MRI which for two more dcis tumors 5mm 2.5 mm. My lumpectomy turned into a Right MX. Final pathology showed another 1mm tumor that was pooly diferretiated. My primary turmor measured 1.35 cm and overall DCIS was 2.5 cm changing my Stage 1 grade 1 to stage 2 grade 2. I fortunately had all nodes clear. My oncotpye score was 17 high end of low risk for reccurence. So i was like ok no Chemo and went on my merry way. My BS was not happy with the fact that i wasnt doing chemo. I met with two oncologist and one did a mortality rate model using all my informaiton to see how someone with all my data fit into the model...it scared the h$ll out of me. I was told i had only so many days between surgery to start Chemo to get the preventative benefits. I met with BS PS and MO for two days agonizing over the decision. I was scared of the AC for heart issues family history. All docs agreed on Taxotere and Cytoxan (4x) Grade two and my onco score put me squarely in the intermediate category, but when I asked my docs with my stats if I was your sister what would you recommend. and They both said do the chemo. I did the chemo and just completed it. I hate that I lost my hair. It makes me cry almost every day. BUT i know that I have fought this battle with everything in me. The thought of recurrence or metstatic cancers scares the crap out of my. I am 43 yrs old and look forward to turning 50. You need to do what you feel is the best way to treat your cancer, Chemo at grade 2 invasive cancer is not overkill. Its your body and your choice. I would seek another opinion but maybe TC x4 would work best for your.
Good luck in your journey!
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Renee: I am on facebook and you can add me if you like.
Here is my facebook profile http://www.facebook.com/charmainejensen
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Mar, if you do decide to do chemo ask about TC versus AC. TC is not supposed to do heart damage.
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Hi Renee - I'll look you up on FB and send you a request. Charmaine and I are connected.
Sherri
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Happy Dance For Renee.We love good News.
Sheila♥
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Welcome Mah from Australia.
Welcome in_cognito from California.
charmaine...The link is not working.
Sherrie..Id like to connect too.
Sheila♥
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http://www.peanutpetshelter.org/ShelterChallenge.html
a favor please-- will you go to this site, type in Peanut Pet Shelter and vote. This shelter was started by a group of gringos who relocated to Playa del Carmen Mexico. We've been there several times and these folks are really great. Lenny the Wonder Dog thanks you
He's a shelter adoptee -- way cool pooch..0 -
Hi Didel and Char 2010 and Glenis:
Over here they do not do pathology on 2mm DCIS, so I do not know what my extra tumour was. I asked and they said no. So I don't know what it was. TC tends to impact more on people with allergies which is me. I have already used predisone about 4 times for a few weeks in the last 10 years. I suspect AC was the lesser of 2 evils. I have a better chance of surviving treatment. But I am not told what they are thinking, this is my guess.
I agree with the window. They usually have people start chemo 4-6 weeks after surgery. This will take me up to 8-9 weeks.
My concern is that they have been wrong so many times with me. The first time they said it was a grade 1 tumour 2cm and would not have agressive features particularly considering my age.
They refused to do the mastectomy for 3-4 weeks. Finally did the operation as requested and found grade 2 (mix of 1 and 3), with extra bits and indications of precancerous LCIS/ALH changes through the breast. They agreed with my decision.
Now they are saying just do hormones and it is not that aggressive. I was stoic when first diagnosed, thinking that I would have to do chemo, as it was not in situ. I was prepared. Then they said you do not need to do it and in fact did not recommend it. It started to appeal to me, just return to my life. Chemo terrifies me. I live alone, and family have passed away or live very far away and are older than me. There is no support locally. But I want a cure, not just a stay of execution. If they are wrong as they have been so far and I am getting conflicting advice about starting hormone therapy before chemotherapy, it is difficult to move.
They seem to be trying to wish the best for me which is nice, but if they are wrong then I am in big trouble and I would then be looking at a heart attack as a nice reprieve from a cancer death. All the choices seem hideous.
I think that you are all very brave, and I feel like such a wimp. Thank you for your support, I will keep trying to resolve it.
I used to go to the beach at Collaroy as a child, which is near Narrabeen. Just the thought of it reminds me of the scent of alyssum flowers and sea salt and sand in my hair.
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Sheila: I just went to Facebook now and copy and pasted my profile link to here http://www.facebook.com/charmainejensen 0
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mimi1964: I am so happy for you! I would be doing a freaking happy dance too! I am sure you are so relieved! I am on facebook so I will look you up. I am Barbara Docherty Cronan
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kt57 - I'll go online and vote!
Sherri
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Mah: I agree with Didel. You have to do what you are comfortable. My ono wanted me to do the onco test to see where i feel, I knew that I wanted the chemo, I;m a worrier and knew every little ache or pain or cough Iwould panic and think Oh no I should have done the chemo. I opted out of the onoc test because I was worried if it came back low insurance wouldn't pay for it. I just finished treatment 2 of 4 of TC. The side effects for me have been very minimal. I was diagnosed Feb. 25 and didn't start chemo until May 13. None of my doctors seemed to be concerned that I had waited. It took so long because I went for several different second opinions. so I think you are still goo don time. Good luck!
BArb
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Hi all (Hi in-cognito)
Just had lumpectomy so I am waiting on pathologist results to do staging.
Who performs the oncotype? Is it the surgeon, pathologist or the onc?
So far nobody has mentioned this word to me.
Any advise?
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swanseagirl: the onc will do that for you. Depending on the type of cancer the docs will just automatically recommend chemo. Good luck on your pathologist report!
Barb
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charmaine...It worked.0
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Renee ~ Hot Damn! (sorry! it's such wonderful news!!) I am so happy for you!
Welcome Mah, in_cognito, swanseagirl, DiDel & anyone else who I may have missed that is a first timer here.
I will "friend" you Charmaine & Barb (nice to see you again!)
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Charmaine ~ I just "friended" you on FB, but it wouldn't let me write a comment at the same time. So, if you don't know who Valerie Jean is when you get the request, it is me.
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Barb ~ No results came up for your name when I searched for you on FB. I am Valerie Jean, or you can find me as a friend of Sheila's.
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Thanks Barb!
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Barb...The same thing happened to me as Valerie said.
Charmaine and Sugar77. I did it and its working.
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swanseagirl - be sure to ask the onco that they submit a sample for the oncotype test- the have to send it out to a company in CA - it takes 2-3 weeks to get the results back
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Hi Red Barb804
I think that you made the right choice. Over here they give you chemo automatically if you are grade 3. You saved yourself some money on the onco test. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck then it is probably a duck and you should treat it. I admire your resolve though.
Mine is in the middle. They think that it is OK because it is node negative. I would be happier if it were a grade 1 DCIS.
I would personally worry if I do or don't do chemo. The difference for me is that if it metastasises, then its just a matter of time (often short), and I will consider it my fault because I did not try. Trying does not necessarily make a difference however. The chemo did nothing for a friend of mine, 6 months of hell and died within a year of diagnosis. Another lady at work has been fine since chemo.for 5 years and hers was not low risk. You cannot always control events, but you can give it your best shot.
I would wish you luck, but you have made the right choice and it is working out well for you, I think you have made your own luck.
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Valerie and Sheila: I'm sorry it's Barb Docherty Cronan. I'm so use to using my "formal name" See if that works.
Mah: I wish you luck with your decision. You have to do what is best for you. Good luck.
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Valerie Jean: You should be able to comment on my wall as it is open to friends and if memory serves me correct when I was on FB about a half hour ago you have commented this morning or today.
Charmaine
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Charmaine I sent you a friend request...
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Hi Mar,
I wish you well in your journey of decision making. The women on this website are giving you good advice.
Collaroy beach was my favourite place. I was there every weekend in the summer. I loved swimming in the rock pool alongside the beach. If you were there as a child, our paths may have crossed: you as a child and me as a teenager. I fondly look back at this period in my life, those carefree days enjoying the sun and sand and the magnificent colour of ocean and sky. At the end of the day, my friends and I would cross the road to the milk bar (sadly disappeared) before hopping on the bus back to Narrabeen.
Wishing you all the best.
Glenis
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I haven't posted for a while. I finished my radiation treatments this morning. Got through it with minimal side effects, just some fatigue and some red and swollen skin. The Aquaphor and the XClair cream really helped. I go back to the radiation oncologist one more time in 5 weeks for a follow-up skin check and then I am totally done there. I move onto taking the tamoxifen starting tomorrow. I am really scared of the potential side effects although I know everyone responds differently to it. I know I shouldn't worry but I can't help it. I dread the thought of taking medication for 5 years but I will do what I have to do to help prevent recurrence.
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