Stage II w/Lymph Node Involvement
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Hi jag and other ladies,
Well..........ok, I'm just gonna come out and say it.......today is my two year cancerversary! I really don't know how I feel about it.....sometimes still a little numb from it all. I still have emotions that you all have, one moment fine, the next, not. In some respects it seems like it has been a long time and then again it seems just like yesterday. I long ago finished treatment and a few months ago finished reconstruction. At this point I go every six months to my BS and onco for exams and tests. I am on aromasin, have aches and pains, weight gain, well, you all know the drill. I am trying desperately to move on with my life and put BC behind me. Some days I am quite successful in doing this and some, not so much. Anyway, I am so very glad the last two years have gone and here's hoping for many, many more! I started to put this up on my Facebook.......then I thought better of it and decided to come here, where you all would understand and know exactly how I feel. I don't post often on any threads, but I do read daily and hope the best for you all...............I do feel like I know you through your posts and wish everyone the very best in the future! Thanks!
Hugs, Kathy
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Dear Jag,
I did 5 months of chemo. It wasn't fun, but not the end of the world either.
Looks like they just got the pathology report back, which is when they make a final diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.
Ten months after surgery, I was back to my former self.....well much shorter hair and minus a couple of chunks.....but otherwise, my butt-kicking energy. Have to admit I am enjoying the more mundane problems in life: planning a camping trip for Labor Day, bringing in more business and income, bagging the last 10 miles of a cycling event so I don't become a heat stroke statistic.
You will get there. Good luck. BTW - I know the "up at 4 am" piece. Didn't happen with BC, but did when I rightly suspected a few years ago that I was on the downsized list in a rapidly shrinking company. I toughed it out. - Claire
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Hi everyone. first time posting on this thread.
I was dx'd in May. Surgery June 2nd (lumpectomy) started chemo July 15th, rads start sometime in November. I didn't have the oncotype test as I have 1 node involvement and didn't want to spend the money. I knew I had to do chemo and rads to get full benefits.
For those of you that are scared of chemo, please do not be. I will be having my third next week. Hallf way there. Is it enjoyable, no, is it doable yes. For me it has been more than doable.
We all have to make personal choices, but don't base not having chemo becasue you are afraid. There are so many wonder gals on this site you will abd can, including myself, help you get through the chemo.
Hugs to all xxxxxx
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Hi there. I just found this thread today and since I am Stage IIb I shall join your ranks.
There is also a 2010 Sisters thread that is very friendly and everyone there is in some stage of surgery or treatment. I will have my first chemo infusion on September 1st.
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jag82569-We have all been in your shoes, waiting, anticipating treatment, not knowing.I think most of these ladies would agree that it was actually worse before beginning treatment. Once you get rolling, you will probably feel more in control. You sound like the kind of lady that is going to take charge of your treatment and do just fine. Some of the best advice I got from Jayne on a thread was "you don't have to be brave, you just have to show up". Just keep moving in the right direction. Come back here to these boards often. Ask any questions. Someone will surely know. I was lucky enough to sign on to the June 2010 chemo thread. My chemo buddies have been my lifeline and strength and definitely my entertainement. Yes, we are laughing through chemo a lot of the time! I would highly recommend your finding your chemo start up group. There is something unbelievably bonding about going through this experience with others who are too. I know there is an August 2010 chemo thread going already. I'm sure those ladies would welcome you. Many of us have several "favorite" threads that we visit often. Let us know if you need anything. You and your family will be in my prayers tonight.0
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jag82569
You will get through it. I am nearing the end of my Chemo and often can;t believe it when I think of what the last 7 months have been like. I still have rads to go and hope to be finished it all by Christmas. I think we all feel very anxious and scared along the way. I know my first Chemo day I was absolutely terrified and now it is just part of my normal routine. I have been going weekly for the past 11 weeks with 5 more scheduled. I think the one of the most annoying things, however, is when people tell me how strong I am. I have moments I cry over nothing, moments I cry because I fear the unknown and the future, but most momnets I just take life in stride and live as I did before without thinking of the cancer. I don't think I am particulary strong, I am just dealing with the cards I have been dealt and tyring to be as positive as possible about it. Like yourself I have 3 sons and a daughter. They understand that life is a bit different and that I can't do as much as I did before, but I have still made it to most of their sporting activities this summer and don't plan on missing too many of their hockey games starting this fall. I have the luxury of not working during this time which relieves a lot of my stress. I think I would have been a basket case if that would not have been possible. Wishing you all the best on this journey.
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jag: I feel so much like you. You are not alone...It is so scary... I just finished my last treatment today. I had many ups and downs...Still tired..I put a big X on my calendar to denote the last day. Live from treatment to treatment...When you do one..X it off ...for it is one more less to do. All the tests are so exhausting aren't they
I just want to say I did not get a port. It was one more operation I did not want to have to go through. I did just fine... I am triple Negative one side Stage 2, one node involved and the other side is the positive side stage 1. go figure. I had bilateral and had really rough time with pain. Took about 6 weeks before I felt better and because of the TN. I could only have chemo in one arm.. Ask the nurses what your veins look like. They told me mine were good.. Honestly glad I did not get the port and if you start without one and it doesn't work out..you can always put it in... I hear it does not take long to put in
Good luck...Take one day at a time.
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well I been on these site for a long time finially I speak. I am a 34 mother of two. stage 2b er+pr+ her2+ Tram flap 3/23 Finished Tch 1/28 Herception until 10/14 tamoxifen for 5 years. I need to know anyone having a hard time deal mentally after the fact. I thought I was done time to celebrate boy was I wrong I'm really having a hard time moving forward. If anyone has any thoughts pls I need the help. thanks
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Thank You... that is so good to hear!
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kpdmap, you are not alone. Many of us struggle to move forward following bc. I think that's we come to these boards - to find people who do understand. There's lots of support here for you.
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Hi,
I post on the August Chemo board. I think this group will also be a good home.
It is late so I will go for now. I read a couple pages but my eyes are starting to cross.
Later alligators
Ginger
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Jusy trying to make this a favorite.
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HELLO LADIES... SORRY FOR THE CAPS BUT FOR SOME REASON HERE AT WORK I LOCK IT IN FOR MY NOTES SO IT IS JUST EASIER... I WAS DIAGNOSED IN 3/07 BUT STILL FREQUENT THESE BOARDS... I CANT BELEIVE THAT I JUST FOUND THIS ONE... I WAS A STAGE IIB AND OPTED FOR A MASTECTOMY.... I WAS 32 AT DIAGNOSIS AND HAVE BEEN ON TAMOX FOR EXACTLY THREE YEARS NOW... ONLY TWO TO GO.
I HAVE DONE VERY WELL WITH MOVING ON FOR THE MOST PART, I SITILL THINK ACOUT C EVERY DAY BUT IT DOES NOT CONSUME MY LIFE ANY MORE... HOWEVER I STILL WONDER ABOUT MANY THINGS AND AM ASKING YOU LADIES FOR YOUR ADVISE...
I WAS DIAGNOSED STAGE IIB I HAD A CHEST XRAY TONS OF LABE THEN MY MASTECTOMY... BUT NEVER ANY OTHER SCANS ETC... IS THIS NORMAL? DR SAID I DIDNT NEED THEM
ALSO, SINCE I HAD A MASTECTOMY AND UNDER 4 LYMHNODES INVOLVED I DID NOT NEED RADIATION (WHICH I AM GLAD) BUT IS THIS NORMAL... I WAS TOLD THAT IF I HAD ONLY HAD A LUMPECTOMY THEN I WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE RADIATION... DOES THIS SEEM RIGHT TO EVERYONE?
FINALLY... ANYONE ELSE ON TAMOXIFEN YET IF SO DO ANY OF YOU GET THE MUSCLE PAINS IN YOUR LEGS AND IF SO WHAT DO YOU DO (I HAVE A DESK JOB UNION FOR THAT MATTER AND CANNOT GET UP AND STRETCH OUT BETWEEN CALLS) I AM 36 AND FEEL 80 SOMETIMES...LOL
ANY IMPUT YOU CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE GREAT. I KNOW THAT THREE YEARS OUT I SHOULDNT EVEN THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS BUT.... WE DO...TAKE CARE ALL AND HUGGS!!! KATE
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Hey Kate,
Docs vary about scans at Stage 2b. It is not abnormal to only have labs and a chest x-ray, though some also do a bone scan and abdominal CT or some kind of MRI. If you are 3 years out with no symptoms of mets and your lab work is still looking good, just consider the radiation you didn't get with more scans as a good thing!
It is normal not to have rads with less than 4 positive nodes if you have a mastectomy. With 1-3 positive nodes a lot would depend on the margins they got. If they were positive or very close, rads could be suggested. If the margins were good and clear it's less likely. Also, 3 years ago they seemed to be less aggressive about the rads with mastectomy.
Leg pain and tamoxifen. Yep, it happens. The best thing is to move around, but if you can't do that could you do some of the stretching exercises they recommend for long plane flights? Like foot circles and seated legs lifts. Or seated bring your heels up to your seat as much as possible and then extend your leg? Will they really not let you stand and do a deep knee bend between calls? That sucks. On breaks can you walk around and stretch out a bit?
Sounds like you are doing well!
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Hi Kate I have simular history but here in Canada if you have any worries the scans are ordered to make sure there is no new changes. Good luck to all of us.
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revkat, yo rock, what you wrote is what is was looking for... great insperation... You worded everything as expected... thank you sooo much!!
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Great subject. I asked a doctor I know about the lymphovascular invasion and whether it was present or not. I work with medical records and I see path reports that say no invasion but yet there are positive nodes or distant mets. And there are people at Stage IV with distant mets who have never had positive nodes. The doctor said that the pathologist may not see every bit of the biopsy specimen and frankly they do not know why it comes back for some women and not for others. I have seen records about in situ breast cancer that has not spread anywhere an d suddenly appear in the liver in a few years. The doctor I spoke to is also a breast cancer survivor.
I think the bottom line is that breast cancer is very unique to each person. Don't get stuck on a label. I do wish my diagnosis did not include a positive node. But maybe that node was doing its job.
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Day, I am wondering if you are having A/C chemo? I had mine on Wednesday, and was fine the next day because of the steroids, but then the day after was my bad day. Just a thought if you are trying to work it around your work schedule.
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Hi everyone here,
I am 38 and newly diagnosed and I am waiting for my treatment plan and some further tests.
Based on my pathology report my tumor is 2.7 , grade 2 , moderately differentiated , about the lymphnodes we dunno yet , we have to do biopsy for them. ER/PR+ , her 2neu is equivocal.
Ok they believe I am stage II.
Here is the question from all of you.
Did you do Pet scan to rule out the cancer from other parts of your body when they told you you are stage II ???
I mean how do they know you are stage II when they did not do a pet scan to see if ther are micromets in other parts??
please tell me i am really confused cuz now they believe i am stage 2 but i have to do further tests and if i do a lymphnode biopsy it can bring me to stage 3 and the pet scan can change the result to stage IV ?? right?
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Dear Melania,
They can go either way with the scans. In my case, they didn't do any, and won't unless I show some indication that this would be necessary (pain, enlarged lymph nodes or weird liver blood work).
I am fine with not having had any scans as I doubt they would have found anything. You have to remember that scans wouldn't be able to detect micromets anyway. Too small to show up in a scan.
The function of chemo is to wipe out any of these nasties.
Your other question is another "we won't know until we check" so most likely they will take some lymph nodes and check them. Again, I would think that invisible except under a microscope.
This is critical as it will determine how aggressive they need to be with chemo.
You will know your final staging following surgery. Because they will do a thorough check of your tumor following surgery plus any lymph nodes. From there your medical oncologist will develop a treatment plan.
From what you have said, I would plan on chemo, radiation, and hormonal therapy. See if you are an appropriate candidate for a lumpectomy. One year later, I have no worse than a scar across my breast and my tumor was a bit larger than yours. Good luck. - Claire
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Melania, You are in the right place for comfort and getting questions answered.... I agree with Claire, I also did not have any scans accept for lung but lots of labs and then I opted for a mastectomy and I had three positive lymph nodes. I was stage IIb, had I had one more poritive node, I would have had radiation but under 5cm tumor and under 4 lymphnodes combo with mast, no rads. I took the route of mast and I am glad I did since I was a grade 3.
I have been on Tamox now for three years. You are in good hands esp with a diag of ER+/PR+, that really gives you more options than someone with maybe a triple negative. Your tumor and type of cancer will respond well to treatments.
I must say though, I would have liked to have a pet scan for peace of mind back then (2007). When I finally asked my Oncologist about a year ago, "why didnt I have any scans" he said I didnt need them, my lymphnode involvement was only in the node not the stems therefore they were doing their job..... makes sense... I guess... lol
Three years out now and I am doing well, accept any paid in get or what not, I still freak out a little bit. I guess that I am just normal!! have a great weekend ladies!!!!!
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Hi Melania--I am Stage 2, Grade 1 ( Tumour was 1.7cm with 1 lymph node involved). Originally, my Medical Oncologist did not feel as though I needed any additional scans. However, when I met with my Radiation Oncologist (he suggested bone scan and ultrasounds) to rule out any additional concerns or mets. It was really nervous waiting---but peace of mind when they indicated that everything else looked clear. I didn't have mastectomy--just lumpectomy due to size of tumour and that they were able to get clear margins and not take a lot of breast--as have larger size breasts.
If you do want scans--ask your Doc---if they don't believe that you need them--they will tell you. One thing that I have really learned through this year--be your own advocate--ask for what you want/need.
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Hello Melania- I had roughly the same diagnosis as you. They didn't determine the final staging, and grade until all the tests and procedures were done. I was a good candidate for a lumpectomy and although the boob is a bit smaller I'm happy with the results. I was also equivocal for HER2 but I was on the high side of equivocal every-time I was tested. The tested the biopsy tissue, the lumpectomy tissue and the nodes. The experts believe that I should be treated for HER2 and that's the road I'm taking. Because I have one node positive, I had all the scans done. I will say it's peace of mind knowing it hasn't spread and I think my treatment would be different if the scans showed it had spread.
You are in the right place, ask all the questions you need of us and of your doctors. Information is power. No question is stupid. I know I didn't know the first thing about breast cancer until I started my journey. By no means am I an expert and I'm still learning and still asking!
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Im really confused about staging..I definaltely had some node involvment but they say im hard to stage because I had chemo before surgery. The tumor was 2CM and the sentinal node was affected. The surgeon told me that she took out 12 nodes because they were all shriveled up but the pathology on the nodes and tumor which was down to 1mm came back with no cancer cells. The chemo REALLY worked well..but it leaves questions. Before surgery they said probably late stage 2 or early 3.. I am also Her2 and Hormone rec +. Also does anyone have any ideahow soon the cancer will show up again, having that Her2 I understand is very bad..Elena
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Hello Melania,
I did not have any scans.
Marion
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Hi ladies, just found this forum so have some catching up to do. I'm Stage IIA, 1.8 cm tumor, 1 lymph node of 14 taken out.
Elena: there's a scale they use for staging based on tumor size, node involvement and mets. I was T1 (tumor 1cm), N1 (1 node), M0 (no mestasis), which comes out to IIA. You can google "cancer staging" and read lots about it. Just be sure to stay on the reputable sites.
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I was diagnosed Sept 1 2010. I was told it is medullary. Had lumpectomy and sentinel node removed which frozen showed clean.. Dr called today to say clear margins but with further testing now showing node is cancerous.Sure did bust my happy bubble.I go to oncologist/radiologist tomorrow am.I'm not sure how this changes my prognosis. My tumor was 7mm with all tissue removal still less than 2cm.I was wondering do i go back and have more lymph nodes removed or does radiation/chem take take of them? Did i go from stage one to stage 2 or three?
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Diane, they could do an MRI to see if any other nodes light up? Did you get your ER/PR/HER status yet?
Another test they could do is the OncoType test which will test genes and give you a score representing the risk of recurrance for you. This test is only done for women who are ER+.
You need to ask them to do this test, as well as the MRI so that they do not take unnecessary nodes. And the Oncotype test even factors in what benefit you get from chemo.
Take deep breaths and ask the questions tomorrow.
Big gentle ((((HUGS)))) for you. Let us know what they think you should do.
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Thanks I will ask tomorrow. I just wonder how often you are told right after sugery all is good. To find out five days later it is not?
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Happened to me. they took 4. Told me all is well. Path said micromet in one 5 days later.
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