Stage II w/Lymph Node Involvement
Comments
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Hi Kriskat,
I started my chemo 5 to 6 weeks after my surgery,maybe start after you enjoy the trip with your family.0 -
HI kriskat. I had a school trip planned with my son to China last year and was concerned about being able to go. My doctors all agreed that it would be fine - they said 4-6 weeks post surgery is fine for starting chemo. Then I actually had to have a re-excision anyhow, so that set my chemo back a bit too. My first surgery was on 2/25 and my chemo started 4/12. Depending on when your surgery was, I would really encourage to to enjoy your family time/traditions.
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Hi KrisKat,
I think oncs like to start chemo between 4 and 6 weeks after surgery, so even if you wait until you return from your trip, you should be just around 6 weeks. That's when I started mine. Good luck!
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I'm hoping someone may have experience/advice about possible rads when you've already had BMX, Adriamycin and will have Herceptin for a year. I'm worried about rads near my heart since the BC was on the left side and my chemo and Herceptin are both hard on the heart, too. I had one positive node. My appt. with the rad. Dr. is next week and I'm worried about what he'll say. I really don't want more trauma to my heart, but I don't want BC back, either. Thanks!
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hey kriskat.. iwas at stage 2b; and my bs took a long time, almost a month, tacking tests. so, if onco is ok with it, i don't see why not. it'll give you a cacer breather, a rejuvenate you for the tx you'll be doing when your back. safe, fun trip...3jays0
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Kriskat, seems like you and I have very similar stats. I started chemo about one month after surgery. I know that doc does want you to heal prior to chemo. Good luck.....once treatment starts, things just seem a little easier...then you know that you are on the path to recovery.
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Here in Canada for stage 2 they usually do chemo first.But then it seems like we have to wait forever for our surgery.
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Hi kriskat... I had surgery on Dec 8 and started chemo Jan 18, which was a week later than they really wanted me to...I think the goal is 4-6 weeks... but also, I am going to St John for 10 days in March and my onc is fine with it. So I am taking my trip DURING chemo... we arranged my treatments so that I am in my recovery period while away... for me, the first week is not excellent, but weeks 2 and 3 are totally fine... so I will have chemo March 3 and then again March 28 (3 weeks and 4 days between tx) and will be away March 16-26... Onc said the time frame is about 3 weeks, give or take a few days.
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bdavis I traveled alot between chemo treatments just make sure you are careful to avoid people with colds and become diligent about hand washing.Have fun
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Thanks Mumayan... I have already told my hotel that I need one of their remodeled units... Plus I work at a school... so I am already consciencious about cleanliness.!!!
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Thanks guys for all the encouraging words about travelling before starting treatment. I look at it as one of the constants in my life for 15 years and if I didn't go, it would seem like I am letting the cancer win. My sister, who is a nurse, is strongly discouraging me from taking the trip. She thinks I need to build up my immunity-even though I am healthy as a horse other than bc......
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kris kat - as far as "building up your immunity," I'm not even sure if that is humanly possible. I went to China of all places - very rigorous trip for over 2 weeks with many plane and bus and boat trips included. We were exhausted and getting up at 5 am most days, chaperoning 8th graders, and in another time zone that put us into the next day, and I was still fine for chemo. I did get sick in Beijing, and I brought home a terrible cough. That didn't stop me from starting chemo only 3 days after returning. Pay attention to your need to do this trip.
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Hi all-
I'm joining this group.....I'm glad it's here. I had a mastectomy on my right breast on 2/4 and got tissue expanders placed. I met with my surgeon to discuss my pathology report on Friday. I am Stage 2b.
Going to meet with the oncologist on Friday to discuss the treatment plan. I am ER/PR+ and HER2-, 3 cm tumor and one node out of 12 was positive. Thanks for all of the great info I've found here so far.
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Welcome Colodisneylover. My diagnosis was similar to yours, 1.8 cm tumor, 1/14 nodes, er/pr+ and her-. After surgery (I opted for BMX), I did FECx3 then Taxotere x 3. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't horrible. Keep coming back to the boards and you'll get lots of tips for getting through treatment, info and support. The ladies on these boards are the best!0
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Thank you LadyinBama! Just wondering...where can I see what all of these abbreviations mean? I am getting some of them figured out but some others I have no idea.
Thanks!
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Colodisneylandlover--Welcome. There is a thread that is called "abbreviations for newbies" people try to bump it up all the time, so you can watch for it in the active threads or do a search. It is in the waiting for test results forum.
Diagnosis: 5/21/2010, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 1/18 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+0 -
Thank you! I'll search for it.
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Does anyone know why you had as many or as little nodes removed during surgery?
I had 27 nodes removed, One was infected. I see so many women with only 2 nodes removed or three. I now am wondering why in the world I had so many removed.
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I was told that I would definitely have the sentinel nodes removed (2-3 nodes), if they were positive then the whole node "cluster" would be removed. My surgeon said every person has a different number of nodes in that cluster. My cluster was 18 nodes, yours must have been 27.
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My understanding is that the nodes are on little fat beds and the Doc may take out one layer of fat beds and the # of nodes on the bed may be different for everyone. I had the injection for sentinel node and they removed that node along with the first layer fo fat beds. I don't think that the Doc knows how many they are removing until that fat bed is taken to pathology. It seems to be so different for everyone.
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thanks for your replies.. It has been bothering me lately and could not find the answer. Should of figured someone on here would know the answer.
Guess I feel my upper arm would not be so numb if less nodes were taken out but I guess I had alot in my cluster...
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It looks like this is the right place for me. I was diagnosed 12/15/10, bmx with TE on 1/31/11. 1/7 nodes had micromets of 3mm. Tumor is 1.7 cm, ER/PR+, Her2-. BRCA - as well. BS sent tissue off for oncotype test. waiting for results is hard. Meet with BS tomorrow and hopeful that she refers me to onc so I can get moving on next stage is chemo is necessary. BS said it likely would be. Anxiety is kicking back in until I know...
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njb: My surgeon described the nodes like "a bunch of grapes" - they take out the cluster and don't know how many they are taking until they are dissected by pathology. Mine was 14, 1 positive.
Welcome sally/barbara: Sometimes if just 1 node is positive, they'll let you slide with no chemo. My onc recommended it for me and I agreed, but our plan from the beginning was to be aggressive with it. I had a 1.8 cm tumor and 1 positive node, grade 2. Read all you can about it and then, along with your doc., make the decision that is right for you.
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Super sally... I was told (and read) that MICROMETS had to be less than 2mm... so a little confused... I had micromets (.38mm) and was told a micromet was between .2mm-2mm... You may want to clarify with your doctor.
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I agree. I had just over 2mm in my node and it was labeled as a macrometasis. Maybe they meant .3mm?
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I seen two BS before I made my choice. the first BS said 95% sure no node involvement. The 2nd one said the same thing. But she was wiser. She had me get biopsy of other breast. Sure enough that breast had cancer in two locations. both under 1m and different types. THe left side was TN and that was where the node involvement was. She was there when I woke up from surgery with the news.
Thanks for giving me all the info on the nodes. I just started excercising again. It has been a year. Luckily I work part time at local ymca and I got some great information from trainer there about what excercises to do for upper body so as to not aggravate the infected arm. I am so worried about lymphadema. I am obsessed about it. I feel horrible for anyone who has it and from what I see you can get it at any time.. Even years later...wow this disease is really stinko
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njbhwgirl,
You might also want to consult a physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema. They can measure you for a sleeve now and you can have it ready if you find you are seeing any signs. I was advised to have one to wear if I am flying. I'm really glad I saw one, because she discovered I have some nerve injury from the surgery and I have exercises now to help with it.
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Well actually my BS didn't use the word micromet, so you girls are probably right and I appreciate the correction. I just hate to think of it as a met when it is 3 mm...Anyway, my BS is referring me to onc and we are waiting on the oncotype test. Apparently my insurance didn't want to pay for it as I had cancer in the one node, but doc made the pitch that it has still been successful in predicting results so they are paying for it. I am anxious to get to the next step.
Saw BS and PS today, not much happened. Got a fill and we discussed the oncotype business, pretty much it. Did make an appt with BS for 2 wks from today and the onc is supposed to call me to set up appt after BS sends over file and referral.
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Supersally,
I was able to have the Oncotype done after they found the positive node but I did have to ask them to send it. Some insurances may cover it with a positive node some may not. I may end up paying for that test but I am still glad I did it. Mine came back a 20, low intermediate range. On the positive side, I think it gives us one more tool to help decide what is the right thing to do. My score being in the 'gray' area and my node showing up positive leaned me towards doing chemo afterall. AND tommorrow is my 1st tx.... Wish me luck, I'm a nervous wreck.
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(Lee, my name is Marie and TheDivineMrsM told me about how the both of you start tomorrow. She and I came to the boards about the same time so I have been following her journey. I will be keeping you both in my prayers as you begin chemo. I just wanted you to know that. God Bless)
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