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Stage II w/Lymph Node Involvement

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Comments

  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 311
    edited August 2011

    They do indeed do bone scans for stage II

    I had them routinely for the first 3 years after diagnosis,

    Glenna, fingers crossed that your nodes are merely "reactive" with no signs of metastases!



    Marcia

  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2011

    I actually had scans when they only thought I was early stage I. Before my BMX and SNB, my oncologist wanted a "baseline" of every test available....

  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 254
    edited August 2011

    Glenna56-I too have stage 2 ILC. The time surrounding diagnosis is stressful and confusing. Lots of docs don't do scans on Stage I and 2 because there are false positives and then other tests  need to be ordered to figure out what the spot is. It sounds like this may be what you're up against. Hopefully, you'll have more information on how you're going to move forward on Monday. In the meantime, deep breaths and try to keep busy. Sending you positive thoughts.

  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 43
    edited August 2011

    I second toomuch:  My Onc doesn't do any scans (I'm stage 2)  as he says there are tons of false positives and he doesn't like that much for his patients, so he doesn't order them.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited August 2011

    glenna... I had a FNB and it came back inconclusive, but I indeed had cancer, so a fine needle biopsy isn't the best tool for diagnostic testing... and I should clarify that MY doctor and others I have spoken with, do not do scans for stage I or II, which is consistent with some women on here, but not all.... it depends on your doctor.

  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2011

    It is amazing how all of our doctors seem to follow their own protocols?? I guess that's why they call it "practicing medicine"? I got lucky and all my scans came back clear without any false positives, etc...and all the tests were really a PITA....but I wasn't given a choice. I think I would have skipped some for sure!! :)

  • Glenna56
    Glenna56 Member Posts: 22
    edited August 2011

    @ Toomuch....Thanks for the positive thoughts... I'll discuss with my surgeon on monday.

    @ Betsy.... The FNA was on the lymph nodes. I was diagnosed with a core biopsy. I'm staying focused with lots of prayers.

  • sandy115
    sandy115 Member Posts: 28
    edited August 2011

    I have a question is stage 2 early breast cancer even if its grade 3 im confused.I cant get an answer from my Dr's hoping someone on this site would have some knowledge.Thanks

  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 254
    edited August 2011

    Sandy115- You can have Stage I, II, III or IV BC and be Grade I, II or III. The Grade indicates how abnormal the BC cells appear. The higher the grade the more agressive the tumor. Staging is dependent on tumor size and the number of positive lymph nodes. So, yes if you are Stage II it is still considered early BC even if you are Grade III.

  • Glenna56
    Glenna56 Member Posts: 22
    edited August 2011

    Hi everyone, well just found out that I went from stage II to stage III. My tumor size is 5.5 cm with lymph node involvement, including one in my clavicle. The radiology oncologist says that the spot on my right scalp could be metastatic. He wants to do a PET scan to rule out. If it is he is calling it stage IV. I am really scared!!!

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited August 2011

    oh glenna... so so sorry... try to stay calm and positive... <<<HUGS>>>

  • proudmom_wife
    proudmom_wife Member Posts: 176
    edited August 2011
    Glenna56 - sending good thoughts and {{{HUGS}}} and praying for good PET scan results.
  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 43
    edited August 2011

    Glenna - I hope everything is ok!

  • IsThisForReal
    IsThisForReal Member Posts: 154
    edited August 2011

    Sending thoughts and prayers, Glenna.  I hope it's ok.  Please keep us informed.

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 706
    edited August 2011

    Glenna, stage three is still very treatable. (((Glenna)))

  • Glenna56
    Glenna56 Member Posts: 22
    edited August 2011

    Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!!! I'll keep you all posted. My PET scan is on thursday.

    I dont understand how it can skip all soft tissue and go to the bone. I pray that it's an old injury.

  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 254
    edited August 2011

    Glenna-Sending you positive thoughts and hoping that it's an old injury too.

  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 311
    edited August 2011

    Thinking of you and sending strength and good vibes,Glenna!



    Marcia

  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2011

    Hugs and positive thoughts to you Glenna!!!!



    You know, I truly feel the whole "staging" thing should not be used to define our cancers.... Treatments have come such a long way since all that was even standardized..... Plus, there are a LOT of women beating all "stages" of this disease every day.....we don't see as many of them on boards like this because they are out living post-BC lives and may not check in very often. But, they are out there!!!!! The survival stats we are all seeing are the BC diagnosis of many years past.... The survival rates are going to increase more and more with time. I have faith in that! Hang in there Glenna!!!

  • dlebleu
    dlebleu Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2011

    Great to see so many here united behind you Glenna! Be strong! Thinking of you!

  • Glenna56
    Glenna56 Member Posts: 22
    edited August 2011

    Thanks everyone for all the support. I had my Pet scan and lymphnodes lit up, but the spot on my scalp did not light up. I was happy, but the radiologist says the result is inconclusive, so I had to do the MRI today. If he is not happy with that he will do a bone biopsy. Any thoughts on that? My surgery is scheduled for Sept 7th.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited August 2011

    glenna... its the nature of the tests to be inconclusive... and many times does lead to further testing... This is why many docs don't do the scans for early stage cancer... I wouldn't worry too much about the scalp if nothing showed up... just one day at a time and likely your scalp is fine.. and nodes can be dealt with... BREATH and RELAX.

  • Glenna56
    Glenna56 Member Posts: 22
    edited August 2011

    Hello,

    My brain MRI came back normal. Praise God!!!. My Med. Onc wanted to do chemo first, then surgery then radiation. I'm finally staged at stage 3. I started chemo yesterday. 12 weeks on Taxol and another 12 weeks on FEC. I did fine yesterday, so 11 to go. I'm nervous about the FEC, I heard that one was a Bear. Please let me know what to expect. I'm feeling fine and I know I can do it.!

  • Warrior517
    Warrior517 Member Posts: 240
    edited August 2011

    Glenna,

    I am SO HAPPY to hear the great news on the MRI!! God is amazing.... Although I am not as familiar w/your particular treatment ( I was also HER2 positive), I love your attitude that you know you can do it!! I have been thinking of you a lot and know I am here for you every step of the way. Its been over 3 1/2 yrs since dx and I am doing good and this will be you soon one day, too!! :)

  • kriskat
    kriskat Member Posts: 116
    edited August 2011

    Warrior-great to see you on here!! So thankful Toni for starting this thread- with similar stats as yours u are an inspiration to me!

  • proudmom_wife
    proudmom_wife Member Posts: 176
    edited August 2011
    Glenna56 - Wonderful news! about your scans.  
  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 254
    edited August 2011

    Glenna56 - What a relief! I've heard that the Taxol every week is easier to tolerate then the every 2 or 3 week regiments so enjoy feeling good!

  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 43
    edited August 2011

    Glenna -- congrats on the good news!

  • Glenna56
    Glenna56 Member Posts: 22
    edited August 2011

    Just finished 2nd Taxol. 10 more to go. I'm feeling great so far. Working and going about my everyday chores. Blood counts still looks good, but immature granulocytes is now elevated. Is this a result of the chemo? I'm getting my port put in on Friday. I'm a little skeptical about that, but everyone says it's better for me.

    Glenna

  • proudmom_wife
    proudmom_wife Member Posts: 176
    edited August 2011
    Glenna56 -  Glad Taxol is going well.  I really did not like having my port, but I am glad I got it, no regrets.  It saved my veins.

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