Calling all TNs
Comments
-
Terry thanks for posting - always like to hear good news!
0 -
Clowngirl - here is a link to the DIEP 2012 discussion:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/780029?page=38
Breast cancer tends to spread to bones, liver, and brain...not to transplanted tissue. Trust your docs - they are right. And DIEP is really the new "standard" for breast reconstruction. Abdominal tissue is just not where breast cancer tends to spread. If you were to have a recurrence, it would more likely originate in the chest wall or in the remaining breast tissue - they cannot remove 100% of it no matter what form of reconstruction you have, or even if you don't have reconstruction. Not having reconstruction will not affect the odds for a recurrence.
Bak94 - I finished radiation on 1/12 and was told I needed to wait 6 months. My surgery is scheduled for 7/23.
0 -
Morning Ladies,
I know this is terrible but I just can't bring myself to read my path report, maybe after some more time has gone by. BUT I do remember specifically being told that they found 3.3cm IDC and .6cm DCIS - now I thought they told me that that it was all one tumor, that the DCIS had turned invasive but hubby was under the impression there were two. All I know is right now its not there, I was told they got it all and I'm not ready to read the full path. In my over-googling when first diagnosed I believe I read somewhere that BC prognosis is better if DCIS is found with IDC, now keep in mind I was reading everything and anything and I suffer from Chemo brain. Who knows, I may have even dreamed that up but I'll see if I can't find it again and post if I do.
I take 500mg 2 x a day of metformin, had some issues for about a month, no problems at all now.
0 -
Sorry about the delayed response, swiftbird. My liver panel numbers were up (blood test), and I'd gained about 30 lbs in the previous year - all of it in my gut. So, my MO sent me for a liver ultrasound that showed it. (and since some of the other possibilities were liver mets and ovarian cancer, I'll take the fatty liver.) My primary doc is also following this on me, and says we'll redo the US in a year to see if I've made any progress.
0 -
Terry thanks for posting!
Inmate-Praying that you kick CANCERS a$$!!!!!!!!
Stay strong and take care of yourself ladies!
0 -
Terry - great post.
Heather - I will not look at my path report either. Before surgery we were expecting a stage I or maybe II, with lumpectomy and rads. After surgery I was staged IIIc and facing DD AC/T plus rads. I glanced at the pathology report at that point but it was full of "horrible" words so I put it down and haven't looked at it since. I just decided I didn't need to know all the gruesome details and chose to contine with tx knowing that (whatever it was) I was doing the best I could to prevent it coming back.
0 -
Gillyone- and that is all we can do our BEST.
0 -
gilly, it does make me feel better to know I'm not the only one not wanting to read it. I think when I was first diagnosed, the first onc I went to had no clue how to deal with my fear and anxiety. He even said to me, some just say " ok, I've got cancer, what's next? ". Sorry to say I'm just not that type of personality.
I do my best now.
0 -
Hi Guys. MF and I are in CA visiting a friend. He sends his love and the following picture, with the observation "Gives new meaning to the term "goosebumps".
0 -
Hi ladies - I had a follow up appointment with my MO this morning. I had been worrying about some hip pain I was having, and was nervous about this appt. Well, she thinks the hip thing is just sciatica.....she's not at all concerned about it. Whew! I can relax a little now, at least until mammo time in June
Hope everyone is having a good day!
0 -
woohoo Hope!
0 -
I don't know how all of u have been feeling, but last week Mon I just felt like I was imprisoned for 5 months, can't really go wherever I want or do whatever I want without worrying about my low immune system, fatigue. I think at the end of chemo they should provide each of us with an all expense paid weekend getaway to a tropical island with full spa service, anyone with me on this?
0 -
weekend? Hell an entire month!
0 -
Well I go see my MO tomorrow and I am so nervous! This will be my 1 year out visit. I just am unsure of what to ask?
0 -
Good luck KS!
0 -
Saw my MO today for 6 mo follow up. I told her that PCP put me on Metformin and she was fine with it. Did some bloodwork and said that she would like me to have a PET scan once a year...so that would be in October.
naan, when did you say we are going to the resort? Oh, love that idea
0 -
Hi, I'm new to this site, but an experienced TNBC survivor. I only recently found you ladies; I could have used you a year ago. I'm ok now, so the doctors say. It was a very hard year as all of you know, but I came out stronger for it.
What I want to comment on is the encouragement given to your new members who are facing chemo. I have been amazed at how many of you kept working throughout your chemo. I'm retired and didn't have to face the decision to continue working or taking a leave. However there was no way I could have worked. I was so weak from day 3 after chemo that I had to have help getting to the bathroom. It was horrible for 2 weeks, and then I could get to the couch until the next chemo. I had ACT all at once (I didn't know there were other choices). I was 68 at the time and had been treated for depression for one year prior to finding that lump that popped up overnight.
I'd like newbies to know not everyone can work during chemo.
And I'd like to thank all you ladies for the support you give to everyone and wish us all the strength to keep going and fight like crazy.
0 -
Julie..I think your idea is awesome but I'm not sure it will fly with the insurance companies..but oh yes we certainly deserve something after all the treatments are over.
I just got a copy of my path report a few months ago...don't you hate that "unfavorable prognosis" comment...blah...
Nope..not everyone can work during chemo..that is why it is so hard to know what to expect sometimes,,yes,,we know it is doable..but 4 some it is very doable and some it is not...nothing to be ashamed of either way...I was one of the ones who pretty much sailed through chemo...wasn't fun but I still worked and did things..
0 -
Navy.,have you had a petscan yet? I'm just curious...I still havent had one and not sure if I want to,,,
0 -
Annie - so glad you had your last a/c I hope it goes easy on you.
Inmate - your visit with your sister, sounds like good medicine.
Christinia - I am sorry for your great loss.
Welcome to the newbies!
Heidi - what a beautiful photograph!0 -
Hi all! I am doing chemo before my lumpectomy. I did 12x weekly of Taxol. After The 10th week it was so hard to work I decided I was going to do short term disability. I cried because I felt like I was a stronger person than that! I went to see the nurse practitioner at the cancer center because I was crying all the time. Started taking lexapro which has helped so much. I finished my taxol treatments and started the A/C on 4/13, had the neulasta shot the next day. By Monday I felt like I had been hit by a truck, but by about wednesday I started to feel not as week and each day it has gotten better. Second treatment will be 4/27. Do you guys think the SE will continue to get worse or will they stay about the same?? These forums have been a great source of information and guidance for me. Thanks, Lisa
0 -
The fatigue and bone pain was worse each time for me. I did not fair well with A/C and I had it first. Did Taxol after. The bone pain can be a reaction to your shot so take a Clariten pill an hour before the shot and for 3 days after. It can help (did for me) with the bone pain. I had a lot of nausea with the A/C so finally got Emend and that helped. Just felt very weak and tired and fluish with each dose. Everyone is differnet and I found I struggled to each on the A/C which likely did not help my weakness and fatigue.
0 -
Titan, I have had a few PET scans. At first, ONC was watching a large, deep axillary lymph node post TX. It eventually just went away. My last PET scan was in October 2011 for Right hip pain that looked wonky on an MRI...turned out to be degenration. So this appointment I have zero complaints(knock on wood) MO asked if I wanted a PET just to give me a once over and I declined. And she was good with that. But she would like to see me have one about every12 months. If I am feeling good when this October rolls around, I am not sure I'll do it then either. Scanxiety just sucks.
Oh, and to add to the working during tx conversation. I tried to go back after dx but before BMX/chemo. One afternoon, on a bad day at work, I had a meltdown. I called my boss and told her I needed to leave ASAP and that I might not be back.....EVER. Yep, I QUIT. My DH was the insurance carrier for us so that made my decision alot easier. We rearranged some finances to make things work. I admire women who can get through work during tx and my heart hurts for those who must work when they are physically and mentally at their limits. Everbody is different with different needs.
Lisa, good for you for asking what you need. As far as SE getting worse as you get further into tx....I did TAC and 2 days after TX #1 DH and I went out for dinner and dancing. By TX #6, the fatigue was intense and I did nothing but rest and move from the chair to the sofa to the bed. So for me it was cummulative. Others will chime in with their experiences, too. Hang in there, each treatment done is one more step to being closer to the finish line.
0 -
Titan is right, not everyone can work through their chemo, and then there are those of us who worked through their chemo the first time with no problem. But..... this new one, well........ ABRAXANE sucks! Liver, lung and bone mets suck even more. Today started week 2 of STD (short term disability). I did not really feelbad until this chemo. I have it once every 3 weeks X 3 so far. I will have lad work done on wednesday and then find out if we continue with Abraxane or will be switching to Gemzar (sp?).
I will be participating in the Relay for Life this weekend. I hope I can at least walk the opening lap (survivors lap) and then stay for the dinner. I know I will not stay out all night.
Becca
P.S. CANCER SUCKS!!!!!
0 -
Good to hear from you, Becca. So sorry that abraxane so hard on you. I hope you get to the relay for Life. I have never been to one, but have heard wonderful things about them. Sending you good vibes and strength.
Cancer Sucks
0 -
Hi ladies
Mccrimmon - glad you re not having any SE from Metformin, good to hear. I don't want to read my report anymore either. Something different seems to jump out at me each time and gives me the willies. How many people would say to their oncologist like you told us after being diagnosed "ok I've got cancer, whats next". Yea right. For a start you fall to pieces on hearing the news and can hardly take it in. Did he think everyone should be brave and take the news like that. He sounds like a right pratt with no feelings.
Hope60 - carry on relaxing. Yay only sciatica.
Inmate - haven't heard from you for a time. Please let us know how you are doing and whether you are still kicking arse. Hope so.
KSMatthews - thinking of you and wishing all will be well.
Jan69 - after the chemo sometimes I have to push myself really hard to do things but funnily enough I have felt a little bit better for it. On the days I am really fatigued I just plod through my work. Full time is tough on those days though so I am glad I am able to work from home. Work will still be there tomorrow.
OBXK - where have you been?. Eating all the chicken? Don't you know I have had no invitations to dinner whilst you have been gone. These girls on here will think I am nuts!!
Lisadi1963 - yes you do feel like you have been hit by a truck and there was one time there where I wish I had been. I would have my chemo on the Wednesday and the SE's would start on the Saturday through to Tuesday. Only number three was really bad where I thought I couldn't go on with it but this last one has been easier although I still feel fatigued. I am not sure it was accumultive as much as I was getting anxiety and making things worse for myself just waiting for the SE's. My dripping nose would start on day 3 with sneezing and a hoarse voice, then the fatigue and aching would set in, then the ulcerated throat would come and the feeling of nausea and then I would really get depression. Emend was wonderful. But the last one I could cope more with. Maybe because I knew it was the last one. I know exactly what you are feeling and really feel for you. I would rush (as fast as I could) to the computer to talk to the ladies on here as I felt only they really knew what I was feeling and they did. They pulled me through. Rest as much as you can, drink as much fluid as you can and try to relax (easier said than done I know) but you will get through it. I'm freaking out now about Taxol which is my next lot being accumulative.
Thinking of all you wonderful brave girls with so many freaking issues to face. Lots of hugs Annie.
0 -
Lisadi1963 - I did TAC x 6, each treatment was a bit different. I suffered from all the same SE's some were just worst than others each time. 1 one knocked me on my a**, never felt so exhausted in my life. 2nd one, hubby says chemo brain kicked in and it was almost impossible to have a conversation with me. Each time though was a bit harder to recoup from, the effects are cumulative. Get plenty of rest and lots of water, hydrate, hydrate hydrate. Don't forget that claritin pill either. I took it with each treatment and never had any bone pain. Can't say for sure that's what helped but I'm glad I did it each time. Good news is your almost 1/2 way done them now! Good luck!
0 -
Karen, Good to "see" you and thank you.
Annie, You always put a smile on my face with your great sense of humor! I agree with your opinion of the doc.
Been lurking mostly, have some relationship issues to deal with that aren't pleasant.
0 -
Never felt totally sick during chemo. I had horrible mouth issues so I was quiet most of the time. I think my family liked that. Do what you can and what you can't don't worry about it.
Chritina1961- hoping everything eases out for you.
No scans for me either, except for the chest x-ray for metformin study, and I don't want anymore either. Just leave me be!! LOL
0 -
Hi guys, it's been awhile. Had to take a break (especially after the loss of our dear friends) and try to move on but the cancer keeps pulling me back. Bak, so sorry you've been through such a rough time. Hope you are getting better.
Got a senario and curious what others would do. After 4 seperate tests done on my originial biopsy, (3 of which came back as equivocal or unclear, 1 of which came back negative) it was decided I was Her-2 negative and triple negetive. I went to my new oncologist for the second time last Monday. He informs me that he had my internal node tested for Her-2 and it came back positive, so he wants to start Herceptin. Here's the catch...a note on the new pathology report says: node demonstrates a positive result for Her-2, however, it should be noted the fixation time is unknown and may not be between the recommended 6-48 hours. This has been known to lead to a false positive response.
So...I am torn between thinking, If there is something else that could work I should use it and the fact that since it has no effect at all on Triple Neg then if this is a false positive I am doing a year of this for nothing! Doc said, "Her-2 stage III has a very negative prognosis without Herceptin, so I think we should assume the positive is correct and do it." IDK..second opinion maybe? request testing on other tissue samples removed? Just accept my fate and go with it? IDK...my head feels like it would explode.
What would you do if you thought you were done and then the docs said...maybe it's this other kind...let's do more? Thoughts?
0
