2010 Sisters
Comments
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Congrats Rachel on getting past the surgery. Prayers for no nodes but with TCH, any strays will be whammed right out of there anyway. Omaz, they need to look at the nodes in order to accurately stage the tumor.
Tori - did you decide about your surgery yet?
MrsNice - good luck on your ALND today. Please know we are sending big ((HUGS))) and warm thoughts your way. Let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it.
Lisa - I have large breasts also and even though I had a lumpectomy (they took about 6x8CM for a 1.8cm tumor) and re-excision (an additional 1CM all the way around), it looks the same as the other one. It is probably still somewhat swollen from rads but I really don't think it will be that noticiable.
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Thanks so much for all the information and support. It is really nice to connect with others who have been through or are going through the same thing. My regular doctor does hypnosis and when I met with him for the pre-op visit we talked about my chemotherapy concerns and he is going to help me with positive suggestions to help me get through the chemotherapy.
I also have large breasts which is why I think they wanted to do the surgery first rather than the chemotherapy first.
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and we can add another, myself, to this list of brave gals. Diagnosed in late Apr, lumpectomy and axilliary lymph node dissection 1st June; having my port put in next Fri (30th Jul) and begin chemo in the early part of Aug. Will require radiation as well. What a ride!
stay well, and just breathe
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Hello Teklya! Welcome. What a ride is right.
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Hi everyone! I was diagnosed at the end of June with IDC, had lumpectomy and SNB yesterday, and I am feeling great. My SN was clear when tested during surgery, so my surgeon did not remove any nodes, she removed the lump with margins, and installed the placeholders for Mammosite radiation. The oncotype test has been ordered and Pathology will retest my ER/PR status from the removed tumor because the report from the lab that evaluated my core biopsy tissue said "weak staining" for both. We are looking for something more definitive, especially since I really don't want to do chemo.
For those that asked about chemo prior to surgery, I was offered that and considered it. But then I realized that I would never know if the SN was clear and I just absolutely needed to know. I was less concerned about the looks of the breast after the lumpectomy. And if it's bad, I'll have some reconstruction work down the road. But I am thinking it's going to be OK.
Michelle
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Michelle & Rachael,
Congratulations on getting the surgery over with. I had a lumpectomy on 6/10 and am very happy with the way it looks. My first TC chemo was Tuesday and I felt fine until I got the Neulasta shot yesterday. Today I feel horrible, and it's not my bones - it's everything else. Slight chest pains, slight difficulty in breathing...nothing so bad I can't stand it, but I don't know how long the side effects last after the shot. Does anybody know? I think this shot is worse than the chemo!
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Hi all,
While I was diagnosed in Dec 2009, all my treatment has occured in 2010.
As shown in my signature line, Chemo done, bmx and ooph done. TE's currently getting filled. And on Herceptin until Jan 2011. No rads, nothing left to radiate.
Chemo was done first and at time of surgery there was no cancer left. Had previously been over 4 cm mass. Total chemo response per doctors. All scans and SNB clean, so there was no spread before Chemo started. TCH is what I was on and it kicked the cancer's butt!
Heartandsoul7 - those se's sound like Chemo side effects. Neulasta shot se's are, if I remember correctly, mainly bone pain - usually in long bones. But everyone does react differently. The difficulty in breathing sounds like you should call you dr's. I never had any issues with Neulasta, all my se's were from Chemo.
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Thanks, stl, I think you're probably right about those being chemo symptoms. I think my nerves are causing me to have trouble getting a good breath! I've never had panic symptoms before, but the first time I did was when I was lying on the table getting ready to have my biopsy. I didn't know what was happening to me - it took about 2 hours before I could drive myself home. This cancer stuff is apparently freaking me out! Good to know you didn't have issues with Neulasta, I think that will help me calm down some. I did take Claritin the day before, of and after the shot (my doctor said it was alright with her) and I haven't had the bone pain. MUST...CALM...DOWN! Ugh! I hate all this!!
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ANYONE HEAR FROM TORIGIRL LATELY?????
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Tori - What did you decide about surgery?
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Hi, all. I had my second round of chemo today-TCH. Get Neulasta injection tomorrow.
Heartnsoul76-I had thebone pain from my last Neulasta injection-mostly pelvic bone pain. My onco nurse said that was where a lot of WBC's are made. My se's hit me on the 3rd day. Mostly diarrhea for 10 days. Not much nausea. Once I realized that I had to eat, I started feeling better. Just didn't want to eat because nothing tasted good. Good luck with your treatments. It's a rough road, but one we can all travel together.
Blessings to you all.
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Hi all--for those that had lumpectomy lately---I removed the bandages tonight and everything seems good. However, as I started to walk around--I could hear a slight swishing sound in the breast. Is this normal? I will call the surgeon tomorrow morning aswell but just checking to see. I looked on line and came across a blog on this site in 2009 where they talked about this--but just checking to see if anyone had similar experience. At the time of the surgery--they mentioned that dependent on how much they needed to take--I may need a drain--but ultimately didn't need it. Thanks....
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I don't want to be a downer on this thread, but after finding out that the insurance co-pay for radiation treatment will be $200/week from my Social Security check, and from doing a lot of research online about my survivability stats at age 70, I have just about decided to forego any further treatment.
As nearly as I can see, the stats are within about 7% with or without therapy at my age with non-cancer deaths being about equal. The discovery after surgery that there IS node involvement and that I am at grade 3 has been a wake-up call.
If I am gonna gamble on SE outcomes that will affect the few years I have left, I'd rather take the cash to the casino. I am still in pretty fair shape as far as chronic illnesses, am living alone, getting around ok, etc and would like to stay that way as long as possible.
I have an appointment with a radiation onc tomorrow, and will ask him just what the numbers say.
My best wishes to all you other 2010 sisters who are young and have young families....keep fighting the good fight! I would, if I were much younger.
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Hugs to all.
Rachael5738
I felt like I was carrying a water balloon around inside my Boob! The surgeon had to remove fluid three times. It felt like it needed it again but the Rad onc and SMD thought it was ok to start with the rads. Finished them on 7/7. Now it just feels numb, but still has the jiggle feeling, probably because the tissue isn't "connected" to anything yet.
I am amazed at the varied ways the onc's and teams of dr's are going about the treatments. I had surgery first, second (diag. and no clear margins & SNB) then started the rads. Will meet with my 2nd onc on Monday. The first I fired. Had to get my PCP to order any kind of test that I needed done. Didn't get the oncotype, scans or even bloodwork from her. So my pcp ordered them for me. The bloodwork looks ok. Did have low wbc but that is common after rads. He even ordered an MRI before the 2nd surgery just to help me make an informed decision on lump or mas. Tomorrow I go in for a bone density scan to see what my status is before I start arimidex. Does anyone know what the hormone should be brought down to if you're trying to reduce the estrogen in the body? That was tested too but hasn't come back from the pathology yet. Thank goodness I have a great PCP!
Better get to bed, my bone density is at 7:15 AM so I can get to work by 8.
BarbaraA - I bought the figs and ate three today.... They're really good, kinda remind me of fig Nutons - not sure of the spelling but, sure you get my drift.
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Good morning! I hope this finds you well and doing your best to enjoy the summer. Just found out I will have my port put in next Fri, 30th Jul and begin my first chemo treatment 5th Aug. I will be on FEC-T. Anyone have this regime? take good care and just breathe. . .
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Samsue, love figs and they are so good for you (if they are organic).
Can someone expain how a bone density test goes? Is it another NEEDLE test? I really have a pathological fear of needles to the point of fainting. I know the onc will be ordering one here pretty soon.
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I was diagnosed in April of this year. I've done lumpectomy and rads. I start chemo next Thurs. This looks like a great forum to be part of!
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I HAD A BONE DENSITY TEST A LONG TIME AGO.NEED ONE AGAIN...AS I REMEMBER ITS A MACHINE THAT JUST SCANS THE BODY.NO NEEDLES.BUT THAT WAS ABOUT 10 YRS AGO.I HOPE IT DIDNT CHANGE....
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JOYcEK did you say 7 biopsies??????why so many????I hope you get the results monday...when i had the first and 2nd surgery i had to wait 10 days for the results..
do something fun to pass the time.as you know the clock goes slowly when you watch it.
Ill be prayin for you.
Please PM me as im going away for a few days and wont spend much time on the boards but i will try to check now and then especially the pm..
I wish you all the best honey.
sending you a big HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
K
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Hi there--had surgery on July 19th and rec'd call today for oncologist appt on July 27th--even though I was expecting it--still was upsetting---what a rollercoaster. I haven't received pathology back from surgery yet so don't know stage. Am happy to get to next step but......still feels crazy to be going through this.
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Hi Teclya-
I started my FEC-T in April, so please ask away. T for me is taxotere, every three weeks. I just had my second T on Thursday. I would be happy to help you through if you have any questions. I also had a powerport put in about a week before. Welcome and good luck! Sorry we had to meet this way. Where is MB? Manitoba?
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Hi Ladies! Think I posted once before, but really enjoy reading what everyone has to say!
Worldwatcher--> please let us know what you decide to do. I don't blame you for not wanting to do rads. Its up to you what tx you decide on, and quality of life is sometimes more important than "quantity"! Being well informed is important for all of us, and we need to make our own decisions.
rachel5378-->let us know what your onc says; we'll be thinking about you! It definitely is a rollercoaster, and as someone said on a different thread, a long journey that we didn't ask to be on! I'm so glad we have each other to help get through it all!!
Take care!
Tina
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Hi everyone. The bone density is what Joycek described. I've had them before, just lay there and let the small machine scan the hip area. They actually do two scans, one with your leg twisted inward and the other while you have your legs up on a block (for a better word). Then it's done and off to work!
Had to do some retail therapy today. Bought some new shoes for work... they cute brown ones and they make me smile...
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Hi there shelleyj43
Thank you so much for your being open to help me out. Yes Manitoba, Canada. T also stands for taxotere which will be the the last three of my treatments as well. How did you find the FEC? what were some of your side effects, if any? I am anxious, (justifiably) and wondering what I need to know to go into this more prepared (if possible). I agree, it is nasty to meet wuch asweome folks in this horrendous way. .
Take good care and just breathe. . .
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Well today is finally here. I went on Vacation had a ball with my husband and actually did manage to let it go. Back this week and had the bone scan Mon. Today is our first oncology meeting. My little family, Jim, Jaim, and me will take what ever comes of course, we are a great team and have all the love in the world supporting us. Life is a journey and I have all the faith in the universe that things will work the way they are supposed to. All my love to you ladies and I will update with my new info.
Kaz
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Kaz - Did you have surgery yet or are you getting set with your onc team now? Please let us know.
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Hi Barbara A,
I'm Kaz's daughter, Jamie. No surgery yet, no treatment at all yet. We met with the breast surgeon on July 7 and he gave us no answers what-so-ever. His answer to every question that we asked was "the oncologist will talk to you about that." He was kind of an A$$ to be honest. So at this point we not really sure what steps we will take in terms of treatment. Because of the size of the tumor I am assuming chemo first to shrink it, but who knows! The waiting has been difficult, I'm happy that the appointment is here but I'm still nervous. Once we know what the treatment will be I'm sure we will feel better. Take care ladies
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Jaim and Kaz--> let us know what the onc says--I hope it is someone who spends a lot of time with you and you feel good about. If not, get a 2nd opinion, there are many good, caring oncs out there. Ask him for a referral to a different surgeon too. Surgeons don't always have the best bedside manor, but they shouldn't be that bad either. In the end though, you want one that is one of the best at breast surgery.
~Tina
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Hi Jamie, I would think HARD about another surgeon. You have time and this is important. Your cancer team will be with you for a good amount of time and you need to trust them. Chemo has been very effective in shrinking tumors. Keep us posted.
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Hi everyone - I'm at the library using the computer so I can keep up with everyone.
Met with my 2nd Onc yesterday. She showed me grafts/charts and said how much I needed to continue with the treatment and use Arimidex. I've been researching this site and not sure what to do. At least this one listened to me... what a difference.
Thanks for being there!
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