Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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tatatootsie, so sorry the news was not better, but you are so right about self examination saving your life! We are all so fortunate to simply have caught this at almost any stage, and the best course is to just attack it head on. We're all here and thinking totally positive thoughts. You and your family have been through so much already. Sending prayers and love.
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TataTootsie, at least you have a plan now and are comfortable with it. That's important. Doesn't mean you have to like it. I would tell your worried son that you plan on being around for a very long time. Remind him that while chemo, if necessary, won't be fun, you'll manage and hope that he'll help out if needed. But I'm no expert since my sons were (and are) in their 40s when I was Dx'd. Others with younger children will be better able to help you out with this. And you WILL do well!
HUGS!
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Poodles, I have no idea why I'm surprised. Back in 1983 when my dad died, we were still getting bills a year or more later. Part of it might be that he died in Iowa and we lived in Michigan. This is all such crap!
HUGS!
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Molly, most likely it will be bilateral; originally my surgeon gave me less than 12 to 14
percent of occurrence in the fellow breast but with these most recent and present findings, he feels
the odds have increased and
that it is in my best interest to get rid of both of "of the girls"....and a second opinion
this afternoon told me that same. I am blessed to have wonderful, knowledgable
doctors. Big hugs to you and your son.
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Peggy and Dara,that is exactly what I have told my son...that there is a hand
that is higher than ours and it always has ultimate control. Dara, my two sons
have actually been through enough...they have seen their Dad's pain but also
his current triumph over pancreatic cancer....his markers are extremely low and he
is 4 years out from diagnosis. Peggy, I am hoping I do not have to have chemo...
let's keep our fingers crossed that there are no involved lymph nodes. And
I just love your hugs ! They make me feel reassurred and hopeful. TTYL girls.
I love you all and you are all in my prayers.
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TataTootsie, well, I'm hoping you won't have chemo, too. But that is one thing you can't really promise #2 son and shouldn't. That was my point. My DIL who had colon cancer in her early 40s and had chemo had the most positive attitude and said at every chemo session she told those drugs to KILL CANCER and kept that goal in mind. And she said it was doable. No fun. But doable. That's important to know and keep in mind. Now let's pray no nodes and you sail through surgery. Probably a bilateral Mx is wise in your case. Hugs are important, even virtual ones. I know how much they meant (and still mean) to me.
HUGS!
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tatatootsie, I’d also be inclined to go bilateral, with or without reconstruction, for symmetry. (Asymmetry, if major, can lead to back and shoulder problems). ILC is sneaky (its tumors are like leaves or strings and can hide from mammography) and the same conditions that caused it to develop multifocally in one breast might be present in the other. Have you gotten tested for genetic mutations? That it’s grade 1 and hormone+/HER- is encouraging—you might not need chemo. (If you get a BMX you might also get to skip radiation and go straight to endocrine therapy).
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Tootsie, If I were in your shoes today, I would have the double mastectomy and not look back. As I stated before, if bc reoccurs in either breast, it is straight to the BS and PS for a new set. I agree with Sandy, with clear lymph nodes and a mastectomy, I don't think you are looking at chemo for treatment. Hopefully, your MO will run the Oncotype test, which will provide more information regarding type of treatment. You are going to get through this time and are going to be tougher at the end of your recovery. I was tough in the beginning, but I am bc tough now. Nothing that you can explain, you just have to experience the bc shoes to appreciate. Keep us posted!!
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Actually, mastectomy vs. lumpectomy has no bearing on chemo vs. no chemo. The latter is determined by the tumor’s type, stage, grade and histology/biology—and if necessary, an Oncotype DX and other tests. Mastectomy vs. lumpectomy does help determine whether or not to radiate.
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I was not inferring that a mastectomy was a ticket out of the chemo or rads treatments. But early stage, no lymph node involvement would suggest an easier path to survivorship. Oncotype will tell....
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Tatatootsie, please just remember, every case is different and just because something presents one way, don't forget that the answers can't be determined until all info, pathology, and results are in. It's just more difficult when everyone advises you of one probable direction and then should the final results prove them wrong. Whatever is decided on by you and your MO will be right. And whatever that is, it's all doable!
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Tootsie, sorry you have to have the bx. But now you have the next step in your plan. I agree with you about routine checks, whether it's our own monthly checks or annual mammograms. Mine was caught in my annual mammogram. Sending positive thoughts, encouragement & a big hug your way.
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I'd like to go back a few eons to the discussion os Zoloft. First off, my DH has just made me solemnly promise NOT to self regulate my meds w/o the doctor. I decided last week that I'd quit taking Zoloft and that I really didn't need it anymore. All week I ws fine, and then last night went over the deep end... crying, so upset with my DD, friends, and relatives! I got ticked off at a stupid comment from my cousin (Gee, so glad you're done with chemo and now everything will be EASY!) etc. I decided I'd disown everyone, didn't need any friends, blah, blah, blah! I finally got up at 1 AM and took the damn zoloft! I guess even going through bc isn't the best time to go cold turkey anyway. I just didn't want any chance that it could interact and have an effect on bc. Dumb. I'll be talking to my PCP next week about how to go off it without reactions, or staying on it.
And Tootsie, I'd had a mammogram in Feb.(all was clear) and I, personally, found my lump mid-May. Had I ignored it and waited till my next mammo, all would be very different now. My tumor was very small, but had very aggressive cells.
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Hello,
I've been home a week from my road trip up to see Peggy, but I'm just logging back on to this site now. I hope all is well. In case you didn't already know this, Peggy is such a kind and beautiful person inside and out, in person and online. I had a great time with the ladies in Spokane! Also, her house is beautiful --and new!-- and I think even her pets are happy with the move. Hugs to my survivor sisters who went to the get-together!
My dad got cellulitis in his toe from infected blisters when we went hiking. I should have taken a picture of it so all you ladies worried about lymphedema flares could see it. But, in general, if it swollen, red, and warm, you had better get to Urgent care for antibiotics. My affected side arm was fine during the entire trip. A few times hiking I would notice it getting a little swollen (as compared to my right hand even though I am right handed), but putting my arm in the air and doing 5-10 fist squeezes then 5-10 arm pumps (like you are celebrating winning the race), and the swelling went right down.
Then, about 4 days ago, my husband collapsed to the ground. I called 911. He had given blood and gotten a flu shot earlier in the day, but he's been doing that for 30 years. So, 2 days in the hospital and tons of tests to check his heart and brain, they determined he fainted from exhaustion (from traveling, blood donation, etc). It was so freaking scary! But, the only good news was that the cardiologist on all the work ups, tests, echos, MRi's, etc said that he has a really healthy heart with no plaque build-up in his blood vessels, healthy blood pressure, and good valves --not to mention no strokes or brain tumors! So, we have had an exciting week back at home, too.
Welcome new people. I probably won't go back to read the 20+ pages I missed, so forgive me if I'm little behind!
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Hi Sloan, Glad you made it back home ok.. and glad you DH is ok. It was definitely a great get together.. I got a new MO and don't need Chemo, start rads on Nov. 2... I'll be done by Christmas!
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Sloan, thank you for the very kind words. I did so love having you here - my first REAL entertaining. You did have quite the scares. Glad your dad is doing better and your LE is under control. How awful about DH! At least you know he is one healthy dude! It would have been nice to discover this through normal channels! Interesting how you cope with the LE. I'll have to remember that.
Now what are you going to do for excitement? Thank you again for coming to visit!!
HUGs!
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I see the MS on Tuesday Oct 25th to get my results. She will have all my pathology results too. Now, I may not ask for a copy of the reports because her receptionist said she could give them to me but would have to charge me (I don't know how much), but my GP's receptionist told me she will get them for me for free, it will just take a little longer. I might not wait, but if I do, what are the things I want to make sure I write down right away and ask for?
Final DX
Oncotype (if it's done at surgery time?)
ER/PR
HER2
Stage
Grade
How many nodes removed
I didn't get to talk to the MS after the surgery, so I know nothing. What am I missing?
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Leslie, I highly recommend the Pathology Guide provided by this site. It really can explain every term and item that is found on the report. I found it very very helpful.
http://www.breastcancer.org/search?utf8=✓&term=pathology+report&commit=s
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Dara, I would not be throwing out your bottle of Zoloft yet. I have taken Zoloft for 17 years, and yes I have early stage bc. Not sure what the relationship is between the two, but I am doing some digging around. I also took Prometrium (progesterone) for the same amount of time. My body stopped making progesterone after the birth of my daughter, and my endocrinologist put me on prometrium. I know that I can't just chuck my Zoloft out the window, because I have tried. Panic attacks and anxiety run in my family, and I will probably always need to be on something unless the researchers find a cure for serotonin imbalance. My major concern is that tamoxifen and Zoloft share the same enzyme produced by a gene. I am going to look for studies on Zoloft's impact on that shared gene before I make an decisions.
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I'm with Michelle and Dara. Not giving up my psych meds. I have worked to hard and too long to get myself into a stable place; it would be foolish for me to even entertain the idea of stopping or changing my meds. Hopefully, they won't cause problems with the BC down the road, but I need to be sure I take care of today.
Sloan, that's so scary about your DH. I would have totally called 911, too! But now that you know that his heart and everything are good for another 25 years, it's time to give him your do-to list and let him get cracking, LOL!
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Hey gals, thank you once again for your heartfelt support; my faith in God and encourgement from women in the
same or similar predicament I am in is helping me to stay focused and most importantly proactive in making
correct choices that are in my best interest. Peggy my youngest son is going to be okay; I'm divorced and the
boys' dad is even supportive of me because he still so respects me as the mother of both of his children...how
many women can relate to that ? I am not sure. Michelle and Sandy, I really do feel that bilateral is the way to go
and I am requesting my surgeon do the oncotype even though I do not have daughters, however I do have
2 older sisters who have never had any breast issues.
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TataTootsie, that is really great that you and your ex- have such a good relationship. It sure is rare. Glad to hear that your younger son will do well.
BTW, the Oncotype test has nothing to do with genetic testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes or other genetic pre-dispositions for breast cancer. It just tests and demonstrates the need for chemo. If you don't have BC in the family then probably you don't need genetic testing. If, though, your Oncotype score comes back in the intermediate range, some women have gotten further testing to figure out whether chemo is advisable or not and that can include genetic testing.
HUGS!
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Tbalding, thank you for your comments. That MRI that my surgeon ordered, and frankly
one test I thought was totally unnecessary, may have saved my life; I had the biopsies
and we all know what the diagnosis was. I am meeting with the plastic surgeon on
Thursday to discuss reconstruction and the what the best surgical approach would be
for me. I am going to hate having pictures taken !!! But it is necessary for him so he can
achieve the best result for me. And you know what else gals, I AM IN CONTROL of the choice
I make once all possible options (feasible) are offered to me. My surgeons are trustworthy....
their reputation precedes them. I need to count my blessings.
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Peggy, I wish I lived closer to you....we would be, as they say in the south, "a mess" if
our paths ever crossed. Trust me, my two sons already think I am a "nut" and that is
where they get their "nuttiness". But you know, I just for some reason have the need
to know my oncotype. Any chance we could at sometime organize a "breast cancer
caucus" and all of us sometime meet....that would be wonderful.
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TataTootsie, where do you live? I forget. (Put it in your profile and make it public maybe?). Definitely a good idea to have the Oncotype test done.
Small groups of us do meet all over. It's great fun. As you may know, we had a West Coast get together with gals from California and Washington meeting at my house in Spokane (which truly is in the middle of nowhere). That was a blast. Also, when I lived in Michigan we had several get togethers. No one gets you like another BCO gal!
Nothing wrong with the boys thinking you're nuts. Nothing at all!
HUGS!
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I live in the "Heart of Dixie". I have been in the south since 1988 and I am
happy here, although I do miss my family sometimes, but we generally all
stay in touch. I was born and raised in Vermont (used to be able to ski) and
then lived in New York for about 3 years before coming to Alabama; I live in
Huntsville, which if you are not aware, is a military place. Redstone Arsenal
( Army Base - home of scud missiles) and NASA are right in my backyard.
I love it here.
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TTTT, please put it in your profile. I have a hard time remembering such things and they do matter. I did know that you are strongly military there. Always nice when you love where you live.
HUGS!
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Tootsie, It is good to get the oncotype test done. As someone else explained, it is not the gene test for bc. It is important for your boys as well, because men can get bc. Toots, is your BS and PS oncoplastic surgeons. Although oncoplastic surgery is used more for lumpectomies, they may have different techniques for reconstruction purposes. You can look up some of the types of incisions that oncotypes can do to minimize any scarring. My RO check out my breast today and it looks great, very similar to the other one.
Today, my husband went to check on something in one of our rental properties. The husband was home with a newborn baby, while his wife was getting a lumpectomy at the hospital by my BS. She had bc four years ago and did not have radiation. She will do radiation this time. Protocols have really changed over the last several years and that is encouraging.
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Michelle, how awful for that family. New baby and BC. Hopefully this time they'll kill it all. Sending well wishes to the family.
HUGS!
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damn! Just found out my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer today. Looks like it's lobular but I don't have a whole bunch of other information yet. I didn't want to pressure her over the phone for info on our first phone call. Genetic testing was ordered, we should know more next week. I suggest the book by Susan love, but she has no desire to read anything about her surgery, pathology, diagnosis anything. We're so different! I told her she's free to ask me any questions whatever she wants and if I don't know the answer I'll find it for her. The good news is she used to be a medical assistant in a woman's health care center, and she is retired. Although she does work at Trader Joe's part-time and loves it! She's pretty well connected in the Women's Health Care community, and her nurse practitioner actually attended the MRI, and I think the biopsy with her. Will have genetic testing results next weekend, and then she'll meet with a plastic surgeon and get her surgery scheduled. Looks like single mastectomy left at this point.
Insert curse words here. Uuggggh. My heart hurts for her tonight.
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