A place to greet and meet newbies to stage III
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Welcome, Nancy and LadyB! I hope you both start feeling better soon.
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Welcome, newcomers. I continue to be short of energy after completing chemo - I think - in January. I said "I think" because at my last visit, the oncologist wasn't sure how many treatments I'd had. the clerical staff at that clinic is terrible. They keep saying they have never received my records - since August '14. All the other doctors have gotten the records, so I'm not sure what's going on. At any rate, I'm done with them and going to another oncologist April 1. My quarrel was never with the docs, but if they don't get what they need from an inefficient office staff, I'm not happy.
I'm having lots of joint/bone pain and miserable hot flashes from anastrazole and really wonder if I really need it or if it was prescribed just because that's what "they" always do after chemo. I'm 75, went through menopause years ago and wonder just how much estrogen could be circulating in my aged system. I am going to have a frank discussion with the new onc, who is a woman, and may be more sympathetic to my cause.
I'd appreciate input.
Re the NED situation, no one has told me I'm cured. I think you're "cured" or whatever until you're not. I try not to dwell on what may happen down the road.
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Tuff, I can't believe that clinic still says they haven't gotten your records. Unbelievable. Of course, I had a PS who swears he doesn't have the photos I distinctly remember him taking. So sorry to hear you're in such pain and other discomfort. Maybe your new MO can at least switch you to a different AI to see if it helps with the side effects. I've not had too bad a time (it's all relative) with Tamoxifen and am dreading switching to an AI a couple years down the road.
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hi everyone,
I was diagnosed last December with stage 3C IDC, ILC. It's been very stressful and m really struggling to find hope. I have a bilateral mastectomy and now I'm in the middle of chemo. Rads in July/August and then hormone therapy.
My life is just all about Cancer now.
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Hi Katey,
I hear you. I am one year from where you are now. It gets better, or at least easier. I went from being able to count the days I cry instead of the days I don't. You will find a balance. But it is hard. It takes a long time to recover, even after chemo and rads are done. hang in there, let it be about cancer, let it be about YOU for now. Be kind to yourself.
I'm sorry you are here.
jen
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Hi Katey, I'm sorry you've had to join this club. Yes, it's all about cancer for a while. As Jen said, it does get better. You'll get through these rough days. Take them one at a time. One minute at a time if you need to. I found it helpful to "take a break" from cancer with a good book or movie or a short day trip someplace relaxing if you're up to it. A walk in nature worked for me. I hope you have people to support you. Sending virtual {{{hugs}}}.
Amy
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Katey - Ditto what's been said. I finished chemo in January. It's tough, but drinking lots of water and staying in touch with supportive friends and family will help you get through the worst spots. Best wishes. Lynne
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katey, it almost will a year before all this started. Like others have said, it does get easier in that u are used to processes so that its not so hard on you. It's unbelieavable to me how I have got through all this , but I did. We're stronger than we think we r. And sometimes just tuning out and doing anything not "cancer" is good. Be kind to yourself. We're here
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Hi Ladies,
After finding out I was 3 and not 2 about a month ago, I finally got up the balls to come over here.
Katey: We have a chemo starting March 2015 group in the chemo section. Please stop in and visit. It's a wonderful group.
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Trvler- so sorry you had to join the stage III group. I saw that you started your chemo last month and hope you are tolerating it well. There will definitely be some challenging days ahead, but hopefully you will find you will have more better days than bad days. At lease that was how it was for me. I was able to work most days with my worst days being fri-sun. Are you doing neoadjuvant ? Just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. , Candy
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Aww…Candy. You are so sweet. I have been very lucky so far and I am tolerating AC well. Just hoping Taxol is as easy but I guess I won't know until I get there. Did you do weekly or biweekly?
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Trvler, I was on dense dose which was every 2 weeks. My first AC was so easy. Had my treatments on Wednesdays. I literally cleaned my closet that first weekend which gave me a false sense of how I would fair. The 2nd treatment was not as easy - especially after the Nuelasta shot. I usually had bad bone aches over the weekend but then felt good enough to go to work on Monday. Constipation was a challenge for me as was a few other minor annoying SEs, but was able to take things to help with most everything. Be careful to really keep an eye on your temperature etc and if you start to feel bad (excessive fatigue, malaise, etc) do not put off going to the hospital. After my third treatment I felt really bad but I thought I would get better the next day - thought it was temporary. But I landed in hospital. Turned out to just be a cold but was there for 2 1/2 days in December. Even a minor cold is dangerous. I thought I was tougher than chemo, but I learned I was not. Despite that set back I was able to still take a 5 day trip to Vegas over New Years. Spent most of my time in the hotel room in bed resting, but after a few days I got more energy and had a nice time. It was importent that my hubby get a break from BC and I see seomething other than a hospital or my office. We timed the trip to end fairly close to my next treatment when I was likely to feel my best. Taxol doesn't affect you like AC but it brings its own set of SE. I got more mouth sores but found rinsing with salt water helped a lot. And had a lot of bone aches for a few days. I took the Claritin everyday during treatment (as recommended by some) Not sure if it helped but I tried everything recommended. I figured it couldn't hurt. All in all, I truly found I had more good days than bad days. Everyone at the treatment center was so nice and supportive and I usually had the same nurse each time. I know it is scary and will be hard some days but I promise you will get through it. I will be thinking of you each and every day. Hugs, Candy
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Thank you, Candy. I am glad you are through it. How are you doing now?
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Trvler, I did not have much trouble with FEC, which is similar to AC (mine had F, fluoro-something, added and had epirubicin instead of adriamycin, but same idea). I did usually crash on the day of the infusion or the day after, simply meaning that I slept and slept. I also had "issues" with my poor intestines and a bit of thrush. I took probiotics all the way through (with my onc's blessing) and I think it helped keep both of these problems in check.
I did not have taxol, but rather its sister, taxotere. The taxotere messed with my tastebuds and gave me pretty bad inflammation a few times, but otherwise it wasn't too bad. I had 4 rounds of each regime, with my surgery in the middle.
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Hello. I'm Kornelia and I haven't been officially diagnosed with any stage yet although it looks like it will be stage III from the last little bit of info I got.
I was dx in early February with IDC, grade 1 and a tumour about 1cm in size. Margins were not clear after biopsy/lumpectomy and lymph nodes had not been checked because my surgeon thought it was a fibroadenoma. Both mammogram and ultrasound in November 2014 were inconclusive (dense breasts) and MRI was the Friday before my Monday biopsy. We didn't have the MRI results before the biopsy, but when we got the report it did show probable malignancy. I had BMx w/o reconstruction 4 weeks ago today (March 23rd) and I'm still waiting for my pathology report. After that is finalized (any day now?) it will most likely be at least a week before I get to speak with an oncologist. My surgeon and GP have been very good and keep checking to see if results are in yet. I got a verbal over the phone a week ago that 6 of 12 nodes were involved. It really threw me for a loop because I went in to surgery thinking I was stage I (a 1cm, grade 1 tumour and nothing showed on lymph nodes on MRI). So with the 6 nodes it looks like it would be stage III now?
I'm trying to remain calm and positive but it's so hard when I don't have much info. I don't even know hormone receptor or HER2 status, never mind Oncotype. I was looking for others who had similar stats to mine and started a couple of posts. No one has yet responded with anything similar to mine, so that was freaking me out a little. I came to the stage III board in the hopes of finding something similar and landed on this thread. I read through the first 2 pages and found a couple others with small, grade 1 IDCs and several nodes and felt some relief. I'm not alone.
Thank you to all of you veterans who have posted. I will go on to read the rest of the thread so I can get to know you better. I recognize a few names from other threads; Momine from the Living w/o Reconstruction boards and the F&F facebook group.
I'm 52 and I have a 15 y/o daughter. My mom is a (3 time!) ovarian cancer survivor and my dad is almost 20 years in remission from prostate cancer so I have good cancer fighting genes. 99% of the time I'm positive and upbeat, but the last week has been particularly difficult. I'm recovering from surgery very well and I returned to work a week ago. I don't know what's next for my treatment but I'm ready to fight.
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Welcome Eaglemom!! You have come to the right group. I am sorry that you had to join us here but the ladies here are amazing.
Not knowing all the details it makes hard and once a treatment plan has been made it will definitely give you a bit more control. Have you considered testing for genetic mutation?
The 6 nodes positive will put you in the stage III, unfortunately.
My story is a bit different, I went in knowing that my tumor was big and that two of my nodes were involved but was in shock when I got the pathology report and it said 8 nodes +. The scans only showed two lymph nodes with possible cancer.
Here's a link to the staging.
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/staging
Keep us posted!!!
Hugs
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eagle mom,
I went into surgery with 1 positive node, came out with 6 out of 7. The nodes were fused & bursting open with Cancer. I did not have a MRI, before or after surgery.
Have your Drs. got your chemo on the schedule yet? Did they put a port in your chest? Waiting, for me is hellish.
I hope for you that they get the show on the road. My chemo was dose dense, meaning every 2 weeks. Some ladies get the same chemo, only every 3 weeks. The 3 week plan is easier on your body, more time to recover. Some studies say dose dense gives you another 2-3 percent chance of beating down the beast
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Hole: I just saw a study that said there is no difference in outcomes between biweekly and weekly taxol. I am going to have weekly. I have heard weekly is easier on people so I don't know. If you are interested, I can find the study and post it.
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eagle mom, I went into My Alnd thinking 4 nodes postive and came out with 8. I had a US, and 2 MRIs before surgery and neither found a primary tumor. I exhaled after surgery as the docs had a plan out lined and in motion soon after surgery. as others have said the waiting is the hardest.
You have come to the right group. I am sorry that you had to join us. The ladies here are amazing. You may also consider joining a Chemo thread once you have your plan and schedule. Walking through chemo with others and sharing experiences and suggestions on managing Side effects, etc. was a lifesaver for me.
Keep us up-to-date
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Welcome to the newbies! This is a great pale for support and info. The ladies here have walked the walk and completely get it.
I am over ten years out now and had a terrible diagnosis. I'm feeling great even though I do deal with residual pain from the surgery and radiation. But, I can live with it and am thankful for every day.
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Hi Kornelia - I too was shocked with my diagnosis after surgery. Hopefully you will get your pathology report soon. I was feeling anxious reading mine and my Mom just kept reminding me that anything listed in the report had been removed. That helped. I notice you are on Quadra Island. I am in Victoria. Did you have your surgery in Victoria? Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or want to chat. My twin sister is also going through treatment right now (she was diagnosed 3 months after me and is in Vancouver) so I'm starting to feel pretty familiar with the process!
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Trvler, My Taxol was only 4 dose dense infusions. So the amount you would get weekly for 3 weeks, I got in one dose. I got Neulasta shots, 7 of them.
Have you had 2 chemo treatments so far ?
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I had my third yesterday, Hole.
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Trvler, how are you holding up? I was pretty sick, could not eat.
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Hole: I am doing good. I am not sure if you realize I am still on AC though.
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Eaglemom, you've come to the right place. You aren't alone. The waiting is the worst. I hope you get that path report and a plan of action soon.
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hi ladies. I've been posting in Feb chemo group. I honestly don't know how I would have coped so far without that forum. It is so helpful. BC is so overwhelming and we are all different with different diagnoses so we can't compare exactly but just knowing there are others out there to share with is great for the emotional support. No one else gets it or can relate and frankly I'm sure they are sick of hearing about it anyway. But We live it every moment.
So far I've been through diagnoses which always seemed to be a turn of events. It was a small tumor and no nodes going into surgery then over 5cm and 7 nodes involved during surgery. Had Tissue expanders installed (like im a car or something!) and now over half way through chemo. Made it through a/c and now on dose dense taxol. Next for me is rads then exchange surgery next February. This process is not quick and it's hard some days to keep perspective this Is just a bleep in time of our whole lives. We are all stronger than we think and pls use these forums for whatever emotional support you need. We all need support.
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Hi
i found out today that im stage 3 ugh
i have had surgery, it went well, im recovering nicely.
i havent seen a MO yet . but the surgeon hinted that , it is now for me is rads or chemo, not sure yet, im very much a newbie.
thank you all for being here to point the way, it sure helps
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DayLily15,
Getting the dx of stage 3 is depressing, I went into full panic mode. I would assume chemo is your next challenge. Did they put a port in ???? Chemo is easy for some, hellish for some of us. My chemo was aggressive, but hopefully did its job.
Bottom line, like child birth, we all get through it. Painful & exhausting, but we come out & continue to live our lives.
My advice is, be kind to yourself, this is a long haul, not done in a month or two. If friends/family say stupid comments, oh well, they are not walking in your shoes, ignore it. Find your group here, with the May chemo gals. Get to know them & get through this together.
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hello holeinone - thank you for your kind thoughts and wise knowledge.
no port,so far.
im not in shock really i knew it wasnt good, but still the added hours of Tx into my life is depressing.
so far my family have been great. im a lucky girl
i belong to the beautiful april 2015 surgery sisters, they have been wonderful
so i will find my chemo group when i know a bit more, im trying very hard not to run through all the possibilties before i have any facts, little bites, little bites.
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