Posted on: Jan 1, 2022 09:59AM - edited Jan 7, 2022 04:48AM by jeet
Posted on: Jan 1, 2022 09:59AM - edited Jan 7, 2022 04:48AM by jeet
jeet wrote:
Jan 1, 2022 04:31PM minustwo wrote:
I have sent a PM to the MODS to see if they can successfully move this to a new topic & asked that they let everyone here know.
Jan 1, 2022 04:42PM calinana4 wrote:
Jeet,
My cousin pushed for treatment confirmation also so her oncologist had her take the Natera Signatera test, which showed no active cancer cells (she was triple negative). I’ve requested this test also but since I’m ER+, my oncologist isn’t receptive to the idea. She said test is fairly new and unclear what would be done if cancer cells were detected since my hormone blocker’s job is to kill any remaining cancer cells. Also, excessive chemo can lead to leukemia. I’m going to have faith that the Anastrozole is working
Jan 1, 2022 04:46PM mountainmia wrote:
It looks like the Signatera test is being used primarily within trials. I'm surprised your cousin was able to access it.
Jan 1, 2022 05:10PM - edited Jan 1, 2022 05:11PM by parakeetsrule
And how would they know how accurate the test is without several decades of follow up and comparison to a test group?
Jan 1, 2022 07:10PM - edited Jan 2, 2022 07:54AM by calinana4
MountainMia,
I called the test company direct to ask some questions and it is available as long as doctor submits the request.
Jan 1, 2022 07:27PM voraciousreader wrote:
several years ago, while doing mri imaging for my right knee replacement surgery, there was an incidental finding of a 5 cm tumor in my left thigh. So, there I was, worrying about a breast cancer recurrence and had this new tumor that I didn’t feel or see or know about until I needed hip surgery. So….off I went to an surgical oncology orthopedist. My right hip replacement was delayed until my left thigh tumor was removed and biopsied. Luckily, it was a benign myxoma.
bottom line….you can worry about one thing and then get hit by another. Living gives us no guarantees…..or warranties. That said, the wonder of life is that we are all born with the ability to be resilient. Tap into it and treat yourself gently and let life unfold…. you might pleasantly surprise yourself at what you might discover while living….
i am coming up on a dozen years since being diagnosed. What I have discovered in those years is that for the majority of us, breast cancer is a treatable disease. My best advise…buy a pair of comfortable shoes.
carpe diem!
Jan 1, 2022 07:53PM serendipity09 wrote:
I felt the same as you after I finished chemo and had my BMX, I wanted to know how would we know if it came back. There was no reason to have any scans or MRI as I had just completed tx. I too felt it was unacceptable. Came here and was schooled on how it all worked. Unfortunately, I was one of those on the "wrong end of the random-shitty-luck stick" when I was diagnosed with a recurrence, thank goodness is it was local. Did radiation and shortly after had another scare, scans and biopsy; everything came back negative. Now I just try to take things one day at a time. There's not too much to enjoy socially with covid running amok here, but I dod what I can. I was in constant fear, every freckle, every blemish caused me anxiety. I'm currently on Xeloda and hoping it's doing it's job, but I won't allow the beast consume all of me anymore, that is my NY resolution.
We don't know what cards we are going to be dealt, but this beast and covid have taken two years of my life. I'm going to start living as best, and carefully, as I can to enjoy life as much as I can.
Jan 2, 2022 01:22AM alicebastable wrote:
The downside of, for instance, CT scans to get a detailed look what's going on is that other things also show up! From one pre-op chest scan before my lumpectomy I found out I had kidney cancer (since removed) and an aneurysm (under surveillance). The kidney cancer means follow-up scans, so on those they've found another aneurysm, a swollen spleen, a fatty liver, nodes in my lungs that are followed by more scans... and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few items. Oh, and a few questionable scans led to needing PET scans, and one of those led to a biopsy (benign). It is NOT a fun way to live, wondering what the hell will show up next and trying to keep track of what's been found. And the contrast dye isn't all that great for our health. If you get additional testing, what if it leads to living scan to scan like some of us do? I don't recommend it as a lifestyle.
Jan 2, 2022 08:00AM calinana4 wrote:
Voraciousreader,
Love your post! That’s how I plan to live post treatment life. Happy 2022
Jan 2, 2022 11:06AM - edited Jan 3, 2022 09:23AM by mountainmia
Signatera blood tests, patient information link -- looks like this might be a good option in limited circumstances.
https://www.natera.com/oncology/signatera-advanced-cancer-detection/patients/
