Topic: Stage III Cancer Survivors .... 10+ Years and Out

Feb 10, 2020 05:39AM ilovemymom4ever wrote:

hi. Can i ask a question? Again, my mom has stage IIIB ER+/PR- HER2+ breast ca. She had 6 cycles of chemo, the tumor shrunk but not so much. Has anyone experienced this also but got operated on and NED up to now

Feb 10, 2020 08:28PM ilovemymom4ever wrote:

thank you. Im just so scared for my mom. I would do anything for her

Feb 11, 2020 08:34AM ilovemymom4ever wrote:

thank you so much Flo80! She'll be having her scans tomorrow in preparation for her surgery. She just finished her neoadjuvant chemo. im hoping and praying for clear results.

Feb 11, 2020 01:16PM sbelizabeth wrote:

Two more rounds of TAC chemo! Wow. My question for my onc would have been--if it didn't work that great for the first six rounds, why would it be effective for two more?

I had to talk long and hard, but I got my onc to give me six rounds of navelbine/capecitabine after surgery. It was based on recently released research.

Feb 13, 2020 08:49AM NancyD wrote:

sbelizabeth, the first four chemo doses didn't bring a complete response, but it was significant enough that my onc felt the two additional rounds after surgery would be beneficial. He called it a "clean-up". A subsequent PET scan a year later (before reconstruction) showed no activity.

I haven't had another PET scan in ten years. Some aches and pains that have been diagnosed as osteoarthritis.

Feb 13, 2020 11:48PM sbelizabeth wrote:

NancyD, I understand now. I had six rounds of TAC before surgery, and the surgical path report stated "extensive tumor emboli in dermal lympahtics" in the breast. Clean margins, though. I had PET scans at years 1 and 2 following treatment completion, and I always held my breath until the report came back. Thank you, God.

Ilovemymom4ever, my last chemo was on March 31 and I had the mastectomy on April 15.

Feb 17, 2020 12:31AM Bakerstreet wrote:

Your post is such a positive light for all, thank you for coming back scar1888! Many more happy and healthy years to you

Feb 17, 2020 06:52PM NancyD wrote:

Wow, Scar! I hope to be like you. I know that it's a day by day, year by year thing, though. As long as I can walk around without any symptoms, I consider myself a survivor and thrive-or.

Feb 22, 2020 12:52PM stephilosphy00 wrote:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Feb 22, 2020 06:18PM Francesca30 wrote:

congratulations Nancy! Coming up with my first year this month and stories like yours keep me strong and hopeful .

Feb 23, 2020 01:26PM Artista928 wrote:

I've seen people here with a lot of nodes removed. They're ok. She shouldn't have blood pressure or any type of needle on that arm. I've had 4 removed and give my right arm for IV, blood draws if they can't use my port, blood pressure. I don't wear tight sleeves either. Read about lymphedema in the forums for more info. People who have it are talking about it there.

Feb 23, 2020 07:15PM - edited Feb 23, 2020 07:27PM by mpv459

I was diagnosed and had surgery almost a year ago. How many lymph nodes did they remove and how many had cancer?? I had 14/31.. So far, so good.

Feb 24, 2020 07:15PM mpv459 wrote:

Keep me updated and best wishes.. My diagnosis did not look good but I take each day...squeeze everything I can out of it and pray for the next. I had 8cm tumor and 14 lymph nodes. Hardly gets any worse than that. The cancer was isolated to the lymphnodes so far. I had surgery, occupational therapy, 16 rounds of chemo, 30 rounds of radiation and I am currently on hormone blockers and zometa... Its rough but I am 60 and I made it through all of it. Your mom will too. She needs lots of positive vibes and love and a great team. I am sure she has all of those. I am a week short of a year from diagnosis, walking 4 miles a day, exercising and living. Keep your chin up. Sorry to put this on the 10 year page.. Hopefully I will belong here some day with the rest of the brave ladies.

Feb 25, 2020 07:26AM - edited Feb 25, 2020 07:27AM by ilovemymom4ever

@mv459, Sure i 'll keepyou updated. Do you mind if i ask what stage were you after surgery? God bless you!

@NancyD, thank you for being positive

Feb 25, 2020 10:54PM - edited Feb 25, 2020 11:00PM by mpv459

I was Stage 3C. Internal necrosis refers to dead cancer cells in the breast tissue. Probably because she had chemo first. I had surgery first, then chemo. Sending good wishes and prayers to you and your mom. In time it really does all get better.