2 days ago... |
Post Reply 
|
Page <1234> |
| Author | |
trip2 
Senior Member 
Joined: Jun 03 2007 Location: Under Palm Tree Status: Offline Points: 8549 |
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote Reply
 Posted: Oct 25 2008 at 5:52am |
|
Hello Joanne and welcome to our forum.
I'm sorry to see you've been diagnosed but we are glad you found us, this is such a special place to be for information and support.
Thank you for sharing about the Gilda's Club near you. We hope when you are ready you will share a little bit about yourself.
I hope you are doing well during your treatments,
|
|
|
Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
|
 |
|
|
Lauriejn
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 18 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 25 2008 at 5:13pm |
|
Donna, Kathy, Pam and Joanne- thanks much for responding.
Remembering a favorite mantra- if you don't know what to do, do nothing at all...part of that control thingie.
Surgery is scheduled for November 7, MRI on Monday to check on other side, lymph nodes and chest. I believe the techs may find an infection in the area of the biopsy. Its been very sore for a few days- odd that its been weeks since the biopsy. Skin in the area isn't discolored, or hot to the touch- just very sore. Oh well and I here I thought brca wasn't "painful".
 Peace.
~Laurie Edited by Lauriejn - Oct 25 2008 at 5:14pm |
|
|
Dx Oct2008- IDC Gr 3/Stage 3C
Mastectomy 11/7/08- 6/21 nodes Bone Mets dx Dec 2008-Stage 4 Albany, NY BRCA neg |
|
|
|
|
Nancy
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 25 2008 at 5:17pm |
|
Laurie,
Have you told your doc that you think there is an infection? That MRSA is really rampant everywhere....still! Do not mean to frighten you, but please have it checked.
Nancy
|
|
|
Nancy
DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007 Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst mastectomy July 6 2007 chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov 28 rads ended Jan 2008 |
|
|
|
|
Lauriejn
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 18 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 26 2008 at 7:40am |
|
Nancy- I plan to call doc on Monday while I'm at the MRI (in same bldg) Its not at all sore today, not even to the touch. Yesterday, even when I was still it was painful (almost like a shooting quality) Odd, glad it stopped and will speak to doc tomorrow. Thanks! Laurie
|
|
|
Dx Oct2008- IDC Gr 3/Stage 3C
Mastectomy 11/7/08- 6/21 nodes Bone Mets dx Dec 2008-Stage 4 Albany, NY BRCA neg |
|
|
|
|
trip2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 03 2007 Location: Under Palm Tree Status: Offline Points: 8549 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 26 2008 at 11:12am |
|
Hi Laurie,
Be sure and let us know how Monday goes and I agree with Nancy, be sure and ask about the soreness at your surgical site. Some discomfort is expected. Are you running a fever? If so you need to find help soon.
Good luck,
|
|
|
Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
|
|
|
|
Cookie
Groupie 
Joined: Feb 05 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 70 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 9:25am |
|
Laurie:
For sure, see your doctor regarding the pain. I had my lumpectomy 1/14/2008. I started 1st chemo in Feb. finished the end of March and shortly after my breast became pinkish felt a little harder and a little bigger. I was in AZ for the winter so on my way home to MI I got a fever of 104.7, had chills one night never knowing it was from what was going on in my breast.
Long story short got home 4/17 saw my new onc in MI on 1/18 and ended up in the hospital with a staph infection in the same breast that the lumpectomy and biopsy were done. I was hospitalized for 3 weeks on IV of vancomiacin and had to take 6 more at home.
The thought is that I got the infection at the time of the lumpectomy but when I went on chemo shortly after it didn't materialize until the chemo was finished. Talk to the Dr.! Make sure he examines you too.
|
|
|
COOKIE
3- 9 Richardson Clean Nodes 4.5 cm Clean margins Stage pT2, pNO, PMX (spot on right lung showed up in routine chest x-ray too small to biopsy)Lumpectomy 1/14/08 |
|
|
|
|
KCMCF
Newbie 
Joined: Oct 27 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 10:02am |
|
Here is some advice to help your 3 1/2 year old. My 35 yr old sister(last year was diagnosis grade 3A with node involvement,TNBC BRCA 1+) who is like a second mom to my children( at that time was 3 1/2 and 5). I had concern how to tell my children. Tell them what you think they could understand. I told my children Aunt TT will have to take a medication that will make her hair fall out. But it is only a medication that adult take. So when Chemo started, nurse told her about a date when her hair was going to fall out. We make it on the calander and we had a hair cutting party. All of her neice and nephew where there and they all help cut and shave Aunt TT hair. Do not hide anything from them be honest it will make them stronger. My children any time they see a breast cancer ribbion the alway say "look breast cancer". Hope this helps. We even have picture from our hair cutting party. Remember take one day at time. Fight! Colleen
|
|
|
|
|
trip2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 03 2007 Location: Under Palm Tree Status: Offline Points: 8549 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 2:34pm |
|
Hi Colleen,
What a great idea, thank you for sharing how your family handled informing the children.
I hope your sister is doing well now.
|
|
|
Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
|
|
|
|
Lauriejn
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 18 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 4:49pm |
|
Oh good lord- send me into a burning building any day just don't ask or tell me to have another MRI. Not a twenty minute experience I'll be repeating- ICK!! I asked the tech what she saw in the 4400+ pictures and left it open for her to answer- wasn't expecting her to so when she came out with "nothing in the left breast or lungs" I was a bit shocked!! The doctor will review the results by Wednesday so I'll post more then.
PA examined biop site and found nothing...I am not running a fever nor have swelling or discoloration and have found the jolting pain has subsided. I am monitoring for symptoms. For now I am content believing its the "pacman" created during imagery meditation to eat cancer cells.
 Peace.
~Laurie
|
|
|
Dx Oct2008- IDC Gr 3/Stage 3C
Mastectomy 11/7/08- 6/21 nodes Bone Mets dx Dec 2008-Stage 4 Albany, NY BRCA neg |
|
|
|
|
Lauriejn
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 18 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 27 2008 at 5:10pm |
|
Colleen, Cookie and Pam- Thank you for the responses. Two books were delivered today "Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings" and "Tickles Tabitha's Cancer-Tankerous Mommy"- most excellent books for younger kids and discussion. The most important part for me is my little peanut is surrounded by people she loves and who love her when I have the surgery and the weeks following.
All is good. Peace.
Laurie
|
|
|
Dx Oct2008- IDC Gr 3/Stage 3C
Mastectomy 11/7/08- 6/21 nodes Bone Mets dx Dec 2008-Stage 4 Albany, NY BRCA neg |
|
|
|
|
Lauriejn
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 18 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 28 2008 at 8:17am |
|
Per the surgeon, he spoke w/radiologist and reviewed the MRI pictures quickly - he won't get final copies until next week - The left side is clean, the lymph nodes are not enlarged or clumped however the tumor seems larger than originally thought - 4-4.5 cm. Surgeon did mention that the MRI does tend to enlarge (seems like he may have been blowing sunshine in my general direction) Is it possible that the tumor has grown that significantly over two weeks?
This potentially changes the stage.
Peace. Laurie
|
|
|
Dx Oct2008- IDC Gr 3/Stage 3C
Mastectomy 11/7/08- 6/21 nodes Bone Mets dx Dec 2008-Stage 4 Albany, NY BRCA neg |
|
|
|
|
trip2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 03 2007 Location: Under Palm Tree Status: Offline Points: 8549 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 28 2008 at 9:01am |
|
So Laurie, does this mean your doc doesn't have a full report yet?
I know it isn't easy but I would try and not get too worried. You need to know what the final conclusions are for that scan.
Stay busy as you can for distraction, go shopping, out to lunch, read a funny book or watch funny movies. Fingers crossed nothing will have changed.
Keep us updated,
|
|
|
Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
|
|
|
|
Lauriejn
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 18 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 28 2008 at 2:48pm |
|
Pam, no he doesn't have the full report and won't until early next week. I am glad he called to give me some news and honestly it got me thinking and researching more so I can hit him up with more questions tomorrow...First question- were any dead cancer cells found in the biopsy. For me, its important to know how quickly this tumor is growing. It is grade 3 and maybe the doctor didn't release all the information. I am still having surgery next week and with more info, I may decide to have a bilateral done instead of the right only.
Means I need to work harder to get NED.
 On another note, I read the books mentioned above (pg 3) to DD this morning before going to work and what an effect- she thanked me for buying them to help her learn (she is only 3 going on 20) What a ticket.
Peace. Laurie
|
|
|
Dx Oct2008- IDC Gr 3/Stage 3C
Mastectomy 11/7/08- 6/21 nodes Bone Mets dx Dec 2008-Stage 4 Albany, NY BRCA neg |
|
|
|
|
Lauriejn
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 18 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 29 2008 at 5:31am |
|
My doctor loves me
 I've taken up faxing him questions. At least I got a chuckle out of him. MRI results due early next week.
Peace!
|
|
|
Dx Oct2008- IDC Gr 3/Stage 3C
Mastectomy 11/7/08- 6/21 nodes Bone Mets dx Dec 2008-Stage 4 Albany, NY BRCA neg |
|
|
|
|
ReneeST
Groupie
Joined: Jul 18 2008 Location: Seattle, WA USA Status: Offline Points: 60 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 29 2008 at 7:26am |
|
Hi Lauriejn,
Stay on the Internet, but read things written within the last 2-3 years. For me, the reports and articles before 3 years tells me I am going to die tomorrow. So much has been gained in recent research.
Initially, my tumor was 1.2 cm with the biopsy, ultrasound and mammogram. The MRI moved it up to over 3 cm. What I was told is that laying face down in the MRI tray, the breast tissue stretches - becomes elongated. Thus the large size of a tumor.
My hospital had a team approach - the surgeon, Oncologist and Radiologist met with other teams to discuss each case. They also have a Breast Cancer Nurse Coordinator who coordinates the appointments and gets answers quickly from the docs. It has worked out very well for me!
I wanted chemo first to ensure that it was working, shrinking the tumor. I couldn't get anyone to budge on this issue and went ahead with surgery first. That's something for you to talk with the Oncologist about, leave the other two out of the decision.
Also, has anyone mentioned getting a port-a-cath or PowerPort placed while you are having surgery? It has helped to save my veins for chemo.
Lastly, I consulted with 3 Oncologists (after surgery, dang it) and all no longer use Adryiamycin. They agreed, looking at the path reports and surgical reports, that 4 doses, 3 weeks apart, of Taxotere and Cytoxan given at the same time would do the trick.
With the clinical trial, would they cover the costs of the drugs?
|
|
|
56 yo Seattle, WA Stage 1, Grade 3, 1.3 cm IDC Lumpectomy Aug 2008
SNB neg;4 rds Taxotere & Cytox. BRCA-2 Variant. 16 Rads Jan 2009 "Canadian Study" www.reneesbumpintheroad.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
|
Lauriejn
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 18 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 30 2008 at 3:58pm |
|
Renee- thank you for responding. I'm not sure I've had time to think whether chemo prior to surgery was an option. I want this beast out of my body and November 7 cannot come soon enough. The tumor has grown. We say we know our bodies best...I found the tumor when it was tiny and now I'm feeling this thing reaching up under my nipple. 5 weeks and I'd say its doubled in size. Calling surgeon tomorrow to voice concern at how quickly its grown. Not liking this turn at all. I will meet with the onc after surgey and healing begins so says the surgeon. I believe a port will be "installed" in December. Oh Happy Holidays! Odd, my companion/fiance is in the pharmecutical industry engineering this stuff I'll be taking soon and none of the trials are held in our area. Unfortunately, Boston is the closest location and that is over 3 hours away. Oh, I spend 80% of my days on the internet for work so not seeing info is out of the question!! I will be more careful at receiving newer items. Good advise! Peace. Laurie
|
|
|
Dx Oct2008- IDC Gr 3/Stage 3C
Mastectomy 11/7/08- 6/21 nodes Bone Mets dx Dec 2008-Stage 4 Albany, NY BRCA neg |
|
|
|
|
krisa
Senior Member
Joined: May 21 2008 Location: Portland, OR Status: Offline Points: 1090 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 30 2008 at 4:44pm |
|
Laurie, (my daughter's name)
Tumors can grow fast-especially grade 3-TNBC, by the time my tumor was removed from when it was discovered, I believe it almost doubled (28 days). People would tell me over and over again, to take my time in making decisions because the cancer had been there for years and years and a few more months would not make a difference-I BEG TO DIFFER! Maybe some breast cancers have been there for years and years and you have more time to make decisions, but not with my breast cancer...I was like you and wanted the cancer OUT ASAP. |
|
|
|
|
Bunnysmama
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 19 2007 Location: Newburyport, MA Status: Offline Points: 254 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 30 2008 at 5:48pm |
|
Hi Laurie, I was 37 when I was initially diagnosed (I'm now 39) and my daughter was just about to turn 3. From my experience, I can tell you that her biggest concern was not that I was "sick." She wasn't (and still isn't) old enough to be able to understand the degrees of sickness or that anything could be worse than when she has a cold. The most difficult thing for her to understand was when I lost my hair during chemo. That was a change she could actually see and could verbalize, and it was very upsetting to her. Even now, almost two years later (hooray!) she mentions on a fairly regular basis that she doesn't ever want me to lose my hair again and that she can't wait until it grows out long "the way it's supposed to be."
Having been through treatment with a young child, I'd be happy to talk to you more if you'd like. Just let me know.
Best wishes!!
|
|
|
Dx 11/06 @ age 37
IDC Stage I, Grade 3 BRCA2+ |
|
|
|
|
trip2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 03 2007 Location: Under Palm Tree Status: Offline Points: 8549 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 31 2008 at 8:26am |
|
Hi Laurie,
You might consider asking your surgeon to put your port in while you are having your mastectomy and that would save you from having another surgery.
|
|
|
Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
|
|
|
|
Lauriejn
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 18 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Oct 31 2008 at 8:43am |
|
I didn't realize the port could be placed that far in advance!! Surgeon stated chemo would not start until early December/late November. Excellent- thanks Pam!!
Bunnysmama- My daughter has picked out a matching purple wig we can wear on weekends. She feels its a game and I'm willing to let it be one at this point
 Thank you everyone for the solid advice and comments.
Laurie
|
|
|
Dx Oct2008- IDC Gr 3/Stage 3C
Mastectomy 11/7/08- 6/21 nodes Bone Mets dx Dec 2008-Stage 4 Albany, NY BRCA neg |
|
|
|
Topic Options
|
Post Reply
|
Page <1234> |
Tweet
|
| Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |