I have agonized over whether I should post this or not but as this is a place for support for all of us, I would greatly appreciate your good wishes, prayers etc.

I am leaving for UCLA for a biopsy of my prostate in 30 minutes and it has been messing with my head, big-time. I should have my results next week and I will advise.

Some background. I recently had a DRE (Digital Rectal exam) and the urologist at UCLA found that my prostate was asymmetrical with one lobe 2x the size of the other and he recommended I have an MRI of my prostate which is a non-invasive procedure. That was done last week and the results are "mildly suspicious" for prostate cancer. 3 out of 5 where 5 out of 5 is the worst.

Interestingly it seems that prostate tissue is similar to breast tissue, from what I have been told, and just as there are many false positives with Breast MRIs there are false positives with Prostate MRIs as well. Maybe as much as 35% of the time the results are inaccurate. If I am in that group, I will be truly amazed and delighted. I have been called Steve for 69 years but I may change my name to False Positive.  

The urologist felt the MRI and biopsy were advisable because both my father and his brother had prostate cancer and family history is the number one risk. Also I am BRCA1+ which confers additional risk.

http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/15/3/1112.full" rel="nofollow - http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/15/3/1112.full

http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/31/14/1748.abstract?sid=22600e96-6b93-4c3f-b0bc-45bf2677acf5" rel="nofollow - http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/31/14/1748.abstract?sid=22600e96-6b93-4c3f-b0bc-45bf2677acf5

Yesterday, I told the last of my six children about the test and the biopsy. I almost waited to do so until I have the results of the biopsy but felt that since they are open about their health issues with me, especially my daughter who was diagnosed with TNBC in 2004 (August will be 9 years NED!!!) and is still doing surveillance and talks to me about it, I felt it was not fair to just tell her (she elicited a promise from me to tell her if I ever have health issues) so I told everyone and I am glad I did. I feel better that they know. 

And I have told several women, from the TNBC forum, verbally, this morning and I found their positive words very comforting, but I am running out of time and have to get to the hospital so my apologies to those who I didn't call personally. I would much rather have spoken to you on the phone but I still feel it is better to post now than to post that I have cancer. And hopefully, that will not be the case.

By the way, I had a biopsy in 2007 and it was negative and at the time the MRI technology was not as advanced and they blindly took 12 core samples. It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack and another reason for me posting today is to let you know, so you can share the information with loved ones that there is something called a FUSION biopsy which I am told is  state-of-the-art. I think it is available in only a handful of centers around the country. I know Yale Cancer Center has one in addition to UCLA. Those MR images then help guide the urologist to the suspicious areas and the biopsy is done more intelligently.

Here is some info-

My physician at UCLA is a Dr. Leonard Marks. Super guy. I asked him about what he thought about getting a second opinion on the pathology and he felt it was a good idea and is ordering one at Johns Hopkins. I think that is very important to do regarding breast cancer, as well.

http://leonardmarks.com/" rel="nofollow - http://leonardmarks.com/

My former urologist at UCLA, Dr. Peter Schulam is the one who told me about the new technology. He is 

now Chief, Urology at Yale Cancer Center in New Haven. He is one of the leading kidney transplant surgeons in the country. I treasure our friendship.

http://medicine.yale.edu/cancer/patient/programs/prostate/members/peter_schulam-2.profile" rel="nofollow - http://medicine.yale.edu/cancer/patient/programs/prostate/members/peter_schulam-2.profile

Thanks in advance for your support. 

with my love to all here,

Steve

 

It's gonna be fine Steve.

Love

Mainy

I was anesthetized (local) and then something went wrong with the equipment and there was a fairly long delay and I guess the anesthesia wore off. Not a fun procedure. Doc saw more blood than usual. Maybe off the coumadin (I have AFIB) and even with Lovenox bridge I guess his advice is for me to take it easy for a few days is prudent.

In analyzing my decision to share the news with my family and loved ones I think the thing that helped me survive and cope with my Mother"s passing when I was 20 was the fact that I was intimately involved from the very beginning, when I was 16. I was an only child and she was a single Mother after their divorce when I was six. I did not see my Father for 25 years...a story best left unsaid.

My Mom was my best friend and she told me everything about her illness and that helped me be prepared for the end. Please understand I was still totally devastated and actually a part of me is till devastated but her honesty and openness helped enable me to get through the ordeal. 

Similarly, when my daughter was diagnosed with TNBC she told me that she had a lump that she had walked around with for four months and had not told me because she felt it would be too painful for me to know..so the first call I got was "Daddy, I have breast cancer." We discussed how devastatingly shocking that was to me and she promised to be honest from that moment on and she has and I have with her.

Every family dynamic/relationship is different and of course things need to be handled in an age appropriate manner.

Kirby, Denise, Silverclous, Mainy and Annie thank you. The women and men who populate this marvelous resource are truly my second family. Telling you just felt 'right' to me.

I want to get one post out now regarding Harbin...Other than that I think I am going to call it a night.

with my love,

Steve

As others stated above, you will have all of us with you. I am so grateful for all you do for us and so many others. Although we are hear on this site, most of us having never met in person. But some how we are all very important to each other in everything that goes on for us.

Thank you for sharing your news, I will be sending positive thoughts for negative results & little stress.

A bit of humor here : Sooooo if it is similar to breast tissue, can you have a prostectomy to rebuild if needed?? Hey we might be breaking on new ground here hahahaha. It only takes one idea right?? 

Much love to you Steve, you are in our prayers.

Natalie

Thinking about you tonite, and hoping the biopsy shows no evidence of cancer. It is absolutely appropriate for you to come to this forum and share with us...we are a loving family, and you are a treasured advocate...

Hugs to you, and you know, we hold you in our hearts...

I'm so sorry to hear of your recent health issues.  I sincerely hope all goes well for you.  We are all praying and sending positive ++++++++ thoughts your way.

 

Lots of Love and Prayers,    And a big ---

Diana

So sorry to hear about your health issues,please don't hesitate to ask one thing from us you have been with so many here through the thick and thin of things and you are so helpful with advice you are one true blessing sent from above,yes I am so sadden to hear what you are going through but at the same time very thankful that you included us, you are always in my prayers and you always will remain in my prayers for good health and happiness we are one great connected team here so you have alot of back up!Like you said mri's have alot of false positives believe me I know and you have probably the best medical team behind you so between all of our prayers and your wonderful doctors you will get through this I promise..

Prayers sent to you...

Denise 

I so wish for you a clean bill of health. We all know the worry you are experiencing, as we have lived it, and continue to live it. I will be thinking of you and praying for your continued good health. I know this community loves you dearly and you have helped so many people that I believe you have earned many good karma points and that counts for a lot with the big man upstairs!

Bless you,

Lisas

 

Please know that Susan and I will be praying for you and are grateful that you have allowed us the opportunity to return the love and support you have given us.

 

Martin

Thanks for sharing and so glad you did.  You know we all love you and will lift you up dear friend.  We will be waiting on the results with you and hoping you can be renamed False Positive too!  I have all my fingers, toes and eyes crossed.

Hugs,

Donna

Thank you, all, for your kind wishes. I just read the whole thread and was deeply moved by the sincerity of your words and realize how lucky I am to have such a wonderful TNBC supportive family. 

Whatever happens, if is very comforting to me to know that you are all in my corner. In fact, we are all here for each other in a gentle, intelligent, caring way and that is the hallmark of this wonderful resource. 

There was a wonderful, spunky lady who posted as Caryn Rose who first introduced me to this forum many years ago. She received wonderful support here as she fought the fight and suggested I come here. I am so thankful to her for that introduction. From the first moment I felt welcome and have been ever since.

By the way, I don't think I ever shared my first meeting with Caryn Rose. We had spoken on the phone, corresponded a lot, for maybe a year but never met. She lived in New Jersey and I in Los Angeles. We were 'cousins' in that she had the exact BRCA mutation I and my daughter have and she, like my daughter, had TNBC. She was in active treatment and we agreed to meet in the waiting room of the hospital. "How will we know each other?" I asked...I don't think we had pictures on the site in those days..."we will find each other...I will be posting" and sure enough there was Caryn in the corner of the room typing away...and we joyfully embraced. She had just finished a radiation therapy session but found the time to introduce me to a ton of friends, nurses and even an administrator who gave me a tour of the facility. She then drove me to her house where we picked up her in-laws and we went to a Jersey diner, which is always a treat.

I guess the point I am making is that the culture of caring that she described is still here and it is so very, very precious. As best she could, she was always supportive and informative to all of us. Obviously, I don't know what next week will bring but my heart will always be here even if at certain times, my fingers, will not. And I know everyone will understand. Everyone 'gets' it here. There is no requirement to post and people, sometimes, return after a long absence and they are always welcomed with love and support. The re-entry is seamless as it should be. There are no cliques here which might make people uncomfortable. Sure, when you are here for awhile you know more people than a newbie, and friendships are formed away from the site, which is great, but a newbie will find, I believe, a lovely warm welcome and continued support for as long as they desire. And there is one woman, A, whose friendship I cherish who reads everything posted every day but doesn't post. A, thank you for your beautiful text and sending you and S. cyber hugs.

with my love for all and thank you again for helping me with my angst,

Steve

 

Just read your post and want you to know that all my prayers, thoughts and wishes for a negative result are with you.  I am so very sorry that you have to go through this and all the anxiety that comes along with it.  Please know that I care and I am keeping you close to my heart during this difficult time for you.  God speed.

 

Love and a big hug for you,

Linda

 

As for telling your family...........I had that decision to make myself last year right around this time.......lump found 5/29.........Biopsy 6/4..........My son was graduating from his MBA program 6/9 and all my kids/spouses/girlfriends were going to be there for the event.  Do I tell them now about what I'm facing or do I wait until I know.  Since all of them live out-of-town I thought a face to face talk telling them about the biopsy/lump was better than after the weekend telling them by phone with all of them being shocked that I didn't say anything at the time.  So I plunged through it......I managed to be able to tell each of them separately and I'm so glad I did. I asked them all to pray for me.  When I got my news on Mon. 6/11 I was a bit of a basket case and ended up very emotional as I called each one.  I also called as many of my extended family and friends so they could pray for me.  I firmly believe in the power of prayer.  I have put you and your family on my prayer list.  Here's hoping for good news!

I haven't been on here much in the past few weeks and this is the first post I read. I am thinking of you and praying for good results.  You are a rare soul, in this world it is hard to believe such a selfless, supportive and kind person exists. Wishing for the best and hoping for an update soon.

Shortstuff

thank you for your kind thoughts.

MLindaG-it's funny, I think we all have a tendency to think our experiences are unique. For many here, TNBC was the first cancer experience and it is a good thing, I feel, to share that experience with others who have gone through it and often it is comforting to know you are not alone and that is one of the reasons TNBC is such a good resource. We all can share and hopefully learn.

Until I read your thread about your son's MBA (congratulations by the way) I felt my agonizing over the following was unique and obviously it is not. An explanation. My second to youngest son is 29 and hopefully (it's not done, done yet but it is looking good) he will be graduating university with a PhD in 3 weeks. He defended his thesis successfully last summer and his main thesis advisor signed off on his written thesis last week as did the second on his committee. Still waiting for the 3rd. Anyhow, it is very rare that all of my children are in the same place at the same place as my two daughters live on the East Coast (NY and PA) and my four sons in California (two in No. CA and two in Southern). Hopefully, we will be together soon.

Everyone with the exception of my daughter in NY will be at his graduation and I thought..."I could tell them all in person the Saturday night before the graduation" and maybe the biopsy is negative and I may not have to say anything at all. But what if it is positive and I 'ruin' the graduation with my news?

I am very much an 'in-person' person meaning that I like to be there, in person, for important meetings/discussions. Some of you know that I have travelled across the country to be at consultations with oncologists. I don't think that being on speaker phone is the same but at times it must suffice.

So here you are MLindaG agonizing over what to do as I did. The core of all of this is that the last thing most of us want to do is hurt our children but sometimes because of circumstances, we have to, and they will become upset and worried about us (as we worry about them), and that is part of life. The same son who is graduating soon wrote a email to me  "please let me know if there's anyway I can be helpful during this time." A 29 year old reaching out to a 69 year old. Sweet stuff.

I just saw your posts a few minutes ago.  I am so sorry you are faced with this horrible waiting for answers from a bioposy.  Just know that I am praying for you, whatever the outcome and, "May it be Negative dear God".

 

You made a good decision to include your family in this; also a good decision to share it with your TNBC family.  All of us want to support you in these anxious days.

 

Love and God Bless,

Lillie

So sorry to hear of your health concerns. I'm so glad that you were able to share with the group, however. You are very special and important part of what goes on here. I'm glad that you have given us the opportunity to share our thoughts and prayers with you and your family just as you have for each of us.

Hoping for false positives for all!

Allison

Lot of kisses from Brazil with hope that the results will be negative!!!!

Judy

thank you!

Dear Judy,

muito obrigado e espero que você esteja bem.....I wish I could say I have been practicing ...thank you for your wishes..

To all,

I really have been trying my best to think positively and I definitely have found much beauty these last couple of days. But when my son said to me at lunch yesterday "if the false positive rate is 35% why don't you concentrate on that?" I wish I could. Instead, probably stupidly, I have been doing a bunch of research on PCa. There is an outstanding urologist I met at a conference a few years ago named Peter Carroll at UCSF. He was quoted in an article I read as saying "There is more good information out there on how to buy a toaster oven than how to treat prostate cancer." I quoted that line to a urologist friend of mine and he laughed and said..."wow, what a great line." 

So besides the fact that I still have a long wait till Thursday and the uncertainty is a pain I have been reading about, at least, ten different treatment protocols....all dependent on whether I have PCa of course and what Stage it is. It is admittedly a poor exercise because I don't even know if I have PCa but my nature is to try to do research and become more knowledgeable so that when I do meet the urologist this week I am able to have a more intelligent discussion. I already am better prepared than I was a few days ago and I would like to continue learning. 

There are also certain more advanced genetic tests that might be useful. It is also impossible for me to make appointments for a second opinion until I know if I have PCa. 

Having said all of the above, your prayers and good wishes mean so much to me and truly help me, even though I am a bit funky. The warmth I have received is just so precious to me and appreciated more than my words can properly say.

So, again, thank you all.

with my love,

Steve

Mainy

Thanks so much and look at the young Clint Eastwood. Your short videos are great. I probably should look at some Tim Conway playing the boss with Carol Burnett. That always cracks me up. Thanks for the distraction.

Got some Pacers vs Heat to watch and my wife is cooking pasta and zucchini so I should be in shape for awhile.

warmly,

Steve

 

I just saw your post.  I hope that you are feeling better.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and I am hoping that you soon will hear the words "false positive." 

 

your friend,

Michelle

I have not been on here in weeks and just saw your post.  I am so sorry to hear of this and certainly hope that you hear the words "false positive." 

 

Best regards,

Christina

Thank you!!!!

Dear TNBC family,

urologist just had to check me out to see when I could go back on Coumadin...he coordinated with cardiologist and we now have a plan. all systems look good...just waiting for the news...

Steve

................

Best,

Lisa

You have been in my thoughts as you wait for your test results.  Just wanted to know how much we all care about dear friend.  Yes, the diagnostic part can be the worst, waiting for the results.  Sending you a big hug.

Donna

I just got fantastic news!!!!!! All 12 of my core biopsies were benign for prostate cancer. There is a lovely nurse at the urologist's office and we have become friendly. She got the urologist's permission to call and give me the good news. 

I am genuinely stunned and overjoyed.

Evidently your prayers and good wishes worked and I was/am so moved by the outpouring of support I received.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

with my love,

Steve

Love, Love this good news!  So happy for you

Hugs,

Donna

 

I am so happy for you. You are the best

 

Sabine

You've made my day.

 

God Bless,

Lillie

Charlene

I'm very happy for you! What a relief this must be. Go out and enjoy the wonderful weather we are having in LA right now!!!

Best,

Lisa

So happy for you and your family!!!  Wonderful news! 

 

Michelle

This is really an extraordinary place.

I received a text message a few minutes ago from my dear friend, Harbin, who just had major surgery yesterday. She is "tired" and I know if she admits to being tired she is. She took the time to congratulate me on my good news. 

http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/team-harbinprayers-requested_topic10696_page1.html" rel="nofollow - http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/team-harbinprayers-requested_topic10696_page1.html

And a newbie, Jude, who is actively in treatment took the time to wish me well, too. Jude, thank you so much for thinking of me. Your words are so appreciated.

And special thanks to a young woman, overseas, actively going through radiation therapy, who has taken the time to write me and speak on the phone. Thank you and glad you were right.

And again, for everyone who has written, emailed me, texted me or called I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

With all the new members posting I am hoping that this thread will fade away but one of the reasons I posted was to let everyone here know about the new technology of 3D MRI of the prostate and the use of the MR to help guide the biopsy. I know many of you have loved ones in your life who are doing surveillance for prostate cancer and this is a diagnostic tool that can be useful. And if your loved ones are not doing surveiilance please encourage them to start. Also for any men with the BRCA mutation and/or a family history of prostate cancer please do your surveillance early. Age 40 is suggested. Not just annual PSA but DRE, as well.

Even though it seems I do not have a problem the urologist is sending my slides off to Johns Hopkins for a second opinion. Hopkins writes that they have saved many men from a major surgery because their analysis showed that a previously diagnosed cancer was not. In the same vein, it is possible that my benign condition is actually cancer. Obviously, I hope the first analysis is correct but I feel the prudent thing to do is get the second opinion. Knowledge is power. 

http://pathology.jhu.edu/department/services/consults/urologic.cfm" rel="nofollow - http://pathology.jhu.edu/department/services/consults/urologic.cfm

I know that it is often not recommended by most oncologists but I feel everyone with TNBC should get a second opinion on their pathology, especially because of the fact that HER2/neu about 15-20% of the time (as per USC's Dr. Michael Press' study)is diagnosed as negative and when analyzed by FISH it is positive thereby opening up the possibility of Herceptin as part of treatment.

It is essential that the second opinion is done by a excellent pathology dept. Some excellent ones are at Vanderbilt, Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson, Hopkins and USC. A good oncologist should be helpful and suggest an institution s/he has confidence in. Please don't be afraid to ask.

with my love to all,

Steve

http://urology.jhu.edu/jonathanepstein/publications.php

warmly,

Steve

Hugs,

Donna  

Lot of Hugs!!!!!

Thank you for the information about seeking second opinions.  Although confident in my doctor here, I did consider going to Mayo.  (Our granddaughter, age 12, spends much of her life in their care due to a genetic heart defect called tricuspid atresia. )  

There are so many wonderful and encouraging folks on this site, you included.  I definitely feel wrapped in the safety of the arms of others who've gone through this battle. 

I asked twice (once to local surgeon and once to doctor on UAB onc's team) about getting a second path opinion report and got no where, so I just finally accepted getting no where.   Am happy for you that you have good doctors who will listen to you and go that extra step for you.  

Kaye

thank you for your good wishes. I am old fashioned and in an ideal world I would love to send everyone a handwritten thank you note. As that is not possible, I am trying my best to thank everyone, individually.

I truly cherish all your encouragement and kind words and again, thank you.

Grace-I am so sorry that your granddaughter has a heart condition requiring care. I sincerely wish her well. I have a 13 year old granddaughter who is one of the bright lights in my life.

Your diagnosis of metaplastic, sarcomatoid TNBC can be a tough one to make, according to the Johns Hopkins site. 

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/avon_foundation_breast_center/breast_cancers_other_conditions/metaplastic_breast%20_cancer.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/avon_foundation_breast_center/breast_cancers_other_conditions/metaplastic_breast%20_cancer.html

If you have had your original pathology work done at a place like Hopkins that may suffice but treatment options and opinions may vary. My guess is that you should have a window of time between your chemo and your radiation therapy. From my experience that might be the time to get a second opinion. I wish you good luck going through the ACT. 

I assume when you say Mayo you mean Mayo in Jacksonville? If that is the case and you are often there please consider trying to get an appointment with Dr. Edith Perez. It can be very difficult to get an appointment with Dr. Perez so I think there might be some value in setting something up, even months in advance. You can always try to move it up if needed. I have found Dr. Perez to be an outstanding oncologist and a lovely, caring woman.

http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/mayo/research/staff/perez_ea.cfm" rel="nofollow - http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/mayo/research/staff/perez_ea.cfm

Grace, if you would ever like to talk I am sending you my contact info and I volunteer my time as a patient advocate so no charge. Also, no medical advice.

warmly,

Steve

I am sorry you were not able to get your medical team to agree to a second opinion. Without their cooperation the second opinions can become very expensive. 

I am very pro second opinions, both for pathology reports and treatment plans. I just want to clarify that I am not insensitive to the fact that, for a variety of reasons, it may be difficult, for some, to get the second opinions. At the end of the day, we all have to try our best to gather the information and at times, decisions are made, as you mentioned, to accept "getting no where.".

Also, often the second or third opinions can create confusion for the patient, as different oncologists may have different suggestions. 

Nevertheless, I find that, often, patients can distill the information and make a decision; although, at times, it is an agonizing decision. That is the nature of this beast, at times, unfortunately.

Thanks for your good wishes.

warmly,

Steve

I would suggest you consider seeing Dr. James Ingle.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/bio/10171878.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.mayoclinic.org/bio/10171878.html

It can be tough to get in to see him. Please let me know if you need any help.

And Mayo has an excellent pathology dept.

Another thought is MD Anderson Cancer Center.

You can scroll down to an article on a metaplastic breast cancer. Dr. Stacy Moulder, there, has a particular interest in metaplastic breast cancer.

http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/departments-programs-and-labs/departments-and-divisions/investigational-cancer-therapeutics/newsletter/phasei-vol-7-1-july2011.pdf" rel="nofollow - http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/departments-programs-and-labs/departments-and-divisions/investigational-cancer-therapeutics/newsletter/phasei-vol-7-1-july2011.pdf

And please be aware don't let the headline deceive you. This trial did not work for everyone. Grace, not saying you should look into a clinical trial. Just wanted you to know that MD Anderson and Dr. Moulder have an interest in metaplastic breast cancer and might be a place to have a consultation. 

good luck to you..

warmly,

Steve

I am very sorry to alarm you and thanks for your kind words.

love back at you,

Steve

 

So glad to hear that your test came back with great news.  My brother had prostrate cancer Stage 2 in 2008at age 70 & had radiation & hormonal treatment.  Unfortunately he passed away in March 2009 to a massive heart attack.  In March 2010 at age 70 I came down with IDC TNBC of the left breast Grade 3.  I had a left mastectomy no reconstruction that was Stage IIB 5.1 cm S/N 0/3, M0.  They did the IMC & the FISH test.  The IMC TEST WAS ER 0, PR 0 HER-2/NEU 2+  The FISH came back negative.  I also had a 1st cousin on paternal side who had breast cancer in 2004 or 2005 whose cancer came back to abdominal area in 2011.  She passed away in April 2012.  I did not have the BRACA1/2 done.  But have finally decided to talk with a genetic counselor as I worry about my granddaughter  & my son getting cancer & I am the only cancer survivor in my family now.

 

I wish you & your family the best and am excited to hear your good news.

 

 

 

 

Dx: age 70 3/2010 IDC TNBC Grade 3. 5/2010 left mastectomy no reconstruction Stage IIB 5.1cm, .S/N 0/3, M 0, followed by chemo of Taxotore & Cytoxin, then radiation to chest wall

  

Thank you so much for this information.  Chemo starts the day after tomorrow.  Would contacting him in mid-September after chemo be the best approach or do you think I should do so prior to that?  My doctor here seems quite knowledgeable on the subject and easy to talk to.  Do you think I could give her the name of the doctor in Mayo as someone who's knowledgeable about my type?  Don't want to come across as saying to here, "Here's someone who knows alot more than you......" and would phrase it with diplomacy.

Grace

 

Thank you that is very reassuring.  I will not be talking to a genetic counselor until next week.  The NCCN Guidelines is somewhat confusing .  My cousin's breast cancer I do not think was TNBC but don't know for sure.  I think she took Tamoxicin (not sure of spelling).  She did the double mastectomy 5 or 6 years when she had her first bout with breast cancer yet it still came back to her abdominal are at the end of 2011 & passed away in April 2012.

 

In my family history there is some Jewish blood on my mother's side.  My grandfather was Jewish & I don't understand what they mean by an Ashkenazi Jew.  I do not know if it was on his father or mother's side or both.  I think it was his father's side going by his last name.  As far as I know only my cousin & myself are the only ones who have had breast cancer. Family never talker about stuff like this.  There is a history of lung cancer in the family.  I am the only cancer survivor left now.

 

I don't fall into the criteria for TNBC either yet I got it.  Go figure!  back in 1992 when I was 52 they found a stellate are of parenchyma distortion around the 2 o'clock position with a indistinct nodular density about 8 mm in the center.  They did a needle localization surgical biopsy (they took 2 specimens).The radiograph specimen written report said it was conceivable that altered spatial architecture secondary to unavoidable deformation of the specimens hs resulted in failure of radiographically.  On the other hand, there does exist the possibility that the worrisome breast lesion has not been resected.  Two months later they took a biplanar mammogram & there conclusion was that increasing infiltrative mass density at the biopsy site mot likely represents a radial scar subsequent to the biopsy & fat necrosis as opposed to advancing carcinoma.  However, at this time, advancing carcinoma could not be excluded.  To make a long story short I had several 4 to 6 months or yearly mammograms.  All the time my mammograms came back abnormal on the left side ever since that biopsy in 1992.  So to this day I will never know if that tiny little cancer had been growing inside of me slowly for 18 years.  My cancer in 2010 was at the 6-9 o'clock position. and the ultrasound on that in 2007 when it was  less then 1 mm said it was a benign cyst.  I missed my mammograms in 2008 & 2009 & a nuclear stress test at my cardiologist office in Feb.  my cancer showed up by then it was 5-7 cm.  That test saved my life.  So I am thankful to say I am still here today

 

I hope your second opinion comes back with good news also.  You are family to all of us here & you are a real star.    Try to always have a positive attitude that helps to get through things.  If you want to talk you can reach me at (707) 782-0892.  Take care & God Bless and keeping you & everyone in my prayers.

 

Nonna........Barbara

Ashkenazi Jews-

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Ashkenazi+Jews

I am glad you are here, too..

This is hard to do on the message board. I will call you tomorrow to continue the discussion. Please understand, I am not a doctor and will not give you medical advice but hopefully I can help you clarify some things.

Thanks for your kind words.

warmly,

Steve

here are some thoughts from the American Cancer Society regarding second opinions and some suggested questions for your oncologist. Ideally this should be a cooperative effort not adversarial.

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/talkingaboutcancer/talkingwithyourdoctor/talking-with-your-doctor-getting-a-second-opinion" rel="nofollow - http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/talkingaboutcancer/talkingwithyourdoctor/talking-with-your-doctor-getting-a-second-opinion

also a utube video I love...The speaker is a cardiovascular surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic but the principle is the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd48rSvBGrk" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd48rSvBGrk

The hallmark of a great oncologist, in my opinion, is one that welcomes a second opinion because there is always the possibility that the person giving the second opinion can be helpful and benefit both the patient seeking a second opinions but also, possibly, other existing patients your physician may have.

warmly,

Steve

p.s. I can't advise you as to when you should get a second opinion. One time, for sure, is if things are not going according to plan. Hopefully that will not happen. Having an appt. 3 months in advance is not a bad idea in my view if that coordinates with your next scan.

Congratulations!!! So happy to hear the good news!

Allison

Hi! Steve,

A friend of mine was diagnosed with a 10cm tumor (not TN) on the Friday b4 she gave birth on Monday (MEM DAY)   She started chemo and got her pet scan results today and only her breasts and a few lymph nodes lit up--which biopsy had already found...also great news for her so celebrating all the good today has brought to our family 

 

Maggie

 

 

a huge sigh of relief...my second opinion from Johns Hopkins showed everything benign.

Thank you all, again and again,

Steve

 

I am so happy to hear the good news for you.  You are a valuable inspiration to all of us  You have a terrific gift that helps all of here and we hope we can do the same for you.  Enjoy your Father's Day coming up on Sunday.

 

 

 

Nonna..........Barbara