SURVIVAL ODDS IMPROVED AFTER 2 TO 3 YEARS MARK???

Suzanne

Suzanne

 

Sorry to hear you had a second primary.  I think (and I'm no doctor) that it is very different than the three year mark the researchers are talking about in the research Joan posted.  In that, they are talking about a distant recurrence of the first cancer.

 

My doctor has been cheering for me all along, but has felt for about a year now that I was past the high risk recurrence window.  I  was also blessed to be BRCA negative.  That said, I did (and continue) to do everything I can to improve my body's chance of fighting this off (very little alcohol, lots of exercise, good diet and brassica tea -- www.brassica.com and www.brassicatea.com. -- I promise I have no "tie" to them, but the research is compelling ... I order online).  I'm not sure how much this all has helped, but it has given me the feeling that I continue to be active in my treatment so it has definitely given me a mental edge.  Who knows why some people recur and some don't ... the mystery of cancer and one of the many things we still have to learn.  In the meantime, just do all you can to enjoy life and take care of your body. -- [One note:  Not assuming everyone is going to run off and order tea, but anyone in active treatment should check with your doc before you do... I know mine wanted me to stay away from antioxidants until I finished radiation.]

 

And I agree that the title of this string is opposite of what it should be.  Our survival odds increase at the three year mark.

 

Best,

Cathy 

 

I think you just wrote the "magic sentence"...

 

"My own onc,, who has been in the business a long time, says that in her experience TN recurrence peaks at 18 mos post dx, and that she has never seen a recurrence after 4 yrs post dx in women who have had aggressive chemo and bil mastectomy.

 

I give her much creidit for saying that if she did not see a response to the chemo in that time that she would recommend going for surgery. Give us her name!!

 

We have a member who has completed chemo and almost finished with rads, and has a lump behind the nipple on the other breast. "They" are telling her that it is just a cyst. She will have a bilateral after rads. But...what if this is not a cyst? If it is a new primary, then she will begin chemo all over again? I am somewhat confused by what they will recommend.

 

Two weeks from the 4 year number...sweetie...you should be having the biggest celebration ever!!

Many hugs,

Nancy

 Does it reoccurance peak 18 months post dx or post end of treatment? Also the 4 years post dx or post end of treatment? A little confused I thought the count was once all treatment was completed. Thanks  for any info. I am post dx 12 months now.

Eileen

 

Linda

 

Sweetie, I would bet that your mind is just racing right now. I cannot begin to imagine what you are thinking, and....Lori feels the same way you do Linda. She has said that she will never go through the chemo again, as there are no guarantees. She does not want to live that way.

 

Linda, when she had the scare about 6 weeks ago, she said and I quote "Mom, I will just throw myself under a train, as I will be paralyzed if the cancer is in the neck, and I will not live that way".

 

Will you  not go for another opinion? Most docs expect you to do that, and if they are really good docs....which you said yours is...then they are never offended. Did you have a CT scan when you were first dx? They would have that as a baseline and could compare it with this one. There are many lymph nodes in the body, but I think the majority are under the arms...around the breast.

 

Once the thoracic surgeon takes a look, then you will have a better idea of what to expect. Please get a second opinion...it cannot hurt, and we will all be pulling for you. Please let us know what the thoracic surgeon finds.

 

Much love and light your way Linda...and I will have you wrapped in a blanket of love,

Nancy

 

I know that the Neulasta is anywhere from $2000 to $7000 a shot, and the oncs can giv out samples, so you definitetly have winner with Dr. Chottiner. Not just for the Neulasta...but for being a caring human being. Many are caring, it is just the ones who allow people to endure suffering who need to get another carreer.

 

The oncologists have you life in their hands, and when they go that extra mile, they make the journey of chemo so much more bearable. Give her a hug for me

Hugs,

Nancy

 

Now that is a true "girfriend" sweetie...and it's not that your hubby is not strong, he is just concerned about you and is worried. These are matters over which you or he have no control. My husband does not like situations like that either.

Love,

Nancy