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poookyquilting 
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Joined: Oct 04 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 45 |
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 Posted: Nov 08 2007 at 6:26am |
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JOYCE WHAT PART OF MICHIGAN ARE YOU IN? I'M IN THE DOWNRIVER AREA
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jabutler172
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Joined: Nov 07 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 22 |
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Posted: Nov 08 2007 at 7:56am |
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Jan, Not that far away, St. Clair Shores
Joyce
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jabutler172
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Posted: Nov 08 2007 at 8:01am |
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Jan,
Not that far away St. Clair Shores
Joyce
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lorraine
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Joined: Nov 08 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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Posted: Nov 08 2007 at 9:40am |
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Dear Ruth,
I am new to this website. I am a 72 yr old white woman who was dx
with triple negative breast cancer. Today I had a port surgically put
in for the preparation of chemo. My surgery was 10/11/07.
There is so many questions about treatment now which gives me much
concern. It seems that the medical oncology people are now having
second thoughts about "one size fits all" type treatment. They are
discussing different treatment possiblities with the patients. ( How can
we make these decisions?)
Firstly, did you feel very sick after the treatment? Have you had any
bad side effects..(heart, etc)? When did your hair go..(after how many
treatments?)
Reoccurrences is a big issue. Does age enter into the statistics?
I should be starting treatment end of next week.
Any information would be greatly appreciated. (from anyone as well)
Thank you.
Lorraine
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Galina2
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Joined: Nov 01 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 250 |
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Posted: Nov 08 2007 at 11:21am |
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HI, Lorraine, did you have a lumpectomy? I am surprised you already have port and have a date for your chemo! I had a double mastectomy and oncologist still not in sight! You are LUCKY! The age is great of advantage for you! What I have read so far woman after menopause have much better prognosis. Galina2
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peach
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Joined: Jun 22 2007 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 112 |
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Posted: Nov 08 2007 at 1:00pm |
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Welcome Lorraine, I don't know the answer to all your questions but I will answer the ones I do. When it came to treatment decisions I was basically told I would have AC dose dense and then Taxol dose dense (which is every 2 weeks) Some people get the same combination every three weeks. And since I had lumpectomy I am having radiation. I did get nauseated after each treatment but it was doable with all the medication they can give you. I lost my hair after my 2nd treatment 14 days went ahead and shaved it since it was coming out in handfuls.
Good luck with your treatments and know you can come here and get good advice.
Pat
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jabutler172
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Posted: Nov 09 2007 at 2:55am |
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Lorraine,
I had chemo 4 AC and 4 taxotere. With the nausea meds they put in your IV and the Emend you should not have nausea, if so very slight. Make to ask for Emend it does wonders you take it for 3 days.
Joyce
DX 4/03/07
Chemo 4 AC 4 Taxotere Competeted 8/30/07
Lumpectomy 10/01/07
Re-excerison 10/11/07 clear margins
Radiation will be completed 12/13/07
Triple Negative
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patricia
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Joined: Oct 26 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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Posted: Nov 09 2007 at 5:38am |
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Hi Lorraine,
I am a 57 yr old white female. I had a lumpectomy in Oct. 06. My kemo started the 1st week in Nov. 06. They gave me 4 of AC and 13 taxol. I lost my hair 2 days after the 2nd treatment. I had my hairdresser measure me for a wig and I ordered one from the catolog they have me from the ACS. I didn't feel good but I could usually keep something down. I found pasta, potatoes and bread was my best bet. The girls in the kemo room were great and kept adding premeds. They got it right about the last treatment. The taxol was much better but I was very tired. Of course I still worked since I prepare income taxes and most of my treatments were during our busy season. They let me have my kemo at lunch time on Fridays and then I just came home until Monday. Radiation did not make feel sick, only tired. I got one sore spot. Good luck to you and keep in touch.
Patricia
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Galina2
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Posted: Nov 09 2007 at 4:31pm |
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Hello, Kirby,
I hear for the first time I will be seeing my surgeon again! Why is that? Will he be checking for recurrences? How? Why? How often? Tx Galina
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Galina2
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Posted: Nov 09 2007 at 5:02pm |
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Helo, Jan in Michigan,
you story is exactly like mine! Since needle biopsy showed no cancer(!) I had lumpectony, which was dx as Triple Neg. They did not do nodes, so I have opted for mastectomy and nodes. How long did it take you to get to chemo after both lumpectomy and mastectomy? Tx Galina
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Galina2
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Posted: Nov 09 2007 at 5:14pm |
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Hello Erinbarron,
too bad you have to go through this again. Did you have double mastectomy? How did they find the positive nodes in the chest? I hope you will do fine with this treatment! Galina
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dixiegal
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Joined: Oct 14 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 50 |
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Posted: Nov 10 2007 at 5:17am |
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Joyce, I am just catching up on postings and saw your note. My situation is very similar to yours! Am 55 yr old while female, was diagnosed on 3/8/07 with 2 cm invasive ductal cancer in left breast. I had lumpectomy on 4/10/07 and completed chemo (8 sessions: 4 A/C and 4 Taxol) on 8/30/07.
This Friday (11/16/07) I will have completed 33 treatments of radiation. Following new bone and CAT scans on 11/19 and a final consult with my onc on 11/26, I will have completed all scheduled treatment/appts for this bc in 2007. Don't know what the ongoing schdule will be for followup appointments, but I am anxious to resume my fitness program begun prior to diagnosis and regain energy for continuing a healthy life...knowing that recurrance is always a possibility but fears of same CANNOT rule my life...
This triple negative status is a concern but I am very optimistic about new treatments and drugs... good luck on your personal journey.. Dixie
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Cheranthia
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Joined: Nov 10 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Posted: Nov 10 2007 at 9:31am |
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Hello everyone,
I am 49 years old and was diagnosed with stage IIa BC (4 cm, node negative, grade 3, triple negative) in April. I just finished neo-adjuvant chemo (4 AC + 4 Taxotere) in October and had a lumpectomy four days ago. I am still waiting on the pathology to find out whether or not they got clear margins before starting on the next phase of treatment- radiation. I wanted to share my experience with my triple negative sisters because I think we need to hear more good news. With all the bad stats we hear, you've probably also heard that one thing in our favor is that we tend to respond well to chemo. In my case, even though the tumor was large to start with, the chemo shrank it to the point where it couldn’t be seen on the mammo or ultrasound! My surgeon was extremely pleased that my oncologist had had a clip placed to mark the location of the tumor prior to chemo. When I expressed my concerns about recurrence to my oncologist, he said that the tumor’s great response to the chemo made for a much better prognosis. Of course, I still worry, but his confidence makes me feel better. Maybe it will give you hope, too. Meanwhile please keep fingers crossed for clear margins and not too much of a rough ride through rads. Cheranthia |
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kirby
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Joined: Oct 09 2007 Location: bay area,california Status: Offline Points: 1088 |
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Posted: Nov 10 2007 at 10:37pm |
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Galina2, I just read your questions. I hadn't been on the computer for a couple days. I am unable to answer any of your questions however. First, I don't know enough background to even venture an answer and 2nd, there can be so many variables it is best to hear what your surgeon has to say. I always try not to flip until I know what exactly I need to flip over. Otherwise it is needless worry. I realize that advice is easier said than done, even for myself, in some cases. How long is your wait for the appt. with the surgeon? I would call the surgeon, if the wait is long and leave a message that the anxiety of the wait is difficult and if he could just give you some information to make the wait for appt. more bearable.
Keep us posted. My thoughts are with you, Kirby
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lorraine
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Joined: Nov 08 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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Posted: Nov 14 2007 at 8:52am |
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Dear Patricia,
I cant believe that you are able to work while taking treatment.
That gives me hope!!
Tomorrow I start the kemo. Scared to death over it. My protocol
is the same as yours. The Ac four times...two weeks apart and
following each treatment neulasta. Then 9 weeks of taxol.
I have osteoporosis and so I will have Boniva next week through the port.
Did you have a port put in?
My oncologist is a very distant man and not in any way comforting.
You would have expected that in this field of medicine he would
have more compassion. I have heard this from other patients as
well. Maybe people skills cant be learned. It has to be inside of you.
My best wishes are there for all of you.
Thanks to you,Joyce,Galina & Pat for answering.
Lorraine
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patricia
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Posted: Nov 14 2007 at 10:58am |
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Lorainne,
Please let us know how you make out. I'm sorry your doctor in distant. Mine was good but the girls at the kemo center were wonderful. I've heard this from all the kemo centers around here. I had my AC on Wed. and went back to work on Monday. So I missed Wed - Fri every other week. Don't be afraid to ask for more premeds. Good luck. Let us know what's going on.
Patricia
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dixiegal
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Joined: Oct 14 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 50 |
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Posted: Nov 15 2007 at 5:10am |
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Lorraine -- welcome....do not be afraid of the chemo therapy. I had exactly the treatment plan you are starting; mine started in May and finished up by this past September. We are so lucky to have drugs that really hit the cancer cells hard, esp the triple negative ones!! The latter are very susceptible to A/C and the Taxol. If we are going to do battle, why not use the biggest 'guns' available!! This is war.
Except for the day of treatment and day after (ie, Thurs-Fri) I also worked fulltime thruout my treatments. It is doable. Make certain to ask for whatever anti-nausea medications you need, however. I had a tough first session -- then was given 1st and 2nd tier anti-nausea drugs to help me out. I never had a bout of nausea thereafter. Do not be a hero -- ask for whatever drug help you need to get thru this. Take things a day at a time. Give yourself permission to rest more...eat what sounds good. Drink LOTS of water above all else. I have my final radiation treatment tomorrow (#33)...my hair is coming back now (about an inch long at present) and I am very grateful for the treatments....I will have final onc consult after Thanksgiving plus final CAT and bone scans on 11/19...good luck to everyone out there... Dixie |
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dixiegal
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Posted: Nov 15 2007 at 5:12am |
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Lorraine -- I forgot to mention that I DID have a port inserted to help with blood draws and the IV chemo treatments. It is a wondeful invention -- almost painless, too -- much better than being poked in the hand or arm every two weeks!!! By all means get the port!! Good luck today with first chemo! Dixie
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lorraine
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Posted: Nov 15 2007 at 11:16pm |
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Dear Patricia
Thanks for your response.
My treatment was done today (first time) I was nervous about it but
it was OK. I was grateful for that.
I have a headache and some minor reactions...no nausea yet.
My treatment will be AC for four sessions, followed each time by
the neulasta, two weeks apart. I follow that with taxol 9x each week.
Then radiation. Its a long haul.
What really gets me is that although my oncologist has good
credintials, I am not happy with him. He is a very distant type
person, hardly meets your eyes when he speaks to you and is in
no way encouraging or assuring. I want to hear honest information,
but there are ways to explain things by saying a cup is half full or
half empty. He has not developed "people skills". My husband keeps
telling me not to dwell on that but I find that hard to do. I was told
for the third time that the triple negative tumor doesnt have a very
good prognosis. (I assume compared to the others) My tumor was
1.3 and in stage one. Not happy to hear him say that.
This is a battle, as they say.
Thanks to Joyce,Galina & Pat for answering me as well.
I wish all of you the best. Any information is welcome
Lorraine
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trip2
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Posted: Nov 16 2007 at 4:31am |
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Patricia I thought my first Onc was "Dr. Frosty" and he seemed to resent my hubby asking questions, it was strange. But we got thru it. Then he retired and the next Onc I felt was cold and probably overworked and I didn't think much of him either. This was the only place within decent driving distance that I could get treatments but I came very close to finding another clinic. After time he seemed to warm up and will actually sit down, look at me and listen to and answer my questions. Neither one would offer extra info so I've always had to ask these other questions that we read about or hear from other breast cancer patients.
Never was I told about triple negative, I learned on my own and asked about prognosis and keep pestering him for anything new.
I would think being a cancer doc would be very challenging. You're having patients come in with all kinds of problems and you know you will loose some of them, maybe that is one of the reasons some of these docs prefer to stay distant but will care for you and try their best.
Women do change Onc's so don't put up with things that greatly disturb you. I know you've just begun your treatment, I sure hope your Onc comes around to make you more comfortable.
Best wishes,
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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