2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

sherryhaire

I had bi-lateral on Sept 6th, it is now Sept 17th referral for Med/Onc this week DX IDC Stage II With Intramammary lymph node positive. ER+ PR+ I believe HER2/Neu+ Anxious

Calico

Hi Sherri,

I had a bilat. with expanders on the 6th also
7 mm IDC with 0.3 mm micro mets to the first of two SNL
er/pr = 80/50 % Her says 1 + but that normally is negative, FISH test pending.

I assume I will start chemo (4 AC plus 4 Taxol dose dense every two weeks) either at the end of Sept or Beginning of Oct.
Will have my port in on Monday (I AM SCARED of that too, everything scares me right now), had muga on Friday and will have bone and CT this coming week.

We can do it and kick cancer butt!!!

God Bless

sherryhaire

Hi Calico
Have not had reconstruction Dr says not an aoption until all treatment is complete and healed Still have some fluid buildup after drains came out-- Hope to see Med/Onc this week anxious to know what the treatment plan will be and to get the ball rolling Have already had Bone scans and chest exrays but not a Muga Scan Hang in there keep in touch hopefully we can keep each other going.
Sherry

MrsBee

I might be part of this group, depending on what we find in my pathology and what the oncologist says. If I have chemo, I guess it will start in October.

Calico

Sherri,

will they take more nodes??

MrsBee,

good luck on your path report, is there a chance you might not have to do chemo?

We can do it!!!

God Bless

sherryhaire

Chemo is definite says a positive Intramammory node is as bad or worse than axillary node as they do no have much info and study to go on. My sentilen node and 1 axillary node was negative--Dr says rare condition but lymph draining different direction still positive. Please keep in touch we need the support. MrsBee when do you find out path report? Have you had Biopsy-, Lumpectomy? Mastectomy?

mjsherrill

Add me to the list with you illustrious women. I have a meeting with the onc on 9/28, then port inserted, then chemo! Happy travels to all of this down this road.

CandiMcNeal

Hi! I think this is where I seem to fit in. I was dx in mid-July with IDC, stage II, 3.5 cm, triple -, and no lymph involvement, and had a dbl mast on 8/2 with reconstruction. I had my port placed on 9/2 and have already had my first dose of AC (will get 4 and then 4 of Taxol). I am doing dose dense, which is great as I will be done sooner than later. I was really surprised that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The AC treatment just made me feel REALLY hung over for about 3 days and then I was fine. My second tx is this Wed. and then the week following that will be when the hair goes, which I am really upset about. The surgery was easy compared to how I think I'm going to feel about the hair, isn't that weird? Anyway, I'm glad to see that I have a few people going through the same thing at the same time, which is comforting to know that I'm not alone. Hang in there everyone!

sherryhaire

Candi
You are definitly not alone!! We will all get thru this together! I will be glad to know what my treatment plan will be and get started because then I know it will be over soon.

Constantlyhope-2005Aug10

Hi Calico,
I was so scared of having the port put in. I had it done last Monday and I cried throughout the operation--cried and shook uncontrollably until I finally got the morphine drip. I wasn't as frightened at all during the two operations to remove the tumor and the second for an axillary node dissection. But I was a genuine basket case for the port. I think because it was all so real and I'm still not ready to accept it. And it hurt! But it feels much better this week, honestly. It's not as if I've forgotten it's there, but I can move my neck and such. I did the Muga on the same day and the ct scan the week before. I'm ready to start TAC on Wednesday.
Good Luck,
Constance

Calico

We can do it...we can do it...we can do it....

Constance,
didn't you have any anesthesia? Not even concious sedation??
sounds awful.
That's what I was scared of, funny, huh?
But now I am glad that I get it, if it hurts that much!!!!

God Bless

I wish it was over, mine is today at 2.45pm MST....

Just another "bump" in the road...

God Bless

Constantlyhope-2005Aug10

Calico,
No, I didn't have general anesthesia. Instead, I had a numbing shot for the area and a morphine drip. Did you have general anesthesia? The operation itself didn't hurt--I was just so nervous. Afterwards, it hurt, particularly when my little girl banged her head there almost as soon as I got home in order for me to read to her. I don't think she's ever seen me yell as loudly. Most people don't even need pain meds, but I had some left over from the other 2 operations that helped. You'll do great! I love and appreciate your attitude. I look forward to hearing how you do.
Prayers being sent to you,
Constance

MomaJunk

I should have started chemo in Sept but have found possible ovarian tumor (don't know if it ovarian cancer or spread of breast cancer) and must have it removed before starting. I'm having it done by a gyn onc who will test during surgery and do historectomy if necessary at the same time. Will this delay hurt my chances of chemo helping to keep cancer from coming back? DX=3.3 idc grade IIa tumor er+, pr+, her2 gene -, no nodes involved, mast on 8/23.

Calico

Constance,
yes I had general, I thought it would be conscious sedation.
As soon as I told the anesthesiologist what a chicken I am, he came with an extra syringe (I call it the 'kiss my b*&^ shot' )

I 'survived' and had a little pain (muscles on back and shoulder mostly, range of motion, just as I feel I get better with the expanders and all ) That too will pass!!
I guess you'll hold your little one on the other side from now on!

God Bless

Calico

Hi Moma,
sorry about your hard time right now and subsequent fears.
I read that some people don't start chemo until 6 weeks later or so. You had no nodes which is great.

Why do you only have the ovaries tested and not yanked out at the same time. Given your er/pr + status (and possible Tamoxifen?). Sorry, sounds easy, but I am a big chicken, if they had me under (which I fear most, so the less often the better) for surgery on these parts anyway, I make them take them out for fear of higher ovarien cancer risk anyway with bc diagnosis.
I hope you won't have it or if you should, I pray that taking them out will cure you!!!!
Try not to worry about chemo timing, this is more important and should not be delayed at all!!!

God Bless

sherryhaire

For all of you in this group my prayers are with you that ALL of us recover and continue to help those that come after us. Thru the bad and the good please keep in touch share your feeling so no of us feel alone

MrsBee

Hi, guys. Just checking in.

I had lumpectomies on August 26, but they found more cancer than what we thought was there in my left breast. We'd thought there was only DCIS in the left breast, but they found ILC and atypical hyperplasia. Also, my margins on the right breast tumor were "close." I go in on Thursday for bilateral mastectomies with immediate reconstruction. I'll probably get the pathology back on the left nodes within about a week or so after this surgery. At that time, I'll see my medical oncologist and she and I will discuss my treatment options. Right now, I'm in the grey area - ER/PR positive but Her2 negative, stage I in all the cancers and all low grade. However, that tumor removed from my right breast was 1.8 cm, throwing me into the grey area - too large to definitely rule out chemo but a bit small to say I definitely need it. So I won't know for a couple of weeks on that.

But, whether I have chemo or not, I will be here to encourage and cheer the rest of you on.

MomaJunk

Calico,

They haven't tested ovary, just noted enlarged size for postmenopausal woman on cat scan and had ultra sound done, showing neoplasm. Dr. tells me they cannot test until after removal.

How did your port insertion go? I was also wondering about that part of chemo.

sherryhaire

Finally have appt with Onc on Monday to discuss treatment plan will be getting port will be glad to have it but not looking forward to another durgery no matter how small. The last 2 weeks have felt ok but yesterday even my clothes hurt my skin has anyone had this?

Calico

Sherry,
my skin itched all over my chest and neck, I thought I had touched poison ivy, no rash, just itch, I wonder if it was my nerves (amazing what I'm coming to ). Port surgery was okay, I still feel it, hope it goes away soon (I know it will).

Moma,
Port went well, I am glad they remove your ovary then? both?
I wish I had mine out too (and here I am scared of ANY surgery too, ha!)

Hang in there ladies, you don't hang alone!!

God Bless

ruths2

Hi ladies!
I'm really gald to read your posts and know you're here! I had a mastectomy 7/26 with 13 positive nodes. Er+PR-, Her2 negative. Finally, after a bout with lymphedema in my chest and underarm, and a cyst on my ovary that had to be checked out, I'm starting chemo next Friday. I feel like I did before labor, scared and worried but knowing that the only way to the other side is "through".

I am an elementary school principal and work in a true "germland", so I'm a little concerned about my white counts and being around all the children. I guess we'll just have to see how it goes. I really want to keep working through this if possible.

Sometimes I just can't believe that this is really happening in my life. I'm a 46 year old mother of two grown kids, with my second grandchild on the way. I have a great boyfriend and a job I really love and am good at. I finished my PhD last year and thought that this would be the year I just get to coast...no such luck I guess.

Anyway, you are all in my thoughts and prayers as I read your posts and know that we are truely not alone in this.

-Ruth

MomaJunk

Calico,
Good to hear that the port insertion went well, sorry you are itching all over. Sounds as if there could be some kind of alergic reaction the the local ans.
There is only problem with one ovary but they will remove both with laproscopy and test, then if there is cancer will open up and do complete historectomy and check nodes in abdomen. This way I will only have one surgery. At least that's the way I remember it being explained to me. I must then heal before starting chemo. The onc. recommended second generation regimen hormonal and chemo therapy. I'm not sure what that will mean yet.

Calico

Ruth,

sounds like you are a strong women wanting to work through this, just be extra carefull.
Life is full of surprises, you are right there!!
What kind of chemo are you getting?

Moma,
itch is gone
Hope they find nothing bad in there!!

God Bless

Calico

I'm getting nervous, I am not as brave as I pretended

All my scans are done, hoping for no surprises!!

God Bless

sherryhaire

Finally have appt with Onc tomorrow I guess it is time to get the ball rolling on chemo and such I'm not sure what to expect but am ready as I'll ever be. Hope all is well out there

Anonymous

Preliminary results of frozen section during my SNB showed no invasion, but I'll find out for sure tomorrow. Then I'll know if I'll go through chemo like the ladies in this thread. I am scared to death. I hope we all go through this without too much pain. Good luck.

Poppy

Hi Ladies
I'm in the July group but wanted to stop by and wish you all the best. I know that there are tons of fears and questions that pop up before starting chemo and/or rads so if you ever need answers look us up! A ton of the side effects you hear horror stories about will never happen to you. A couple words of advice -

If you do A/C, gargle with baking soda and Biotene mouthwash. Everyone swears by those things and I did it and never had a mouth sore.

You will not feel sick or weak if your WBC count is low! If you're not taking WBC shot(s) then be cautious of germs and wash hands frequently. Carrying Purell around is a good idea. If you take neulasta or neupogen shots your count will be just fine!

The worst side effect I had with the A/C part was the fatigue. Second - the changes in taste buds but now that I'm on taxol, that's not a problem anymore. Take your meds faithfully and you shouldn't have nausea. If you still have nausea, call the doctor immediately and have him/her change your meds. No one should suffer through.

Chemo is totally doable. It's not a picnic, but you will get through it. Having a group like this has been a wonderful experience for us July girls and I know it will be for you too! I wish you all easy treatments!

Hugs
Erica

Anonymous

Thanks, Erica. We need to see more encouraging posts like yours.

Anonymous

I will do 4 A/C's in October in spite of negative lymph nodes. Then radiation after a month's rest. Chemo should be over by year's end. Radiation should be over by February or March. So I guess I do belong to this group. Here's to a cancer free future!

Calico

Thanks Poppy,
we need encouragement!!

Sherri, hope you can start soon.

Brenda, glad to hear you have no nodes!

I toast to a good journey!!

I'll start chemo tomorrow, yikes!

God Bless

sherryhaire

Today I will have Muga Scan and have Port put in
Calico good luck with chemo