do all tnbc get chemo?

Miraclegirl27

RDW

RBC Distribution Width

Increased RDW indicates mixed population of RBCs; immature RBCs tend to be larger

Hi Cookie,

I got the above info from another website and copied and pasted it here.  RBC is red blood count.  I don't really know anything more about RDW.  Your test result shows yours is only elevated a little bit.  RDW is the 'RBC distribution width' (?).  I'm not sure what that means.  Not sure if this helps or confuses.  Take care.  Jeanne

guitarGrl

Hey Jeanne -



Best of luck on your decision - there really is no right or wrong answer. I fought with this decision too and then opted to go with the chemo, but then I live 2 miles from the hospital. Since you had the lumpectomy, what will you do about radiation?



Susan

Miraclegirl27

Hi Susan,  Thank you for responding to my post.  Yes, this is a very difficult decision.  We all want  the best treatments for our own individual circumstances.  I did not have the traditional 5-6 week radiation.  I had the radiation known as MammoSite 5-Day Targeted Radiation.  I completed that treatment on January 18.  MammoSite has a website which explains all about this treatment.  In short, a small balloon is surgically implanted into the lumpectomy cavity.  A catheter(tube) extends outside the skin.  An amazing computer is used to insert a radioactive particle (they call it a 'seed.') in the tube and into the saline filled balloon.  The computer administers high dose radiation internally rather than the traditional external radiation.  I had 2 treatments each day for 5 days.  They lasted about 10 minutes each.  It was a breeze!  There is criteria a patient must meet before this type treatment will be administered.  I am ever grateful I was a candidate for this option.  How are you doing with the chemo?  You should have a high survival % with catching that nasty cancer early and hammering it hard with chemo.  I wish you the best.  Feel free to send me a pm any time if you just want someone to 'talk to' or for support.  Whatever.  I am here for you. Or, any other woman who would like to pm me about what we're all experiencing now.  Take care.  Jeanne

LisaSDCA

Hi Cookie -

Sorry, I just saw your question about RDW.

Your MD and nurse are not being conerned about the slightly elevated RDW because it alone is no cause for concern. If it were accompanied by low hematocrit and low hemoglobin then they would be talking about anemia. During my chemo, my RDW got to 16.9 and my hemoglobin and hematocrit tanked, as did my MCHC, MPV, etc. I was pretty darn anemic and it just added to the chemo fatigue. But boy-o-boyeee, those daily shots of neupogen I was injecting into my belly kept my neutrophils high - and that's the main thing they look for.

I found this site to be valuable, because I kept track of my values each treatment. Hope it helps you, too.

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cbc/test.html

It has resources for about any test your docs will want to run during this little adventure.

Good luck to you - hope your port is settling in comfortably.

Lisa

LisaSDCA

Hi Jeanne -

Just thought I would mention that I know two long-time survivors who had the precursor to Mammosite (the iridium seeds). They both had lumpectomies, the seeding, and no other treatment. No recurrences and it's been over 15 years for each of them. I do not however, know their receptor status. But they are both thrilled with that treatment!

Lisa

Miraclegirl27

Hi Lisa,  Thank you so much for responding with such positive information concerning your two friends~over 15 year survivors.  And, no chemo.  Great news!  This is the most positive info I have heard.  Thanks for sharing.  It made my day.  Take care.  Jeanne

HollyHopes

hello guitargirl,

i think the C might be cytoxin. i had adriamycin, cytoxin and taxol - dose dense followed by 31 rads...wishing you the best...