MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

elimar86861

momto7,  Do you mind if I ask you to clarify?  DCIS is Stage 0, and does not produce mets...so is what you have IDC (Invasive Ductal Cancer?)  Also, I am surprised that if you have mets, that you were given surgery already and that more is being considered.  Maybe I am wrong, but chemo is generally the main course of treatment with mets.  I know it is hard being new to all of this, but I am just asking you to clarify, so that the answers that you get from your B/C sisters will actually pertain to your situation.   I'm not really sure why you can't get the M.R.I.  Do you think a second opinion might be of help?

elimar86861

Did too much Pac-Man in the 80's cause my breast cancer?   Who knows what Packy's other three enemies will lead to.

                                                      

Pinktober...are we having fun yet?

olgah34

Momto I had not clean margins twice. Second time they both surgeon and Oncologist insisted on Mastectomy. Radiologist was adamant, she categorically resisted to do radiation without clean margins. So I end up doing BMX after 2 lumpectomies.

marlegal

Momto7, all my best to you while making a decision. That part sucks - I swear it's easier to confront anything once known. I'm not an expert on your particular situation, so I don't really feel qualified to give advice, but I second the idea of getting a second opinion. If you have insurance, it should be covered.

Eli, I'm ready for the dreaded pink month to end already!!!!

olgah34

Marlegal, congratulations1 what a cutie!Somehow this month I don't see pink much.Even Marie Claire magazine did not have ANY article about BC...weird...

Paula66

Congrats Marlegal, hes so precious. 

Well today didn't go as good as I had hoped for.  My daughter got her BRCA tests results back and she has the same mutation as me.  I'm a bundle of emotion right now.  This is one thing that I didn't want to pass on to her that's for sure.  I tried drowning my sorrows in a huge bowl of my favorite popcorn, but that didn't help.  Hubby got laid off, so retail therapy is outa the question.  I'm sure that tomorrow will be a better day, just right now it stinks!

momto7

It is funny one of my younger sisters and i both tested bracca negetive  my other sister who is younger also tested bracca positive and she did not even want us to have that info i have no idea why  i am sorry your daughter is positive pray it helps huggs:)

momto7

It is hard Reading these reports it says that i have

invasive lobular carcinonma nottingham grade 1 of 3 extends focally to the inked margins / lobular carcinoma in stitu wjile the tumor demonstrated prominent  lobular features overall histologic features indicates that the tumer is best classified as invasive mammary invsaive carcinoma then they put it at stage 2

she had sent the slides off to Nashville  Tn. to get another reading

 my surgen said the slides show it is scattered through out the breast  and she had never seen it like that  that it may be calcifications  but then it might not be she did not get clean margins the second time  my oncologist  and surgen both recommended mastecomey

Meece

Momof7, Eli~ is right, it looks like you don't have DCIS, it appears to be ILC.

elimar86861

Well, that makes a little more sense now, momto7.  It seems that you hav ILC (invasive lobular carcinoma,) at the very least, which often does not have a distinct tumor mass, and it can be hard to image.  I don't see anything about mets, and if you had mets you'd be getting CT scans and PET scans to discover the extent of it.  It still may not hurt to get a second opionion, or at least draw up a list of questions for your current doc and do not conclude the next visit until all your questions are answered and you have an understanding of whatever is important to you.  A lot of times people will take a friend or family member to the office visits because it is good to have two sets of ears listening so nothing gets missed.  Some even take a tape recorder.   By me saying all this, please do not think I don't think mastectomy would be a good choice, if it is as widespread as it seems. 

I wish member Dianarose would check in, as she had widespread cancer of several types.  I think she would relate to what you are describing.

Paula66,  So sorry your daughter's results were positive for the gene.  I'm sure she would have been vigilant about breast detection anyway.  Now she has the tough decision whether or not to do something prophylactic at some point.  With her knowing, at least she won't be blind-sided if something does come up AND I think the biggest benefit might be a better monitoring of the ovaries, which sometimes get overlooked.  That ovarian cancer can be sneaky and deadly if you are not watching out for it.  You could aways get your retail therapy at a garage sale for a fraction of the cost. 

A final unrelated remark:  We never get political on this thread.  This is not the place, really.  However, I will report that my current record for getting dinnertime phone calls for political surveys is up to THREE in one night now.  I know it's all like marketing, like where to spend the most effective campaign ad dollars to swing a few votes over, or even where the candidates need to put in an appearance, but I'm no help.  When they ask me who I'd vote for, I tell them I really respect that little American custom of the "secret ballot" and if I told them, then it wouldn't be a secret anymore.   I am always pleased to make this remark.  The robo-calls, on the other hand, don't even allow for this small satisfaction.  Grrr!

Meece

Didn't mean to just post that and leave. (DH needed my help)

Momof7, There are thread which have lists of abbreviations which can help you navigate through the reports.  Keep up your upbeat attitude, it can be one of your best treatments.

barbe1958

Momof7 (isn't that a Jackie O' avatar???) I think what the ladies are trying to say is that you need to edit your Dx below your posts. You mention mets, which by your pathology aren't evident and you list DCIS which should be changed to ILC. We answer questions based on that information so it does get confusing. I hope this helps you! 

barsco1963

Welcome Momof7 - 6 girls and one boy huh? I bet he had his nails and hair done a few times - lol. You have found a great place to come for support and knowledge. We are all here for each other.

Paula66 - Sorry to hear that your daughter is also BRCA + but as eli mentioned, she will be monitored well for both breast and ovarian cancers.

My scan results are all good - nothing there that shouldn't be!

Gonna try for one more day of drying clothes on the line today. Not a cloud in the sky (for now anyway). Beautiful day!

Paula66

The main reason I asked my daughter to get tested is because of all that is out there as far as how they think women with a family history get it.  Last year they said that if an auntie gets it that the chances for her would be 10 years earlier then the auntie.  If that is true then my daughter needed testing because my sissys first cancer was when she was 30.  Like a lot of us I have read some much out there about how much younger the woman are getting it.  A lot of girls my daughters age are getting it and by the time they get a doctor to listen to them, it's at stage IV.  That was another reason that I wanted her to get tested so that this can be avoided also.  Her doctor has recommended that she start her monitering now.  So in a couple of weeks, she'll start her mammos, then in 6 months and MRI.  She will also go for a trans vag US yearly to keep an eye out on the ovaries.  We have talked but she said that surgery is outa the question right now.  I know she's still in shock and that this may change. 

Welcome momto7.  The gals here are very wonderful support for whatever you need.  Your close to me.  I'm from Taylorville.  There is a board on here for Illinois women.  I don't know if you've checked it out or not.

Beckers

Paula, so I had my BC at 45. Does that mean my nieces could get it at 35? I'm BRCA - though.

Paula66

beckers I don't know how true this study is.  I'm just going by what I heard on the news.  They didn't say anything about BRCA being in this study.  I think it's was geared to the general population.  But so much that is out there, verys from what one doctor thinks over another.  I don't know how true it is either because if it wear a really good study then me and my sissy shouldn't have gotten cancer until our 60's.  But your nieces will be watched closer because of the family history.  Both me and my sissy were because of it.

Beckers

Paula, I went through genetics counseling at City of Hope and they even recommend my sister take Tamoxifen for 5 years to decrease her chances.

Paula66

Beckers thats what her doc said to her yesterday.  But right now she's too young for the Tammo.  This is an option for her when she gets older.

momto7

yes i love Jackie  she was a awesome person! Ok  I will change it i know this is my second go around the first time i was in my left breast now it is my right grrr now Monday i go for  a ultrasound and more imaging on the mammogram  then back to the docs on Tues

momto7

thanks paula I dod not know there was i will check it out :-)

barbe1958

Mom, you still haven't changed your DX line to be ILC instead of DCIS. DCIS is stage 0 cancer. ILC trumps DCIS in treatment, so be sure to change that line!

Beckers

3:45am and just got back from hospital with Mom. Her heart was racing, nausea, and chest pressure so off we went. They kept her for observation, blood work and to get pacer checked. Been helping her with my brother who had ankle fusion surgery Tuesday, then when we left him unattended to go to ER, he fell through the seat of his walker while kneeling on it to try and finish the dishes I was working on when the heart palpitations struck. He is ok I hope. Moms first two triponin blood tests to check for heart attack are ok. I was going to sleep at BFF's house who lives close to hospital but she fell asleep sometime between me leaving hospital and arriving at her house. I had to make the hour drive home. I was on empty of course and had to stop in the hood for gas and strange things go on there at two am --- probably got contact high from marijuana smoke in air. Now, I am 9 weeks out from

BMX/DIEP but not feeling quite strong enough for such things!! So.. Gnite or good morning.

barsco1963

Rebecca - glad that you made it home safely. Hope mom and brother are ok. Catch up on your rest today!

NativeMainer

YIKES!  what a night!  I'm praying everyone is OK.

Dakota212

Beckers-

Good luck. So glad the first two enzymes were negative!!!

Dianarose

Hi everyone, haven't been here in awhile. Chemo is sort of kicking my butt lately. I have 14 active chemo days left. Thank the Lord. I am tired of the routine of it. My daughter is here from NC with my 3 granddaughters. I have missed them so much.

Gossip--- Big prositution scandle in the town I work in. We are all waiting for the client list to come out to see if there are people we know. Lots of rumors of doctors, lawyers, policemen and others are on the list. Big gossip for a small town. They are saying there are 150 on the list. I am sure the divorce lawyers will be busy soon.

momto7- feel free to pm me with quesitons. My cancer is like a buffet dinner. A little bit of everything. Try to stay positive. Retail therapy has done wonders for me . Just bought myself a new car last night. A Ford Fusion. I love it. I figure go big or go home.

Off the to grocery store with my daughter and grand kids. I will be so sad when they leave.

barbe1958

Diana, I have an older Ford Fusion and LOVE it too!!! I bought it used, but will buy another one again when the time comes. It is the PERFECT car for my age and disabilities. It is the right height to get in and out without feeling all scrunched up, because it is a 4-door the doors are a reasonable size to pull closed and the storage space is AMAZING!!!! We've puts HUGE items in there and there is still more room with that 60/40 split on the back seat lay-downs. What colour did you get? I have red/burgundy which I don't like, but didn't have a choice as it was used. Mine is a 2007 so doesn't have all the fancy GPS panels and such. Does yours?

Rebecca, please update us on your family and yourself!!! That is too much to deal with, seriously. 

Momine

Ha! Diana, I read about that scandal. Scandals are great for keeping you distracted during chemo.

elimar86861

Beckers, Sorry to hear that is how you started your weekend.  Hope mom has stabilized.

(Note to self:  When in SoCal, get gas at 2 a.m.)

Beckers

Hi there. I'm awake. Whew! What a night. My sister is at hospital with Mom. All 4 troponin tests are negative, ultrasound of heart negative, pacemaker checked out. BP still higher. She will have stress test this week. They don't think it's a blockage. Mystery still not solved. Heavy sigh. Went to check on my brother. I think falling thru seat scared hime more than anything. I'm going to take nap!!!



First Tamoxifen tonight. Kind of nervous. Hate those warnings. Any tips?



Thanks for listening!