er/pr status

shanthichalasani1966

i was deducted for medullary breast carcinoma last year.completed all the treatments like lumpectomy,chemotheraphy,radiation.since iam triple negative hormonal theraphy was not given.my oncologist said that 99%of medullary cancers are er/pr negative.

i want to know that did any body gone threw medullary with er/pr positive?

are medullry breast cancers are always triple negative?

are medullary breast cancers are less aggressive?

hope any one will answer my questions!!

Morgan513

Hi Shanthi,

I've answered you on your "sweating" thread.  I'm also medullary, triple negative.  

From what I've read, medullary is almost always hormone negative.  So, I guess there are times when it isn't.  Also, I have read that in spite of a scary pathology report, medullary's have a better prognosis.  They rarely spread and are very sensitive to chemotherapy.

Lorrie 

shanthichalasani1966

hi lorrie,

thank you for your kind reply.we both diagnosised medullary at the same time.iam 42 yrs at the time of treatment.i got lumpectomy,8 chemo's i.e 4 ac+4 toxtere and radiations.

at the time of treatment what is your age?what time of treatment you received?

right now iam taking only calcium pills.are you taking any medicines ?

i did not get my periods till now.due to this iam suffering with severe hot flashes and sweatting.did you get your periods back or not?what type of problems you are facing?

my new hair is growing very curly.what about your's? there is no family history of cancer.last year i passed threw worst face of my life. some times i feel little depressed. hope you understand my feelings.

shanthi

Morgan513

oh i understand everything, shanthi.  

 i was 46 when i was diagnosed.  i had a lumpectomy, 4 TC, and radiation.

i have not gotten my period since my second tc treatment.  lots and lots of hot flashes but they are not too bad.  

my new hair is really curly.  i had long straight hair before.  i actually kind of like the curls!

i take calcium with vitamin d, 1000 iu vitamin d, calcium and magnesium.  i also participate in a clinical trial for bisphosphonates.  I will take ibandronate for 3 years.  

do you exercise?  i regularly exercise and i think it helps with my mood and hot flashes.

lorrie 

carolinachick

I don't know if I am medullary or not.  However, I am triple negative, diagnosed at age 44.  I also had a lumpectomy, 4 TC and radiation.

After a six month hiatus, my period returned last month.  Now I'm having hot flashes again, so I don't know what's going on.

My hair is also coming very curly and was very straight before treatment.  I'm finding that I like the curls, but don't really know how to style this new hair.

I'm not on any medication, but am following a very low-fat diet and exercising regularly.  From what I understand that is the best thing triple negatives can do.  I would be interested in taking the biosphosphonates.  Are you having many side effects from them?

Jennifer

Morgan513

Hi Jennifer!

I have no side effects from the bisphosphonates.  The only downside for me is waiting an hour in the morning after the taking the pill before I can have my coffee!  >(

I exercise regularly but as much as I know a low fat diet is the way to go, I still struggle with it.  It doesn't help that my husband loves to go out for ice cream.  Sounds innocent but I really think it is the worst thing I can do.  But, I'm working on it!

Your pathology report would say if you were medullary. Medullary is a rare subtype of IDC.

Lorrie 

shanthichalasani1966

lorrie,what is the advantage of taking clinical phosphates?that is also for 3 yrs!did your oncologist prescribed?is it really benefecial?

i regularly exercise and taking low fat diet.

i don't know why god has chosen us?how many children do you have?how old are they?did you breast feed them?i am having a lovely son of age 21 yrs.i breast feed for one year.

i think jennifer was also medullary as her stage is 1 but grade is 3 with no lymph nodes.any how her pathology report will mention it.

what is the follow up treatment of yours?what is the duration?i have gone threw one follow up which includes some marker tests,chest xray,ultra sound of upper abdomine and complete blood test .by the grace of god all reports were normal.

but the mental tension i faced  to know the reports was unbearable.and for every follow up it will be same.did you feel the same?

i get some relief if i share my feelings with any one.

we indians are little emotional.you are from which country?

regards

shanthi

Morgan513

hi shanthi,

how are you?  i'm from the united states.  

i have two sons ages 15 and 17.  i only breastfed briefly with my first son.  my second son was very ill at birth so breastfeeding was not possible.

my follow-up treatment consists of chemo oncologist appointments every 3 months.  I have had a mammogram and an mri as follow-up too.  i will go for my second mammogram next friday.  my doctor just tests my blood at every visit and gives me a thorough exam.

i get soooo very stressed out when i have to go to the doctor or have any tests done.  i hate that i can't sleep or concentrate on anything until after the appointments are over.  it's a terrible thing.  

the bisphosphonates that i take are part of a clinical trial offered here in the u.s.  i wonder if your doctor in india could look into giving them to you as part of your care?  you should ask about it.  from everything i have read, the bisphosphonates can not only strengthen your bones but can help prevent the cancer from going into your bones and maybe even elsewhere.  so i'm excited to be part of the study. 

i while i was devasted to have a diagnosis of breast cancer, i feel lucky that it was medullary and lucky that i only had to endure TC x4.  i feel fortunate that i am early stage and negative lymph nodes.  when i ask myself why god chose me, i think that god gives us things we can handle.  we got breast cancer now when we are young and able to handle it.  do you know what i mean?  are we an example to help other women, maybe?  i am trying to find a reason why but i guess it's too big of a question and i just have to accept that it happened and to try to make the best of the situation.

take care,

Lorrie 

shanthichalasani1966

hi lorrie,

thanks for your kind words. in my next follow up i will surely discuss about bisphosphonates with my doctor.i do agree with you that we are fortunate to got breast cancer which is medullary in young age,so that we can handle it successfully.may be we are an example to help other women those who are victims of this deadly disease.

i appreaciate you  for your positive thinking. iam really inspired.by profession iam a mathematics teacher.what is your profession?in which state do you live?my son says hello to you.

i feel my operated left breast some times harder and heavy.do you feel the same?

before going bed daily it become like a habbit of talking to you!! hope you are not getting bore to answer my questions.

thank you once again! say hello to your husband and kids.

bye

shanthi

Morgan513

hi shanthi--

i look forward to hearing from you!

i am an accountant by profession.  i  live in massachusetts.  where in india do you live?

my breast is totally different than before.  i had a lumpectomy with chemo and radiation.  i also wound up with a hematoma which now is like a little hard ball in my breast.  so mine is also hard and rather uncomfortable at times.  

my greetings to your family too!  have a good night!

lorrie 

shanthichalasani1966

dear lorrie,in india i lives in hyderabad.i think massachussetts is nearer to boston.my brother lives in nauchua which is very nearer to boston.india is a beautiful country known for it's culture.i invite you to visit india.

if it is o.k with you can  give your email id.good night.

with best wishes!

shanthi

Morgan513

Hi Shanthi--

I'll post a private message for you!

Take care,

Lorrie 

carolinachick

Hi Lorrie and Shanthi,

Thank you for the information.  I'm going to ask my oncologist about the bisphophonates at my next appointment in November.  My onc doesn't do any blood work, just an exam, and says that I won't have any scans unless symptoms appear.  It's a little frightening, but I guess I just need to relax and listen to my body.

I'm also an accountant, Lorrie.  My DH, DD and I are flying into Boston this weekend and heading down to New London, CT, to see our son. 

Take care, ladies!

Jennifer

Morgan513

Hi Jennifer, 

Is your son in college in CT?  It's quite beautiful around here this time of year!

Lorrie 

Morgan513

Oh yes!  Jennifer, I meant to tell you that I have curly hair now too!  I can't figure out how to style it.  I wear it up in a head band all of the time.  I get compliments on it and asked if the curls are real.  I remember the first time someone asked if the curls were real, it took me a minute to answer.  I had to remember that my hair is really curly and it's not just a perm.  Weird!

Lorrie 

shanthichalasani1966

hi,lorrie

no news from you long time?busy with your schedules?tomorrow iam going for follow up.feeling little nervous! i feel this phase is the most crucial one in the treatment!

good night

regards

shanthi

Morgan513

hi shanthi!

I sent you a Private Message.  Did you get it?

Lorrie 

carolinachick

Hi Lorrie,

Yes, my son is at the Coast Guard Academy in New London.  We had a great time and it's just beautiful up there this time of the year.  Too bad they lost their football game (he's on the team).

I am still trying to eat very low-fat, but I couldn't pass up the cookies at Mike's Pastry last weekend...

And my hair continues to baffle me.  It's only about 1 1/2 inches long, so no headband for me yet...

Jennifer

shanthichalasani1966

i feel my operated left breast some times heavy,tender and some times painful.i also feel some times very itching.is it common  after lumpectomy?after 8 months of radiation the skin colour is different from original.

in ultra sound x ray a cyst is found in my right ovary.as all the tests were normal i feel that it is due to early menopause .my oncologyst said that it will dessolve it self.  

ladies did any one phase this type of problems?what precautions you take?please answer!!