Stage II Forum

valeriekd

sherrilynne Just had this breast pain discussion w/ my oncologist -they r doing research on this but it can be permanent or last frr years! But it can also get a lot better and one gets used to it. Anyway-there is material on it -somewhere and its well known - not weird! Valerie

JustmeAlicia

Yes I too belong here.  I am in the midst of the dreaded chemo, but this too shall pass.  I look forward to the Spring ~ flowers budding as well as my hair!! 

We have to "try " to live in the moment and enjoy each day... trying to remember tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

Alicia

momand2kids

alicia,

I finished chemo in feb--- I agree- the flowers blooming made me feel healthier every day--- I got better as the economy improved (a little) and the crocuses emerged from the ground--it felt great- you have alot to look forward to! 

sheila888

Hi Ladies.

I'm bumping for joyceva who is also stage II

Sheila

infohh

Hi

I am in

HH

LeggyJ

Hi Ladies,

I have a question.  On Dec. 11th, I have my next 6mo. appt. with my Onc.  This being one yr. from end of treatments (8TAC chemo. and 5 wks. rads.), and I don't know what to expect.  I have had a lot of pain, which was dx. as arthritis in my hip, but everthing still hurts.  I'm 53 yrs. old and still active, with a garden job and walking the dog, but it's not easy.  I'm also taking Tamoxifen, which does have a SE of bone pain...

rumoret

Hi LeggyJ,

After treatment all of my meetings with Onc. were the same. Asked how I was feeling, looked at my blood work in chart, examined my breasts, and listened to my lungs. If I had any questions he would answer them. He would give me my scripts for mamo and blood work for next visit.

The aches and pains come and go....I am now on Arimidex after Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years.

Terry 

LeggyJ

Thanks, Terry, that's what my Onc. did 6 months ago, so I guess it will be the same.  But I haven't had any blood work done in a year, now. So, I'll see tomorrow! 

Issymom

I was diagnosed a month ago with Stage I (7mm) BC.  Then found out I has TN and BRACA1+  Seems like one new set of negative news after another.  I had a Bilateral MX on the 4th of december.  It went well I feel pretty good.  I finally got my pathology report today and every thing is clear (no new cancer in breasts or lymph nodes), however, my original tumor is 2.5cm vs. 7mm as orginally diagnosed a month ago.  Even when they knew it was there no doctor chould feel my 2.5 cm tumor, amazing.  This puts me at Stage II and will change my chemo.  I will be meeting with my oncologist next week to see what is next.  I am part of the group!!!

jolynn61

Hi everyone just popped in to say have a great holiday season.

LeggyJ

My Onc. ordered a bone scan for all my aches and pains on Friday the 11th and they called me for an appt. by the time I got to my truck at the hospital parking lot.  wow, really quick.  On Monday the 14th had my scan, emailed my Onc. when I got home, and he got back to me in 30min.  Happy Holiday's it's not cancer!!!!  Just arthritis from my shoulders, ribs, spine, hips, and mid feet.   I must have lit up like a Christmas tree. 

Let's have a Happy New Year!!!

Cowgirl13

Leggy - had arthritis ever been mentioned to you before?  I'm wondering if after all this treatment that we are prone to arthritis?  I have sure been sore myself.

thanks.

Eliz 

infohh

HI

I want to greet you with some good news,  I have been taking Femars since June 08 , I had Tam before that for two years.  When I started Femara i had occational  muscle and joint pains that would last for a couple of days then disapear, I also had regular morning stiffness that would last for a few miniuts.  I had Zometa in August and I now take 1000 Calcium and !000D3.  I noticed that lately I had not gotten the muscle pain and no morning stiffness too.

Happy Holidays.

HH

LeggyJ

Hey Cowgirl, yes I had x-rays of my hip and long bone about 6 months ago, and it came back arthritis, but then my back and shoulders really started bothering me. Right before my one year, since treatment appt. with Onc. I also noticed a large red mark on my shoulder blade.  When I showed my Onc. he said " When did this start?"  He seemed a little agitated at me, for not telling him sooner. So, he sat down and said, "Well, I think it's time we have a bone scan". He's not one for scans, but since my pain was wide spread, he thought we should find out.  I already was thinking the worst, but was pretty calm about it once we talked about it.  Thank God, I didn't have time to worry to much.

HH, I asked my Onc. about Zometa, but he didn't recommend it, maybe I should ask again.

infohh

Leggy

I have a feeling the vitamine D3 was the thing that helped me. most

HH

LeggyJ

I've been taking D3 for about a month, but I'll keep trying.  My job has a lot to do with all my aches and pains though, I'm a gardener and work at a place with lots of stairs. It seems to be taking forever, to get back in shape, after chemo.  I lost 35lbs and all my muscle tone.  The weight is coming back easily enough, wouldn't you know.

jduford

I am new to the Stage II  forum, but have really enjoyed reading what you have all written!  I just got back from my  6 months after treatment  check up.. now I'm just waiting for my blood tests to come back.  I am hearing a lot about vitamin D, does anyone know what  our vitamin D levels should be?

cathmg

Hi All,

I am stage 2B and am joining you ladies. No nodes, but it was 5cm and pleomorphic, hence the 2B stage. I am seeing the oncologist at the end of January, so I am counting the days down...

Anonymous

Hi to Everyone,

Just found this thread.  I am Stage II. Lumpectomy 2007, bilat mast 2008 and dx brain cancer 2009 (then brain specialist did another MRI and CT and stated not brain cancer).  It has been a helluva last 3 yrs.  Good luck to all.  Thanks for starting a thread for Stage II.

infohh

Hi Julie

There are several threads on vitamine D with a lot of information, I decided not to check my level and take a conventional dose of D3.

HH

havehope

Happy New Year! Wish you all, years of health, joy and happines!

mrsb

I was diagnosed in January 2003 so am coming up to my 7 year anniversary. I remain on Femara and hope to for some time longer. I was very scared 7 years ago  I thought i would die before the year was up.This year I hope to dnace with NED agian but must admit as the annual mammaogram date comes closer i do get a little nervous.Although i don't post very often i do check in occasionally.The research info here has been my lifeline.Mrsb

WLL

Does anyone know what a breast cancer marker of 18 means???

Warrior517

Jduford...My doctor said that if you had BC, then we should target for 80...the normal range of healthy is between 20-100, so we obviously need to be in the upper range. I was taking 5000 a day and levels came back at 37 so he is upping me for three weeks to 10,000 a day then down to 5 again for maintainece...have your oncologist even check it at check ups. Important.There is a new study and AI w/Vitamin D reducing bone pain and body aches.

MRSB...7 YEARS!! Congrats!! I know each year it comes back to haunt us more on certain days than others..you are in my prayers...I know all will be clear!! keep us posted

Aug..WOW...what a rollercoaster ride you have been on!  I am still shocked yet thrilled for you on the NO METS !

WLL..is that your oncotype score? I didn't get one done cuz I was her2 and it was automatic chemo. hopefully someone can answer you soon!

WLL

I WAS ALSO HER2+. THEY SAID MY MARKER WAS 18. JUST NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS.

Angel10

WLL,

I pulled this off of the ACS site under tumor markers:

CA-15-3

CA 15-3 is mainly used to watch patients with breast cancer. Elevated blood levels are found in less than 10% of patients with early disease and in about 70% of patients with advanced disease. Levels usually drop if treatment is working, but they may go up in the first few weeks after treatment is started. This rise is caused when dying cancer cells spill their contents into the bloodstream.

The normal level is usually less than 30 U/mL (units/milliliter), depending on the lab. But levels as high as 100 U/mL can sometimes be seen in women who do not have cancer. Levels of this marker can also be higher in other cancers, like lung and ovarian, and in some non-cancerous conditions, like benign breast conditions and hepatitis.

CA 27.29

CA 27.29 is another marker that can be used to follow patients with breast cancer during or after treatment. This test measures the same marker as the CA 15-3 test, but in a different way. Although it is a newer test than CA 15-3, it is not any better in detecting either early or advanced disease. It may be less likely to be positive in people without cancer. The normal level is usually less than 40 U/mL (units/milliliter), depending on the testing lab. This marker can also be elevated in other cancers and in some non-cancerous conditions, and it is not elevated in all patients with breast.

The page can be found at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_Tumor_Markers.asp?sitearea=PED

Oncotype score is different, so you need to be sure of exactly what is being defined.

I have heard that markers are not really useful individually, but should be taken under consideration with other info, test results.  Thay can be helpful, or misleading....

 Good luck and God Bless!

WLL

Thanks so much. I am going to ask for more details when I go back for my Herceptin.

pepsicola

Count me in!!!!

Ainm

Well I'm over the first year!! There hasn't been a day in that year that I haven't thought about BC, I cried most days, ranted most days, felt angry, felt sorry for myself but I tried to be strong, positive and pro active too - and it's sooooo hard and I really surprised myself!!  I still worry and am disappointed that it hasn't all just fizzled out - it's still very much in my face but I got through the year - mx surgery, staph infections DD AC, DD Taxol (bad se's) DD rads, port problems when it was being put in and again when it was being taken out!!!, baldness, hair regrowth, the disappearance of sleep, hate the foob!!, stupid comments from well meaning people, tamoxifen and a host of se's from chemo and tamox - but I got through the year  -- with your help - thank you!!

Mandy1313

One year is an important milestone Ainm.  You are right that the BC does stay in your face,  but you have done it---one year!!! That is just wonderful. 

Cyber hugs.

Mandy