CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

blessings51

Hi ladies I am new to this site and I have been diagnosed with DCIS in my left breast G2, and LCIS in my right, both are stage 0, got a lupectomy and margins was not quite clear, my genetic test was negative but I have decided to get BX because this has been the scariest time of my life. and I do not want to be on eggshells every other month.My faith and appreciation for life is stronger.  I have wanted to ask why me but, know there is a reason, I figure to help other women who need support. By the way I love pink.  I love this site and all the beautiful helpful survivors who enpower and encourages others

Alethar

sheila888

FLY...We have the same DX. What type of chemo are you getting?

The first one is always the difficult one because your mind goes places from unknown.

I remember my first chemo I was so nervous....but there isnt anything that you feel like pain or anything else.

I dont know if they still do it but I used to get benadryl before chemo and that used to leave me almost drank all night  LOL

Good Luck♥

spitnspunk

Thanks everyone, sometimes knowledge is a scary thing so I think I've just got a case of nerves.

@Seyla, I'm doing TCH every three weeks for 18 weeks (6 total) with H in the weeks inbetween and then H for a year after the 18 weeks and then another something for 5 years..I'm sure I've got it wrote down somewhere but I'm not even concentrating on that last part until it gets way closer...one thing at a time. Your Dx and mine look exactly alike, what did you go through back in 2005?

sheila888

I had a lumpectomy it was 1.2cm

4 rounds of A/C every 2 weeks and 4 rounds of Taxol every 2 weeks

Herceptin was added with my first Taxol and continued weekly for 52 weeks.

I forgot the port that was a life saver for me.

Had radiation i don't remember exact count but was close to 7 weeks 5 days a week.

I was 8 months post menopausal when was DX so DR put me on Femara for 5 years Im on it since March 2006.

outsidethebox

Thanks for the info.. on using site... need the teaching. Feeling little better today. Day to day eh?

Don't feel like superwoman but will work on it. This is my year of 'cranes and cancer'...I fold origami cranes at appointments to pass the time.... had a 3 crane apppointment and a 23 crane appointment. Anybody want one?

theresap60

Patoo:  I love...

ALERT - take only the good as fact and leave the negative behind. 

I should remember that, not only for BC but for everything in life!

Sugar77

flynonanglwngs - I felt the same way you did.  I never had a palpable lump so I think it was the chemo (or the thought of it...) that made the whole diagnosis so real.  For me, chemo was optional (although onc highly recommended it!) and I almost backed out.  After my MIL gave me a peptalk, I was "back in" again and did the treatment.  Looking on the other side of the fence, I'm so glad I did it afterall. Losing my long hair was difficult but I now have short curly hair and I really like it and plan to keep it short.  I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever.  Please hang in there....it does get better. Really!!

FireKracker

Patoo..i bet you made that up TAKE ONLY THE GOOD AS FACT,LEAVE THE NEGATIVE BEHIND..that is so beautiful.i wrote it down so i can remember it.

come back more often.i miss you

AND

Chevy WHERE ARE YOU LATELY????hope your ok.

Baxter

Hey Stage 1 sisters,

Just checking in. Fall makes me kind of sad..not a snow lover (so...why do I live here you ask?!) All my cancer tests, biopsies, both diagnosis and each mastectomy were in the fall, so BC Month is a mixed emotional bag for me. 

October 17th is the 2 year anniversary of my first mastectomy. Last October we were thrown into crisis with dealing with the second cancer diagnosis, so the 1^st "cancerversary" was rolled up in that.  Because it's Breast cancer awareness month,  there is a cancer walk here on October 17th. I should be celebrating, I know I am so fortunate, I just feel so much loss. I miss not being able to "feel." you know?

But, enough of that....how are the rest of you all doing?  Enjoy reading the posts....you all bring so much help and wisdom.

Candi

theresap60

Candi - God bless you!  You've had to deal with this twice!  You look so pretty and happy in your picture. :-)

There are times when I get depressed knowing that I have cancer and I can never positively say it's gone.  It's always in the back of my mind that it *could* recur.  I was under the false impression that a Stage 1 diagnosis was a good sign that if you got it out, it wouldn't come back.  But like Sugar, I did everything the doctors recommended in order to give me the best chance of long term survival and no recurrence and I don't have any regrets.  There's just no guarantee, though.  The crazy thing with cancer is that it is so agonizingly personal and individual.  One stage 1 cancer will be completely different from another Stage 1 cancer.  I have yet to see one BC gal with my identical diagnosis and treatment.

But I guess I need to go back to Patoo's ALERT and keep the good.  There's so much good. One day, a cure!!

Cookie1

Hi All,

Has anyone chosen chemotherapy for IDC 1 cm, stage 1, grade 1 with tubular features, no node involvement?  I had a double mastectomy and I have started on the Arimidex. My oncologist said I should not take chemo.

Thanks.

Meece

Sorry Cookie1, my tumor was 1.5cm, IDC, stage 1, no node involvement but that's where the similarities end.  Grade three and triple neg meant chemo and rads for me.  Someone around here might have a similar dx.  Welcome to our little corner of the world.

renee2010

Thank you for taking the time to talk to  me.

I was really sick after this last chemo:( But better today:)

I will look at the treads you suggested

Take Care

sheila888

Hi Candi..I'm not a winter lover either. sometimes i ask the same question what am I doing in NY.

Cookie1...It seems likeCandi has the same DX as you.

(((HUGS)))

Sheila♥

Valjean

Hi everyone! I'm back! I had a wonderful time, those little sweet grandchildren of mine sure kept me moving! And, the fall colors were beautiful!

I missed you all! ♥

So much to get caught up on, several pages, in fact.

Congrats to all who finished their rads &/or chemo (chabba ~ reneerodgers).

Sending strength & hugs to those of you who are beginning rads or chemo ( Kathy ~ outsidethebox ~ flynonanglwngs )

To those with upcoming surgery ~ onestep ~ I will be thinking of you next Monday during your BMX & hope for a quick recovery!

So happy for all who had clear mamms or all clears from oncs ~ Barbara ~ don23 ~

Holding good thoughts for you, somanywomen, for a clear 1-yr mamm.

 Welcome to the newbies to this thread ~ Fighter_34 ~ stormsmith ~blessings51 ~ Candi-hello! ~ Cookie: my dx is not like yours, but want to welcome you.

Meecie ~ Missed you! Hope you had a wonderful trip!! And, that you did not get TB from all the traveling! (Tired Butt) 

grannyd ~ Hello sista! I just want to tell you that your strength & perseverance amazes me! You are an inspiration to us all. {{hugs}}

Sheila ~ I've missed you! Are you still up??

Hi Renee, Sugar (love your new pic), Patoo, Deborye & anyone I've forgotten, (it is getting late),  I'm happy to be back "home" ~ here & at my stick home as well.   

Meece

Now that's dedication, Valjean.  You really read to get up to date.  Glad to have you "Home".

inthepink49

Hi cookie 1

My diagnosis is very similar and I am currently doing chemo. Did you have an oncotype dx done. I was told throughout all of this I would only need radiation so wasn't thinking chemo. My onco said lets see what the oncotype comes back. If it comes back in the gray area or higher he would recoommend chemo.BUT don't worry it will come back low if not zero.I didn't even research chemo and sent my daughter back to college(which took alot of convincing) then my onco type came back 20 which is in the gray area. What a shock to say the least.

My saga begins....I am now doing 4-6 sessions of taxotare/cytoxin. I will then have 7 weeks of rads and then Tamoxifan for 5 years.

The chemo has not been as bad as it  could be. its not the horror stories Ive heard but it definitely has been tough.It seems that the meds for the side effects has been alot of the problem. In the end I know it is worth it so I keep telling myself that but can't wait till its done.

I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do and please stay in touch. It really helps to know someone  that really knows what you are going through.

Pink hugs

Vickie

Valjean

Hi Michelle & Rae! ♥

FireKracker

WELCOME BACK VAL...missed you.and you remembered everyone.gosh you are good.

sheila888

VAL..welcome back, Sorry I missed you last night but I was watching the rescue of the miners.

You get A+ for that homework. you must have a very sharp memory.

you sound very happy. Little ones always make us cheerful.

I see you tonight.

PEACE♥

Cookie1

Yes Meece, thanks for your response...grade 3 and triple negative for you is certainly different.  I also had a double mastectomy.  At age 59 this was a no-brainer for me.  I'm relieved my oncologist has not recommended chemo but still wonder.

The oncologists at Moffitt say my tumor was so slow growing and non-aggressive they barely wanted me to go on Arimidex  They also determined the Oncogene DX test came back with a false high score (24) because the tissue sent for testing was mixed with stromal tissue and the results were compromised.   It seems that the Oncogene test can read tissue incorrectly, in other words it can't separate the stroma from the cancer.  After receiving the DX score, they sent cells for a Mammostrat test which confirmed their original thoughts that the Onco test was degraded. 

If anyone has other thoughts on this, please let me know.  Thanks for listening.

Cookie1 

Cookie1

Hi inthepink,

Thanks for your response.  My oncologists at a major cancer center were so stumped at the Onco test they had additional pathologists look at my tumor (grade 1 tubular features, non-aggressive) to be certain.  They did determine that the section that was sent for testing was mixed with other tissue and therefore the results were compromised.  At that point, they ordered a Mammostrat test.

For some reason, I had believed the Onco test was gospel, but not so according to my doctors.  I wonder if anyone else has had their physicians question these other tests....to be continued...

Thanks again

Cookie

BarbaraA

Hey Cookie, we are neighbors. Did you walk the walk on the 2nd?

sheila888

Val...I talk to you tomorrow.♥

Good Night.

Valjean

Sorry I missed you, Sheila.

Good night.

♥

Baxter

Cookie,

I asked my onc. about the onctype test. She gave me reasons why she didn't do it but I can't remember what she stated. She gave me the sheet with the criteria of my cancer and the survival statistics with the different treatments. It was well over 80% for 10 years if I chose to do nothing....that's what I did. The increases of survival were small with the treatments and didn't seem worth the possible side effects.

The suggested treatment, if I chose one, was Tamoxifen.  I just knew that taking a pill everyday would be a reminder that I had cancer and I would be wondering if the Tamoxifen was harming my body.  I don't remember how she said  it, but she said I wouldn't need chemo and it wouldn't be applicable to the characteristics of my cancer.

I was diagnosed with two different kinds of cancer in one year. First one stage 0 DCIS, the second was stage 1. Because of two cancers they did the BRAC test which came back negative,  

I asked her if she felt I would be irresponsible if I chose to do nothing for additional treatment and she said no, she was fine with it.   

I feel fine about my decision. I don't worry about getting more cancer because I didn't have chemo, I just think that once you've had cancer you never truly feel safe again.

Candi 

Cookie1

Hi Candi,

My doctors explain that chemotherapy targets rapidly growing cells, our low grade 1 cells don't behave like fast growing cells and that's why chemo is not the protocol...it is just not effective.  I had a double mastectomy and chose to take Arimidex.  I read about the side effects of the Arimidex and was frightened at first, but I've been taking it for one month now and I have no side effects at all.  You're correct about it reminding me everyday of the cancer, but I would be reminded regardless, because like you said, once you've been told you have cancer things will never be the same again. 

I trust my doctors...So far, we have been fortunate.  All the best.

Cookie

mimi1964

Hi ladies I have missed all of you this week!  I have read pages and pages to catch up.  It's amazing how much you miss by not getting on for 4 or 5 days.  LOL!  Val Jean glad to see that you have made it back and enjoyed your grandkids.  Sheila hate that I keep missing you.  Meece I've got to get over to elab and diet!   

Granny glad you are feeling wonderful enough to be up and around and well recoveredl. 

To all the new sisters starting your journey with breast cancer and beginning chemo and radiation or just starting the journey about your options for surgery (and yes I read all your posts but I have Tamoxifen brain and don't do well with remembering names right off the bat), I wish you much luck and send you gentle hugs and prayers.  The women here are wonderful and a world of knowledge.  If they don't know it they or someone they know can direct you to an answer.  They will become your best friend and confidants.  What a great support system!! Take care ladies... sending you much love.

sheila888

Hi Renee. Im hereeeeeeeeeee

Can you hear me?

i missed you.

sheila888

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