KI-67 IS 90% WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN?

GAVINSNANA

I was just diagnosed on 3/02/12 and I had a lumpectomy on 3/20/12. I am going to the oncologist on 4/02/12 and the radiologist 4/03/12. I'm not sure what to expect. I was under the impression that all I would need is 30 radiation treatments after the lumpectomy, but now I am hearing that since I have Grade 3, triple negative and my KI-67 is 90%, I will probably have to take Chemo. This is pushing me over the edge. I have to work since I carry the medical insurance, so I can not afford to take much time off work, plus I work for a tiny company that can't handle me off long either. To make matters worse, we just signed an offer and put a deposit down on a new house 3 weeks before I was diagnosed. I don't know what to do or where to turn. My life is upside down and I would like to know just how serious this is. Can I do well without Chemo? I am in good health other then this. What should I expect next?

tisthyme

Most of us Triple negatives have high KI-67 scores.  That just means that it is a fast growing tumor with rapidly dividing cells.  Fortunately, that is exactly what chemo works best on, but unfortunately, that is exactly what CHEMO works best on.  Chemo is your best bet.  I felt the same way before I found out I was triple negative, I just wanted the tumor out of me and then to radiate it. I DID NOT WANT CHEMO. but truly, who does??  I had chemo before surgery and at the time of surgery they didn't find any cancer.  THe chemo had taken it all!  I did not work during chemo, but many ladies do.  More ladies should be by soon to give you more information. 

tisthyme

There is a triple negative forum on this website that I would suggest you checking out.  The ladies are very informed and helpful over there.

MizMarie

Hi Gavinsnana - welcome to the club nobody wants to be in...  I worked throughout chemo, usually taking 2 days off each cycle, but in reality, I could have gotten by with just taking one day plus a couple of hours the next day if I'd had to.  I scheduled treatments on Thursdays, so I had Friday and the weekend to recover, and was generally fine by Monday.  I had the more serious blood count SEs that most patients don't get so I missed other days along the way.  Your mileage may vary, of course  :-).  Chemo isn't fun, but it is doable, and now is the time to use every weapon available to give you the best possible outcome.

Sassa

Gavinsnana,

You have an early stage, very aggressive breast cancer.  That means you need to hit it with everything you got to knock it out and hopefully prevent recurrence or metastases.  Chemo is great for doing exactly that.

Chemo won't be fun, but it is doable.

NatsFan

Gavins - many of us worked through chemo.  My experience seems pretty typical - I usually had to take a couple of days off during chemo weeks, and maybe had to leave early a few other days.  My co-workers actually donated enough leave for me through our leave donation program that I could have stayed home during chemo and still been paid, but if I felt well enought to work I wanted to contribute the best I could.  Also, working provided a lifeline out of Cancer World - it was so nice to get out and about, and be able to talk to people about nice normal non-cancer things like the weather, people's kids, the latest movie and, yes, even griping about work! 

tiff2008

I worked from home but I would agree with the others, I usually was out of commission Thurs & Fri only...I may not have felt the best on Mon, but could work. Im sure you can get thru it!

GAVINSNANA

Thank You to all that replied to my question. As you ALL know, it is overwhelming at times, especially in the beginning when you have NO clue what you are dealing with. I just do not get paid time off or disability, so its pretty frightening not knowing how things are going to work out financially. With our medical insurance we will have to pay $6500.00 per year out of pocket before they pick up 100%.....that's not including co-pays and deductables:(   I think that has been the hardest part of the diagnoise for me so far.

IllinoisNative

When I was diagnosed, I was working at job that offered NO benefits.  If I didn't work, I didn't get paid.  The thought of working while undergoing Chemo was frightening to me.  I did pay for my own health insurance out of pocket.

But I did it.  Through my whole ordeal, I only missed three days of work...and that was for my surgeries.  My chemo was on Friday afternoons and I only worked a half day on Friday.  So I went to work in the morning, went to chemo in the afternoon, and spent the weekend louging about.  Truthfully, it took be until that Wednesday to feel like myself.  But it was very dooable.

There is also financial aid at the hospitals. My deductible and out of pocket expenses were written off.  Good luck to you.