Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

octogirl

Hi all....never saw the moon last night, too cloudy here...and yes, the smoke has been worse again lately Peggy. Normally October is one of my favorite months but this year I will be very glad when it ends and fire season is over!

Had a bad night of hair falling out last night. Off to chemo this am. At least the lx wound is FINALLY almost totally healed where I pulled the suture. Yay for something going right.

Peggy, the white robes in the moonlight image made me laugh. Thanks, I needed that today

Octogirl

Molly50

TailorX study Here's another link about the oncotype Dx study.

(((octogirl))) sorry about your hair

BT828

Good morning ladies! According to Genomic Health website, the Oncotype Assay is for 1-3 positive nodes as well.

Hope you all find many bright spots in your day!

MaggieCat

Molly - Thought you might be interested in this poster session on Chek2 published this week.

http://www.europeancancercongress.org/Scientific-Programme/Abstract-search?abstractid=21322

Session title: Translational Research Session type: Poster Session Track: Basic Science/Translational Research

Abstract number: 253 Abstract title:

A comparison between Chek 2 mutation carriers and non carriers in early breast cancer patients: A clinicopathological analysis

Keys-Plez

Was this new study for IDC/DCIS only or does it include ILC/LCIS?

My MO never ordered an Oncotype test for me. He said I didn't fit the profile. I didn't know enough at that time to ask him the right questions, so I don't know if ILC had anything to do with it.

???

pennsygal

Octogirl - I'm sorry about your hair. Mine did really start to hurt at some point - maybe around two weeks after the first AC treatment. At that point I knew it was time to go. My husband took me to his barber shop. There is a woman barber there who buzzed it for me. She was awesome - her BFF had BC and she talked about her while she was doing it.

Has anyone had radioactive seed localization? They are placing the seed tomorrow afternoon. I know there will be needles involved

Thanks!

Outrunning

Thanks for the info. Just in time for me to ask questions of the MO tomorrow morning.

Our company is suddenly doing early enrollment for our health insurance, which means my plan changes Oct 1 instead of Jan 1. ACK?! Thankfully I was reassured that the new plan did not mean I had to get my already approved radiation re approved. But I'm thinking of changing to the POS instead of the PPO if my doctors are in network. All my kid's therapies are completely out of network regardless of which I have. So why am I paying more for the larger network?

So overwhelmed by life right now. WAY too much to do. But so glad I went to the bike races this weekend. It was tons of fun. And great to get away from everything (left the family at home.) Got to see and get a huge hug from an old friend who has himself become a cancer survivor since I last saw him.

Poodles-So glad your DH got you away for the weekend. So great wasn't it?

Driving back I was thinking 'back to the real world and fighting this cancer thing.' But for a little while it was all just about who was in the break away and could they hang on to their lead. Plus some good friends.

Molly50

Keys-plz I believe this study was IDC only with no node involvement.

Molly50

NB at the Emmy'sI know that Pinktober is a dreaded topic around this site but I got an email from New Balance that my neighbor friend donated a pair of pink running shoes for me when she attended The Emmy's.

keepwalking

Poodles - So glad that you are seeing improvement from the LE therapist! You certainly have been through the wringer and you very much deserve a break! I am happy that you were able to get away for a relaxing weekend. Hoping all the best for you with your MO and RO meetings and that you come away with a plan. Waiting is the pits!

Outrunning - I'm glad you got away for the weekend too and were able to get your mind off of BC, even if just for a little while.

Molly50

Outrunning and mlp, so glad you had some time away!!

Keys-Plez

Molly50---IDC?

ILC (sigh)

lynn61

Here is a link to a page from the Oncotype website, this was in the healthcare professional link. It shows that they do use the test in ER Positive, Her2 Negative, Node Negative and Node Positive (1-3 nodes), Early Stage Cancer.

http://breast-cancer.oncotypedx.com/en-US/Professional-Invasive/OncotypeDXBreastCancerAssay/PatientEligibility.aspx

bjclaywell

Hey ladies - I've been reading for the last hour and am now cross-eyed trying to keep up!!! So - I'm not doing personal posts this evening - just a quick update.

Saw the radiologist today - did my CT scan to figure out which way they are going to do my radiation - prone or not. Because I'm not starting until October 19th (I have fall break in there and was going to Carlsbad), they did the dot "tattoos" for both. I was cracking up because they kept asking if I was okay with six dots instead of 3 - I was like - uh, have you seen my back? It's pretty well tattoo'd at this point. They gave my mermaid tattoo on my back a bracelet charm! LOL

Anyway - 34 radiation sessions. 28 and 6 - not sure exactly what that break down means - will get more on October 19th, but I was too tired to ask.

Saturday went to a benefit thing for the Phoenix WoMAC - Woman's Metropolitan Arts Council - got two brand new handbags for virtually nothing - a Rebecca Minkoff and a Gryson - so happy with those! I helped set up too, so my ticket to the event was comp'd! BUT - it wore me out - Sunday I was hurting all over and so incredibly cranky and started a horrible fight with my darling boyfriend...poor guy. I figured out what it was all about this morning when....Aunt Flo showed. I had completely forgotten about her, and she's a week and a half late...so I'm in a FAB mood! LOL

But - on that note - here is one of the pictures my daughter and I took of the moon last night...

mustlovepoodles

So frustrated and feeling...I dunno...let down, maybe? I saw the oncologist today to talk about my oncotype of 23. (I'm 59 with a small early-stage cancer. ) I have to say, the MO was very patient with me, explaining that my risk of recurrence was already very low and that chemo would only reduce that risk by the smallest margin, if at all. He feels that hormone suppression with Arimidex will be more than sufficient to prevent recurrence.

I do not want to do chemo--who does?--but I really thought it might be on the table. When the MO told me he didn't think chemo would be in order, I just felt like the wind had been knocked out of my sails. What the heck is wrong with me?? Anyone else would be breaking out the bubbly when they find out they don't need chemo!

bjclaywell

MLP - even tho my score was 17, I went into my appointment with a horrible, sinking feeling and I just "knew" that chemo was in the cards . I had already planned several trips to get wigs, etc., mentally. My mother was visibly overjoyed, and I was kind of like "uh, once again, my plans aren't what I expected." It's not that I WANTED the chemo, it's just that I thought for sure I was having it...and then it changed. I'm not good with change. Once I set my mind to something, I mentally prepare and move forward. I feel like I keep getting the rug ripped out from under me when I've already set my course...so I TOTALLY get where you are coming from. There is NOTHING wrong with you!!!

And for those who didn't see, or want a close up (because we haven't seen enough of the moon, right?) - here is the full lunar eclipse in all it's red glory. Sorry - I'm so very proud of these pictures we took. I'll share them anywhere. LOL

mustlovepoodles

Thank you, bj. That really helps a lot. I feel like an idiot for not being excited to not do chemo. But as you say, I am one who plans and makes plans to make plans. Having read all the lab work and done my own research, I really was hoping for no chemo, but prepared for the worst. So now I need to change gears.

I see the RO in the morning. After this whole no chemo thing, I am trying to just empty my mind about what the RO might want to do. I know that I will need radiation, for sure. It's a matter of getting this poor old breast ready for it. I still have the drain in, but I expect the BS will take that out tomorrow when I see her.

I am really getting sick of going to the doctor...

Molly50

Bobbi Jo, those are great photos! I understand about the no chemo feelings. I was initially told LX, rads and hormone suppression therapy. Then I needed the mx and BS told me chemo on the table due to the positive lymph nodes and LVI. Then when my oncotype Dx came back 13 it was back to no chemo but I no longer trust what I am being told so that's why I am getting a second opinion.

L2girl

must love poodles, you are not alone in your reaction to not getting chemo. I went through that exact thing! I had so geared myself up for chemo, even going so far as to shopping for wigs and scarves online, that when my MO said it wasn't neededbased on my oncotype scores, I almost felt let down. Also, for awhile I wrestled with the fear that I hadn't done enough, if I hadn't done chemo.

But now, I am happy I didn't have to do it. For one thing, I didn't have to go through the side effects, and in my case I would have only gained such a small benefit that the risks outweighed the benefits. Also, I like to think I still have it a available as an "ace up my sleeve", should I ever need it in the future. Somehow that makes me feel more secure.

octogirl

Chemo Round Two went as well as could be expected. I had more anxiety this time for some reason. Must be the moon....but home now, and comfortable. Hugs to all!!!

Octogirl

Molly50

Octogirl

keepwalking

Octogirl - Yay!! Another one down. Glad you are home and comfortable.

BJ - WOW! Love those photos! Congratulations on doing your setup for RT and having a plan (plus 6 extra tattoos, lol). It is nice that you will have a getaway before starting the next phase.

MLP - I totally understand the emotional let-down as well and do not think you are abnormal at all. I also need to mentally prepare for what may be coming and my philosophy is to prepare for the worst, and then if things are better than that I will be pleasantly surprised rather than the other way around. But a change in plan, no matter which direction, is still disrupting to our emotional preparations - like the rush of adrenaline that you get when you almost have a horrible accident. Even if, thank God, the accident is averted, the body is geared up for fight or flight and the physiological effect stays with you for a while. Nonetheless, congratulations that you do not need chemo!!! You will enjoy the news in time, no need to rush it.

I am going through a different irrational emotional state. The first couple of weeks after the BC diagnosis were a flurry of activity - learning all I could, trying to line up doctors, doctors appointments, pre-op tests, paperwork, emails, calls, etc. That all came to a halt when I needed the second biopsy. Now, as I wait with nothing to do, it all just seems unreal - like the BC was just a bad dream that I dealt with for a while and now it is time to get on with my life. I walk around like normal, no surgery yet or any noticeable ill effects, just some bruising and that darned lump still there. The second biopsy report I don't expect yet for many days (because of holidays here), so not to the nail-biting stage. This all contributes to the "unreal" feeling. But it's kind of scary to feel this way because I don't want to get used to it and then have the shock of suddenly realizing that it was not a dream after all. I wonder if I should be posting this instead on the CRAZY TOWN forum, because I know it sounds a little weird.

HUGS to all.

Keys-Plez

Molly50..You're not crazy. My doc never ordered an oxcotype. I gathered the courage to ask my MO why? He said I didn't fit the profile. A part of me wanted to push issue just to make sure. Another part of me wants to say MO knows best. No chemo. That is where I sit today. No oxco, no chemo. YAY. Sorta. I tried. Sorta.

keepwalking

Keys-Plez - I found this interesting abstract:

http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/content/136479-151

If I am interpreting properly, the study suggests that in ILC a determination of whether to do chemo can be made on the basis of PR % and Ki-67 % alone, without the need of the Oncotype DX. (According to the Oncotype DX website, there is no correlation between Oncotype score and any of these histologic factors, but this study did find a correlation between Oncotype score and PR/Ki-67 when limiting the study to just ILC.)

Perhaps that is part of the computation in your case?

(Yeah, I admit it, I'm a geek - a biochemist.)

Keys-Plez

keepwalking..OK. So maybe my MO knows a little more than me. 😊 Thank goodness.

Thanks for the info. It gives me more piece of mind.

PontiacPeggy

I certainly get being jolted when you expected chemo and found out that you don't. Wonder if it is because you are too afraid that the "no chemo" is just a dream and reality will come crashing down again? I expected to have a mastectomy and chemo prior to see my BS. I was resigned. I wondered how I would cope with my DH who was very unwell at the time. But as with everything about my BC, worrying about my treatments just took a back seat to DH. So I wasn't invested in any treatment. Sometimes we just can't accept that something good/positive is happening.

Octogirl, glad you are managing your chemo pretty darned good. Just rest and take care of yourself!

Bobbi Jo, your breakdown on rads are 28 full breast treatments and the remainder are boosts, targeted at the BC area. You won't notice any difference. I only got 3 tattoos. Every RO sees to do those markings differently.

Molly, hope that you get definitive answers to your questions at your 2nd opinion visit. Do you know when it will be?

HUGS!!!

Molly50

Peggy, my appointment is next Monday. I need to go pick up my pathology slides before the appointment. I haven't been doing much the past few days. I think my depression hit and then Sunday night I started feeling nausea and for some reason I got a bunch of chanker sores. Almost like my body was telling me to rest so that's what I have been doing. Feeling a bit better this morning. I hope you are doing okay. I'm praying for you and your sons.

Nash54

BJ...beautiful pics. You must have an awesome camera to get those shots!


MLP...it was reassuring for me to read your "no chemo".....I had a score of 24 and was told no chemo. I was also preparing myself for the worst but was so relieved to hear "no chemo". I couldn't get out of that office fast enough. My BSO has been at this for 30+ years and is up to date (and even teaches) on all the latest developments. So I had total faith in his judgement.

Molly50

Nash, what is multi catheter radiation?

PontiacPeggy

Molly, I'd be surprised if everything was related to stress. Good heavens, how could it not be? Have you requested anti-depressants from any of your doctors? It might be an option for you. Canker sores are awful. I haven't had any in years and used ST-37 antiseptic on them. Numbs the mouth and the sores. It's rather hard to come by and it works for sore throats. Very old-fashioned remedy. I don't know if this is possible, but try to erase all the possibilities of your 2nd opinion appointment from your mind, or at least tuck them in a corner and shut the door for awhile. Maybe you can do something fun or immerse yourself in one of your favorite books. Probably not possible but it's worth a try. Remember you are doing you can to get the right treatment path! Many hugs!

HUGS!!!!