I'm "joining your club" (and I didn't even know I applied.....)

seq24

BarredOwl, yes she meant I could get to 90% with all of her recommended treatment, surgery,chemo, radiation and hormone therapy. I will clarify the rest. Since the grade of cancer went from 2-3 I decided I better trust my doctors and do what they are recommending because the thought of having to ever do this again is horrifying.

EmmaRose

I have just been diagnosed w/breast cancer. All that I know is the type, which I understand is the most common, ductal carcinoma. Will meet w/surgical specialist on 6 September, & shall hopefully learn the stage, suggested course of action & such. My beloved husband passed 4 months ago from Mesothelioma & I hadn't yet fully accept the reality. Then our EmmaRose, our little red Doxie, passed unexpectedly on 22 August. She would not leave Marc's side & was w/him as he took his last breath. She literally cried w/me for weeks. Emma & I had created a softer & kinder space to grieve my husband w/one another. We were a sweet comfort to one another. Her loss is no less heartbreaking than that of my gentle husband. Maybe I am on the wrong place, or section. I just joined & am unfamiliar w/the workings. Would like to hear from folks, learn what I should be aware & informed of for my initial visit w/surgical specialist & for each step of this journey. So thankful that I have found such a unique & helpful form of support.

seq24

Jennie93--yes I would love to see it. Thank you.

BarredOwl

Welcome EmmaRose:

I am sorry to hear about your recent losses, and now a breast cancer diagnosis.

Do you happen to know if your biopsy showed that you have non-invasive disease (ductal carcinoma in situ ("DCIS")) or if you have some invasive disease present (invasive ductal carcinoma ("IDC")).

BarredOwl

smilethrupain

seq24, my MO did the following arythmetic for me: 40% recurrence/mets in 10years with no treatment, 19% with tamoxifen, chemo cuts 1/3, and ovarian suppression 1/3. Once I switch to AI,I'd be as close to 0% as I can ever get. So, for me, grade 3, even without nodes or BRCA, means aggressive treatment.

seq24

Smilethrupain--thank you. That makes sense. Sounds like we have similar cases except I had a positive node on top of everything else. The day of chemo gets closer and closer. I start Friday. How about you?

SusanaQ

Cinnamon,

I'm in same situation. I was diagnosed by biopsy on 6/2/2016; invasive ductal and lubular carcinoma 1.5 cm. er+, pr-, her-. Right mastectomy on 6/30/2016 with sentinel node with macrometases (2mm). Was given the option based on ASCOPS study to go back for axillary node dissection or continue w plan for chemo and radiation. After reviewing the studies and data, and after my team took my case to the tumor board, their recommendation was skip the Axillary node dissection (AND). Given that I am right hand dominant, I'm very interested in minimizing the burden of disease of lymphaedema. Additionally, I'm comfortable with the outcomes of radiation vs AND+radiation. The big unknown for me is how many lymph nodes are positive? If there are 4 + nodes that changes stage to 3a from 2b, but my treatment plan stays the same. oc says there is a 15% chance of 2 additional nodes, and 1-3 nodes still leaves me at stage 2b. I processed this fully with doctors and family and am on board with the plan. I know many believe that it s best to just take any doubt out, but for me, given the out outcomes being equal, I'm skipping the AND.