Infiltrating ductal carcinoma, grade 3

jo6359

happyanyway-keep us updated. I hope you're able to get some rest tonight.

UpstateNYer

hello Happyanyway. So glad that your MRI went well, I am sure that the Xanax helped😊 It is smart that your sister attends the MO appointment with you. Make sure to take notes. I met with the pathologist today along with my sister. The pathologist spent 2 1/2 hours going over my slides and explaining why I had an unclear margin for the second time. It is very focal and small, so I will be having a third surgery to get clear margin before radiation. I meet with MO on April 29th. I am so happy with my team so far. Everyone has been terrific. You will do well too. Hugs. Pat

HappyAnyway

Good morning all!

UpstateNYer, 2 1/2 hours! That's amazing. Knowledge is power. I'm happy that you're happy!

I'm in the waiting room to meet my MO now. I'm so ready to get a plan of action.

Hugs to all.

Elephant

Hi HappyAnyway: it is great that things are moving fast for you, they did for me too; it was good to feel that after the shock of finding out that I had cancer, I was on a path to get rid of it quickly. Once you get a treatment plan you will feel that you are back in control and on your way to full recovery. Good luck with your MO.

keepthefaith

HA, Your attitude is infectious! That will be of great help to you as you go through treatments. So nice that you have your sister to go with you.

On the subject of finances, you may want to ask the social worker/insurance person at your medical facility if they have any grants available that you may be able to apply for., to help pay for your deductible. I was DX'd at the end of the year and ended up with two large deductibles in the treatment process. I did receive a grant to help cover some of the costs, which was a tremendous relief! You may be able to do an online search also. Best wishes to you all!

HappyAnyway

Hello, hello, hello!

Great news! The MRI shows that there is no lymph node involvement and my other breast is great! The clinical stage is 2b. I don't understand why since the lymph nodes don't appear to be involved. I need to ask my MO on Friday.

So, chemo port tomorrow, MO on Friday to discuss the chemo process followed by chemo training. In the meantime, he's ordering a bone scan and CT scan. I'm guessing that the scans will be on either Thursday, Friday afternoon or Monday. My first chemo treatment is on Tuesday.

You are all absolutely right! I feel as though a burden has been lifted since a plan has been arranged.

I still haven't met my nurse navigator. I am looking forward to the guidance that he or she will provide.

Keepthefaith, thank you for the financial advice. This is the first healthcare provider that hasn't asked for money yet. I am thankful for that.

Whew! Am I tired. Looking forward to restful night.

Praying for you all.

UpstateNYer

hello Happyanyway. I am so happy that there is no lymph node involvement. That is great news. Your plans are now in place to get you cured. I have another suggestion regarding finances. Most hospitals have financial aid paperwork that you can fill out and submit in having your bills for copays and high deductible amounts reduced. You can, at the very least, qualify for a certain percentage off. The paperwork for my hospital was only 2 pages long, and I got all of my hospital related bills reduced. Every little bit helps. God Bless. Pat

purplestargazer

You have a wonderful attitude that will carry you through! I'm a (newly) two-time survivor of triple negative. The road is bumpy but managable. I was 38 at first Dx and 39 at second. (I plan on being done with DX from here on out - thank you very much). I managed chemo and surgeries while parenting a young child and owning two businesses.

You've come to the right place. Wishing you strength through this process. You can absolutely do this. 💪

purplestargazer

PS I really love this FB group for Triple Negative. I've learned a ton: https://www.facebook.com/groups/59853196480

Great news on your MRI!

HappyAnyway

Thank you, purplestargazer. Nice name.

Port placement went well. IV wasn't fun as I was a little dehydrated. Took hydrocodone that night and yesterday. That's why I didn't post. I was afraid I wouldn't make much sense! 😂 If anyone wants the details of the procedure, I'll share. I've been trying to provide lots of info for those that may be having the same procedures /experiences as me. Just a little tired right now.

Yesterday was my day off from medical stuff! Yay!

I had my MO appointment this morning and have my first chemo treatment on Tuesday. My MO said he doesn't usually push for mastectomy, but looks like I'm headed in that direction. I'm down. Thinking of double. Depends on genetic testing, if my insurance approves the genetic testing. In the meantime, I have 6 months of chemo to contemplate.

Feeling well, just exhausted. Ready for a long weekend with my babies.

Hope you are all well.

HappyAnyway

Almost forgot, I had my PET scan today, too. It was easy. They let me keep my jewelry in, too, since my piercings are fairly new.

UpstateNYer

Hi Michele, Glad to hear that Pet scan and MO appt. went well. My, things are sure moving fast for you. That is great. I wonder why chemo is to start before mastectomy. I pray for you daily, and am sending positive thoughts your way. You will have so much support on this forum. I know I have. Have a wonderful, restful Easter weekend with your family. Take care. Pat😊

jo6359

upstate- when you're HER2+ positive generally chemo starts before surgery. I was one of the exceptions. From my own friends experience sometimes chemo starts first depending on the size of the tumor , type of tumors, ETC.

HappyAnyway

I believe the reason I am getting chemo first is because my Ki-67 is 75%, which means the nasty cells inside of me are dividing quickly. I've heard conflicting opinions on the size of my mass. It's between 3-4cm. I'm also triple negative, which I think is often treated with chemo before surgery.

Please don't quote me on any of the information that I just provided. I'm so new to this. I think I have a general understanding, but I have learned a lot in a very short period of time.

HappyAnyway

Do people with tnbc typically have a higher Ki-67 percentage and higher grade?

santabarbarian

typically higher grade... not sure about Ki-67

VLH

HappyAnyway, with apologies for being slow to respond, I believe the new staging categories automatically assign a "B" rating when you're triple negative, even with no positive nodes. I don't recall the exact timing of the change, but am fairly confident that it was within the last year.

Chemo before surgery offers the advantage of being able to see if your tumor shrinks in response to the drugs used. If the tumor completely disappears (a pathological complete response or PCR), studies suggest you may have a better long-term outlook. Even if not, the odds are very much in your favor.

Lyn