Staining???

Hi there, This is my first time on this board. Several years ago I had Bi-Lateral BC. At that time I used an AOL BC board that was invaluable to me. I can't find it now. But after looking at this board I have high hopes of finding the support and encouragement I need from it as well.

After my annual mammogram a couple of weeks ago they began the testing and retesting that those of us who have gone through this are all too familiar with. Yesterday, I got the diagonsis that it is cancer. I haven't yet seen my SO but have an appointment later this week to see her.

They told me that they are waiting for the staining to be complete before bringing me in. This is a new term to me. Even though I've been given a sort of explanation of what that means I hope one of you can tell me in English what they are talking about.

I'll know more after I've seen my Dr. but it would help now if I had a better understanding of it. I looked it up on the web but couldn't understand what I saw there. It was way too techincal. Can someone help me? Thanks

Carolyn

Comments

  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited October 2009

    I am not familiar with the term staining but I wonder if it is referring to tests for things like hormone status and her2neu status.  It may be something they do to the samples to determine these things?

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited October 2009

    On the top of the screen click Search Breastcancer.org site

    Write staining and search the information is there. What I read was staining means if you are

    ER+ PR+ or not.    (English)

    Carolyn I hope this helps you.

    Good Luck

    Sheila

  • Carolynlg
    Carolynlg Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2009

    Member_of_the_Club and Sheila, Thank you both for responding to my question. Member as far as I can understand your information is right on. Sheila thank you so much for tipping me off on where to look for information on things I don't understand.

    This may be a repeat performance for me but I've either forgotten a lot or there is a lot of new stuff out there since I did this eight years ago. But in any case I feel like a rank beginner all over again. Except I don't have quite the same level of fear that I did before. I know what might be ahead and I know it is doable. Not fun perhaps but doable. I'll have to wait till I see the Dr. to know just what all is ahead but I know my Lord will see me through it all. His Grace will be sufficient for me.

    Thanks again for your help and your support.

  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited October 2009

    There's a whole lot of new stuff.  Good luck

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