Stage II Forum

Options
1…34689…21

Comments

  • ktmimi2
    ktmimi2 Member Posts: 46
    edited November 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    I guess I will be the new kid on the block. I was diagnosed, March 2009, had lumpectomy, node negative, then a re-excision because margins had more cancer, six weeks of rads (no problems) and just one month in to Femara but I just learned yesterday that my Blue Shield PPO won't authorize the Femara for me. I have to take Arimidex first and if I have issues with it, they hopefully will authorize the Femara with Oncologist report card of failure with Arimidex. I am a bit concerned to now start Arimidex after one month of Femara and no side effects. Just when you think all is going pretty well.....there is always a blip in the road. My thought is...it could be worse, gut it up and just do it. Nice to be here with you all on our journey together. Thanks for our little corner of BC!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2009

    Hi

    just wanted to report I have been having all my one year follow ups-yesterday was the closeout with radiation and my first mammogram since the lumpectomy.  All clear!!!! everything looks good- progosis still great--- although I still want to get my mri early next year--- but so far, with breast exams by my pcp and the radiologist and the mammogram--things look good!!!! Just need to celebrate that a little today!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited November 2009

    mom..you just celebrate alot today...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited November 2009

    Happy Dancing for the good follow up.   I also go the all clear last week and am still on cloud nine.   It looks like there will be no visits to any medical facility or office until next year.  Welcome ktmimi.   

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 4,869
    edited November 2009

    Dear Lefty and Mom, Fantastic news for the both of you. Yes, celebrate and have lots of fun this weekend. God bless you, Kathy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2009

    I finally have some distance between dr. appt... after seeing the surgeon next week- have gyn in January, Onc in March, MRI in May, onc in September, PCP in October, Mammogram in November--- can't do much more than that.....someone will  be checking every 2 months for a while....

    I am looking forward to seeing my surgeon-- I think I can now ask questions about the path report that I could not ask before---- and plus, she is just lovely and whip-smart---- so I like to talk to her.... one thing she said back in January was that they were doing some trials with AI's to extend the time from 5 years to 8 years... god, I hope not!!!  It hasn't even been 6 months and I am ready to get off this femara---but I am going to stay on b/c it clearly has been successful in preventing recurrence and new bc's..... 

      

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2009

    I'm joining this party as well.

    Everything go well so far, with the exception of dealing with a very stubborn, nasty breast infection in the bc breast.  Onc thinks it could be associated with rads healing (last rads June 26, 2009) or just a weird fluke.  Very painful, can't touch the breast, discharge, etc.  Ultrasound yesterday was okay - just showed swelling.  They are going to bump up my MRI (in place of a mammo as I'm still rads tender) to next week, just to make sure and I received two ouchy shots in the tush yesterday and am on Levaquin for this weekend.  followup again on Tuesday. 

    am a little nervous about the MRI as I was reading the report from the initial one done in February shortly after diagnosis, before my lumpectomy and it showed not only my proven tumor, but in the opposite breast, a 0.03 suspsicious mass that was supposed to be followed up in 3 months with MRI, but was not, plus lots of cysts consistent with fibrocystic disease.  My surgeon did try to get a biopsy on the tiny mass prior to surgery but could not.  Now, I'm very nervous about what may be there.  If there is anything there at all that is suspicious, I'm going to just get a bilat mast before the end of the calendar year (and while I have still met my deductible) to just end the making myself crazy game.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnnieMorehead
    AnnieMorehead Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2009

    I'm new to this....diagnosed 10/2/09...lumpectomy on 10/27.  I got my pathology on 11/12....positive on hormones, negative on HER-2.  I'm concerned about "lymph vascular invasion present."  I go to see the radiation oncologist this Wednesday and medical oncologist on 11/30.  Also some "isolated micro tumor cells" found...which doctor said has been considered a negative reading.  I have been researching Internet about this topic, also.

    I'm used to being on the Cruise Critic message boards...this cancer is a trip I didn't plan on taking!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EngTchr
    EngTchr Member Posts: 184
    edited November 2009

    Good luck with your MRI, Chelev.  Hope you get all good news!

    I have a couple questions for momand2kids and ktmimi2.  What are the differences between Femara and Arimidex?  Why will your insurance only pay for Arimidex, kt, and not Femarar?  And mom, why are you so anxious to finish with Femara?  Bad SEs?  I think I'll be starting on Femara after I'm finished with rads in late Dec but not certain.  I don't know much about it. 

    Thanks for your help.

    Becky

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2009

    eng,

    my onc picked femara-- there is really no difference between femara and arimidex--- and she figured that we could try one then if it was too much for side effects, try the other.  I find that it makes my joints stiff--I am very active, so exercise does indeed help (swimming is the best) but it is annoying--and there is vaginal dryness that I am trying to treat as well--but as side effects go, they are minimal and I am trying to work with it--- but I would definitely prefer only 5 years not 8 .

    annie, there has been some new research about isolated tumor cells--bottom line they are still considered node negative but there is some thought that chemo should be used--- have you had the oncotype test?  that will help you --but see what your onc recommends--I would also be concerned about the vascular invasion--you want to ask about that....

    I had no vascular invasion and negative nodes (with 3 isolated tumor cells in my sentinel node-still considered negative nodes) and I chose to have chemo--- onc said that the tumor cells would not be what decided chemo (at least not for her, but for me it was enough)... but the oncotype helped-I was in the gray area- so I just did it....

     good luck with your onc......you might call ahead and see if they have sent anything out for the oncotype. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Angel10
    Angel10 Member Posts: 682
    edited November 2009

    Hi Ladies...

    Just a quick FYI...I have listened in on several conferences hosted by Living Beyond Breast Cancer (http://www.lbbc.org/) They have a conference call tomorrow evening that all can register for on Follow up Testing 101.  It may be old info for many, but since these things seem to change from day to day, thought I would share.  I am cutting and pasting info. By pre-registering they will email info to you and the presentation handouts.

    God Bless!

    Follow-Up Testing 101 - New Evening Time!

    Our November teleconference will focus on the National Cancer Institute's guidelines for follow-up testing and why follow-up care may vary from doctor to doctor

    Speaker: Nancy U. Lin, MD

    Register for this free teleconference.

    Join Living Beyond Breast Cancer for our next free teleconference, Follow-Up Testing 101, at the new time from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Wednesday, November 18.

    Nancy U. Lin, MD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, will give you practical information about follow-up testing, including:

    • The National Cancer Institute's guidelines for follow-up testing
    • Why follow-up care may vary from doctor to doctor
    • The differences in follow-up care between early-stage and advanced breast cancer
    • The importance of a long-term survivorship plan
    • How to communicate post-treatment concerns with your doctor

    About Our Speaker

    Dr. Lin is a medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute specializing in the care of women with breast cancer. Her research focuses on developing new therapies for women with brain metastases and women with HER2 positive breast cancer. Dr. Lin is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and a recipient of an ASCO Foundation Young Investigator Award and Career Development Award.

    About the Program

    Our speaker will give a brief presentation, followed by a question-and-answer period. To participate, you need only a telephone or computer (listen-only) with Real Network Player or Windows Media Player. Social workers may be eligible to receive continuing education credits; see our registration form for more details.

    New Features for Online Participants

    A slideshow presentation will be available online during the program. You will also have the opportunity to submit questions for the question-and-answer session online

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited November 2009

    Kathy..... Congratulations on your 5th.

    Sheila

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 4,869
    edited November 2009

    Dear Seyla, If this was for me, Thank you, thank you!!!!!! You are so sweet!!!! God bless you, Kathy Prihode  (I know there is another Kathy on this forum, too.)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cynthiadi
    Cynthiadi Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2009

    hey me too we have been diagnosed the same thing

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited November 2009

    What has happened to Rumoret, founder of this thread?  Does anyone know how she is doing?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited November 2009

    prihode.....Of course it was for you. You're welcome,

    Smile Sheila

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rumoret
    rumoret Member Posts: 685
    edited November 2009

    Hello Everyone,

    I have not gone far away from breastcancer.org and this wonderful thread. I had been dealing with that nasty cold/flu that is hitting the country. My grandson brought it home from school (age 2 1/2) and it proceeded to go through the entire family. I started off with a sore throat that felt like someone slashed it with glass--and then it went to my sinuses. I ran a low grade fever right up until I started to feel a little achy and I thought FLU and then my fever was 101.2 for about 2 days. Then I started to recover but still was hanging on to a fever of 99.3 for the remainder of illness. The entire process was about 8 days!

    So......I have not forgot this wonderful Forum or this thread! I will need to read to catch up on the entire conversation--but I know everyone here has been doing a fabulous job of posting.

    I am outraged on the latest news on mamo's and self exams on our breasts! I am so glad this site does not agree with this PANEL ( I guess I will need to catch up on who these B@stards are)!

    Missed you all,

    Terry Rumore, hugs and kisses 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • havehope
    havehope Member Posts: 503
    edited November 2009
    I am glad I found you. Just crossed one year anniversary on Halloween Day. ( I use surgery date ). I am 45 years old, married, one daughter 13 years old and one black schnauzer 1 year old -still a puppy. I had  L-mastectomy, chemo , prophylactic  R-mastectomy-one year later , no reconstruction. No hormone therapy either. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 4,869
    edited November 2009

    Dear Rumorvet, Hope you feel better soon and thanks again for starting this forum and a big welcome to you simvog. Congratulations on your one year anniversary!!!! Kathy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2009

    Hi,

    just wanted to share- had all my 1 year appointments--bid farewell to the surgeon, the radiologist and had a clear mammogram.  Going forward, will see gyn, onc, pcp, have a mammo and an mri every year for a while.  

    Treated myself to a bra fitting on the way home- breasts are the same size, but somehow bras just were not feeling so great-- went ot one of those stores where the lady comes right in with you and puts the bra on you--- I have to tell you, I feel 1000 times better---- I was wearing the wrong size!!

    Feeling great about the checkups and hoping that the good checkups continue for the next 40 years!

    All the best

    Happy Thanksgiving

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Angel10
    Angel10 Member Posts: 682
    edited November 2009

    momand2kids...

    YEEHAW!

    Congrats on saying caio to all those lovely people and Happy clean Anniversary!

    God Bless!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sherrilynne
    sherrilynne Member Posts: 65
    edited November 2009

    I had lumpectomy in March 09, chemo, rads and now on Tamoxifen.  Can anyone share with me when we have our first mamogram follow up?  

    Also, everyone once in a while I have pains go through my breast and my breast is still sore especially by the incision area if I press on it.  Is this the breast healing or what could cause this?   Has anyone else experience this?

    Thank you and God bless!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 4,869
    edited November 2009

    Dear momand2kids, Congratulations and Happy Thanksgiving to you. wow, you have so much to be thankful for. God bless you, Kathy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited November 2009

    sheryllyne

    I just had my first mammogram and it was almost a year since my surgery---

    the breast pain is normal-my surgeon said it can feel like that for up to 2 years....

    congrats on being done! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited November 2009

    Stage I visitor stopping by to say have a good Thankgiving WEEK to Rumoret and all.

    Ladies, I have been having that vague soreness in the breast, so maybe mine is just normal healing also.  Have a scheduled check with the RadOnc tomorrow and I'll ask him about it.  I think my BS wanted me to have the first follow-up mammo six mos. out of surgery, but the idea of having my already sore breast squished down is not a welcome one. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lucy47
    Lucy47 Member Posts: 183
    edited November 2009

    Hi All

    I haven't been on for a while and now I see that you ladies have started a early stage forum. Wonderful!!! so I just wanted to share with you all that today is my 2 year anniversary. Feeling great. Stay well all my fellow sisters in this fight against breast cancer.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2009

    Hi, everyone. I can't remember if posted on this page or not - but had my first MRI following up after lump/chemo/rads and the radiologist said "It doesn't get any better than this."  The tamox is doing great - removed all kinds of things you can see from the MRIs I had in February, and everything looks great -I am happy to be called NED.

    Stay well, everyone and happy Thanksgiving!  I definitely have plenty to give thanks for this year.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rumoret
    rumoret Member Posts: 685
    edited November 2009

    Just taking a quick break from my cooking and wanted to wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving!

    Love,

    Terry 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nene2059
    nene2059 Member Posts: 270
    edited November 2009

    Thanks Terry and Happy Thanksgiving to you!  We all have a lot to be thankful for this year. Thanks for all of the support you all have given me this year. I could not have made it through this journey without everyone at BC.org.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • havehope
    havehope Member Posts: 503
    edited November 2009

    Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories