Stage II Forum

Yes I too belong here.  I am in the midst of the dreaded chemo, but this too shall pass.  I look forward to the Spring ~ flowers budding as well as my hair!! 

We have to "try " to live in the moment and enjoy each day... trying to remember tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

Alicia

Hi Ladies.

I'm bumping for joyceva who is also stage II

Sheila

Hi Ladies,

I have a question.  On Dec. 11th, I have my next 6mo. appt. with my Onc.  This being one yr. from end of treatments (8TAC chemo. and 5 wks. rads.), and I don't know what to expect.  I have had a lot of pain, which was dx. as arthritis in my hip, but everthing still hurts.  I'm 53 yrs. old and still active, with a garden job and walking the dog, but it's not easy.  I'm also taking Tamoxifen, which does have a SE of bone pain...

Thanks, Terry, that's what my Onc. did 6 months ago, so I guess it will be the same.  But I haven't had any blood work done in a year, now. So, I'll see tomorrow! 

Hi everyone just popped in to say have a great holiday season.

Leggy - had arthritis ever been mentioned to you before?  I'm wondering if after all this treatment that we are prone to arthritis?  I have sure been sore myself.

thanks.

Eliz 

Hey Cowgirl, yes I had x-rays of my hip and long bone about 6 months ago, and it came back arthritis, but then my back and shoulders really started bothering me. Right before my one year, since treatment appt. with Onc. I also noticed a large red mark on my shoulder blade.  When I showed my Onc. he said " When did this start?"  He seemed a little agitated at me, for not telling him sooner. So, he sat down and said, "Well, I think it's time we have a bone scan". He's not one for scans, but since my pain was wide spread, he thought we should find out.  I already was thinking the worst, but was pretty calm about it once we talked about it.  Thank God, I didn't have time to worry to much.

HH, I asked my Onc. about Zometa, but he didn't recommend it, maybe I should ask again.

I've been taking D3 for about a month, but I'll keep trying.  My job has a lot to do with all my aches and pains though, I'm a gardener and work at a place with lots of stairs. It seems to be taking forever, to get back in shape, after chemo.  I lost 35lbs and all my muscle tone.  The weight is coming back easily enough, wouldn't you know.

Hi All,

I am stage 2B and am joining you ladies. No nodes, but it was 5cm and pleomorphic, hence the 2B stage. I am seeing the oncologist at the end of January, so I am counting the days down...

Hi Julie

There are several threads on vitamine D with a lot of information, I decided not to check my level and take a conventional dose of D3.

HH

I was diagnosed in January 2003 so am coming up to my 7 year anniversary. I remain on Femara and hope to for some time longer. I was very scared 7 years ago  I thought i would die before the year was up.This year I hope to dnace with NED agian but must admit as the annual mammaogram date comes closer i do get a little nervous.Although i don't post very often i do check in occasionally.The research info here has been my lifeline.Mrsb

Jduford...My doctor said that if you had BC, then we should target for 80...the normal range of healthy is between 20-100, so we obviously need to be in the upper range. I was taking 5000 a day and levels came back at 37 so he is upping me for three weeks to 10,000 a day then down to 5 again for maintainece...have your oncologist even check it at check ups. Important.There is a new study and AI w/Vitamin D reducing bone pain and body aches.

MRSB...7 YEARS!! Congrats!! I know each year it comes back to haunt us more on certain days than others..you are in my prayers...I know all will be clear!! keep us posted

Aug..WOW...what a rollercoaster ride you have been on!  I am still shocked yet thrilled for you on the NO METS !

WLL..is that your oncotype score? I didn't get one done cuz I was her2 and it was automatic chemo. hopefully someone can answer you soon!

WLL,

I pulled this off of the ACS site under tumor markers:

CA-15-3

CA 15-3 is mainly used to watch patients with breast cancer. Elevated blood levels are found in less than 10% of patients with early disease and in about 70% of patients with advanced disease. Levels usually drop if treatment is working, but they may go up in the first few weeks after treatment is started. This rise is caused when dying cancer cells spill their contents into the bloodstream.

The normal level is usually less than 30 U/mL (units/milliliter), depending on the lab. But levels as high as 100 U/mL can sometimes be seen in women who do not have cancer. Levels of this marker can also be higher in other cancers, like lung and ovarian, and in some non-cancerous conditions, like benign breast conditions and hepatitis.

CA 27.29

CA 27.29 is another marker that can be used to follow patients with breast cancer during or after treatment. This test measures the same marker as the CA 15-3 test, but in a different way. Although it is a newer test than CA 15-3, it is not any better in detecting either early or advanced disease. It may be less likely to be positive in people without cancer. The normal level is usually less than 40 U/mL (units/milliliter), depending on the testing lab. This marker can also be elevated in other cancers and in some non-cancerous conditions, and it is not elevated in all patients with breast.

The page can be found at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_Tumor_Markers.asp?sitearea=PED

Oncotype score is different, so you need to be sure of exactly what is being defined.

I have heard that markers are not really useful individually, but should be taken under consideration with other info, test results.  Thay can be helpful, or misleading....

 Good luck and God Bless!

Count me in!!!!

One year is an important milestone Ainm.  You are right that the BC does stay in your face,  but you have done it---one year!!! That is just wonderful. 

Cyber hugs.

Mandy