Class of 2010

Artsymom, that's great news about your path report, you must be so relieved.  I hope that you enjoyed your red wine, and celebrating with your family.  Does this mean that you will be exempt from chemo? 

This whole superbug thing is weird.  I rarely take antibiotics, I can't remember the last time that I had a prescription for anything, and my immune system is pretty strong.  It must be the stress that is affecting my ability to fight off the nasties.

Have a good day peeps, and welcome newbies.  It's off to work for me

that's great news artsymum, here's to the good news days, enjoy.

Lisa

Artsymom- Great news!!!! Celebrate!

Linda G - Alaska!  I have always wanted to do that!  I want to hear all about it.  Feeling better today after a long hard bike ride last night with "the boys".  I gave away all my parents' clothes yesterday which I didn't anticipate was going to be as hard as it was.  I cried all over the poor pick up man.  Their house still hasn't sold but in my crazy OCD brain I am trying to get the death of my parents chapter and the cancer in my boob chapter of my life over at the same time.  6 more weeks.  Will I make it?  I know all of you are going to say that the cancer boob isn't going away all that soon.  I will have to have a mammogram in Sept. and start sweating all over, but I can dream can't I?  

Katie 

Hey, did you peeps hear today's news.  Martina Navratilova was diagnosed with DCIS.  Lumpectomy and rads.  She has joined her club....

Katie 

soulswithin,

I wish to be an owl until 2011!

Hello all!

 I am a new member to the club!  I found a lump back in late November of 2009.  My Primary doctor told me it was nothing to worry about, just a cyst, too young for breast cancer (I'm 35), blah, blah, blah.  I listened to him for a couple of months and then In March noticed that my breast had changed.  The nipple had flattened and the lump was largeer.  Finally got orders for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound.  That was on 03-30-10.  The radiologist saw me and explained that I needed to see a surgeon ASAP that he did not like the way things looked.  I left there in a fog.  I called the surgeon that he told me to call and was scheduled for the next mornign 03-31-10.  The surgeon did not like the mamm, the ultrasound or the look/feel.  He did a core biopsy in office that morning.  2 days later, 04-02-10, I got the call.  I had cancer but they did not know the kind yet.  04-06-10 I found out it was IDC, grade 2, ER+ (>50%), PR- and am still waiting for my HER2/neu results.

Since then I have decided to go with treatment at The Mayo Clinic here in Jacksonville.  My first appointment with them was on 04-08-10.  I met with a genetic's specialist yesterday (04-09-10) and meet my surgeon, plastic surgeon, oncologist and radiation oncologist on Monday & Tuesday.  It looks like my surgery will be late next week or early the following week.

Due to the history in my family, it will be a shock if I am not BRAC+.  Even without that knowledge, I have opted for a double masectomy.  I just know that I will not rest with these still on me..  I will have chemo after surgery, although the first surgeon I saw had recommended chemo first, the Mayo team is leaning towards chemo after.  Once I see my surgeon and oncologist we will know 100%.  There was a bit of discussion on if I have Inflammatory BC but I am missing some of the larger symptoms and 3 of 3 doctors that have examined me agree that they do not believe it is IBC.  I am going to ask the surgeon if she thinks a skin bioposy should be completed on Monday.

 Anyway, I am so lucky that Mayo is on my insurance and so close to home.  They are the closest hospital to my home.  It takes me less than 5 minutes to get there.  They have such a great staff and support system for patients.  I just feel so much more confident since I have made the decision to be treated by them.

I am sorry that we are all in this crappy boat, but I look forward to fighting this disease, supporting each of you, sharing laughter and tears and looking back on this journey as a time that we all learned just how strong we really are.

 {{hugs}}

Hi raerae...welcome to the club.  Sounds like you are gathering information like a hot potato.  Good for you girl!

Can I ask you what your IBC symptoms are?  The reason I ask is that I'm beginning to think I might have IBC as well as IDC.  I know it is a far reaching possibility...but I've had so many of the symptoms since my surgery (lumpectomy).

Good luck to you this week!

Hi Peeps!

Hope everyone had a fun Spring break! My computer died and I couldn't get a loaner until now but wanted to check in and thank you for your help.

My BMX was on 03/31/10. It went really well. Only one node removed and it was clean. The surgeon said that the cancer looked contained and was very happy about it. I also heard from an intern that it was larger than expected but wouldnt say more so I am bracing myself for hearing that chemo is in my future.

The day after the BMX I had a very cute, attentive male nurse. That had to have saved me thousands in therapy. I am still completely me, just a little rearranged. As much as I was dreading everything, it turns out that all my doctors are rock stars and I couldn't have been better cared for.

Ten days later, I still have 2 of 4 drains in, using ice packs on the boobs forming under my arms and can sleep laying on my back instead of sitting up.  Next week I will get some silicone bra inserts the second the drains are removed and I wont look back.

My biggest fear by far was what my reaction would be when I saw the "Area" after surgery. The day after the BMX a team of PS interns came in, ripped off all the bandages and there it was. I had to look and really didn't expect to so soon. But I did and it wasn't what I expected. It was still me, I am not deformed and with the hard tissue expander sticking out, I also know it's temporary. I was so scared that seeing me this way would make me so sad that I would never recover but it didn't happen.

So now just a little nervous about my appt Monday and can't wait for the drains to be gone.  I think I am doing great! Thank you all for getting me through it, I can't imagine how hard it would be without the collective knowledge and support coming from you all!

Good evening ladies, been spending time getting caught up with all of you after my 10 days in Florida.  You have all been so busy and so much has happened.  Hello to all the new Peeps that have unfortunately had to join our wonderful club.  I had decided that I was not going to log into this site or any other cancer site during vacation.  I was going to pretend as much as possible that I didn't have cancer, that it was like last year.  It was kind of nice!

Everything went pretty good while I was gone, I found out I was anemic before I left so they put me on iron pills and a multi vitamin.  I went to the health food store in my town and bought them there because I had read somewhere that vitamens absorb better that were from health food stores.   They made such a world of difference with me, every day I started feeling better and stronger and I didn't have any side affect with fiber pills which is a plus since I already have those issue with pain meds.   I am still having the issue with my stomach scar opening up.  My doctors had told me to spend as much time possible in the salt water and I did that, but it seemed that after every time I was in the salt water, a new area of my scar started to swell and then within 24 to 48 hours would open up and expel fluid.  These area's are all still open and draining.  The original two have gotten better in the salt water but I now have an additional 5 or 6 other small areas of my scar that has opened up.  I go to see my plastic surgeon tomorrow so I will see what he says.  I can't start Chemo until this heals. 

I can't believe that tomorrow will be 7 weeks from my Mastectomy, time is really flying!  I hope everyone else is feeling good and had a wonderful Easter.

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with DCIS in Feb and had first surgery 3/2. Margins were not clear and a small amount 3mm of IDC was found which was Her2+. So back to surgery on 3/16 to have reincision and sentinel node biopsy. I was so fortunate that no cancer found in the lymph nodes and the margins were clear.  I am er+pr+ also. My first visit to the oncologist was uneventful. He wanted the pathology report to be more informative since it was vague and more testing to be done on the Her2+ if that was possible since it was so small. Has anyone else had this situation? I am waiting in limbo right now and go back to the onc next week.  I am a teacher and returned to the classroom 4 days after each surgery. The end of the year is coming and I am getting anxious to get started on something.

Misquam42,

Welcome!

You should get a copy of all pathology reports showing results of all the tests.    Has your doctor talked to you about Oncotype DX Test?   Learn as much as you can about BC.   Talk to doctor or doctors until you completely understand your choices for breast-cancer treatment.   Always take a witness to doctor appointments.   I was diagnosed 1-20-10 with BC and finally got pathology report showing last test result 4-1-10.  I just kept asking for copy of test result.   I started chemo 4-1-10.   

Welcome, Misquam42.  I'm sure you are not excited to belong to this club...but hey...what can you do?  We are all making the best of a poopy situation...and if I must say...we're doing a mighty fine job.

I was ER and PR positive and had a Her2 score of "equivacol".  This meant it was sort of "in the middle" (or couldn't be measured accuartely with the test they used) and could not therefore give me an official score one way or the other. A more exhaustive test had to be done, called the FISH test.  The test results showed that I was actually Her2 negative.  Perhaps this is the test you are now going to have?  They take some of your tumor and do further testing and it takes about an extra week to get the results back.  But don't worry even if it is Her2 postive...there are lots of ways to tackle breast cancer...and you've got a team ready to fight.  You are in good hands by the sounds of things.

a part of my cancer was also DCIS although I didn't put that in my offical report on this site.  It was such a small part of everything actually.  My tumor was 85% IDC and 15% DCIS.  So really, I just say it is IDC.  My margins were clear as well.  And, like you, no cancer found in the lymph glands.  How old are you if I might ask? 

My guess is that you will start on radiation within 10 to 12 weeks (they like your wound to heal well before the radiation starts) and who knows...they may want to throw some chemo your way...hard to say.  A lot depends on your HER status and your age as well as the stage of the tumor.  Let's hope you don't need chemo...but if you do don't worry...from everything I've read it is very "doable" and there are amazing drugs now.  Hang in there...and gentle welcoming hugs to you! 

Perky, glad things are workingout for you!  Take care my pink peep!

Hi Ellen...yes, it is going to end with you being well...it is just going to take some time.  Just keep hanging in there and be patient my pink peep!  Remember, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"...

I've noticed that a high number of pink peeps have gas/intestinal issues.  I had an ultra sound done as a result and it showed nothing.  But, like you, I assumed it was cancer raging through my body.

I had endometriosis and a hysterectomy when I was 32 years old.  I already had my 3 beautiful kids so didn't mind losing the crib.  They left the play pen in tact though.  When I had my ultra sound recently in the pelvis area, the tech could only find one ovary...the other one has shrivelled up I guess... like a puff of wind...LOL...maybe that's why I get so much gas?  My husband says it's because I talk too much and circle breathe.  LOL (again).

Take care of yourself...and remember we're all in this fight together.  Let us all lift you gently up..and let you dust off your beautiful knees.  There you go...on your feet again you pink warrior! Gentle hugs your way.... ((((((((( ELLEN ))))))))))))