Class of 2010

Hi Perky.  I too am somewhat confused about this issue.  I was of the opinion that if your ONC test was high...but your stage and grade of cancer was low (stage 1) and there was no lymph gland involvement, then chemo isn't a great weapon for you as your cancer is likely "defined" and "slow growing".  But your age and ER and PR receptors are also an important part of this equation.  That is to say, if you are higher than grade 1 and you are ER postive and pre-menopausal, then it often is recommended to take chemo as your body is naturally producing estrogen but if you are post menopausal, (with a low grade tumor that is ER positive) your natural estrogen levels are low and therefore your tumor is slow growing and chemo is not that effective against slow growing tumors.  Other medications do the trick for slow growers. At least, this is what I've been told.  There are so many pieces of the puzzle that need to come together when considering options!  OMG...we're having to become quasi-oncologist experts in such a short period of time.  LOL.  What do other pink peeps think on this topic?  It would be good to share what we know about this and what our oncologists have said.  Clearly, you can see what it is I've been told.

TEKA...you are amazing!   Way to go!  Front of the class for you.  I cannot even picture what it must feel like...I guess we do what we have to do...but sometimes it just boggles the mind.  Keep up the great work and congratulations. 

Hi there Irish47!  You are absolutely correct...and I have now corrected my message.  I meant to say that the stage and grade of the tumor as well as your age and the ER and PR factors (and lymph involvement) influence the decision for chemo or not.  I know in my case I really toyed with it but when I learned that chemo is not effective against slow growing, well defined tumors such as I have, I made a decision not to take it.  My onc supported it and actually told me that for me (due to a few other health issues I have) the chemo would end up doing me more harm than good.  Having said that, if all things for me were exactly as they are now and I learned new information, such as finding a small amount of cancer cells in my lymph glands, I would be opting for chemo regardless of the side effects.  The best side effect of chemo is living...at least that is what I think.  I want to dance at the weddings of all 6 of my grandchildren and my youngest is only 2 years old!  LOL.

Hi Ladies - I finally got some good news, my bone scan and abdomen cat scan came back completely clear!   YEAH!  I was so excited since this is really the only good news result I have had since this whole thing started.    I talked to the Oncologist a little while ago and she does not want me to wait too much long to start Chemo.  If my ps wants to open back up my stomach and put new sutures in then she wants her to do it right away and not wait.  I told her I wanted to wait until after next weekend because we are planning on flying to Indiana to my Nieces First Communion.  She wasn't happy with that and didn't want me to wait that long, want me to have the surgery if I need it next week.  Oh well, can have all the things I want.

Hi girls,

Well, today's medical oncologist was not what I was expecting ... OncoDX test came back with conflicting results from my original pathology.  The receptors on OncoDX came back a triple NEGATIVE and on my original path it showed ER + 91%.  My oncologist is more than a bit puzzled and she is ordering them to do the tests over.  That said with the triple negative my OncoDX score was 71!!!!!  (It's funny, I had been visioning a 17! Guess I got the numbers a little turned around LOL!)  I love my doctor and she said the decision was up to us, we could wait for more clarifiacation on the ER receptor. But I said the my DH and I had already decided to opt for chemo unless the number was remarkably low. SOOOOOOO.... I am starting chemo next week either Weds or Thurs (not sure yet) with a "cocktail" of Taxotere and Cytoxan.  .... 

I guess I am doing okay... but I am not gonna lie... the 71 scares me.

Hi there pink peeps.  Arubajan, that is discouraging when you hear such opposite comments on a pathology report.  This actually scares me more than anything I've come across.  Can you imagine an error this large?  I hope they sort it out QUICKLY for you and that they also apologize to you for putting you through anymore anxiety than necessary.  OMG.  We put such faith into the people who read these reports, don't we?  And to hear two complete different opinions...it makes me want to throw up.  Hang in there buddy.  Hugs your way: (((( Arubajan ))))

Today I thought of Katie's " Keep Swimming, Keep Swimming" thing.  I was only walking home and had to go pee and I thought I was going to have an accident but I kept saying "Keep Swimming, Keep Swimming" over and over and before you knew it I was home (and dry)!  LOL.

Katie, on Monday I am going to have a bone scan as well.  Try not to worry about your scan.  Let's put it this way...it will rule out lots of things!  We really shouldn't worry until we know we have something to worry about, right?  (I won't refer to the fact that we have a pink peep who had two professional and opposite opinions regarding her pathology report.  This would make us lose some confidence so let's not even think about that).  No, let's be excited that we are going to have a bone scan so we will not worry about every little ache and pain...right?  Also, go and have a glass of wine.  You deserve it.  Take care buddy.

Katie, i totally agree with Linda don't worry about the bone scan...you will be just fine and i'm happy the liver scare was nothing but that...keep hanging in there.

My surgeon gave me my ER as 7 and PR as 6 but have noticed everybody else writes theirs in percentages...why is that?

Hugs to everyone and stay positive.

Hi All...I hope everyone has a great weekend. There has been a lot of action on this board! Some good and bad news...hang in there all and healing thoughts to you.

I am halfway through rads and should be starting tamoxifen soon. I had an ultrasound today to check uterus and ovaries. The uterus is fine but 1 ovary is 10x bigger than the other. What? The nurse said it was fine to start tamoxifen but I think I will call oncologist monday. 

Cathyqk...glad to hear it went as well as it could...be sure to drink lots and lots of fluid...keep moving as much as possible.  I have found that it helps to stay hydrated and moving... I am sending you and everyone good thoughts.

Hang in.  There is another thread you might find helpful it is for those of us who are TC or DC as some Onc's call it.

Healing thoughts to all!!!!!

Cathy - good job on getting through the first one.  That has to be the hardest.  I will contact you re the scarves.  Nice to be neighbors .

I am scheduled for bone scan on Tuesday.  I have to take the day off work grrrr as they have to inject and then do the test 2 hours later.  How annoying for something I KNOW will come back as nothing.  I know, I know, I am glad it is being done just have to whine a little.  Linda G - please post the bone scan experience Monday afternoon so I will know what to expect.  Nothing like having your sisters go through it first..  Glad to have the weekend here and not have to deal with Todd the Tech and Wall-e the machine.  10 zaps down, 24 to go.   Seems fine now, no problems.  Have a great weekend all.

Katie 

Third day post Chemo and I'm flat out on my back.  Overemotional but not sick to my stomach....I'll take that as the trade off!  Managed a walk about my garden on the arm of my hubby and an escort from the cat.  You know you don't look to hot when your cat is trying to back you up!

Definitely ask for something to help you sleep.  The streoids they have you take really mess with your sleep and you need it to heal!  I'm off the Emend and steroids today...which may be why I'm so tired.

Katie-  The bone scan is easy, they just have to shoot you up with a radioactive isotope, doesn't hurt, and it has to react with your system for a while before they can do the scan.  The scan itself is just lying on a track while the scan goes around you.  Very quiet and peaceful.  I think I took a 20 minute nap.

 Dublin-

Hope you are doing well after #2!!!  I'm sending shinny disco ball thoughts your way!  By the way My sis-in -law found me one!  I'm planning on bringing it to my next Chemo-a-go-go!

Cathy-  Congratulations on making it through #1!!!  you and I are just days apart in treatment...I felt great for the first two days, walking etc.  but today was a real crash.  It's still very doable but I will not be going to any dance parties tonight.

Good Weekend thoughts for all of you healing wonder women!

Pickles:  Sorry to hear you're having a rough time.  It was day 3 or 4 when I would crash, too.  Rest, hydrate, walk when you can.  Pulling for you.

Cathyqk:  Thinking of you, too.  I know you can get to thinking of the poison, but you are doing everything known to kill the bad stuff.  I hope your SEs will be minimal.

Katie - The bones scan was nothing, I got there, they gave me the contrast through an IV.  I was also scheduled for an MRI of my abdomen so they did that and then they told me to leave the hospital for the couple of hours and to come back at a certain time for the scan. I think it did take only about 20 min and I got to watch it on the screen.  Was pretty cool.  I pray that your results will good and what ever they saw will be nothing!

Arubajan - That really sucks that your path reports are so out of sync, I am sure this is causing you so much undue stress.  Many hugs and prayers to you.

To all you ladies starting or already in Chemo, thank you so much for sharing your journey's, it is very helpful for those of us who are in the wings waiting to start.   I hope you all feel better by morning!

Tonight I told my 9 year old daughter about having to start Chemo in the next few weeks, and I felt so bad for her because she was really upset.  I had told her in the past that it was a possibility, but she just wants her old mom back.  She was even more upset when she found out I was going to loose my hair, she was very insistent that she wanted me to wear a wig.  We spent a lot of time talking about how I was the same person with or without hair and all the benefits of chemo.  She is so smart, even asked me if there were any medical side effects of the chemo besides loosing my hair.  I told her about being tired and achy but wasn't sure what else to say.  I am sure after a good night sleep she will have lots more questions about it. 

etk02038 and LauraM... just to chime in.. my son just turned 10.. only child.. and he has responded in a really similar way to your children.. concerned very much about my hair and appearance.. I definitely agree that Mom's appearance is something they rely on as a constant ... and fear change...  Mine gave me all kinds of advice after he had had a chance to absorb.. and then sought the advice and tips of his classmates! Latest advice is I should wait until it starts coming out.. then shave it and have wig at the ready.. really wants me to make wig out of my own hair.. but thats too expensive.. at least he's more prepared now.. I have another 12 days or so..