Confused with Diagnosis

grneyd5600 · May 2010

grneyd5600 · May 2010

Hi, I was originally diagnosed with BC on 3/26/10. Originally we thought I had just a single tumor in the right breast. As tests and biopsies were done we realized I had a right breast full of cancer and a left breast with two "suspicious" tumors. On 4/19/10 I had a bi-lateral mastectomy. I decided I only wanted to go down the road once. Week of surgery doctor told me (4) lymph nodes involved and stage was a 3 (A). This week when I went to see him he told me that there were actually only (3) fully involved lymph nodes and (1) additional one with "tumor cells" in it. I really like my BS but I get confused around the changes in the diagnosis because it seems like things change every time we talk or meet.

My question is when I meet with the oncologist do I consider myself (4) lymph nodes or just (3). I joked with my husband that they could call me a 2b if they wanted but I wanted treatment for a 3a. Am I worrying about something for nothing? Any advice?

I have found during this whole process that you have to be your own advocate. The doctors are great but they have a lot of patients and sometimes they are moving in a lot of directions. I want to be sure I get the right treatment so any advice is welcomed.

Thanks!

diana50 · May 2010

hi jackie

the surgery is the most important part of this whole treatment process; taking the tumor(s) out and lessing the tumor burden on your body. the chemo...rads....hormone treatment basically "cleans up" and rouge cells.

expressing your concern and asking your oncologist "point blank" about your concerns regarding the nodes is really important./ ask him if he would recommend any different type of chemo regarding the 3 or 4 lymph nodes...you do have to be your own advocate in this cancer business and making an honest and direct connection with your oncologist is really important. remember; this doctor will be seeing you for a long time** and your relationship with the oncologist is really important.

you can always go for a second opinion as well. sometimes hearing from another oncolgist helps you get your head around this. however, if you have confidence in your current oncologist..that is important too.

also, sometimes they send pathology back for another look; (surgeon)...so maybe that is why you got two different results from your surgeon.

sorry you are dealing with this. hang in there and use the boards. there a many of us out here who have finished treatment...who are still doing treatment...and many newbies.

Best*

diana

Colette37 · May 2010

Did any of your Dr. do a Vit. D-3 level on you? The number that it should be is questionable, but it is important to reproductive health.

You have my sympathy because this is not an easy road to go down. The women on these boards are a great resource and are wonderful place to where you can vent when the going gets tough.

grneyd5600 · May 2010

thanks! Your advice helps a lot. I am not sure what a Vit. D-3 is? Colette can you enlighten me?

I see the oncologist for the first time next week. I am determined to go in with as much information as I can get together so I have pulled together a copy of all the pathology reports I have received to date. I will also do some research on the available clinical trials before that as well. Once I meet with him I will be in a better spot to decide whether I want the second opinion.

I have found the information on this site so helpful and I look forward to being able to get the support I need and hopefully at some stage be able to "pay it forward".

Thanks again!

jenn3 · May 2010

Welcome to the club none of us wishes to be in. I was initially told I was stage II, but they did tell me that the staging would more than likely change after surgery, which it did. Because there were 2 more lymph nodes than originally thought involved, my staging changed from II to III. This is all very confusing, but with the help of my dr's, the internet and the women here I have a better understanding.

You will find plenty of support here as well as a ton of information.

Keep us posted.

Colette37 · May 2010

Jackie, Vitamin D-3 is the vitamin that you can either get from the sun, or get through a supplement which is usually a vitamin pill. There has been studies about how important it is in reproductive health. Illness may be more likely to happen (cancers, diabetes, heart problems and even bone health) when it gets too low. The Dr. can give you a 'super dose' of Vit. D-3, if your levels are too low. The pharmacist told me not to take it with anything fatty because it is a 'fat solubale' vit and will bond with the fat. You can go to the 'natural' board and they have more info about it...do research on it and it will amaze you about how important it is!

Pure · May 2010

Hi there,

My best advice had I known:

Be sure to ask your doctor about

- getting your vitamin D3 levels tested

- getting Zometa

-Clinical trials ( I couldn't do any b-c I was preganant)

-When you can start baby aspirin

On your Own I would

-a 2nd even a 3rd opioun

-Google Zomta and Chemo ( I had zometa with chemo-I had to provide stidues to show them why)

Let us know how we can help-we are all here for you!

grneyd5600 · June 2010

Thanks so much for all the advice. I have set a treatment plan with the onc. I am doing 4 AC dose dense and then 12 Taxol doeses. I am doing the E5103 clinical trial as well. My muga and other scans were all clear - Thank Goodness! They tested my D3 level too (great advice!).

I am anxious to start the chemo on 6/19 but getting nervous as well. I suppose that is part of the journey.

Thank you again for all your advice and support! You are all great!

Confused with Diagnosis

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