If you have just been diagnosed....

Cameo- You mentioned a masectomy on the 22nd but you wrote it on the 24th Im sure that was a mistake on the date, when do you have it scheduled? Hope you are doing fine (((((((( hugs)))))))

Welcome to the newbies on here, we are all here for you for any questions you may have dont hesitate to ask even if you think it might sound silly, because it isnt. One thing i wanted to mention to the ladies who are stating chemo, make sure you drink plenty of water it will get it out of your system faster, buy popsicles,. pudding,  most foods wont taste good to you, if you have a problem with a matalic taste get the plastic silverware- and dont forget stool softners, i think colaec(sp)? is the one recommend- try to move and be active if you can if i can think of any thing else i will post more for you. Hope this helps ((((( hugs))))))))

Hi Sistas:

It has been a bad day for me.  Got some of the path result back from my Lumpectomy and not only did they find DCIS but I'm in the 5% group which also have IDC also grade 3.  The hormone status is not known yet but it was also much larger 5cm then first thought 1.4cm.  The good news in the margins look clear - my surgeon did a good job and took 7 cm to get clear margins.  I do not understand all the report as my BS is still on vacation and she will explain more to me on my next appointment Aug. 10, but it looks as if it means I can not move on to Rads but have to have node surgery first.  Then I'm told wait till that all heals before I can go for treatment.  Won't know for awhile if Chemo will be needed.  Still the waiting game but I will deal with whatever I must - we have no choice.  Hugs to all.

Cathy

Hi all--met with oncologist today--with final pathology--IDC, Grade 1, Stage 2, Lymph Nodes YES (bad news)--1 out of 7 tested positive. For some reason (even beyond the oncologist thought), the BS -- although said/approved to do both sentinel and axillary dissection--only did sentinel node and NOW have to go back in for axillary dissection--this sucks esp. since he said he was doing both. He is on vacation now--I meet with him next week. This just delays the chemo. The chemo protocol is 4 months (every 3 weeks) on FEC-T. Followed by month of radiation and hormone therapy. I'm happy that this is all underway but p***** at the BS as now have to go back for surgery.

Cameo, sorry you are not feeling well. You will be puffy and sore for  awhile, try to take your pain meds it will help. and try not to wait till you are in pain it takes longer to kick in and do its job, if you take them every 4 hrs or as indicated it will help you not be in pain as much. When you start your chemo in what ever month you have it, say, augest, you will find a thread here that will say starting chemo in august and then you can connect with woman going thru the same thing at the same time, and it really does help. i was part of the may marvels thread last year and it does make it so much easier and i met some wonderful woman who i have become great friends with.

Just make sure you rest and let your body heal, hopfully you have support at home, if not if you call the AMC society they will be happy to have some one come help you, and also they will clean your house or what ever you need, You can get wigs from them prosthesis, whatever your needs are, they have a class as well that you attend one time and they give you free make-up, its worth going too,

Hi gals,

Rose6 -ty- you will be fine with your surgery - you will see, hope you get your support team there

Rachel- they didn't do my nodes either- now that I have been dx with IDC grade 3 I will need more surgery.  Sucks yes but not much we can do but go for the ride!  I'm waiting for a call from the regional cancer centre with my oncologist appointment for a plan of attack.  Things are starting to look like chemo also. 

cameo65- sorry to hear your so sore, ugh is right, hope much brighter days are ahead. 2 weeks for path on nodes>? ugh again. 

Hugs to all,

Cathy

Debbie, What is the AMC society that can help.?..I know I will have some help from friends, boyfiend, but I do live alone so I can use all the help I can get. Hope everyone is having a good evening

Lynda

Hi sistas:

Yes rachel I can imagine how your feeling.. if they had only done what was on the surgical sheet you signed for.  You would be that much further ahead.  Do you also have to Wait 4 - 6 weeks after last surgery before starting your treatments? I will be here posting and listening and sharing.

keepingthefaith:

You receive all those calls because you are our angel.  Your support and caring is really appreciated.  Yes I will cope with it.. as all our sistas here will find a way with coping with what they must.  It sure helps with friends like you!

Cathy

Cathy- I wrote a long post to you earlier and its not here, (((arghhh)  basically what i said was, im sorry about your news, but just to remind you that grade 3 isnt nessacarrly a rare bc its just more aggressive and every ones cancer is unique and it effects every one differently, hopfully you WONT have to have chemo but if you do we are here for you. And i know you will get thru this (((((hugs))))))

Deanna i just sent you a pm

My second post today, but I had to share the first bit of good news I have had since I got this diagnosis: The second tumor biospy came back negative, so only one spot with cancer. I am so praying that the lymph nodes are clear too, I know you are all with me! How wonderful we share the joy, and share the sorrow. More hugs to all of you. Next stop oncologist tomorrow....then surgery on Monday.

Hi C,

I'm due for a Mast too next mth,  what does it feel like? Is it that painful? I'm thinking of skipping chemo and rad all together, I have been reading suzanne somers books and watching how to heal cancer the natural way. I'm more afraid of the affects of chemo. I met a lady at ACS she had cancer at 24yrs and she now 40 still going thru chemo, hmmm????  makes you think huh!

Hope777~ Well, we all dont want to go thru cancer and rads, but the women here who do will tell you that the odds are better if you do, chemo is not fun, but doable, i have already been through it, but would do it again in a heart beat to save my life, and i belive that it does, you just have to make that decision for your self, but really it is not that bad. Remember that the lady who went through cancer probably had a reacurrance and has to do it again, i dont know the whole story but if she had not done chemo she may not of been here now to tell that story.

As far as suzanne summers goes, i personally in my HOP (humble opinion) think she is a fraud, i wouldnt believe any thing she says,,her story just dosent add up.

You do what you think is right for you, but honestly chemo really isnt that bad, im about 8 months out of doing chemo and  i feel better now than i did before i started chemo, get a second opinion if you can . there are also women here who didnt do chemo and are doing good,but the statistics are better if you do, you can do it, i will keep you in my prayers, and am sending you big hugs your way ((((((((((hugs)))))))

debbie

Hello Sistas, I haven't been on here for awhile because I have trouble finding the opportunity. I am watching 4 of my grandchildren part time and can't be on when I have them, and my husband wants me in the other room with him so not getting on when he's home either, unless he's sleeping. I got my pathology on Thursday.

Now wondering if I will be taking chemo also or just the radiation. I see the oncologist on Tuesday. Anyone have any thoughts?

Hi Hope--I was diagnosed with IDC, Grade 1, Stage 2 (1/7 nodes). My oncologist suggested chemo/radiation followed by hormone therapy. I am pretty young (just turned 40 this week) and he said that based on my age and my general overall good health, he recommends the chemo as it reducing my chance of recurrance by another 15%. I have two young kids so I want to make sure that I do whatever I can to be there for them. If it means going through chemo for 4 months (my timeframe) then that is what I will do. It is a personal journey--everyone is different. If you are not comfortable with the one oncologist, as Debbie said -- get another opinion. Make sure the journey is right for you. However, also make sure that this cancer is gone--and the chance for recurrance is low. It is so hard to make these decisions. Take care, Rachel

BarbaraA   I will see the oncologist for the first time on Tuesday.  As far as I know an Oncotype test has not yet been done. What does it involve?  Whatever he decides I am ready to submit to it, as I want to get this done and increase my chances for long-term survival. I ask because the surgeon always talked like rad only, but when I met the the oncology nurse, she read my pathology and said maybe chemo. I'm not sure what she saw that made her think that, unless it was the tumor size, 5.1cm.  But whatever they say I need to do I am prepared to do it.  I just like to know what to expect.

thanks, Deb