2011 Sisters

Adding my wishes for good luck and speedy recovery to kickon2it and Kymn.  Kickon2it, the anticipation is often worse than the actual event for me. 

And good thoughts for all the ladies facing tough decisions and difficult treatments.

 I had a port put in Tuesday, first chemo Wednesday and Neulasta shot today.  So far, only a little tiredness, nausea that was actually not as bad as morning sickness I had with first pg, and mild constipation.  I'm getting epirubicin instead of Adriamycin because of the shortage, and have only taken dexamethasone for nausea, though I have other meds if I need them.  Trying to eat well and rest enough seems to be working.  

Warm "spring is coming" wishes to you all - Carolyn in Iowa

I'm fairly new to the site. My name is Kristy, 50 years old, from Nebraska. Diagnosed with IDC in mid-January and had lumpectomy surgery Feb 3. No lymph nodes involved and margins were clear. Tumor was 1.9 cm. Grade 3 and triple negative (sigh) Just found out the triple negative yesterday. Had originally been told radiation if margins, nodes were clear and then at post-op learned that wasn't right. It depended on the lab report, which came a week later, but didn't have the receptor status. So a week after that I know and seems pretty likely chemo is in my future. Has anyone had lump, clear margins, nodes and NOT had chemo, just radiation? Probably in denial, but keep hoping. I see an oncologist on Wed, the BS on Thu for post-op again, and a second oncologist on Friday. Also thought I should go ahead and at least consult with the radiologist, so that is probably the following week. 

Sleep is elusive without help (Ambien seems to work). Anxiety high, mostly from the miscommunication. If I knew that almost everyone sees an oncologist I'd have been more prepared I think. But BS kept asking if I had rad appt. Why would I need a rad appt if I probably need chemo. Sorta need to get over this anger thing I have going, but it beats the crying jag I had earlier!

I'm also watching the Triple Neg threads but it's nice to talk to those in the boat and especially already on shore!

I was afraid of the same thing happening to me and that is why I opted to have my right breast removed as well, the  cancer was only in left breast, but I decided to have them both removed and reconstructed at the same time. 

My heart goes out to you have to restart the whole process over again, I cannot even imagine what you must be going thru.  You did it once you can do it again, we are strong woman who can and will beat this horrible disease.  Prayers coming your way....

Thanks for starting this thread. I was diagnosed with IDC on January 6th. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on February 2nd. My surgeon wanted an MRI prior to surgery, but I couldn't get it because I didn't start my period in time. I had clear margins during surgery without lymph node involvement. No chemo...Tamox after radiation. Now, my radiation oncologist wants an MRI Monday prior to my simulation. Of course, there's the chance that it will "exaggerate" something and I will need another biopsy to confirm/refute it. Nervous about it, but trusting God that He is in control. This is all new to me, but I know that God looks over His own. Please all be encouraged and keep the faith!

Hello Ladies,

I have been posting in the "Not Diagnosed But Worried" new-person forum, and since I now have the IDC diagnosis, I thought I might try to post here, in the IDC Sisters 2011.  But I hope I am in the correct place to post, as I am in the middle of Chemo and have some minor problems that I'm hoping you all can soothe out for me.  If I should start a new post, I will, just guide me.  I also just posted in "Chemotherapy, BeforeDuringAfter," some folks from old forum are following me.  

 I have IDC associated with DCIS, plus an Inflammatory Clinical Presentation and a High Grade Cancer, had core biopsy, mammo, two ultrasounds.  My breast is rather swollen, one red mark and then two in recent days.  My breast is quite painful.  I saw the mammogram and the tumor appeared to be rather large, I guess larger than 5cm (hope I'm saying that right), and of course located near the end of my breast.  I wanted it out right then and there, but eventually I came over to my breast surgeon's side, altho he was willing to change course anytime he felt the chemo wasn't stopping the growth.  He said as it is now, he would not have enough margins to get it all out.  I do not want reconstruction as I am 60 years old, just don't care, I want it gone.  But will be having five months of chemo, the AC followed by T type, then surgery, rads, possible pill. 

CHEMO CONFUSION

I had the portacath put in my upper chest Thursday morning (three days after Valentine's) and received AC chemo Thursday afternoon.  I had an abrupt scare as I woke up from anesthetic to knock me out but let me keep breathing, didn't know what planet I was on!  My throat and mouth were dry, ice tasted good, eventually I settled down.  Chemo was great, really wonderful recliners to lay in with a blanket.  Next day was high as a kite, got a little reflux mid-day, realized it was one of the two as-needed nausea medicines, so set it aside.  The other nausea medicine works better but makes me sleepy, so I take it now when I feel whoozy.  Then I take two others for nausea, both twice a day.

Friday felt pretty normal, went and got my blood cell booster shot, some napping.  Saturday was mostly sleep, sleep, and then Saturday night woke up at midnight, took the bedtime nausea pill and finally slept on the bed (I fall asleep on couch a lot normally).  Well, I had horrendous nightmares, scared out of my wits, saw little bits of colored lights, just felt quite uneasy.  Finally I got up and took a pain pill that was given to me for the portacath, that helped, but by then I could not get back to sleep.  Got up, husband was watching some horror flick on TV, so I fed the dogs, ate breakfast, took my "regular" pills and no nausea stuff yet since I took one of the main ones at midnight, then came back here to tell you all about me.

I cannot believe just how wasted I am.  I am the definition of wasted.  I have been a little afraid since I left the hospital, because the portacath procedure left big bruises on either side of my neck, and one of the chemo nurses finally decided they must have tried to put it in both sides, with one failing.  My husband rubbed out my neck yesterday, but it hurts again today.

QUESTION:  The port they put in was a blue square with tubing wrapped inside it, and the whole thing covered in tape.  The chemo nurse took it all off, and all that's there now is the little surgical tape "stitches" after I took a bandage off the next day, cleaned it, and put a couple bandaids on it.  Were they supposed to remove all that outside gizmo and just leave a little unknown place under my skin to put the chemo in?  Obviously they got the chemo in, so I'm not too worried, but just wondered if others know about this.

QUESTION:  I am now on early Sunday, 5 a.m., almost three days from when they put in the cath, and two-and-a-half days from when they put chemo and gave me nausea drugs.  Am I supposed to be real sleepy, legs feel like heavy jello, nightmares, just totally wiped out?  I have been eating the way I usually do, drinking plenty of water, limping around the house as usual.  I am not in the best shape in the world, was just getting ready to get on an exercise and weight-loss program when I was diagnosed, so I have set that aside. I am disabled from a car wreck and don't do well going places, all this has been so difficult.

That's enough talk for me.  If I am in the incorrect department, please tell me, and I'll cut and paste this post into a separate discussion maybe called "Chemo Terrors," so others like me can relate, just let me know.  Thank you all so much for your support and loving care.

GG   

Hi Dogeyed,

 Hope this finds you feeling a lot better.  Your night sounds pretty awful, hopefully things are looking up by now.  

What all have they given you for nausea?  I am getting dexamethasone for the nausea, through the port before they started chemo and twice a day for four days after.  It does help with the nausea but it can make you anxious.  

 The side effects my doctor's office want to know about right away are fever, not being able to eat or take meds because you're vomiting so much, things like that.  Other symptoms they want noted and discussed later.  Maybe you can keep track and see if you see a pattern.

I had a rough time for a little while this morning with chest pain.  It settled down actually fairly quickly but it was hard not to let the anxiety about it escalate.  Fortunately my saint of a husband talked me down.  It helped to lay down, relax, plan what I could do it it got worse, and then doze a little as it got better.  

Hear, hear, Kymn on  "find(ing) some way to enjoy part of your day, that is all i hope for right now the moments in the day I am able to enjoy without this damn BC taking over every single thought in my head." Amen!

My positive thoughts for the day are holding close all the positive thoughts and good wishes from family and friends and acquaintences; and enjoying the fact, that at least here in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are getting longer (and eventually nicer!) as I go through the chemo and eventually come out stronger.  

all the best,

Carolyn

Hi GG will be praying that your docs are able to figure out the right meds for you to make this as easy as possible, i know its never going to be easy for us but i dont think you should be having all these side effects. please keep us posted and let us know if your doc gets this figured out for you

Hi kickon2it: I think that everybody meet an oncologist no matter what. He will very likely tell you that you do not need chemo, however he will probably propose that you take Tamoxifen for 5 yrs, if you are ER+.  You will likely have radiations instead if chemo. It is EXCELLENT news that your nodes are clear and that your margin are clear. SOOOOO happy for you!!!

Rennasus:  I have two different cancers (Invasive Lobular and Ductal In Situ), both "small, early, and well-behaved" according to one of my surgeons.  I haven't seen the oncologist yet, but the surgeons are all predicting hormone-blockers without chemo or radiation.  Like you, I also started becoming puzzled when reading the signoffs on peoples' posts.  Seems there are women in my "category" who are getting the whole shebang.  I felt pretty good about my upcoming oncology appointment, but now I'm beginning to wonder...

Biopsy #1 Diagnosis:  12/8/10, Left ILC with LCIS, 5mm, Grade 1, ER+/PR+, HER2 -

Biopsy #2 Diagnosis:  12/20/10, Left DCIS, <1cm, Intermediate grade, ER+/PR+

NSBMX on 2/16/11:  Awaiting final pathology

Hello Ladies,

Can I join the class of 2011?  here is a bit about me..

Back in March of 2010 I had an abnormal mamo on my left breast and had to have a biopsy done.  The result came back that I had atypical ductal hyplagia (sp) I then had a lumpectomy to remove that and check for any other issues.  Final pathology came back as just ADH and clean margins all round.  So I thought ok that me all done with this breast issues.  I was told I needed a follow up MRI 6 moths later so in sept 2010 I went for a MRI, got the results 1 week later that there was a area in my right brest that needed to be checked by biopsy, so at the end of Oct off I went for another US guided biopsy, radiographer told me it just looked like a blocked duct but the pathology would tell. So another week goes by and my BS tells me there is so DCIS in the biopsy, so another lumpectomy would need to be done...  I asked for some time to look at my options.  After lots of research I decided I would do a double mastectomy as with my family history I was high risk and I did not want to be doing this every 6 months.

I went back to my BS and Onc in late Nov and told them what I wanted done.  They were both in agreement that I was doing the best for me.  So my BMX is scheduled for March 18 2011.  About a month ago I found blood in my bra on the left side and on inspection I was able to get blood out of my nipple.  I called my BS and she said to come in so she could check it out, so off I went to get it checked.  My BS had a look and took some blood to test and also said I needed to have a ductogram done that day.  I had to wait a week for the results, they showed some cancer cells in the fluid so I needed to have the duct removed.  I had that done last week and today I was told that I have IDC and I  had a US of my nodes in my neck and under my arms, because that are enlarged I will need to have nodes removed at the same time as my BMX....

How can I have gone from ADH to IDC in less than 12 months?  I am just so confused..

Kezzie

Hi Kymn,

I am sorry I have confused my story.  I was dx in March 2010 with ADH after a lumpectomy on left breast, thought that I was all done with BC... I had 1st checkup at 6months and they found something new in my right breast had biopsy and they found DCIS.  I opted for BMX and had planned it for march 2011.  Since then I had some bleeding from my left breast and had a ductogram and then the duct removed, the results are IDC. I am still booked for BMX on march 18 but they will do a SNB as well. 

Hope that makes things a bit clearer.

 Kezzie

Hello ladies,

I'm having my lumpectomy on my left breast tomorrow Friday Feb 25th. My cancer is very slow growing and I hope my SNB is negative, and we get good wide margins! I have a fantastic surgeon and I trust him completely.

I'll let you all know how it goes.