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Netty59
Netty59 Member Posts: 37
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I was diagnosed 5/10/11 and am 59 1/2.  Stage lla, grade 2, er pos, sentinal node pos.  Am on a cycle of cytoxan and taxotere. 4 infusions. First one 6/6/11, next one 6/27 and 2 more after that to try to shrink tumor.  Has anyone else done this?  Did your tumor shrink?  oh yes...I almost forgot!  I also have MS and am now using a wheel chair (since 07) and I broke my hip last summer (3 pins).

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  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited June 2011

    Welcome to the club no one wants to join!

    I had 6 rounds of TAC after surgery. I hear that many women have great sucess shrinking their tumors before though. One I can recall had such a great response that her 6cm+ mass was no where to be found once the surgeon did her MX. Now that is great.

     Good luck to you!

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited June 2011

    Netty, you've certainly had more than your share of health issues.  I'm so sorry that bc is the latest one for you, but I know you'll find wonderful support from the women here.  I've actually seen some posts by women who were dx'd with MS prior to bc, as well as other autoimmune conditions.  No doubt, they are all somehow linked to an immune system that isn't performing up to par.

    A couple of things you may want to do... First, look for the June 2011 chemotherapy group. I found going through the experience with other women here was incredibly helpful and supportive. Click on Forum Index above, then scroll down until you see the Chemotherapy Forum.  It it should be in that section.

    The other thing, if you're interested, would be to post a new topic in the chemotherapy forum asking for input from women who have also done chemo with an MS dx, or had both MS and bc, or however you can best word it.  By putting MS in the title, it might get you some responses and and info' very specific to whatever special challenges you might be having because of the MS.

    I'm glad you've found us, and glad you're almost halfway through your infusions!  Good luck on the 27th!    Deanna 

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited June 2011

    Hi Netty and welcome to the club.  Two girls that come to mind who have MS as well as BC are Stanzie and 3jaysmom.  3jays has been dealing with MS for years and seems to be the go to girl re MS and BC.  There is a thread devoted to this topic.  Good luck with everything!

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2011
    Thank you so much for the info!  Greatly appreciated!!  Smile
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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2011

    Thanks so much for the words of hope!

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited June 2011

    I had chemo first Adriamycin/Cytoxin and then Taxol - total of 8 chemo treatments and it shrunk my tumor from 4 CM down to nothing to where I had to get a guided wire inserted in my breast so my surgeon could tell where the tumor was originally.  My tumor started shrinking after the 2nd treatment.

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2011

    Wow, wow, wow!  That really gives me cause for hope!  Not sure of the difference between the drugs you had and what I am having but I'll be happy if it shrinks enough to do a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy!  That's what my surgeon is hoping and so am I!  So far no issues with the chemo and I still have my hair but I really don't care if I lose it!  

    Thanks so much for your post!

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited June 2011

    Netty - that is why I did chemo - I had no lymph node involvement but I wanted a lumpectomy instead of a masectomy and that is the only way the surgeon could accomplish what I wanted.

    I must say I had a great BS - you can't even tell he took a massive amount of tissue out because he wanted to get clear margins.  Both of my breasts are the same size and there is no dimpling at all where the lump was removed.

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2011

    It's funny...I was diagnosed with MS in 1978 and gave up working in 2002 and stopped driving in 2006 (my choice).  If I can get to the right PT I can start using my walker again like I was when I came home from the nursing home after I broke my hip!

    The way  see it the BC is just another bump in the road and the chemo is keeping my MS under control!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2011

    I see my surgeon again 8/2 and we'll see what has been accomplished!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2011
    Re:MS - my neuro said my immune system was  too aggressive and attacking my mylin.  As far as the BC being autoimmune related, who knows!
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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited June 2011

    Netty, I had an autoimmune problem (manifested as a skin disorder with a lengthy name) several years prior to being dx'd with bc.  I, too, was told by my doctor that my immune system was too overactive -- basically attacking my own body.  For a long time, I didn't get how a too active immune system would let bc happen, but then someone here on BCO who deals with another autoimmune problem described it to me in a way that made sense.  She basically explained that my immune system was so busy and preoccupied attacking in the other area, it wasn't doing it's job re. the bc, so that went undetected or unopposed.  Perhaps that will make sense to you, too.    Deanna 

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  • calevorse
    calevorse Member Posts: 57
    edited June 2011

    Hi Netty59!  I did chemo, double mastectomy and then I will have more chemo and radiation.  I'm recovering from my surgery right now, but I can tell you that the pathology report said they couldn't find any traces of my cancer.  My tumor was 3.9, and now it is gone.  I still had to do a double mastectomy, because my genetic testing came back positive.  I'm 28 years old and I figured the odds were against me not having a recurrance.  My oncologist said a lot of people are doing chemo first to shrink the tumor.  It's become quite common and successful!!!  Good Luck!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2011

    Sorry to hear about the skin thing!  I never had any other manifestation besides the MS. (Brain lesions, spinal cord lesion)  I dO know what an over-active immune system can do!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2011

    Thank you!  Best of luck to you too!  I have not had the genetic testing done.  Both My Surgeon(59 yrs exp) and my Onc (58 yrs exp) told me the majority of women diagnosed with BC have NO family history!

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  • vickilf
    vickilf Member Posts: 95
    edited June 2011

    I don't have MS, but my doctors thought I had MS, then Lupus... I have CLL Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, cancer of my immune system and now IDC.  My whole body was inflammed after taking Statin dugs (cholestrol medication) Zocor, Lipitor and Mevacore.  Nerve, tendon, muscle damage, inflammation of my whole body, type 2 diabetic, high blood pressure, maybe the two cancers...... all caused by Statin Drugs.  I'm so sorry we all have to be here.

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited July 2011
    Smile  Been on vacation in Canada.  Next chemo on Monday and I'll see my oncologist as well to assess my progress in shrinking this thing.  I pray that he will say it has shrunk by 2cm's!  Hair is pretty much gone but who cares!
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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited July 2011

    I'm currently taking Crestor to keep my sky high familial hyperlipidemia(375 down to 178!) under control!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited July 2011

    Third chemo Monday 7/18 and Neulasta yesterday.  Have to keep cool this week!  Tumor is shrinking but I want it to shrink more!  I asked the onc. about a fifth course and he said if he did we would have to switch drugs.  I see my surgeon 8/2 but that is before my last chemo so I guess I just have to wait!  I want it gone!

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited July 2011

    Good luck Netty!  I'm sure it will be gone soon.  Keep us posted.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2011

    Well, my son was married on the 23rd of July!  98 degrees out!  I was supposed to see my surgeon on the2nd of Aug but he was ill so next week I see the surgeon Tues., last (?) chemo Wed. and Neulasta Fri!  Busy week!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2011
    FrownI think this is bizarre!  I have two sisters, one 14 years older and one ten years older.  The oldest was diagnosed with a 1cm lump two weeks before me, had a lumpectomy and is doing well.  The other sister was dx with IDC in the first week of july and had a mx of one breast, is healing well and will have chemo and rads.  Crazy!  No family history!  Frown
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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2011

    and both were idc.  We grew up in the same household but now live in different cities and the middle one in another state!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2011

    Husband beginning work outside for my ramp!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2011

    Well, i had my final chemo and Neulasta this week.  Now it's wait til Sept. for MRI, onc. and surgeo to decide what to do next.  The surgeon thinks I am a candiiiidatev for skin-sparing immediate reconstruction.  Sounds ok but I am concerned about the MS componant due to the fact that I use a wheelchair.  Do all my own transfers but I won't be able to do that!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2011

    I'm praying this last chemo shrinks it into oblivion!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2011

    So much to think about and plan for!  More than likely looking at a modified, skin-sparing mx with immediate reconstruction and radiation.  Helpful hints anyone?

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2011

    Having genetic testing done on Tuesday.  Both myself and husband.  More for my children than anything.  I have no family history but he does.  Grandmother and sister.  Results will be interesting!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2011

    My hair is already beginning to grow back!

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  • Netty59
    Netty59 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2011

    I have been so blessed in this journey!  No side-effects from the chemo and minimal from the Neulasta!  Now it's a waiting game as far as surgery.  I have to say, I'm nervous.  The only surgery I've had was a tonsilectomy at 8, tubal ligation at 36 and hip stabilization at 58!  I know they can put me to sleep, I just want them to wake me up!  And even though it's cancer I will have a hard time saying goodbye to this body-part!

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