Is There A September 2011 Chemo Group?

Kate, I have heard of this, but for different reasons.  Most of the time I have seen the ladies do chemo because they know they have lymph node involvement, they know they have large tumors to shrink, they know their family history is strong, they have intermediate to high Oncotype scores, they are very young (20-40), etc.  Without really knowing what is inside the breast... it would be hard for a lot of people to decide their treatment.  I was always told my final path will reveal all.  Guess what??? I had to send my final path out for a 2nd opinion, because it wasn't clear.  2nd final final path told all.  Also, 2nd opinion MO had great information and wisdom.

That said, if your MO thinks that's wise, he/she knows from experience.  2cm and Stage 2 isn't necessarily aggressive (in my non-doc opinion), but again your MO or RO is the one to help confirm that.  You mention mets in you sig, but it doesn't sound like you have had a metastasis since you said all your scan were clear.  My dx was 6/13, my surgery was 8/10 and chemo started 9/19. Was told that the tumor had been there a long time before it was really noticed in a routine mammo.  Doc said lots of time to think.  I even went on a vacation before surgery for once last non-patient fun.  Good luck in your decisions.  Making the choices of where to go with this was harder then the physical part of feeling a bit like crap (from the chemo) right now ;-.

P.S.  Research now shows that a lumpectomy has similar stats on survival rates and recurrence and is  almost identical in the stats as a MX.  There is shorter healing time, etc.  This choice will depend again on family history, thought about doing RADS, feelings on your breast tissue itself, thoughts about new breasts (some ladies with AA want new and others with DD also figure this is their time).

Thanks everyone.  I am young I guess when it comes to a breast cancer diagnosis.  I am 35.  I did get the gene test and I do not have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.  But - I do have a family history.  My paternal aunt had it in her early 40s.  She has been cancer free for 15 years now.  I too wanted more time to make a surgery decision.  At this time I am leaning towards a double mastectomy - mainly because my thoughts right now are "get this out of me and don't give it a place to come back".  I know it seems aggressive, and I don't know if that thought will change as I get through my chemo and discuss surgery again with my drs.  Right now - I am feeling aggressive. 

CJRT: Thanks for sharing.  Your right - those were the other two reasons why I chose to do chemo first.  I too wanted to have the Bracanalysis test done.  My results were negative.  I also wanted to get started as soon as possible.  I want this nasty cancer gone... and I thought starting chemo ASAP instead of waiting weeks for surgery and healing was right for me. 

Rockym: I'll have to change my signature.  MRI and biopsies have confirmed the one lymph node impacted - but the scans show nothing further.  Not sure why I have mets in there. 

Either way... I know its a personal choice for everyone.  I feel good about my decision... but I feel better knowing that I am not alone.  

Kate 

Kate, you are young at 35 and have your entire life ahead of you.  I do understand how some feel aggressive is the way to go.  With being young (and probably healthy) you can rock this!  They say that family history is a good indicator as to what to do.  I had no family history and with my stats felt I had beginner cancer.  Cancer never scared me... the treatment and everything else did.  In your case... it may very well be the other way around.  Now that I'm past surgery and into chemo, the treatment stuff doesn't scare me anymore :-).

I had a lymph node sitting on top of the cancer.  BS said that concerned him, but of course once nodes are involved we do want to do something about it.  Congrats on the BRCA neg!  I know that was a relief for me too.  Did they tell you what chemo regime they plan?

Kimberly1961!  :-D

 Well, remember how my MO said he was changing out the Aloxi in my first treatment drip to something else (it starts with a K ... kytril, I think it was) because he thought it was the Aloxi giving me headaches?  Guess what?  Immediately after the second treatment I felt fine, but that night I developed nausea and a Headache From Hell.  Took phenergan (he had said don't take Zofran because that can cause ... headaches), but the phen didn't help either the nausea or the headache.  Never threw up, but ended up only getting about an hour's sleep and felt like death warmed over the next day (yesterday).  Was already scheduled for hydration that day, so got to sit in the chair again for another four hours.  But it helped!  I got the Neulasta shot in my tummy and SO FAR have had no SEs (I took a Claritin at 11 that morning, and another at 11 this morning).  Took an Ambien last night and an ibuprofen (MO recommended) and slept straight through until about 8:30 this morning).  Feel SO MUCH BETTER today, even though I'm sitting here like an old lady talking about all my medications!

And last night my Wonderful Husband made a big pot of split-pea soup with bits of diced potatoes and Canadian bacon, and it was so delicioius.  

Kate, my MO was considering chemo before surgery, but he and my surgeon talked and she believed she could get the tumor out with clean margins (and that from the mammogram and ultrasound it was "only" about 2.something centimeters).  It turned out to be closer to 3.something, but she still managed to get it all out and my sentinel node was clean.  All of which is to say it was a consideration, but I went with my surgeon because I wanted it out of there.  Plus I was scared of plunging into chemo right off the bat. 

Also, Alice Krige as the Borg Queen is awesome.   It would have been so cool to see her and Data get it on.  ;-)

Hi all.  My plan was to get on here and comment on everyone's posts & wish everyone well...instead my onc called this morning, so I'm going to b*tch & moan.

PET scan came back.  Cluster of cells next to breast bone.  He's going to add Andriamycin to my chemo, plus increase it to 6 sessions instead of 4.  Also saw something in my neck, so I have to go for an ultrasound tomorrow.  I live 2.5 hours away from there, so everytime I have to go in, it's a pain.  Then next Thursday I go in to get results and bloodwork, then Friday I have to go back to get my chemo.  After I finish all the chemo I'm doing rads which have now increased in both the area of radiation and the duration.  I'm so pi**ed off!  I go between raging and crying.  I'd already decided to have a prophylactic bmx & recon after I was done everything...now I wonder if it'll just come back somewhere else anyway.  I'm only 34, I'm single...who the hell would want to sign up for this journey with me?  Looks like I'll be single for quite some time...especially if I stay this fricking bitter lol.  Alright, gonna shake this off...go put on my sexy wig and visit my friend that can always make me laugh. 

Yay!!!! Not only do we have a smart bunch of ladies here... we have Trekkies!  The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager all rock!!  I've always had a thing for Worf, but when Scott Bakula was younger... OMG.  I used to watch Quantum Leap and hoped I could jump in and out of lives one day. Who would have known I would jumping into THIS LIFE??

Rockym:  They are doing TAC x6.  I had my first infusion last wednesday.  So I guess that makes me 9 days out.  My SEs were overall better than I expected.  There were really just two days (day 3 and 4) where I never got out of my PJs - just laid around and slept much of the day. My main issues have been the chronic heartburn and diarrhea (TMI I know).  Right now I am patiently awaiting my hair shaving/wig fitting appt next tuesday. I know its going to be hard but I am ready for it.  I wish it was tomorrow so I could just get past it and stop anticipating it.   

Shawna77: Stay strong girl!! Sending lots of hugs your way.  I know the drive is a pain - but if its a good cancer center...to me it would be worth it.  I know I appreciate feeling like I am going to a reputable center and getting the best care. Maybe try to think of it that way?  I'm sorry you feel like no one would join your journey with you.  I would probably feel the same way but I think maybe its just part of the initial anger and pain with the diagnosis?  I'm hoping you run into a fabulous person that is willing to look past the breast cancer thing.  This will probably be a true test for a true, good person.  Stay positive.  You can get through this.  We all will get through this. And always.... friends and laughter are the best remedy.  I thank God for my friends and family.  I am just a month into this whole thing and I would already not have been able to do it without my friends and family. 

Kate

Hi all. New to this board. Started TCH plus Lapatanib on 9/20. After being an avid runner/biker this treatment has knocked me flat. I have a horrible rash and awful diarrhea. The fatigue is pretty intense too. I am hoping that I can develop a system to manage these side effects with medication because looking down the barrel of this for 18 weeks is intimidating.

bhnath10   Did they give you anything for the symptoms? I know the staff here said that they try really hard to keep you as free from SEs as possible. Obviously, fatigue is gonna happen, etc, but I would think the rash and diarrhea might be something they can treat and possible pre-treat for next time, maybe? I hope you find some relief!!!

Guess what???? They make Biotene in a chewing gum form.  I got some at Walmart and it doesn't tastes like spit like the mouthwash and spray!!

Also, I put a little sweet and low (nobody mention saccharin and cancer) into my water with ice and it tastes fresh and sweet.  Gosh, anything to taste these days.  Everything has been tasting like either school glue or spit.  My 13 year old asked me how I know what spit taste like and I gave him a verbal lesson about kissing.  It was way funny!

You all are wonderful.  I really feel much uplifting and spirit when I read your posts.  I have my family and friends and husband who are sooooo supportive, but as much as I love them, there is a level of support that they cannot give.  And that is the support from someone else going through this.  That's where I know I will lean on you ladies.  We can do this.  We will do this.  I believe that. 

RJbaby69: I will definitely let you know how the hair shaving appt goes.  I haven't been able to really verbalize why losing my hair is so upsetting to me but I think you nailed it.  Honestly - this was the effect that I was most upset about.  It's almost like I know I have breast cancer and I am having to fight this fight.  That's one thing.  But when the whole world knows it - its almost like I become vulnerable and weak.  That's not the person that I am.  So I hope that when I shave my head and get my wig, I wear it non-stop for a few days - but then I become proud of my battle and my baldness and I can wear a scarf or a hat or pure baldness with pride.  I am here in GA so there is still a few weeks of warm weather - warm enough for me to wear my baldness with pride. 

Rockym: I made my decision to do chemo first almost immediately.  I was diagnosed and when my surgeon and onc made the recommendation to do chemo first, I went with it immediately.  I wanted to start chemo ASAP.  I just started to feel alone when I read all the posts from my fellow September chemo buddies and wondered if I had made the wrong decision.   

Kate

CJRT -  My MO told me about the lymph node stuff although my surgeon may have mentioned it also.  I am being treated at Oregon Health and Sciences University and they have a team approach to breast cancer treatment.  The whole team (MO, BS, PS, and Rad) met in the morning of my appointment and discussed my case together before they all met with me individually.  It was a long day but I appreciated getting all the information at the same time.  I also liked that they were all on the same page regarding my treatment.  I met so many doctors that day since it is a teaching university and I met the residents too.  I am participating in the ISPY2 trial so that is why I am getting so many tests all the time.  The study gives specific drugs based on the genetic makeup of my tumor as determined by a mammaprint test.  The study drug that I am getting is thought to prevent the tumor from repairing itself during chemo. 

I'll keep you posted about my surgical decision.  If I had the surgery first, I would have had a mastectomy.  If the tumor shrinks enough, I might have a lumpectomy.  My breast surgeon was hoping for that result if possible.  I haven't made up my mind yet so I am glad I have time to think about things.  Big decisions!

Well, I made it to the half-century mark today, 50 years old!  And look.....not even a white hair on her head   How DOES she do it?

Pinkshirt- thanks so much sharing your experiences.

Kimberly- HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you are feeling good and are doing something special to celebrate. You're hilarious, by the way. 

Gmomma- I'm sure the ladies on the site will have tons of suggestions, and I'm sure it depends what other support she has. She's lucky to have someone that is so thoughtful as to ask the people on this board. Just letting her know you're available to talk or listen is a support...keeping her in the loop of work gossip, if she wants to be. Other things friends have done that I have been very grateful for- visiting when I am not feeling up to leaving the house, bringing over comfort food that can easily be reheated, offering to run an errand or pick up something from the pharmacy, and bringing care packages, like magazines or puzzle books for me for chemo days and coloring books or sticker books for my young daughter to keep her busy when I am not feeling well. I'm sure anything that lets her know you care will help. Good luck to her.