What grade on first DX?

Interesting question. The "long story"...

16 years ago I barely read past my DCIS specific pathology.  Last year I read every word of my IDC pathology; pulled the 1st path and wha-la, both are Grade I. (Oxontype test results very low, 16)  Following up with blood tests to see if anything is "growing" since micromet was discovered in one node of two.

16 years ago I opted for a lumpectomy (tiny tumor) - and nothing else.  Sat through radiology consult and said no thanks.  As of 10 years ago radiology is no longer standard treatment for DCIS!  At the time I weighed 135 pounds.

Last fall I opted for a lumpectomy again (tiny tumor again, other breast) - and nothing else.  Sat through another radiology consult, much more specific information about SEs this decade, and said no thanks.   Not eligible for chemotherapy; said no thanks to drugs which would leach the last itty bit of estrogen out of my body...thinking that would save my sex life:  it didn't - intercourse pain which I am addressing on an interim basis with Estrace cream.

Although I can almost hear a gasp from some readers ~ I'm opting to return to bioidentical HRT (which was recommended I continue, by my surgeon and the oncologist had no objections) 16 years ago):  Patch/estrogen and Prometrium/progesterone.  I think the fact I gained 50 pounds during the past 7 years ~ estrogen is carried in our fat cells ~ contributed to my 2d Breast CA diagnosis.  My choice, not everyone's yet mine.

Now!  1.  Lost 20 of the 50 pounds  2.  On the Mayo Clinic Diet losing the leftover #!  More exercise; less, far less sugar!  Much smaller portion sizes; lower fat and salt content, because many products lower fat and heighten salt!   Added nuts to munch on (keep them in my car). I hang out with slender people who eat intelligently.

It's a simple matter of moving more and eating less (& consciously).  Takes a lot of self-discipline ~ nothing tastes as good as being trim and healthy feels.

First diagnosis was Stage I (1.2cm), grade 3, triple negative....had lumpectomy, chemo (taxotere and cytoxan - every 3 weeks for 4 rounds), and 33 rads.  Was told I had 7-10% chance of IT coming back.  Four years, 1 month and 2 days later diagnosed again with Stage II (3.2cm), grade 3, triple negative again....had bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.  I declined chemo this time.....didn't do its job the first time so I didn't trust it again.  I am 15 weeks out from surgery.  Was told this time because IT came back in same breast within the 5 year mark that there is now a 40% chance IT will come back again.

Wasn't exactly sure of what you needed but I hope this helps....some anyway.  I hope the best for you.  Namaste'. 

My first diagnosis (1992 at age 34)  2 cm node negative tumor, slow growing (they didn't use grades back then, ER, PR- (it was too early for Her 2 Neu).  I had a lumpectomy, rads and CMF chemo.

Fast forward to Dec. 2011 (age 53) - my annual mammo picked up DCIS and the sonogram picked up a 9 mm tumor.  Both proved to be malignant.  Since they were in the same breast as last time, I had no choice but a mastectomy and chose bilateral.  This time, grade 3 and triple negative.  I've just finished 6 rounds of T/C.  I was scheduled for only 4 rounds but they were unable to find my nodes during surgery and even though they called me "node negative" (given that there was no swelling, small tumor, etc.) I erred on the side of caution and asked them to treat me as though I were node positive.

Hi Joan - I've just read your post, from sometime ago.  I wondered how you are doing?  I had a triple neg Stage I grade 3 tumour 1.5cm and decided on a bilateral mastectomy last February.  I have just gone four rounds of T/C, like you.  Am four weeks out from finishing, but feeling pretty jaded - have a bad cough etc..  When I'm feeling okay, I'll have the expanders taken out and implants put in. The expanders have been very uncomfortable right through, and feel like I've got a tight wire underneath the breast area on both sides.  How long did it take for your hair to come back?  I can't wait !