Is our prognosis really poor?

Elizabeth, I have not had recon. My surgeon (who is also the lead doc on the team, which is a bit odd, but anyway ...) asked me to wait 2 years. At the time I did not ask why, but obviously it is to make it easier to find a local recurrence.

At the time I was sort of bummed out, but now I am leaning towards not having any recon. 

sbelizabeth,

I wanted to say how sweet it was for me to veiw Joni's link on your blog...I wept with her and for her. It was like being with a friend who is sharing this journey with me...the fear, doubts and hope...I have followed her life's story for most of my life...thank you! 

I have not had reconstruction as of yet...still researching. Hope your surgeon is a miracle worker and all goes well!!

Linda, I'm also Her2+. I try not to look at the stats. Most don't reflect or take into account the Herceptin. I look at it as the 100% rule. It will either recur 100% or it won't 100%.

I know I have stage two and this is a stage three forum but I REALLY need help and I couldn't find it on any other forum



Ok so I have been in this battle with breast cancer stage 2 since 5/23/12. I was fortunate because While yes I had a bilateral mastectomy, I did not need chemotherapy or radiation.vie had some complications with having a severe allergic reaction to Tamoxifen and now need to have my silicone gel implants removed do to possible allergic reaction and severe pain.



With all that said, I am on femara with lupron shots every three months and will possibly be having Zometa infusion 1/18/13. I say possibly because my doctor scheduled me for it then told me to go home do my research and make a decision for myself. I've done so much reading it's crazy and STILL I'm confused on what to do.



So I'm here because the day is soon approaching and I respect this forum and you ladies so much I REALLY need and want to hear what you think.



Should I do Zometa Infusion ?? Would you??

I think that's a good point about recon. I hadn't thought about that before. And my MO was very much in favor of me doing what would keep as much feeling and sexuality for me. And I was 47 at dx. If I really had a poor or gnosis, she surely would have only been interested in getting the cancer out and killed and not worrying about keeping sexuality.



FWIW, I had immediate DIEP with right mastectomy August 2011. I am very pleased with the results. It took a while for the pain to go away after surgery, but in the grand scheme of things, what are six short weeks?



FUBC. Kay

Michy, my surgeon does not want to give me zometa for similar reasons as those Linda gave. My onc wants to put me on prolia instead (similar drug, slightly different SE profile). I am, like you, researching and trying to decide.

Thank you so much ladies! It's a hard decision but I'm glad I have you to bounce things off of! Your the best!

Xoxoxo

I guess in Denmark there are fewer options and maybe in some cases lower quality treatment due to that(?). Everyone is offered the same treatment (almost). I'm 33 so I don't know about the ovaries removal and even if it is an option, also I don't think they tested the actual percentage of positive ER...

Sbelizabeth, what a hoot!  I was starting to think the same thing about being hosed.  Why reconstruct if no one thinks we'll be around?  I'm sure the insurance companies would win THAT argument.

awwwwwww babe cheryl  ((hugs))

thats no good - be gentle and nurture yourself.

xxxx

CherylinOhio I haven't read all the replies yet but I wanted to tell you, I had a very large aggressive tumour. 6+ cm. because of the size I had chemo first and told no hope for saving breast, not a chance for immediate reconstruction and would need 6-8 weeks of rads. That was back in July. My post chemo MRI shows NED. the chemo killed it all!!! I've opted to have mastectomy anyway plus sentinel nodes removed. I actually had the surgery 2 weeks ago skin sparing with diep flap. I don't need rads at all!!! I still have (and did thru chemo) the occasional drink, I quit smoking tho. I'm VERY pleased with the outcome of my surgery. I'm up and around and almost completely pain free. The only restrictions on my normal activity is I can't drive for another week.

What I want to say, is don't believe everything you read, think positive, don't let this beast get the best of you. If you want a drink... Have it. And let's face it quitting smoking is the healthiest thing for us. Lol that was a hard part for my thru this. There is a point to all our treatments. It's to live and kick butt!!! The information out there is overwhelming and you don't know what to believe so just believe in yourself!!! You can do this!!! You got it!!!

Pure,

I admire you. I am also trying alkaline diet and some natural medicines. I have to think like you. Yes, it's not me  becasue i have done my part  and i am winning the battle with cancer. I am here for many years.

Well, I think anybody who has had stage III and isn't somewhat worried is in denial.  My oncologist evades and dismisses any prognosis questions, but I have done mine on Adjuvant online and am aware of what my statistics are.  They are not what I would want them to be, but even in the 60-80% range- they are still in our favor, right?!

Incidentally, I am a horse girl, too.  I run barrels and rodeo and my two kiddos do every event in junior rodeo.  I find that my horses are my therapists.  I had TE placement during my mastectomy, then ended up doing the expansion process and implant exchange- then doing radiation.  I switched oncologists during my expansion process and the new onc was aghast that I had not had radiation, so I hurried through the reconstruction then did radiation, then did the nipple surgery and tatoos.  I went with smaller boobs than God gave me because I always found them to be a hindrance in riding.  My new ones are small, high, and tight.  Before BC I wore a sports bra over my regular bra when I competed.  Now I don't wear a bra AT ALL.  That's right, at all.  My surgeon told me it wouldn't be necessary and he was right.  They are not really the same as natural breasts.  They are not as jiggly and fatty as they are implants placed under muscle.  So they are a little flatter and more muscular, but I am very happy with them.  Sexy?  Ummm, no.  Anyone who thinks implants are a benefit of BC has not seen reconstructed breasts.  But I do look very "normal" in a tank top or bathing suit.  So I would say you might now want to totally close your mind to that.

"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man."  -Winston Churhill

"or woman." - me

Thanks Karen!

Can't argue with success!