Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

My test for the Ashkenazi gene was negative too.

Jclc, rather surprising that the few Ashkenazis I know of here have tested negative. But that's good!

HUGS!

had another question.  my dcis as high comedia which...is that what everyone is talking about as grade 3?  i am just tryinng to understand diagnosis because mine was stage 0.....  i had lymph node removed and no involvement and have radiation but no chemo....why if it was grade 3?  i am so confused

Beach, Grade 3 is simply a grade of Stage 0 cancer. As I understand it, all DCIS is Stage 0, but graded 1-3. Comedo necrosis is simply that the duct contains the cancer and is "plugged" with the cells if that makes sense. I truly believe that in years to come this will not be considered "cancer" but defined as a precancer more clearly.

I have my diagnostic mammo on Monday afternoon, then see the surgeon for results on Thursday. Hopefully the radiologist will give me some sign on Monday, he was the one who sent me for the biopsy last year. I'm still slightly anxious about this, don't know why exactly as usually I am more laid back and know that whatever is going on will be taken care of. Ah well. We are having incredible weather here in the PNW, sun is shining so I have been getting outside more and I think that is helping to keep my mood a little bit upbeat.

Have a great weekend everyone. Those in chemo, hope you can rest over the weekend and take care of yourselves.

Jill, I'm sure you're right about the intermarriage. And then the conversos, who after several generations, did not even know they were Jewish. How sad. Obviously you had the right relatives to avoid any genetic component

HUGS!

I would get lightheaded when sitting up after my rads. I soon learned to sit up for a minute or so and then I was fine. But it was a bit disconcerting. I'm sure part of it is that I never lay perfectly flat on my back, my head is always elevated...except of course for the rads But never any lingering effects. Just that minute or 2 then I was fine.

HUGS!

Nancy, at this point, crying is both warranted and necessary to get to the point that you don't need to anymore. At least that was my experience when I went from envisioning what was supposed to be simple treatment over in a few months, and then it got extended for an additional four months. As Sloan mentioned, and the way that my MO described staging as related to chemo: the higher the number, the faster growing the cancer cells are. And the faster growing, the more effective chemo is as a treatment because it attacks the fast-growing cells. Add to that the PR- variety that we both have, and chemo is a really good way to take care of it.

MLP, such sweet dogs! You remind me of my friend in NC who for years had three labs, one of each color like yours. When the two older ones passed, they were replaced by the same color. We teased her that she needed to keep a complete set. Her dogs all came through breed rescue, and she is now down to one.

Molly, I am sorry to hear about your daughter's test results. It must be a lot for her to think about, though good that there is a plan in place to watch her closely.

Moondust, we both drive too darned much for work! The company where I have worked for 26 years is 34 miles from home. 50 miles to Boston is not a big deal, though the first 45 miles takes 45 minutes, and the last five miles often takes another 45 minutes. Dana Farber is not close to highways, and construction, and traffic... driving in Boston means you are always in the wrong lane, or behind someone who is!

Jan, yay for hair!

I went for my first two-week check in for Pablociclib (Ibrance) clinical trial that I am participating in. My bloodwork was good, and I'll be back in two weeks to check in again. I might be feeling a little tired, but other than that no side effects.

hi tbalging - welcome! I was just diagnosed in March and this discussion board has helped me so much ! I think half the battle is just waiting for all the results but it sounds like you have a plan in place!

This week I'm on spring break! I'm really looking forward to relaxing. Then the following week is my last at school before my mx surgery. April 19th is the big day. I've been talking with my principal about finding a long term sub, but it's really a district issue not mine. He said who ever we get for your classroom they can call you with questions! I gave him a big NO! That is going to be my time to heal and recovery! I'm usually such a yes person it felt great saying no!

From my biopsy to the date of my surgery, it will have been 48 days. It seems like a long time but it's really not. I guess its like the kid waiting for Christmas, I'm just eager for my surgery. I have some planning to do before my surgery. We need to move some furniture, buy a few things for post surgery relaxation and get house ready for some visitors . I've heard after the mx arm movement is very limited. Any advise on what to expect?

Everyone have a great Friday!

Heathet, I can't advise you on what to expect for surgery since I didn't have an Mx but I know others will. You are very smart to take time off and to say NO. It is possible after awhile you'll be ready to answer questions but it needs to be on your terms. Good luck!

HUGS!

Molly - Sorry about your DD snd the chek2. I'm sure you are her rock right now. So, they don't do a preventive mx or meds for chek2 like they do with BRCA?

Nancy, I can't answer any of your questions but I would ask how old your kids are. That makes a huge difference. And we don't mind questions at all. We all have asked a lot of them and are willing to share what we've learned.

HUGS!

Thanks Heathet! The waiting is awful, and now I'm really gun-shy every time I have a test trying not to jump to worse case. I've been trying to keep to my same routine & stay busy. It helps that work has been very busy. I also had committed to speaking at a work conference on April 27 before I was diagnosed. That will be 2 weeks after surgery. So I'm making plans to go, hoping that the margins come back good & I don't have to have more surgery.

Good luck to you with your surgery

I had chemo for 4 hours every 3 weeks, followed by another 2 hours of IV fluids the next day. I gave my neulasta shot to myself later that afternoon. I found that my energy really tanked about Day 3 after chemo and I was fatigued until about day 10 or so. Once I got to days 14-21 I pretty much had my energy back.

My biggest issue, besides losing my hair, was low concentration and fatigue. I really struggled with grocery shopping and cooking. Thankfully, I had friends at church who filled in that gap for several months until I could get back on top of things. If I were having to provide all the meals for my family, I would seriously look for things that are easy prep and budget for take-out from time to time. There's only so much pizza and McNuggets you want your kids to eat.

You need to identify your local supports, whether that is family, friends, Sunday School class, womens group, etc. Whoever you can call in to help. Sometimes people are good at one thing and not good at another. When people ask what you need, give them a specific answer. Say, " I could use some help with meals" or "I need someone to take the boys to soccer practice and bring them home." People really do want to help and I know for me, I had to get over my tendency to be stoic and do everything myself. The true is, I couldn't do it all myself. Someone once told me that when I refuse to allow people to help me, I was taking away their blessing. I think that may be true. Learning to let go and let others take over is a behavior that goes against the grain for us women, but it's in our best interest to save our energy for those things that ONLY we can do.

Best of luck to you. I didn't find chemo to be terrible, certainly nothing like you see in the movies. I never threw up and I looked decent, especially in my hot new wig. Just fatigue, hair loss, and some changes in taste, which were temporary. My hair is about 1" to 1-1/2"long now.

IamMags, YIPPEE!!! What a great Oncotype score. So glad you can move on to rads. I agree that the list of cancer causing gene mutations for Askenazi is rather daunting. Hopefully you'll come back negative for all of them! Now pop open a bottle of wine and celebrate!

HUGS!

awesome iammags!!