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  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2017

    Me too falconer. Not looking forward to the surgery. I'm having a double mastectomy no reconstruction. Both surgeon and oncologist are recommending unfortunately I'm not eligible for recon because of a tia I had last year.

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 2,112
    edited April 2017

    Kira, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed you don't need chemo too! Do you have the receptor status of the new cancer yet?

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2017

    Yes I do Trisha-Anne, it's stage 1 grade 1 ER 100% PR 0% HER- so very much like last time. I'll know about the nodes after surgery. My oncologist is ordering the mamma print. Last time I had the oncotype test which put me in the gray area.

    Oh also it appears to be only .4mm in size.

  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited April 2017

    Hi kira:

    Wishing the best outcome possible for you.

    wallan

  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited April 2017

    Yes, I agree a second dx will certainly make an impact. It really doesn't get easier after you thought you did your treatment and seen the last of the cancer. But people make it through 2nd even 3rd recurrences and live long lives.

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2017

    I'm quite aware many live through additional cancer. I know once it's in our bodies it's always there. That's why following our doctors recommendations for follow up is so important. There current recommendation is the double mastectomy.

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2017

    My surgery will be May 2nd. I'm just hoping the size of the tumor is really as small as they believe.

  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited April 2017

    Dear Kira,

    I also had a recurrence (or another primary) after 11 years in the same place in the same breast. It turned out to be IBC, triple negative which is totally different from the first breast cancer. That was 5 1/2 years ago and I'm still stable with the cancer only spread to the bones and that's under control.

    It's not the best news, but it's something that I'm able to live with. So far, so good.


  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 2,112
    edited April 2017

    Kira, there's a very good chance you won't need chemo. ILC is very slow growing (which I'm sure you know!) and chemo does best with fast growing cancers. Your main tool to beat it will be an AI if you are post menopausal, which I think you are already on. I'll keep everything crossed that's what they recommend for you.

    My first cancer (actually there were two in the same breast) wouldn't have needed chemo if the IDC wasn't triple positive, that's the only reason I had to do chemo.

    Winning - so sorry to hear about your second dx. Breast cancer is just the pits. Good to hear you are doing ok at the moment though.

    Take care ladies

    Trish

    xoxo

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2017

    Thanks Trisha. I've been on tamoxafin but will be switching to one of the ALS. My oncologist is going to request the mamma print test this time. I was in the gray area last time with a 24. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

    Winning I'm sorry to hear about your second diagnosis. Nice to hear you're doing well so far.

  • Emily2008
    Emily2008 Member Posts: 605
    edited April 2017

    Hi Kira,

    So sorry about the recurrence. I've been going through treatment for a recurrence/new primary (we're no 100% sure which it is). It's harder on my mental state than on my body this time around.

    4 mm is super small, so that's wonderful news. The fact that you're PR is 0 makes me wonder if your doc has suggested that your cancer is a luminal B subtype. You may want to ask about that because it can influence choice of treatment.

    Hang in there. You can do it!


  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited April 2017

    4 mm, that is small. I guess that's why we are under high surveillance so if it comes back they get it ASAP

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2017

    Emily I never thought of luminal b. I will have to ask. I know I'm c+ negative.

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2017

    I'm getting all my pre-op testing done today. My mind just can't seem to stop. It's been quite an up and down weekend. This waiting is very stressful.

  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited April 2017

    Hugs to you Kira!

    I understand how waiting is so stressful. Soon things will start to settle down. Its good that you have pre-op planning in the works anyways.

    wallan

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2017

    Well surgery is only 3 days away. I'm trying to make sure everything I'll need when I get home are here. I'm just praying it's been caught early. I know with lobular breast cancer things can change.

  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited April 2017

    Hi there Kira:

    Three days away! woohoo... soon you will have your answers.

    I am hoping your surgery goes smoothly and that every thing is early stage.

    Keep us posted.

    wallan

  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 769
    edited April 2017

    Sending you courage and light Kira!!

  • Falconer
    Falconer Member Posts: 1,192
    edited April 2017

    Kira, thinking of you. Sending hugs

  • letsgogolf
    letsgogolf Member Posts: 263
    edited April 2017

    Praying for good news for you and a complete and speedy recovery!


  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited April 2017

    Thinking of you, Kira. I know this in-between time must be tough; having made the difficult decision you probably want it to be over with, and yet hate that it has to be this way. Sending you support and well-wishes, all this week.

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2017

    Gardengypsy, falconer, let's go golf and hopeful thanks for the support. I'll be heading to Tampa tomorrow because I live to far away and need to be at the hospital by 7. I've spent the day trying to get everything ready for when I come home. My dh has been getting many pointers from those who have had mastectomies and what I will not be able to do at first. A bit overwhelming to me.

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited April 2017

    I'm sure it is overwhelming, in so many ways. Gentle hugs and kind thoughts are flowing your way.

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2017

    Thanks hopeful. I'll be forever grateful for breastcancer.org through this organization I've made friends with a lovely group of ladies from Tampa. Several of them are going to be visiting me while I'm in the hospital for support and another one is going to visit me next weekend at home. I'm truly blessed.

  • lisa2012
    lisa2012 Member Posts: 652
    edited April 2017

    I had my cancer almost 5 years ago, also a teacher.Double mastectomy because of BRCA. I am thinking strong thoughts for you. The students will be OK. Hope that you have had or are about to have your surgery and move forward.

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2017

    Lisa it's Tuesday thank goodness. I had to take the rest of the year off. I'm bummed I was unable to finish the school year. Nice to meet another teacher.

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited April 2017

    Very glad to know that you have bco sisters there on hand, Kira.

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited May 2017

    I'm in the hospital and recovering. The lymph nodes on both sides came back negative. What a blessing that is. I'm tired and sore but that's not surprising.

  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited May 2017

    Hi Kira just saw your posting, it's 11:35 most folks are in bed. This night is bizarre. You will wake up often thinking hours have passed and it may have been 5 minutes. Since you posted 45 minutes ago , you may read again. As soon as you can walk ?march at the bedside. Then ask for help to walk in the room. Then expand outside the room. But ask that a wheelchair be walked with you. Do not use it like a walker. Let the attendant wheel it.
    Stand tall and walk.

    Whatever range of motion the doc ordered follow. Do it. Early range of motion is good, but got to follow the order, unless you are a PITA nurse and you are a Teacher.

    Walking is your best friend to recovery.

    You are on the really good meds right now PCA..........that's why walking is so good and allowed range of motion so good to do. Phrase "Highly druggged and well motivated" The more you do now the less it will hurt latter. Stand up---sit down etc Stand straight.

    The night will seem endless.............................then it will be lost


  • Lisey
    Lisey Member Posts: 1,053
    edited May 2017

    Kira, when you are able, you may want to join thousands of us over on Facebook in our closed Flat and Fabulous group. We are flat (no recon) and rocking it. You'll see tons of photos of how amazing being flat can look and feel.. and get any moral support you need.

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