Stage III Cancer Survivors .... 10+ Years and Out

hi. Can i ask a question? Again, my mom has stage IIIB ER+/PR- HER2+ breast ca. She had 6 cycles of chemo, the tumor shrunk but not so much. Has anyone experienced this also but got operated on and NED up to now

thank you. Im just so scared for my mom. I would do anything for her

thank you so much Flo80! She'll be having her scans tomorrow in preparation for her surgery. She just finished her neoadjuvant chemo. im hoping and praying for clear results.

Two more rounds of TAC chemo! Wow. My question for my onc would have been--if it didn't work that great for the first six rounds, why would it be effective for two more?

I had to talk long and hard, but I got my onc to give me six rounds of navelbine/capecitabine after surgery. It was based on recently released research.

sbelizabeth, the first four chemo doses didn't bring a complete response, but it was significant enough that my onc felt the two additional rounds after surgery would be beneficial. He called it a "clean-up". A subsequent PET scan a year later (before reconstruction) showed no activity.

I haven't had another PET scan in ten years. Some aches and pains that have been diagnosed as osteoarthritis.

NancyD, I understand now. I had six rounds of TAC before surgery, and the surgical path report stated "extensive tumor emboli in dermal lympahtics" in the breast. Clean margins, though. I had PET scans at years 1 and 2 following treatment completion, and I always held my breath until the report came back. Thank you, God.

Ilovemymom4ever, my last chemo was on March 31 and I had the mastectomy on April 15.

Your post is such a positive light for all, thank you for coming back scar1888! Many more happy and healthy years to you

Wow, Scar! I hope to be like you. I know that it's a day by day, year by year thing, though. As long as I can walk around without any symptoms, I consider myself a survivor and thrive-or.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

congratulations Nancy! Coming up with my first year this month and stories like yours keep me strong and hopeful .

I've seen people here with a lot of nodes removed. They're ok. She shouldn't have blood pressure or any type of needle on that arm. I've had 4 removed and give my right arm for IV, blood draws if they can't use my port, blood pressure. I don't wear tight sleeves either. Read about lymphedema in the forums for more info. People who have it are talking about it there.

I was diagnosed and had surgery almost a year ago. How many lymph nodes did they remove and how many had cancer?? I had 14/31.. So far, so good.

Keep me updated and best wishes.. My diagnosis did not look good but I take each day...squeeze everything I can out of it and pray for the next. I had 8cm tumor and 14 lymph nodes. Hardly gets any worse than that. The cancer was isolated to the lymphnodes so far. I had surgery, occupational therapy, 16 rounds of chemo, 30 rounds of radiation and I am currently on hormone blockers and zometa... Its rough but I am 60 and I made it through all of it. Your mom will too. She needs lots of positive vibes and love and a great team. I am sure she has all of those. I am a week short of a year from diagnosis, walking 4 miles a day, exercising and living. Keep your chin up. Sorry to put this on the 10 year page.. Hopefully I will belong here some day with the rest of the brave ladies.

@mv459, Sure i 'll keepyou updated. Do you mind if i ask what stage were you after surgery? God bless you!

@NancyD, thank you for being positive

I was Stage 3C. Internal necrosis refers to dead cancer cells in the breast tissue. Probably because she had chemo first. I had surgery first, then chemo. Sending good wishes and prayers to you and your mom. In time it really does all get better.