New to board-Any advice would be great
I am new to this board and am looking for any advice. I am 30 years old and I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on March 31st. I am 3 weeks +3 days out from a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. I meet with an oncologist on May 31st. My tumor was 2.2 cm and there was NO lymph node involvement. I am estrogen and progestron positive. I am very anxious about what kind and how much treatment I am looking at. I had the most amazing breast and reconstruction surgeon available and I am a little worried about my oncologist (we have heard that they over do chemo here). I would appreciate any word of encouragement and advice that anyone can offer. Thank you!
Comments
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Welcome to a group no one
Welcome to a group no one wants to join, but I guarantee you will find acceptance, support and encouragement here!
It is good that your tumor is ER/PR+. Since you had a mastectomy you may not need radiation. It's hard to say with chemo because there are so many factors that play into that.
I am stage 1, 1.2 cm., grade 3, ER/PR+, age 52 but pre-menopausal and no lymph nodes. I needed chemo because my oncotype score, something they will probably do with you which involves sending your pathology to a lab in CA if they haven't already done it, came out a bit higher than they prefer. They also tend to be more likely to recommend chemo for those of us who are younger and/or pre-menopausal. IF you do need it I can tell you firsthand (I just completed my second treatment last Friday) that it is not as bad as you think. With all the meds they now have nausea and vomiting are rare. For me the hardest side effect to deal with has been the exhaustion which lasts a few days, and of course my loss of hair. Although on the positive side, I haven't minded losing the hair on my legs or under my arms! No matter what you need or do not need, we will be here for you every step of the way!
Nancy0 -
HiBioAdoptMom said:Welcome to a group no one
Welcome to a group no one wants to join, but I guarantee you will find acceptance, support and encouragement here!
It is good that your tumor is ER/PR+. Since you had a mastectomy you may not need radiation. It's hard to say with chemo because there are so many factors that play into that.
I am stage 1, 1.2 cm., grade 3, ER/PR+, age 52 but pre-menopausal and no lymph nodes. I needed chemo because my oncotype score, something they will probably do with you which involves sending your pathology to a lab in CA if they haven't already done it, came out a bit higher than they prefer. They also tend to be more likely to recommend chemo for those of us who are younger and/or pre-menopausal. IF you do need it I can tell you firsthand (I just completed my second treatment last Friday) that it is not as bad as you think. With all the meds they now have nausea and vomiting are rare. For me the hardest side effect to deal with has been the exhaustion which lasts a few days, and of course my loss of hair. Although on the positive side, I haven't minded losing the hair on my legs or under my arms! No matter what you need or do not need, we will be here for you every step of the way!
Nancy
Also want to welcome you to the boards. We are a good group and I am glad you found us.I am also Er Pr Pos Her 2 Pos I did chemo Rads the whole Package so I really don't know much about over doing it. What ever you do It will all be doable and you will get through because you have to. Ask for help when you need it. Rest when you need to. Be positive and keep moving forward, this is what I was told to do two years ago when I was Dx and it has worked for me, I hope it works for you.Hugs
Kathy0 -
Hello... you must be talking about meKat11 said:Hi
Also want to welcome you to the boards. We are a good group and I am glad you found us.I am also Er Pr Pos Her 2 Pos I did chemo Rads the whole Package so I really don't know much about over doing it. What ever you do It will all be doable and you will get through because you have to. Ask for help when you need it. Rest when you need to. Be positive and keep moving forward, this is what I was told to do two years ago when I was Dx and it has worked for me, I hope it works for you.Hugs
Kathy
I too am IDC stage three no lymph node involvement. My tumor was also estrogen and progesterone positive. I went through four rounds of chemo which consisted of three drugs (TAC). I then followed it up with my bi-lateral mastectomy (Feb. 28th) I chose to remove my healthy breast too, followed up with immediate reconstruction (tissue expanders). My expanders as of last month are now fully inflated and I started radiation last week, I need 33 treatments targeting my lymph nodes and skin (skin sparing mastectomy). All this of course is only on my left side where the tumor was. After radiation I will start hormone therapy, which pill my MO will give me I don't know yet.
The way I see it, each treatment they are able to give you is another tool towards beating the beast and increasing your odds of it not coming back. I had chemo first before my surgery so I got to actually see through MRI's my tumor shrink. I think maybe your oncologist is getting a slightly bad rap, because everyone's chemo doses are administered differently. Some give two drugs every couple of weeks, followed up by maybe one or two different ones when the first round is fully complete. My doctor chose to give me all three at once, thus I only needed four sessions.
Sounds like we are on similar journeys.. Keep in touch I'd love to see how your doing. I hope I helped you somewhat..
Hugs,
Lorrie0 -
Welcome to this site!
I am 33 and was diagnosed last Jan (@ 32)so I can relate to your concerns. I am currently on chemo therapy (1/2 way there!). I too had the same type as you, with no nodes involvement - however, they recommended chemo because of my age, and because of the type of cancer (invasive). I decided to do a lumpectomy, but went for chemo and rad (which I will do after chemo), because I wanted to try everything I could to try to fight this now. I have read online that many Oncologists recommend chemo for invasive cancers, and I know many women whose cancer was non-invasive who also decided to take the chemo as a prevention method.
I wish you good luck on your decision. There are many wonderful people here who will help you answer any additional questions/concerns you may have.
Good luck and big hugs!0 -
BTW...LoveBabyJesus said:Welcome to this site!
I am 33 and was diagnosed last Jan (@ 32)so I can relate to your concerns. I am currently on chemo therapy (1/2 way there!). I too had the same type as you, with no nodes involvement - however, they recommended chemo because of my age, and because of the type of cancer (invasive). I decided to do a lumpectomy, but went for chemo and rad (which I will do after chemo), because I wanted to try everything I could to try to fight this now. I have read online that many Oncologists recommend chemo for invasive cancers, and I know many women whose cancer was non-invasive who also decided to take the chemo as a prevention method.
I wish you good luck on your decision. There are many wonderful people here who will help you answer any additional questions/concerns you may have.
Good luck and big hugs!
I was ER (99%)/PR (87%) positive. Did they mention Tamoxifen to you?0 -
I'm glad you found us, but,Kat11 said:Hi
Also want to welcome you to the boards. We are a good group and I am glad you found us.I am also Er Pr Pos Her 2 Pos I did chemo Rads the whole Package so I really don't know much about over doing it. What ever you do It will all be doable and you will get through because you have to. Ask for help when you need it. Rest when you need to. Be positive and keep moving forward, this is what I was told to do two years ago when I was Dx and it has worked for me, I hope it works for you.Hugs
Kathy
I'm glad you found us, but, sorry for the reason. You will not find a more supportive, loving and encouraging group of pink sisters anywhere!
We are open 24/7!
Sue
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Buy this Book = An Absolute Must
First, purchase Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book - 5th Edition - by Susan M. Love, M.D. with Karen Lindseyus, Published by Da Capo Press --- This book is a bible for women who have breast cancer.
Every woman who has breast cancer should have this book in her house. It will help you understand many aspects of your cancer.
Second, this is an excellent site for knowledge and support. Come to this site often.
Lots of Hugs,
Janelle0 -
So sorry you're here, but a warm welcomeDifferent Ballgame said:Buy this Book = An Absolute Must
First, purchase Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book - 5th Edition - by Susan M. Love, M.D. with Karen Lindseyus, Published by Da Capo Press --- This book is a bible for women who have breast cancer.
Every woman who has breast cancer should have this book in her house. It will help you understand many aspects of your cancer.
Second, this is an excellent site for knowledge and support. Come to this site often.
Lots of Hugs,
Janelle
to you. This is the best support group you can imagine. Come here often to vent, cry, rant, rave, laugh or just talk. Janelle's advice is great--that book is amazing and I referred to it many, many times during my treatment.
Remember to rest, stay hydrated, keep strong and focused and take any help offered to you--people love to help.
Hugs, Renee0 -
Welcome
to the group of wonderful pink sisters. I had Invasive Lobular Carcinoma and had bilateral mastectomy June 2010. It's been one year since my dx and see breast surgeon next month. I did not have reconstruction. You are very young, I'm 62. I wish you well on this journey and will pray for a successful surgery. The drains are probably the most annoying. My surgeon took them out 19 days later. I healed well with no complications. I had no lymph node involvement. Exercise your arm movement as soon as you are able. My onc recommended 6 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan and I had 28 radiation treatments. I'm the 5th in my family with bc.
{{hugs}} Char0 -
I just want to say welcome.
I just want to say welcome. I hope you find this board as helpful and informative as I have. Please come back and let us know how you're doing.
Hugs,
Linda0 -
Welcome .. I am so glad you found our wonderfulGabe N Abby Mom said:I just want to say welcome.
I just want to say welcome. I hope you find this board as helpful and informative as I have. Please come back and let us know how you're doing.
Hugs,
Linda
caring site - -. We are here for you 24/7 - We offer encouragement, support and lots of gentle hugs!
Take a deep breath as you are in 'Great' company --Sisters in Pink.
Vicki Sam0 -
Hi!
I just turned 29 last
Hi!
I just turned 29 last week, and was diagnosed on March 1st. As another woman diagnosed at such a young age, I can relate.
I had a 1.3 cm invasive lump. Stage I, grade 2, ER/PR positive, no altered BRCA gene, no HER expressed, low risk oncotype DX and low risk mammaprint. No node involvement. I had a lumpectomy, egg harvest, and now I just started chemo. Even though all tests came out so well for me, with a low risk of recurrence, my medical oncologist still recommended chemo. After I spent much time on my own with medical journals, I decided I agreed with her. Given what you say about your diagnosis, it sounds like your MO will recommend chemo for you. However, which treatment you decide to pursue is of course ultimately your own choice. I would recommend reading about different chemo regiments (I did), so that you can judge for yourself the benefit you may derive from each.
Something to think about as a young woman with BC is the matter of fertility. I don't know if you already have children, or if this is important to you. Your MO should be able to put you in touch with a fertility expert for a consultation ASAP. This is important, because chemo can affect your fertility. I choose to harvest eggs and freeze embryoes in case chemo puts me into permanent menopause. Another option that could be done on its own or in addition to egg harvest is to take a drug called Lupron. It has been shown to lower the risk of chemo induced menopause. I chose not to take this drug, even though my fertility doctor advised me to take it. I read about some bad side effects from this drug. Again, what treatment you decide to pursue is your choice. While it is overwhelming and scary, you must learn all you can about your options and decide what is best for YOU.
Please come back with any questions you think I might be able to answer. I don't always do a good job of following up on posts, so if you want to get back to me specifically send me a private message and I will be sure to get back to you.
Eva0
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