Newly dx'd invasive BC, newly pregnant...

martyzl

Hello all!
My name is Marty and I am 37yrs old.
May 25th I had an invasive, 2.5cm comedo-type DCIS removed from my rt. breast. I have had insurance probs which are slowly resolving and was due for a mastectomy w/TRAM flap reconstruction this Fri. (6.28.02) Insurance has turned us down and now we've discovered via pre-surgical bloodwork that I am pregnant! Wheee! What an adventure this is becoming! *smiles* The oncologist recommended 4 shots of A/C (my cancer was hormone neg., her2neu 3+)...
Does anybody have any experience or ideas, suggestions for us at this point?
Thank you for your time!
~Marty the Boggled~

nasa2537

Hi Marty...I have a sister-in-law who was diagnosed with invasive cancer I think in her 4th month of pregnancy. The local doctors wanted her to abort, so she went to Mayo Clinic. They did a mastectomy and chemo, and to make a long story short, the baby is a happy, healthy 16 year old, and my sister-in-law is in great health also. As for the insurance, keep calling them every day....don't give up on it. I can't believe anyone with a conscience would deny you a mastectomy. Ask for supervisors....anyone who can give you answers, and ask them what you need to do to get approved. Also, check with the American Cancer Society and your oncologist's office to see if there are any studies being done that may help cover costs for you. I wish you all the luck. Please keep a positive attitude...it helps so much in recovery. We're here if you need to chat, so write often! I'll say some prayers for you to get this all resolved so you can get done what you need done. God bless, Cyndi

shirlann

Hi Marty, I am a little surprised that they are suggesting chemo with DCIS, this is not normally the recommendation. But, I sure am not a doctor. I would go to a breast clinic and get a second opinion. I surely would not even think about chemo during the first tri-mester of your pregnancy, when the fetus is the most vulnerable, if at all possible to post-pone, do so until delivery. My daughter-in-law had DCIS comedo-type and had her mast with recon just 3 weeks ago. No chemo or rads were recommended to her. But, I am sure not the one to tell you, but most definitely, get a second opinion. Since with my understand ing of DCIS, you are in no danger of your life, I would postpone if at all possible any treatment until the birth that you have not already had. God bless you, don't feel any rush, most of these cancers are 8-12 years old when found, so a few weeks to get yourself well informed is not unreasonable. Get Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book online at Amazon.com or Borders.com. This book is our bible and will answer a lot of questions. Hugs, Shirlann

jeancmici

Marty,

Go back and read some of Heavenlee's(Angel) posts - She is pregnant and getting AC.

They will not start it too soon to endanger the baby. Hormone negative and Her2neu3+ mean two aggressive aspects of your cancer. Your oncologist seems to be on top of things.

You are on an adventure that no one will be envious of. Prayers and hugs from me to you.
Jean

24242

Hang on to that Marty,
Adventure, journey what ever it is What is IS.
I am so sorry you have to go through this as I am for every pregnant woman having to face cancer when birthing should be the happiest times of our lives. But there will be some to talk to who have been through what you are about to embark on.
Hang on to the hubby tight your both going to need it. Sounds pretty standard and I am very sorry you have to worry about insurance to boot.
Be good to yourself always,
Tara24242

martyzl

24242 said:

Hang on to that Marty,
Adventure, journey what ever it is What is IS.
I am so sorry you have to go through this as I am for every pregnant woman having to face cancer when birthing should be the happiest times of our lives. But there will be some to talk to who have been through what you are about to embark on.
Hang on to the hubby tight your both going to need it. Sounds pretty standard and I am very sorry you have to worry about insurance to boot.
Be good to yourself always,
Tara24242

Thanks all! It's so good to find others to talk to about all of this.
The pregnancy is only about 2wks along. Very early. The dr. suggested the four A/C treatments before we knew I was pregnant.
My type (comedo) of DCIS is aggressive and invasive, it's gone beyond the ductal system but interestingly didn't have the normal dead tissue (necrosis) in the center that one normally sees with this type. Normally it grows too quickly to keep the inner cells of the tumour going and they die. Hence "comedo" akin to a blackhead.
It would be nice if there was just some sign that would point me the right way. It must be right in front of me but I cannot read it!
Yes, my spirits are good. I leave myself no choice. I am married to a fabulous, loving man (we just married last Sept 15th, our 2nd marriages, the real one!) and 2 dear girls.. life is good. Now to figure out what will be best so that I can hang around long enough to squeeze all that I can out of it!!!

Be well all, I'll be in and out frequently and update you all as I can...
Marty

martyzl

Thank you, all!
Thanks all! It's so good to find others to talk to about all of this.

The pregnancy is only about 2wks along. Very early. The dr. suggested the four A/C treatments before we knew I was pregnant.

My type (comedo) of DCIS is aggressive and invasive, it's gone beyond the ductal system but interestingly didn't have the normal dead tissue (necrosis) in the center that one normally sees with this type. Normally it grows too quickly to keep the inner cells of the tumour going and they die. Hence "comedo" akin to a blackhead.

It would be nice if there was just some sign that would point me the right way. It must be right in front of me but I cannot read it!

Yes, my spirits are good. I leave myself no choice. I am married to a fabulous, loving man (we just married last Sept 15th, our 2nd marriages, the real one!) and 2 dear girls.. life is good. Now to figure out what will be best so that I can hang around long enough to squeeze all that I can out of it!!!


Be well all, I'll be in and out frequently and update you all as I can...

Marty

shirlann

martyzl said:

Thanks all! It's so good to find others to talk to about all of this.
The pregnancy is only about 2wks along. Very early. The dr. suggested the four A/C treatments before we knew I was pregnant.
My type (comedo) of DCIS is aggressive and invasive, it's gone beyond the ductal system but interestingly didn't have the normal dead tissue (necrosis) in the center that one normally sees with this type. Normally it grows too quickly to keep the inner cells of the tumour going and they die. Hence "comedo" akin to a blackhead.
It would be nice if there was just some sign that would point me the right way. It must be right in front of me but I cannot read it!
Yes, my spirits are good. I leave myself no choice. I am married to a fabulous, loving man (we just married last Sept 15th, our 2nd marriages, the real one!) and 2 dear girls.. life is good. Now to figure out what will be best so that I can hang around long enough to squeeze all that I can out of it!!!

Be well all, I'll be in and out frequently and update you all as I can...
Marty

Hi, dear Marty and little one. I am Shirlann and stupidly did not see that you had written invasive DCIS, I only saw the DCIS. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Fortunately enough of the other gals were right on and not so stupid. Angie e-mailed me and set me straight! Argghh, I am so sorry. Hugs, Shirlann

martyzl

shirlann said:

Hi, dear Marty and little one. I am Shirlann and stupidly did not see that you had written invasive DCIS, I only saw the DCIS. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Fortunately enough of the other gals were right on and not so stupid. Angie e-mailed me and set me straight! Argghh, I am so sorry. Hugs, Shirlann

Shirlann!
Oh, don't be silly! You are not stupid and your response was not stupid. It's very easy for some of us to see only positives, not the negatives!
Thank you and have a great day!!!

Marty