and now...enter breast cancer

2

Comments

  • Mmpeterson
    Mmpeterson Member Posts: 124
    #22
    Praying your lumpectomy was a

    Praying your lumpectomy was a success and the new drug will be extremely effective for you.  Keeping you in my prayers! Maryanne

  • BC Brady
    BC Brady Member Posts: 70
    #23
    cindy0519 said:

    Another 2-fer

    I too have two primary cancers -  breast (IDC Stage II) and USPC (Stage IIIC1).  I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2015 and USPC in Sept. 2015.  Certainly was a gut punch!

    Have they mentioned mastectomy rather than lumpectomy because of the BRCA2 mutation?  Just curious as it seems most with this mutation (either 1 or 2) go the double mastectomy route.   Though it does also seem to me that they try very hard these days to lead you to lumpectomy so as much breast tissue as possible can be preserved.

    You certainly have a fantastic attitude and amazing strength!  Many prayers for you!

    lumpectomy vs bilateral

    Hi Cindy,

    I was actually the one that asked for the double mastectomy - all doctors involved thought it was overkill - even with the mutation. I was willing to go for it. I'm an A cup so it hardly makes a difference. Breast surgeon said that it's a bigger operation - longer under anesthesia more chance of infection - etc. Plus they would not be able to do the reconstruction for the same reasons - would have to wait until I'm healthier and less of a risk. Her thought was - fast - in and out - see what the pathology says, already know I'm hormone receptor negative, so likely will not have any follow up therapy since I'm treating with the Lynparza for endometrial. Hopefully that drug will supress any future breast tumors as well. The next step will be a blood genetics test to see if I carry the brCA2 mutation naturally and not just in the cancer - apparently it can be separate. Hope to understand that better in the future. Can I ask, what route did you go?

  • cindy0519
    cindy0519 Member Posts: 173
    #24
    Unilateral for me (L)

    Billie,

    I had a unilateral (L) mastectomy last June. I had a large cyst (benign) removed from the same breast in the 1982 and while my breast surgeon recommended a lumpectomy, I would have still faced reconstrution as most of the left breast would have been gone as the tumor that was present in June was 5.5-7cm, plus I wasn't about to give it a third attempt at killing me.   My BCRA test was negative and I was overwhelmed by the thought of bilateral at the time so I decided to do just the left and have immediate reconstruction with a tissue expander and Alloderm for the mammory fold.  Long story short - I had 4 months of healing and infection (which ended with my mastectomy scar coming open and exposing the expander) it was replaced in a surgery on a Monday and I had an infection again on Tuesday so the expander was removed in late Aug 2015 and I have been flat or wearing a prosthetic since.  My oncotype score was a big fat zero (first time my oncologist had seen a zero) so I needed nothing more than the mastectomy and 5 years of Tamoxifen... or so we thought until I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC1 USPC at the end of Sept 2015.

    I was told to immediately stop taking Tamoxifen when diagnosed with USPC and have been on Letrozole since my chemo for USPC ended in May 2016.  I met with my current Plastic surgeon about my reconstruction options a couple weeks ago and am meeting with the only team of plastic surgeons who do DEIP flap reconstruction in my area on the 28th of Oct.  My plastic surgeon only does latissimus doris and tram flap reconstruction and I am really most interested in DEIP as it does not take muscle but does require micro surgery to reconnect blood vessels.  My plastic surgeon however believes that the external radiation I received as part of my USPC treatment may make DEIP no longer possible. Guess we will see on the 28th when I meet with the DEIP team....

    Do you know yet what stage your breast cancer is?  I looked at Lynparza and found that it is being used in a couple of clincial trials for metastatic breast cancer (OlympiAD study) and early stage breast cancer (OlympiA) for those who are BRCA positive.  Maybe looking at these trials would be helpful??

    Hope your doing ok and recovering well! 

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,483 Member
    #25

    She fought so hard and was also so upbeat. She was ready to try anything to live.  After she wrote this post, she found out she didn't have breast cancer but the uterine cancer had spread.  She sent me this message on 10-18-16:

    "No primary breast cancer after all. And a whole lot of uterine disease taken out. Back to battling one kind of cancer - who knew that would make me so gloriously happy!"

    Love,

    Eldri

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,814 Member
    #26
    Eldri, So sorry to hear this.

    Eldri, So sorry to hear this. She was such an inspiration to many.

    Thanks for coming back in to let us know. I hope you are finding peace in your life these days.

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    edited February 2017 #27
    Thank you Eldri for the

    Thank you Eldri for the further information about Billie's cancer findings and untimely passing. So very sad:( May she Rest In Peace.

  • namedropper
    namedropper Member Posts: 102 Member
    #28
     HI, I am now fighting stage

     HI, I am now fighting stage 4 breast cancer. I had a mastectomy in 2012 and didn't have to do anything else. I did have the BCRA test because my Mom died from breast cancer and it was neg.  I got MMMT uterine in 2014 and had chemo and internal radiation.  I am now on Faslodex shots and Ibrance chemo pills and I also have to get a bone scan on Weds to see if it spread to the bones..   Oh my.  Cancer just keeping giving and giving.  I hope everyone stays well. The people in this uterine group are the very best.  I went on the breast cancer board but didn't get any answers.

  • Nellasing
    Nellasing Member Posts: 528 Member
    edited February 2017 #29
    oh namedropper :(

    my heart hurts for you- I am so very sorry to hear that this is happening!  You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you go forward- especially with your scan on Wed.  Know that we will be pressing in and holding you in our thoughts!  Tight Tight (((HUGS)))  <3<3

  • nateandkatesmom
    nateandkatesmom Member Posts: 40
    #30
    hugs to you namedropper

    I am so sorry that you are on such a neverending roller coaster ride.

    The ladies on this board are amazing, as I have found in the last few weeks.

    I will make a note to remember to pray for you and your scan on Wed.

    Dorothy

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 790 Member
    #31
    namedropper, I am so very

    namedropper, I am so very sorry to hear this news. As you're getting your scan on Wednesday, look up at the lights and notice the energy that is being generated. Picture that energy as the positive, hopeful vibes coming from all of us to you and know that we are there with you in spirit. You can do this! 

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    #32
    namedropper said:

     HI, I am now fighting stage

     HI, I am now fighting stage 4 breast cancer. I had a mastectomy in 2012 and didn't have to do anything else. I did have the BCRA test because my Mom died from breast cancer and it was neg.  I got MMMT uterine in 2014 and had chemo and internal radiation.  I am now on Faslodex shots and Ibrance chemo pills and I also have to get a bone scan on Weds to see if it spread to the bones..   Oh my.  Cancer just keeping giving and giving.  I hope everyone stays well. The people in this uterine group are the very best.  I went on the breast cancer board but didn't get any answers.

    So sorry

    i am so sorry that you have to go through this.  Hang in there you are stronger than you think.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,488 Member
    edited February 2017 #33
    namedropper said:

     HI, I am now fighting stage

     HI, I am now fighting stage 4 breast cancer. I had a mastectomy in 2012 and didn't have to do anything else. I did have the BCRA test because my Mom died from breast cancer and it was neg.  I got MMMT uterine in 2014 and had chemo and internal radiation.  I am now on Faslodex shots and Ibrance chemo pills and I also have to get a bone scan on Weds to see if it spread to the bones..   Oh my.  Cancer just keeping giving and giving.  I hope everyone stays well. The people in this uterine group are the very best.  I went on the breast cancer board but didn't get any answers.

    oh namedropper, I am so sorry

    oh namedropper, I am so sorry to hear this.  Cancer is such a beast.  My heart and prayers go out to you.  

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,814 Member
    #34
    Namedropper, as the others

    Namedropper, as the others have said... we are here for you. So sorry about your recurrence. I hope the scans come back with no spread. Darn cancer!

    Please come back and let us know your results. We are all interested!

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • henhill
    henhill Member Posts: 123
    #35
    Sad

    My Heart Hurts to lose another friend to Cancer.  RIP

    Best wishes and prayers for you, namedropper.

     

  • namedropper
    namedropper Member Posts: 102 Member
    #36
    Hi, I moved the bone scan to

    Hi, I moved the bone scan to March 1st. I don't feel up to it now. I will keep you posted.  thanks for all of your hugs and prayers.

  • DrienneB
    DrienneB Member Posts: 182
    #37
    Praying for you Namedropper

    Know that you are being supported in so many ways.

  • Nellasing
    Nellasing Member Posts: 528 Member
    #38
    Next Wed.

    I'm joining DrienneB in remembering that next Wed. you will be having your scan- hope you are feeling more up to it by that time.  Sending tons of love and prayers are you go in (((HUGS)))

  • SandyD
    SandyD Member Posts: 130
    #39
    EZLiving66 said:

    She fought so hard and was also so upbeat. She was ready to try anything to live.  After she wrote this post, she found out she didn't have breast cancer but the uterine cancer had spread.  She sent me this message on 10-18-16:

    "No primary breast cancer after all. And a whole lot of uterine disease taken out. Back to battling one kind of cancer - who knew that would make me so gloriously happy!"

    Love,

    Eldri

    So very sorry

    to lose another fighter to cancer. From her posts it was clear Billie was fighting a brave and valiant battle to the end.

  • rcdeman
    rcdeman Member Posts: 263 Member
    #40
    My prayers are with you

    My prayers are with you Namedropper. How did your bone scan go?

    Hugs,
    Rebecca

  • Nellasing
    Nellasing Member Posts: 528 Member
    #41
    Anyone in contact with Namedropper?

    She hasn't been on since Feb. 26 before that scan on March 1st :(   Just wondering if anyone is in direct contact?  It's so hard when people just drop away- still missing our Peppermint Patty :'(  (((HUGS))) and prayers for all those who go silent for whatever reason <3<3

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