Any idea about the treatment

np312
np312 Member Posts: 13
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
My mom had a modified radical mastectomy. The tumor was 1.8 cm. Margins are clear. 6 nodes came positive out of 21. It was a stage 2 (grade 1). Does anyone know what kind of treatment we are looking at OR rather how long??? we know she has to have a chemo but since we have not seen onco yet - dont;' know and was wondering if any of you know or guess. I just want to get an idea.

Does the onc decide which drugs (for chemo) will be given??? Whta factors are taken in condieration when deciding the treatment????

Comments

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
    Mom's oncologist will know...
    The treatment depends on the type of breast cancer it is. This will be determined by the testing the pathology department will do. Some breast cancer is hormone positive, some isn't. Because of the nodes, yes, she will more than likely have some form of chemotherapy. Possibly radiation also.

    It's wierd how the cancer community lumps all types of breast cancer into one. Really, there should be a separate category for each type. Colorectal cancer should, too....but, I digress...lol!

    If you want more info after you get the path report (Yes, YOU (SHE) WILL start keeping all lab results, scans, etc, as well as a notebook to write down information during doctor visits...cancer seems to affect the cognitive hearing...teehee), call 1-800-ACS-2345 and ask for a nurse to help you review your mom's pathology report. I did, and the nurse was VERY thorough.

    Your mom is lucky to have such a wonderful, involved daughter! My daughter was my caregiver through both of my cancer battles....

    HUGS, Kathi
  • np312
    np312 Member Posts: 13
    #3
    KathiM said:

    Mom's oncologist will know...
    The treatment depends on the type of breast cancer it is. This will be determined by the testing the pathology department will do. Some breast cancer is hormone positive, some isn't. Because of the nodes, yes, she will more than likely have some form of chemotherapy. Possibly radiation also.

    It's wierd how the cancer community lumps all types of breast cancer into one. Really, there should be a separate category for each type. Colorectal cancer should, too....but, I digress...lol!

    If you want more info after you get the path report (Yes, YOU (SHE) WILL start keeping all lab results, scans, etc, as well as a notebook to write down information during doctor visits...cancer seems to affect the cognitive hearing...teehee), call 1-800-ACS-2345 and ask for a nurse to help you review your mom's pathology report. I did, and the nurse was VERY thorough.

    Your mom is lucky to have such a wonderful, involved daughter! My daughter was my caregiver through both of my cancer battles....

    HUGS, Kathi

    Thanks Kathi - have more questions
    Kathi,

    I do have path report that was given to us by our surgeon at out follow-up visit. She has invasive ductal carcinoma to be exact. I know what you mean by grouping :-) I just figured that everyone here just know :-) :-) :-)

    Also, you said we can call 1-800 number. Should I do that before my Onc appt or after ??? The main purpose to call them is to understand the report or ask them specific questions about the treatment?????
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    np312 said:

    Thanks Kathi - have more questions
    Kathi,

    I do have path report that was given to us by our surgeon at out follow-up visit. She has invasive ductal carcinoma to be exact. I know what you mean by grouping :-) I just figured that everyone here just know :-) :-) :-)

    Also, you said we can call 1-800 number. Should I do that before my Onc appt or after ??? The main purpose to call them is to understand the report or ask them specific questions about the treatment?????

    Both....
    That was my diagnosis, with Sentinel Node involvement. This was my second cancer in 6 months, so I went to 5 (yes, FIVE) second opinions to try to find someone who wasn't saying 'chemo'. I had just HAD chemo for the rectal cancer...(STOP me, I'm whining..lol!).

    ACS can be of help anytime. But the oncologist will have the answers. And they CAN be a bit touchy if you go in 'loaded for bear' with all the answers. Yes, as I think about it, I would suggest going to the appointment first, then double-checking with ACS....

    My treatment was 4 rounds of Adrimycin/Cytoxin, followed by 4 rounds of Taxol. Then 33 days of radiation. This is pretty standard first-round treatment (my ONLY round...no more cancer) for invasive cancer with node involvement. BUT, it also depends on what the ER/PR, HER2/NEU part of the path says. Mine was ER/PR positive, HER2 negative.

    Start writing down your questions....ask about white cell counts, as treatment progresses. It is pretty usual to give Neulasta shots to guard against white count drops, but it doesn't hurt to ask. BUT let the doctor tell YOU first, before you start asking...many of your questions may be answered.

    Hugs, Kathi
  • np312
    np312 Member Posts: 13
    #5
    Kathi
    thanks for the response.

    My mom is ER + and HER2 negative.

    Did you get chemo every 3 weeks????? I just want to be prepared beacuse I am planning to take FMLA leave from work so want to plan. I know I am rushing too mcuh and I will get most of my answers next week after the onc appt. I just want to get ahead I guess :-)
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
    np312 said:

    Kathi
    thanks for the response.

    My mom is ER + and HER2 negative.

    Did you get chemo every 3 weeks????? I just want to be prepared beacuse I am planning to take FMLA leave from work so want to plan. I know I am rushing too mcuh and I will get most of my answers next week after the onc appt. I just want to get ahead I guess :-)

    Yes, that is pretty standard...
    It was every 3 weeks. My girlfriend took me and brought me home. I was a 'lucky' one, had every side effect in the book...lol!

    She would drop me off, go back to work, and then my chemo nurse (or I) would call her when I was finished. I would get treatments on Wednesday, work on Thursday (my hampster in a wheel day...TERRIFIC energy), and half way thru Friday I would go home, starting to feel badly. Saturday was my bad day. I would sleep all day and through the night. Sunday morning, I would be up, bake some cresent rolls (I know, makes no sense, but it worked) and start eating real food again by Sunday evening. Back to work on Monday (I'm self employed), but always ate alot of protein on that day (Farmer Bros has a MARVELOUS turkey sandwich).

    DON'T panic if mom's treatment is different. Mine was 3 years ago...alot has happened in that time...

    WATER, and staying hydrated, will be the key....I drank 4 quarts of water the day before, day of, and day after treatment. I had to use the bathroom ALOT, but it flushed my system fast.

    Radiation, if she has it, will be daily, but for me...I could drive myself with no problem.

    Your mom is lucky to have such a wonderful daughter....

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Joycelouise
    Joycelouise Member Posts: 482
    #7
    np312 said:

    Kathi
    thanks for the response.

    My mom is ER + and HER2 negative.

    Did you get chemo every 3 weeks????? I just want to be prepared beacuse I am planning to take FMLA leave from work so want to plan. I know I am rushing too mcuh and I will get most of my answers next week after the onc appt. I just want to get ahead I guess :-)

    I got chemo every two weeks.
    I got chemo every two weeks. It is an option that has slightly better results. But because the body needs to recoup, they give you a shot of neulasta to help boost bone marrow. I liked every two weeks because I wanted to get it over with as fast as possible. Some people have trouble with the neulasta shots, but I didn't.
    You are a wonderful duaghter! Of course you want to plan, but unfortunately, one of the things you have to plan for is not knowing the individual circumstances of your mother's reaction to chemo. It seems to vary a lot. Also, just a heads up. In my case, chemo made me pretty emotionally upset. I said and thought things during this period that were less than sunny. But, I have bounced back (not quite all the way, I seem to get angry pretty quick these days). Give your mom a lot of room to let out her feelings and try not to be too troubled. There were times when I had some sad and scary thoughts. Things I was too scared of to think or say when I was by myself. One way I used my support group (long suffering husband!) was by saying these things outloud when he was around, so I could ease my fears, or at least get rid of extra feelings without having to face them by myself. I know it was tough on him. He would often tell me things were going to be okay. I often did not believe him. While I liked the positive attitude, please allow your mother to not always be upbeat. Squishing feelings down to appear positive is not the best medicine, at least for me. Others may tell you different. I hope my words don't make you feel apprehensive - you will have a chance to really love your mother, and her you. This love is incredible and goes as deep as any fear - deeper says God. My best wishes. Love, Joyce
  • NorcalJ
    NorcalJ Member Posts: 187
    #8
    np312 said:

    Thanks Kathi - have more questions
    Kathi,

    I do have path report that was given to us by our surgeon at out follow-up visit. She has invasive ductal carcinoma to be exact. I know what you mean by grouping :-) I just figured that everyone here just know :-) :-) :-)

    Also, you said we can call 1-800 number. Should I do that before my Onc appt or after ??? The main purpose to call them is to understand the report or ask them specific questions about the treatment?????

    Calling ACS
    Hi np!

    Boy, your mom is really lucky to have you helping her. This is definitely the time to rely on our support systems.

    I too had 4 rounds of a/c, and 4 rounds of Taxol, but every 2 weeks, with Neulasta once every 2 weeks for white blood cells. All this is followed by radiation for 6 weeks. Oh yeah, before all that, I had a mastectomy in April.

    I didn't know about the ACS # to call before my post-op appointment with the onc. But, if I had, I would have called before going in to help me form my questions. You definitley don't want to act like you already have the answers, but it helps when they talk about the options, to have an idea of the terminology and drugs.

    Like everyone tells you, write all your questions down---even the ones you think about while the Dr. is talking. And write his answers down because under stress, you'll never remember it all. You can always call the Dr. back or even the 800# again if you don't understand or remember the answers. There is no such thing as a dumb question. If you don't understand what the onc. says, ask for a more detailed explanation.

    Your questions are great so far. Keep up the good work, and come back here and tell us how you and your mom are doing.

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