Stage III after surgery

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BonnieRose
BonnieRose Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had a positve for cancer mamo in Oct 2009, I was then sent for an ultra sound which I was told could be just an infection of the lymphnodes, my primary care immediately became very concerned and refered me for a pet scan which lit up like a beacon on my left breast she then sent me directly to a surgeon who i believed was a good doc. he then refered me to get a biopsy of the primary tumor, which came back on xmas eve and was told by my primary care that i diffenently had invasive ductal carcinoma wonderful huh. then the following morning as we were about to set down with family for xmas breakfast we recieved a call from the surgeon who repeated the report that we were dealing with cancer. now the weird part they had a positive report no variations put because I was being treated at the VA hospital I had to have the report confirmed by a facility in Washington DC which didnt come back until the 7th of January, 2010. the report indicated that it was a worrisome cancer and and the main tumor was 1.7 cm. On Jan. 8,2010 I finally had my surgery I was in the operating room for 5hrs was told it would ony be 2 or3 at the most. they ended up doing a partial mas. with the tumor at 2cm and removal of lymph nodes with 18 of 20 cancerous well it took another week before I was told this info with the report indicating that I have stage 3 cancer and my surgeon had enough nerve to tell me they made a mistake and it really is a stage 1 with no problems. this was told to me a week after surgery well got copies of all my reports and was getting very fustrated while at this first visit he checked my wound and said I had alot of dead skin so he cut it away no problem.
well I went back the next week and he said I had more did skin and he removed it and left a hole under my arm about 1 1/2in to 2 in long by 1/2 in wide big holde huh not very pretty the following morning I got up and told my husband that I was not going back to that doc I wanted a new one so I called the cancer center near our home I was able to see the doc that day since I had all my records she was shocked at the treatment i wasnt getting I now have an appointment to see the hermatologist for chemo treatment this week and she also is sending me to a lymphodema clinic tomorrow she said becaause I will get it I just hope everything goes well now that i have the proper treatment available to me. the doc also indicated the I was in serious condition so treatment will be agrecive. Sorry for the complaining I just needed to get it of my chest,
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Comments

  • arbojenn
    arbojenn Member Posts: 118
    #2
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    So sorry!
    Oh I am so sorry you have to live through this nightmare! I am glad you found another doctor and hope things will improve. Do you know yet if you are Stage I or III? Keep us posted as you are in our thoughts and prayers.
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #3
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    OMG. You poor thing. What a
    OMG. You poor thing. What a nightmare. Thank GOd you are seeing someone competent now.
    I am so sorry you had to go through that.
    Dee
  • BonnieRose
    BonnieRose Member Posts: 6
    #4
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    arbojenn said:

    So sorry!
    Oh I am so sorry you have to live through this nightmare! I am glad you found another doctor and hope things will improve. Do you know yet if you are Stage I or III? Keep us posted as you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Yes I am stage 3 no doubt

    Yes I am stage 3 no doubt
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #5
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    arbojenn said:

    So sorry!
    Oh I am so sorry you have to live through this nightmare! I am glad you found another doctor and hope things will improve. Do you know yet if you are Stage I or III? Keep us posted as you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    I am so sorry to read this.
    I am so sorry to read this. You went thru a nightmare. I am glad you are seeing another doctor. Please keep us informed on how you do. Sending you prayers!

    Debby
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #6
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    BonnieRose, I just wanted to
    BonnieRose, I just wanted to welcome you to this site. I'm very sorry for the lack of care you had been receiving and am thankful that you sought out other care. This is a great site full of very caring, knowledgeable, and loving individuals. Keep posting and we'll be here to asssit you and share our experiences with you. Best of luck.
  • Booberta
    Booberta Member Posts: 61
    #7
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    MyTurnNow said:

    BonnieRose, I just wanted to
    BonnieRose, I just wanted to welcome you to this site. I'm very sorry for the lack of care you had been receiving and am thankful that you sought out other care. This is a great site full of very caring, knowledgeable, and loving individuals. Keep posting and we'll be here to asssit you and share our experiences with you. Best of luck.

    That just sucks!!
    Bonnie Rose - Vent away!! I'm so sorry that you had to go through this mess. However, I applaude you for not just going along with the program! I hope you can now get the care and support that you deserve.
  • BonnieRose
    BonnieRose Member Posts: 6
    #8
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    Booberta said:

    That just sucks!!
    Bonnie Rose - Vent away!! I'm so sorry that you had to go through this mess. However, I applaude you for not just going along with the program! I hope you can now get the care and support that you deserve.

    I am very fortunate to have
    I am very fortunate to have a very supportive husband he has been with me all the way he felt I needed to change long before I made the decision but he knew it had to be my idea so I would feel right about it
  • shortscake
    shortscake Member Posts: 228
    #9
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    get it off your chest
    Get it off your chest that is what we are here for please let us know how things go with your next visit.girl power
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #10
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    shortscake said:

    get it off your chest
    Get it off your chest that is what we are here for please let us know how things go with your next visit.girl power

    I would be furious too!
    Just so you know, I have a very good friend who sounds like she was in the same boat as you and is doing FINE 2 years later! I hope and pray you have a good "journey" from here on.
    Please let us know if you need any advice or help Miss Bonnie. God bless you.
    Lorraine
  • canoegirl
    canoegirl Member Posts: 169
    #11
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    Sorry
    Sorry you had to go through so much with your first surgeon. I was so frustrated trying to coordinate things with my first hospital that after 2 months I ended up on sleeping pills to try and deal with my emotions. Ended up at a cancer center about 2 hours from home, but I'm glad that I'm there now. Had surgery in January and will start chemo in March.

    I pray that all goes well for you now and that you get the best treatment available.

    Hugs,
    Marcy
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #12
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    Stage 3 Also
    BonnieRose, I am sorry to hear of the true nightmare you experienced. A cancer diagnosis alone is horror enough, without incompetent surgeons.

    It sounds like you are in very good hands, now. Finding that your diagnosis is staged later than you expected is terrifying, as several of us can attest. But, many are stage 3, like me, and doing very well. In fact, there was a recent thread asking for Stage 3 survivors to post. Hopefully, the women who responded will help you to know you are not alone.

    My best wishes to you. Please don't hesitate to vent here. You will find much support and understanding and wisdom.
  • austinsmom
    austinsmom Member Posts: 22
    #13
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    canoegirl said:

    Sorry
    Sorry you had to go through so much with your first surgeon. I was so frustrated trying to coordinate things with my first hospital that after 2 months I ended up on sleeping pills to try and deal with my emotions. Ended up at a cancer center about 2 hours from home, but I'm glad that I'm there now. Had surgery in January and will start chemo in March.

    I pray that all goes well for you now and that you get the best treatment available.

    Hugs,
    Marcy

    stage 3 also
    I am sorry for such awful treatment. I am so glad you are in good hands. God bless you! I am also stage
    3 breast cancer.
  • BonnieRose
    BonnieRose Member Posts: 6
    #14
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    Feelings more positive right now
    My husband and I Went to the new oncologist yesterday. She was very straight forward left no pages un turned. She didnt hesitate to answer any of the questions we had which made us feel so much better. This coming Monday she has me scheduled to see another surgeon to insert the port and check my wound and Tuesday go to a heart center to have my heart check for strength to see if I am going to be able to tolerate the stronger chemo which she says according to my records is what would be the give me the best results considering where my cancer is. She also told us I am only one step away from stage 4, fortunately I dont have a visual of any cnacer in my pet scan other than that which was removed so if there is any there it can be treated with chemo. she layed out the differrent plans pending on my heart test, so it looks like on on a path to deal with this. Thank You all so much for your wonderful support I really do appreciate you
    oh one more thing I went to lymphodema clinic on tuesday and I am fortunate to not have it yet and she fit me for a support sleeve and all the exercises I need to know info I need to protect my arm from problems in the future, I go back Monday afternoon for training of massage of my arm
  • peacefulheart
    peacefulheart Member Posts: 34
    #15
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    Moopy23 said:

    Stage 3 Also
    BonnieRose, I am sorry to hear of the true nightmare you experienced. A cancer diagnosis alone is horror enough, without incompetent surgeons.

    It sounds like you are in very good hands, now. Finding that your diagnosis is staged later than you expected is terrifying, as several of us can attest. But, many are stage 3, like me, and doing very well. In fact, there was a recent thread asking for Stage 3 survivors to post. Hopefully, the women who responded will help you to know you are not alone.

    My best wishes to you. Please don't hesitate to vent here. You will find much support and understanding and wisdom.

    Stage 3 Thread
    Moopy,

    I am Stage3 also, having been diagnosed last August. I would really like to connect with others in this stage. How do I do that?

    Thanks, Cathy
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #16
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    BonnieRose said:

    Feelings more positive right now
    My husband and I Went to the new oncologist yesterday. She was very straight forward left no pages un turned. She didnt hesitate to answer any of the questions we had which made us feel so much better. This coming Monday she has me scheduled to see another surgeon to insert the port and check my wound and Tuesday go to a heart center to have my heart check for strength to see if I am going to be able to tolerate the stronger chemo which she says according to my records is what would be the give me the best results considering where my cancer is. She also told us I am only one step away from stage 4, fortunately I dont have a visual of any cnacer in my pet scan other than that which was removed so if there is any there it can be treated with chemo. she layed out the differrent plans pending on my heart test, so it looks like on on a path to deal with this. Thank You all so much for your wonderful support I really do appreciate you
    oh one more thing I went to lymphodema clinic on tuesday and I am fortunate to not have it yet and she fit me for a support sleeve and all the exercises I need to know info I need to protect my arm from problems in the future, I go back Monday afternoon for training of massage of my arm

    BonnieRose, glad to hear you
    BonnieRose, glad to hear you are feeling stronger and more optimistic. Your new oncologist sounds excellent, thorough and very confident and prepared to treat you based on the best regimen for you.

    My best, and thanks for keeping us posted.
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #17
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    peacefulheart said:

    Stage 3 Thread
    Moopy,

    I am Stage3 also, having been diagnosed last August. I would really like to connect with others in this stage. How do I do that?

    Thanks, Cathy

    Cathy
    Hi, Cathy, on this board, there aren't separate groups, which can make it harder to know when you're reading posts from someone with a similar diagnosis. For that, breastcancer.org is a great place, or youngsurvivors.org depending on your age, and some other sites. Or, you can PM folks here, like me. It can be discouraging when most everyone else was staged earlier than you and you feel alone; I know what you mean about having that kind of connection.

    Sometimes I take a peek at the other boards, but we are a true community here, as you know. No matter the type of bc or stage or treatment plan, we are sisters and friends and a source of invaluable advice and support to each other.

    You might also check out that earlier thread here asking for stage 3 ladies to respond--there were quite a few of us.

    My best to you also, Cathy. I do not check in here every day, but will respond to PMs soon if not right away. Please don't hesitate to PM me.
  • SunnieC
    SunnieC Member Posts: 37
    #18
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    Moopy23 said:

    BonnieRose, glad to hear you
    BonnieRose, glad to hear you are feeling stronger and more optimistic. Your new oncologist sounds excellent, thorough and very confident and prepared to treat you based on the best regimen for you.

    My best, and thanks for keeping us posted.

    I wish you
    nothing but the best - you have been through a terrible ordeal - it sounds like you're on the right path now - let us know is there is anything we can do for you -

    Health and happiness
    Sunnie
  • peacefulheart
    peacefulheart Member Posts: 34
    #19
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    Moopy23 said:

    Cathy
    Hi, Cathy, on this board, there aren't separate groups, which can make it harder to know when you're reading posts from someone with a similar diagnosis. For that, breastcancer.org is a great place, or youngsurvivors.org depending on your age, and some other sites. Or, you can PM folks here, like me. It can be discouraging when most everyone else was staged earlier than you and you feel alone; I know what you mean about having that kind of connection.

    Sometimes I take a peek at the other boards, but we are a true community here, as you know. No matter the type of bc or stage or treatment plan, we are sisters and friends and a source of invaluable advice and support to each other.

    You might also check out that earlier thread here asking for stage 3 ladies to respond--there were quite a few of us.

    My best to you also, Cathy. I do not check in here every day, but will respond to PMs soon if not right away. Please don't hesitate to PM me.

    Thank You
    Moopy,
    Your kind words brought tears to my eyes. My tumor was just under 7cm and 7 of my 10 lymph nodes were positive. No cancer in my family and till the day they did the mastectomy, I still could not feel a lump. Two weeks after my mastectomy, my husband was diagnesed with terminal brain cancer. I passed on chemo because I could not see myself spending the last year of his life sick from treatments. I am going through rads now and doing hormone therapy.
    I have some hard moments and can suddenly become tearful, but I feel that I am strong and I am determined to be positive. Thank you so very much for your support.

    Major Hugs, Cathy
  • scout5000
    scout5000 Member Posts: 94 Member
    #20
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    neighbor
    I just ran into a neighbor who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer ten years ago. She has been doing fine with no recurrence. I asked her if she still worries and thinks about it- she said, "Nope, life goes on." Can't wait until we can all feel that carefree and confident. Glad to hear that you have solid doctors now. Best wishes.
  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598
    #21
    Options
    BonnieRose said:

    Feelings more positive right now
    My husband and I Went to the new oncologist yesterday. She was very straight forward left no pages un turned. She didnt hesitate to answer any of the questions we had which made us feel so much better. This coming Monday she has me scheduled to see another surgeon to insert the port and check my wound and Tuesday go to a heart center to have my heart check for strength to see if I am going to be able to tolerate the stronger chemo which she says according to my records is what would be the give me the best results considering where my cancer is. She also told us I am only one step away from stage 4, fortunately I dont have a visual of any cnacer in my pet scan other than that which was removed so if there is any there it can be treated with chemo. she layed out the differrent plans pending on my heart test, so it looks like on on a path to deal with this. Thank You all so much for your wonderful support I really do appreciate you
    oh one more thing I went to lymphodema clinic on tuesday and I am fortunate to not have it yet and she fit me for a support sleeve and all the exercises I need to know info I need to protect my arm from problems in the future, I go back Monday afternoon for training of massage of my arm

    Stage 3 also
    Like you had a bit of a rocky start. Was diagnosised with a " fibroid" one yr also to the day. It started gowing very quickly. The tumor(5.5cm) was sitting high on my chest. Basically watching it grow.18/20 nodes positive. HER+, ER PR+. ac/cytotoxin, Taxol/ herceptin. All done 10/22/09. Taking every 2 wks herceptin now. Finished rads1/9/10. I feel like I've concured a small mountain. Was fortunate to have great surgeon and oncs.
    Main thing is I've had min.lymph swelling. I wear my stocking mainly when working or exercise. I'm glad you've found proper help and getting care and support. Good luck with you're treatment.You'll love ur port. I'm going to keep mine as long as possible. You can get in touch with me if you have questions. I had a nurse tell me, sounds funny, "If I ever have cancer, I want to be just like you." lol Well good luck and let us know how ur fairing. Gayla

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