RSS
I am curious if anyone out there has heard what the odds are in a situation like this:
.9cm invasive ductal cancer Stage 1 Grade 3 - Removed with lumpectomy clean margins within 1ml no node involvement. I am ER-, PR+ (which I just found out) and Her2neu -.
What happens when you have it all removed and have no reason to suspect anything else is in your system?
I have all the odds for if I do this & if I do that...but, seriously, if I do nothing more what are my odds of recurrence?
I am wondering if it is possible that my odds are better than if I go through the ridiculous amount of radiation (6 &1/2 weeks) and possibly chemo....still waiting for Genomics to get my tissue sample (waiting since June 5).
All I can say at this point ladies is this: Be thankful you are not in Alaska with this diagnosis.
Discussions
Found a Bug?
Report bugs to help us improve the MyNBCF Community.
Feedback
We value your feedback.
Comments:
Want to leave a comment? Login or Register now!It is normal for you to be afraid.
(We'd have to swing you by the nut house if you weren't!)
This is one of those, "one day at a time" things.
Tammy LouJai44...I'm certain your doctor is trying to reassure you...but, I wouldn't call diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer "just a blip on the map." It is normal for you to be afraid. (We'd have to swing you by the nut house if you weren't!) This is one of those, "one day at a time" things. Tammy Lou
I have been looking at alternative ways to help my body heal without these things and having a very hard time because it is not recognized in the us if it isn't done through the fda.
I would like to have a mastectomy and thats all, but I keep coming back to the statistics that say if it reoccurs there is only a 25%% chance of successful treatment and 75%% of reoccurances live only 2-3 years with treatment when it does come back somewhere else. Statistics are just numbers and not broken down to specific cases with the exact figures to match each of our situations.
What I am trying to decide myself is what i am willing to accept for my life and how I want to live what I have left. I am scared of putting this stuff in my body, scared of the pain, mood changes, risk to heart, and risk of other cancers else where in my body. I am awed at the courage, humor, and resilience of those who are doing this very thing. I love to hear the success stories, those who have made it through.
My doc says this is just a blip on the map and has me scheduled for July 7 to start chemo. I just cant wrap my head around all of the fact and info out there and when I walk though the doors of the cancer center fear grips me so much I cant help but cry.
I would like to do this with dignity and courage that I see in others, but I am not sure if their way is right for me. When you say do nothing do you mean no chemo no radiation no tamoxafin? I have been looking at alternative ways to help my body heal without these things and having a very hard time because it is not recognized in the us if it isn't done through the fda. I would like to have a mastectomy and thats all, but I keep coming back to the statistics that say if it reoccurs there is only a 25%% chance of successful treatment and 75%% of reoccurances live only 2-3 years with treatment when it does come back somewhere else. Statistics are just numbers and not broken down to specific cases with the exact figures to match each of our situations. What I am trying to decide myself is what i am willing to accept for my life and how I want to live what I have left. I am scared of putting this stuff in my body, scared of the pain, mood changes, risk to heart, and risk of other cancers else where in my body. I am awed at the courage, humor, and resilience of those who are doing this very thing. I love to hear the success stories, those who have made it through. My doc says this is just a blip on the map and has me scheduled for July 7 to start chemo. I just cant wrap my head around all of the fact and info out there and when I walk though the doors of the cancer center fear grips me so much I cant help but cry. I would like to do this with dignity and courage that I see in others, but I am not sure if their way is right for me.
The pathology of the cancer (ER-) makes this a situation in which chemo is more yes than no. Overtreatment? Quite possible.
However, ER- cancers are known for their aggression and it is possible that the chemo icould be warranted in your case.
How old are you?
Tammy LouI would feel better about the "no treatment" option if the cancer was ER+ and you took tamoxifen as a preventative. (hormone blocker) The pathology of the cancer (ER-) makes this a situation in which chemo is more yes than no. Overtreatment? Quite possible. However, ER- cancers are known for their aggression and it is possible that the chemo icould be warranted in your case. How old are you? Tammy Lou
Maybe chemo was too aggressive, but I know one thing. I will always find comfort in the fact that I did everything I could possibly do to keep it from coming back, and the rest is in God's hands. I feel wonderful knowing it's almost over and I can get back to the wonderful life I have.
God bless you in making your decision, hope it's what's best for you. MaryI had a .7 cm invasive ductal cancer Stage 1, Grade 3 removed with lumpectomy and clear margins. No node involvement, ER-, PR-, Hers+. I was told without any further treatment, my chances for reoccurance was 30%%. I am one treatment away from finishing chemo and then it's on to radations. Chemo has been difficult as I got extremely sick for days, but always had 2 weeks of feeling good out of the 3 week intervals. My family is the reason I did this. My mom's first occurrance was stage 1, grade 1, had a biopsy and did radiation. 4 years later she had BC again and by then it had spread. She died 2-1/2 yrs. ago from breast cancer. Maybe chemo was too aggressive, but I know one thing. I will always find comfort in the fact that I did everything I could possibly do to keep it from coming back, and the rest is in God's hands. I feel wonderful knowing it's almost over and I can get back to the wonderful life I have. God bless you in making your decision, hope it's what's best for you. Mary
Addem:
ER+ and PR+, for mine, I typoed
Lumpectomies with Radiation 83%%/ Mastectomies without radiation 98%% Both for DCIS and Stage 1 no lymph node involvement. American Cancer web site. Friend just called and found the numbers, (website page she didn't write down.)
Like I said, BC has been a very hot topic for this week-end's nightshift group.
KaylynSherry, Addem: ER+ and PR+, for mine, I typoed Lumpectomies with Radiation 83%%/ Mastectomies without radiation 98%% Both for DCIS and Stage 1 no lymph node involvement. American Cancer web site. Friend just called and found the numbers, (website page she didn't write down.) Like I said, BC has been a very hot topic for this week-end's nightshift group. Kaylyn
Breast Cancer was a hot topic at work this week. This is a composite of several different peoples observations personally and at work.
I'm a hospital RN , in the last 3 weeks we've gotten more than our share of Breast Cancer survivors coming in for other medical issues. They are 7 to 27 years post. The one biggest common factor is all of them have had Mastectomies. Most were single sided, only a few were Bilat. Several had reconstruction, majority hadn't
I know that Lumpectomies have been common for more than 10 years. Why did it happen that this cluster of women were all mastectomy vs Lumpectomies? Personal Choices vs Dr. desides? Two were in their mid 50's now 10+ years out. Most were late 60's and up. Maybe age made a difference in proceedures offered or requested.
Maybe the younger Survivors are out there and not having aging health issues yet.
Everyone personally knew someone who lost their battle. Most didn't know if it was Lumpectomy or Mastectomy. So I won't venture.
Personally, I choose Mastectomy to avoid Radiation, some people have life long sensitivity and pain. I was offered one mega round of Chemo that I declined. Ductal Carcenoma In Situ, Highest Grade with Comedo. It was "Multi-focal" Large amounts of ducts were involved. 6.5 cm x6.5 cm. But not a solid tumor. It was growing so fast it was choking itself to necrosis. It was still Non-invasive. 5/5 nodes were negitive, ER- and PR-, HER2 not done, Gray Area for Chemo.
I have sensitive skin, burn easily, strong family history of Melonomas. And I have all the side effects of any medication I've ever taken. Yes I'm taking a chance by not doing the Chemo. I think there is a lump on the right breast(Mammio July8), if so then my choices will be different and I'll deal with that when I get there. 2nd opinion Oncologist on July 9th. First one is way too unsure about the bleeding issue. Need to get that one dealt with before another surgery.
Multible Doctors, Multible Tests, Multible Choices.......Some days my head just spins.
KaylynSherry, Breast Cancer was a hot topic at work this week. This is a composite of several different peoples observations personally and at work. I'm a hospital RN , in the last 3 weeks we've gotten more than our share of Breast Cancer survivors coming in for other medical issues. They are 7 to 27 years post. The one biggest common factor is all of them have had Mastectomies. Most were single sided, only a few were Bilat. Several had reconstruction, majority hadn't I know that Lumpectomies have been common for more than 10 years. Why did it happen that this cluster of women were all mastectomy vs Lumpectomies? Personal Choices vs Dr. desides? Two were in their mid 50's now 10+ years out. Most were late 60's and up. Maybe age made a difference in proceedures offered or requested. Maybe the younger Survivors are out there and not having aging health issues yet. Everyone personally knew someone who lost their battle. Most didn't know if it was Lumpectomy or Mastectomy. So I won't venture. Personally, I choose Mastectomy to avoid Radiation, some people have life long sensitivity and pain. I was offered one mega round of Chemo that I declined. Ductal Carcenoma In Situ, Highest Grade with Comedo. It was "Multi-focal" Large amounts of ducts were involved. 6.5 cm x6.5 cm. But not a solid tumor. It was growing so fast it was choking itself to necrosis. It was still Non-invasive. 5/5 nodes were negitive, ER- and PR-, HER2 not done, Gray Area for Chemo. I have sensitive skin, burn easily, strong family history of Melonomas. And I have all the side effects of any medication I've ever taken. Yes I'm taking a chance by not doing the Chemo. I think there is a lump on the right breast(Mammio July8), if so then my choices will be different and I'll deal with that when I get there. 2nd opinion Oncologist on July 9th. First one is way too unsure about the bleeding issue. Need to get that one dealt with before another surgery. Multible Doctors, Multible Tests, Multible Choices.......Some days my head just spins. Kaylyn