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Posted 3/18/2005 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
  First I want to say Thank you to everyone who replied to my previous post. Your kind words, and support have truly helped. Unforunately, the news was not good. I was diagnosed with Invasive ductile carcinoma- grade III.The mass appears to be between 1.5 and 2cm. Are there any other members who were diagnosed with grade III? I know this means aggressive. I would just like some insight as to what tx I might expect, and would love to hear from survivors.                

                                                                                             Michelle confused

Posted 3/18/2005 3:36 AM (GMT 0)

Oh, Michelle...soooo sorry to hear this news.  You are not alone, that is for sure. My tumor was grade III and was 2.5 cm, nodes were negative. I am over 5 years out. Most of us younger gals tend to be grade III.

The next few weeks will be a whirlwind of activity for you. There will be lots to learn and lots of tests and appointments. You will probably meet with a surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist. There will be tests to stage your cancer, to look at whether it has spread to other organs or bones. Then with all that information, they will develop a plan. The plan is empowering, it puts you in charge! 

Good chance your treatment will include chemotherapy, but we cannot say for sure. Chemo stinks but it is doable! I was lucky enough to work full time through my treatment, so quality of life is possible.

My advice- read and learn what you can (take it in small doses). Bring a friend or relative to your appointments and a tape recorder too, it is impossible to get all the information the first time through.  Take charge where you can, as there are definitely some things we can't control. Get a second opinion if you have any questions at all. And try not to be scared by statistics.....while survival rates are very high, it can be scary to read sometimes. And lastly, know that no one should tell you what you should do, we are just offering advice based on our past experiences. No one can tell you for sure what will happen.....

Remember, I am not too far from you and was treated at U of M (I responded to you in the other thread). I live near Beaumont....

Lori

Posted 3/18/2005 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Lori I can see that you are a great source of support and inspiration to the other women on this board. I have noticed your recent post, and I'am extremely greatful for them. I hope to be in your position soon! How did you feel about U of M? Im having a hard time deciding on where to have my tx. Providence in Novi would accept more of my ins. and be closer, as I will now be staying in Oakland county with my parents.I have heard such great things about U of M ,and am looking for the best care.
I have already secured an appt. for U of M on monday. Please feel free to reply to this post, or you can email me if you would like. If any members can suggest any breast centers I should consider please let me know.

Michelle
Posted 3/18/2005 8:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lori I also have same diagnosis with 2b stage with 2.5cm I am on my 2nd cycle of chemo with taxatere and Xeloda. Keep your head up and keep battling. This is a great spot to get info as to what others are going thru. Just remember u are unique and listen to your body as to what it can endure. I also go to Uof M for my treatements on Tuesdays. Great bunch up there
Posted 3/18/2005 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
Emmeria, who is your onc? I see Dr. Wicha, I have really liked him. I do have long waits sometimes, like Mikki described, but the care I get from my providers is personal in feeling. My RN has been great and she always let me email with questions or concerns and even lab results. How come you are on Xeloda, Emmeria? Are you with many positive nodes?

I had great nurses in the infusion area, but obviously one nurse can make or break your experience. I knew that when I went to U of M from Providence that I would be more of a number than a name, but it was more important to me at that point to be part of a major comprehensive cancer center than a community hospital. Yes, I was part of the masses at the U, but each provider has been great. My surgeon was awesome, but he recently left to do a sarcoma program at Moffitt in Tampa.

My surgeon at Providence was awesome, but I had to leave her becuase she could not do the sentinel node biopsy for me, which was new back then. I did have my radiation there, loved my doc. They were all great there, and it was on my way to work, so I did not skip a beat.

Michelle, I suggest keeping the appt at the U. You will be there all day and meet with several docs, and then you will be armed with information. You don't have to stay in treatment there, but it can be a 2nd opinion. Even though it was a 50 min drive for chemo and onc visits, I wanted to do the U because I just felt more comfortable to be with a major player...just in case I developed problems or needed more than the garden variety care. In reality, I got the identical tx that I would have at Providence or anywhere else.

Feel free to email me if you want, just click on my name.
Lori
Posted 3/18/2005 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
It is great to see all you girls from Michigan posting together. Soon as everyone is on their feet you all could have a lunch meeting or get together. There was a group in the Cincinnati area that used to meet frequently several years back. Lori is a great source of information and a great example for all of you as she counts down her last days on Tamoxifen. There are a couple more Michigan girls who don't post quite as often, but if you see Nurse Mikki's post check out her website for great information, too.

I am sorry you got the news you did, Michelle. You will have to battle this terrible disease a little harder, but it is doable. We will help in any way we can. Hugs, Prayers, love, MK
Posted 3/18/2005 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Michelle: Sorry for the news. We are all here to support and help you. You have already received much more knowledgable information than I can offer. But I do want to get to know you better and will have you in my prayers and thoughts daily. Love and hugs, Candy
Posted 3/18/2005 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Michelle, just adding my prayers for an aggressive treatment that kicks some tumor butt! Hang in there. We're here to help.

Hugs,
Rita
Posted 3/20/2005 6:34 PM (GMT 0)

Michelle-  I am so sorry you are here, but you've joined a wonderful group of ladies...I was dx 2/01, age 34, with Stage IIB 4.5cm tumor, invasive ductal, er-/pr-, 5 of 49 nodes positive.    had bilateral mastectomies, no recon (i was too traumatized at the time to think about recon, now i just dont want to go thru it).  had 3 rounds a/c, 3 rounds fec, 4 rounds of taxotere & herceptin weekly infusions for a year, plus 33 rounds rads.  whew, it took a year to complete.  but i just hit my 4-year anniversary a month ago, and i feel fine... going thru some lymphedema treatments right now for my left arm , which is a real pain in the a**!  uncomfortable to wear the wrap on and off for a month, but it's doing its job and reducing my arm nicely.  so i just have to deal with it.  you are just starting your journey... it's so hard, but remember to take deep breaths, cry when you have to, and try try try to think positively.  i know it's difficult.  remember, there are lots of survivors that return to life as normal and don't post here, but they're out there... just think how many millions of women survive this... and just decide to be one of them.  that's all it takes.  the rest... the hair loss, the fatigue, the chemo, can all be overcome.

big hugs,

stefanie

Posted 3/20/2005 7:12 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Michelle!

I was dx in May, 01, with metastatic ductal carcinoma, pagets disease 2 tumors, 1.5 and one 3.2 cm. I had a modified radical mastectomy, 19 of 21 lymph nodes positive, but clear margins. I had 4 a/c followed by 12 weekly treatments of taxol and 30 rads. I am still here as are many other women who have had the same diagnosis as you. I opted not for reconstruction.

Once I was diagnosed, I didn't think about the size of the tumors or the number of lymph nodes involved or the stage. I honestly just decided that I was going to do whatever it took to beat this disease and looked forward. I have a very warped sense of humor and luckily my dd's and best friends do also. This helped me sooooo much during the rough times. Yes, you will lose your hair and your tastebuds but you can and will beat this!

Write down all of the questions that you want answered before you meet again with your surgeon and onco.

As everyone has said, don't be afraid to cry or scream. (I did this in the shower and car) Remember, you are not alone in this. All of these wonderful ladies know what you are experiencing, how you are feeling and will be beside you thru this journey.

Hugs

Deb


Posted 3/21/2005 9:21 AM (GMT 0)
yeah  Michelle you have the same Dr. I have. Dr.Wicha . I am on a trial study with taxatere and xeloda. My hormone receptors are neg. and they felt that it would be a good way for me to go. In hopes of killing off the cancer cells that could be in microscopic form. Also hoping to get some shrinkage of the tumors. So for those who went before me in trial studies I shall now do my part.  yeah baby
Posted 3/21/2005 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry that was Tavish with same Dr.
Posted 3/21/2005 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
I really like Dr. Wicha. He is such a nice little guy, so warm and friendly....always has a hearty handshake, a smile and an encouraging word. My rad onc knew him and was concerned that he was an administrator, not a practitioner...but I do not feel that way. He is not very available though, except for his Tuesday morning clinic, but Gini has always been able to take care of any questions that he couldn't.

We liked him from the get-go, when I had my breast clinic 2nd opinion...it was very late in the day and he spent a lot of time with us, and never looked at his watch.

L&H,
Lori
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