Guest guest Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Fran I had stage III, with lymph node involvement. I had a very large tumor. 5 centimeters. My lymph node was grossly matted and outside the incapsulated area . I went through chemo A/C and 37 radiation treatments, then taxol. I made it through that and it has been 6 years, 7 yrs in January. My cancer was estrogen positive and very aggressive. This is a doeable treatment. I did not have that many problems. You need to keep a positive outlook. It doesnt help to get depressed, I think the cancer flourishes with a bad attitude. Just my opinion. Just look at this as a little bump in the road, it will soon smooth out. Hugs Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Fran, I will continue to keep you and your wife in my prayers. My tumor was estrogen receptor negative and I had infiltrating ductal carcinoma with one node involved. So far I am doing ok. Its been 14 years. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com No good news Dear FriendsI'm trying to find energy to write again to this group. I'm very upset with a so difficult situation.My loved wife received one week ago a very deep study of her breast cancer. With the lump analysis...Doc said there is no estrogen receptors and tamoxifen is excluded at allDespite the cancer was a very small tumour and not found on limph nodes like the messages I sent before, it's a very agressive one, stage III, ductal carcinoma with a damage on p53 gene. I found moments ago that a p53 mutation could be caused by virus or carcinogens found in tobacco (she was smoking one month ago..., left the thing now...)Means a very wild type of cancer as doctor said. Doctor said unfortunatelly she have to suffer a big dosis of Radio and Chemo urgently.I'm so sad and so weak, not sleeping well, she is also very sad.I'm so sad with the doctors because one month ago I insisted to make a PET Scan on her and they insisted against my forcing and said that was not necessary for a so small lump, and now they said that damage could already be at other places.My main problem is that all my life I solved problems and big challenges and I'm feeling so bad, supporting her is my first task but now with this mutation gene... I'm feeling so bad with the idea that chemo and radio combined could be even worst than the disease itself... I need to rest and put my ideas organized again.I don't know what to say.Thank you allFran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Fran I'm so sorry about the news about your wife's cancer. I had stage III inflammatory breast cancer while pregnant 13 years ago. The type of cancer I had is very rare and the stats for survival weren't good. I had the most aggressive chemo they had available at the time (while pregnant) and 6 weeks of radiation after my son was born. That was 13 years ago and I have been very blessed with good health and my son is absolutely normal (as normal as a teenager gets, LOL) So please, don't let it get you down. There is always hope. The new treatments are wonderful and now they have meds for low blood counts. Learn all you can about her disease You sound like a very loving husband. Sometimes all she will want you to do is listen, just be there for her. I know this is a very hard time but together you can beat this disease. hugs Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 I believe one piece of good news is that hormone negative breast cancer is more receptive to chemotherapy than hormone positive. (You can ask your doctors.) Also, if there is no lymph node involvement that is usually an excellent sign. No reason to lose hope that I can understand. Janie > > Dear Friends > > I'm trying to find energy to write again to this group. I'm very > upset with a so difficult situation. > > My loved wife received one week ago a very deep study of her breast > cancer. With the lump analysis... > > Doc said there is no estrogen receptors and tamoxifen is excluded at > all > > Despite the cancer was a very small tumour and not found on limph > nodes like the messages I sent before, it's a very agressive one, > stage III, ductal carcinoma with a damage on p53 gene. > > I found moments ago that a p53 mutation could be caused by virus or > carcinogens found in tobacco (she was smoking one month ago..., left > the thing now...) > > Means a very wild type of cancer as doctor said. Doctor said > unfortunatelly she have to suffer a big dosis of Radio and Chemo > urgently. > > I'm so sad and so weak, not sleeping well, she is also very sad. > > I'm so sad with the doctors because one month ago I insisted to make > a PET Scan on her and they insisted against my forcing and said that > was not necessary for a so small lump, and now they said that damage > could already be at other places. > > My main problem is that all my life I solved problems and big > challenges and I'm feeling so bad, supporting her is my first task > but now with this mutation gene... > > I'm feeling so bad with the idea that chemo and radio combined could > be even worst than the disease itself... I need to rest and put my > ideas organized again. > > I don't know what to say. > > Thank you all > > Fran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2004 Report Share Posted December 23, 2004 I have not seen your posts in the past but know that they were probably here while I was in the hospital myself or out of town. In any case, I have read and reread your post and have a few suggestions, I hope you don't mind but I tend to speak my mind. 1. You sound as though you are getting more depressed over your wife's situation than she is or perhaps you are just more verbal. Worrying about it and thinking you or perhaps she have done the wrong thing is not helpful to either of you. Try to find something to do about it; don't just sit there and be sad. 2. THere are many women (even in this group) who have had no estrogen receptors and tamoxifen was not a possibility for them. Most, if not all of them are surviving. Look at the positive if you can and be thankful that she won't have to go through the weight gain and hot flashes that those of us who were estrogen positive and took tamoxifen had. They were not fun but we found other outlets for ourselves and are surviving. 3. You said, " My main problem is that all my life I solved problems and big challenges and I'm feeling so bad, supporting her is my first task but now with this mutation gene... " Well, we all have solved problems and faced big challenges and having b.c. was a big shock to all of us. Instead of feeling bad, sit back and think that perhaps it is time that you allow someone else to solve the problems and face the big challenges while you spend your time giving your wife your tender loving care and support. We all have to sit back at times and let someone else do the work. Now must be that time for you. 4. You feel bad that rads and chemo may be worse than the disease and they well may be but for most of the ladies who have had one or both of these treatments, the worst happens and then is over. Think positive and that will help both you and your wife to be happier and will certainly help you to sleep better. 5. I am not a believer in taking anti-depressants for myself. I do, however think that sometimes they are indicated for others. If your doctor (or hers) will prescribe them for you and or your wife, take them for a while. I don't think anyone should become dependant on the anti-depressants, but taking them for a short time is sometimes helpful. and finally 6. Go out and find something interesting that you can do. Find something that your wife can do. You might want to listen to music, attend concerts, plays, go to movies or go out and volunteer to help someone who is worse off than either of you. You may say, there is no such person, but if you look around, you just might be surprised. Each time I think my situation is the worst ever, I find someone who is having more problems than I. I volunteer a lot and this is helpful to me. I wish you well and hope that my words did not upset you. I believe in fighting b.c. (and any other cancer) positively and with help from friends, family and my doctors. Doris > > Dear Friends > > I'm trying to find energy to write again to this group. I'm very > upset with a so difficult situation. > > My loved wife received one week ago a very deep study of her breast > cancer. With the lump analysis... > > Doc said there is no estrogen receptors and tamoxifen is excluded at > all > > Despite the cancer was a very small tumour and not found on limph > nodes like the messages I sent before, it's a very agressive one, > stage III, ductal carcinoma with a damage on p53 gene. > > I found moments ago that a p53 mutation could be caused by virus or > carcinogens found in tobacco (she was smoking one month ago..., left > the thing now...) > > Means a very wild type of cancer as doctor said. Doctor said > unfortunatelly she have to suffer a big dosis of Radio and Chemo > urgently. > > I'm so sad and so weak, not sleeping well, she is also very sad. > > I'm so sad with the doctors because one month ago I insisted to make > a PET Scan on her and they insisted against my forcing and said that > was not necessary for a so small lump, and now they said that damage > could already be at other places. > > My main problem is that all my life I solved problems and big > challenges and I'm feeling so bad, supporting her is my first task > but now with this mutation gene... > > I'm feeling so bad with the idea that chemo and radio combined could > be even worst than the disease itself... I need to rest and put my > ideas organized again. > > I don't know what to say. > > Thank you all > > Fran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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