Re: Question on chemo/radiation combo...here I am again and depressed.

July 19, 2006

Sue,

I was diagnosed with Infiltrating ductal carcinoma, NOS, Grade

2,Stage IIA, ER+, PR+, HER2-, two tumors 2.5 cm in diameter and 1 cm

in diameter. The larger tumor was located in the upper outer

quadrant and the smaller tumor was located in the upper inner

quadrant of the left breast. Thankfully no axillary lymph nodes were

involved. The pathology report called it " obviously a multifocal

disease process and actual tumor dimension is difficult to

accurately ascertain. " I had 8 rounds of chemo, 4 of A/C and 4 of

Taxol.

I did lose my hair right away....I have always had at least shoulder

length hair,to prepare I cut my hair short but eventually I ended up

just shaving it off cause I couldn't stand the mess it was making

everywhere. For me it was easier to shave it off than to watch it

fall out in chunks and pieces everyday.

Everyone is different, but I just wore scarves and hats. I tried

wigs but it just wasn't me. But I have to say that when I

encountered other women with wigs, I would not of known they were

wearing a wig, except they told me.

Good luck with all of your decisions. I would recomend " Dr

Loves Breast Book " It was helpful to me and you should be able to

find it at your local library.

Keep up your spirits!!

Cheryl

>

> Well, yesterday was full of --- information, and again it was too

> much, at the wrong time. I was scheduled to see the radiation

doctor,

> who I find I will not see until after I do what looks to be pretty

> agressive chemotherapy. (the side effects alone scare the heck out

of

> me, and was advised to take a 'scarf tying class' or buy a wig

now,

> because my hair will fall out immediately.) Ok...now that's a

positive

> thing to tell someone!

>

> My stats thus far are: T2 N0 M0, Er+ Pr- and her2nu-.

>

> aparently the tumor was 3.1 cm (have no idea what size that is,

don't

> do that math! tell me in inches and I GET it haha!!) clear

margins.

> (but type 3 I guess poorly defined? not sure if that's right or

not.)

>

> I guess my question is, with the numbers above, what were some of

your

> experiences? anyone have the same as mine that can shed some

light?

>

> sue

>

July 19, 2006

Sue,

I was diagnosed with Infiltrating ductal carcinoma, NOS, Grade

2,Stage IIA, ER+, PR+, HER2-, two tumors 2.5 cm in diameter and 1 cm

in diameter. The larger tumor was located in the upper outer

quadrant and the smaller tumor was located in the upper inner

quadrant of the left breast. Thankfully no axillary lymph nodes were

involved. The pathology report called it " obviously a multifocal

disease process and actual tumor dimension is difficult to

accurately ascertain. " I had 8 rounds of chemo, 4 of A/C and 4 of

Taxol.

I did lose my hair right away....I have always had at least shoulder

length hair,to prepare I cut my hair short but eventually I ended up

just shaving it off cause I couldn't stand the mess it was making

everywhere. For me it was easier to shave it off than to watch it

fall out in chunks and pieces everyday.

Everyone is different, but I just wore scarves and hats. I tried

wigs but it just wasn't me. But I have to say that when I

encountered other women with wigs, I would not of known they were

wearing a wig, except they told me.

Good luck with all of your decisions. I would recomend " Dr

Loves Breast Book " It was helpful to me and you should be able to

find it at your local library.

Keep up your spirits!!

Cheryl

>

> Well, yesterday was full of --- information, and again it was too

> much, at the wrong time. I was scheduled to see the radiation

doctor,

> who I find I will not see until after I do what looks to be pretty

> agressive chemotherapy. (the side effects alone scare the heck out

of

> me, and was advised to take a 'scarf tying class' or buy a wig

now,

> because my hair will fall out immediately.) Ok...now that's a

positive

> thing to tell someone!

>

> My stats thus far are: T2 N0 M0, Er+ Pr- and her2nu-.

>

> aparently the tumor was 3.1 cm (have no idea what size that is,

don't

> do that math! tell me in inches and I GET it haha!!) clear

margins.

> (but type 3 I guess poorly defined? not sure if that's right or

not.)

>

> I guess my question is, with the numbers above, what were some of

your

> experiences? anyone have the same as mine that can shed some

light?

>

> sue

>

July 19, 2006

Sue,

I was diagnosed with Infiltrating ductal carcinoma, NOS, Grade

2,Stage IIA, ER+, PR+, HER2-, two tumors 2.5 cm in diameter and 1 cm

in diameter. The larger tumor was located in the upper outer

quadrant and the smaller tumor was located in the upper inner

quadrant of the left breast. Thankfully no axillary lymph nodes were

involved. The pathology report called it " obviously a multifocal

disease process and actual tumor dimension is difficult to

accurately ascertain. " I had 8 rounds of chemo, 4 of A/C and 4 of

Taxol.

I did lose my hair right away....I have always had at least shoulder

length hair,to prepare I cut my hair short but eventually I ended up

just shaving it off cause I couldn't stand the mess it was making

everywhere. For me it was easier to shave it off than to watch it

fall out in chunks and pieces everyday.

Everyone is different, but I just wore scarves and hats. I tried

wigs but it just wasn't me. But I have to say that when I

encountered other women with wigs, I would not of known they were

wearing a wig, except they told me.

Good luck with all of your decisions. I would recomend " Dr

Loves Breast Book " It was helpful to me and you should be able to

find it at your local library.

Keep up your spirits!!

Cheryl

>

> Well, yesterday was full of --- information, and again it was too

> much, at the wrong time. I was scheduled to see the radiation

doctor,

> who I find I will not see until after I do what looks to be pretty

> agressive chemotherapy. (the side effects alone scare the heck out

of

> me, and was advised to take a 'scarf tying class' or buy a wig

now,

> because my hair will fall out immediately.) Ok...now that's a

positive

> thing to tell someone!

>

> My stats thus far are: T2 N0 M0, Er+ Pr- and her2nu-.

>

> aparently the tumor was 3.1 cm (have no idea what size that is,

don't

> do that math! tell me in inches and I GET it haha!!) clear

margins.

> (but type 3 I guess poorly defined? not sure if that's right or

not.)

>

> I guess my question is, with the numbers above, what were some of

your

> experiences? anyone have the same as mine that can shed some

light?

>

> sue

>

July 19, 2006

OK, my tumor was 2.4 cm which is about an inch. All my other stats

are the same as yours except I am Her2+. I would strongly advise you

to ask your oncologist both chemo and radiology to put your stats into

a tool which can be found at http://www.adjuvantonline.com/ It could

be a real eye opener for you. Turns out chemo, AC, which the

oncologist recommended immediately because of the size of my tumor

only gave me a 2% edge for 10 year disease free survival. I think

even the oncologist was surprised. You have to be careful that

recomendations, given you, take into consideration all your individual

factors. Just found out my Her2 status and am getting a second

opinion on the oncology next week. Second opinions are always a good

thing. You do have time to get another opinion.

Ruth

>

> Well, yesterday was full of --- information, and again it was too

> much, at the wrong time. I was scheduled to see the radiation doctor,

> who I find I will not see until after I do what looks to be pretty

> agressive chemotherapy. (the side effects alone scare the heck out of

> me, and was advised to take a 'scarf tying class' or buy a wig now,

> because my hair will fall out immediately.) Ok...now that's a positive

> thing to tell someone!

>

> My stats thus far are: T2 N0 M0, Er+ Pr- and her2nu-.

>

> aparently the tumor was 3.1 cm (have no idea what size that is, don't

> do that math! tell me in inches and I GET it haha!!) clear margins.

> (but type 3 I guess poorly defined? not sure if that's right or not.)

>

> I guess my question is, with the numbers above, what were some of your

> experiences? anyone have the same as mine that can shed some light?

>

> sue

>

July 19, 2006

OK, my tumor was 2.4 cm which is about an inch. All my other stats

are the same as yours except I am Her2+. I would strongly advise you

to ask your oncologist both chemo and radiology to put your stats into

a tool which can be found at http://www.adjuvantonline.com/ It could

be a real eye opener for you. Turns out chemo, AC, which the

oncologist recommended immediately because of the size of my tumor

only gave me a 2% edge for 10 year disease free survival. I think

even the oncologist was surprised. You have to be careful that

recomendations, given you, take into consideration all your individual

factors. Just found out my Her2 status and am getting a second

opinion on the oncology next week. Second opinions are always a good

thing. You do have time to get another opinion.

Ruth

>

> Well, yesterday was full of --- information, and again it was too

> much, at the wrong time. I was scheduled to see the radiation doctor,

> who I find I will not see until after I do what looks to be pretty

> agressive chemotherapy. (the side effects alone scare the heck out of

> me, and was advised to take a 'scarf tying class' or buy a wig now,

> because my hair will fall out immediately.) Ok...now that's a positive

> thing to tell someone!

>

> My stats thus far are: T2 N0 M0, Er+ Pr- and her2nu-.

>

> aparently the tumor was 3.1 cm (have no idea what size that is, don't

> do that math! tell me in inches and I GET it haha!!) clear margins.

> (but type 3 I guess poorly defined? not sure if that's right or not.)

>

> I guess my question is, with the numbers above, what were some of your

> experiences? anyone have the same as mine that can shed some light?

>

> sue

>

July 19, 2006

>Sue,

Our stats are almost identical. T2 NO (sort of too confusing

don't ask) MO, Er+ Pr+ and Her2-. Tumor was 3.2 cm (about 1.25inches)

clear margins (again sort of still more confusing) grade 3 and

surgeon said extremely aggressive.

I agree and scared to death about chemo, but won't know anything

until the 7th of August. Don't even get to see an oncologist until

then. Can't find anything out about my path reports oddities till I

see the Oncologist so I feel like I am in a time warp and will never

get out and see the future. Right now I am beginning to think that

chemo will be a piece of cake compared to the torture the not

knowing is causing.

I will be interested in anything you hear from your docs and

maybe if and when I get any info I can share with you. Our stats

are so similar it will be interesting to see if our treatments end

up having any similarity.

in Denver

Well, yesterday was full of --- information, and again it was too

> much, at the wrong time. I was scheduled to see the radiation

doctor,

> who I find I will not see until after I do what looks to be pretty

> agressive chemotherapy. (the side effects alone scare the heck out

of

> me, and was advised to take a 'scarf tying class' or buy a wig

now,

> because my hair will fall out immediately.) Ok...now that's a

positive

> thing to tell someone!

>

> My stats thus far are: T2 N0 M0, Er+ Pr- and her2nu-.

>

> aparently the tumor was 3.1 cm (have no idea what size that is,

don't

> do that math! tell me in inches and I GET it haha!!) clear

margins.

> (but type 3 I guess poorly defined? not sure if that's right or

not.)

>

> I guess my question is, with the numbers above, what were some of

your

> experiences? anyone have the same as mine that can shed some

light?

>

> sue

>

July 19, 2006

>Sue,

Our stats are almost identical. T2 NO (sort of too confusing

don't ask) MO, Er+ Pr+ and Her2-. Tumor was 3.2 cm (about 1.25inches)

clear margins (again sort of still more confusing) grade 3 and

surgeon said extremely aggressive.

I agree and scared to death about chemo, but won't know anything

until the 7th of August. Don't even get to see an oncologist until

then. Can't find anything out about my path reports oddities till I

see the Oncologist so I feel like I am in a time warp and will never

get out and see the future. Right now I am beginning to think that

chemo will be a piece of cake compared to the torture the not

knowing is causing.

I will be interested in anything you hear from your docs and

maybe if and when I get any info I can share with you. Our stats

are so similar it will be interesting to see if our treatments end

up having any similarity.

in Denver

Well, yesterday was full of --- information, and again it was too

> much, at the wrong time. I was scheduled to see the radiation

doctor,

> who I find I will not see until after I do what looks to be pretty

> agressive chemotherapy. (the side effects alone scare the heck out

of

> me, and was advised to take a 'scarf tying class' or buy a wig

now,

> because my hair will fall out immediately.) Ok...now that's a

positive

> thing to tell someone!

>

> My stats thus far are: T2 N0 M0, Er+ Pr- and her2nu-.

>

> aparently the tumor was 3.1 cm (have no idea what size that is,

don't

> do that math! tell me in inches and I GET it haha!!) clear

margins.

> (but type 3 I guess poorly defined? not sure if that's right or

not.)

>

> I guess my question is, with the numbers above, what were some of

your

> experiences? anyone have the same as mine that can shed some

light?

>

> sue

>

July 19, 2006

>Sue,

Our stats are almost identical. T2 NO (sort of too confusing

don't ask) MO, Er+ Pr+ and Her2-. Tumor was 3.2 cm (about 1.25inches)

clear margins (again sort of still more confusing) grade 3 and

surgeon said extremely aggressive.

I agree and scared to death about chemo, but won't know anything

until the 7th of August. Don't even get to see an oncologist until

then. Can't find anything out about my path reports oddities till I

see the Oncologist so I feel like I am in a time warp and will never

get out and see the future. Right now I am beginning to think that

chemo will be a piece of cake compared to the torture the not

knowing is causing.

I will be interested in anything you hear from your docs and

maybe if and when I get any info I can share with you. Our stats

are so similar it will be interesting to see if our treatments end

up having any similarity.

in Denver

Well, yesterday was full of --- information, and again it was too

> much, at the wrong time. I was scheduled to see the radiation

doctor,

> who I find I will not see until after I do what looks to be pretty

> agressive chemotherapy. (the side effects alone scare the heck out

of

> me, and was advised to take a 'scarf tying class' or buy a wig

now,

> because my hair will fall out immediately.) Ok...now that's a

positive

> thing to tell someone!

>

> My stats thus far are: T2 N0 M0, Er+ Pr- and her2nu-.

>

> aparently the tumor was 3.1 cm (have no idea what size that is,

don't

> do that math! tell me in inches and I GET it haha!!) clear

margins.

> (but type 3 I guess poorly defined? not sure if that's right or

not.)

>

> I guess my question is, with the numbers above, what were some of

your

> experiences? anyone have the same as mine that can shed some

light?

>

> sue

>

July 20, 2006

MARY!

So glad you replied, I am going to be picking up my report that the

oncologist did from that online tool that they use today! It wasn't

ready when I saw her the other day. I also see my surgeon for yet

another post op visit...(according to the other surgeon I saw..it's

supposed to be 'no charge' we'll see...so far EVERYTHING has been a

charge!! I get those fat envelopes and it's enough to give you a

heart attack and send you back to the hospital!)

We are almost twins aren't we?

I don't understand the flurry of activity, and then absolutely no

communication, I think that there should be some sort of assistance

process with things like this, like an advocate for the patient who

would contact them with this stuff once it's there. But that's just

me, and yeah the not knowing is the pits, and it's been a real

rollercoaster since the beginning of June for me with this whole

process.

I will let you know what I find out about that report, for sure.

It may not be til saturday, as tomorrow...I get to have

another 'procedure'! cripes. (I feel like the frog that I dissected

when I was in science class in jr high. Payback SUCKS!)

I sure would appreciate any info you get too, I think it will be a

good comparison, don't you?

Talk to you soon!

sue in Illinois

July 20, 2006

Sue,

Hi, I have a similar situation - diagnosed in March, also with the

Grade 3 " poorly differentiated " result. Finished my A/C chemo and

because not Hernu2 positive, no Taxol for me. I have had 8

treatments so far of 33 radiation treatments and that's going pretty

well. I do understand how scary it is right now and the waiting is

just the worst part. I fealt better when I was actually doing

treatment (mentally) because I was " doing " something instead of

waiting. Physically, everyone is different, although A/C is a strong

chemo, I chose to do it 4 treatments every other week with a Neulasta

shot after each treatment. It was a crummy couple of months, but

over quicker.

Since A/C is a guaranteed hair loss treatment, I chose to shave

mine off (proactive reaction) before it fell out (about 2 weeks after

the first chemo). I just wanted to be in control of " something " . I

was also (and still am) a hat/scarf person. The wig was just

uncomfortable and hot.

I think you'll feel more in control when you begin treatment

although you may not feel physically well for a while, at least you

are fighting it and not waiting. Hang in there - it sounds like you

are doing great!

Best,

Ellen

>

> Well, yesterday was full of --- information, and again it was too

> much, at the wrong time. I was scheduled to see the radiation

doctor,

> who I find I will not see until after I do what looks to be pretty

> agressive chemotherapy. (the side effects alone scare the heck out

of

> me, and was advised to take a 'scarf tying class' or buy a wig now,

> because my hair will fall out immediately.) Ok...now that's a

positive

> thing to tell someone!

>

> My stats thus far are: T2 N0 M0, Er+ Pr- and her2nu-.

>

> aparently the tumor was 3.1 cm (have no idea what size that is,

don't

> do that math! tell me in inches and I GET it haha!!) clear margins.

> (but type 3 I guess poorly defined? not sure if that's right or

not.)

>

> I guess my question is, with the numbers above, what were some of

your

> experiences? anyone have the same as mine that can shed some light?

>

> sue

>

July 20, 2006

>Sue.

Sure great to hear from you atleast now I know for sure I am not

alone. It will be interesting to compare notes. I got a copy of

the pathology report from my surgeon but even he wasn't able to

explain a lot of the rerms and didn't fully understand what some of

the info on the lymph nodes and margins meant. He told me that

Oncology would answer all of my questions and that they would see me

in a timely manner. HA HA! Their idea of a timely manner is 21

days, my idea of a timely manner is a lot less time than that, but

they win because they wield all the power. I have thousands of

questions but no one to ask, the surgeon has released me, my regular

doctor doesn't know or care, and Oncology is too busy. I am loosing

my mind and somewhat even my body, when I get stressed I vomit, am

down 15 pounds and only weighed 123 to start. I can only imagine

what Chemo is going to do to my already screwed up digestive system.

Any way if and when (appt Aug 7) get any additional info I will

post as soon as I can. Oh well at least I will be all in one piece

for my son when he shows his sheep and steer at county fair the last

weekend in July. And because of the delays I won't have started

Chemo when he competes in shooting sports at State Fair.

in Denver

> MARY!

>

> So glad you replied, I am going to be picking up my report that

the

> oncologist did from that online tool that they use today! It

wasn't

> ready when I saw her the other day. I also see my surgeon for yet

> another post op visit...(according to the other surgeon I

saw..it's

> supposed to be 'no charge' we'll see...so far EVERYTHING has been

a

> charge!! I get those fat envelopes and it's enough to give you a

> heart attack and send you back to the hospital!)

>

> We are almost twins aren't we?

>

July 20, 2006