Re: HI....I'm new!/ To Penny

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed and had a lumpectomy in August. I am now taking rad.

treatments and have approx 4.5 weeks more to go. But I would ask if

your surgeon could do an Oncotype DX test to see if you would be a

good candidate for chemo or not. I know that I was very aprehensive

about whether or not I would have to have chemo and this test cleared

up the matter for me and for my medical onc.

ne

>

> Welcome Penny. Glad you are enjoying the group, We try to be

supportive and answer any questions you may have or point you in the

right direction if we don't have an answer. Things will calm down

once you know what your treatment/treatments are. I had chemo 16 1/2

yrs ago and didn't have any trouble what so ever. I did not have

radiation but a lot of the ladies say its not bad at all. I will keep

you in my prayers.

> Hugs

> nne

> Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

> http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

> BreastCancerStories.com

> http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/

> Angel Feather Loomer

> www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

> Check out my other ornaments at

> www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

> Lots of info and gifts at:

> www.cancerclub.com

> HI....I'm new!

>

>

> Hello everyone. My story....Found the lump myself not long after

> Halloween. Its been a whirlwind since then. I have had two

> lumpectomy's and a sentinal node biopsy. I am 39 years, the

mother of

> 4 and working full time. Next week I have my first appointments

with

> the radiologists and oncologists...sounds like I will have chemo

and

> radiation. I have some questions...but right now I just wanted to

say

> HI and tell you all that I enjoy reading your stories. Its nice

to

> know that I have some " girlfriends " out there to talk to about

all of

> this junk! God Bless. Penny

>

>

>

>

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/581 - Release Date:

12/9/2006

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

ne:

I don't even know what an Oncotype DX test is? My mother- in- law thinks I am

way too relaxed about all that is happening to me. She keeps telling me to go

get a second opinion...but I trust my doctor. Her thing is that when they did

the first lumpectomy - they said it was not cancer...until about four days later

- they called and said there was another mass inside the mass that they

removed...the one " inside " was cancer. So I had to get a second lupectomy - or

an Excision actually to remove more tissue. At that time they also did a

sentinal biopsy - which they said was " clear " until about four days later when

they called to say the first node had cells in it - but they said because it was

the first node the pathologists called it a negitive biopsy.

My doctor however said that since the cells were in the nodes and because of

my age - that I would have to do chemo and rad. - I'm good with that as long

and they can get rid of it. My thoughts are that I would rather face it head on

right now that to think I am free and in a couple of years have to deal with all

of this again! Do you think that is wrong or right?

If cells are found in the first node - do you know if they can pass through a

2nd or 3rd without being detected? Thanks

-Penny

adrianne222000 adrianne222000@...> wrote:

I was diagnosed and had a lumpectomy in August. I am now taking rad.

treatments and have approx 4.5 weeks more to go. But I would ask if

your surgeon could do an Oncotype DX test to see if you would be a

good candidate for chemo or not. I know that I was very aprehensive

about whether or not I would have to have chemo and this test cleared

up the matter for me and for my medical onc.

ne

>

> Welcome Penny. Glad you are enjoying the group, We try to be

supportive and answer any questions you may have or point you in the

right direction if we don't have an answer. Things will calm down

once you know what your treatment/treatments are. I had chemo 16 1/2

yrs ago and didn't have any trouble what so ever. I did not have

radiation but a lot of the ladies say its not bad at all. I will keep

you in my prayers.

> Hugs

> nne

> Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

> http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

> BreastCancerStories.com

> http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/

> Angel Feather Loomer

> www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

> Check out my other ornaments at

> www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

> Lots of info and gifts at:

> www.cancerclub.com

> HI....I'm new!

>

>

> Hello everyone. My story....Found the lump myself not long after

> Halloween. Its been a whirlwind since then. I have had two

> lumpectomy's and a sentinal node biopsy. I am 39 years, the

mother of

> 4 and working full time. Next week I have my first appointments

with

> the radiologists and oncologists...sounds like I will have chemo

and

> radiation. I have some questions...but right now I just wanted to

say

> HI and tell you all that I enjoy reading your stories. Its nice

to

> know that I have some " girlfriends " out there to talk to about

all of

> this junk! God Bless. Penny

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------

----------

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/581 - Release Date:

12/9/2006

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Penny,

I have to agree with your mother-in-law that your surgeon and/or the

pathology lab did not act very competently. It sounds like they were

trying to give you results before they had completed the lab work.

A second opinion can only be helpful in giving you more information and

more options - and maybe a better doctor.

The SNB is suppose to be pretty accurate about finding the nodes that

lead from the tumor. If one node is found to be positive, sometimes (not

sure how often) surgeons will want to remove more nodes.

take care,

Penny Aldrich wrote on 12/11/2006, 1:04 PM:

> ne:

>

> I don't even know what an Oncotype DX test is? My mother- in- law

> thinks I am way too relaxed about all that is happening to me. She

> keeps telling me to go get a second opinion...but I trust my doctor.

> Her thing is that when they did the first lumpectomy - they said it

> was not cancer...until about four days later - they called and said

> there was another mass inside the mass that they removed...the one

> " inside " was cancer. So I had to get a second lupectomy - or an

> Excision actually to remove more tissue. At that time they also did a

> sentinal biopsy - which they said was " clear " until about four days

> later when they called to say the first node had cells in it - but

> they said because it was the first node the pathologists called it a

> negitive biopsy.

>

> My doctor however said that since the cells were in the nodes and

> because of my age - that I would have to do chemo and rad. - I'm good

> with that as long and they can get rid of it. My thoughts are that I

> would rather face it head on right now that to think I am free and in

> a couple of years have to deal with all of this again! Do you think

> that is wrong or right?

>

> If cells are found in the first node - do you know if they can pass

> through a 2nd or 3rd without being detected? Thanks

>

> -Penny

[Guest guest]

Hi Penny,

I'd agree with the girl's here (and your MIL) and recommend that

you get a second opinion here - or a major clarification of the

first opinion anyway. Pathology, although it can stand corrected,

is a science and should not be so mystical. I would not feel

comfortable enough with the pathology (even if you LOVE your Dr.) to

make any informed decisions about your treatment.

Keep us posted - and good luck

Ellen

>

> Hi Penny,

>

> I have to agree with your mother-in-law that your surgeon and/or

the

> pathology lab did not act very competently. It sounds like they

were

> trying to give you results before they had completed the lab work.

>

> A second opinion can only be helpful in giving you more

information and

> more options - and maybe a better doctor.

>

> The SNB is suppose to be pretty accurate about finding the nodes

that

> lead from the tumor. If one node is found to be positive,

sometimes (not

> sure how often) surgeons will want to remove more nodes.

>

> take care,

>

> Penny Aldrich wrote on 12/11/2006, 1:04 PM:

>

> > ne:

> >

> > I don't even know what an Oncotype DX test is? My mother- in-

law

> > thinks I am way too relaxed about all that is happening to me.

She

> > keeps telling me to go get a second opinion...but I trust my

doctor.

> > Her thing is that when they did the first lumpectomy - they

said it

> > was not cancer...until about four days later - they called and

said

> > there was another mass inside the mass that they removed...the

one

> > " inside " was cancer. So I had to get a second lupectomy - or an

> > Excision actually to remove more tissue. At that time they

also did a

> > sentinal biopsy - which they said was " clear " until about four

days

> > later when they called to say the first node had cells in it -

but

> > they said because it was the first node the pathologists called

it a

> > negitive biopsy.

> >

> > My doctor however said that since the cells were in the nodes

and

> > because of my age - that I would have to do chemo and rad. -

I'm good

> > with that as long and they can get rid of it. My thoughts are

that I

> > would rather face it head on right now that to think I am free

and in

> > a couple of years have to deal with all of this again! Do you

think

> > that is wrong or right?

> >

> > If cells are found in the first node - do you know if they

can pass

> > through a 2nd or 3rd without being detected? Thanks

> >

> > -Penny

>

[Guest guest]

The Oncotype DX is a test that determines whether or not chemo is

right for you and lets the onc. know the rate of possible recurrance.

I think it is just one more thing to help all concerned know the best

possible treatment. The information that I got from them that even if

your insurance doesn't cover it, they do have people who are there

who will try to get the insurance to cover it( my case right now) but

it is covered by medicare.

I was lucky - even though there were some mistakes on my path

report, the surgeon caught them and called the pathology dept. for

clarifications.

ne

> >

> > Welcome Penny. Glad you are enjoying the group, We try to be

> supportive and answer any questions you may have or point you in

the

> right direction if we don't have an answer. Things will calm down

> once you know what your treatment/treatments are. I had chemo 16

1/2

> yrs ago and didn't have any trouble what so ever. I did not have

> radiation but a lot of the ladies say its not bad at all. I will

keep

> you in my prayers.

> > Hugs

> > nne

> > Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

> > http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

> > BreastCancerStories.com

> > http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/

> > Angel Feather Loomer

> > www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

> > Check out my other ornaments at

> > www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

> > Lots of info and gifts at:

> > www.cancerclub.com

> > HI....I'm new!

> >

> >

> > Hello everyone. My story....Found the lump myself not long after

> > Halloween. Its been a whirlwind since then. I have had two

> > lumpectomy's and a sentinal node biopsy. I am 39 years, the

> mother of

> > 4 and working full time. Next week I have my first appointments

> with

> > the radiologists and oncologists...sounds like I will have chemo

> and

> > radiation. I have some questions...but right now I just wanted to

> say

> > HI and tell you all that I enjoy reading your stories. Its nice

> to

> > know that I have some " girlfriends " out there to talk to about

> all of

> > this junk! God Bless. Penny

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ----------------------------------------------------------

> ----------

> >

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> > Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/581 - Release Date:

> 12/9/2006

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Penny,

As I know sentinel Node biopsy is being done to see if the cancerous

cells are found in the first node(which is sentinel node), then they

either remove lymph nodes or do radiation therapy to destroy the

cancerous cells in node. if sentinel node is involved then there is

high risk that other node also are involved without detecting.

(especillay the nodes near to sentinel node). so experienced doctors

prefer to remove more nodes to prevent the risk of recurrence or

metastasis. it is safer.

my prayers with you.

> >

> > Welcome Penny. Glad you are enjoying the group, We try to be

> supportive and answer any questions you may have or point you in

the

> right direction if we don't have an answer. Things will calm down

> once you know what your treatment/treatments are. I had chemo 16

1/2

> yrs ago and didn't have any trouble what so ever. I did not have

> radiation but a lot of the ladies say its not bad at all. I will

keep

> you in my prayers.

> > Hugs

> > nne

> > Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

> > http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

> > BreastCancerStories.com

> > http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/

> > Angel Feather Loomer

> > www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

> > Check out my other ornaments at

> > www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

> > Lots of info and gifts at:

> > www.cancerclub.com

> > HI....I'm new!

> >

> >

> > Hello everyone. My story....Found the lump myself not long after

> > Halloween. Its been a whirlwind since then. I have had two

> > lumpectomy's and a sentinal node biopsy. I am 39 years, the

> mother of

> > 4 and working full time. Next week I have my first appointments

> with

> > the radiologists and oncologists...sounds like I will have chemo

> and

> > radiation. I have some questions...but right now I just wanted

to

> say

> > HI and tell you all that I enjoy reading your stories. Its nice

> to

> > know that I have some " girlfriends " out there to talk to about

> all of

> > this junk! God Bless. Penny

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ----------------------------------------------------------

> ----------

> >

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> > Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/581 - Release Date:

> 12/9/2006

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

HI

I understand the the sentinel node part...I had a group removed...my doctor

told me he would remove 7 or 8 in the first group...he only actually removed 3.

When they tested it during surgery it was negative...afterword when they chopped

it into a hundred pieces they found that it contained two microscopic

cells....but they did not find any in the other two nodes that he removed...what

I was wondering is......is it possible for a microscopic cell to move beyond

those other two nodes into a new group without leaving a trace that they had

been there?

What my doctor is saying is that they only found it in the first node. That's

it - they got it.

I'm worried that if it is so microscopic could it travel farther into your

body without being detected? Is that why they want to do chemo? to get any

undetected cells?

Thank you for your input.

Penny

m_morgan_iran m_morgan_iran@...> wrote:

Penny,

As I know sentinel Node biopsy is being done to see if the cancerous

cells are found in the first node(which is sentinel node), then they

either remove lymph nodes or do radiation therapy to destroy the

cancerous cells in node. if sentinel node is involved then there is

high risk that other node also are involved without detecting.

(especillay the nodes near to sentinel node). so experienced doctors

prefer to remove more nodes to prevent the risk of recurrence or

metastasis. it is safer.

my prayers with you.

> >

> > Welcome Penny. Glad you are enjoying the group, We try to be

> supportive and answer any questions you may have or point you in

the

> right direction if we don't have an answer. Things will calm down

> once you know what your treatment/treatments are. I had chemo 16

1/2

> yrs ago and didn't have any trouble what so ever. I did not have

> radiation but a lot of the ladies say its not bad at all. I will

keep

> you in my prayers.

> > Hugs

> > nne

> > Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

> > http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

> > BreastCancerStories.com

> > http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/

> > Angel Feather Loomer

> > www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

> > Check out my other ornaments at

> > www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

> > Lots of info and gifts at:

> > www.cancerclub.com

> > HI....I'm new!

> >

> >

> > Hello everyone. My story....Found the lump myself not long after

> > Halloween. Its been a whirlwind since then. I have had two

> > lumpectomy's and a sentinal node biopsy. I am 39 years, the

> mother of

> > 4 and working full time. Next week I have my first appointments

> with

> > the radiologists and oncologists...sounds like I will have chemo

> and

> > radiation. I have some questions...but right now I just wanted

to

> say

> > HI and tell you all that I enjoy reading your stories. Its nice

> to

> > know that I have some " girlfriends " out there to talk to about

> all of

> > this junk! God Bless. Penny

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ----------------------------------------------------------

> ----------

> >

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> > Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/581 - Release Date:

> 12/9/2006

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Penny,

There's alot that doctors still don't know about why cancer spreads in

some cases and not in others. They do have statistics to work with, and

they know that for certain tumors, chemo reduces the risk of recurrence.

They're assuming that even though surgery is suppose to remove the

cancer, the chemo will attack any stray cancer cells that remain.

If the nodes only had microscopic cancer, and they didn't find any

cancer in surrounding nodes, then chances are pretty good that they

found everything.

The chemo is added insurance to reduce risk.

-

[Guest guest]

Penny,

I'm not exactly sure how that works. I did the sentinel node part, had 5 out of

7 positive nodes. When they went back in for clean margins and another tumor for

mastectomy, they found another 5 nodes positive. Where they came from, I don't

know, but obviously 2 nodes were clear, but an additional 5 nodes positive. I do

know chemo is to pick up those random cells floating through out the body.

In 1988, my dad had colon cancer. They got the tumor out with only a couple

microscopic cells in 2 lymph nodes. At that time they were not recommending

chemo so he did not have it. In 2 years, we lost my dad as the cancer

progressed. We always wondered... if he had had chemo at that time, would it

have helped? No answer for that just like we never know for sure if the

treatment prescribed now will work 100%. We go by the best possible options.

Barb

Michigan

HI....I'm new!

> >

> >

> > Hello everyone. My story....Found the lump myself not long after

> > Halloween. Its been a whirlwind since then. I have had two

> > lumpectomy's and a sentinal node biopsy. I am 39 years, the

> mother of

> > 4 and working full time. Next week I have my first appointments

> with

> > the radiologists and oncologists...sounds like I will have chemo

> and

> > radiation. I have some questions...but right now I just wanted

to

> say

> > HI and tell you all that I enjoy reading your stories. Its nice

> to

> > know that I have some " girlfriends " out there to talk to about

> all of

> > this junk! God Bless. Penny

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ----------------------------------------------------------

> ----------

> >

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> > Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/581 - Release Date:

> 12/9/2006

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Penny,

In short, yes, there is a chance that there are undetected cells farther in our

bodies. That's why they treat us with radio (local rogue cells) and chemo, to

get those rogue cells that may have escaped to the body. There is no way to know

if there are other cancer cells in other parts of the body, no detection method

yet. So, they treat all of us with chemo to try to kill them all.

The sad thing is, most of us actually do not need chemo. In the majority of

cases, the cancer is a one time thing, with no recurrences. But, since there is

no way to find out if a particular case will have recurrence or not, they treat

everybody. One day there will be a test to localize all cancer cells in our

bodies and treat them without harming the good cells. But until then...

On the other hand, it is pointless to be worried all the time about if there are

cancer cells that escaped. You get the best treatment possible and hope for the

best.

I had one node positive, the hot sentinel one, and they took all of them, 13

total. Then the pathology showed that I had one more sentinel (the cold one)

positive. So, two out of 13. That means, (plus my age and size of tumor) that I

had to have chemo (an aggressive one) to insure that any rogue cell would be

killed. They can also treat with hormones, if you are positive for them, for the

same reason, starve any rogue cancer cells and kill them.

I hope it helped.

Hugs

Re: Re: HI....I'm new!/ To Penny

HI

I understand the the sentinel node part...I had a group removed...my doctor told

me he would remove 7 or 8 in the first group...he only actually removed 3. When

they tested it during surgery it was negative...afterwor d when they chopped it

into a hundred pieces they found that it contained two microscopic cells....but

they did not find any in the other two nodes that he removed...what I was

wondering is......is it possible for a microscopic cell to move beyond those

other two nodes into a new group without leaving a trace that they had been

there?

What my doctor is saying is that they only found it in the first node. That's it

- they got it.

I'm worried that if it is so microscopic could it travel farther into your body

without being detected? Is that why they want to do chemo? to get any undetected

cells?

Thank you for your input.

Penny

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