Re: Sentinel node biopsy Elle

[Guest guest]

Dear Lori,

I definitely would get a second opinion, if for no other reason than your doctor

is so hard to communicate with.

You legally have a right to your medical records, including your pathology

report, although you may have to pay for them. Get the actual pathology report

and take it to some other oncologist, who can then explain whether or not your

doctor actually got any lymph nodes and what steps you need to take to conquer

your cancer.

I have (had) DCIS, a non-invasive stage 0 (best you can have) cancer with no

node involvement. I had a lumpectomy and still have to have 33 radiation

treatments.

Good luck,

[Guest guest]

Lori,

I had a lumpectomy (clear margins) with SNB. First pathologist read it

as 2 positive nodes of 11 seen. My oncologist had it reread by the

pathologist at the hospital where is on staff (in same town, but

different hospital). The second path said 2 positive nodes seen..none

other seen. So that leaves the question if there could have been more

positive. I had 4 treatments of CAF and am now on my 3rd of 12 of

Taxol. After this I will have axillary lymph node dissection to check

things out. Then 33 weeks of radiation. I would question whether they

say any lymph nodes. Write down any questions you can think of and

stop the Dr. until he explains things to your satisfaction. I had to

do that. If he can't do that, look for someone else.

Good luck to you. May you gain the peace you need with your treatment.

I will pray for you.

Sue R. in Texas

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

I feel a bit like I'm swimming here. It's a whole new language to learn and I

don't understand these things: CAF and Taxol. I recall that Taxol is a

medication. Is this chemotherapy? 33 weeks of radiation! Sheesh! <striking palm

to forehead> That's a long time considering I have to drive one hour each way to

get radiation. Oh, well, one must do what one must do.

I appreciate your helping me though and hate to come off as stupid. I'm really

not. Have quite a good career, etc. But, this cancer treatment and terminology

is just a world of its' own with a vocabulary of it's own. Ya know?

Lori

mawmaw75938 wrote:

Lori,

I had a lumpectomy (clear margins) with SNB. First pathologist read it

as 2 positive nodes of 11 seen. My oncologist had it reread by the

pathologist at the hospital where is on staff (in same town, but

different hospital). The second path said 2 positive nodes seen..none

other seen. So that leaves the question if there could have been more

positive. I had 4 treatments of CAF and am now on my 3rd of 12 of

Taxol. After this I will have axillary lymph node dissection to check

things out. Then 33 weeks of radiation. I would question whether they

say any lymph nodes. Write down any questions you can think of and

stop the Dr. until he explains things to your satisfaction. I had to

do that. If he can't do that, look for someone else.

Good luck to you. May you gain the peace you need with your treatment.

I will pray for you.

Sue R. in Texas

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

I feel a bit like I'm swimming here. It's a whole new language to learn and I

don't understand these things: CAF and Taxol. I recall that Taxol is a

medication. Is this chemotherapy? 33 weeks of radiation! Sheesh! <striking palm

to forehead> That's a long time considering I have to drive one hour each way to

get radiation. Oh, well, one must do what one must do.

I appreciate your helping me though and hate to come off as stupid. I'm really

not. Have quite a good career, etc. But, this cancer treatment and terminology

is just a world of its' own with a vocabulary of it's own. Ya know?

Lori

mawmaw75938 wrote:

Lori,

I had a lumpectomy (clear margins) with SNB. First pathologist read it

as 2 positive nodes of 11 seen. My oncologist had it reread by the

pathologist at the hospital where is on staff (in same town, but

different hospital). The second path said 2 positive nodes seen..none

other seen. So that leaves the question if there could have been more

positive. I had 4 treatments of CAF and am now on my 3rd of 12 of

Taxol. After this I will have axillary lymph node dissection to check

things out. Then 33 weeks of radiation. I would question whether they

say any lymph nodes. Write down any questions you can think of and

stop the Dr. until he explains things to your satisfaction. I had to

do that. If he can't do that, look for someone else.

Good luck to you. May you gain the peace you need with your treatment.

I will pray for you.

Sue R. in Texas

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

,

I have never been told what stage I was and actually was never told it was

DCIS, but read over the doctor's shoulder on the path report that it was DCIS.

So, it sounds as though I am exactly where you were.

I read the charts on the wall at the surgeon's office that explained stages

and it did sound like I was a Stage 0 also.

That is good advice and I will get all my pathology reports. I have the

mammogram films and will get the failed needle biopsy reports, the surgical

biopsy report and now the lumpectomy/lymphorectomy report and take them to an

oncologist.

Thanks a million,

Lori (Elle)

wrote:

Dear Lori,

I definitely would get a second opinion, if for no other reason than your doctor

is so hard to communicate with.

You legally have a right to your medical records, including your pathology

report, although you may have to pay for them. Get the actual pathology report

and take it to some other oncologist, who can then explain whether or not your

doctor actually got any lymph nodes and what steps you need to take to conquer

your cancer.

I have (had) DCIS, a non-invasive stage 0 (best you can have) cancer with no

node involvement. I had a lumpectomy and still have to have 33 radiation

treatments.

Good luck,

[Guest guest]

Sorry for the typo, I meant 33 treatments of radiation. Six and half

weeks, five days a week. I also have to travel an hour to

treatment. CAF is chemo. I had Cytoxan, Adriamycin, and 5-FU. 4

cycles with 2 weeks in between for blood work etc. I now have Taxol

(chemo) once a week for 12 weeks. I have finished 3. Please ask

questions to everyone for anything you do not understand about this

journey with BC. Yuo can IM me anytime if I can help. Not that I

have all the answers. A good site for info is breastcancer.org.

Also join the forum if you want support from a great group of ladies.

I wish you a great day.

God Bless,

Sue R.

> Lori,

> I had a lumpectomy (clear margins) with SNB. First pathologist read

it

> as 2 positive nodes of 11 seen. My oncologist had it reread by the

> pathologist at the hospital where is on staff (in same town, but

> different hospital). The second path said 2 positive nodes

seen..none

> other seen. So that leaves the question if there could have been

more

> positive. I had 4 treatments of CAF and am now on my 3rd of 12 of

> Taxol. After this I will have axillary lymph node dissection to

check

> things out. Then 33 weeks of radiation. I would question whether

they

> say any lymph nodes. Write down any questions you can think of and

> stop the Dr. until he explains things to your satisfaction. I had

to

> do that. If he can't do that, look for someone else.

>

> Good luck to you. May you gain the peace you need with your

treatment.

> I will pray for you.

>

> Sue R. in Texas

>

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Lori, It took me a year to " get it " that I really had cancer! I mean I went

through all the treatments and I had the most amazing group of docs

possible, but I just couldn't take it all seriously. Now, that could be

because in my family, everything is a joke so.. What else to do but laugh

and make light of serious situations. It was only when I stumbled upon this

fantastic group of women and men on this list that I started trying to get

the information I needed to clarify my situation. I had no idea what stage

or grade I was until last June (or so). I didn't know I should get copies of

my medical records till this crew told me so. My docs where delighted to

oblige, I had just never asked.

You certainly do not come off stupid - you are at the beginning of a

learning curve and it seems to me you are moving rather quickly along that

curve. Keep your doc's feet to the fire if you have to. Make it clear to him

that you do not know what his meaning is. You know, paraphrase him, " so you

are saying.. " Take your time, breathe, you are in charge.

Hug,

Maya

_____

From: breastcancer2 [mailto:breastcancer2 ]

On Behalf Of Elle Pea

Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 3:45 AM

To: breastcancer2

Subject: Re: RE: Sentinel node biopsy Elle

Hi Sue,

I feel a bit like I'm swimming here. It's a whole new language to learn and

I don't understand these things: CAF and Taxol. I recall that Taxol is a

medication. Is this chemotherapy? 33 weeks of radiation! Sheesh! <striking

palm to forehead> That's a long time considering I have to drive one hour

each way to get radiation. Oh, well, one must do what one must do.

I appreciate your helping me though and hate to come off as stupid. I'm

really not. Have quite a good career, etc. But, this cancer treatment and

terminology is just a world of its' own with a vocabulary of it's own. Ya

know?

Lori

mawmaw75938 <mawmaw75938@ <mailto:mawmaw75938%40yahoo.com> yahoo.com> wrote:

Lori,

I had a lumpectomy (clear margins) with SNB. First pathologist read it

as 2 positive nodes of 11 seen. My oncologist had it reread by the

pathologist at the hospital where is on staff (in same town, but

different hospital). The second path said 2 positive nodes seen..none

other seen. So that leaves the question if there could have been more

positive. I had 4 treatments of CAF and am now on my 3rd of 12 of

Taxol. After this I will have axillary lymph node dissection to check

things out. Then 33 weeks of radiation. I would question whether they

say any lymph nodes. Write down any questions you can think of and

stop the Dr. until he explains things to your satisfaction. I had to

do that. If he can't do that, look for someone else.

Good luck to you. May you gain the peace you need with your treatment.

I will pray for you.

Sue R. in Texas

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

OK, well that's a little better, but still a big bite out of things, huh? I will

join the breastcancer.org site, thanks. I want to update, I was speaking with

my hubby about all this and the answers I have gotten and he said that the

doctor told him and me, when I just had come out of versed induced surgery (lol

- excuse, I know) that I had Stage 1, Invasive Ductile Cancer. So, that does

give me a starting point and I wanted to get that out there that he said

Invasive Ductile. I am going to research that for sure.

Appreciate you ladies.

mawmaw75938 wrote:

Sorry for the typo, I meant 33 treatments of radiation. Six and half

weeks, five days a week. I also have to travel an hour to

treatment. CAF is chemo. I had Cytoxan, Adriamycin, and 5-FU. 4

cycles with 2 weeks in between for blood work etc. I now have Taxol

(chemo) once a week for 12 weeks. I have finished 3. Please ask

questions to everyone for anything you do not understand about this

journey with BC. Yuo can IM me anytime if I can help. Not that I

have all the answers. A good site for info is breastcancer.org.

Also join the forum if you want support from a great group of ladies.

I wish you a great day.

God Bless,

Sue R.

> Lori,

> I had a lumpectomy (clear margins) with SNB. First pathologist read

it

> as 2 positive nodes of 11 seen. My oncologist had it reread by the

> pathologist at the hospital where is on staff (in same town, but

> different hospital). The second path said 2 positive nodes

seen..none

> other seen. So that leaves the question if there could have been

more

> positive. I had 4 treatments of CAF and am now on my 3rd of 12 of

> Taxol. After this I will have axillary lymph node dissection to

check

> things out. Then 33 weeks of radiation. I would question whether

they

> say any lymph nodes. Write down any questions you can think of and

> stop the Dr. until he explains things to your satisfaction. I had

to

> do that. If he can't do that, look for someone else.

>

> Good luck to you. May you gain the peace you need with your

treatment.

> I will pray for you.

>

> Sue R. in Texas

>

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Ah, more good advice! Thanks.

Maya Brand wrote: Lori, It took me a year to " get it "

that I really had cancer! I mean I went

through all the treatments and I had the most amazing group of docs

possible, but I just couldn't take it all seriously. Now, that could be

because in my family, everything is a joke so.. What else to do but laugh

and make light of serious situations. It was only when I stumbled upon this

fantastic group of women and men on this list that I started trying to get

the information I needed to clarify my situation. I had no idea what stage

or grade I was until last June (or so). I didn't know I should get copies of

my medical records till this crew told me so. My docs where delighted to

oblige, I had just never asked.

You certainly do not come off stupid - you are at the beginning of a

learning curve and it seems to me you are moving rather quickly along that

curve. Keep your doc's feet to the fire if you have to. Make it clear to him

that you do not know what his meaning is. You know, paraphrase him, " so you

are saying.. " Take your time, breathe, you are in charge.

Hug,

Maya

_____

From: breastcancer2 [mailto:breastcancer2 ]

On Behalf Of Elle Pea

Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 3:45 AM

To: breastcancer2

Subject: Re: RE: Sentinel node biopsy Elle

Hi Sue,

I feel a bit like I'm swimming here. It's a whole new language to learn and

I don't understand these things: CAF and Taxol. I recall that Taxol is a

medication. Is this chemotherapy? 33 weeks of radiation! Sheesh! <striking

palm to forehead> That's a long time considering I have to drive one hour

each way to get radiation. Oh, well, one must do what one must do.

I appreciate your helping me though and hate to come off as stupid. I'm

really not. Have quite a good career, etc. But, this cancer treatment and

terminology is just a world of its' own with a vocabulary of it's own. Ya

know?

Lori

mawmaw75938 <mawmaw75938@ <mailto:mawmaw75938%40yahoo.com> yahoo.com> wrote:

Lori,

I had a lumpectomy (clear margins) with SNB. First pathologist read it

as 2 positive nodes of 11 seen. My oncologist had it reread by the

pathologist at the hospital where is on staff (in same town, but

different hospital). The second path said 2 positive nodes seen..none

other seen. So that leaves the question if there could have been more

positive. I had 4 treatments of CAF and am now on my 3rd of 12 of

Taxol. After this I will have axillary lymph node dissection to check

things out. Then 33 weeks of radiation. I would question whether they

say any lymph nodes. Write down any questions you can think of and

stop the Dr. until he explains things to your satisfaction. I had to

do that. If he can't do that, look for someone else.

Good luck to you. May you gain the peace you need with your treatment.

I will pray for you.

Sue R. in Texas

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Elle,

You can have both DCIS and IDC, so you & your husband could both be

right. But get the pathology report to get all the facts.

-

[Guest guest]

Hi Elle,

You can have both DCIS and IDC, so you & your husband could both be

right. But get the pathology report to get all the facts.

-

[Guest guest]

Hi Elle,

You can have both DCIS and IDC, so you & your husband could both be

right. But get the pathology report to get all the facts.

-

[Guest guest]

I hear ya. I was sort of like, just put me on the conveyor belt and do the

thing, whatever..............until now. I didn't know at the beginning that I

had any choices, except I remember telling my husband you go with me and make

sure I don't sign anything giving them permission to just go ahead and do a

mastectomy while I'm under. I want to make that decision if I have to when I am

wide awake.

That's about all I knew to say.

marisa wrote:

My tumor showed some dcis, some invasive - wish i had it with me

now...but it was all contained it that 2cm tumor ;)my lumpectomy went

well - clear margins, negative sentinal node, no lympho/vascular

involvement...but, like I said before, her2+...

Oh--regarding what you write: " At which point, I should have grabbed

him and said, wait a minute.................. But didn't. "

I didn't start even *thinking* about questions to ask till after I

started chemo ...I've said it before here, I felt like I was

walloped across the back of the head with a two by four when the

surgeon told me " you have breast cancer " ...HOLY SH*T! WHAT THE

F*CK!! - that was what was running through my mind, along with " how

am I going to take care of my son??? "

peace -

MArisa

> Dear Lori,

>

> Really sounds as if your surgeon is not communicating well with

you, if you have to read that you have DCIS over his shoulder. Want

everyone on this list to e-mail him? snicker.

>

> As far as DCIS goes, I had 3 options: 1. mastectomy - not

recommended because it removes so much healthy tissue, but no

treatment needed afterwards; 2. lumpectomy and traditional, external

radiation - supposed to have the same success rate as mastectomy, as

long as you get a 1 cm or greater " clean margin " (no cancer cells

found by pathologist for 1 cm around the affected area); 3.

lumpectomy and internal radiation (mammosite radiation). I

investigated all three and chose #2 for various reasons. You might

consider the mammosite technique, since it only takes a week vs. 7

weeks. But check into all the pros and cons.

>

> I did not have any lymph nodes taken because my oncologist

considered it unnecessary - as long as the final pathology report

(the one after the lumpectomy) indicated that all the cancer was DCIS

(DCIS is non-invasive, confined to the milk ducts, and therefor no

chance of getting into the lymph nodes). But, a friend who had stage

I bc, had 22 lymph nodes removed and none were cancerous - now she

has lymphedema to deal with. No sentinal node biopsy, which would

have saved her the lymphedema. She advised me to go to the oncologist

before I had surgery, to get the " big picture " - surgeons are great

but their solution is, naturally, take it all out! and then we'll

see.

>

> So I think you will be happiest with a second opinion from an

oncologist, preferrably from a breast center. He can give you a more

overall picture.

>

> As far as radiation goes, I hate it but am enduring it. I can't say

that I'm enduring it gracefully. But everyone's body is different;

for me, the side effects started immediately, not 2-3 weeks later, as

the radiation oncologist said is typical. That's life. I don't like

pouring poison into my body either, but then I don't want to have to

deal with this again.

>

> Everyone feels like it's a whole new world when we get started in

this - so much to learn - that's why I joined this group, and they

have been great!

>

> Good luck,

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ladies, I'm laughing at Marisa's comment about... thinking she got hit in the

back of the head.

I took haven't had any questions until after the fact.... My surgeon didn't

explain anything about lymphadema, when he stated he would be removing some

lymph nodes... now here I site 2 months later feeling as though I have a tennis

balled tucked inside my armpit and upper arm.... nor did he tell me I'd have

loss of feeling in my upper arm because of this....

I wish that my doctor's were more upfront... just tell me the problem, what

their solution is and TELL ME what the down side or complications might be!!!

I'm learning!!... My Chemo (might) start next tuesday, and the nurse that

I've been assigned to, her name is Trish.. well Trish went through Chemo in June

and is just now getting her hair back. We met for the first time on this past

tuesday and she CALLs it like she sees it... she took one look and my

medication list and looked right at me and said... you might want to have you

hair cut fairly short and soon, because this medication will definately NO

QUESTION about it... make you lose your hair...

That being said... regarding hair loss. Did anyone experience full body hair

loss?

I've hear about eyelashes and eye brows, (my son 18, stated " well you won't

have to worry about your moustache) LOL, I do a lot of laughing, it is my best

way of getting through this...

Thank you ladies for sharing your stories. I truly appreciate your comments.

Hugs and you'll all be in my prayers. Louise

Elle Pea wrote:

I hear ya. I was sort of like, just put me on the conveyor belt and do

the thing, whatever..............until now. I didn't know at the beginning that

I had any choices, except I remember telling my husband you go with me and make

sure I don't sign anything giving them permission to just go ahead and do a

mastectomy while I'm under. I want to make that decision if I have to when I am

wide awake.

That's about all I knew to say.

marisa wrote:

My tumor showed some dcis, some invasive - wish i had it with me

now...but it was all contained it that 2cm tumor ;)my lumpectomy went

well - clear margins, negative sentinal node, no lympho/vascular

involvement...but, like I said before, her2+...

Oh--regarding what you write: " At which point, I should have grabbed

him and said, wait a minute.................. But didn't. "

I didn't start even *thinking* about questions to ask till after I

started chemo ...I've said it before here, I felt like I was

walloped across the back of the head with a two by four when the

surgeon told me " you have breast cancer " ...HOLY SH*T! WHAT THE

F*CK!! - that was what was running through my mind, along with " how

am I going to take care of my son??? "

peace -

MArisa

> Dear Lori,

>

> Really sounds as if your surgeon is not communicating well with

you, if you have to read that you have DCIS over his shoulder. Want

everyone on this list to e-mail him? snicker.

>

> As far as DCIS goes, I had 3 options: 1. mastectomy - not

recommended because it removes so much healthy tissue, but no

treatment needed afterwards; 2. lumpectomy and traditional, external

radiation - supposed to have the same success rate as mastectomy, as

long as you get a 1 cm or greater " clean margin " (no cancer cells

found by pathologist for 1 cm around the affected area); 3.

lumpectomy and internal radiation (mammosite radiation). I

investigated all three and chose #2 for various reasons. You might

consider the mammosite technique, since it only takes a week vs. 7

weeks. But check into all the pros and cons.

>

> I did not have any lymph nodes taken because my oncologist

considered it unnecessary - as long as the final pathology report

(the one after the lumpectomy) indicated that all the cancer was DCIS

(DCIS is non-invasive, confined to the milk ducts, and therefor no

chance of getting into the lymph nodes). But, a friend who had stage

I bc, had 22 lymph nodes removed and none were cancerous - now she

has lymphedema to deal with. No sentinal node biopsy, which would

have saved her the lymphedema. She advised me to go to the oncologist

before I had surgery, to get the " big picture " - surgeons are great

but their solution is, naturally, take it all out! and then we'll

see.

>

> So I think you will be happiest with a second opinion from an

oncologist, preferrably from a breast center. He can give you a more

overall picture.

>

> As far as radiation goes, I hate it but am enduring it. I can't say

that I'm enduring it gracefully. But everyone's body is different;

for me, the side effects started immediately, not 2-3 weeks later, as

the radiation oncologist said is typical. That's life. I don't like

pouring poison into my body either, but then I don't want to have to

deal with this again.

>

> Everyone feels like it's a whole new world when we get started in

this - so much to learn - that's why I joined this group, and they

have been great!

>

> Good luck,

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, I hope one of these days I will understand all this well enough to help

someone else out.

wrote: Hi Elle,

This shows how important it is to have someone with you when you talk to

your doctor, since there's so much info to absorb. Also, as many women

have said, get a copy of your pathology report. There is so much new

terminology and you need time to read it and then follow up with your

doctor about questions.

breastcancer.org has a free booklet on reading your pathology report,

and explains it on their website as well.

You should ask your oncologist if he or she can run the Oncotype DX test

to see whether you'd do better with chemo, radiation and/or oral drugs.

I think you mentioned you were ER/PR+, so at stage 1 it's unlikely chemo

would be recommded.

As for your doctor thinking you'd remember what he told you when you

just got out of surgery, I'm just glad your husband was around!

take care,

---------------------------------

Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.

[Guest guest]

Yes, it is a learning curve and what's most shocking and distressing is that the

doctors don't seem to be learning as fast as we are. I mean, of course they know

more than we do, but have known for a long time. Seems like they would get

somewhere with it farther, you know what I mean? I surely don't mean to stir

anything up or make anyone uncomfortable, but it is disconcerting.

I can't believe she told you she didn't know. That's sad.

Louise Krueger wrote:

Thanks Lori for replying. These doctors should have these situations

figured out by now.

When I family doctor told me she had the results and that I had Invasive Ductal

Car., and asked me if I had any questions.. I simply asked... WOW... I'm not

sure... if you were sitting in my position what types of questions would you

ask.. And her remarks was... I really don't know...

How could a Doctor that tells this kind of news to her patients all of the time

.... not know what kind of questions to ask...

She was also incorrect in telling me, if you have to get cancer, this would be

the one to get... again she was wrong.... Ductal Cancer is apparently easier

because is stays within the Ductal system... Invasive Ductal Carcenoma can

spread like wild fire, which mine has done.

This is a real learning curve isn't it?

Louise

Elle Pea wrote:

Even though my family has a history of bc, no one ever took chemo. They all had

mod. rad mast. with no radiation, no chemo. But, I can identify with the numb

arm, well at least arm pit. I wondered aloud if my armpit would stay numb for a

while and my hubby told me my mother said hers is still numb after 15 years, so

my doc never mentioned that either. I suppose you do what you have to do though.

But, surely he could have told you about lymphedema and how to be careful of it?

That just is not right. Of course, now that I'm talking about it, mine didn't

tell me either, I read it on the internet. These docs need to get themselves

together.

I guess my standard questions now will be:

1. Why?

2. What are my options?

3. What are the side effects?

4. What can I do to avoid them or make them less troublesome?

I can't believe they didn't tell me to take off my estrogen patch either. I

luckily knew that. It's a shame. I'm sorry he didn't tell you all you needed to

know.

Lori

Louise Krueger wrote:

Hi Ladies, I'm laughing at Marisa's comment about... thinking she got hit in the

back of the head.

I took haven't had any questions until after the fact.... My surgeon didn't

explain anything about lymphadema, when he stated he would be removing some

lymph nodes... now here I site 2 months later feeling as though I have a tennis

balled tucked inside my armpit and upper arm.... nor did he tell me I'd have

loss of feeling in my upper arm because of this....

I wish that my doctor's were more upfront... just tell me the problem, what

their solution is and TELL ME what the down side or complications might be!!!

I'm learning!!... My Chemo (might) start next tuesday, and the nurse that I've

been assigned to, her name is Trish.. well Trish went through Chemo in June and

is just now getting her hair back. We met for the first time on this past

tuesday and she CALLs it like she sees it... she took one look and my medication

list and looked right at me and said... you might want to have you hair cut

fairly short and soon, because this medication will definately NO QUESTION about

it... make you lose your hair...

That being said... regarding hair loss. Did anyone experience full body hair

loss?

I've hear about eyelashes and eye brows, (my son 18, stated " well you won't have

to worry about your moustache) LOL, I do a lot of laughing, it is my best way of

getting through this...

Thank you ladies for sharing your stories. I truly appreciate your comments.

Hugs and you'll all be in my prayers. Louise

Elle Pea wrote:

I hear ya. I was sort of like, just put me on the conveyor belt and do the

thing, whatever..............until now. I didn't know at the beginning that I

had any choices, except I remember telling my husband you go with me and make

sure I don't sign anything giving them permission to just go ahead and do a

mastectomy while I'm under. I want to make that decision if I have to when I am

wide awake.

That's about all I knew to say.

marisa wrote:

My tumor showed some dcis, some invasive - wish i had it with me

now...but it was all contained it that 2cm tumor ;)my lumpectomy went

well - clear margins, negative sentinal node, no lympho/vascular

involvement...but, like I said before, her2+...

Oh--regarding what you write: " At which point, I should have grabbed

him and said, wait a minute.................. But didn't. "

I didn't start even *thinking* about questions to ask till after I

started chemo ...I've said it before here, I felt like I was

walloped across the back of the head with a two by four when the

surgeon told me " you have breast cancer " ...HOLY SH*T! WHAT THE

F*CK!! - that was what was running through my mind, along with " how

am I going to take care of my son??? "

peace -

MArisa

> Dear Lori,

>

> Really sounds as if your surgeon is not communicating well with

you, if you have to read that you have DCIS over his shoulder. Want

everyone on this list to e-mail him? snicker.

>

> As far as DCIS goes, I had 3 options: 1. mastectomy - not

recommended because it removes so much healthy tissue, but no

treatment needed afterwards; 2. lumpectomy and traditional, external

radiation - supposed to have the same success rate as mastectomy, as

long as you get a 1 cm or greater " clean margin " (no cancer cells

found by pathologist for 1 cm around the affected area); 3.

lumpectomy and internal radiation (mammosite radiation). I

investigated all three and chose #2 for various reasons. You might

consider the mammosite technique, since it only takes a week vs. 7

weeks. But check into all the pros and cons.

>

> I did not have any lymph nodes taken because my oncologist

considered it unnecessary - as long as the final pathology report

(the one after the lumpectomy) indicated that all the cancer was DCIS

(DCIS is non-invasive, confined to the milk ducts, and therefor no

chance of getting into the lymph nodes). But, a friend who had stage

I bc, had 22 lymph nodes removed and none were cancerous - now she

has lymphedema to deal with. No sentinal node biopsy, which would

have saved her the lymphedema. She advised me to go to the oncologist

before I had surgery, to get the " big picture " - surgeons are great

but their solution is, naturally, take it all out! and then we'll

see.

>

> So I think you will be happiest with a second opinion from an

oncologist, preferrably from a breast center. He can give you a more

overall picture.

>

> As far as radiation goes, I hate it but am enduring it. I can't say

that I'm enduring it gracefully. But everyone's body is different;

for me, the side effects started immediately, not 2-3 weeks later, as

the radiation oncologist said is typical. That's life. I don't like

pouring poison into my body either, but then I don't want to have to

deal with this again.

>

> Everyone feels like it's a whole new world when we get started in

this - so much to learn - that's why I joined this group, and they

have been great!

>

> Good luck,

>

>

>

>