Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[NHAnn]

Oh Kelly, I'm sorry you have more waiting and are preparing for the worst. I'm pretty new at this, but off the top of my head my guess is that would be the tests for estrogen and progesterone receptors, and maybe that Her2 thing? HOpefully one of the more knowledgeable ladies will be along shortly!
Meanwhile, I'll be thinking of you!

 

[laurabelle]

Kelly-From what I've read, immunostains seem to run the gamut of things they test for. Tumor markers, finding micromets in lymph nodes, HER2Neu stats, ER/PR status, ect. I honestly don't know much about them, most of the documentaion online is in medical speak. (purposely so we can't figure it out? )
I'm sorry you have to wait with not much more info...I'm praying for you sweetie.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Kelly, I have to agree with Laura. I tried to find something remotely understandable online to reference here but unfortunately after an hour my eyes have glazed over from the pathology jaberwocky.
A typical example:
http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/cap_today/feature_stories/SideHistoSpecialStains.html

From what I can tell, as Laura says, they are just looking very closely at cellular level characteristics to ensure accuracy in findings. This is always a good thing, the closer they look the better.

Hang in there, I hope you get your answers tomorrow. You'll be in my prayers.

 

[mickeymost]

Laura and Linda

Thanks so much for your time and research. I had read that same article you posted. Even with my medical knowledge I only understood about half of it. Some times I think it's a dangerous thing and I over analyse everything.

I guess I just have to hang tight and hope for the best. 24 hours can seem so long. I am greatful that they are looking more deeply into it, but some sort of word today would have been nice.

Thanks for all of your prayers and thoughts. I'm so glad I have you to come to.

Kelly

 

[MinnieM3]

Oh Kelly! All I can say is, that really sucks!!!!!
P and PD your way gal!

 

[Disney Debbie]

Hi ladies. Just got back tonight from a great weekend at Hilton Head with my cousin and her family. The Weather Channel kept showing rain - but we never got any where we were and had 2 great days at the beach.

I've been on Lupron since January. I went into medical menopause and my oncologist (who is a women) wanted me to stay there so I could go on arimidex. I've had hot flashes - which I was already having - and have developed a mild nocturnal asthma - which I didn't realize until seeing your list was a side effect of Lupron! That's only been diagonosed in the last month and a half. I take a puff of Advair about every other night or so and it controls it just fine. It seems to be I've been having the problem with the Asthma for SEVERAL months - even before the Lupron - so that might just be a coincidence. I kept thinking it was allergies or something - but hadn't been able to get a handle on it until I started using the Advair.

But anyway - other then that the Lupron hasn't bothered me. So as with all things it's not ALL bad news!

Assuming someone has finally read my echo! I'll be having my first Herceptin in 8 1/2 months today. Wish me luck!

 

[laurabelle]

Debbie-I think it's important to know all the side effects of these meds...I didn't know about any of them until I had already been on it for years. My sister is a critical care nurse (a good person to have on your team!) and she asked to read the pamphlet on Lupron before I got my first shot. The nurse couldn't produce one, and she just said it would stop my period. That was good enough for me at the time. I was still a newbie to the cancer world and had no idea of all those side effects that could happen. I'm sorry to hear your asthma is acting up.

I'm glad you got away and didn't have to do your waiting at home! Hopefully today is your day...I'm praying it is!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Glad you finally got your diagnosis. Hoping you can avoid the Lupron side effects. There has got to be a better drug or therapy, IMHO. Is further surgery an option for you?

I agree, now I know what the problems are. I really am hoping that this new drug that I will be testing will work for me. And than that it gets fast-tracked thru the FDA. It is a 12-week study but my Dr. said she will be able to tell in one month if I really got the drug and if it is working for me.

She said that there was so much, that she didn't think she would be able to remove it all. So I guess the only other surgery would be a hysterectomy.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Kelly - Praying for Good News for you. I know how the waiting can drive you insane.

 

[snappy]

Kelly, how well we all know how hard it is to wait for that call. Sending my thoughts and prayers your way that you receive good news.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Prayers and thoughts of you, Kelly.

 

[mickeymost]

Well, I have a bit of good news.

The new antibiotics seem to be clearing up the infection. So, for now I get to keep my implant. The plastic surg. wants to see me agiain in two weeks and we'll see where we go.

Just got off the phone with the surgeon ( how odd of him to call as I was typing). Well the nodule was a 5mm invasive ductal carcinoma. He just got a verbal from pathology, so I am waiting for the report to be faxed to me later, I like to see these things for myself. He said the margins were clear, so that's a good thing. He feels it is a local reccurrance, not a metastisis, so that's good also. Looks like I may need additional radiation. He removed a mole from the skin above the nodule and that came back with some changes, so he's glad he removed it. He says the changes are most likely due to the first radiation round.

Now to wait and see if it was estrogen + , if it was I'm throwing the Tamoxifen in the trash!!!!

Thanks for all of your prayers and PD during this tough time

Kelly

 

[snappy]

So glad you posted the results, at least the waiting is over and the infection is clearing up. It is a small tumor, and the margins are clear, that is excellent news. I am sure you are not looking forward to radiation though.

It's hard not to fear the worst. I think if this is a local recurrence that can be treated with radiation, it is something to be thankful for.

I'll continue to send some good vibes your way. Hope you continue the healing process.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I second what snappy said. Hard to think about "good news" when your facing recurrence, but we have to hold on to whatever good news we can when these things happen, right?

 

[laurabelle]

Well, I have a bit of good news.

The new antibiotics seem to be clearing up the infection. So, for now I get to keep my implant. The plastic surg. wants to see me agiain in two weeks and we'll see where we go.

Just got off the phone with the surgeon ( how odd of him to call as I was typing). Well the nodule was a 5mm invasive ductal carcinoma. He just got a verbal from pathology, so I am waiting for the report to be faxed to me later, I like to see these things for myself. He said the margins were clear, so that's a good thing. He feels it is a local reccurrance, not a metastisis, so that's good also. Looks like I may need additional radiation. He removed a mole from the skin above the nodule and that came back with some changes, so he's glad he removed it. He says the changes are most likely due to the first radiation round.

Now to wait and see if it was estrogen + , if it was I'm throwing the Tamoxifen in the trash!!!!

Thanks for all of your prayers and PD during this tough time

Kelly

((((((((((((Kelly)))))))))))))
You sound good! I'm glad you're not letting this throw you...you're a SURVIVOR!!!! That little tumor doesn't stand a chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MinnieM3]

Kelly,
It's weird to say that's good news, but it really is, in a way! Good for you for keeping a great attitude! Thank goodness it is small, although radiation is a drag. You can do it!!

 

[MinnieM3]

DIEP recovery update: Almost back to normal, but stilll tiring easily. School starts back up in less than a month and I am feeling so much pressure to hurry up and get to 100%. It's just upsetting me.

The 2 opening in my incision are OK> One is doing much better, the other one is, well, gross. I'll leave it at that.

On the reconstructed breast, where an ending stitch was, it's getting all red and I have to go see the plastic surgeon tomorrow to take a look see.

I really have nothing to complain about, just tired of the whole thing at this point. Pity party over!!

 

[NHAnn]

Kelly.... , like the others I am pleased at the postive aspects of your news! I laughed at the "Tamoxifen in the trash comment"...and I sure wouldn't blame you!!

MinnieM3...glad to hear you are progressing...it does take time! Complain away, if you can't do it here, where can you?

Hello and good wishes to everyone..........

 

[mickeymost]

Thanks everyone for your encouragement and well wishes.

It's funny, the first thing I said to myself after I hung up the phone with the Dr. was "I'm okay, this is going to be okay, I refuse to let it get to me!"

I might have to have my radiation after I move to Florida though. Nothing is going to stop this move. I just have to find a Rad Onc willing to radiate an area that was already radiated.

Any one know of any good Drs. in the Tampa area? I need to start researching. I was planning to just come home twice a year for follow ups, but that has changed now.

Kelly

 

[MerryPoppins]

Hi. I'm thinking good thoughts for all of you.

Things in my life are still hectic. Turns out DH's birth mom is alive (we had understood initially that she was not) and hopes to be coming for a visit soon. Add that to birth brother coming this weekend and I'm a little

I've been cleaning like crazy. This was a good excuse to do some old fashioned spring cleaning. I'm keeping up with all of you. Just haven't had much time to post. Who knew my week was going to be like this? LOL!

I did get the results back from my PAP and all was well. Yay! Hang in there friends. I'll check back when I can.