| | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Just got a call from the breast cancer doctor this am. The biopsy came back very early breast cancer. I have an appointment with the local surgeon tomorrow to discuss treamtent. Had I any inkling that this would come back positive, I would have never gone to this doctor because I don't like the hospital she is associated with. My GP, both radiologists, and the breast cancer doc all said these small calcifications rarely come back positive. How did I get so lucky?
I'm not having a normal reaction to this. I have no fear only RAGE. I haven't even cried. How the hell did I get this one? Other than my sister who spent many years on HRTs, no one in the family has ever had breast cancer.
Treatment is apparently lumpectomy and possible radiation. I hope I can skip the radiation part. My gynocologist called me this am also and gave me the name of the top surgeon at Jefferson in Philly so I may get a second opinion there. I'm not looking forward to surgery being total laryngectomee. I have a lot of mucous and everyone keeps trying to put the oxygen mask on my mouth. I more afraid of dying from a screw up in surgery due to the trach than the breast cancer.
To add insult to injury, my nice new one year old computer can not connect to the internet so I cannot research this from home. Spent over an hour on the phone with Verizon switching cables etc and it does not appear to be the modem as I can connect to Internet with both cables to office laptop. So it is either software or modem connection on back of computer. I doubt it is the latter and no idea how to diagnose or fix the former. Who do I call? The GEEK squad?
If any of you ladies have been down this path and can give me an idea about this lumpectomy or point me to a good forum, I would appreciate it. I will be in contact with Kris. All help appreciated.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Shit Eileen that sucks.
love liz
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Eileen,
Having just gone thru breast cancer with 2 employees in the past 2 years I think you need more tests to determine whether or not the cancer is hormone receptor positive or negative, the tumor's genetic signature of inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations and especially it's HER-2 marker before a definitive treatment plan can be recommended. Just like with oral cancer you need to be treated at a CCC.
I'm sure I have some articles laying around somewhere if you want me to look. Also research the web.
Unfortunately you know how to approach this.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Thanks for the suggestions on the tests David. I remembered there were some kind of markers but couldn't recall their names. Unfortunately I know zilch about breast cancer and with my home computer down and suddenly getting busy in the office, I'm not certain how much research on the web I can do. If you can easily find the articles, I would like them.
I'll see what the doctor has to say tomorrow. She is pretty no nonsense and I like her, just not the institution she operates at. Also, it is not a CCC. I will see about getting an appt in Philly after I talk to her. I don't know how aggressive this is. If I had be diagnosed with any other cancer, I don't think I would have been surprised, but this one just floored me.
Your right Liz, this SUCKS, but hopefully I'll get by this too.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | This sucks!!!! I am so sorry about your news. I will be praying for you.
Angelia
31 at Dx.
DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth,
T1NOMO, T2N1M0
TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09
PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement
PEG/PORT: 11/09
TX end: 02/01/10
PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear
PEG Out: 06/21/10
Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis
HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN
Baby girl born 11-30-12
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Eileen Im so sorry to hear you are going thru this. How I hate cancer!!!! I will keep you in my prayers for a full recovery.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 |
Eileen
You summed it up. Life just ain't fair. I'm really sorry that you have to deal with more $#!T.
Karen
46 yrs:
Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0
Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs
30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin,
30 x HBO
Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy
(hip bone to reconstruct jaw)
Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw
Mar'09 Debulk flap
Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | Eileen, You must be in shock. I'm so very sorry. It sounds like it was caught in the early stage-thank God. I'll be sending out positive thoughts and prayers to you. hang in there-you are a tough cookie.
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Eileen,
One or maybe a combo of those tests helps to define the aggressiveness of the cancer and that is used with everything else they think they know about your cancer to develop your Tx plan. For example both of my emplyees had essentially the same type of cancer, caught early, ductal in situ but because of the tests one was told no breast removal, no rad, chemo only and the other had both breasts removed, chemo and now they are discussing rad. The first one is going on 2 years post Tx.
How can I get these articles to you?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Thanks for the prayers and good vibes everyone.
David,
Since my home computer is down and I can't reply on my office fax, you will have to mail them to me. I will PM
you.
Thanks,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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