Breast cancer

[Teacher Terry]

So glad it’s behind you and that Frank is taking good care of you).

 

[simple girl]

Glad it's done! I remember how bored I was. No reading or listening to anything...they said it was to keep my brain from becoming overactive and lighting up areas that weren't actually cancer sites. It was SOOOOOOOOO boring...surprised my anxiety-driven daydreaming mind didn't light up without any distractions, lol.

 

[Koolau]

Thanks for the report (and the sweet pictures.)

One day at a time. Continued blessings.

 

[steady saver]

Glad it's over! Back to the good food
You continue to be on my mind - sending good vibes ...

 

[gcgang]

You’ve got a fantastic attitude and a great support system. You’re going to get thru this in great shape!

 

[W2R]

Going to see the oncologist (for the first time) in a half hour. Maybe I'll know more after this appointment.

 

[pacergal]

I believe you will know more and most likely have a good treatment plan.
Take Care, we are here for you!

 

[rodi]

Hope the appointment is going well. Anxiously awaiting an update.

 

[W2R]

I believe you will know more and most likely have a good treatment plan.
Take Care, we are here for you!

She says it's a pretty fast growing, aggressive type of cancer ("triple negative breast cancer"). Although it has metastasized to my lymph nodes luckily we caught it before it got into my lungs or liver. She says it is treatable, though maybe not curable. She says we have to get started with chemo ASAP. Chemo is hard on the heart, so the first step will be heart tests (echocardiogram?) to get an idea of how much chemo my heart can stand. Then they will put a port into my chest for administering the chemo. After a round of chemo, they will check my heart again, and the next time increase or decrease depending on how I tolerated it.

Once the chemo has done all it can, after several rounds, then I'll be getting a mastectomy and removal of lymph nodes in that armpit. All this will be easier then because the chemo will have shrunk the tumor substantially.

Honestly I am so relieved that she thinks this is treatable and has a treatment plan figured out for me ! Could be worse.

 

[GoBears]

I don’t post often, but I want to add my best wishes and also to let you know that your posts (and others here) helped convince me to take the retirement plunge in September 2021. Cancer sucks, but it is great news that yours is treatable. Good luck!

 

[wdwwildbill]

I like the word TREATABLE !!!!!

 

[Jerry1]

This sounds almost exactly how a friend of mine was treated. Not going to lie, it was rough, but, she’s still here and that was about 5+ years ago. She’s doing pretty good now. However she does have other unrelated medical issues. I’m praying you do well and I pray for you to have the strength you’ll need as you go through this. Everyone is different but it is treatable.

 

[Alan]

Thanks for the update. I think that having a treatment plan is very encouraging. Good luck going forward.

 

[Lisa Lisa]

She says it's a pretty fast growing, aggressive type of cancer ("triple negative breast cancer"). Although it has metastasized to my lymph nodes luckily we caught it before it got into my lungs or liver. She says it is treatable, though maybe not curable. She says we have to get started with chemo ASAP. Chemo is hard on the heart, so the first step will be heart tests (echocardiogram?) to get an idea of how much chemo my heart can stand. Then they will put a port into my chest for administering the chemo. After a round of chemo, they will check my heart again, and the next time increase or decrease depending on how I tolerated it.

Once the chemo has done all it can, after several rounds, then I'll be getting a mastectomy and removal of lymph nodes in that armpit. All this will be easier then because the chemo will have shrunk the tumor substantially.

Honestly I am so relieved that she thinks this is treatable and has a treatment plan figured out for me ! Could be worse.

"Aggressive" breast cancer veteran here. SO glad they will start chemo pronto. (Ports are heaven-sent, by the way, and make chemo much easier than the old-fashioned way.)

Best wishes for chemo and surgery to get you through this. For me, the diagnosis and testing and waiting were far worse than the (rugged! challenging!) treatment. God speed.

 

[braumeister]

@W2R, I have a bit of an idea what you're dealing with. My wife was diagnosed with an incurable cancer (not BC), a bit over two years ago. They gave her less than six months. But they did some testing and found that there was a specific mutation in the cancer that there was a drug designed to treat. She has been on that drug for over two years now, one pill a day, and is still with us.
So, as others have mentioned, there is an enormous amount of research going on and they find out new things every week.
You're a strong person, so you'll be OK.

Incidentally, you'll definitely come to appreciate the port. It simplifies things a lot.

 

[W2R]

@W2R, I have a bit of an idea what you're dealing with. My wife was diagnosed with an incurable cancer (not BC), a bit over two years ago. They gave her less than six months. But they did some testing and found that there was a specific mutation in the cancer that there was a drug designed to treat. She has been on that drug for over two years now, one pill a day, and is still with us.
So, as others have mentioned, there is an enormous amount of research going on and they find out new things every week.
You're a strong person, so you'll be OK.

Incidentally, you'll definitely come to appreciate the port. It simplifies things a lot.

Wow, thanks for the encouragement and information! I had been thinking that the port would be like h*ll warmed over and would make my existence miserable. So glad to read that it helps a lot! And also, if your wife was given less than six months and she has lived over four times that long already, that's utterly outstanding. My oncologist mentioned vaguely in passing that some research was being done but your experience is concrete evidence that it can truly make a difference! Thanks again!

 

[W2R]

This sounds almost exactly how a friend of mine was treated. Not going to lie, it was rough, but, she’s still here and that was about 5+ years ago. She’s doing pretty good now. However she does have other unrelated medical issues. I’m praying you do well and I pray for you to have the strength you’ll need as you go through this. Everyone is different but it is treatable.

Five years sounds like heaven from where I sit! Thanks! You all are making my day.

 

[W2R]

"Aggressive" breast cancer veteran here. SO glad they will start chemo pronto. (Ports are heaven-sent, by the way, and make chemo much easier than the old-fashioned way.)

Best wishes for chemo and surgery to get you through this. For me, the diagnosis and testing and waiting were far worse than the (rugged! challenging!) treatment. God speed.

Glad to hear another good report about the ports! yay And also that the testing and waiting were worse than the treatment. That's so encouraging! Thanks

 

[W2R]

Thank you all for your upbeat and encouraging responses! I can't even express how helpful they are. I can't answer every post but believe me, YOUR post probably meant as much to me or more than the ones I did answer.

 

[simple girl]

So glad to hear there is no evidence it has spread to the lungs or liver!!! That is fantastic news!

One of my friends had Stage 3 triple negative BC with positive nodes as well - she did the chemo, etc. al and is still here alive and kicking today - 12 years later!

I had aggressive BC as well (different type), and I did the chemo, etc. and remain NED 12 years later.

I had a port for a year. It definitely is easier than getting your arm stuck over and over again, and it saves your small veins from the harsh chemicals.

I won't lie, chemo was really hard on me but I made it. Thinking of you! Keep hanging tough. Head down, push forward!

 

[Teacher Terry]

You are a strong woman and we are all in your corner!! Glad it’s not in your liver, etc. No need to answer the posts because you are a beloved member of this community.

 

[street]

We are with you and fighting the fight with you. Keep your head high and spirits and thoughts strong.

Thanks for keeping us updates and good to talk about it, is a positive way.

 

[mn54]

good luck with your treatments. keep a positive attitude. remember many forum members including my DW and myself have had cancer and are still around today.

 

[Dreamer]

So glad to hear that it did not get to your lungs or liver. I am glad to hear that you have a plan and are going to get the treatment quickly.

It is very encouraging to hear the stories that other members are telling. Hoping you kick cancer's *ss quickly. We are all pulling for you.

 

[old medic]

Glad to hear good news. In regards to your port location, do you drive a lot, or mostly ride shotgun. DW port gets aggravated by the seatbelt while driving.