Bad News Sister has cancer

[Charlene]

Hi Missy, my first breast cancer (it was a tumor within the breast tissue) I was not given a choice but a mastectomy and as it turned out I had 15 of 21 lymph nodes involved. Went through 4 chemo treatments, a stem cell transplant and radiation. My oncologist did not think I would ever have a recurrence.
Nine years later I found a lump in the left breast. This time it was a ductal tumor--not related in way shape or form to the other ocurrance. I was given a choice of what I wanted to do but with the understanding if when they dyed the lymph nodes if they indicated cancer cells I would be kept overnight to have the lymph nodes removed the next morning and re-evaluate my options. I was already missing one breast and so I opted for the mastectomy on the other side. The nodes did not show indications of involvement but my oncologist decided that even if there were the slightest possibilty of leakage into the nodes she suggested a round of 4 chemo treatments this time as well.

I also did not opt for reconstruction as the right side had lots of scar tissue under the skin and I had a friend whose daughter waited almost 10 years after her surgery (and she was a very young 20s when she found her tumor) and when they did the reconstruction and disturbed the site, her cancer re-curred and she did not live much over 5 more years. That one incident was enough for me to make the personal choice to not have reconstruction done. Besides on a lighter note--I can have any size ****s I want

.

Here is my HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SUGGESTION, don't take her surgeon's advice alone, on what is best for her, if she does not already have an oncologist FIND one and get him/her on board and discuss her treatment options with both the surgeon and oncologist. A delay of a week or 10 days is not going to make that much difference.

My oncologist (and I still see her every 6 months) is very aggressive in my treatment and I believe that is why I'm still here today. It was she that I went to first when I found the second lump.

Since I already had one breast removed and was in my 50's what was the loss of the other breast--they had already done their duty -- nursing 2 sons and I would much rather have my life. I was also single when both tumors were found, but I decided if a man needed both ****s to make him appreciate me, I sure did not need him--my life was more important.

I believe IF I WAS TO DO IT AGAIN, I'd do the same thing I did last time--don't rely just on your surgeon, get your oncologist on board before any major decisions are made.

I'm not a surgeon, oncologist, doctor, nurse or any other medical professional--JUST AN 11 YEAR SURVIVOR and so many advances have been made. I believe the best approach is a TEAM APPROACH.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your sister is strong and she will get through this.

YOU ARE MY HERO!!!!!!!!!!!

hang in there, missy and i agree...if your sister has not seen an oncologist, DO SO!!!

 

[Basketmiss]

Hi Missy, my first breast cancer (it was a tumor within the breast tissue) I was not given a choice but a mastectomy and as it turned out I had 15 of 21 lymph nodes involved. Went through 4 chemo treatments, a stem cell transplant and radiation. My oncologist did not think I would ever have a recurrence.
Nine years later I found a lump in the left breast. This time it was a ductal tumor--not related in way shape or form to the other ocurrance. I was given a choice of what I wanted to do but with the understanding if when they dyed the lymph nodes if they indicated cancer cells I would be kept overnight to have the lymph nodes removed the next morning and re-evaluate my options. I was already missing one breast and so I opted for the mastectomy on the other side. The nodes did not show indications of involvement but my oncologist decided that even if there were the slightest possibilty of leakage into the nodes she suggested a round of 4 chemo treatments this time as well.

I also did not opt for reconstruction as the right side had lots of scar tissue under the skin and I had a friend whose daughter waited almost 10 years after her surgery (and she was a very young 20s when she found her tumor) and when they did the reconstruction and disturbed the site, her cancer re-curred and she did not live much over 5 more years. That one incident was enough for me to make the personal choice to not have reconstruction done. Besides on a lighter note--I can have any size ****s I want

.

Here is my HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SUGGESTION, don't take her surgeon's advice alone, on what is best for her, if she does not already have an oncologist FIND one and get him/her on board and discuss her treatment options with both the surgeon and oncologist. A delay of a week or 10 days is not going to make that much difference.

My oncologist (and I still see her every 6 months) is very aggressive in my treatment and I believe that is why I'm still here today. It was she that I went to first when I found the second lump.

Since I already had one breast removed and was in my 50's what was the loss of the other breast--they had already done their duty -- nursing 2 sons and I would much rather have my life. I was also single when both tumors were found, but I decided if a man needed both ****s to make him appreciate me, I sure did not need him--my life was more important.

I believe IF I WAS TO DO IT AGAIN, I'd do the same thing I did last time--don't rely just on your surgeon, get your oncologist on board before any major decisions are made.

I'm not a surgeon, oncologist, doctor, nurse or any other medical professional--JUST AN 11 YEAR SURVIVOR and so many advances have been made. I believe the best approach is a TEAM APPROACH.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your sister is strong and she will get through this.

Thanks Davie for the advice, you are a very strong woman and I'm glad you are a survivor!! Bless your heart...

 

[Brandi*]

Any news so far?

 

[Basketmiss]

She sees another dr on Wed and then will make the decision and we will get a surgery date ... I am wanting to get the surgery over and done with and get her healed...

 

[RobinRTrueJoy]

Missy,

I am sorry to hear about your sister.

PLEASE tell her about me. Feel free to give her my email address.

I was 35 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I did not feel any lumps. It was just a fluke that I happened to ask my Dr. to do a mammogram. I had no symptoms, but sure enough my FIRST mammogram was positive. I had multiple areas of microcalcifications, (Intraductal adenocarcinoma insitu),so they did not spare my breast, I had a modified radical mastectomy with reconstruction( plastic surgery) At the time, they felt that the surgery would be the cure. I did take Tamoxifen for five years to help prevent a reoccurance(it was no big deal) and I had my ovaries removed too.

I was so scared. I never thought that I would be around all these years(19) later! But now, I am 54 years old! In those days, I didn't know of anyone that was that young, just older women, and I would have loved to talk to someone that had been diagnosed young and LIVED a long time.

Tell her to be aggressive and READ and ask questions and be part of her decision making team.Please tell her to find a great Oncologist and to follow with him even if the surgeons do not think she needs to. Somone should follow her health, and an oncologist should be the one.

The Y-Me hotline is staffed by women who all have had breast cancer and they are great!

Robin

[email protected]