Post surgery treatment

[Phyllis]

Just back from a long day at Yale seeing the surgeon, oncologist and radiologist oncologist. The good news is that the tumor was small, (1.3cm), the margins clean and the nodes clean. Treatment is yet to be decided as there is a new test called Oncotype DX test that they can do on the excised tumor to see if chemo is warranted or just radiation and hormone therapy. They like to do this test in cases such as mine that are small tumors, hormone positive and node negative. I gives a better picture as to whether chemo can improve chances of recurrence or is not necessary. Soooo, it takes two weeks to get the results back and I will go back in two weeks to hear the results and discuss treatment. Radiation and hormone therapy is a for sure thing- I am keeping my fingers crossed that chemo will be ruled out, but I will do what I have to do. In the meantime, I feel great and was given permisson by the surgeon that I can swim this weekend and I intend to take my first dip!

 

[Nancy]

All sounds good. I will keep my fingers crossed that chemo is not needed. I'm glad you are feeling well. It was a lot less painful than I thought it would be.

 

[Cooker]

Wishing you the best....sounds like you are getting wonderful care....gotcha in my prayers

 

[Bina]

Phyllis, it does sound like you are in good hands and getting above average care and treatment.
Best, best, best wishes as you go through this.

 

[aussigal]

You are in my prayers..., I'm sure you deserve a few days without worrying....now go and enjoy the water this weekend.

 

[WayneGM]

Enjoy the weekend. It sounds like you are getting good care. Best wishes continue, and I hope chemo can be ruled out.

 

[geebee]

Phyllis,

Saying prayers that chemo will not be necessary.

Wishing you all the best.

 

[Karlynn]

I'm glad to read that things are looking very positive for you. You continue to remain in my prayers.

 

[Wise]

Prayers and best wishes being sent that all continues to look up!

 

[Christina L]

Phyllis -

Phyllis -

I was sorry to read on VR.com that you were found to have breast cancer, but it sure sounds like you have it already beaten! I'm so glad that the nodes were clean - that is a major good thing!

Enjoy your swims! You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Christina L

 

[Praline]

I will pray that everything goes well. Enjoy your swim.

 

[gijanet]

We will be praying...............

We will be praying...............

that the chemo is ruled out and you will just have to do the hormone therapy and radiation and that does the trick. (Shoot! My family is about to mandate my own hormone therapy if my perimenopausal moods don't level out. ) Much love and many hugs. Janet

 

[Mary]

You going swimming in the pool or along the beach?

 

[Phyllis]

Along the beach- Dick went in three days ago and it is killing me that he beat me to it- we usually do the first frigid swim together!

 

[Andrew'sMom]

Phyllis, Sending prayers & hugs your way. The prognosis sounds very positive! Great news!

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Phyllis.......I wish you all the luck in the world. My youngest sister, age 60 has just been diagnosed with a 1cm DCIS and is in information overload. She's had a first consult with a surgeon and I'm flying out on Monday to go with her to 'interview' a plastic surgeon. She's also having the BRCAI and/or BRCAII genetic testing since our other sister had breast cancer at age 41. The MRI is next Thursday and then we'll 'interview' a second surgeon soon.

Thanks for posting about your experience and I will most definitely pass along the new Oncotype DX test information to her. Her decision will be based mainly on the BRCA tests.

Thanks again and best wishes on your swim Phyllis...we're 'water people' too..., but not in "frigid" waters...brrrrrrrr!

 

[Phyllis]

Phyllis.......I wish you all the luck in the world. My youngest sister, age 60 has just been diagnosed with a 1cm DCIS and is in information overload. She's had a first consult with a surgeon and I'm flying out on Monday to go with her to 'interview' a plastic surgeon. She's also having the BRCAI and/or BRCAII genetic testing since our other sister had breast cancer at age 41. The MRI is next Thursday and then we'll 'interview' a second surgeon soon.

Thanks for posting about your experience and I will most definitely pass along the new Oncotype DX test information to her. Her decision will be based mainly on the BRCA tests.

Thanks again and best wishes on your swim Phyllis...we're 'water people' too..., but not in "frigid" waters...brrrrrrrr!

She is in a very good position with it being DCIS rather than invasive. The criteria for the Oncotype DX test is under 5cm, hormone positive and negative nodes. I asked my surgeon about the BRCAI testing because of concern about my daughter, but he said considering my age and that there is no other breast cancer in my family, he didn't think it was necessary. I can't stress enough that it is so important for her to go to a "Breast Center" with surgeons that only operate on breast cancer. I wish her well as she travels this road. It is stressful and I often tell Dick I will probably die from a heart attack from all the stress before I ever die from the breast cancer! Here's a link to the test: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/new_research/20060126.jsp

 

[Rebecca]

Hey Phyllis,

I?m glad your tests have come out for the best. My tumor was .7cm and was not big enough to do the Oncotype DX test. After this weeks visit to the see my oncologist I was hoping to go to six months visits. My blood count was down a little so it back to see her in 3 months. I will start eating more red meat. Today I?m one year cancer free. I had my afternoon diagnostic mammogram on both sides and everything looks good. I hope you are enjoying swimming before radiation treatments start. I have gone into hot tubs a few times and that is a no no. After radiation treatments last summer I treated myself to a new bike and talked my husband into taking square dancing lesson.

God Bless and my prayer are with you!

Rebecca

 

[Harrybaby666]

Phyllis....I join all the others in prayers and good thoughts

Phyllis....I join all the others in prayers and good thoughts

that you will come through this with flying colors.......Please know that I am thrilled that your prognosis is really great and you will be swimmin to your hearts content with hubby. (I can't wait until the water at the lake my parents live at in central maine (45 min NW of Bangor) gets warm enough for me to stick my big fat piggies into as I also love to swim. I just can't take frigid water...BRRRRRRR..................
Harrybaby

 

[Marguerite53]

Hi Phyllis. So sorry to hear that all this is going on for you as it must be totally unsettling and nervewracking. Despite your confession of stress, I think we all know you to be a very bright and level headed woman and I know you are taking care to get the best medical help through this journey. So what more can you do? Take a plunge in frigid waters??? Of course!!! Life lover that you are, I have a very strong feeling that all will go the best way possible for you. Attitude is everything!!

I'll have you in my thoughts!

Best wishes.

Marguerite