Staging

I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma as well, and while they were doing the pre-op tests and doing the breast MRI they found something on my other breast that also wound up being invasive ductal carcinoma, so I have cancer in both breasts at the same time. My question is is how do you know what stage you are in? I go the 19th for surgery, lumpectomies and lymph node biopsies, so they will know if it has spread any further.

Thank you for any help,
Take care ladies,
Trish

P.S. Thank you bb for the advise.... ; )

[SueYoung55]

From reading your past posts I see you've had to fight for the right testing to find out about your own cancer. Good for you! Proactive is the way to start on this journey and the way to stay during it. It's never easy but for sure you can do this.

Staging will come after your surgery. As you have bilateral breast cancers, they will try to determine if it has spread or if it's two different cancers. Please let us help you as you go through this.

I've had a lot of difficulty with this site since August but have sent you a private message... not sure it went through or not but..

Best wishes.

[SueYoung55]

From reading your past posts I see you've had to fight for the right testing to find out about your own cancer. Good for you! Proactive is the way to start on this journey and the way to stay during it. It's never easy but for sure you can do this.

Staging will come after your surgery. As you have bilateral breast cancers, they will try to determine if it has spread or if it's two different cancers. Please let us help you as you go through this.

I've had a lot of difficulty with this site since August but have sent you a private message... not sure it went through or not but..

Best wishes.

[LymeBabe4864]

Thank you, that was what I thought but I wasn't sure. I got your private message and I sent one back I hope you got it.

Thank you again,

[bluebutterfly2222]

Once you get more information, please update us on how things are going with you. Also,  write again if you need more information or just some emotional support, by adding additional comments to this same thread.

We care!

bb

[LymeBabe4864]

I was operated on on the 19th and they did the lumpectomies on both breasts and took lympn nodes from both arm pits more out of the left, which is the side that the cancer apparently started on. After surgery they told us that the cancer had been there for quite a while and it looks like the last so called specialist I went to missed it..soooo...I'll have to look into what to do about that one. Any way, they also told us that lymph nodes were involved and now I have to also have chemo. I went yesterday and they removed the drain, but the final pathology repor wasn't back yet so I don't know what stage I'm at or how many lymoh (lymph) nodes are involved yet. My surgeon said they should have the report with in a couple days so I'll post more as soon as I know the rest.

Thanks again bb..
take care

[bluebutterfly2222]

I am so sorry to hear that your cancer was missed earlier, and that you have some lymph node involvement. It must be very frustrating, as well af frightening.

I hope that the spread is limited, and that treatment with chemo and maybe radiation will be successful!

Please do keep us posted as you learn more.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers,
bb

[LymeBabe4864]

Thanks BB...

  I spoke with the surgeon this morning and although they are still waiting for the final report as far as the ER,PR and Her2 status goes they do know the staging. On the right breast I am stage 1 and on the left breast I am stage 2 with 1 node involvement...so  I am waiting for her to get in touch with the oncologist so I know what's next, other than chemo and later on radiation.

I'll let you know when I know more, Thanks again.
Trish

P.S. Oh and do you know what can help with the numbness and pain in the arm pits from them removing the nodes? My right side isn't too bad but the left side is really bad, I'm numb on the outside from the elbow up and down the left side of my body.

Thanks again for any help...

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi Trish,

I'm relieved to hear you only had one positive node!  And Stage 2 is very treatable.

I'm sorry you are  having problems related to you surgery.

The numbness in the underarn area is very common after nodes are removed, because there is frequently unavoidable damage to the nerves.  This gradually improves, but it can take a while...  

Has it seemed like a lot more fluid has accumulated since the drain was removed?  If so, it can cause discomfort.  It should be absorbed in time, but if it becomes very painful, the surgeon may decide to drain it. Cold packs may also help; have you been using them?

Your surgeon's nurse/office staff could probably give you the best answers and suggestions, since they deal with all of this on a regular basis. Don't hesitate to call them regarding any concerns.

Hang in there,
bb

[LymeBabe4864]

Hi BB,

You know come to think of it I noticed last night that I do have swelling under my armpits where they took the nodes, so I guess I have some fluid build up now. I'll have to call the surgeon on monday and see what she says, but I'll try the ice packs in the meantime and see if that helps....Thanks for the advice.  : )
I'm glad to hear that it will get better over time, I was afraid it would stay this way, with the numbness and the pulling and all....not fun. I'lll also remember to ask the surgeon or nurse about any exercises I can do that might help .

Thanks again for your help,

Take care,

Trish

[SueYoung55]

Hi Trish,

Did your doctor mention the fingers walking up the wall exercise to you? It's a super gentle exercise that helps you with range of motion and swelling. The lymph nodes are what moves fluid throughout your system and having them removed means that you need a little help at times to move that fluid yourself.

Stand opposite a wall and put your arm out in front of you, let your fingers touch the wall. Now let your fingers "climb" slowly up the wall and down. Strangely, it helps.

My suggestion is this.. measure your upper arm around the width and keep those measurements where you can find them. Periodically, measure again to see if you are moving or gaining fluid. This is one thing I watch like a hawk. Lymphedema isn't something most doctors even think about let alone ask about or check for. So, keep notes for yourself and if you notice a worsening problem you have information at your disposal. Also, there are physical therapists who specialize in mastectomy patients who can help you with some exercises to get things going in your favor.

Best wishes as always :)

[LymeBabe4864]

Oh great, Thank you so much Sue....No my surgeon didn't mention exercises at all, but I have noticed that other women on groups have mentioned this kind of exercises too. I'll try them and see if they help and thanks also for the tip about measuring my arms, I'll do that and see if there are any changes.
I tell ya I get more help in these chats then from my own doctors, they never tell you anything.

Thanks again and take care,
Trish

[SueYoung55]

Trish,

I think they've said it so much in the past that they forget they didn't say it to you. I agree that I learned more from other women who went before me than from meetings with my doctors. I take what I learn and then as my doctor questions which they readily answer. I also read every book on breast cancer that the american cancer society put out as my boss got them all for me. LOL

If I was going to do go through this all again I would have joined a support group since that's where I could have had a chemo sister to help me through it all.

We're here for you :)

[LymeBabe4864]

Thank you for being here for me  : )
  I don't know what I would do with out these groups and all of you that have or are going through this now. It's nice to know that I am not alone in this.  : )

SO thanks again and take care,