Stage 3 Breast Cancer

[kimmy2800]

Hello,

I am a 38 year old woman who was just diagnosed with breast cancer on 12/17/07.  They said it was stage 1 and a grade 3 that is non responsive to hormones.  The tumor is in my right breast at 3 o'clock, I am going in for a lumpectomy on 1/7/08, and have had an mri, chest xray, and blood tests done.  The MRI and chest x ray did not show anything further, nor did an ultrasound on the lymph nodes show that there is any further detection.  I know it won't be exact until they do the blue dye test to the nodes if it is appearing. All blood tests were normal.  I just cannot believe it has happened, and would like your advice on what to do or on what you think my outcome will be.  What kind of treatment afterward am I looking at and if this can be beat?  I have a 4 year old little girl, and do not want to be sick the rest of my life and hers.  I am very active and healthy and want this to go away.  Please help....I have been reading some terrible things on this internet and alot of it is saying there is only a 50% chance of survival of 7 years or less even.  I am going out of my mind with worry and anxiety.  Even though I go to my doctor soon, I just want more opinions and advice.  I am very sad.
Thank you,

Kimmy2800

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Kimmy2800, Staging of breast cancer is based on mainly 3 categories of information.  These categories are tumor, lymph nodes and whether or not there is metastasis or spread of the cancer beyond the breast.  This is referred to as the TNM staging system.  At this point all of the information is not known to be able to say for sure what stage of cancer you have.  The information from the lumpectomy and the checking of the lymphnodes will determine the stage.  Certain features of the tumor (size, hormone receptor status, Her2status) as well as staging information will be used in order to determine recommendations for treatment.   Likely you will see an oncologist once the results from your lumpectomy are available.  They will discuss with you what’s next regarding treatment recommendations etc.

[JG1963]

K,

You must not lose hope and/or live in fear!!  I am not a medical professional, but the most important factor for you to embrace in your battle against breast cancer is that you must maintain a positive frame of mind, a significant will to live and a resilient, unrelenting  desire to do whatever necessary to combat your breast cancer.    

My sister-in-law has very progressive and aggressive breast cancer; thus, the reason for my having come across this forum.  I've been searching around the last couple of hours hoping to find additional information that might help us deal with her circumstances and force her doctors into a more aggressive treatment posture.  

I recommend you look into www.breastcancer.org.  This site contains many invaluable resources about breast cancer.  Also, if you learn that your breast cancer has metasticized, which I hope and pray hasn't occurred, then I truly believe it would benefit you to research Avistan (search bar is in the top right portion of the www.breastcancer.org site).  Avistan hasn't yet been approved by the FDA for breast cancer treatment, but it has proven effective for many folks.  I have a good friend whose sister claimed a hardship position with her oncologist in order to participate in a clinical trial for Avistan, and she is doing phenomenally well!!  

Finally, Kimmy, I leave you with what I feel are the most important steps that you can do for yourself and your daughter.  I am a Christian, and I hope you are as well.  If not, I definitely feel you should begin a personal, saving relationship with Jesus.  If you are skeptical or want more information about Jesus, then please Google Lee Stroble or Josh McDowell.  These two offer scholarly level historical facts about Jesus--Who He was as a human being and Who He is as the Son of God.  Secondly, please pray unceasingly that God, the Great Physician, will heal you.  Start prayer chains with all you know that God will find it within His heart to give you a long life with your daughter (and other loved ones...) here!!

I pray that God abundantly blesses you and yours as you seek more of Him!!

JG

[calgal98]

Stage one is a good thing.  This is entirely doable for you.  There are lots of options as far as chemo and surgery etc.  If you are comfortable with your docs let them guide you, but do enough research to ask the questions you need to.  Another really informative site is the John Hopkins site.  You might also look there for more info.  They have a dedicated cancer center and are very helpful.
  Always bring a notebook with you or a recorder so that you get all the info.  It tends to be a bit overwhelming and easy to misunderstand or forget.  Also take another trusted person with you to help remember all the info.  When you are in the middle of such an emotional thing its hard to be focused.
  Best of luck with this.  You can do this and be there for your daughter as she grows into a wonderful young woman and beyond!!  Vicki

[Debjane]

I had to respond because I had the same diagnosis as you in Sept. of 2006 - grade 1, stage 3, PR/ER negative (not responsive to hormones) breast cancer.  It is phenominally terrifying to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and I know exactly how you feel!  As you go through treatment, you will find that each milestone will make it easier to bear - just take it one day at a time.  And most of all remember that no matter what you hear or read - everyone's cancer diagnosis and treatment is unique to that person.  Try not to compare yours to others because it can be scary to do so, and probably not serve a purpose.  My treatment was a lumpectomy, no lymph node involvement, followed by 4 courses of Adriamycin/Cytoxin, followed by 8 courses of Taxol, followed by 35 radiation treatments.  I am on the other side of it all and here to tell you that there definately is life after treatment!!  I feel great, and am doing well.  I still get scared sometimes, but the entire experience has made me a better person with a renewed appreciation for all life has to offer.  My best advice would be:  while going through treatment do everything in your power to take good care of yourself - like what Mom would say....drink plenty of fluids, keep eating regularly and healthfully, try to keep exercising, get tons of sleep, try to see the humorous side of it, let your friends and loved ones help - it will help you, and give you something to concentrate on other than what you are going through.  I wish you all the best Kimmy....hang in there!!