Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Jaybro, Yes, you are right. Thank you!  I need to calm down. I was so nervous while waiting for additional testing. I had one really awful week. But last week was very good. I do not google anymore. 🙂 I got my CT scan results and they are okay.  They tested tumor in the lymph node and its biology is similar to the one in the breast but Her2 was 2+ so additional testing was required (=more waiting for me😅). The final test was negative.  My doctor suggested chemo because I am young and lymph nodes were positive. I am writing this from the hospital. I am waiting my first AC. I am cool and surprisingly calm, wearing pink dress 😉 sending hugs ... View more

Hi Jayqualen, i had double mastectomy ( skin and nipples sparing) and SNL removal in my right armpit 4 weeks ago. I had immediate reconstruction with expanders filled with 150 ml during operation. I had 5 drains, 2 in each breast and 1 from armpit. Doctor removed the drainage 5th day after op before I went home. It was much easier without these tubes inside me. First days at home I was on the couch with a pile of pillows behind my back. I slept in the bed in the same position (Basicly siting with pillows behind).  standing up or ‘liyng’ down were the most painful parts. In first weeks my husband  helped me getting out of the bed.  Now I have only 2 pillows behind my back and I can sleep on my side. 🙂 The level of the pain was very high. Even breathing was painful. But please remember every single day the level of pain is lower and you will be okay. And the most important part is that you will be cancer free. ❤️ I hope my experience can help you even though I had a different way of reconstruction.     ... View more

Thank you very much!  I hope my CT results will be clear as yours were.  It is great that you can use abemaciclib. And prognosis are really great. I hope our lymph nodes did their job and that all therapy is just in case. I wish you all the best. I will leave a link to a story that I found about fighting against a cancer https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/299213/mountain-lion   ... View more

Hi Helen, i got few additional things to do.. they will analyse tumor in the lymph node (receptors and Ki67 will be determined). The are confused because the tumor is small with very low Ki67 but already in lymph nodes (2). Doctors expected that my lymph nodes will be clear (US, MR and clinical exam were okay).  I need to repeat blood works and tumor markers. Before operation everything was fine.  Ca-15.3 was 26 (the upper limit is <31), CEA <1.7 (limit <5). CA-15.3 seems a little high to me.  And I need to do CT scan. Doctor mentioned that she do not expect to find something. But I am so scared. I do not know what to expect anymore. Have you had any scans?      ... View more

Hi Helen, I’m so glad you are okay now.  The histological grade incorporates nuclear grade, mitotic count and tubule formation. Each category is 1-3 scores. Grade 1 is 3-5, grade 2: 6, 7 and grade 3: 8and9.  It describes how different cells look from normal and how fast they are dividing. This is how I understand it. You can read more on https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00428-02 My biopsy results also showed nuclear grade 2 but it was revised after surgery to 3. I have mitotic count score 1 and tubular formation score 2. So the total score is 6 - histologica grade 2. Does your report say ‘nuclear’ or just grade? I am not sure if they can determine a histological grade on biopsy samples.  I am not in UK. I am in Croatia and health insurance does not pay for an oncotype here. I planned to pay for it in case there were no positive lymph nodes. But since they are positive, I decided to go with chemo in case my oncologist team will suggest it.  I have appointment on Thursday.  Which chemo did you get?  I wish you and all brave women here a many, many healthy years. @Hi Jaybro,  You are such an inspiration! And I completely agree with you. There is no benefit of worrying about things we can not change. Tears can not help me. Panic does not help me.  I really hope I will be in your state of mind. I am struggling at the moment. I am still in shock how/why this happened.   ... View more

Hi Helen, How are you? I also have positive lymph nodes (2/7). I was surprised with PHD results because my tumour was quite small (7x5 mm) and US did not show pathological nodes.  The tumor is estrogen+ (100%), progesterone? (7%), Her2 neg, histological grade 2 and nuclear grade 3 with low Ki-67 8%. I gone through double mastectomy with reconstruction and SNL removal. Now I am waiting to hear the treatment plan. I assume I will need radiotherapy and anti-hormonal therapy. And not sure about chemo. I am scared and in panic. Crying a lot. I am 36 and still in shock. After biopsy everyone was optimistic and mentioned that the cancer biology is good.  But now I not sure what to expect.    ... View more