Re: Diagnosed with 2nd Primary
 

Thanks, Amy. I wish you the very best too. :)
Paula

Re: Diagnosed with 2nd Primary
 

I'm late seeing this, but wanted to send empathy and lots of good thoughts to you, Paula. If only we knew how to prevent breast cancer (and all cancer) -- I agree with you! Please keep us posted as you learn more about your treatment plan. Do you have a surgery date, yet?

Jackie, I also don't understand your comments from your conference about testing to see if women are ERPR+ and HER2+. My understanding is that a PERSON (host) is not either of those -- it's the cancer that has those characteristics. There are a few host factors that predispose to breast cancer (BRCA mutations, some rare familial mutations of other genes).

Debbie Laxague

Re: Diagnosed with 2nd Primary
 

Hi Debbie!

It's so nice to hear from you again! You feeling well these days? Still going to the breast cancer conferences in San Antonio and Project Lead? I haven't been since I met you at those years ago. It was great to connect with you and some of the other ladies here back then.

My second and final mastectomy is scheduled for 9/27 then I'm plum out of breasts to lose ;). I am still not doing reconstruction , perhaps it'll never happen, maybe it will I haven't decided yet. I'd love to hear from others who either waited or opted out of reconstruction. Chemo is planned about a month after surgery.

If you, or anybody else here is interested in following my journey through Cancer Land, my blog is http://jpoliver.com/wordpress/. There's tons of humor there over the years (part of my personal cancer battle plan), things I am learning along the way, Scripture, and gems archived there if you're interested.

Here's an analogy, "Welcome to Holland" that applies so well to cancer and times when things don't go the way we would wish that is tucked away in there that I think about sometimes: http://jpoliver.com/wordpress/archives/1321. Anybody want to read those thoughts (someone else wrote) and talk about it?

I like your avitar, Debbie. It looks like you, your dog, and friends are having a grand ole' time enjoying life! :)

Paula

Re: Diagnosed with 2nd Primary
 

Hey, Paula, I live the flat life. I had originally waited to reconstruct but just when I considered giving it serious head space, I was Dx'd with MBC. I miss my breasts but being flat isn't as tragic as I had first imagined. If I didn't have metastatic disease, I would have considered reconstruction more for my SO than for myself. I have found that in cooler months, sweaters hide my flatness and in the summer, tiered tops are great camouflage. Mostly, no one really notices but I have noticed that I don't get the male attention I once did. Also....now that I think of it...I never used to get speeding tickets and I have had two since I became flat. Coincidence?

Re: Diagnosed with 2nd Primary
 

Paula,

I will try to post a paper but it's hard to find information on this and it's more than a theory -- that we have cancer stem cells. Treatments do not kill cancer stem cells, so kill rapidly growing cells. I'm going to a lecture next week on cancer stem cells and will post something when I get more information. I'll also chat with one of the Scientists here working on this problem. It's not understood well.

-Julie

Re: Diagnosed with 2nd Primary
 

Hello Paula - Long time no see - and I guess that was a GOOD thing! Just processing my surprise to see you here with such news ...

For most of us HER2+ our cancer comes back in another part of our body, so I am glad you are spared that. You have all the tools and knowledge to pass through another round of treatments, and that goes a long way toward handling what comes. You faith will also guide you well as the near future unfolds.

All the best, and you may want to look into Corrie Painter's MBC study. Anyone can add their case to the study and eventually you should get a kit to send back a vial of spit for them to analyze.

Stay strong and resolved you will overcome this disease.

Re: Diagnosed with 2nd Primary
 

Paula,
I decided to forego reconstruction. Just didn't want to go through anymore medical procedures. I have not regretted it. Had to go through my clothes because things fit differently, but then I had an excuse for a closet makeover! I am sorry you are facing this again. Wishing you His peace, Cindy

Re: Diagnosed with 2nd Primary
 

Hi Paula...I don't come here often anymore but decided to pop in to check up on everyone. Coming across your post made me glad I stopped in. Praying for you Paula as you get ready to embark down a road you know all too well. God's Peace to you, my friend.

Re: Diagnosed with 2nd Primary
 

Paula--There is a lot of talk about FOUNDATION ONE testing. http://foundationone.com/

May be something you want to consider. Really sorry you have to do this again. Hope the second time's a charm.

Cancer is crap.
UGH.

Re: Diagnosed with 2nd Primary
 

Thanks MaineRotteiler and Cindy for the input on no reconstruction.

Julie, I am interested in the research you mentioned on stem cellsand will check it out when you post it. Thank you.

StephN, will check out Corrie Painter's MBC study and maybe contribute my spit someday. :0) Thx.

Nice to hear from you, MaryJo. Thanks for the prayers.

SoCalGal, thanks for the Foundations One testing link. Will check that out.

I am waiting to hear back from my breast surgeon. I am scheduled for the mastectomy and port placement at 1 pm today after sentinel node mapping and just left a message for her. A couple family members have the flu and I started feeling pretty crummy last night. I am some better today and there is no fever and think surgery is going to work out ok but want to verify.

My husband will put a postop update in our blog http://jpoliver.com/wordpress/ later today if it's a go or I'll note there if surgery is postponed because of this bug. It'll be good to get the surgery behind me and move on.

Here's to evicting cancer from all of us and rendering it homeless!
Paula

Re: Diagnosed with 2nd Primary
 

Prayers for simple surgery and quick recovery.

Cancer eviction......GO!