Stage 2 grade 3 breast cancer

Hi Cloverfield1

Firstly how you doing after your masectomy? Hope your not too uncomfortable and doing ok?

What trial may you be going on?

I believe the grading process is how quicky it grows and how it looks under a scope....my friend was grade 3 and her prognosis was better than mine at grade 2.   So it's not just about grading. 

I also had lymph node involvement but i honestly don't know what micro is?......my team just said mine tested positive....they never went into detail.

Usually your onco will give you your prognosis statistics, as it's what they also use to help in planning treatment.

I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry.

Hopefully you will get your treatment plan soon so you can get that ball rolling.

xx

Hi Lucy 

I'm doing ok the lymph node removal is the harder part more sore & numb but its manageable...I see the oncologist on Tuesday for a plan but I dont know if to ask prognosis it just gets me worrying...i googled and my gp has told me these statistics are old & so many individual factors matter...I'm 3 positive lymph nodes & 1 that has a micro amount in...so I'm only just over grade 2...I think my treatment will be stronger....its brilliant to hear you carried on doing as much as possible through treatment...I hope to be the same & I'm hoping to try the cold cap....are you clear now & just being monitored 

Clare x

Hi lucy

Also do you have any ongoing side effects from chemo or radio...& how is it with tamoxifen x

Hi ya,

Yes I'm monitored once a year where i go to breast clinic for a mammogram.

My hospital trust never uses the term cured or clear....they use the term "no evidence of disease"

I tried the cold cap once.....but the thought of the chemo not reaching my scalp scared me more than loosing my hair so i never used it again. But my friend used it and kept a "covering" of hair throughout her chemo.

Chemo comes with may different side effects.....but it's different for everybody.....if you have chemo we have got tips that will help with whatever your experiencing .....just remember that just because "such n such" got "such n such" side effects doesn't mean that you will too.

Radiotherapy side effects for me were soreness....which is the most common.

Tamoxifen im doing ok with....not noticed any side effects.

Let us know when you know what treatment plan you get.....were all here for you.

Lucy xx

You are also right about prognosis and statistics......they will always be out of date.

You could ask to know......or you could tell them your not ready to know "yet"........just have a think as to if you want to know or not.

But if your not ready to know yet tell them that as soon as you get to your planning meeting otherwise they may just tell you before asking if you want to know.

Some women choose not to know because they feel they can cope better that way.

It's all about preference of knowledge.....some women want to know every aspect....others just go with the flow.

xx

Hi lucy

Brilliant thanks for the support & info xx

Hi Cloverfield,

Sorry to hear your news - it's big and lots of information will be coming at you.  I was diagnosed back in December, had surgery in January (I chose lumpectomies both sides), further surgery in February due to the histology results from the first surgery (lymph node clearance & lymph node biopsy).  I now have to decide on Chemo, then will have Radiotherapy, then get on with my life - just so you know what my story is.  I have Grade 2 in one side and Grade 1 in the other (damn bad luck having it in both breasts) - the grade refers to the rate of growth, 1 is slowest and 3 fastest but my Macmillan nurse explained grade 3 does NOT mean it is fast growing, only that it is faster growing than the other grades.  I have no idea what Stage mine is as it's never been mentioned. 

I've been told my sentinel lymph node is positive for macrometastases so I've just looked it up to see what the difference between macro and micro is, as I didn't realise there was something other than the macro that I've got!  Seems to be referring to the size within the lymph node - hope the text below is useful, not sure I completely understand it if I'm being honest!  Good luck through this and please do seek out help wherever you can - this website is great and I rely a lot on my Macmillan nurse to answer questions.  Take care xx

Hi Lou

Thanks so much for that info & your positivity...one of the nurses who was looking after me had bowel cancer in her early 40s shes now in the clear & doing great...her advice was just take whatever they throw at you so you can get in the clear & it doesn't come back...its best to have the lymph node clearance I know its uncomfortable but again it's another factor to make sure it doesn't return...I've not been given a choice I have to have chemo & radio I get the plan next week so at least we are both on with the dreaded journey now...I think the ops are the most invasive & recovery I'm finding so frustrating & bloody boring...at least with chemo hopefully theres some good days in between & I've not heard anything too bad re radiotherapy just tiredness

Good luck & keep me posted 

Clare xx

Hi Cloverfield1

sorry to hear of your diagnosis,  it's a terrible shock when you first hear those words. 

I had similar to you other than the size of my lump was 25mm so had a lumpectomy and node biospy and then went back in for 2nd op which was a full level 3 anc.  I also had 4 lymph nodes which was positive and was offered a trial. Theres usually several trials going off. I was offered the optima trial but after speaking to the oncologist I decided the trail wasnt for me. I had a greater chance of the cancer coming back if I went ahead with the trial and had no chemo.  I really wanted to give something back to help others finding themselves on this horrid path. But at 47 I had to think carefully which gave me the better chance of cancer not returning. So with that I opted for chemo,  rads and hormone therapy. Not had my first chemo session yet as it was cancelled due to me having a slight rise in temp. So trying again next friday. 

I know what you mean regards to recovering from the full node clearence I've also got numbness but it is easing quite alot now and it doesnt restrict me. I didnt ask my prognosis I really dont want to know , life can be very delicate anyway and I dont want to live life looking over my shoulder. I wouldn't be able to cope with knowing either. However we are all different and cope differently too. 

Have you had any ct scans ? Or bone scans ? 

Hope all goes well with your oncologist app and treatment plan. This forum is a great source of I formation and support. 

Take care 

Julie 

Hi Julie

Yes I had a ct scan it came back clear..not had any bone scans...I will be the same any trial they offer I wont do if theres a chance of the cance returning....also I've been told mine is fast growing 

I'll keep you posted & we ll probably be starting chemo about the same time 

Love Clare