Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
1298675 tn?1286550183

Looking for a support group

On July 13, 2009 we found stage 3, grade 3, IDC left breast cancer that is HER 2 + and 2/7 nodes positive.  I choose a Lumpectomy which lead to a horrible infection for many months.  A nurse packed and unpacked the breast leaving chemo delayed and a lot of pain daily.  The PICC line caused two blood clots and Arixtra shots are given daily in my tummy.  By late November Herceptin was started and chemo followed in December.  Normal tests followed and other then an allergic reaction to the last one chemo treatment, I feel pretty good now.   I received a PORT about a month ago and love it.  Chemo is done and Radiation stimulation began when a new tumor close the where the other one appeared.  The Oncologist said it was nothing to worry about with all that I had been through.  To insure 100% certainly a biopsy was ordered.  The tumor is growing quickly.  The biopsy confirmed it is indeed cancer and since it has been less than a year they are calling it a local occurrence.  This means a spot was missed even though there were clear margins.  After an MRI this Tuesday, I need to make a decision with a new surgeon.  I am considering a double Mastectomy now.  When I asked my doctor how a tumor could grow when Herceptin and Chemo have been in my body for 5 months, shouldn’t it have stopped cancer from growing?  His reply was maybe blood flow in that area was not good and hopefully it prevented it from spreading at least.   Has anybody been here and done this with good reconstructive results?
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
That's the Wellness "Community" not Center in KY.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
If you ask your Oncologist  to work with you they can help you as far as what you can take that your insurance will cover.  I'm sure they run into this all the time with insurance companies and there's always an alternative.  My boyfriend has neuropathy in his hands and feet from chemo... I know its a huge price to pay to try to be well.  

I googled breast cancer support in KY and came up with The Wellness Center.  Its located in northern KY. ( not sure if that's near you)   They have different no cost programs that may be of help.  You could try to call them for info also.

Stay strong and lean on God, He's right there with you.
  
Helpful - 0
1298675 tn?1286550183
I never made it to the operating room.  The cancer spread to my internal organs and is now Stage IV with liver mets being the biggest problem, not to mention it is in a lot of places.  The doc says the liver is inoperable because the one large tumor is dead center.  The now 6.5 cm tumor in my breast stays until the liver cancer is gone.  Chemo appears to be my only alternative, so off to weekly chemo dosages twice, which caused my hands and fingers to tingle so it was stopped.  Now they want to put me on a chemo pill and it appears the insurance won't pay for it.   The meds are called xeloda and tykerb, anybody know what to expect?  The internet says low chance of survival.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Cancer Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Here are 15 ways to help prevent lung cancer.
New cervical cancer screening guidelines change when and how women should be tested for the disease.
They got it all wrong: Why the PSA test is imperative for saving lives from prostate cancer
Everything you wanted to know about colonoscopy but were afraid to ask
A quick primer on the different ways breast cancer can be treated.
Get the facts about this disease that affects more than 240,000 men each year.