Talk Cancer » Cancer Cells

% or amount of cCells in biopsy as nomogram factor

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

I am referring to the Parten Tables and cCells are Cancer Cells.

Response:

Hello All, A doc I interviewed today mentioned that the amount of cCells present in the biopsy cores is not factored into the nomogram score but should be. Perhaps he was just painting a rosy picture in my particular case. It seems like it should be a reasonable part of the success rate. Have you heard of this or does it seem valid to you? In my biopsy, 2 out of 10 cores were positive with "only" 2 millimeter and 3 millimeter cCell samples present. Which begs another question: how long are the cores? Thanks, WhiteSoxFan (Go Bears)

Response:

Cat balls, a follow-up

admin — Sat, 30 Apr 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

"Amethyst" wrote in news:1114932134.000545.162750 @l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com: > TMI ALERT for the following paragraph. Do not read if squeemish > @@@@@ > Interesting. In my case, my scrotal skin was sutured. I think this is > standard for human beings. (Not sure about dogs.) I had the empty sac > removed several months later for comfort reasons, not cosmetic reasons.

I wonder if this could be the reason for removal in large animals. Not that the bull could tell you how much discomfort he was in. Chak — After the "heroic" and "noble" struggle is over, what are we left with? Debt, body bags, and a generation scarred by witnessing destruction on a scale no private parties could be capable of. –Lew Rockwell

Response:

After the debate about how to neuter a cat, I remembered that one of my acquaintances from another newsgroup is a veterinarian, who until his retirement a couple of years ago ran a spay-and-neuter clinic in San Francisco. So I wrote and asked him why some vets remove the sac and some don’t, and here was his reply: "I’m afraid I’m going to give you a obvious answer. Sure you can excise the scrotum (sac) of the cat, and simply suture it, but why? For cosmetic reasons, I guess one could. Normally we just make a incision on each sac, just big enough to pull out the testicle and then tie the cord to the blood vessel so it won’t bleed to death and the cut the cord between the knot and the testicle. The scrotal skin is not sutured since the skin is so loose, the cut edges will just oppose each other and heal in about a week. All this takes a minute or two." Now, this doctor’s practice was entirely limited to urban household pets. I suspect that for whatever reason, vets who work on farm animals too are probably the ones who remove the sacs. Eva

Response:

"Eva" wrote in message

news:AWVce.376$jU6.328@trndny06… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> After the debate about how to neuter a cat, I remembered that one of my > acquaintances from another newsgroup is a veterinarian, who until his > retirement a couple of years ago ran a spay-and-neuter clinic in San > Francisco. So I wrote and asked him why some vets remove the sac and some > don’t, and here was his reply: > "I’m afraid I’m going to give you a obvious answer. Sure you can excise > the scrotum (sac) of the cat, and simply suture it, but why? For > cosmetic reasons, I guess one could. Normally we just make a incision on > each sac, just big enough to pull out the testicle and then tie the cord > to the blood vessel so it won’t bleed to death and the cut the cord > between the knot and the testicle. The scrotal skin is not sutured since > the skin is so loose, the cut edges will just oppose each other and heal > in about a week. All this takes a minute or two." > Now, this doctor’s practice was entirely limited to urban household pets. I > suspect that for whatever reason, vets who work on farm animals too are > probably the ones who remove the sacs. > Eva

I suspect the same. And, as a tangential thing to the hairballs/cat barf thread – wherever it now is??… For those who haven’t seen this yet, & would like some amusement (however, possible gross-out warning involved! – except for the cute pics of Mr. Boogers, the cat), how about this link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1469&item=5572… I’d say it’s a tie between Elvis & Abe, except the hairdo’s wrong for Abe! And no, I wasn’t searching for anything that could’ve come up w/ this particular auction! – it’s traveling around on the internet at the moment. At first, my thought was: who in hell would auction this off??! But then my thought was: Hey, she’s ahead by $120+, & a bunch of people bid, & one person actually *paid* $127 for the item! I also thought: maybe I better start examining my cats’ hairball offerings even more closely. Cathy

Response:

"Amethyst" wrote in message

news:1114932134.000545.162750@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > "I’m afraid I’m going to give you a obvious answer. Sure you can > excise > > the scrotum (sac) of the cat, and simply suture it, but why? For > > cosmetic reasons, I guess one could. Normally we just make a incision > on > > each sac, just big enough to pull out the testicle and then tie the > cord > > to the blood vessel so it won’t bleed to death and the cut the cord > > between the knot and the testicle. The scrotal skin is not sutured > since > > the skin is so loose, the cut edges will just oppose each other and > heal > > in about a week. All this takes a minute or two." > TMI ALERT for the following paragraph. Do not read if squeemish > @@@@@ > Interesting. In my case, my scrotal skin was sutured. I think this is > standard for human beings. (Not sure about dogs.) I had the empty sac > removed several months later for comfort reasons, not cosmetic reasons.

When I read a few of the links for dogs’ castrations, they said that instead of a little incision in each sac (as for cats), that usually one incision is made on the lower abdomen centered slightly above the scrotum, & then the testicles pulled up & excised. Cathy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Cathy Friedmann wrote: > When I read a few of the links for dogs’ castrations, they said that instead > of a little incision in each sac (as for cats), that usually one incision is > made on the lower abdomen centered slightly above the scrotum, & then the > testicles pulled up & excised.

This is the way they do it for males with testicular cancer. There is less chance of cancer cells escaping. More work is involved, of course.

Response:

Eva wrote: > You probably could have avoided the discomfort by walking on all fours! > Seriously, thanks for the input. > Eva

To: Medical Unit Please assign Harry Andruschak to Light Duty in the aftermath of his surgery. He will be required to walk on all fours during this period, so his duties must not require anything that would need his standing on two feet, or even sitting down. @@@@@ Somehow, someway, I don’t see the USPS going for that one.

Response:

"Amethyst" wrote in message

——— You probably could have avoided the discomfort by walking on all fours! Seriously, thanks for the input. Eva

Response:

> "I’m afraid I’m going to give you a obvious answer. Sure you can excise > the scrotum (sac) of the cat, and simply suture it, but why? For > cosmetic reasons, I guess one could. Normally we just make a incision on > each sac, just big enough to pull out the testicle and then tie the cord > to the blood vessel so it won’t bleed to death and the cut the cord > between the knot and the testicle. The scrotal skin is not sutured since > the skin is so loose, the cut edges will just oppose each other and heal > in about a week. All this takes a minute or two."

TMI ALERT for the following paragraph. Do not read if squeemish @@@@@ Interesting. In my case, my scrotal skin was sutured. I think this is standard for human beings. (Not sure about dogs.) I had the empty sac removed several months later for comfort reasons, not cosmetic reasons.

Response:

"Cathy Friedmann" wrote in message

news:u-OdnYDQAc7npOnfRVn-og@adelphia.com… > And, as a tangential thing to the hairballs/cat barf thread – wherever it > now is??… For those who haven’t seen this yet, & would like some > amusement (however, possible gross-out warning involved! – except for the > cute pics of Mr. Boogers, the cat), how about this link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1469&item=5572… ———- That…..is……VILE!!!!!!!! BAD Cathy! NO treats for you! Eva

Response:

"Eva" wrote in message

news:JUWce.3792$yd1.3339@trndny01… > "Cathy Friedmann" wrote in message > news:u-OdnYDQAc7npOnfRVn-og@adelphia.com… > > And, as a tangential thing to the hairballs/cat barf thread – wherever it > > now is??… For those who haven’t seen this yet, & would like some > > amusement (however, possible gross-out warning involved! – except for the > > cute pics of Mr. Boogers, the cat), how about this link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1469&item=5572… > ———- > That…..is……VILE!!!!!!!! > BAD Cathy! NO treats for you! > Eva

;-D I thought it was funny! Gross & rather on the weird side, but amusing! Cathy

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Cathy Friedmann wrote: > And, as a tangential thing to the hairballs/cat barf thread – wherever it > now is??… For those who haven’t seen this yet, & would like some > amusement (however, possible gross-out warning involved! – except for the > cute pics of Mr. Boogers, the cat), how about this link: > http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1469&item=5572… > I’d say it’s a tie between Elvis & Abe, except the hairdo’s wrong for Abe! > And no, I wasn’t searching for anything that could’ve come up w/ this > particular auction! – it’s traveling around on the internet at the moment. > > At first, my thought was: who in hell would auction this off??! But then my > thought was: Hey, she’s ahead by $120+, & a bunch of people bid, & one > person actually *paid* $127 for the item! I also thought: maybe I > better start examining my cats’ hairball offerings even more closely.

Now this is really one for the YJCMTSU files!!! FurPaw — "Here we go round the prickly pear At five o’clock in the morning." – T. S. Eliot To reply, unleash the dog

Response:

Spousal query

admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Guidelines I recieved were no Oxidants and any herbal supplements. Drink a lot of water and keep your systems working….:)

Response:

This request for information is from my wife, who wants to be prepared and doesn’t want to wait to be told, as I said we would be. The query is: Are there any dietary guidelines for patients receiving RT? I.e.,. what and what not to eat. Thanks a lot.

Guide given to my husband related to avoiding and or treating damage when cells lining the intestines are exposed to radiation. "Once they are damaged, they are not able to take in fluid, which results in frequent soft or loose stools. Eating a low fiber diet will help reduce the number of soft or loose stools, and will assist in healing damaged tissues. some examples of low fiber foods are: Creamed Soups Eggs Cheese Coked vegetables Potatoes Broiled meats" Also: 1. Eat Three small meals with small snacks between meals. 2. Try warm instead of hot or cold foods. Hot foods speed up the rate food travels through the stomach and intestines. 3. Eat foods low in roughage or fiber to reduce stool volume: Chicken, Fish, Canned or well cooked vegetables, eggs, white bread, fruits without skins,tender cooked meats, rice and noodles, fruit juices, smooth peanut butter, yogurt, cooked cereals. 4. Avoid food that cause gas and cramping: Beer, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chewing gum, Colas or other sodas, Corn, Dried beans and peas, Fried foods Raw fruits, Raw vegetables, Spicy food that contain hot pepper, curry, or Cajun spices. 5. Try to chew wit your mouth closed. 6. Drink beverages 45 to one hour before or after meals. 7. Minimize activity for one hour after meals. 8. Limit beverages that contain caffeine, like strong coffee, strong tea, colas or other sodas and chocolate. 9. Add nutmeg to food (This spice may help to slow down the movement of your bowels.)

Response:

Thank you so very much. This is really helpful.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This request for information is from my wife, who wants to be prepared and doesn’t want to wait to be told, as I said we would be. The query is: Are there any dietary guidelines for patients receiving RT? I.e.,. what and what not to eat. Thanks a lot. Guide given to my husband related to avoiding and or treating damage when cells lining the intestines are exposed to radiation. "Once they are damaged, they are not able to take in fluid, which results in frequent soft or loose stools. Eating a low fiber diet will help reduce the number of soft or loose stools, and will assist in healing damaged tissues. some examples of low fiber foods are: Creamed Soups Eggs Cheese Coked vegetables Potatoes Broiled meats" Also: 1. Eat Three small meals with small snacks between meals. 2. Try warm instead of hot or cold foods. Hot foods speed up the rate food travels through the stomach and intestines. 3. Eat foods low in roughage or fiber to reduce stool volume: Chicken, Fish, Canned or well cooked vegetables, eggs, white bread, fruits without skins,tender cooked meats, rice and noodles, fruit juices, smooth peanut butter, yogurt, cooked cereals. 4. Avoid food that cause gas and cramping: Beer, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chewing gum, Colas or other sodas, Corn, Dried beans and peas, Fried foods Raw fruits, Raw vegetables, Spicy food that contain hot pepper, curry, or Cajun spices. 5. Try to chew wit your mouth closed. 6. Drink beverages 45 to one hour before or after meals. 7. Minimize activity for one hour after meals. 8. Limit beverages that contain caffeine, like strong coffee, strong tea, colas or other sodas and chocolate. 9. Add nutmeg to food (This spice may help to slow down the movement of your bowels.)

Response:

Oops…..forgot to mention that…..thanks. Ron drank a lot of bottled water as well. As it was at least 1.5 hours to the hospital, I made sure we had 1 or 2 small bottles with us in the car. Maybe someone who has had radiation (or knowledge thereof) could answer this one. My brother-in-law had the usual 42 treatments for T1a Pca at the same hospital as Stavros, and he had to drink a small bottle of water 30 minutes before his radiation treatment. Ron never had to do that with his. Differing medical opinions? Guess who had some colon problems…….brother-in-law…and I believe the water was to aid in avoiding that. Odd. Heather

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had no problem eating anything during RT. However, I drank water like a fish. Drinking water is highly, very highly, recommended. — Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3bN0M0 Seminal Vesicle involvement, Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum This request for information is from my wife, who wants to be prepared and doesn’t want to wait to be told, as I said we would be. The query is: Are there any dietary guidelines for patients receiving RT? I.e.,. what and what not to eat. Thanks a lot.

Response:

I had no problem eating anything during RT. However, I drank water like a fish. Drinking water is highly, very highly, recommended. — Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3bN0M0 Seminal Vesicle involvement, Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum

Response:

Stavros, One thing I have noticed over the past few months is that if I consume "any amount" of beer, it’s as though I had not taken my Cardura and I’m up several times during the night . It’s wierd as I can have a mixed drink or a glass of wine with no ill effects; one beer and I’m up several times during the night, and going slowly. Makes one wonder; what the heck is in beer that’s not in the other beverages, and has this affected anyone else. Tom

Response:

Hi Stavros…… I couldn’t remember, but got the Sunnybrook booklet out and there are really no dietary concerns so long as you are not constipated or the opposite. Ron doesn’t remember having any special diet or problems at all. But one thing that is important is to stop large doses of vitamins or anti-oxidants……they may prevent the radiation from destroying cancer cells. (I am quoting the pamphlet here.) In particular, it says you are NOT to take antioxidant supplements such as Vitamin E, C, Beta-carotene and Selenium during radiation and for at least one week after. Ordinary multivitamins are quite OK. Ron had to quit the first two (E & C) and he had taken large doses of them for 30 years. Oh…..just saw that you shouldn’t drink alcohol either……it could cause bladder irritation. But you will be told all of this when you go for your tattoos and cat scans. Hope this helps……Heather – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

TBL-12 Immune System Modulator

admin — Mon, 27 Dec 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

TBL-12 Immune Modulator. www.health-effects.net for TBL-12 immune modulator. Boost immune system to help fight cancer cells, HIV Aids and Arthritis, natural health remedy promoting wellness and Good health. Expressed globally open 24 hours/7days per week. Contact www.health-effects.net http://www.aegis.com/news/bw/1998/BW980206.html

Response:

I use mine as floor cleaner, car polish, and cake frosting!

Response:

And it’s wonderful as a lawn fertilizer, too! Steve J — "A man’s most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe." –Euripides

Response:

What is it?

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Asking again just what sentinel is – sorry I am so dumb.

Response:

Asking again just what sentinel is – sorry I am so dumb.

A sentinel node is the lymph node through which lymph passes from a tumor back to the lymph channels leading to the heart. They now inject a tracer material near the tumor and see which node it goes to, then take just one or a few nodes from that region. It is called a sentinel node because it is the first guard point filtering cancer cells that might escape into the lymphatics. The old method took a large number of nodes, which more often resulted in swelling of the arm, called lymphedema. The sentinel node technique is fairly new, being in common use less than ten years.

Response:

mets again agghhhh

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

hey there all linda bliss here you remember me?? i hope so i told you i had bc in ‘99 stage 2 grade 3 had the chemo rads and all was NED until aug 2003 when discovered mets to upper mediastinal..been on femara since november 2003 when uh oh last month i started to have tummy pains and went back to onc who ordered ct scans and sonogram and guess what?? the darn cancer has now mets to lymph nodes in abdomen. not a secondary thank god but from orig bc. had 6 weeks of intense rads march to may 2004 for upper mediastinal and now this crap. had surgery today to place port in cuz i am starting chemo friday once a week for 4 to 6 months of taxotere. ok so what does this all mean..this was NOT supposed to happen again to me darn it. onc says 50% chance will go into remission. good odds??? dont know but i am angry again anyone else have this??? thoughts???? frantic here love linda

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hey there all linda bliss here you remember me?? i hope so i told you i had bc in ‘99 stage 2 grade 3 had the chemo rads and all was NED until aug 2003 when discovered mets to upper mediastinal..been on femara since november 2003 when uh oh last month i started to have tummy pains and went back to onc who ordered ct scans and sonogram and guess what?? the darn cancer has now mets to lymph nodes in abdomen. not a secondary thank god but from orig bc. had 6 weeks of intense rads march to may 2004 for upper mediastinal and now this crap. had surgery today to place port in cuz i am starting chemo friday once a week for 4 to 6 months of taxotere. ok so what does this all mean..this was NOT supposed to happen again to me darn it. onc says 50% chance will go into remission. good odds??? dont know but i am angry again anyone else have this??? thoughts???? frantic here love linda

Linda, So sorry to hear you are going thru it, YET AGAIN!..I don’t know anything about mets not even my own, which I have. But, I’m wishing you all the best and 50% sounds pretty good to me…Pat From Apple VAlley, CA

Response:

Linda, sorry to hear that you are having difficulty. DARN! No fun I have had enlarged retroperitoneal nodes and an enlarged aortocaval node from the start–thats over 3 years. By the way, um, can’t remember did you have lobular or ductal bc? It is just as likely that lobular will metastasize to the abdomina/gastrointestinal area as anywhere else. Anyway…My best thoughts and positive prayers are with you. {{{Hugs}}}

Response:

Hi Linda, I’m so very sorry to hear you are doing this yet again. I don’t have a single constructive thing to contribute, except that I’m thinking of you and hoping and praying that your next chemo plays *&## on the cancer cells and that you have few (or no) side effects. Hugs. Barb

Response:

radiation now

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Hi Linda, I am so happy the Femara seems to be helping you! You’ve already been through hell and this is wonderful news that you might go into remission. You go ahead and vent whenever you feel like it, that’s one of the things this group is for. I’ll be praying for you. Marianne

Response:

well anyway thats what i needed to do is vent and vent i did. hope not one of you are offended by my venting.

Vent away. Linda. There’s nothing about this disease that doesn’t cause the need….. I am praying that your treatment zaps cancer cells and that you manage the side effects. Thinking about you and wishing you well. Barb

Response:

Linda Bliss write: << i have been on femara since november 2003 and ca27-29 has gone from 200 to 100 to 90 cant figure it out. Glad to hear that your tumor markers have been steadily decreasing–good sign!

Response:

gone from 200 to 100 to 90 cant figure it out. ack — re-writing this, again, just got knocked off-line. Going backwards (in terms of my writing). No need to apologize for venting–that’s one of the reasons this group is here. Again, my first post was accidentally sent too soon. Glad to hear that your tumor markers are steadily decreasing–good sign! My continued best thoughts, prayers, and good luck with the radiaton! (((Hugs))) P.S. Cancer sucks!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hello linda bliss here i am sure you all remember whats been happening with me i have mets to upper mediastinal like deborah does ( allan;s wife) i am not a candidate for herceptin since my HER2 is – and ER PR + i have been on femara since november 2003 and ca27-29 has gone from 200 to 100 to 90 cant figure it out. anyways i started 6 weeks of intense radiation therapy. i week down 5 left and i am exhausted. oncologist is hoping that this radiation will zap the little beast in my chest wall and hopefully i will somehow go into remission. he did say to me that he might want to start chemo after radiation..the pill form. i am just so sick of not feeling myself and i am sick of being tired and i am sick of cancer and i am sick of mets and i hate the whole dam thing. well anyway thats what i needed to do is vent and vent i did. hope not one of you are offended by my venting. love linda

like…Catherine C.

Response:

hello linda bliss here i am sure you all remember whats been happening with me i have mets to upper mediastinal like deborah does ( allan;s wife) i am not a candidate for herceptin since my HER2 is – and ER PR + i have been on femara since november 2003 and ca27-29 has gone from 200 to 100 to 90 cant figure it out. anyways i started 6 weeks of intense radiation therapy. i week down 5 left and i am exhausted. oncologist is hoping that this radiation will zap the little beast in my chest wall and hopefully i will somehow go into remission. he did say to me that he might want to start chemo after radiation..the pill form. i am just so sick of not feeling myself and i am sick of being tired and i am sick of cancer and i am sick of mets and i hate the whole dam thing. well anyway thats what i needed to do is vent and vent i did. hope not one of you are offended by my venting. love linda allan: good news for your wife yippeeee

Response:

Woohoo! Markers down!

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

from 61 to 41. Just wondering if you knew what the difference was between CA 15-3 and CA 27.29. I know that some dr’/hospitals measure the latter instead of the former–but was not able to find out how they were actually different, if at all, in terms of what is actually being assessed. I am not even sure why a swich was made unless they are the same and one test is less expensive to run than the other???

Response:

Hi, guys – We went to see Dr. Smiley yesterday and after half a dozen weeks of Herceptin Deborah’s CEA has dropped from 4.9 to 4.6 and her CA15-3 from 61 to 41.

Yay, Yay, YAY, *YAY*!

Response:

Just wondering if you knew what the difference was between CA 15-3 and CA 27.29. I know that some dr’/hospitals measure the latter instead of the former–but was not able to find out how they were actually different, if at all, in terms of what is actually being assessed. I am not even sure why a swich was made unless they are the same and one test is less expensive to run than the other???

They measure two different proteins but the normal range is the same (0-29 mcg/ml). Here’s an interesting read – http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/45/5/630 — we see things not as they are, but as we are. — Anais Nin

Response:

<< We went to see Dr. Smiley yesterday and after half a dozen weeks of Herceptin Deborah’s CEA has dropped from 4.9 to 4.6 and her CA15-3 from 61 to 41. I was a bit skeptical about Herceptin working a second time around but it appears to be doing the trick. We added Navelbine to the mix now Allan, that’s fantastic–so glad to hear. I wasn’t skeptical about the Herceptin and Navelbine working again–’cause it had still been working at the time it was discontinued, wasn’t it? I might have been skeptical had it stopped working back then. However, I have heard of chemo drugs still working on some of the cancer cells s even if they still don’t work on all of ‘em. It is such an individual and ‘tricky’ disease to treat. One size does NOT fit all….

Response:

Wonderful news ! A co worker had surgery for implants a month ago and still not back to work yet!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, guys – We went to see Dr. Smiley yesterday and after half a dozen weeks of Herceptin Deborah’s CEA has dropped from 4.9 to 4.6 and her CA15-3 from 61 to 41. I was a bit skeptical about Herceptin working a second time around but it appears to be doing the trick. We added Navelbine to the mix now so we’re officially back on chemo but so far results are promising. Deborah was a little tired after treatment but is okay so far. The day after Herceptin is usually worst for the slight allergic reaction she’s had and Dr. Smiley couldn’t really explain why she’s reacting this time and didn’t three years ago but each treatment seems to get a little easier. Anyway, life is good. So far we’re still hitting this thing with everything we’ve got – so Deborah is taking daily Arimidex and monthly Zoladex in addition to weekly Herceptin and Navelbine on day 1 and 8 of a 21 day cycle. I guess there’s still a bit of fight left in the girl. We really needed some good news. The only down side was re Deborah’s dental implants. Dr, Smiley and Deborah’s oral surgeon decided not to do the implants anytime soon so she’s kinda stuck with a couple of plates instead of the high-tech stuff she had planned. Maybe we can revisit this when we get off chemo. But all in all, woohoo!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, guys – We went to see Dr. Smiley yesterday and after half a dozen weeks of Herceptin Deborah’s CEA has dropped from 4.9 to 4.6 and her CA15-3 from 61 to 41. I was a bit skeptical about Herceptin working a second time around but it appears to be doing the trick. We added Navelbine to the mix now so we’re officially back on chemo but so far results are promising. Deborah was a little tired after treatment but is okay so far. The day after Herceptin is usually worst for the slight allergic reaction she’s had and Dr. Smiley couldn’t really explain why she’s reacting this time and didn’t three years ago but each treatment seems to get a little easier. Anyway, life is good. So far we’re still hitting this thing with everything we’ve got – so Deborah is taking daily Arimidex and monthly Zoladex in addition to weekly Herceptin and Navelbine on day 1 and 8 of a 21 day cycle. I guess there’s still a bit of fight left in the girl. We really needed some good news. The only down side was re Deborah’s dental implants. Dr, Smiley and Deborah’s oral surgeon decided not to do the implants anytime soon so she’s kinda stuck with a couple of plates instead of the high-tech stuff she had planned. Maybe we can revisit this when we get off chemo. But all in all, woohoo!

Hi Allan, It sure is great to hear that Deborah is doing ok on the current regimen and that the markers are showing improvement! Give her my best wishes and most positive thoughts for continued good result. Take good care of each other! Barb

Response:

allan, Thanks so much for sharing this good news. I’m thrilled for you and Deborah. Praying that it continues! Take care. …lisa

Response:

I’m very, very pleased for you both. Bugger the implants, they can wait. Love, Mary

Response:

Hi, guys – We went to see Dr. Smiley yesterday and after half a dozen weeks of Herceptin Deborah’s CEA has dropped from 4.9 to 4.6 and her CA15-3 from 61 to 41. I was a bit skeptical about Herceptin working a second time around but it appears to be doing the trick. We added Navelbine to the mix now so we’re officially back on chemo but so far results are promising. Deborah was a little tired after treatment but is okay so far. The day after Herceptin is usually worst for the slight allergic reaction she’s had and Dr. Smiley couldn’t really explain why she’s reacting this time and didn’t three years ago but each treatment seems to get a little easier. Anyway, life is good. So far we’re still hitting this thing with everything we’ve got – so Deborah is taking daily Arimidex and monthly Zoladex in addition to weekly Herceptin and Navelbine on day 1 and 8 of a 21 day cycle. I guess there’s still a bit of fight left in the girl. We really needed some good news. The only down side was re Deborah’s dental implants. Dr, Smiley and Deborah’s oral surgeon decided not to do the implants anytime soon so she’s kinda stuck with a couple of plates instead of the high-tech stuff she had planned. Maybe we can revisit this when we get off chemo. But all in all, woohoo!

Response:

Pre-cancer cells

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

On the report from the lab it said that they found pre-cancer cells…… What does this mean?

Response:

On the report from the lab it said that they found pre-cancer cells…… What does this mean?

The cells show changes in their size and/or shape and probably in the shape of their nucleus. They are not yet malignant, but they have undergone the first changes leading to malignancy.

Response:

when to start chemo?

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

How long after lumpectomy surgery should one begin chemo?

Response:

I started mine 5 weeks after. They wanted to do it at 4 weeks but that was the weekend our son got married. God Bless you and good luck. Nancy

Response:

I was told between 5- 8 weeks, although I don’t think there is anything official — ALEXANDRA KOFFMAN

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How long after lumpectomy surgery should one begin chemo?

Response:

How long after lumpectomy surgery should one begin chemo?

I was told that they wanted to wait for the wound to heal as the chemo would attack the raw wound as it would the cancer cells..Mine started 6 weeks after surgery…Pat