tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270295314303107937.post1608452864990194910..comments2023-09-13T07:16:00.604-07:00Comments on Annie&Isabel: Pink Pockets - A Must for Breast Cancer PatientsSelena and Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18145906394298967359noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270295314303107937.post-22494680124009869722010-11-07T05:59:41.478-08:002010-11-07T05:59:41.478-08:00Hi friends! Thansks for the super write up - as so...Hi friends! Thansks for the super write up - as soon as I get my blog up (I keep saying that...) I'll feature my great friends at Annie and Isabel. Here's a response to Shari's great questions:<br /><br />When I was diagnosed at age 39, my tumor was just over 2 cm and they found microscopic particles in the sentinel lymph node. I did 6 months of chemo after my mastectomy. I know a number of women my age who are 'node negative' but since they are so young, the doctors will often recommend chemo 'just in case'. Its a tough call - you don't want to go thru chemo - but on the other hand, those nasty cancer cells can find a bad place to hide and do damage - lungs, liver, brain. I also know a number of women my age that are 'Stage 4' - a terribly scary prospect to be sure. I think if I had been give the choice to do chemo, I would have without a second thought. <br /><br />My sister and I did the genetic test (I am also a trained speaker by Myriad gene testing to share my story with others about genetic testing - why I did it and what it meant for me). When my twin had the test done in 2003, she was given a result of 'yes you have a genetic mutation, but it is of uncertain significance' - meaning, we just don't have enough data to predict what your chances are of developing breast or ovarian cancer, statistically speaking. She had the test a second time - same result. By this point - my aunt had died of a breast cancer recurrence. We don't know if she had the genetic mutation or not. Still - I was being screened pretty thoroughly - I didn't have the gene test - until I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time, my twin and I both tested positive for the same mutation. My twin also had a 2nd mutation - in the BRAC2. So in addition to my mastectomy, I had my ovaries removed too. I am blessed that I was completely done with childbearing - 4 kids is a brood afterall. My twin - while she was a 7 year survivor and cancer-free - decided to do the prophylactic bilateral mastectomy, hysterectomy, and ovary removal. She's all done with her surgeries - and we both look forward to breathing a little easier regarding cancer recurrence. Of course - there are no guarantees. But we have both reduced our chances that this kind of cancer will return. We still must - as must all women - be diligent though. Be healthy and aware. Not a hypocondriac - but if something feels off - get it checked out asap. Don't blow off your health - you are way to important to someone!Diane LeBleuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04154291173162531719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270295314303107937.post-7256874271764396992010-11-06T14:31:35.178-07:002010-11-06T14:31:35.178-07:00Hi Diane! You, as well as your creativity and inge...Hi Diane! You, as well as your creativity and ingenuity, are amazing! :D I hope both you and your sister remain cancer-free forever!! I have 2 quick questions, being the daughter of a breast cancer survivor and knowing many other women (including some younger ones) who've had the disease.<br /><br />First, since your tumor was so small, I'm assuming it had not spread to the lymph nodes. If that's true, then I was curious why you had chemo? My mom had a Stage 1 tumor but when her surgeon found no cancer cells in the lymph nodes, she chose to have a lumpectomy, radiation & tamoxifen, as she was terrified of the toxic side effects of chemo, & also her doctor and surgeon both felt she didn't need chemo.<br /><br />Second question: since you and your sister both developed breast cancer under the age of 40, did you both test positive for one of the BRCA mutations? I've heard that the vast majority of breast cancer in women under 40 is caused by this mutation. Also, since both mutations scarily raise the likelihood of ovarian cancer as well, I wondered if either of you had prophylactic oophorectomies (esp. since ovarian cancer is much harder to "discover" than breast, seeing as we can't touch our ovaries like we touch our breasts).<br /><br />Shari in Cali. (shari516 at yahoo dot com)<br /><br />P.S. How does the "Open ID" method of leaving a comment work? I chose it, but then was asked to provide an Open ID URL. I have no idea what type of URL I'm supposed to provide, and the template didn't explain how Open ID works. Sorry if that sounds lame! *blush*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com