Books

FiddleDeDe · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 10:51 am Post subject: Books

I went online and ordered a few more books to prepare myself for the road ahead. I'm still eagerly awaiting [i]Breast Cancer for Dummies[/i].

I also picked [i]Just Get Me Through This![/i] because it sounded like it would also be a good practical guide. What the description and the book cover did not indicate was that it's only for Stage I and II breast cancer women. Though after I start reading it, the author claims that if this book was recommended to me that I must be a woman with early cancer (I & II). Won't the treatment of a Stage III patient be similiar as far as chemo, surgery and radiation?

I've only read the first 27 pages but I don't like that she keeps wanting to put Stage I & II people in an entirely different category from Stage III and IV, as if they are the people with cancer and we are the "cancer patients that will eventually die from the disease."

Has anyone else read this book?
_________________
Age 37
dx 1/31/05
IDC 8cm
nodes+, #?
Grade 3
ER/PR-/Her-2-
miscarriage 13 wks
chemo 2/22/05 TAC, every 3 wks
masectomy planned after chemo

sgishelly · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: Books

Hi there,

I have real problem with categorizing people during cancer treatment. I think the treatment is similar regardless of staging although those at earlier stages may not undergo chemo and radiation. I know of people who are stage 3 and 4 who are years out from diagnosis...just as I know people who were stage 1, got treatment, then later had reoccurances and are now stage 4. Don't think because you are stage 3 that you are automatically worse off than anyone else. Also, some people will say that you are worse off with node involvement. I don't think people should make generalities. If anything, I think that stage 3 and 4 people and those with node involvement generally opt for more aggressive treatments. Each case is different. I know there are those here who will disagree with me but that's my take on it.
_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

Minnlady13 · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 4:55 pm Post subject: Re: Books

Fiddle, here is a list of recommended books from another breast cancer support board that I moderate. The list was compiled by bc survivors. I do not know if any of them specifically address Stage III breast cancer, but are good resouces. You also can get a free subscription to CURE magazine or find it online at curetoday.com. There are good articles on a variety of cancer issues. Hope this helps. Lauri

?The Breast Book? by Dr. Susan Love
?The Breast Cancer Survival Manual? by Dr. John Link
?A Women?s Decision? by Karen Berger
"After Breast Cancer" by Hester Hill Schnipper
'Breast Cancer There and Back - A woman to woman guide - Chemotherapy, Radiation, Wig Shopping, Remedies for Side Effects, and much more more" by Jami Bernard
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

FiddleDeDe · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: Books

Thanks ladies for those recommendations and advice. I see treating Stage III and II as not so different. Both generally get chemo. In my case I'm doing some chemo before the surgery and I might even be able to get away with less than a full masectomy that way.
_________________
Age 37
dx 1/31/05
IDC 8cm
nodes+, #?
Grade 3
ER/PR-/Her-2-
miscarriage 13 wks
chemo 2/22/05 TAC, every 3 wks
masectomy planned after chemo

AlaskaAngel · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 9:37 pm Post subject: Books

In regard to Just Get Me Through It, I agree with you FiddleDeDe. The book has some practical recommendations, but its focus is pretty myopic as it is written from the viewpoint of treatment for someone who is stage I or II and doesn't really think beyond that.

I found that tuning in to many of the telephone conferences and online discussions offered by Cancercare was worth the time, regardless of stage.

I used Dr. Love's books (including her menopause and hormone book); Dr. Link's books; Living Beyond Breast Cancer, by Marisa Wiess, and many, many textbooks.

Here are a few more recommendations I am still hoping to read, with the recommendations from other women:

"After Breast Cancer", by Musa Mayer

"The Victoria's Secret Catalog Never Stops Coming" by Jennie Nash. It too is a positive spin on what we learn because we have bc.

"The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook: Issues and Answers from Research to Recovery" by Kathy Steligo- if you're going thru reconstruction buy this one!

AlaskaAngel
_________________
Dx Dec 2001 at age 50
Lumpectomy Jan 2002, 1.6 cm IDC plus some DCIS
Node neg
ER+, PR+, HER2+++
CAF x 6, 35 rads+boost
NED
Tamoxfen 1 3/4 yrs
In 2 clinical trials
bc for mom and 1 sis and 1 aunt and 1 granny
ovarian cancer for 1 aunt

Madge · Regular Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 27

I too know women who were diagnosed Stage III - IV who are alive and NED. One woman, who has been such a big help and support to me, was dx Stage IV 12 years ago and she's here to tell us that we CAN survive, not to give up and we are all in it together - no matter the stage. Some are luckier than others but we are here to help each other through the thick and thin.

Since I was dx at Stage I I will look up the book and thanks Alaska Angel for the book on reconstruction. I have my 6M post-surgery oncology appt Thurs and see a plastic surgeon the following Tuesday. Wish me luck Razz

_________________
Madge
61-years young
Dx - 7/04
Bilateral Mastectomy (skin sparing) 8/19/04
Negative nodes
Micro-invasive DCIS, DCIS, LCIS
Stage T1a
ER/PR -
Her2 3+
No chemo, no radiation
Waiting for reconstruction

AlaskaAngel · Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 1:07 pm Post subject: Reconstruction

Definately I will be thinking of you, Madge, and hoping your appointment is a good one. I haven't read that book myself, but the comment was from the woman in another forum who read it, and I do want to read it too. I had another book with really good chapters on reconstruction and sent it to a survivor in Oroville, and will see if I can get her to tell me the title of that book too, as I didn't write it down before sending it to her.

A.A.

FiddleDeDe · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:12 am Post subject: Re: Books

Good luck Madge.
_________________
Age 37
dx 1/31/05
IDC 8cm
nodes+, #?
Grade 3
ER/PR-/Her-2-
miscarriage 13 wks
chemo 2/22/05 TAC, every 3 wks
masectomy planned after chemo

hhmv73a · Experienced user Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 95

Dear FiddleDeDe,

It is not true that patients with stage III or IV are ?cancer patients that will eventually die from the disease,? but the treatment is a little different. More patients with stage I and II disease can have lumpectomy and avoid chemotherapy compare to stage III patients. Physicians may describe diseases beyond stage I and II ?locally advanced breast cancer? although the majority will survive the disease and treatment.

Good Luck,

Dr. Jay Lu

FiddleDeDe · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Books

Thanks for the encouragement Dr. Lu. My surgeon and oncologist also believe I'm going to be "fine." And statistically it looks like the odds are still in my favor. I guess I'm going to have to let the discouraging comments roll off of me and focus on the positive.

sgishelly · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:42 pm Post subject: Re: Books

Fiddle,

You definately have to take everything in stride. Don't let negative comments bother you. There is so much they can do today that they couldn't do even a couple of years ago. And I think trying to maintain a positive attitude is a good thimg. I know sometimes it's hard....so throw yourself a pity party and get it overwith. That's what I do....me and a big bowl of chocolate ice cream. Laughing

_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

DanielleS · Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 1:26 am Post subject: Hi

Hi my name is Danielle. My mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. I just ordered a book off the internet. I am looking forward to getting it. Does your book have a lot of useful info in it? If it does, I will probably get that one too.
I saw on your profile, you will have a masectomy after chemo. Do they usually do it in that order. My mom has her appt. wednesday so we will find out then. We were hoping if she had a masectomy, she wouldn't have to get chemo.. is that possible, do you know?

Danielle
_________________
My mom
She is 44
Diagnosed 3/7/05
Lumpectomy
Mastectomy 3/29/05
Lymph node biopsy 3/24/05
1 cm
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Stage IIA
Chemo started 5/5/05
AC Taxol (dose dense)
Neupogen shots every other day for 4 months
ER+

FiddleDeDe · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 3:07 pm Post subject: Re: Books

I'm still sifting through the books, though the other ladies seem to have read several. I believe someone mentioned Breast Cancer for Dummies as a helpful book for getting through treatment.

Stage I and II patients usually do lumpectomies or in some cases modified masectomies. With small tumors, that can sometimes be enough. Chemo is offered to patients with large tumors and positive nodes. If there are unclear margins, family history or genetic testing that suggests high chance or reoccurance then more aggressive treatment may be offered such as masectomy, double masectomy and sometimes chemo.

The reason I am doing chemo first is that I have a large tumor and the PET scan showed some evidence of cancer in my armpit. In my situation, stopping the spread of cancer is more important than removing the localized cancer. Also by leaving the tumor in, we can see which forms of chemo will shrink it.

It sounds like your mom's cancer is much smaller and different than mine, but waiting for a biopsy report and doctor discussion is best. Assume it's small and easy to remove until told otherwise. Worrying can be paralyzing. Taking things one day at a time may seem cliched but it really works.

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