Chemo Round Eight - half way there!

Congratulations on making it through the chemo.  Fabulous to finish.  I am looking forward to it but the ladies (and men) at HOCA are so supportive it will be sad not to see them and chat. 

With regard to the radiation, I have had a lumpectomy rather than a masectomy (at this stage).  When removed the lump was 30mm, stage 3 grade 3 and when I found it quite deep in the breast tissue (big boobs).  But close enough to the chest wall to be a niggle.  I told the surgeon to take the lot, his response was he would prefer conservative surgery at my age, but to be "careful what I wish for".  As it was they took a "small block of cheese"  from the mid breast so there is a definate weight and size difference in the before and after.

When removed the pathology indicated spindle cell with necrosis - so there is a possibility that there might be some radicals getting around, although my margins and nodes were clear.  So, in consultation with the surgeon and oncologist, taking into account my age, size of breasts, clear margins, but very mindful of the aggressiveness of my tumour (0-30mm in 8 weeks) chemo plus radiation was decided upon.   I understand that statistically radiation can give a better result with most BC, but my Oncologist stressed this is very individual, and in reality the treatment of TNM is all a bit of an unknown.  Alot depends on the individuals response to treatment.

I will have a scan before radiation (specific to effected breast) then after the radiation (and some healing time) I will be having a full body scan etc etc.  This will be both for myself and also as a contribution to the research int TNMBC.

My radiation oncologist has been very helpful (again through Mater).  He went over the risks (to lung etc) very thoroughly and the fact that in my case I will have a four week break at least between final chemo and first rads. He had a list of questions and answers from previous patients which covered a huge amount of information - more than I had considered. 

Due in part to my sensitive skin and the side effects.  But also they have found that the chemo effects tend to be lighter after four weeks so your body can respond to the rads better (fatigue etc).  They also recommended a couple of products for skin care.   Hopefully I will be finished in time for Christmas and summer swimming, but that depends on my skin I suppose.

Let me know how you go.

Take care.

 

I am so glad you are having a good run with Taxol.  I finished my 12 yesterday at Hoca with a good report card from the Oncologist and a warning not to try to do too much initially as the body needs time to recover from the toxicity.

I am also juicing - carrot, celery, ginger, apple, beetroot - and my bloodwork really improved, especially the Neutrophil counts.  Like you, little dairy and lots of vegetables, homemade soups.  You are doing so well with exercise - I walk along the beach for 1/2 hour - found fatigue set in around the session 9 mark - 10-12 were the toughest weeks, but nothing we can't handle.

I read you are having 30 radio therapies after you finish chemo - I have an appointment with the radiologist on the 9th August to discuss if I need it, and with a gyn-surgeon on the 10th re hysterectomy to reduce chances of recurrence.  Did your Specialist give you any statistics on the benefits of radio therapy?  Or was it just a given?  Like you I am TN metaplastic, no node involvement, clear margins - I just want to blitz it out of the park.  It was good to read about your American friend who is 5 years out and doing well!  We need to read these encouraging stories!  I am older than you, but young at heart and very active, and want to stay that way for years to come!

I am really interested to hear your response on radio therapy. Keep on with your great attitude - it is such a big plus -

Michelle x

 

 

I am so glad you are having a good run with Taxol.  I finished my 12 yesterday at Hoca with a good report card from the Oncologist and a warning not to try to do too much initially as the body needs time to recover from the toxicity.

I am also juicing - carrot, celery, ginger, apple, beetroot - and my bloodwork really improved, especially the Neutrophil counts.  Like you, little dairy and lots of vegetables, homemade soups.  You are doing so well with exercise - I walk along the beach for 1/2 hour - found fatigue set in around the session 9 mark - 10-12 were the toughest weeks, but nothing we can't handle.

I read you are having 30 radio therapies after you finish chemo - I have an appointment with the radiologist on the 9th August to discuss if I need it, and with a gyn-surgeon on the 10th re hysterectomy to reduce chances of recurrence.  Did your Specialist give you any statistics on the benefits of radio therapy?  Or was it just a given?  Like you I am TN metaplastic, no node involvement, clear margins - I just want to blitz it out of the park.  It was good to read about your American friend who is 5 years out and doing well!  We need to read these encouraging stories!  I am older than you, but young at heart and very active, and want to stay that way for years to come!

I am really interested to hear your response on radio therapy. Keep on with your great attitude - it is such a big plus -

Michelle x