Forum Discussion

LP020406's avatar
LP020406
New member
16 hours ago

Write off 6 to 12 months?

I was given a diagnosis today of small tumor, early invasive breast cancer, double hormone positive and I have an appointment with surgeon in 1 week.

At just-turned-60, the next 9 months were supposed to include 2 sons' graduations, 1 son's wedding (a family first), our 25th wedding celebration, a road trip to find-purchase-or-build a new home in a tree-change location in another state, and downsizing-packing-relocating.

Surgeon and nurse at breast clinic today seemed to think "we can work around things" ...is that realistic? 

What is the most valuable question to ask the surgeon, next week, re time frames and realistic expectations?

Thanks.

 

emotions
family
surgery
treatment decisions

3 Replies

  • Suki's avatar
    Suki
    Member
    18 minutes ago

    Hi LP020406​ 

    Sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

    It is absolutely possible to work around things and your team will do their best to make that happen.  Just keep reminding them of what you have coming up.

    We had already booked an overseas holiday when I was diagnosed with HR+ HER2+ invasive breast cancer.  I completed neoadjuvant chemo and surgery, then had a second surgery for an infection before our trip.  I also had to continue with a targeted therapy and start hormone therapy around the travel time.

    Both my oncologist and surgeon told me not to cancel the trip and that they would do their best to make it happen.  The second surgery (for the infection) cut it fine timing wise, but we made it! 

    My oncologist rearranged my targeted therapy appointments around the travel and my surgeon made sure I had appropriate (overseas legal) medications for my travel destination and advised me on what to do if my health declined overseas.  I also didn't start hormone therapy until I returned to Australia.

    Everything turned out well and I really enjoyed the trip.

    All the best xx

  • Moomincorn's avatar
    Moomincorn
    Member
    7 hours ago

    LP020406​ I'm sorry for your diagnosis.

    Understanding timeframes is tricky because there are probably some unknowns and decisions to be made at the stage that you're at. 

    Has the surgeon provided any expectations of steps post-surgery? e.g. radiation and then endocrine therapy? And have they mentioned the grade of your tumor? e.g. grade 1 is slow growing

    I was 46 when diagnosed early Sep 2025. I had two surgeries and radiation which finished early Feb 2026. That active treatment would have been wrapped up quicker if I hadn't needed a second surgery, and if we hadn't then ended up in the Christmas/New Year's time in a regional area and had to wait to start radiation mid-January. 

    I continued working part-time through-out except one week off after the first surgery, and two weeks off after the second surgery. The radiation tired me the most but I worked through the treatment and slept extra on my days off.

    I'd like to think that they will help time things around your important events that are unmoveable. 

    You could also ask the surgeon how long they think your recovery would be after the surgery, and then how long you might wait to do the next step.

    • LP020406's avatar
      LP020406
      New member
      3 hours ago

      Thank you for that. It's all questions right now, so I'm trying to work out which questions to ask first, so your input is helpful. All the best for your continuing recovery.