Forum Discussion
Romla
8 years agoMember
@Artferret My diagnosis back in March was very much same - lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy - 1.4 cm grade 2 not clear margin so back for widening the margin surgery. Had microstasis in 1 node . Node removed .Understand you are stunned but mitigate it by getting as much information as you can .Am not sure if you have the My Journey kit from BCNA but well worth getting it as will help clarify lots including providing questions you can ask the oncs. I saw the radio onc first as no chemo required - he planned my radiotherapy sessions which went thru in a blur as you go daily mon- fri - the actual sessions themselves don't take long but lot of time travelling and looking for parks plus times were different each day.There was a breast nurse available and saw her and the onc once a week to monitor progress . Biggest appointment was actually the planning session at the start where your zaps are mapped out by very tiny tattoosThe medical onc I saw next for hormone therapy as am er+ - they also deal with chemo which I did not have but that would have been before radiotherapy if I had had it.The medical onc organised tests for bone density as my drug thins bones and some other blood test can't remember what for and then gave me a script- In your case as you are premenopausal you will be taking Tamoxifen and it builds bones but yes there are side effects. Re side effects with hormone therapy the strong message the ladies on here gave me is stick with it and the side effects lessen as the body adapts plus they also provided heaps of tips to deal with them. The oncs usually work as part of a team ie surgeon , radio and medical oncs - on your treatment. Hope this helps - happy to answer any thing else you'd like to know that I can. Also there are resources you can download on the bcna site for more information - TBH the most frightening bit for me was after surgery and radio ended and I did not have so much frantic activity then I fell in a bit of a hole until some practical friends pushed me into looking outwards and connecting with other bc ladies - it made me realise there is a lot of us , there is a lot of support out there and most importantly life goes on . I understand your trepidation I felt the same at the outset - think it's more a background thing now but doubtless will come to the fore each time I visit the onc in charge.