Hi everyone Probably like you all, never in a million years did I think I would hear the “c” word yet here I am! Such a scary place.I had a lumpectomy last week and removal of sentinel lymph node and after a week of anxiously waiting, today I received my results over the phone. I am unsure what they mean but am seeing my doctor on Monday. From what I took in it is grade 2, stage 1A, er positive pr positive her2 negative clear margin & 0 lymph nodes. Before my surgery the dr said I would probably only need some radiation & not chemotherapy but I always thought chemotherapy was usually given.I am staying positive but still scared xx

Hello @HunnyB Welcome to our online community. Its a great question that you ask regarding chemotherapy. Treatment for breast cancer is very much tailored to suit the individual situation. Whether chemotherapy is required or not is dependent on lots of different factors. I would encouraged you to check in with your multidisciplinary team at your treating hospital and even have a discussion with a medical oncologist to see if chemotherapy is required or not. Do you have a breast care nurse that you can speak with? If you have further questions or concerns, dont hesitate to call our helpline to speak with a cancer nurse on 1800 500 258. Wishing you all the best

Hi Giovanna_BCNAThanks for your reply. My operation was done at a private hospital but my surgeon has referred me to the public hospital for radiation. I had my first appointment today at the hospital & met with a radiotherapy oncologist who has explained what will be happening going forward. Fortunately for me the cancer I had does not require chemotherapy, I will have 15 sessions of radiation which I start just after Easter then will go on medication for 5 years.I am feeling so very grateful xx

Sorry to see you here, @HunnyB .... but we'll do our best to help you thru this & give you as much support & info as you need to understand the process. I hope you are healing well following your lumpectomy.My own BC was found 'early', was small, was removed with none found in the nodes - and after a discussion with the Oncologist, it was decided that I wouldn't 'do' chemo - but would have radiation and then Hormone tablets.Make sure you ask for copies of EVERY TEST & RESULT that you have done! Get a big box & file everything in it (it needs to be bigger than a regular file holder due to the size of scans/xrays etc ... Store your reports there too.Chemo is not always used in every case of BC - it depends on the pathology result (make sure you grab a copy of that too!) They will explain to you why it does not apply to you, if you ask.Consider recording all your meetings with your health team too - just on your phone, as it is easy to forget what has been said. Write down any questions that you may have, so you can raise them at your meetings.Try not to overthink it all until you have your discussions with all the health team. Our minds go into overdrive & we often use Dr Google (when we SHOULDN'T - as so much of it is out of date & plain WRONG!) Treatment is an ever changing and trying to second guess it - can result in a lot of unnecessary stress & pressure!If you find yourself stressing out at all .... give the helpline a buzz here, 1800 500 258 - to chat about coping strategies.Wishing you all the best for your meetings & ongoing treatment xx

Hi HunnyB,Stay positive. Your pathology sounds a bit similar to mine, Grade 2 Stage 2A. Feel free to follow my threads/comments. I did not have chemo. I did the Oncotype DX genomic test. There are other similar tests. Your surgeon may discuss them with you. You will also see a medical oncologist as well as a radiation oncologist. They all have their own opinions. This is a scary time for you, waiting for a treatment plan and going through various tests. Everyone on this forum has been there and knows how you feel. Every BC is individual and unique, so treatment plans do vary. Get hold of copies of your test results for everything. Best wishes. x

Thank you all so much for your replies it is nice to have people who understand what you are going through & to make sense of all this craziness xxx

what does all this mean | BCNA Online Network

jennyss
Member
6 years ago
Dear @HunnyB,
Love your 'pen name'!

from jennyss in Western NSW
kmakm
Member
6 years ago
Another SUPer @Sister!
HunnyB
Member
6 years ago
Thanks girls for your messages 🥰
@arpie I am thinking positively & keep telling myself it’s going to be doable for me too, I have already purchased my udder cream, @Jwrenn yes they told me I could start 4 weeks from surgery. I am a water baby & swimming & standup paddle boarding are my regular exercise sessions & sanity savers so was really upset when I was told I can’t do either during treatment, I’ve already had 2 weeks out of the water due to op & healing so have decided to put off the start date until the week after Easter as we are camping I couldn’t bear not being in the water.
xoxo
Jwrenn
Member
6 years ago
@kmakm I did ask the original surgeon when I saw him in the clinic and he said it wouldn’t cost, I think because I was referred from the public system. Thank you for reminding me and I might give my bc nurse a call.
kmakm
Member
6 years ago
@Jwrenn Please make sure you know what your radiation therapy will cost well before you start. In the private system it can run into five figures. It's not covered by Medicare at all. I'd be calling them immediately. K xox
Jwrenn
Member
6 years ago
Hi @HunnyB, that’s great you have a date for radiation. Mine is reverse to you, surgery in public, radiation in a private hospital, hopefully I don’t have to pay anything much. My bc nurse was sent home sick on Tuesday when I saw the surgeon so I wasn’t able to find out through her about waiting times for radiation. I believe they usually let your wound heal for about 4 weeks before they start radiation.
Hugs again xx
arpie
Member
6 years ago
Great that you don't need chemo @HunnyB (same as me.). I had mine in a public hospital too & they were all just terrific.

I hope you find the radiation treatments as 'doable' as I did - Just make sure you lather up with lotion at least 3 times a day (but not BEFORE your treatment.) Also, if you notice any blisters or feel any discomfort, make sure you tell them when you go for your next treatment. They will asses you a few times during the treatment too.

Some people feel quite tired/exhausted as a side effect - I never really had tho, tho I WAS quite emotional on my last treatment, as they had become my 'daily support team' & I had become quite reliant on them.

take care & all the best xx
Keeping_positiv
Member
6 years ago
Hi Hunny
So pleased for you that what you were originally told about not need chemotherapy has turned out to be correct as stated by your doctor. All the best with the upcoming radiation therapy sessions.
HunnyB
Member
6 years ago
Hi Giovanna_BCNA
Thanks for your reply. My operation was done at a private hospital but my surgeon has referred me to the public hospital for radiation. I had my first appointment today at the hospital & met with a radiotherapy oncologist who has explained what will be happening going forward. Fortunately for me the cancer I had does not require chemotherapy, I will have 15 sessions of radiation which I start just after Easter then will go on medication for 5 years.
I am feeling so very grateful xx
Giovanna_BCNA
Member
6 years ago
Hello @HunnyB

Welcome to our online community. Its a great question that you ask regarding chemotherapy.
Treatment for breast cancer is very much tailored to suit the individual situation. Whether chemotherapy is required or not is dependent on lots of different factors. I would encouraged you to check in with your multidisciplinary team at your treating hospital and even have a discussion with a medical oncologist to see if chemotherapy is required or not.

Do you have a breast care nurse that you can speak with? If you have further questions or concerns, dont hesitate to call our helpline to speak with a cancer nurse on 1800 500 258. Wishing you all the best