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gleesond's avatar
gleesond
Member
15 years ago

A slight bump in the road

I had an appointment this morning with the radiation oncologist to discuss future treatment.  I definitely need 4 weeks of radiation which will be every day (Mon- Fri). I am still waiting for an appointment with the chemotherapy doctors to determine whether I need any chemo. If I do, it will be for 3 months and having injections every 3 weeks.  If there's one thing I'm learning through this process, it's patience.

I was also given a bit of scary news in that once they finalised all lymph node testing, they discovered a small amout (less than 1 mm) in one of them. They ended taking a total of 4 lymph nodes (I orginally thought only 2) and the cancer was detected in just 1 of the 4. This may mean I need chemotherapy to kill any cancer that may have travelled elsewhere.  Hearing this news was a huge blow this morning because I was so excited to think it hadn't got into the nodes.  In terms of when this all starts, I have to wait to first find out if I need chemo which would happen before radiation. 

I also found out that my cancer is hormone positive which means it feeds on estrogen and progesterone. This means that most likely I will be put on a drug called tamoxifin for up to 5 years.  Tamoxifen acts as an "anti-estrogen" in the body. Since estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer cells, Tamoxifen slows or stops the growth of breast cancer cells that are already present in the body. It is also used to prevent the development of cancer in the opposite breast. Although Tamoxifen acts as an "anti-estrogen" in breast tissue, it in fact acts like estrogen in other body systems.

Unfortunately this drug most likely will send me into early menopause at least until I finish taking it.  I was quite upset to learn this as it probably means we won't have the opportunity to consider any more children.  I recognise that Trevor and I are incredibly blessed to have the 2 children we have but it still is dissapointing to know the decision to have more may be taken away from us.

I guess you could say that today is a bit of a down day.  I think the thing that worries me the most is the thought of it coming back one day after they've gotten rid of it...I can't help but be drawn to stories of women that were cancer free for a period then it came back elsewhere. I know this won't be me but it's sometimes hard to not be a bit scared of those stories. 

9 Replies

  • Sarah_51's avatar
    Sarah_51
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Tanya

    Just wanted to say I love your profile picture............

  • Tanya's avatar
    Tanya
    Member
    15 years ago

    Nothing more to add, the girls have said it all.  And the fear does go away eventually, Never completely but give yourself time, it is only natural to be scared at the beginning.  I was a sooky la la for years afterwards!!

    You are in the best possible hands, Sabe (oncologist) is also a kind and wonderful man and he will take good care of you too, but my fingers are crossed that you wont need chemo :(

     

    Give it twelve months and I can see a few of us young gorgeous women on the front page of the Duo magazine, "saying don't mess with these gals, they kicked cancer's  a#@# !!!!".  ha ha

    Thanks for letting us know.

    Tanya xx  (I can feel a catch up getting closer)

     

  • gleesond's avatar
    gleesond
    Member
    15 years ago

    Thanks Moira....good to hear that in time that fear starts to fade...I suppose it's just learning to live with it isn't it? Appreciate your thoughts.

  • gleesond's avatar
    gleesond
    Member
    15 years ago

    Thanks Sarah...this site is just so reassuring for those of us going through this stupid cancer isn't it! Thanks for your tips, I'll start moisturising that area today!  Congrats on being near the end of your treatments....how exciting :-)

     

  • moira1's avatar
    moira1
    Member
    15 years ago

    bit of a bummer, but here hoping you dont have to do the chemo thing, as far as looking at stores of others having cancer come back in other places, i think everyone on this site has that thought in their head, my surgeon said, the anxiety of that fades as time goes on, and i think 2 years down the road, i still think now and again, but am able to push it away easier, so the old saying time is a healer has to be for us all as well. take care Moira

  • gleesond's avatar
    gleesond
    Member
    15 years ago

    Thanks Tanya...yes I was a bit gutted after initially getting such a good report. But, still, could be so much worse.  I go in next Tuesday for a meeting with Sally and am waiting for a call to make an appt to discuss chemo., ie. if I need it.  So waiting, waiting and more waiting. I find that the hardest - I just want to know what lies ahead and get stuck into it. The thought of losing my hair is a bit daunting but I guess that's the least of it.  I think we probably would freeze eggs and they did mention that to me as an option.  There's just so many ups and downs isn't there...but I'll be okay. Sure hope we get to meet soon!

  • Sarah_51's avatar
    Sarah_51
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Dawn

    Just read your blog and sounds a bit like me I am coming to the end of my treatments now and can definitely see a light!

    It's interesting how we all have BC but when you read all the different ways we have been treated make us all individual!

    I did have chemo after one of my sentinel nodes came up positive BUT I had a very large tumour so had a mastectomy and more lymph nodes removed (12) they all came back negative.

    The chemo was bearable 6 cycles. Having radiation at the moment and is a walk in the park in comparison. Yes it's a pain going every day but it's quick and done. My skin has been ok this week- my last week it's a bit red but they tell me it's hardly red compared to others. I did moisturise my skin every day after my mastectomy, my physio told me it was essential, also I have made sure put the cream on after my treatment in the changing room I believe the preparation has helped my skin survive so start moisturising!! I had my surgery in July 2010 so the skin was very supple and full of moisture - I used to have really dry skin so was a real turn around for me.

    I have found the journey OK saw it as something I had to do, have had great support from my husband, family and friends and feel quite motivated for the future.

    Good luck we are all different so it's ok to get down but you have to get up again!

    Love Sarah x

  • Tanya's avatar
    Tanya
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Dawn

    Well that is a bit dissapointing.  When do you visit the oncologist?  Fingers crossed you wont need chemo..

    You can always harvest your eggs before commencing any treatment just in case there is a chance you may want further children down the track.  Many other young women on this site have done that as well, so just make sure you know all your options before going into anything.

    Good luck.

    Tanya x

  • Tanya's avatar
    Tanya
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Dawn

    Well that is a bit dissapointing.  When do you visit the oncologist?  Fingers crossed you wont need chemo..

    You can always harvest your eggs before commencing any treatment just in case there is a chance you may want further children down the track.  Many other young women on this site have done that as well, so just make sure you know all your options before going into anything.

    Good luck.

    Tanya x