Results today. Back to surgery. They missed the nodes??

Sorry Debbie not Donna, lol. xx

Thanks Donna, you made me smile. Appreciate the positive reply..x

Hi Kazza,

Just a quick response, I had chemo & had no nausea or vomiting which was the one thing I was most scared about. I had pain I didn't expect especially feet!!! Like you I'm not good with nausea so the fact I didn't experience it I felt I got away easily.

Losing hair wasn't a problem, wigs are so real looking people wouldn't know but not having to wash, dry, style your hair saves lots of time. Out of the shower & pop on a headscarf & you're ready to go.

All the best with your treatment.

Debbie xx

Hi there  my details are: infilit rating bc grade 2 20mm. One lymph node with micromet .8 hormone recept, pr pos and her 2 neg. treatment: lumpectomy, radiation and tamoxafin.  At he time when sugeon told me results apparently 3 oncologists at private hospital said due to micromete they recommended chemo.  However I reacted quite dramatically and she referred me to a oncologist some distance away - and later I found out that she generally doesn't refer to hospital colleagues : he said with my results he feels that surgery was key and hormone treatment vital.  Radiation ok for added insurance but that chemo would only add about 2 percent better prognosis and given the risks a and he felt that chemo, in my case was like 'bombing Vietnam: bit hit and miss really. So this instantly felt 'right' for me and I had a sense that 'I can do this'.  For me it's the right doctor for me and also what almost I feel intiutively.  Later at the public radiation hospital the oncologist said they would recommend the same.   Best wishes. 

Hi Karen, I had a similar story. My sentinel node biopsy produced only one node, and it was clear. My tumour was aggressive and much larger than what they thought they were after, and  one margin wasn't as good as they hoped. My surgeon said that usually they manage to get at least 3 nodes with the sentinel node biopsy, and as only one had been found he was keen to try and get more, as occasionally the cancer can skip the first node and be present in the next few. Due to my cancer being 21mm instead of the 4mm they were chasing, and also being grade 3 instead of 1 or 2, they wanted to operate again. This time I decided on a mastectomy, and had a level 1 clearance, where they managed to find 9 more nodes. They were all clear, but now I had peace of mind. I did go on to have chemotherapy due to the grade and size of the cancer, but didn't require any radiotherapy, (due to the mastectomy). I had a second mastectomy and reconstruction 9 months later an now I am well. I have just past my 4 1/2 year mark. I am on Femara. I hope you get the answers you require, and you can always ask for a second opinion if you are concerned about what they want to do.

Chris xx

Hello Kazza,

I had DCIS that was also in the lymph nodes. I opted for wide area excision plus radiation instead of mastectomy because I preferred to keep my breast.

Because the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes, chemo was recommended. I have just finished 6 months - 3 months of AC (the tough one) and 3 months of Taxol (relatively gentler). In a few weeks I will start 6 weeks of radiation followed by 10 years of endocrine therapy.

So, in effect, they're throwing the book at it! I have been happy to take their recommendations because I want the best possible long-term outcome.

It was an enormous relief to finish the Taxol treatment! I got to skip the last three sessions due to peripheral neuropathy. Hurray! Out of the gulag.

If chemo is recommended for you, I suggest you prepare well, get all your resources lined up, and hunker down to get through. I was pleased to avoid all the worst-case side effects, but even so, I felt like an invalid a lot of the time - an invalid who was wrapped in love and care from family and friends. A special time, to be treasured.

Wishing you love and care,

Gillian

No vomiting with Chemo Karen at all. I had mild nausea towards the end but it was mostly like coming down with the flu. It wasn't as bad as morning sickness!

I did lose my hair but decided to embrace my new look and found a wig which I love. I am also enjoying my new boyish crop of hair for the first time. ?

Thanks Karen

Appreciate your response.

Yes, I know at the end of the day they will make their decision based on my particular tumour etc. It's good though to understand so much more about it. This site has been so helpful, that I feel when I normally go in to see anyone that I have at least a general idea of what is happening to me etc, lol.

Sorry to hear you had to have the whole kit and kaboodle as that expression says, not even sure how you spell that, lol.

Good to hear your first treatment went well.

Keep smiling xx

Hi Robyn

Yes, I like to hear others stories and their treatments, helps me understand. I am happy though with their advice and will follow what they suggest. At the end of the day as my breast care nurse said. She asked me how old I was, then said the average women lives into her 80's, she said I was young at 51, good to hear, lol, and that I had a lot of years left and to do everything I can and what they propose with treatment plans etc. Also praying a lot for the right direction and decisions in these areas.

Cheers, Karen..xx

Hey Tracey

Yes was bit of a shock. Hoping I improve soon. Resting up, eating well, getting ready for next round, lol.

Smiles to you..x