Well, wow, where to begin today. That bitch that bites is not going down without a fight. But I am stronger than it. Today got results back from masectomy and there was still some invasive cancer cells in the breast tissue but near where the original lump was. So was informed that undertaking the masectomy was a good thing. But - and now it's a big but. Have been referred to an oncologist by my specialist to see if need chemo before taking the tamoxifen. This is just as a preventative to ensure the bc doesn't come back. Think today even the specialist was a bit disappointed as think we all thought today would be the end of this part of the journey. And I could begin the rest of the recovery adventure. To say this news hasn't been good for my mum to say the least would be joking. She has been fine but in another way has not been helpful. As I need as much positive around me not negatives. Anyway - the question. And I may have already answered it in my own head. If they say my choice to either watch and wait or nuke the bitch. What would you do. I'm not keen on needles in fact massively needle phobic. But if chemo means I have done everything in my power to stop the bitch coming back then nuke away. Then put me in the tablets. Ok - I will hopefully see the oncologist early next week. And will update you then. And I know each case different but looking forward to your opinions. To all keep up the good fight.

Hi I have just had my first of chemo a week ago - and its a preventative measure. I had good results from surgery - clear margin, not in the lymph nodes and HER2 negative. BUT there was one bad result - my Ki67 was high indicating the tumour was a grade 3 rather than a 2. so my oncologist recommended chemo - I have followed this advice so that I know I have given it everything and hope not to be back where I was on the 5/2/14 with the news of BC. I also hate needles - but I decided to give it my all. 4 doses - 1 every 21 days. I am counting down to days and weeks - like an advent calendar. But in the end I hope I have done everything. But it is your desicion. that was my thought process. I wanted to run the other way but am in boots and all. good luck with your decision and journey. Marg

I was faced with this decision in nov last year. I decided to have chemo and radiation as I only want to do this once and I don't want any regrets. I will also have my healthy breast off next year. I want to beat this thing with all I've got and not give it any chance of returning. Your oncologist can use an online calculating system to give you your statistics. This may help your decision. Good luck!

Hi Wndsrfn (love your tag by the way) - in fact I loved your whole idea of 'nailing the bitch'!!! I have been reading this thread as I am new to this whole scenario as well. I could even relate to the difficulties your mum must be having in expressing her thoughts and emotions - I love my mum, and loved having her living with me immediately post op, but I also loved getting my own space back when she went home to her place. I will be seeing the oncologist next Thursday and am pretty sure I will be facing a similar scenario re preventative chemo prior to hormone treatment as I am stage IIB. Had mastecomy on 2/4/14 for infiltrating lobular cancer. I like the idea of being able to tell myself later that I did everythng that I could; that resonates with me. If chemo is going to happen I think I will also ask about having a port -my veins are awful as was proven by the recent wound infection and efforts to get IV access-bruises over my arms- looks like I have been mud wrestling wityh the best of them! But I have read other posts about the ports being uncomfortable.... I've alos registered for the Mothers Day Classic 4km walk with my family but have just realsied I have no idea of the time between first consult and treatment commencement - consult on 1/5 and walk on 11/5. Experience with this part of process? Cheers MLE

The Bitch That Bites Part II

margiemoo
Member
11 years ago
Hi

I have just had my first of chemo a week ago - and its a preventative measure. I had good results from surgery - clear margin, not in the lymph nodes and HER2 negative. BUT there was one bad result - my Ki67 was high indicating the tumour was a grade 3 rather than a 2. so my oncologist recommended chemo - I have followed this advice so that I know I have given it everything and hope not to be back where I was on the 5/2/14 with the news of BC. I also hate needles - but I decided to give it my all. 4 doses - 1 every 21 days. I am counting down to days and weeks - like an advent calendar. But in the end I hope I have done everything.

But it is your desicion. that was my thought process. I wanted to run the other way but am in boots and all.

good luck with your decision and journey.

Marg
margiemoo
Member
11 years ago
Hi

I have just had my first of chemo a week ago - and its a preventative measure. I had good results from surgery - clear margin, not in the lymph nodes and HER2 negative. BUT there was one bad result - my Ki67 was high indicating the tumour was a grade 3 rather than a 2. so my oncologist recommended chemo - I have followed this advice so that I know I have given it everything and hope not to be back where I was on the 5/2/14 with the news of BC. I also hate needles - but I decided to give it my all. 4 doses - 1 every 21 days. I am counting down to days and weeks - like an advent calendar. But in the end I hope I have done everything.

But it is your desicion. that was my thought process. I wanted to run the other way but am in boots and all.

good luck with your decision and journey.

Marg
margiemoo
Member
11 years ago
Hi

I have just had my first of chemo a week ago - and its a preventative measure. I had good results from surgery - clear margin, not in the lymph nodes and HER2 negative. BUT there was one bad result - my Ki67 was high indicating the tumour was a grade 3 rather than a 2. so my oncologist recommended chemo - I have followed this advice so that I know I have given it everything and hope not to be back where I was on the 5/2/14 with the news of BC. I also hate needles - but I decided to give it my all. 4 doses - 1 every 21 days. I am counting down to days and weeks - like an advent calendar. But in the end I hope I have done everything.

But it is your desicion. that was my thought process. I wanted to run the other way but am in boots and all.

good luck with your decision and journey.

Marg
Lana
Member
11 years ago
I was faced with this decision in nov last year. I decided to have chemo and radiation as I only want to do this once and I don't want any regrets. I will also have my healthy breast off next year. I want to beat this thing with all I've got and not give it any chance of returning. Your oncologist can use an online calculating system to give you your statistics. This may help your decision. Good luck!
MLE59
Member
11 years ago
Hi Wndsrfn (love your tag by the way) - in fact I loved your whole idea of 'nailing the bitch'!!! I have been reading this thread as I am new to this whole scenario as well. I could even relate to the difficulties your mum must be having in expressing her thoughts and emotions - I love my mum, and loved having her living with me immediately post op, but I also loved getting my own space back when she went home to her place.

I will be seeing the oncologist next Thursday and am pretty sure I will be facing a similar scenario re preventative chemo prior to hormone treatment as I am stage IIB. Had mastecomy on 2/4/14 for infiltrating lobular cancer. I like the idea of being able to tell myself later that I did everythng that I could; that resonates with me.

If chemo is going to happen I think I will also ask about having a port -my veins are awful as was proven by the recent wound infection and efforts to get IV access-bruises over my arms- looks like I have been mud wrestling wityh the best of them! But I have read other posts about the ports being uncomfortable....

I've alos registered for the Mothers Day Classic 4km walk with my family but have just realsied I have no idea of the time between first consult and treatment commencement - consult on 1/5 and walk on 11/5.

Experience with this part of process?

Cheers MLE
wndsrfn
Member
11 years ago
Hi MLE No experience yet with on oncologist stuff - but after speaking to breast care nurse the cycles are every 21 days and first meeting will be for me to work out if need it and for how long. My family supportive but need them to have their meltdowns away from me. To hard to look after them and me. It's hard for them all as I am usually the one looking after them. Told them at the moment it's all about me and need to be able to have a laugh and cry and then laugh. Friends tonight have been texting after they first said 'shit'. Do I need help finding a wig for 'down there' when I loose my hair if need chemo. Seems odd to talk like this but this is what I need at present. Hope yours goes well. I so hate needles but have good veins so think will go with the needle once every 21 days. They can use a cream - emlar (not sure of spelling) and reduces the feeling of the needle.
MLE59
Member
11 years ago
I know what you mean - somehow it is easier for me to chat to a stranger experiencing similiar things, than with close family. For me there is an attraction of being able to be really honest online without having to cope with other's meltdowns.

To be fair though I am not very good at asking for help or emotional support from my family of origin and my own family; I am normally the one providing it! I am telling myself this obviously is part of my journey - needing to learn how to ask for, and accept assistance.

The breast care nurse that I had where I had surgery didn't give me any info other than where to buy my prosthesis and bra. Yep my understanding of first meeting is the same - except both surgeon and GP are leaning towards chemo and hormone treatment combo rather than just hormone and how long for.

As for wigs 'down there '- SH*T - hadn't even thought of that - hillarious! I thought it was pretty good when a well endowed friend agreed to go bra and prosthesis shopping with me. God who would I get to go down there wig shopping???? :) It takes the whole questions 'does this make my a*se look big?' to a whole new level!

I have been thinking about doing the no wig thing, and hats or nothing - shopping today with my 26 year old daughter was great: she went out of her way to find the most outragious animal hats and beanies!

Thanks for your reply- just checked out the time so should be off as another late one - I tell you my sleep patterns leave a lot to be desired at the moment!

Cheers MLE59
MLE59
Member
11 years ago
I know what you mean - somehow it is easier for me to chat to a stranger experiencing similiar things, than with close family. For me there is an attraction of being able to be really honest online without having to cope with other's meltdowns.

To be fair though I am not very good at asking for help or emotional support from my family of origin and my own family; I am normally the one providing it! I am telling myself this obviously is part of my journey - needing to learn how to ask for, and accept assistance.

The breast care nurse that I had where I had surgery didn't give me any info other than where to buy my prosthesis and bra. Yep my understanding of first meeting is the same - except both surgeon and GP are leaning towards chemo and hormone treatment combo rather than just hormone and how long for.

As for wigs 'down there '- SH*T - hadn't even thought of that - hillarious! I thought it was pretty good when a well endowed friend agreed to go bra and prosthesis shopping with me. God who would I get to go down there wig shopping???? :) It takes the whole questions 'does this make my a*se look big?' to a whole new level!

I have been thinking about doing the no wig thing, and hats or nothing - shopping today with my 26 year old daughter was great: she went out of her way to find the most outragious animal hats and beanies!

Thanks for your reply- just checked out the time so should be off as another late one - I tell you my sleep patterns leave a lot to be desired at the moment!

Cheers MLE59
wndsrfn
Member
11 years ago
Sleep patterns are pretty all over the place. And I have asked two very close mates to come prosthesis shopping to make it fun. Plus others have said they will go beanie shopping and are making me laugh by trying to work out what I would look like bald! And have hats with the days of the week on them so I know which to wear when. Try and sleep and eat - even though hard. Need to keep the body fit for the surgery's and what I have learnt to say 'what next'. And it has helped me to write how I feel on here coz I can say anything without being judged or like you say deal with other's emotions. Plus the support on here from random people has been amazing.
MLE59
Member
11 years ago
How are you going Wndsrfn? Have you seen the oncologist yet? Any news? Just wanted to send some positive thoughts your way.

BTW I checked out a blog called 'chemostyle' - there was a link to some scarf tying demos - some of them were done by amazing young women-helped me decide a wig is not for me.

Cheers MLE59