Well, What now??

Hi Viv and Sajonara,

Your story, Sajonara sounds almost identical to mine. But I am only at the beginning and need to discuss with my oncologist whether I should have chemo as mine was also 2 small grade 3 cancers with clear node and ER pos.  It's good to know  others are going through or have gone through the same. I'm still going to listen to the team and then think about my options. My husband has also been wonderful even though he works away which can be hard at times.

Take are and I'm thinking of you Viv as are all the other wonderful people on this site,

Al xxx

Oh Leonie I would feel just like that lady!! Not worthy because my suffering wasnt as great. How silly aye?? You are absolutely right. Trust our instincts. That is the overiding message I have got on this site and I am going to go with that. We women have well honed instincts I believe. Thanks Leonie for taking the time to respond. Love  and hugs  Vivxx

Hi Al, I am so sorry my post has added to your angst. My story is this. I had a grade 1 ca a mastectomy and the sentinal node was clear. I told the doctor I knew women who had had radiation and chemo and he told me'' if it is a grade 1 and you had a mastectomy you dont need radiation as they got it all with the mastectomy and it is only grade 1. He said my ca was hormone receptor positive so hormone treatment would be enough, again because it is grade 1. I do hope this clears things up for you Al. It was not my intention to add to your confusion. I think cancer and confusion go together, you dont seem to be able to have ca without the accompaning confusion. I guess in the end as so many lovely women have said on here you have to trust the experts and the information they have given you and trust your instincts. Please keep posting Al and I will look out for how you are going. Your appointment is today so I hope it goes well. Ill be thinking of you! XX

Thanks Deb. Your story is very similar to mine. How re-assuring you went thru the same angst(tho I am sorry that you did) I am going to not let this thing consume my life either, what an accurate statement for how I have been behaving. I am going to get on with things and enjoy each day and what it brings good and bad, they are all good as I am here to experience them. Thank you for being on this site and sharing your experience with me. It really has helped. I will look out for your blogs. Love and regards Vivxxx

It very much does help Dette! I expect you r right and they did discuss me before making the decision. And as you have said that was then and them this is me and now, so thank you so much.

I am sorry to hear their are complications with your chemo. I hope it goes ok for you. I understand from your reply that you are starting this week. I will be thinking of you and wishing you a good journey with the chemo. Please keep me posted wont you? Regards and all my good thoughts are with you Dette. Viv xx

Hey Sam. Thanks for responding to my little(well big really) whinge. I hear what you are saying, it is a good outcome. My partner tells me this and you ladies tell me this. I have to stop listening to those little voices and they will go away. I do feel better  back at work. Like normal again. Self doubt seems to be my diet at the moment but I am just going to ignore it. Thanks for your words about the chemo. You are right and the worry will persist for a while I guess so now I must get on with life again. XXX

Thanks so much Tonya. I understand all you have said and I that it will take a yr to feel like things are back on track. I think I need to just ''go with it'' and how I am feeling and not give the stuff thats happening in my head any credibility. Thanks for taking the time to respond to my whinge. You do make a difference, so thanks Viv

Hi Viv,  I feel your "confusion".  My first bc (4 years previous) was grade 3 and now I look back I can understand why the medical oncologist wanted me to have chemo.  I chose not to because of the low % add on as opposed to the horrors of chemo.  I have told the same med oncologist (after this chemo treatment had finished) that I would never have any more chemo.  He said never say never.  I thought I faired okay during the chemo treatment but now that I am on the mend I know how bloody sick it made me.  You can only make a decision that you feel is right for you at the time and go with it.  At another time and place you might make a different decision - this goes for all things in life.  I worked with a lady who didn't feel worthy of being in our dragonboat club because - "I've only had a mastectomy - I haven't had chemo or radiation!!!!"    I find keeping extremely busy with things I love doing makes my life liveable. XLeonie

Hi Viv,  I feel your "confusion".  My first bc (4 years previous) was grade 3 and now I look back I can understand why the medical oncologist wanted me to have chemo.  I chose not to because of the low % add on as opposed to the horrors of chemo.  I have told the same med oncologist (after this chemo treatment had finished) that I would never have any more chemo.  He said never say never.  I thought I faired okay during the chemo treatment but now that I am on the mend I know how bloody sick it made me.  You can only make a decision that you feel is right for you at the time and go with it.  At another time and place you might make a different decision - this goes for all things in life.  I worked with a lady who didn't feel worthy of being in our dragonboat club because - "I've only had a mastectomy - I haven't had chemo or radiation!!!!"    I find keeping extremely busy with things I love doing makes my life liveable. XLeonie

Thanks Dette!  Thought someone might say that! That's the reaction I have got from a lot of people I've spoken to who have gone through this. They also had a grade 3. Bitter sweet, I suppose with clear nodes but grade 3!!!

Thanks again for your post and encouragement!

Al xxxx