Early Breast Cancer Treatment Decision
Hi All, I recently was diagnosed with early breast cancer (stage 1, grade 2, HER Negative, Estrogen & Prog positive, no lymph nodes involve) three weeks ago I had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders for reconstruction. I now need to choose my treatment for post surgery. For my particular case the percentage for survival purely doing the double mastectomy surgery alone is 95% when I add hormone blocker treatment it adds another 1% so 96% total which has been recommended by my oncologist to take which I will. I have been also given the option to decide if I want to also do chemo or not, the percentage benefit for my specific cancer is less than 1% at about 0.3% (so the percentage still stays at 96% survival) Is there anyone with a similar case to mine and what you decided? Or if it was you what you would do? My immediate thoughts are for a 0.3% benefit that going through 6 months of chemo with everything that comes with that is perhaps not worth doing it? The other thing I will point out is if there are any tiny microcells left in my body anywhere that hormone blockers will stop them dividing and growing, but chemo would actually kill them. Bearing in mind there is no guarantee either way that reoccurrence will or won't happen. Thoughts?
An overdue introduction
They say better late than never right?!? I really would like to properly introduce myself to all of you amazing ladies and men! I have been employed here at BCNA for 8 months but have admired you all from a far. In October 2013, like many of you, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 36 years old, had just recovered from severe post natal depression and had a 3 year old and 7 month old at home. I couldn't believe that i had just tackled one illness and was about to fight the next one. After a lumpectomy, 3 months of chemo, a year of herceptin and a Double Mastectomy with DIEP Flap reconstruction, i am here, working my dream job (sorry a little tacky!!) and hopefully helping others, by trying to help you make the decisions we have to make not so scary and over whelming. I have been taking Tamoxifen for the past 2 years and plan to have my ovaries removed sometime in the next few years. I was never really active on the network during my year of treatment. But i just wanted to give you all a massive high five for being so courageous, open and caring to others going through the big C. I hope you don't mind if i comment every now and then outside of my BCNA capacity and please feel free to message me to ask any questions; I too will be as honest as you all are. Stay strong and big love goes out to this wonderful community xo
Oncologist visit yesterday, am being pulled off Arimidex for 6 weeks..
Hey everyone! I had my Oncologist visit yesterday as I had a reminder last week, I did call and say I didnt need to go as I have surgery in a week haha...the lovely Secretary laughed and said NO youre coming in. So he was pleased to hear of my surgery as we laughed as I said I wasn't haha! So we discussed how things were going and particularly as Im on Arimidex and he's decided to pull me off it for 6 weeks and wants me to journal and log all things that are apparent right now...and that way he said he can work out if it is the Arimidex or just Menopause. He does this with some of his patients because sometimes its the medication and sometimes turns out all the side effects are in fact menopause and unrelated to the medication. If it is the medication he will look at changing to a brother or sister of it LOL which I didnt know there was, but he said I couldnt do Tamoxifen as it wasnt effective. He was aware of the latest news from the Breast Cancer Foundation on the findings of Tamoxifen not working in 1/3 of cases and how its learnt to grow inspite of it and replicate. He agreed it seems to be the case and did say that my recurrence could have been attributed to that....BUT I also had radiation too...so he CANNOT EXPLAIN IT...apart from Cancer is SNEAKY...WOW that gave me confidence after having undergone life changing treatment wih Chemo in my recurrence 2015 LOL. He also said if you have high Oestrogen levels on Tamoxifen, do not be alarmed!!! it simply means it is working, and not that you are higher risk of recurrence. Thank God for a sense of Humor!!!! Yippee!!! Oh but have to go back on Arimidex at 6 weeks. Eventhough Im like I have surgery next week how the hell am I going to track my side effects dealing with that!! :/
another Newbie
Hi Thank you for accepting me into your group. My tumor was found in my left breast in March this year(Stage 2a grade 3, oestrogen+ and her2+ ) and I had a nipple sparing Mastectomy 1 week later. Since then I have had 3 rounds of FEC and only one more to go and then a break of 5 weeks (going on holidays to celebrate) before starting Taxol and hercepton. I choose to just look at the next treatment instead of the whole picture as it seems more manageable that way. It is so wonderful how much support I have received from my medical team and this website. Cheryl xxx
Second surgery
Well I am back in hospital and am 2 days post surgery for a level 2 axillary dissection. Must admit I am finding this far more painful than my mastectomy. A lot of nerve pain rather than the actual wound though! I am off to see the medical oncologist in two weeks to find out how much chemo I have to have, but as I will also have to have some hormonal treatment (ER+ PR+) I am wondering if I am better off opting to have my ovaries removed and if I can does that mean I dont have to take other hormonal treatments? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Therese
Hair growth
Is this the first blog on hair growth? 6 weeks has past since last TCH chemo but still doing herceptin. No sign of new hair growth? Had a double mastectomy last week which I suppose very stressful on my body but I did expect some hair growth. Losing both big toe nails and my feet still feel frozen. What would I do without my electric blanket? I am not sure how I feel about no breasts as I still have the drains in and avoid all contact with the mirror. Next stop more chemo called CMF and 6 weeks of radiation. Feeling quite good to-day and just a little stronger than I have been feeling. Surgeon did a marvellous job I think. I am a public patient here in Perth. Take care all of you. Sarah54
4 to go!
It's been a whirlwind of a year, I was Ist diagnosed 14 years ago when I was 31 and again at 45, after a mastectomy last September , chemo ad Herceptin ( triple positive) I have 4 Herceptin treatments to go! My 1st mammogram this week ..... A bit nervous, but can't believe how fast time has gone, when I was first re diagnosed I used this network for help and support but as I got through my treatments I didn't log in as much, but reflecting back it's so important to stay in touch and offer support and advice to newly diagnosed ladies and help them in any possible way. The sisterhood got me through many tough days and I can't thank the BCNA enough for this. 14 years ago there wasn't any blogs, groups or on line chats and as a newly diagnosed young mum, my needs and issues where a lot different to now, the QLD Cancer Council and the Kim Walters Choices programmes where and still are great support but mainly accessed through meetings and phone calls. With the evolution of social media and the Internet, we are very lucky to be able to access the resources of the BCNA, get help and support from every one and make new friends along the way. Thank you
Hi, i'm MJ 36 years old
I am new here and i need some advice. I am 36 now and don't have children yet. I am planning to have 0ne. I already meet my fertility doctor and she said after 5 years of treatment i will be pregnant and i will be 41 at that time. That is my concern. I don't have any idea what is my treatment. I will meet my onchology doctor today. It's hard for me because my family is in overseas. Only my husband and his parents who support me. I am one year here in australia and everything here for me is new . I don't have more friends to talk. June 26, 2013 i undergo mastectomy, the result of the test also clear. I did not decide yet if i will continue my fertility treatment. What is the side effect of chemotheraphy and hormone theraphy for me? Is it safe to be pregnant first then do the treatment after.
