Hi everyone i was all set to have mastectomy then found another small lump or swelling above collar bone, so now have to have chemo first, then mastectomy. has anyone else had it this way round? only just cant find anyone else the same.
thanks lin.
Hi yes I had chemo this way round most plp on here have it this way now to help shrink the tumors before surgery ESP if they are large chemo can work very well this way feel free to ask any questions
Hi Lin,
Yes! I did. We are still a minority overall; even on the threads on here more people seem to have chemo after surgery than before. I had an 8cm tumour which was successfully shrunk to 2cm of which only 4mm was still live cancer at surgery. A few people get a ‘complete pathological repsonse’ - but it depends on many factors - my onc told me the kind of cancer I had never has a total response pre-surgery but my response was ‘excellent’. I hope you get a great result, minimal unpleasant side effects and then a long, fulfilling life.
Hi Lin,
me too, i have had my first chemo, and when I am done with that I will go on to have a mx.
My tumour is also large and they do want to try to shrink it 1st.
Revcat, I like your response to chemo, gives me hope! seems it worked very well for you. I’m pleased.
My onc has said she wants to see me after 3 chemo sessions to see if it is working, if not she will change to another drug/s.
Is this the only reason to do chemo 1st? - anyone?
WS xx
Hello, I am another one that had chem first and then surgery. I had 4 x EC followed by 4 x TAX. Chemo was very successful and shrank the tumour considerably. I do wonder how they measure the effectiveness of chemo when it is given after surgery.
best wishes for now and your future. Take each day as it comes. x
Me too! It’s good psychologically too as you can see the chemo working!
I had 4 AC and 4 TAX and then a bilateral mastectomy.
Some ladies end up having a lumpectomy if the results are really good.
Good luck with it all. Hopefully you will be surprised as to how doable it all is. I was!
X
Yes I had chemo first - 3 x FEC and 3 x TAX. I had my last chemo a month ago, to shrink the tumour first, surgeon said it makes it easier to do the operation. I had half way scan, and end of chemo exam, was told it was 100 times better than before chemo.
I had my Mastectomy yesterday, was told surgeon very pleased with operation. Recovering well, no need for pain killers, just a bit tender. Radiation therapy next month.
Paula x
Morning everyone,
A huge thank you to all of you for your response, I feel so much better now im not alone, I was getting very worried as couldn’t find anyone the same as me.
I was all set to have mastectomy, Then i found a small lump or swelling just above collar bone,Thats why i have to have chemo first, to shrink it and hopefully stop it! OH i hope so!
I start my chemo on the 11th april. 3 FEC-T and then 3 herceptin.thats over 18 weeks 1 every 3rd week, then if all go to plan mastectomy, rads.
hope all go well everyone.
lots of luck. And again thank you so much.
love lin xx
I’m another having neoadjuvant chemo. Not really sure why as my lump is small 1.5cm, and I will be having Mx afterwards. I think Maybe it’s because it is grade 3 and despite being small, the nasty blighter has already spread to my lymph nodes.
Sadly I’ve not been scanned, and have completed 3 FEC & 1 TAX plus 1st Herceptin - 5th session this week. I know my lump has shrunk because I can barely find it, but a scan would have been good.
There may not be many of us, but we are here.
Sue
I had chemo first as it was the only way they could shrink the lump to a size where surgery was possible. That was July 07 and I had mx and anc in Jan 08 where they found it was actually 2 lumps and further spread. I was diagnosed with bone secondaries at the same time as primary by the way.
If it gives you any hope, I had a second mx a couple of weeks ago to even me up as I didn’t have reconstruction. There was no sign of cancer in the removed breast and it was done at my request for prophylatic/phsyiological reasons. I feel so good now!
You will get through the chemo and there are a lot of people who have had chemo first, they just don’t all post. My Mum had it this way round too and that will be 10 yrs ago in July and she had great results too.
Liz
Sue, some oncs don’t like to scan as it can cause unnecessary worry. Great if the scan shows shrinkage or no lump - but sometimes it will still show a mass that post op the pathology report shows as dead cells. My onc preferred palpation for this reason. If you can no longer feel your lump, that’s great!! X
Same as everyone else who’s commented yep I had neoadjuvant chemo first to shrink the primary lump down and it worked a treat taking it from a 6cm lump to 2mil, want to encourage you that chemo really does work :0) Lin try not to worry too much everyone’s cancer is individual to themselves and everyones had tailored treatment plans, so you will find treatment plans vary from individual. I was told they did chemo first to shrink the lump down so that when they performed the mastectomy they got clear margins.
Hope this helps and good luck with your treatment plan
Sending you love and light
Sarahlouise xx
Sue, just wanted to reiterate (is that the right word) what sandytoes has said, after doing all the chemo’s x6 no one including my onc and my breast surgeon could find the lump also my breast looked like it should do normal, no inverted nipple and not larger on one side as it had been previously. I understand why your anxious too have another scan but like sandy has said its fantastically brilliant news that you can’t feel it anymore.
Love and light to all
sarahlousie xx
I had chemo pre MX as well. The reason is I have inflammatory breast cancer and it was swollen and water logged, also tumour 7.5 cm in a B-cup breast, so it needed shrinking down first. I had my last chemo 3 weeks ago and had a scan half way through and another one a week after the last chemo and yes breast looks basically normal now and chemo has worked for me too. I saw onc today and she said a complete response is not so common but more a partial response, but she is very happy with the results chemo has produced. I have a MX and ANC a week tomorrow, followed by rads.
Christine xx
I am worried about the lump above my collar bone as they can’t do op. there,but say they can shrink it. so i have lump in breast, under my arm, as well. I get so worried!
But you all make me feel a lot better, you are all so brave.
Going to get wig on Thursday,Just been looking at the head gear scarf’s ect. not sure what to get?
Lin xx
Me too, just had second FEC - 4 to go! 2 lymph nodes affected and have already shrunk to half size after 1 chemo!! Got DCIS all over both & invasive in left B. Masectomey & Rads on cards…but been told curable:)
The scare stories about chemo have a lot to answer for I was expecting the worst, I may go down before I come back up but I just keep saying it’s not the cancer that’s making me ill…it’s the Fn Chemo!!lol
Hi everyone,
Has anyone had what feel like ache feeling under the breast that has the lump in, feel like your ribs?
Sorry im a worrier.
Linda xx
Hi ladies,
I was set up for MX at start of FEB but FNA showed cancer in lymph node so my treatment was changed to chemo first. Lump is large 7cm and I just wanted it out so was upset at first. But I would have needed chemo anyway afterwards.
I’m now well down the chemo route have had 3XFEC and 1st of 3 lots of TAX. Had MRI last week with results tomorrow. I feel the lump is smaller and much more difficult to find, but am trying not to be too hopeful.
Hilly
I’m having it t he other way round. My initial dx was that they were hopeful of no chemo but after node biopsy it changed. I’d already had numerous appointments at with the PS. my op date was already fixed.
My doctor told me I could have chemo first, that you can do it in any order…
I kinda wish I’d taken him up on that, then I’d have my boob longer but hey ho decision made. Lol
Good luck.
Eleanor xx
I’m also having neoadjuvant chemo to shrink it before my op. I have not long had FEC number 2. I know my MX is scheduled 4/6 weeks after my chemo is finished.
I think my lump is smaller already as it used to spill out my bra and it doesnt any more. so fingers crossed the chemo is working.
I dont really know why my team decided to give me chemo first, may be it makes the op easier… but i am happy with their approach.
I agree with luluspice. It isnt the cancer than makes me feel shitty is the chemo. Although as my friend said, if its making you feel this bad imagine what its doing to the cancer…
Guess she is right 
Rae
x