Hi me again think i need to change my name to worry wart of the century . I have been told i have clear margins grade 3 IDC no node involement hormone driven SWL and SNB I am awaiting chemo but have not started treatment for hormone therapy so can the hormones do damage still . have rang my BCN but she is on holiday. Can this report change before chemo have seen onc anxiety levels very high today love Gill x
Hi Venice
You won’t start your hormone tablet until a few weeks after chemo has finished. Mine finished on 23rd May, and i started Anastrazole on 4th July. I didn’t have radiotherapy either. Before chemo, I had my surgery 12.12.2012 which was over 1 month after my DX. Chemo started on February 5th. I had micro mets in one node, and vascular invasion. Nobody seemed to think there was a rush in spite of this and tumour being grade 3.
I know it’s hard not to worry, but I’m sure they know what they are doing. Sending big hugs and best wishes for chemo.
Poemsgalore xx
Just to reinforce what poemsgalore has said, cos you sound like you need it, my BCN said no one starts hormone therapy until all other treatment has ended. If this isn’t the case my BCN stands corrected. I’m sure we have all had mental images of cancer cells rampaging through our system, feeding hungrily off our hormones. My BCN, in such a situation, would look at me pityingly and say, it doesn’t work like that, froggy, calm down…
Hi Gill, I am competing with you for that title worry wart of the century ! I think because there are so many pauses between appointments and treatments our minds are on overdrive. I assume you mean WLE and SNB not SWL above ? I have a similar DX to you, grade 3 IDC, no node involvement, hormone fueled,. WLE got clear margins around IDC, but some DCIS was attached and they did not get enough clear margin on 2 sides of the DCIS. Everything ground to a standstill for 5 weeks (2nd WLE tomorrow), no appointment with Onc, no treatment plan, but I know I won’t get any anti oestrogens until after chemo is finished, It’s standard practice not to start anti-hormone treatment until the end of chemo… Like Poemsgalore says your multi-disciplinary team know what there doing, but like you, I have days when all these worrying questions come to the surface. Why don’t you give the Helpline on here a call, now that your BCN is holiday. They are so knowledgable and have put me at ease in the past. love Kathy x
thanks again PoemsGalore, Boxsofrogs and Kathy you are all keeping from the nut house just. Boxofrogs your post made me smile which is no mean feat today and yes I did mean WLE kathy. Was my mums birthday yesterday and still have third of a bottle of champers left so i am going to have a glass while making tea I am sure I will be ok just really bad day today thanks again love Gill x
Make the most of that wine before chemo starts Venice. 
Good to know. I do identify with your anxieties. You can’t stop the worrying, but you can get some control. it’s normal to catastrophise, but that’s all it is, making a catastrophe out of a manageable situation. The reality will rarely be as scary as our worst imagined future. I’ve had a few knock backs but each time have managed to regroup and face off the BC. Be strong
Stop worrying!! Easier said than done I know. 5 years ago I was the worst…had already planned my funeral etc.
BUT these people know what they’re doing and they do have your best interests at heart (it’s in their interests too). That’s not to say that you shouldn’t be informed, you should.
I can only say what happened to me, and I started hormone therapy after chemo but at the same time as rads.
xx