Hi there,
I’ve been on the site since I first found Larry Lump in July, and went to the clinic on 1st August. Had the usual examination, mammogram and they took six core biopsies. I was told to come back on the friday to see the surgeon, but that it didn’t look hopeful. I saw the surgeon and he broke the news that yes, I had lobular BC and that it was quite aggressive, the treatment plan would be for total mastectomy, chemotherapy, rads and either herceptin or hormone treatment, probably hormone but we would know after surgery. Before going any further though I was to have bone and CT scans.
On the 17th I was told that my scans were clear, huge relief, and the was given the choice as to which order to do the treatment. My surgeon suggested the Neo Tango trial and the chemo first route seemed good to me. Apart from anything it would give me time to save up for nighties etc! I was rejected for the trial after more core biopsies - Larry wasn’t quite big enough! But, after discussion with my oncologist we decided to go ahead with chemo anyway.
I was started on six cycles TAC, with a check ultrasound scheduled for half way. After three treatments my onc called a halt to TAC as it was just a little too drastic for me, and would restart me on FEC after a two week ‘holiday’. In the meantime Larry and I went for the ultrasound - and we discovered Larry had shrunk to a third of the original size! Excellent news.
I had my first FEC on friday, then yesterday went to have an ultrasound guided marker to be fitted. I was also going to see my surgeon as it had been suggested that because of my BMI I wouldn’t be considered for reconstruction (it hasn’t changed since August) and I needed to know what my options could be and the possible affect on my prognosis. I’ve been working through the ramifications of being loppy without Larry - being an E cup that wasn’t something I wanted at all - plus i thought it might put strain on my back. I also wanted to know the risks if I requested a lumpectomy or WLE instead of the mastectomy. The final ‘solution’ would be to balance it up by having a double mastectomy. The idea of a prosthesis was appalling to me, I have never liked wearing a bra and much prefer a crop top. The thought of being trapped in a straight jacket for the next 30 years just was not a good thought at all. So, I was ready to discuss all this with my surgeon.
First thing that happened was the doctor wanted to use the better, more powerful scanner in radiology - so we had to wait for a window - that took 2 hours, but we got it. However hard she tried, she just could not find any trace of Larry Lump anywhere, so no marker could be fitted. When I then saw my surgeon he explained I’d rather thrown him into a dilemma - with two chemos yet to do, he could see no justification for surgery on the breast. He wants me to have an MRI scan to double check, but apart from debating how many lymph glands to take for sampling, it appears there’s not much more he can do. Lovely to see a doctor with a big smiling face though!
So, I’m still in shock, feeling like a bit of a fraud - but still have two more chemos to go.
I’m just so very fortunate, whether it was because Larry was caught early, or whether TAC just happened to be the right chemo, or whether it was the type of cancer - or all of these things - might never know.
I hope that this brings hope to you, and that you know that I too have lived through the waiting game, the worrying, the loss of hair, thinking about surgery and rads - the only difference is i’m not actually having the mastectomy now.
hugs
Ruth x x x