I tell ladies they should try it first (unless they have other conditions that would possibly be detrimental) and not let others bad experiences dictate what they do. Personally, after all this time I feel I am just one of the crappy statistics who had a couple of positive nodes and possibly didn’t have clear margins. My surgeon at the time said he took the tissue right up to where it stopped under my arm. Something about there not being a margin on that area. Chemo was thought to be the real killer of cells, but we know now that for ER+ not so much. Also, the radiation in that area may have killed cells off, but if it doesn’t get them all they stay dormant where they can later grow again.
It’s sort of funny that way back I used to think I had “beginner cancer.” I thought the mass was small and that once it was all said and done I had some strange notion that it may have even gone away on it’s own. How foolish was I? Obviously very.
I really am so sorry Rocky. You’re absolutely right, chemo and endocrine treatment may kill cells that are lurking elsewhere but that’s only if they are active. If dormant, they are untouched and those are the ones which cause the problems at some indeterminate point in the future. All you need is one.
So you are on Anastrozole/Arimidex. What other treatment will you have to have? A mastectomy this time perhaps if it’s in the same breast. What have they told you about prognosis? How is the family dealing with this second diagnosis?
My oncologist gave me Arimidex the day I walked back in his office. I am tolerating it well other than some strange anger bursts every do often. I don’t know if it is some testosterone surge (that’s what it feels like) or if I have repressed anger from either the new dx or last but not least… politics. Right now I feel like the Arimidex is the only thing keeping this cancer from growing/spreading.
My doctor is telling me to not think about surgery right now. He doesn’t want me to plan or put out the energy in case the news is the worst. He mentioned that I can cross that bridge later. I have my surgeon from the past and have consulted with him a couple of times since he was the first doctor I went to after the recent dx. I go back and forth in my mind on the lumpectomy vs. mastectomy for a lot of reasons, but I always lean toward less is best. I know some like to go with the most aggressive and that works for some, but not me. My family is okay thanks. My daughter is 22 and still lives at home and she is comforting. My husband and I have been together 40 years and he is helpful, but of course still a guy.
I’m sorry Rocky but that final thought did make me chuckle. Do keep in touch as things progress. I’d like to know you’re doing ok. That is, unless things go badly in November and you spontaneously combust with rage at the outcome.