Hi all and hoping you are all as well as can be expected.
Brief history - dx January 07, Grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Eostrogen positive, Sentinel node biopsy, one node removed and no cancer within it. Lumpectomy, chemo (FEC x 6), rads x 16 + 3 boosters. Aged 28.
I’m begining to get a tad worried now and would very much like some advice.
This Monday I have to have a clavicle ultra sound (opposite side to op) as the whole area is feeling very lumpy and different to the other side. The day after I have to have a CT scan of my abdomen and pelvis as i mentioned to the doc I had some pain in my pelvic area. He had a good feel, concentrated on one area and requested I have a CT scan.
When I was first dx I was told they would throw everything at me and that I would have 4 x FEC and 4 x Taxotere as of my age plus rads and 5 years of Tamoxifen. Nearly all of the youngsters on here seem to have been given this regime of treatment and I am now worried as to why I didn’t.
I’m begining to think has the FEC actually worked. ( i guess we’ll find at soon ).
I was offered no scans, no CT’s, no bone scans etc etc until now.
I’m also worried that the sentinel node worked, what if it skipped that node and went to another. They only removed one.
Is there any one out there with a similar dx that has also only had FEC.
Hi Mandy
I’m not quite as young as you (42) but had almost identical diagnosis. Grade 3 IDC , tumour 2.2cm, 18 nodes removed - all clear , no evidence of vascular involvement, er+, Her -.
Had lumpectomy and two further re excisions to get clear margins.
I have just finished 6 FEC and am about to start 18 rads + 5 boosters, then tamoxifen.
I was led to believe that Tax is only given if there is any node involvement, but don’t know for sure.
I too have never had any scans.
I am the world’s worst worrier and already am worried about a pain in my rib, and whether FEC worked, as my hair started to grow back before the last dose.
It’s the nature of this horrible thing that anything unusual pain will induce panic, I really hope your scans show all clear, and the aches are just due to the tamoxifen. Keep us updated with how it goes
Take care
Tracey
I’m sorry you are having a difficult time at the moment, there are a couple of BCC’s support services that might be of interest to you. The first is Breast Cancer Care’s telephone support group. The aim of the group is to give you the opportunity to talk privately and confidentially to other people around the UK with similar experiences. Discussions cover issues such as coping with the impact your diagnosis has on your life, relationships, returning to work, money, as well as other peoples’ expectations of you.
The groups are completely free (we pay for the phone calls) and as long as you have access to a phone and have a quiet private place from which to call, you can join us from anywhere in the UK.
There is also Breast Cancer Care’s peer support service. The telephone service aims to quickly put you in touch with one of our trained peer supporters, who has had a personal experience of breast cancer. Our peer supporters are from diverse backgrounds and ages and have experienced different types of breast cancer and treatments. They are ready to listen, offer skilled emotional support and share their experiences and understanding.
For more information about both these and our other support services available to you please telephone our helpline on 0808 800 6000 or email: <script type=“text/javascript”>eval(unescape(‘%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%69%6e%66%6f%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%22%3e%69%6e%66%6f%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b’))</script>. You are welcome to call the helpline for further information and support regarding the specific concerns that you have at the moment.
Hi Mandy,
My case is very simular to yours, diagnoised August 06 with Grade 3, Ductal Carcinoma with lymphovasical invasion, oestrogen postive, wasn’t offered setinal node, just had them all removed, all of which were clear. Diagnoised week after 27th birthday, had CT scan few days later and came back clear, was told I would have a bone scan, which got forgotten about, put said I did want one after my chemo was over. I was told I would have the book thrown at me so to speak! Was strongly adviced to have masectomy and had 6 x FEC chemo, no rads.
I really hope the test results come back OK, I have had numerous strange aches and pains in places and have got really worried that the cancer was back. August last year I had some really bad rib pain, and wound myself up a treat with worry. Went straight to the doctors who sent me straight to X-ray, but everything was clear and the pain just went!
All the best, Lisa.
I had Taxotere due to her 2 status +++ and high lymph node involvment 15/20, had my nodes been clear I would have received 6 x FEC. *this is the norm with my HA *also no scans even with crap path report.
I’m older than you (46) I was dx in Nov 07 with Grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, right mastectomy & full axillary clearance, 5/11 lymph nodes involved and HER2+.
I was given bone /liver/lung scans prior to mastectomy
As I understand it, the tax is used where there is high lymph node involvement, as per NICE and SIGN guidelines.