Got results today…good news well great news im cancer free… so why chemo? Grade 3. 1.6cm. CONFUSED xxx
Hi Tomorrow will be.
Good news that they got all the nasty lump - I’m assuming that you had a WLE and had clear margins and that your nodes were clear.
Why are they recommending chemo for you? Well, your onc or BCN is the best person to ask about your specific case.
However, generally speaking, from the experiences I’ve heard on this forum and information I’ve picked up, you are likely to be offered chemo for any one or combination of a few factors - for example: If you are young; if it’s a grade 3 (quite aggressive); if it’s over a certain size; if there was any hint of vascular invasion.
Unfortunately cancer cells can get out through the bloodstream, as well as through the lymph system and so chemo is a way of mopping any stray ones up.
But, as I said, ask your team - they are the best ones to explain it to you. They are unlikely to have offered it to you lightly.
Good luck!
Dx
Thank you for your reply.The grade is 3 .size 1.6cm.So yes aggressive. Specialist called it early breast carcinoma. I take that because of grade ive been offered chemo. specialist said had it for 6 months so seems caught early. The worrying just never stops. xxx
Good luck - chemo isn’t pleasant, but it is ‘doable’. I had chemo in 2011 and was one of the lucky ones who mananged to keep working through most of it.
Hope all your side effects are little ones.
If you join a thread with others who are having chemo at the same time, you’ll find it a great source of info and support.
hi DJOO7, my bc nurse saidunavisable to work during chemo because i work with children and in medical room.Soon as I know when it starts I will join a thread. Thank you for your reply. Love and hugs .xxx
Hi there!
I am one week post mastectomy and auxiliary clearance. I had 2 lumps one benign under my arm and one grade 2 that was 1.6 cm. My surgeon was taking no chances. The bcn told me the day after the op that I was probably “cancer free”, however I don’t think I’ll believe it until Monday when hopefully I will hear those words when we go back forth pathology report…
I had one dodgy lymph node, with spots on the other 2 nodes they took out, and I was devastated because it meant horrible chemo- but my surgeon told me that even if I had a negative result there, I would have probably have had to have chemo- because they want to make sure we never EVER have to come back again. Also because of my age (37) chemo would have been on the cards…
I’m here recovering from my op wishing to god that this was it- that I could go back to my life, it just doesnt seem fair, but I think in the long term it will…
I certainly don’t want chemo, but I certainly don’t want to be scared and looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life
Hello there,
The chemo is to get rid of any cancer cells lurking around. If you are young you are allowed this anyway but I had Chemo because my lump was large 4.5 cm and it had spread to my lymph nodes so I had to have a full axillary node clearance. My biggest fear of the Chemo was losing my hair so I decided to do the Cold cap Treatment at my local hospital and it saved me from ever having to wear my wig or hats I bought. I did wear my hats on the way home from Chemo as I was always so cold. Take lots of warm clothes if you decide to have it as like you I had Chemo during Nov and Dec 2010. I was never ill and apart from the sore mouth and lack of taste buds I coped really well. I would recommend getting some of your favourite ice lollies in the freezer to soothe your mouth. Make smoothies and lots of nice treats. Hope it all works out well for you alll. Love Tracy xxx
Hi I really dont want chemo…who does ! I’m 59 so I have’nt even got youth on my side, my looks long lost. I keep repeating to myself “I’m CANCER FREE” and smile to myself. Chemo going to keep it that way. I will try the cold cap even though I’m a coldie. I’m going to wear ear rings that dangle on my shoulders, I’m going to get creative and make outrageous headscarves. New daring make up…if all else fails …I’ll have a good old cry and a glass of wine. To be honest…dreading it. xxx Good luck everyone xxx
Tomorrow will be, so good to hear your humour, i thought the same that it wouldnt happen to me. but i reckon as the others said, it is the grade and size. i am 46 and it is doable, there is so much info on here. i was also in a job with little ones, i miss it but know its just not safe
any questions please pm me and the december girls are a good place to start, they will be the same as you.
good luck
xx
Hi Tracyld thank you for your tips was wondering did you lose any of your hair and what chemo did you have. Got date for oncologist December17th. Do you think trearment will start in January.
amd66 I really miss the children but I know it’s not the right thing to do, going back to school would be silly. Are you having treatment at the mlnute or is yours all done with? So would I be a December girl or January girl and where do I find them on here.
Many thanks I feel like I have a new branch to my family. xxx
I’m a teacher so going back to work is and will be a big no no u til September 2013. Even then I’ll be going back having to leave again when it’s reconstruction time…
It’s the boredom that’s getting to me! What on earth will I do for the next 7 months…??? HELP!!!
Chemo just doesn’t seem fair after all the mental and physical crap we’ve been through. I’m defo going to enquire about the cold cap. Is there anyone who didn’t loose their hair doing chemo with/ without it??
My hubbie is worried that something will be missed if I use the cold cap and I’ll get brain cancer down the line!!!
I’ll find out more on Monday, but am hoping I find out what’s going on chemo wise soon…
The nurse mentioned TC to me- not a clue what that means…
Hi Tomorrow will be
I had lump of 1.5 - grade 3 plus all nodes removed. This was followed by 6 lots of chemo and 25 sessions of radiotherapy. I am a teacher and worked through most of the treatments only taking time off the week after each chemo session, and worked through all the rads. My oncologist encouraged me to work and it really helped me get through my treatments. Although it all seemed very daunting at first it is amazing how quickly it all went. I have now been finished for a month and am gradually returning to being “me”, and hair etc is now returning too. All the best with your treatments.K M
wow kitten - you are amazing! Did youwork while having chemo? I have been advised not to work while having chemo and to be honest even before I start treatments I’m exhausted, no energy at all. I’m 59 and up to this, been veryyoung at heart,lively and felt like a teenager.Now Ifeelolderthan my years…so how will I feel when chemo starts. Any advise I would truely appreciate. Lots of love. xxx
Hi, Neadi , you should probably ask your nurse what she meant, but in my case, TC was the type of chemo I had… they started me on FEC-T, but after a MUGA (heart) scan, they decided to put me on TC (Taxotere/Cyclophosphomide) . I gave up the cold cap after one use, as was losing my hair anyway, then lost the lot…
Tomorrow will be… I was 51 at diagnosis and like you, up until then was reasonably fit. The treatment does take a toll on you , but you will probably find that you have more energy in the week just before your next cycle of chemo. The decision to continue to work really is an individual one, depending on your job. It is not a good idea to be in the copany of lots of people becuase of the risk of Neutropenia, and sometimes other side effects make your job physically difficult. For example I sew for a living and due to losing sensitivity in my finger tips couldnt even hold a needle most of the time.
16 months post chemo, my fitness is probably back to 90% of what it was before.
The best advice I can give you is to listen to your body and dont try to overdo it, you will find if you do, you will be fit for nothing the next day.
Good luck ladies xxxx
Surgery is the main way of getting rid of breast cancer. Other adjuvant ( as well as) treatments are given to increase your chances of survival. It is tough but very “doable”. The best way of getting through it is joining a ’ having chemo in" forum tnread. People having the same side effects as you is such a comfort.
Hi there tomorrow will be.
I was also 59 when diagnosed in April 2011. I have had a mastectomy then chemo of 3 FEC and 3 docetaxel, then 15 rads and 18 herceptins, the last of which was at the end of September this year. My lymph nodes were clear. I had my port removed a fortnight later. I tried the cold-cap but decided that the no-wash, no colour look, split ends look wasn’t for me so abandoned it after the 2nd chemo.
Don’t worry about being on herceptin as your heart will be very carefully monitored - I had 6 muga-scans in total, as well as a bone-density scan as chemo can affect your vulnerability to osteoporosis.
Ask to see the chemo unit before your 1st session like I did. Nobody was there kicking and screaming, or tied to their chairs! The staff at my unit at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds are lovely as are the whole team there. If you are scared then please tell them and they will reassure you and help you. I guess that every person here will have been daunted at the prospect of chemo - I know that I was, but the reality was far better than I would have imagined. As you have been told already, chemo is doable so try and take your ‘medicine’ with a smile and know that it is good for you in the long run.
Here I am now with hair that is back to its original style with hi-lites too. I was 60 in March so both me and the Queen are celebrating our Diamond Jubilees together! My daughter is expecting our 1st grandchild on 19th of December - what a difference a year makes!!! Life is good.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer is tough, but my way of dealing with it was to consider myself lucky in that, at least knowing meant something could be done - how many people are walking about with undiagnosed ‘time-bombs’ inside them?
There IS a light at the end of the tunnel so hang on in there and each chemo will be a step nearer to it.
Mazzalou xxx
That message gives me hope
Xxxx
Mazzalou… Thankyou for for that wonderful message. You are an inspiration. Yes, what a difference a year canmake.I’m 60 in June AND BOY AM I GOING TO PARTY!
cackles…Will takeyour adviseand join "I’m having chemo " forum.
Thankyou ladies x
Hi Tomorrow will be. I too am 59, took early retirement in July with grand plans for my OH, dog and I to hit the road in our touring caravan. Found the lump in August and dx with bc in September. had the lump removed on 18th September and was told 3cm Grade 3 so like you am undergoing chemo, then rads and hormone treatment to give me and my family the best chance of my survival.
i decided not to try the cold cap. My hair was really fine and if it had thinned at all it would have looked awful so bit the bullet and shaved it off 2 weeks after 1 st chemo as it was coming out in handfuls. I have a really good wig that everybody says looks real, but at home I am just spikey!
I was not expecting chemo. They thought would be radiotherapy and hormone tablets but I guess they can’t forecast the aggression of the tumour.
take care of yourself and take advantage of all help offered
kay x
Hello Tomorrow will be another day …
I had FEC T Chemo and yes some of my hair did come out , but I always had a good covering of hair so I was really pleased with the Cold Cap treatment. The biggest problem for me was my veins which kept crashing and some of the nurses wanted me to have a line in , but I didnt fancy that somehow. I know lots of ladies on here have had a line put in so see how you go. I took a hot water bottle with me and kept gloves on the whole time I was waiing to go in the Chemo Suite. I had a hot drink and tried to keep very very warm. Take lots of stuff to read through and stay positive . SEnding you big hugs . Tracy xxx