Breast Cancer Now Forum

NushyC · ‎23-12-2014

Hi all I've had 20 sessions of Rt which ended in May'14. I've experienced some fibrosis but it did settle down over the last couple of months and had very little skin reaction. I've woken up this morning with a swollen, tender breast and discovered what looks like a thumb size bruise/broken blood vessels. The pinpricks have become more visible and now they've appeared under my breast. I've emailed my BC nurse who has passed on the message to my Onc. Has anyone had anything similar? Xx

NushyC · ‎19-04-2014

Thanks Janeypie Sorry I haven't logged on for some time, now started my RT so events overtook me a little. I hope you are doing well. Xxx

NushyC · ‎31-03-2014

Thank you Janeypie I've decided against taking the chemo after churning through all the pros/cons & stats so I'll be starting Radiotherapy very shortly followed by medication (Tamoxifen & Zoladex) with chances for a "baby break" within the next couple of years It's such a daunting situation to face & I've been very lucky having family & a few close friends who could talk thru the options really logically with me. Also my Onc was incredibly supportive when I turned it down which has also given me confidence it was the right thing for me. Had she said anything else then I suppose I'd be getting ready to take the chemo. I hope everything is going well for you and you are feeling better every day. Lots of love N xx

NushyC · ‎21-02-2014

Hi all. I was DX in Nov'13, 1.7mm grade 2 ER & PR 8/8, HER2-. Lumpectomy thru a WLI & SNB showed clear margins and no node involvement. I'm 34 yo and have no children. Initially I was offered Rads & Tam but was then called back to discuss chemo (x6 FEC-75 every 3 weeks). This would be to reduce the risk of recurrence an overall 3% in addition to the advantages of rads and Tam for 10 years. We opted for the Oncotype DX and the result has come back as 26 which is middle of the intermediate section so according to the stats chemo may or may not give me an advantage. The decision is now back down to me deciding. In my situation, chemo isn't curative but rather about risk reduction. My Onc has advised me to have the chemo BUT it comes with the whole possible infertility/ early menopause etc issues so I've been told to work out what my priorities are. Another option she has offered would be to have rads, combined Zol/Tam for 2yrs, break for a family and then back onto Tam for a remaining 8years. I've been offered embryo preservation which I'm going ahead with but I'm swinging between having the chemo or not. Everything comes with risk as all this treatment doesn't guarantee anything so I'm deciding between 3% advantage of having chemo with peace of mind but compromising fertility (the success of live birth from embryo preservation has its own stats) or going forward with rads/Zol & tam & preserving some level of my natural fertility with peace of mind but compromising the 3% advantage? Has anyone else had a similar experience where their Onc left it up to them? I got married just before DX and we had been hoping to start a family ASAP so I'm trying to take the heated emotion out of the decision making to make things a little clearer and would be grateful for any advice/thoughts or opinions.

NushyC · ‎03-02-2014

Hi hopeful. I asked my Onc about Zoladex to help put the ovaries to "sleep" should I need chemo (waiting for a test result) and she said no, because any stray cancer cells would also respond to the Zoladex & switch "off" so chemo wouldn't target them. She would only combine it post chemo when I start Tam. Being seen at Charing X hospital, London and so far they've been great & very supportive. Maybe get yr Oncs opinion on it as well. Krgds Nush xx

NushyC · ‎30-01-2014

Hi Fran. Thanks for your reply. The thought of chemo is very daunting so I opted for this test (not available on the NHS yet) to help us decide. I'll let you know how it goes & what the decision ends up being. I suspect any treatment will also inc RT & the Tam/Zol. Glad that so far the Tam is going well & hope the Zoladex jabs don't cause you any issues. Wishing you lots of luck for the RT as well Xxx

NushyC · ‎30-01-2014

Hi everyone. I seem to be in a similar situation. 34 yo, no children, grade 2 ER/PR +ve, HER2 -ve. I had my lumpectomy (clear margins) & lymph node removal (clear) and was initially offered RT & Tam ( with a possibility of Zoladex for 2 years as I'd then want to start a family asap) However, another oncologist was unhappy that chemo had not been discussed so we've had 2 meetings and I'm now waiting for the results of an Oncotype DX test (it determines risk of reoccurrence & whether chemo would benefit me) before we decide. Again, it's my age which is why I've been offered the chemo but alongside the short-term effects there is the big question mark over fertility (I just returned from honeymoon when I found the lump). I'd be really interested to know if anyone has had to have the "decide on chemo" when it's offered as a choice rather than necessity alongside the RT/Zol/Tam for 10yrs. The whole fertility issue is really emotive for me & I don't want to make any rash/uniformed decisions either way. My sister was given Zoladex for a different issue, a few years ago and in her early 40's recovered from the minimal side effects (hot flushes, period stopped) quite quickly (a couple of months). Xx

NushyC · ‎30-01-2014

Thank you Mel. As with everything over the last few months, it takes a few days to absorb the wall of information and then make informed decisions. We're holding off until I get the results of the oncotype test back next week. Jo thank you, I'll read through those links. Xx

NushyC · ‎28-01-2014

Hi there. I found a lump before Christmas and a biopsy confirmed it was a malignant tumour. The histology has come back, following a lumpectomy as a grade 2, 1.7mm ER & PR +ve, HER2 -ve with clear margins. My lymph nodes are clear. Initially I was told that the disadvantages of chemo would outweigh the advantages as I was hoping to start a family soon so I would have RT & then decide on how we'd move forward with hormonal therapy. However, another oncologist asked to see me and has told me to consider chemo because of the added protection it could offer in the future bearing it mind the risks to fertility (I had only returned from honeymoon when I found my lump) as Iam keen to start a family ASAP. I have opted for the Oncotype DX test & am waiting for the results to help with decision making but are there any another women who have found themselves in a similar position as I am very anxious about the whole preserving fertility vs. chemo when 2 oncologists have 2 opposites views (I have been offered embryo preservation but this comes with its own set of issues).

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