Hello Everyone! First posting, a bit scared!

Welcome! So sorry that you had to join us though

Many studies have shown that hormone treatment to be equal or more effective than chemo.

Chemo has some awful and long term side effects and not everyone who gets chemo reaps rewards for example some gals get chemo pre surgery to shrink a tumour but it does little to shrink it so it ain't the wonder drug!

A Recent trial, TailorX sought to analyse the tumour just after surgery and the results of that dictated whether chemo would be of benefit or not.

The Chemo or no chemo decision will be based on a number of things, size of tumour, whether lymph nodes were involved, grade of cells in tumour (can be a 1, 2 or 3 with 3 being most aggressive), type of cancer (ductal or lobular or another) and also her2 status. Most likely your case will be reviewed by a team of people who will make the best decision for you.

One thing I would suggest you do is ask for a copy of your pathology report. Also ask about whether there are any trials particular to your stats that you should consider.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Lindylu

Hi Annie3
So sorry to hear that you have been touched by cancer; you have every right to feel confused and weepy - no one expects to be told that they have cancer, and trying to take in everything and make sense of it takes a while. That wasn't a very nice 60th birthday present I'm pretty sure there isn't a person on this website that doesn't wonder about the chances of recurrence, and if the surgery/chemotherapy/radiotherapy/hormone treatment/other treatments has done its job sufficiently.

There is a test called Oncotype DX that can be used to help women and doctors make decisions about whether or not to use chemotherapy in a treatment plan. The Oncotype DX test provides information in addition to standard measurements (such as tumor size, tumor grade and lymph node status) that doctors have traditionally used, to estimate how likely a woman’s cancer is to return, and to help her make treatment decisions.

Usually Oncotype DX is used if your cancer is stage I or II Invasive Breast Cancer, if you are ER+ and if there has been no lymph node involvement. Your doctor might already be using this to determine the course of treatment for you; but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

I hope this bit of information has been of use to you Annie3; the biggest thing I gleaned from my own experience is not to get too tied up in other breast cancer stories - no two people are the same and don't always get the same treatment for various reasons.

The very, very best of luck, and hopefully the worry will be a thing of the past.

Regards

Encee

Hi Annie3

Both ladies above have given fantastic advice. Don't apologise for being weepy, you can let it all out here, we are all here to listen to you and support you Annie, we are all in the same boat and know only too well what you are going through. Hugs to you

Blessings

Mimiraffo

Philippians 4:13 says that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Claim and believe this scripture and allow the God of all comfort to comfort you and yes He will a give you strength. Isaiah 40:31 says, They that wait upon the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings of like eagles. Blessings again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMZj0520v0g

Hi Girls,

I want to thank all three of you for your very welcome response. I feel so much better today having made contact here, family and friends are wonderful but only those going through BC can fully understand your pain and anxiety, again I'm so grateful.

I got my appointment for next week with the Oncologist and I imagine I will probably have a million questions for him! I remember now the Dr. told me on Tuesday that they would be doing the Oncotype DX test so I will leave it in their hands to prescribe what's best for me.

I will ask for my pathology report and check out any trials relating to my stats, thanks Lindylu for that, it's something I wouldn't have thought of. Everything has happened so fast I'm not sure whether I'm on my head or heels, even my memory is gone!

Sending very best wishes to you all, take care

Annie

I'm new to this also, so keep positive, I'm 57 this month and was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 2008, had lumpectomy, radiotherapy and hormone arimidex, and did well till I got hip pain in Feb 2011 and low and behold it had spread to my bones "Shock and horror" . So now I am receiving Zometa every 4 weeks and they changed my hormone to tamoxifen. Had scans in Nov. and cancer not in my major organs, and oncologist said they will keep an eye on me and hopefully they can contain the spread. It's not nice living with this over your head at all times, but I get by with help from husband friend and family. But it is still nice to talk to others who know what I'm going through. Anyway I will keep on the "bright side" of life.

Hi Girls,

I'm new to here too. This is only my second post. I know what you're going through. I'm still getting my head around my DX. It's all happening so fast though that I've barely had time to draw breath.

I had my first meeting with my oncologist on Tues night. It was very overwhelming and I'm still suffering a bit from information overload. There's a lot to take in. My advice is to compile a comprehensive list of questions with a copy for you, him and whomever you decide to bring with you. (If I'm not too late with this - forgot to look at your timeline). Oh and a pen... lol. The only other thing I can say is put your trust in the medical profession because they really do know what they're doing, and what's best for you. Our cases have been discussed at length so I have no doubt they're looking after us very well.

I was very strong and practical when I got the news too, but since Tues evening I've been a bit wobbly - and totally exhausted. I had to put a bit of a full stop on some fertility implications, which was tough. But with that decided I'm ready now for the next step.

I'm having my hair all chopped short short tomorrow, which I can only assume will either be totally traumatic or totally empowering. We'll just have to wait and see. Then it's off to the oncology nurse for her to give me advice on preparation and where to go for my wig etc. I have a day appt on Mon for a scope & echo. And then I start chemo the following Mon. Fast and furious but I'm glad of that I think. Not too much time to obsess... And boy can I do that with skill.

Keep us posted. And if the experienced ladies here have any advice for those of us heading into chemo in the next couple of weeks I'd be most grateful.
Luck and Best Wishes.
Sarah. X

Hi everyone!
@Annie3, the very best of luck next week when you meet with your oncologist - maybe if you get a chance you might let us know how you get on?
@Mariakeegan, I don't know what to say apart from hoping that everything is going well for you since being (re)diagnosed. I can't even imagine what it must be like for you; I hope that the people in your life are able to give you all the support you deserve x
@glasshalffull- the very best of luck to you on your treatment - the only immediate advice I can give you is to increase your fluid intake - not only will it help maintain good bladder and kidney function but it will also help keep your veins nice and perky... Perfect for poking and prodding at . I also found that I got a bit constipated after chemo, despite the fact that I'm a great fresh fruit and veg kinda gal & in hindsight maybe I should have used a laxative. The good news is that your skin will only be gorgeous!!!

Best of luck & take care ladies x

Encee, thanks for that. Feeling good today, going for treatment (Zometa) tomorrow Tues, will have a chat with oncologist and ask many questions. Hopefully we can all beat this! Keep the sunny side out everyone, I know it's hard at times, but we need to be positive.

Firstly, I just want to say I hope everyone here is doing well as you all move through your different stages of treatment and some of you coping with the shock of your initial diagnosis (which I'm still getting used to).

Last week I saw both the medical and radiology oncologists. The results of the Oncotype DX test will determine my course of treatment, hormone or chemo or perhaps both. I will then be having 33 rads treatment. I felt the medical oncologist could have been a bit more forthcoming with information especially about the hormone treatment which he feels is maybe all I'll need along with the rads. (my tumour was just under 2cm, no lymph node involvement, clear margins). There was no mention of a bone density scan until I asked as I was told back in the mid-90s that my ankle bones were thinning faster than they should have been. My next appointment with him is up on the day ward at the end of Feb which I guess is when they will be starting whichever treatment they've planned.

The rad oncologist was lovely and couldn't be more informative. At the end he asked a couple of times if there was anything else we needed to know which is always great as I find there's always something I forget to question. Physiotherapy is this Friday, 4 weeks post-op.

I'm finding as time goes by that I'm getting more weepy for no reason, sometimes just out of the blue. It reminds me of when I was suffering from PMT and that wasn't today or yesterday - had a total abdominal hysterectomy in 1998.

Just a little word of encouragement to those of you who might be still in the early days of having lymph nodes removed, I'm exactly 4 weeks post-op today and I can now pull a jumper over my head and tie my hair back!

Take care everyone, God Bless

Hi Everyone!

I was back with my Oncologist this morning and I'm starting on Femara and Calcium tablets tomorrow, no Chemo required according to Oncotype DX test! I will receive an appointment for the bone density test in the coming weeks and my radiotherapy mapping scan also within the next few weeks. Things are looking very good, thank God.

This afternoon I went out for my first long walk in months. As I already suffer from stiff legs and feet for which I've been taking Glucosomine and Chrondritin for about 10 years I'm trying to lessen the stiffness which they said could occur with Femara.

Hope everyone is feeling well today. Take care all.

Annie

Hello everyone

Gosh, there is so much positivity in all the posts here - ladies, I reckon we could solve the problems of the world with all the positive vibes!

Annie3; on the stiffness, etc., these days I'm a 90 year old trapped in a 39 year old body!!! I've started doing alot of walking (and trying to do a bit of jogging, laugh of the year!) and found myself terribly stiff as the weeks go on. However, I signed up for improvers swimming lessons and had my first lesson last night - and I feel the best I have in months. Muscles in my back that were resisting any movement today feel as if there is a bit more give - the back of the top of my arm is still very stiff, but I'm hopeful with a bit more swimming that will ease out also.

So, my positive imput today is that things seem to be getting better!

Hi all first posting for me too!!

I was diagnosed 4th nov,had sentinal node biopsy 6th dec and first chemo 16th dec.I am having my 5th fri next so am on homestrech hopefully.
I still have to face surgery in april which i have accepted(sort of!!!)Is it just me or after the information overload at the beginning,i seem to have plodded along in a daze till now when i find it has all become so real.Im starting to worry now more than i did in the beginning.Had mammo and ultrasound on thurs and have mri next mon to see if chemo working.I am soo nervous now!!!

I can say i have kept as positive as i can as i have 3 small beautiful childen 8,5 and 4 so they dont quite understand whats going on so am trying to keep things normal for them.Its not an easy journey but i wont let this beat me.

Sorry if i have rattled im not great at expressing myself

xx

Hi all

Also very nervous never done anything like this before. Diagnosed BC May 2010 discovered lump completely out of the blue entered medical whirlwind and have not had much time to think. I was 40 when diagnosed have 5 children. I started chemo June 2011 TCH with herceptin which was very tough at times but got through it, had wide local excision and lymph node removal November 2011. January 2012 started with radio therapy for 5 weeks followed by 8 booster sessions which finished last week. So far all results have been very positive. I will be continuing herceptin until June 2012.

I have spent many a night reading these boards and got great comfort from them. Now I feel the need to communicate with others who understand what I am going through. Have wonderful supportive husband who still unfortunately hasn't discovered housework I feel overwhelmed by daily chores and find myself hiding in bed to avoid them. I manage to get kids to school washed and fed but anything beyond that seems impossible. Please tell me am I going mad or will it get better.

Madge1

Hello Madge 1,
I just had to reply to your post as I too have been feeling overwhelmed by the everyday chores! I too have 5 children and a wonderful hubby who is great(better than me) at housework but just does not have the time so things still get out of hand at times! I too have found myself hiding in bed but I really think we are not hiding, just doing what our bodies need to do after being assaulted by such harsh treatments! I was diagnosed last April 2011, had mastectomy, ax clearence 29 glands removed of which 14 positive, and had reconstruction LD flap, began chemo in end June, got pneumonia half way through, finished chemo Nov and did 33 rads. I am 44 yrs young. Had 1st visit to oncologist post treatment Feb 27th, scans and bloods all normal, starting tamoxifen. On holiday as I type. Still full aches/pains but what I do notice this week is that I have more energy and feel I want to start doing bit more around the kids. Like you getting them to school, washing/feeding them, homework gets done but the rest, especially the laundry a nightmare!
I really think we are going in the right direction like all the women who post here! Of course some days are going to be better than others but the most important thing to remember is be patient with yourself! Be good to yourself as you have been through a very traumatic ordeal and have come out the other side so well done!!! The women who post here are all just amazing and have helped me keep some of my sanity over the past year!!
Take care,
X x x

Hi Madge

Its been a year since my diagnosis, chemo, mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction, a dose of MRSA, open wounds for 4 months, 33 rads and now on Herecptin til August and taking tamoxifen. I too am knackered, complety and utterly drained and have nothing to give. Yes I can do the shop and give the floor a lick of the brush and mop but its almost autopilot. I fall asleep in the chair most evenings and fiind it impossible to get up in the mornings. I was feeling a bit guilty about staying in bed til 11am in the morning but I am coming around to the idea that maybe thats just what my body needs given the amount of battering it has had. So unless we are all going mad it must just be part of our healing which we have to go through. I think if we embrace the good days and then just write off the bad days as just that a bad day and nothing else , and then over time the good days will increase and we will be firing on new cylinders again and ready to run a small country!!
Lots of love and hugs

Sinéad

Hello to everyone = what great comfort I get from reading all your stories, until you go through this process you just can't understand how this all feels.......my only word of advice, nearly 13 months on since diagnosis is to take each step at a time, there will be more good days than bad and some great energy days and some not so great but you will all get through this and remember you are in good hands. I am now on my final stretch, DIEP Flap Reconstruction on 4th of April, this part seemed like a life time away January of last year but I got through two surgeries / chemo / rad therapy and I am still smiling...... It's like cllimbing a ladder, you just need to take one step up and eventually you will reach the top...... Well done everyone Hang in there xxx

Hi guys,

Just want to say that I am delighted to see that other women are 'hiding in bed' because of housework! I had B C 12 years ago when my children were 8 and 6. This time around, 12 years later, I am finding the 'house' bit far more stressful. I seem to be constantly fighting with my now 18 and 21 year old about tidying up etc. Mainly my 21 year old girl (18 year old is doing Leaving Cert), who today called me a psychopath. My head is all over the place at the moment and so don't have the energy to clean, clean, clean.