Ductile Carcinoma

[Beppie1]

Cj and Jezzie,
Thanks so much for replying. I am all over the map emotionally and the research is also making my head spin. They say it is under 1 cm and hormone positive.

I didnt know about radiation recall. that is a little scary. I am not that comfortable with the thought of radiation or the chemotherapy.

Jezzie, Do you have to take the Femora forever? I was just curious about that. I have had a lot of negative reactions to drugs over the years and worry that I will not take well to radiation or chemo. Hoping there is some slim chance I will need neither, but maybe that is not possible.

CJ, are you comfortable telling me more about your diagnosis. I thought it might help me to decide between masectomy and lupectomy. LIke size etc.

Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers. They mean a lot to me.

[cjammom]

sure Beepie, Mine was 1.5cm, but according to my path report there was also another area, which apparently the ***** had not detected..after surgery my doc said "its a good thing you choose a mast, because there was other cancer elsewhere". Thats just my experience, everyone has their own, but just thought I should share that info with you.. I have read recently that women should have an mri following sugery, again this wasnt offered to me, but I can now understand what a positive that would be.
Being that your cancer is hormone positive, which means that estrogen fed the tumor, allowing it to grow, they probably will put you on tamoxifen or one of the ai's, aromasin, arimidex or femara, all depending on whether you are pre or post menopausal at that time..some women talk an injection to shut ovarian production, and others like myself choose a hysterectomy. I stopped menstuating for over a year after chemo, thats why I started on tamoxifen, and after 2yrs had the surgery and switched over to aromasin, after having some issues with side effects, I then switched to arimidex which, for me, doesnt seem as bad.
My sister in law, who takes femara has been on it for 7yrs and is still continuing...my onc told me that I will have a total of 5yrs hormonal therapy(I have one year to go) and unless further studies indicate benefits of continuing..he will take me off after the full total 5yrs.
Beepie, I know its all confusing..but your doing a great job!! You are taking charge, investigating and learning so you can make the best decision for you.. and you are arming yourself with info that will help you!
Anything at all that you want to ask is fine...there really arent any limits..I came here and continue to come so that I can offer help from my experiences..I didnt seek out that kind of help,but recently, Ive found many sites on the internet, for getting good info, kindness and places where I can express my feelings and concerns, and other women would know exactly how I felt..and that is an awesome feeling!! I am only sorry that I didnt look around earlier on..like you from the beginning..

Thinking of you Beepie!!
hugs,
cj.

[Beppie1]

CJ,
Thanks once again for your valuable support and experience.

I was at the hospital for almost three hours today. Various entities were talking to me before i finally saw the surgeon.

While they were all good, I thought, on the whole, the practitioners and the surgeon talk too much and dont listen much. Has anyone else had that impression? Just me being stubborn, maybe. I had done a lot of research and felt for awhile they were talking down to me and explaining things I already knew, while I had other questions. Me, being me, I just interrupted eventually.

Barring any other negative test results, they seemed pretty positive. They think it is Grade1/Stage1. Of course I will not know fully until lymph node testing. They want an MRI too, first.

Apparently radiation is a given, but a slim possibility I could use something called a mammosite, sp?), that would be for less time but more intense. Has anyone had experience with that?

They talked about tamoxifen or something like that maybe later. That final piece seems a little like overkill, but maybe I am missing something.

So now waiting, waiting, waiting, as usual. That is the hardest part. That and trying to continue to live life fully in the meantime. In that vein I am gong to a cancer care counselor tomorrow.

You have been so helpful and understanding. thank you so much. It means a lot to me.

Beth

[cjammom]

Hi Beth, I just hate when docs do that..my daughter who is 20 needed to have a biopsy recently of a node found in her thyroid, I had done the same thing you are doing now..gotten lots of info from this board and other sites which I read from the internet....so when I spoke with that doc, I asked questions and he wanted to know where I got my info from..I told him, wow did he look down on me!! even my daughter said as we left that she couldnt believe how he treated me!! Needless to say, I will never, ever go back to him again!! oh ps. the nodule is being watched..so far, everything is good.
You just keep on asserting yourself..Its your body!! Your life!! I used to be a pushover in the doctors office, not me, not anymore!! So, good for you Beth!!
I have heard of mammosite, but cant offer any info on that, sorry. Let me know what you find out, I would be interested in hearing about it.
Sounds like your cancer was probably found early..YIPEEEEEE..as far as tamox or other drugs they may have mentioned, those stop estrogen from reaching the breast..that will be your decision, whether to take them or not..lots of good info out there..but rememeber when you read about the side effects-everyone is so different..you may have no ill effects at all.
Like I said Beth this is the toughest part..I too went for counselling following my diagnosis, and it was a huge help!! It helped to say the words, feeling these feelings are tough, but saying them is sometimes even harder...but once they are out..for me...it was such a weight off my shoulders, lots of tears..so bring tissue..
Beth, coming here has been very helpful to me too! and Im keeping my promise to the man upstairs...GOD, that I would try to help others going through this..and be as supportive as I could.
There is such a strong bond felt with others battling this disease...we are all part of a group that we never wanted to join, but I have found them to be some of the kindest, sweetest, and loving people that I have ever met!!

Keep posting, let me know how everything is going!
cj.

[Jezzie25]

Hey Beth. I posted a reply yesterday, but who knows what happened to it! I did have a lumpectomy and did not spend the night at the hospital....sort of like a drive thur! I drove the next day...wasn't surpose to, but had a couple of things to do. I took 33 days of radiation....I will tell you....it makes you tired, but I taught while I was taking it....the process you are talking about I don't know about, but have heard of it. When I was told I had BC, I was so brave.....I suprised myself!! My mom had it when she was 81 and went through it , so she was my inspiration. It was only after all the treatments that it really hit me.....I found it was like the stages of grief. The realization hit me. We have Cancer Services and they offered a program called Survive and Thrieve and it was just what I needed. I met some wonderful people and my eyes were opened at how some young people at age 16 faced and fought the beast. As for Femara, I don't know the time limit. I have only been on it a year. I know it is 5 yrs most people stay on it. Did they say when you will have surgery? I know you don't think so right now, but you are very fortunate that they found it so early. Along the journey, you will meet some extraordinary survivors...they will give you inspiration and strength...as will we.