jolene
Junior Member
Posts: 40
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Post by jolene on Dec 23, 2008 22:10:22 GMT -5
Okay ladies - I know we all could use some good news so I'm so happy to have some to share! I had my follow up appt today and they took the drain tubes out I am so glad to be rid of those! I also got the test results back and all the margins were clear and it had NOT spread to the lymph nodes So that means that they got all the cancer out and it hasn't spread anywhere else! I am still waiting for the consult to oncology - they are super backed up so I will probably be referred to a cancer clinic somewhere outside the VA - which is also a good thing - I'm happy to go somewhere that specializes in that - not that the VA doesn't (they do have a primary oncology clinic at the VA) The Dr today said that they will probably be aggressive in the treatment because I am so young - so I am curious as to what oncology recommend for me treatment wise. Earlier this week we were at the pharmacy picking up a prescription for my son Gryphyn (3rd round for this double ear infection  ) and it was super late so we were talking to the pharmacist. The whole cancer thing came up and she said that her mom had cancer and that she had told her NOT to get chemo unless it was a life or death choice - she explained that chemo is so bad for you body - yes it kills the cancer but it also attacks so many good things in your body as well. You can only have a certain amount in your body because it makes you toxic. Once you get it you can never do it again. So if I choose to do chemo now and the cancer does come back, I'm screwed I can't do chemo again. So I'm really considering NOT doing it now. I don't have all the facts yet but from what I have heard, I am thinking of just doing radiation and an estrogen blocker. So, yea! for good news finally |
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Post by southernlady1231 on Dec 24, 2008 0:41:40 GMT -5
Jolene - your pharmacist gave you such bad - and wrong - information!! I had chemo for breast cancer and I know that if I had a recurrance, there would be another chemo for me to take. My daughter had ovarian cancer and she had over 60 chemo treatments - different drugs and different combinations. There are so many drug options for cancer patients and many new ones are being released every day. Please, please do not get your medical information from this pharmacist again!! Listen to your oncologist - he/she is trained and has experience.
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jolene
Junior Member
Posts: 40
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Post by jolene on Dec 24, 2008 8:21:25 GMT -5
southernlady - thank you for the warning - I am aware that I don't have all the facts (as I mentioned above) I am also aware that chemo isn't a one time trip to the dr type thing that it takes months to administer the required dose. I have a friend here who just finished her chemo treatments and her oncologist told her the same thing - that she could never do chemo again - I just hadn't known the why till I spoke with the pharmacist - her explanation made sense. Don't fear, I intend to make my decision based off what the oncologist recommends  |
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Post by Ruth on Dec 24, 2008 8:42:28 GMT -5
Jolene,
I'm so happy to hear that your margins were clear and you have no lymph node involvement. Glad you got that good news. I'm thinking that your Oncologist won't even recommend Chemo at this point....just Radiation and maybe hormone blocker.
My d-i-l was 34 when she had her breast cancer. That's how they treated her and she had a similar dx. She was estrogen negative, so didn't need to take tamoxifen, but she did have 6 weeks of Radiation.
Let us know as soon as you find out....................
Glad to get this good news.
Hugs,
Ruth
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Post by Mary on Dec 24, 2008 9:09:24 GMT -5
Hi Jolene,
I'm celebrating your good news with you, g/f! Continue to do your research and don't be shy about asking your Oncologist everything that's on your mind. You are young and you need to do the treatment that has the best chance of a cure. I was 38 yrs. old when I was diagnosed, IDC with 2 nodes positive, and I'm 51 yrs. old now and still have "no evidence of disease". They did do chemo with me since it was in my lymph nodes. Remember too, wherever you end up seeing an Onc., if you don't feel like your Dr. is answering all your questions or you have any doubts about him, get a second opinion somewhere else.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas tomorrow!
Love and hugs,
Mary
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Post by Grits on Dec 24, 2008 14:12:20 GMT -5
Jolene...a BIG Congrats on your great news!!!! Adriamicin is the only Chemo that generally is given one time only to a patient...there's several different Chemo's that are given at different stages and for different cancers...please talk long and hard with your Oncologist and research before making any definite decisions. Your Dr's are the professionals in this journey, talk to them and "force" them to give you every senario...spend as much time in their office as you feel comfortable with...it's your decision, but be informed!!!!! I'm keeping you in my prayers and Congratulations again on clear margins, that's a biggie!!!!!! Merry Christmas...hugs, Jane
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Post by sue on Dec 26, 2008 14:35:47 GMT -5
Dear Jolene,
There are a lot of people out there who are going to give you some uninformed opinions on your cancer. Find a doctor that you like and trust him/her to give you the best advice. They will know you cancer and your situation better than anyone. You can have chemo more than once there are many different types of chemo.
I was diagnosed 10 years ago with node positive cancer. I had both chemo and radiation and have been cancer free for 10 years.
Good Luck with your treatment.
(((Hugs))) Sue
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Post by sherrie on Dec 26, 2008 16:26:53 GMT -5
Congratulations on the clean margins and not having any lymp nodes involved.....and on getting those dreadful drains out! Hopefully you won't need any chemo but as many have said ahead of me, your onco. knows what's best and that's who I would trust. I was one that did have the cancer to come back not quite a year from when I had 6 rounds of chemo (CMF) and my onco. talked with a breast cancer specialist at a major medical center before starting any treatment plan the second time around, chemo could have been an option but the specialist agreed with my onco. that rads and a different form of hormonal therapy(Femara) would be their first option......the cancer had moved to my bones. I have been stable now for several years and on the Femara since Oct. 2001. I'm an 8 year survivor
Hugs,
Sherrie
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Post by cara3 on Dec 28, 2008 18:37:21 GMT -5
Jolene,
Listen to all your doctors. My sister tried to talk my father out of chemo but he is determined that chemo is what he needs. I just told him to remember that he can always back out if he wants to. I pray that whatever you decide that you will be fine. I will pray for you.
Kitty
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Post by tigger1 on Dec 28, 2008 20:44:16 GMT -5
Hi Jolene,
First congratulations of your no node involvement! That is great news. I am thinking that you want to ask several oncologist what would they do if it were their wife, sister or mother? Chemo is a powerful way to go yet very necessary if your nodes were positive. However, the tamoxifin, Estrace or Femara etc. will do the necessary as well. I am seven years out with no reoccurences and I had no chemo. My oncologist was cautious and asked several other friend oncologists what they would do with me and all agreed that chemo was not necessary. whewwwwwww I was most relieved as chemo can do a number on your heart , your brain and nerve, teeth etc. I would definitely ask for several opinions from your oncologist if he or she could ask others on your behalf. I wish you full wisdom in making this choice and then sticking by it. I am now off all hormonal therapy and feeling great. Blessings & will include you and your family in my prayers. Cancer can use all the support you can get. Tigger
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Post by mountaingirl on Jan 4, 2009 20:42:24 GMT -5
Jolene
I am sooooo relieved with your test results as are you I feel sure. These ladies have all share some excellent points of advice in moving forward. I personally know several people who have undergone chemotherapy, as well as radiation multiple times. Indeed, both are hard on the body - however they are doeable. Again - cancer is such a personal journey - and the best suit of armor we have is knowledge and utilizing that knowledge in working to be our own best advocate! Hang in there - call me when you have a few minutes and know I am praying hard for you girl!
Huggs
Heidi aka
MountainGirl
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) and it was super late so we were talking to the pharmacist. The whole cancer thing came up and she said that her mom had cancer and that she had told her NOT to get chemo unless it was a life or death choice - she explained that chemo is so bad for you body - yes it kills the cancer but it also attacks so many good things in your body as well. You can only have a certain amount in your body because it makes you toxic. Once you get it you can never do it again. So if I choose to do chemo now and the cancer does come back, I'm screwed I can't do chemo again. So I'm really considering NOT doing it now. I don't have all the facts yet but from what I have heard, I am thinking of just doing radiation and an estrogen blocker. 
