Guest guest Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Hello , Thanks for the email. The Dr. said it was not in my lymph nodes so I did not have to have chemo. My understanding was that was what they did with lumpectomy. I have an appointment wuth the radiation doctor next week which the Surgeon recommends 5 days 8 weeks radiation. They also want me to have an appointment with a medical oncologist. Was this your MO after the surgery? I had no complications with the surgery and went to work five days after. I am 53 never smoked don't drink very athletic. I was very surprized when they found it in the mammogram. The size of the tumor was 2.5 and they removed alot of the tissue around the area. Please email and let me know what you think. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,Welcome to the group. Radiation for me was pretty much nothing, except time-consuming (travel to/from the hosp.).Sounds like your dr. did not recommend chemotherapy? Can you tell me more? I "elected" to get chemo 4 months after lumpectomy and radiation, just to be on the safe side. I am wondering about your decision process. I will never know if I did the right thing or not.I am also afraid of recurrence, as I am sure the rest of the group is too. What we all want is to be cancer-free for the rest of our lives.Again, welcome.Love to all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: New member looks forward to chattingDate: Sun, 6 Nov 2005 01:59:13 +0000Hi I am a new member. Just had a lumpectomy with radiation to follow. The surgery went fine but am a little scared of Radiation and if cancer will return.I look forward to chatting with you soon.Sharon Claremont California 53 years old. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 I think you should see an oncologist. They are better at keeping you cancer free for the rest of your life or look for a recurrence. I have had the same onc now for 18 years. When I was diagnosed with mets to my lung the receptionist was even crying.sharon coley wrote: Hello , Thanks for the email. The Dr. said it was not in my lymph nodes so I did not have to have chemo. My understanding was that was what they did with lumpectomy. I have an appointment wuth the radiation doctor next week which the Surgeon recommends 5 days 8 weeks radiation. They also want me to have an appointment with a medical oncologist. Was this your MO after the surgery? I had no complications with the surgery and went to work five days after. I am 53 never smoked don't drink very athletic. I was very surprized when they found it in the mammogram. The size of the tumor was 2.5 and they removed alot of the tissue around the area. Please email and let me know what you think. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,Welcome to the group. Radiation for me was pretty much nothing, except time-consuming (travel to/from the hosp.).Sounds like your dr. did not recommend chemotherapy? Can you tell me more? I "elected" to get chemo 4 months after lumpectomy and radiation, just to be on the safe side. I am wondering about your decision process. I will never know if I did the right thing or not.I am also afraid of recurrence, as I am sure the rest of the group is too. What we all want is to be cancer-free for the rest of our lives.Again, welcome.Love to all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: New member looks forward to chattingDate: Sun, 6 Nov 2005 01:59:13 +0000Hi I am a new member. Just had a lumpectomy with radiation to follow. The surgery went fine but am a little scared of Radiation and if cancer will return.I look forward to chatting with you soon.Sharon Claremont California 53 years old. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 I think you should see an oncologist. They are better at keeping you cancer free for the rest of your life or look for a recurrence. I have had the same onc now for 18 years. When I was diagnosed with mets to my lung the receptionist was even crying.sharon coley wrote: Hello , Thanks for the email. The Dr. said it was not in my lymph nodes so I did not have to have chemo. My understanding was that was what they did with lumpectomy. I have an appointment wuth the radiation doctor next week which the Surgeon recommends 5 days 8 weeks radiation. They also want me to have an appointment with a medical oncologist. Was this your MO after the surgery? I had no complications with the surgery and went to work five days after. I am 53 never smoked don't drink very athletic. I was very surprized when they found it in the mammogram. The size of the tumor was 2.5 and they removed alot of the tissue around the area. Please email and let me know what you think. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,Welcome to the group. Radiation for me was pretty much nothing, except time-consuming (travel to/from the hosp.).Sounds like your dr. did not recommend chemotherapy? Can you tell me more? I "elected" to get chemo 4 months after lumpectomy and radiation, just to be on the safe side. I am wondering about your decision process. I will never know if I did the right thing or not.I am also afraid of recurrence, as I am sure the rest of the group is too. What we all want is to be cancer-free for the rest of our lives.Again, welcome.Love to all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: New member looks forward to chattingDate: Sun, 6 Nov 2005 01:59:13 +0000Hi I am a new member. Just had a lumpectomy with radiation to follow. The surgery went fine but am a little scared of Radiation and if cancer will return.I look forward to chatting with you soon.Sharon Claremont California 53 years old. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hello Sharon, I am just about to turn 49, and I had my surgery in 2000, so I was 43 when it was found. Just like you, I was flabbergasted that I could possibly be sick. Just prior to this, I had a ten-year span with only one brief cold in that whole decade. The group members have heard this before, but for three decades before the breast ca., I was a complete health freak, vegetarian, exercise daily, ate organics, etc. I admit I am still in the anger phase, as my " magic " disappeared into thin air when I got the diagnosis, and I was sure dependent on that magical thinking. Ok, so admittedly I am angry about it still, so I confess, now I smoke. I dont exercise anymore because I get tortureous hot flashes all day/night every day/night 4-5 times an hour. Smoking is something I " get to do " right now. Plus, I am convinced cancer is all genetics; maybe people have a predisposition, maybe not. My breast cancer was " fed " by the estrogen treatments I got while undergoing IVF (which was not successful). I only did the IVF one time. Directly after the IVF, the cancer was found in a mammogram: tiny calcifications. No lump was visible, even with the stereoscopic biopsy I had. When I had the surgery, the surgeon found a 1.1 cm. lump. A sentinel lymph node biopsy was done, removing a total of 6 lymph nodes. All were negative for cancer. The surgeon got " clear margins " and was ecstatic following the surgery. To him, this was one life saved by early detection. The cancer was estrogen-receptor positive. These were the recommendations/suggestions I got: ^The radiation oncologist: get no further treatment after the surgery ^The surgeon: no comment ^Another doctor, I cant remember who, said get radiation followed by tamoxifen. ^My primary oncologist: get radiation followed by chemotherapy followed by tamoxifen. I immediately felt the burden of the decision. It was an important one. If I was wrong, I would be dead wrong, either way. Chemo affects the life expectancy of the heart. Not getting chemo could also do me in. I went through the radiation, and then four months later, I chose to go through chemo. As I said before, I will never know if I did the right thing. That is why I was asking you about your decision process. But it sounds like none of your doctors recommended chemo, whereby for me, all my doctors were in disagreement about the extent of the treatment I should undergo. I had a sister who had died from breast cancer a couple of years before my diagnosis, and I am sure my primary oncologist was influenced by this family history. This is at least part of my story. There's more, isnt there always? But, this was the decision I was faced with after I was diagnosed. Like I said, for me, radiation was a piece of cake. No problem at all. Good luck to you. Keep us posted. Love to us all, -- Ogut The Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It Hello , Thanks for the email. The Dr. said it was not in my lymph nodes so I did not have to have chemo. My understanding was that was what they did with lumpectomy. I have an appointment wuth the radiation doctor next week which the Surgeon recommends 5 days 8 weeks radiation. They also want me to have an appointment with a medical oncologist. Was this your MO after the surgery? I had no complications with the surgery and went to work five days after. I am 53 never smoked don't drink very athletic. I was very surprized when they found it in the mammogram. The size of the tumor was 2.5 and they removed alot of the tissue around the area. Please email and let me know what you think. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,Welcome to the group. Radiation for me was pretty much nothing, except time-consuming (travel to/from the hosp.).Sounds like your dr. did not recommend chemotherapy? Can you tell me more? I "elected" to get chemo 4 months after lumpectomy and radiation, just to be on the safe side. I am wondering about your decision process. I will never know if I did the right thing or not.I am also afraid of recurrence, as I am sure the rest of the group is too. What we all want is to be cancer-free for the rest of our lives.Again, welcome.Love to all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: New member looks forward to chattingDate: Sun, 6 Nov 2005 01:59:13 +0000Hi I am a new member. Just had a lumpectomy with radiation to follow. The surgery went fine but am a little scared of Radiation and if cancer will return.I look forward to chatting with you soon.Sharon Claremont California 53 years old. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hello Sharon, I am just about to turn 49, and I had my surgery in 2000, so I was 43 when it was found. Just like you, I was flabbergasted that I could possibly be sick. Just prior to this, I had a ten-year span with only one brief cold in that whole decade. The group members have heard this before, but for three decades before the breast ca., I was a complete health freak, vegetarian, exercise daily, ate organics, etc. I admit I am still in the anger phase, as my " magic " disappeared into thin air when I got the diagnosis, and I was sure dependent on that magical thinking. Ok, so admittedly I am angry about it still, so I confess, now I smoke. I dont exercise anymore because I get tortureous hot flashes all day/night every day/night 4-5 times an hour. Smoking is something I " get to do " right now. Plus, I am convinced cancer is all genetics; maybe people have a predisposition, maybe not. My breast cancer was " fed " by the estrogen treatments I got while undergoing IVF (which was not successful). I only did the IVF one time. Directly after the IVF, the cancer was found in a mammogram: tiny calcifications. No lump was visible, even with the stereoscopic biopsy I had. When I had the surgery, the surgeon found a 1.1 cm. lump. A sentinel lymph node biopsy was done, removing a total of 6 lymph nodes. All were negative for cancer. The surgeon got " clear margins " and was ecstatic following the surgery. To him, this was one life saved by early detection. The cancer was estrogen-receptor positive. These were the recommendations/suggestions I got: ^The radiation oncologist: get no further treatment after the surgery ^The surgeon: no comment ^Another doctor, I cant remember who, said get radiation followed by tamoxifen. ^My primary oncologist: get radiation followed by chemotherapy followed by tamoxifen. I immediately felt the burden of the decision. It was an important one. If I was wrong, I would be dead wrong, either way. Chemo affects the life expectancy of the heart. Not getting chemo could also do me in. I went through the radiation, and then four months later, I chose to go through chemo. As I said before, I will never know if I did the right thing. That is why I was asking you about your decision process. But it sounds like none of your doctors recommended chemo, whereby for me, all my doctors were in disagreement about the extent of the treatment I should undergo. I had a sister who had died from breast cancer a couple of years before my diagnosis, and I am sure my primary oncologist was influenced by this family history. This is at least part of my story. There's more, isnt there always? But, this was the decision I was faced with after I was diagnosed. Like I said, for me, radiation was a piece of cake. No problem at all. Good luck to you. Keep us posted. Love to us all, -- Ogut The Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It Hello , Thanks for the email. The Dr. said it was not in my lymph nodes so I did not have to have chemo. My understanding was that was what they did with lumpectomy. I have an appointment wuth the radiation doctor next week which the Surgeon recommends 5 days 8 weeks radiation. They also want me to have an appointment with a medical oncologist. Was this your MO after the surgery? I had no complications with the surgery and went to work five days after. I am 53 never smoked don't drink very athletic. I was very surprized when they found it in the mammogram. The size of the tumor was 2.5 and they removed alot of the tissue around the area. Please email and let me know what you think. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,Welcome to the group. Radiation for me was pretty much nothing, except time-consuming (travel to/from the hosp.).Sounds like your dr. did not recommend chemotherapy? Can you tell me more? I "elected" to get chemo 4 months after lumpectomy and radiation, just to be on the safe side. I am wondering about your decision process. I will never know if I did the right thing or not.I am also afraid of recurrence, as I am sure the rest of the group is too. What we all want is to be cancer-free for the rest of our lives.Again, welcome.Love to all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: New member looks forward to chattingDate: Sun, 6 Nov 2005 01:59:13 +0000Hi I am a new member. Just had a lumpectomy with radiation to follow. The surgery went fine but am a little scared of Radiation and if cancer will return.I look forward to chatting with you soon.Sharon Claremont California 53 years old. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hello Sharon, I am just about to turn 49, and I had my surgery in 2000, so I was 43 when it was found. Just like you, I was flabbergasted that I could possibly be sick. Just prior to this, I had a ten-year span with only one brief cold in that whole decade. The group members have heard this before, but for three decades before the breast ca., I was a complete health freak, vegetarian, exercise daily, ate organics, etc. I admit I am still in the anger phase, as my " magic " disappeared into thin air when I got the diagnosis, and I was sure dependent on that magical thinking. Ok, so admittedly I am angry about it still, so I confess, now I smoke. I dont exercise anymore because I get tortureous hot flashes all day/night every day/night 4-5 times an hour. Smoking is something I " get to do " right now. Plus, I am convinced cancer is all genetics; maybe people have a predisposition, maybe not. My breast cancer was " fed " by the estrogen treatments I got while undergoing IVF (which was not successful). I only did the IVF one time. Directly after the IVF, the cancer was found in a mammogram: tiny calcifications. No lump was visible, even with the stereoscopic biopsy I had. When I had the surgery, the surgeon found a 1.1 cm. lump. A sentinel lymph node biopsy was done, removing a total of 6 lymph nodes. All were negative for cancer. The surgeon got " clear margins " and was ecstatic following the surgery. To him, this was one life saved by early detection. The cancer was estrogen-receptor positive. These were the recommendations/suggestions I got: ^The radiation oncologist: get no further treatment after the surgery ^The surgeon: no comment ^Another doctor, I cant remember who, said get radiation followed by tamoxifen. ^My primary oncologist: get radiation followed by chemotherapy followed by tamoxifen. I immediately felt the burden of the decision. It was an important one. If I was wrong, I would be dead wrong, either way. Chemo affects the life expectancy of the heart. Not getting chemo could also do me in. I went through the radiation, and then four months later, I chose to go through chemo. As I said before, I will never know if I did the right thing. That is why I was asking you about your decision process. But it sounds like none of your doctors recommended chemo, whereby for me, all my doctors were in disagreement about the extent of the treatment I should undergo. I had a sister who had died from breast cancer a couple of years before my diagnosis, and I am sure my primary oncologist was influenced by this family history. This is at least part of my story. There's more, isnt there always? But, this was the decision I was faced with after I was diagnosed. Like I said, for me, radiation was a piece of cake. No problem at all. Good luck to you. Keep us posted. Love to us all, -- Ogut The Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It Hello , Thanks for the email. The Dr. said it was not in my lymph nodes so I did not have to have chemo. My understanding was that was what they did with lumpectomy. I have an appointment wuth the radiation doctor next week which the Surgeon recommends 5 days 8 weeks radiation. They also want me to have an appointment with a medical oncologist. Was this your MO after the surgery? I had no complications with the surgery and went to work five days after. I am 53 never smoked don't drink very athletic. I was very surprized when they found it in the mammogram. The size of the tumor was 2.5 and they removed alot of the tissue around the area. Please email and let me know what you think. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,Welcome to the group. Radiation for me was pretty much nothing, except time-consuming (travel to/from the hosp.).Sounds like your dr. did not recommend chemotherapy? Can you tell me more? I "elected" to get chemo 4 months after lumpectomy and radiation, just to be on the safe side. I am wondering about your decision process. I will never know if I did the right thing or not.I am also afraid of recurrence, as I am sure the rest of the group is too. What we all want is to be cancer-free for the rest of our lives.Again, welcome.Love to all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: New member looks forward to chattingDate: Sun, 6 Nov 2005 01:59:13 +0000Hi I am a new member. Just had a lumpectomy with radiation to follow. The surgery went fine but am a little scared of Radiation and if cancer will return.I look forward to chatting with you soon.Sharon Claremont California 53 years old. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hello , Wow-I guess you did have a decision to make. I was real happy when I woke up from surgery and there was not any drain tubes out of my arm where they took the lymph node. And the Doctor had told my significant other that I will not have chemo but more intense radiation treatment recommending 8 weeks 5 days a week. But there is so much now that doctors have learned because this is a number 1 cancer for women. My family does not have any breast cancer but my Mom had colon cancer no chemo and my Uncle on my Mom's side had lymphnoma and had chemo. Everyone is good now no recurrences. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,I am just about to turn 49, and I had my surgery in 2000, so I was 43 when it was found. Just like you, I was flabbergasted that I could possibly be sick. Just prior to this, I had a ten-year span with only one brief cold in that whole decade. The group members have heard this before, but for three decades before the breast ca., I was a complete health freak, vegetarian, exercise daily, ate organics, etc. I admit I am still in the anger phase, as my "magic" disappeared into thin air when I got the diagnosis, and I was sure dependent on that magical thinking. Ok, so admittedly I am angry about it still, so I confess, now I smoke. I dont exercise anymore because I get tortureous hot flashes all day/night every day/night 4-5 times an hour. Smoking is something I "get to do" right now. Plus, I am convinced cancer is all genetics; maybe people have a predisposition, maybe not. My breast cancer was "fed" by the estrogen treatments I got while undergoing IVF (which was not successful). I only did the IVF one time. Directly after the IVF, the cancer was found in a mammogram: tiny calcifications. No lump was visible, even with the stereoscopic biopsy I had.When I had the surgery, the surgeon found a 1.1 cm. lump. A sentinel lymph node biopsy was done, removing a total of 6 lymph nodes. All were negative for cancer. The surgeon got "clear margins" and was ecstatic following the surgery. To him, this was one life saved by early detection.The cancer was estrogen-receptor positive.These were the recommendations/suggestions I got:^The radiation oncologist: get no further treatment after the surgery^The surgeon: no comment^Another doctor, I cant remember who, said get radiation followed by tamoxifen.^My primary oncologist: get radiation followed by chemotherapy followed by tamoxifen.I immediately felt the burden of the decision. It was an important one. If I was wrong, I would be dead wrong, either way. Chemo affects the life expectancy of the heart. Not getting chemo could also do me in.I went through the radiation, and then four months later, I chose to go through chemo.As I said before, I will never know if I did the right thing.That is why I was asking you about your decision process. But it sounds like none of your doctors recommended chemo, whereby for me, all my doctors were in disagreement about the extent of the treatment I should undergo.I had a sister who had died from breast cancer a couple of years before my diagnosis, and I am sure my primary oncologist was influenced by this family history.This is at least part of my story. There's more, isnt there always? But, this was the decision I was faced with after I was diagnosed.Like I said, for me, radiation was a piece of cake. No problem at all.Good luck to you. Keep us posted.Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: Re: ChoicesDate: Wed, 9 Nov 2005 04:48:47 +0000 Hello , Thanks for the email. The Dr. said it was not in my lymph nodes so I did not have to have chemo. My understanding was that was what they did with lumpectomy. I have an appointment wuth the radiation doctor next week which the Surgeon recommends 5 days 8 weeks radiation. They also want me to have an appointment with a medical oncologist. Was this your MO after the surgery? I had no complications with the surgery and went to work five days after. I am 53 never smoked don't drink very athletic. I was very surprized when they found it in the mammogram. The size of the tumor was 2.5 and they removed alot of the tissue around the area. Please email and let me know what you think. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,Welcome to the group. Radiation for me was pretty much nothing, except time-consuming (travel to/from the hosp.).Sounds like your dr. did not recommend chemotherapy? Can you tell me more? I "elected" to get chemo 4 months after lumpectomy and radiation, just to be on the safe side. I am wondering about your decision process. I will never know if I did the right thing or not.I am also afraid of recurrence, as I am sure the rest of the group is too. What we all want is to be cancer-free for the rest of our lives.Again, welcome.Love to all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: New member looks forward to chattingDate: Sun, 6 Nov 2005 01:59:13 +0000Hi I am a new member. Just had a lumpectomy with radiation to follow. The surgery went fine but am a little scared of Radiation and if cancer will return.I look forward to chatting with you soon.Sharon Claremont California 53 years old. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hello , Wow-I guess you did have a decision to make. I was real happy when I woke up from surgery and there was not any drain tubes out of my arm where they took the lymph node. And the Doctor had told my significant other that I will not have chemo but more intense radiation treatment recommending 8 weeks 5 days a week. But there is so much now that doctors have learned because this is a number 1 cancer for women. My family does not have any breast cancer but my Mom had colon cancer no chemo and my Uncle on my Mom's side had lymphnoma and had chemo. Everyone is good now no recurrences. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,I am just about to turn 49, and I had my surgery in 2000, so I was 43 when it was found. Just like you, I was flabbergasted that I could possibly be sick. Just prior to this, I had a ten-year span with only one brief cold in that whole decade. The group members have heard this before, but for three decades before the breast ca., I was a complete health freak, vegetarian, exercise daily, ate organics, etc. I admit I am still in the anger phase, as my "magic" disappeared into thin air when I got the diagnosis, and I was sure dependent on that magical thinking. Ok, so admittedly I am angry about it still, so I confess, now I smoke. I dont exercise anymore because I get tortureous hot flashes all day/night every day/night 4-5 times an hour. Smoking is something I "get to do" right now. Plus, I am convinced cancer is all genetics; maybe people have a predisposition, maybe not. My breast cancer was "fed" by the estrogen treatments I got while undergoing IVF (which was not successful). I only did the IVF one time. Directly after the IVF, the cancer was found in a mammogram: tiny calcifications. No lump was visible, even with the stereoscopic biopsy I had.When I had the surgery, the surgeon found a 1.1 cm. lump. A sentinel lymph node biopsy was done, removing a total of 6 lymph nodes. All were negative for cancer. The surgeon got "clear margins" and was ecstatic following the surgery. To him, this was one life saved by early detection.The cancer was estrogen-receptor positive.These were the recommendations/suggestions I got:^The radiation oncologist: get no further treatment after the surgery^The surgeon: no comment^Another doctor, I cant remember who, said get radiation followed by tamoxifen.^My primary oncologist: get radiation followed by chemotherapy followed by tamoxifen.I immediately felt the burden of the decision. It was an important one. If I was wrong, I would be dead wrong, either way. Chemo affects the life expectancy of the heart. Not getting chemo could also do me in.I went through the radiation, and then four months later, I chose to go through chemo.As I said before, I will never know if I did the right thing.That is why I was asking you about your decision process. But it sounds like none of your doctors recommended chemo, whereby for me, all my doctors were in disagreement about the extent of the treatment I should undergo.I had a sister who had died from breast cancer a couple of years before my diagnosis, and I am sure my primary oncologist was influenced by this family history.This is at least part of my story. There's more, isnt there always? But, this was the decision I was faced with after I was diagnosed.Like I said, for me, radiation was a piece of cake. No problem at all.Good luck to you. Keep us posted.Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: Re: ChoicesDate: Wed, 9 Nov 2005 04:48:47 +0000 Hello , Thanks for the email. The Dr. said it was not in my lymph nodes so I did not have to have chemo. My understanding was that was what they did with lumpectomy. I have an appointment wuth the radiation doctor next week which the Surgeon recommends 5 days 8 weeks radiation. They also want me to have an appointment with a medical oncologist. Was this your MO after the surgery? I had no complications with the surgery and went to work five days after. I am 53 never smoked don't drink very athletic. I was very surprized when they found it in the mammogram. The size of the tumor was 2.5 and they removed alot of the tissue around the area. Please email and let me know what you think. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,Welcome to the group. Radiation for me was pretty much nothing, except time-consuming (travel to/from the hosp.).Sounds like your dr. did not recommend chemotherapy? Can you tell me more? I "elected" to get chemo 4 months after lumpectomy and radiation, just to be on the safe side. I am wondering about your decision process. I will never know if I did the right thing or not.I am also afraid of recurrence, as I am sure the rest of the group is too. What we all want is to be cancer-free for the rest of our lives.Again, welcome.Love to all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: New member looks forward to chattingDate: Sun, 6 Nov 2005 01:59:13 +0000Hi I am a new member. Just had a lumpectomy with radiation to follow. The surgery went fine but am a little scared of Radiation and if cancer will return.I look forward to chatting with you soon.Sharon Claremont California 53 years old. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hello , Wow-I guess you did have a decision to make. I was real happy when I woke up from surgery and there was not any drain tubes out of my arm where they took the lymph node. And the Doctor had told my significant other that I will not have chemo but more intense radiation treatment recommending 8 weeks 5 days a week. But there is so much now that doctors have learned because this is a number 1 cancer for women. My family does not have any breast cancer but my Mom had colon cancer no chemo and my Uncle on my Mom's side had lymphnoma and had chemo. Everyone is good now no recurrences. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,I am just about to turn 49, and I had my surgery in 2000, so I was 43 when it was found. Just like you, I was flabbergasted that I could possibly be sick. Just prior to this, I had a ten-year span with only one brief cold in that whole decade. The group members have heard this before, but for three decades before the breast ca., I was a complete health freak, vegetarian, exercise daily, ate organics, etc. I admit I am still in the anger phase, as my "magic" disappeared into thin air when I got the diagnosis, and I was sure dependent on that magical thinking. Ok, so admittedly I am angry about it still, so I confess, now I smoke. I dont exercise anymore because I get tortureous hot flashes all day/night every day/night 4-5 times an hour. Smoking is something I "get to do" right now. Plus, I am convinced cancer is all genetics; maybe people have a predisposition, maybe not. My breast cancer was "fed" by the estrogen treatments I got while undergoing IVF (which was not successful). I only did the IVF one time. Directly after the IVF, the cancer was found in a mammogram: tiny calcifications. No lump was visible, even with the stereoscopic biopsy I had.When I had the surgery, the surgeon found a 1.1 cm. lump. A sentinel lymph node biopsy was done, removing a total of 6 lymph nodes. All were negative for cancer. The surgeon got "clear margins" and was ecstatic following the surgery. To him, this was one life saved by early detection.The cancer was estrogen-receptor positive.These were the recommendations/suggestions I got:^The radiation oncologist: get no further treatment after the surgery^The surgeon: no comment^Another doctor, I cant remember who, said get radiation followed by tamoxifen.^My primary oncologist: get radiation followed by chemotherapy followed by tamoxifen.I immediately felt the burden of the decision. It was an important one. If I was wrong, I would be dead wrong, either way. Chemo affects the life expectancy of the heart. Not getting chemo could also do me in.I went through the radiation, and then four months later, I chose to go through chemo.As I said before, I will never know if I did the right thing.That is why I was asking you about your decision process. But it sounds like none of your doctors recommended chemo, whereby for me, all my doctors were in disagreement about the extent of the treatment I should undergo.I had a sister who had died from breast cancer a couple of years before my diagnosis, and I am sure my primary oncologist was influenced by this family history.This is at least part of my story. There's more, isnt there always? But, this was the decision I was faced with after I was diagnosed.Like I said, for me, radiation was a piece of cake. No problem at all.Good luck to you. Keep us posted.Love to us all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: Re: ChoicesDate: Wed, 9 Nov 2005 04:48:47 +0000 Hello , Thanks for the email. The Dr. said it was not in my lymph nodes so I did not have to have chemo. My understanding was that was what they did with lumpectomy. I have an appointment wuth the radiation doctor next week which the Surgeon recommends 5 days 8 weeks radiation. They also want me to have an appointment with a medical oncologist. Was this your MO after the surgery? I had no complications with the surgery and went to work five days after. I am 53 never smoked don't drink very athletic. I was very surprized when they found it in the mammogram. The size of the tumor was 2.5 and they removed alot of the tissue around the area. Please email and let me know what you think. Sharonlisaogut@... wrote: Hello Sharon,Welcome to the group. Radiation for me was pretty much nothing, except time-consuming (travel to/from the hosp.).Sounds like your dr. did not recommend chemotherapy? Can you tell me more? I "elected" to get chemo 4 months after lumpectomy and radiation, just to be on the safe side. I am wondering about your decision process. I will never know if I did the right thing or not.I am also afraid of recurrence, as I am sure the rest of the group is too. What we all want is to be cancer-free for the rest of our lives.Again, welcome.Love to all, -- OgutThe Whole Brain Game -- It's Not What You Think But How You Think It To: breastcancer2 Subject: New member looks forward to chattingDate: Sun, 6 Nov 2005 01:59:13 +0000Hi I am a new member. Just had a lumpectomy with radiation to follow. The surgery went fine but am a little scared of Radiation and if cancer will return.I look forward to chatting with you soon.Sharon Claremont California 53 years old. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Sharon Coley Director of Sales Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles/Rosemead 888 Montebello Blvd. Rosemead, Ca 91770 (323)201-3461 Our website http://www.doubletreemeetings.com/global/search/FacDetail.asp?ID=17206 Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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