Re: Question on chemo/radiation combo...

[Guest guest]

Dear Sue,

Welcome! Although none of us ever thought we'd need such a group, it's a

blessing having everyone here.

Here is a good link for questions about treatments, who, how long, why...

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment_booklet.html

I wish you good luck on your results this week. Feel free to ask. Never

feel you should apologize. One day not to long ago, it was " me " asking all

those

questions...

Best,

[Guest guest]

Welcome Sue,

You are not being forward at all. Ask any questions and we will do our best to

answer them.

I had a mastectomy 5/24/1990. I had one bad node out of 23, 6 mo of chemo and no

radiation or reconstruction. The oncologist thought about doing radiation and

then decided against it. So far I am doing ok.

Waiting is the hardest part and not knowing what is going to happen. There are

so many variables that determine what kind of treatment you will be receiving. I

will keep you in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

Check out my other ornaments at

www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

Lots of info and gifts at:

www.cancerclub.com

CinDWood Crafts

http://www.cindwoodcrafts.com

Question on chemo/radiation combo...

What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well as

whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay for

those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

I had a clear sentinal node, (thanking God for that) but not really

sure of the size of mass that was removed.

I know that I have to wait again for the test results, didn't have

any back by the end of friday last week, and I am guessing that it

takes a bit to get them, (based on the reading that I have done

etc..) so don't have all the facts as yet.

I was just curious as to what your experiences were, if it's ok to

ask that. I know that there are many variables, but am confused as to

the wealth of information I have been reading, (I guess I should just

wait to see what the report says and go from there...patience is not

one of my virtues lately) and was hoping that maybe someone could

help me sort some of this out.

(if it's not appropriate to ask here, please forgive my

forwardness...)

Thank you...you have all helped me so much already, just by your

conversations with each other.

sue

[Guest guest]

I know a lot of the decisions made for my mother were wether it had spread

to her sentinal node, which it did not. Her Her2nu was positive and it was

est/pro +. But she only had to have radiation, 36 treatments. We are 1

1/2 years out from diagnoses and her last mammogram 2 weeks ago was clear.

Whew.

Patti

-- Question on chemo/radiation combo...

What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well as

whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay for

those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

I had a clear sentinal node, (thanking God for that) but not really

sure of the size of mass that was removed.

I know that I have to wait again for the test results, didn't have

any back by the end of friday last week, and I am guessing that it

takes a bit to get them, (based on the reading that I have done

etc..) so don't have all the facts as yet.

I was just curious as to what your experiences were, if it's ok to

ask that. I know that there are many variables, but am confused as to

the wealth of information I have been reading, (I guess I should just

wait to see what the report says and go from there...patience is not

one of my virtues lately) and was hoping that maybe someone could

help me sort some of this out.

(if it's not appropriate to ask here, please forgive my

forwardness...)

Thank you...you have all helped me so much already, just by your

conversations with each other.

sue

[Guest guest]

Patti,

WONDERFUL for your Mom!! That IS a whew!

All the information is so confusing, I have been to an oncologist,

prior to the surgery, (I think that's pretty standard, altho REALLY

scary) and she was my 2nd one, the first (a guy) was not so .. how

can I say this, well, the bedside manner was a bit rough. I certainly

liked her much better. I do recall her saying that in SOME tests

being positive is a good thing with BC...and I do remember her saying

something about the est/pro and the Her2nu. (of course I don't know

that part yet...)

Thank you for your info, that sheds a bit more light!

>

> I know a lot of the decisions made for my mother were wether it had

spread

> to her sentinal node, which it did not. Her Her2nu was positive

and it was

> est/pro +. But she only had to have radiation, 36 treatments. We

are 1

> 1/2 years out from diagnoses and her last mammogram 2 weeks ago was

clear.

> Whew.

>

> Patti

>

> -- Question on chemo/radiation combo...

>

> What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

> size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well as

> whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

> monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay for

> those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

>

> I had a clear sentinal node, (thanking God for that) but not really

> sure of the size of mass that was removed.

>

> I know that I have to wait again for the test results, didn't have

> any back by the end of friday last week, and I am guessing that it

> takes a bit to get them, (based on the reading that I have done

> etc..) so don't have all the facts as yet.

>

> I was just curious as to what your experiences were, if it's ok to

> ask that. I know that there are many variables, but am confused as

to

> the wealth of information I have been reading, (I guess I should

just

> wait to see what the report says and go from there...patience is

not

> one of my virtues lately) and was hoping that maybe someone could

> help me sort some of this out.

>

> (if it's not appropriate to ask here, please forgive my

> forwardness...)

>

> Thank you...you have all helped me so much already, just by your

> conversations with each other.

>

> sue

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Patti,

WONDERFUL for your Mom!! That IS a whew!

All the information is so confusing, I have been to an oncologist,

prior to the surgery, (I think that's pretty standard, altho REALLY

scary) and she was my 2nd one, the first (a guy) was not so .. how

can I say this, well, the bedside manner was a bit rough. I certainly

liked her much better. I do recall her saying that in SOME tests

being positive is a good thing with BC...and I do remember her saying

something about the est/pro and the Her2nu. (of course I don't know

that part yet...)

Thank you for your info, that sheds a bit more light!

>

> I know a lot of the decisions made for my mother were wether it had

spread

> to her sentinal node, which it did not. Her Her2nu was positive

and it was

> est/pro +. But she only had to have radiation, 36 treatments. We

are 1

> 1/2 years out from diagnoses and her last mammogram 2 weeks ago was

clear.

> Whew.

>

> Patti

>

> -- Question on chemo/radiation combo...

>

> What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

> size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well as

> whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

> monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay for

> those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

>

> I had a clear sentinal node, (thanking God for that) but not really

> sure of the size of mass that was removed.

>

> I know that I have to wait again for the test results, didn't have

> any back by the end of friday last week, and I am guessing that it

> takes a bit to get them, (based on the reading that I have done

> etc..) so don't have all the facts as yet.

>

> I was just curious as to what your experiences were, if it's ok to

> ask that. I know that there are many variables, but am confused as

to

> the wealth of information I have been reading, (I guess I should

just

> wait to see what the report says and go from there...patience is

not

> one of my virtues lately) and was hoping that maybe someone could

> help me sort some of this out.

>

> (if it's not appropriate to ask here, please forgive my

> forwardness...)

>

> Thank you...you have all helped me so much already, just by your

> conversations with each other.

>

> sue

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Patti,

WONDERFUL for your Mom!! That IS a whew!

All the information is so confusing, I have been to an oncologist,

prior to the surgery, (I think that's pretty standard, altho REALLY

scary) and she was my 2nd one, the first (a guy) was not so .. how

can I say this, well, the bedside manner was a bit rough. I certainly

liked her much better. I do recall her saying that in SOME tests

being positive is a good thing with BC...and I do remember her saying

something about the est/pro and the Her2nu. (of course I don't know

that part yet...)

Thank you for your info, that sheds a bit more light!

>

> I know a lot of the decisions made for my mother were wether it had

spread

> to her sentinal node, which it did not. Her Her2nu was positive

and it was

> est/pro +. But she only had to have radiation, 36 treatments. We

are 1

> 1/2 years out from diagnoses and her last mammogram 2 weeks ago was

clear.

> Whew.

>

> Patti

>

> -- Question on chemo/radiation combo...

>

> What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

> size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well as

> whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

> monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay for

> those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

>

> I had a clear sentinal node, (thanking God for that) but not really

> sure of the size of mass that was removed.

>

> I know that I have to wait again for the test results, didn't have

> any back by the end of friday last week, and I am guessing that it

> takes a bit to get them, (based on the reading that I have done

> etc..) so don't have all the facts as yet.

>

> I was just curious as to what your experiences were, if it's ok to

> ask that. I know that there are many variables, but am confused as

to

> the wealth of information I have been reading, (I guess I should

just

> wait to see what the report says and go from there...patience is

not

> one of my virtues lately) and was hoping that maybe someone could

> help me sort some of this out.

>

> (if it's not appropriate to ask here, please forgive my

> forwardness...)

>

> Thank you...you have all helped me so much already, just by your

> conversations with each other.

>

> sue

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks nne, didn't want to 'overstep' any boundaries and I thank

you for your swift reply!

Waiting IS the hardest part, I am certainly hoping for the 'best'

here, as far as treatment goes, I sort of feel a bit like being in

the 'eye' of the hurricane, at this point, stuff is spinning wildly

around me, and I am in the middle of it.

I sure do appreciate having found you all, it does make a difference.

Thank you ALL for your just being there. (and thank you nne for

the hugs and prayers)

>

> Welcome Sue,

> You are not being forward at all. Ask any questions and we will do

our best to answer them.

> I had a mastectomy 5/24/1990. I had one bad node out of 23, 6 mo of

chemo and no radiation or reconstruction. The oncologist thought

about doing radiation and then decided against it. So far I am doing

ok.

> Waiting is the hardest part and not knowing what is going to

happen. There are so many variables that determine what kind of

treatment you will be receiving. I will keep you in my prayers.

> Hugs

> nne

> Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

> http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

> Check out my other ornaments at

> www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

> Lots of info and gifts at:

> www.cancerclub.com

> CinDWood Crafts

> http://www.cindwoodcrafts.com

> Question on chemo/radiation combo...

>

>

> What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

> size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well

as

> whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

> monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay

for

> those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

>

> I had a clear sentinal node, (thanking God for that) but not

really

> sure of the size of mass that was removed.

>

> I know that I have to wait again for the test results, didn't

have

> any back by the end of friday last week, and I am guessing that

it

> takes a bit to get them, (based on the reading that I have done

> etc..) so don't have all the facts as yet.

>

> I was just curious as to what your experiences were, if it's ok

to

> ask that. I know that there are many variables, but am confused

as to

> the wealth of information I have been reading, (I guess I should

just

> wait to see what the report says and go from there...patience is

not

> one of my virtues lately) and was hoping that maybe someone could

> help me sort some of this out.

>

> (if it's not appropriate to ask here, please forgive my

> forwardness...)

>

> Thank you...you have all helped me so much already, just by your

> conversations with each other.

>

> sue

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks , (always nice to have a welcome!)

and thanks for the link, I did a bit of reading, and it was VERY

informative.

I guess they always tell you the standard stuff in the begining, no

matter what stage you are at, I suppose it's best to have it all as

long as you are getting info!

'talk' to you later!

[Guest guest]

There are so many variables, Sue... in my case it was mainly the size

(7 cm) and position (under the nipple, right against the chest wall)

that made the doctors try and persuade me to do radiation as well as

chemo.

Other indicators -- my age (42, premenopausal) and the ER negative

status of the tumor. They took 12 nodes from under my arm and they

were all clear, so I thought I'd be home free. But the size of the

thing made the doctors wary, and they said it could have shed cancer

cells to the lymph nodes beneath my breastbone where they couldn't get

them.

Chemo is a systemic treatment whereas radiation is site-specific, so

they strongly advised me to take both. I felt betrayed for a while

because they'd pretty much promised that if I had a mastectomy I'd be

home free, but as they found more info they changed their recommendation.

I don't regret the decision to have both chemo and rads, despite some

major side effects that came with them, because I'll be an 18-year

survivor come the 4th of July. At the time I made the decision my baby

had just turned 5, and I just wanted to do everything I could to make

sure I'd live to see her graduate from high school.

Love & hope to you as you make your decision,

Nan

>

> What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

> size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well as

> whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

> monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay for

> those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

[Guest guest]

There are so many variables, Sue... in my case it was mainly the size

(7 cm) and position (under the nipple, right against the chest wall)

that made the doctors try and persuade me to do radiation as well as

chemo.

Other indicators -- my age (42, premenopausal) and the ER negative

status of the tumor. They took 12 nodes from under my arm and they

were all clear, so I thought I'd be home free. But the size of the

thing made the doctors wary, and they said it could have shed cancer

cells to the lymph nodes beneath my breastbone where they couldn't get

them.

Chemo is a systemic treatment whereas radiation is site-specific, so

they strongly advised me to take both. I felt betrayed for a while

because they'd pretty much promised that if I had a mastectomy I'd be

home free, but as they found more info they changed their recommendation.

I don't regret the decision to have both chemo and rads, despite some

major side effects that came with them, because I'll be an 18-year

survivor come the 4th of July. At the time I made the decision my baby

had just turned 5, and I just wanted to do everything I could to make

sure I'd live to see her graduate from high school.

Love & hope to you as you make your decision,

Nan

>

> What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

> size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well as

> whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

> monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay for

> those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

[Guest guest]

There are so many variables, Sue... in my case it was mainly the size

(7 cm) and position (under the nipple, right against the chest wall)

that made the doctors try and persuade me to do radiation as well as

chemo.

Other indicators -- my age (42, premenopausal) and the ER negative

status of the tumor. They took 12 nodes from under my arm and they

were all clear, so I thought I'd be home free. But the size of the

thing made the doctors wary, and they said it could have shed cancer

cells to the lymph nodes beneath my breastbone where they couldn't get

them.

Chemo is a systemic treatment whereas radiation is site-specific, so

they strongly advised me to take both. I felt betrayed for a while

because they'd pretty much promised that if I had a mastectomy I'd be

home free, but as they found more info they changed their recommendation.

I don't regret the decision to have both chemo and rads, despite some

major side effects that came with them, because I'll be an 18-year

survivor come the 4th of July. At the time I made the decision my baby

had just turned 5, and I just wanted to do everything I could to make

sure I'd live to see her graduate from high school.

Love & hope to you as you make your decision,

Nan

>

> What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

> size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well as

> whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

> monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay for

> those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

[Guest guest]

Hi Nan,

That's what I suspected, (the 'so many variables' part) and each case

is different.

They just took the sentinal node, and that was clear, (I am guessing

that's a very good thing, at least from what I can tell) but it's the

size factor that has me confused. (mostly that conversion from

centimeters to inches!... math was never my strong suit that's for

sure) I think the doc said 3/4 of an inch by about an inch. (I

THINK..but I was fuzzy, and it was nearly a week ago) I know that I

don't have much more time to wait on results, and need to cultivate

some patience for heaven's sake.

I am working on it.

Also, my lump seemed to be towards the front of the breast, the

incision is just above the nipple area about 1/2 inch. So, yes there

are a lot of things that come into play. I am trying to keep

positive, and just take things one at a time. I really appreciate you

taking the time to share your experience with me. (my baby is 32, but

my grandbaby is NEARLY 2, so that's incentive enough for ME!)

sue

[Guest guest]

Hi Nan,

That's what I suspected, (the 'so many variables' part) and each case

is different.

They just took the sentinal node, and that was clear, (I am guessing

that's a very good thing, at least from what I can tell) but it's the

size factor that has me confused. (mostly that conversion from

centimeters to inches!... math was never my strong suit that's for

sure) I think the doc said 3/4 of an inch by about an inch. (I

THINK..but I was fuzzy, and it was nearly a week ago) I know that I

don't have much more time to wait on results, and need to cultivate

some patience for heaven's sake.

I am working on it.

Also, my lump seemed to be towards the front of the breast, the

incision is just above the nipple area about 1/2 inch. So, yes there

are a lot of things that come into play. I am trying to keep

positive, and just take things one at a time. I really appreciate you

taking the time to share your experience with me. (my baby is 32, but

my grandbaby is NEARLY 2, so that's incentive enough for ME!)

sue

[Guest guest]

Estrogen and progesterone positive are a good thing. Makes you

eligable for the aromatase inhibitors. Essentially they prevent your

body from converting androgens to estrogen which a positive tumor

feeds on. Her2neu positive can mean a more agressive tumor. There is

now a drug called herceptin that is helpful for Her 2 positive. I

came out ++ on the IHC Her 2 test which is a weak positive and am

having the more accurate FISH test done to deny or confirm. Hopefully

it will deny and I can continue the treatment I am on. I declined

chemo as my nodes were negative. The oncologist suggested it because

the tumor was a little over 2 cm. When i balked he used a computer

model in which he put in my individual stats and turns out the chemo

would only increase my 10 year desiese free rate by 2%. I am taking

the aromatase inhibitors because that was 17%, worth it as opposed to

2% not worth it for me. The following site tells a little about the

program he used.

http://www.adjuvantonline.com/

Ruth

> >

> > I know a lot of the decisions made for my mother were wether it had

> spread

> > to her sentinal node, which it did not. Her Her2nu was positive

> and it was

> > est/pro +. But she only had to have radiation, 36 treatments. We

> are 1

> > 1/2 years out from diagnoses and her last mammogram 2 weeks ago was

> clear.

> > Whew.

> >

> > Patti

> >

> > -- Question on chemo/radiation combo...

> >

> > What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

> > size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well as

> > whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

> > monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay for

> > those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

> >

> > I had a clear sentinal node, (thanking God for that) but not really

> > sure of the size of mass that was removed.

> >

> > I know that I have to wait again for the test results, didn't have

> > any back by the end of friday last week, and I am guessing that it

> > takes a bit to get them, (based on the reading that I have done

> > etc..) so don't have all the facts as yet.

> >

> > I was just curious as to what your experiences were, if it's ok to

> > ask that. I know that there are many variables, but am confused as

> to

> > the wealth of information I have been reading, (I guess I should

> just

> > wait to see what the report says and go from there...patience is

> not

> > one of my virtues lately) and was hoping that maybe someone could

> > help me sort some of this out.

> >

> > (if it's not appropriate to ask here, please forgive my

> > forwardness...)

> >

> > Thank you...you have all helped me so much already, just by your

> > conversations with each other.

> >

> > sue

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Your quite welcome, I know I don't have a lot of info, but more than happy

to give what I do have.

Hugs

Patti

-- Question on chemo/radiation combo...

>

> What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

> size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well as

> whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

> monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay for

> those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

>

> I had a clear sentinal node, (thanking God for that) but not really

> sure of the size of mass that was removed.

>

> I know that I have to wait again for the test results, didn't have

> any back by the end of friday last week, and I am guessing that it

> takes a bit to get them, (based on the reading that I have done

> etc..) so don't have all the facts as yet.

>

> I was just curious as to what your experiences were, if it's ok to

> ask that. I know that there are many variables, but am confused as

to

> the wealth of information I have been reading, (I guess I should

just

> wait to see what the report says and go from there...patience is

not

> one of my virtues lately) and was hoping that maybe someone could

> help me sort some of this out.

>

> (if it's not appropriate to ask here, please forgive my

> forwardness...)

>

> Thank you...you have all helped me so much already, just by your

> conversations with each other.

>

> sue

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue!

All questions are valid, don't feel shy about them.

Maybe some ladies have already answered you since I have't seen all the posts,

but here's what I know.

You will probably have radiation. This is standard procedure with a

lumpectomy. The amount of sessions I don't know.

And chemo will depend on all the tests and the biopsy. If you are

pre-menopausal, you will probably have chemo. Cancer in young women tend to be

more aggressive.

But it is excelent that your sentinel node was clear. Chemo tends to be less

aggressive in this case.

Good luck and keep posting!

Sue Michener wrote:

What's the criteria for deciding if it's one or both? I know that

size of the mass seems to have something to do with it, as well as

whether or not there are clean margins..I had a lumpectomy last

monday, (probably should go back to work next week...gotta pay for

those hospital bills!!) and am finally feeling a bit better.

I had a clear sentinal node, (thanking God for that) but not really

sure of the size of mass that was removed.

I know that I have to wait again for the test results, didn't have

any back by the end of friday last week, and I am guessing that it

takes a bit to get them, (based on the reading that I have done

etc..) so don't have all the facts as yet.

I was just curious as to what your experiences were, if it's ok to

ask that. I know that there are many variables, but am confused as to

the wealth of information I have been reading, (I guess I should just

wait to see what the report says and go from there...patience is not

one of my virtues lately) and was hoping that maybe someone could

help me sort some of this out.

(if it's not appropriate to ask here, please forgive my

forwardness...)

Thank you...you have all helped me so much already, just by your

conversations with each other.

sue

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