Guest guest Posted January 7, 2007 Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Okay, I know Im going to ask my dr. this, but anyway...I have some questions about when the various " therapies " happen. 1. If I have chemo before surgery (to reduce the tumor), how long until I have the surgery? 2. If I have radiation, when does that start? 3. If I have chemo, when does that start? BTW, I'm planning on having masectomies. Thanks for your blessed help! Lucinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2007 Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Hi, Lucinda - > 1. If I have chemo before surgery (to reduce the tumor), how long > until I have the surgery? > I had 11 months chemo, and then surgery almost straight away - just as long as it took to see the oncologist, see the surgeon, book a bed in the hospital ... > 2. If I have radiation, when does that start? > For me, that started when I'd recovered enough from the surgery to lift my arm above my head, enough for it not to get in the way of the radiation. The radiotherapy only takes a few minutes, but the initial setting-up of the machine takes a bit longer, and my arm ached a little after that one appointment. But the actual treatments were so short they weren't really uncomfortable. > 3. If I have chemo, when does that start? > If you're talking about chemo before surgery, then as soon as possible, I should think - your onc will tell you. If you're talking about chemo later on, well mine started again after the radiation was finished. I'm still taking chemo tablets called Xeloda. My onc said " for 6 months, at least to start with " . HTH, Margery. ============================================ margery@... in North Herts, UK ============================================ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2007 Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Lucinda it would be impossible for any of us to give a time frame. I am not sure on chemo before radiation as I had mine after the mastectomy. Normally radiation starts right after chemo. If you have chemo after the mastectomy it would start within a few weeks I would think. I started mine in about a week after my mastectomy. Everyone is different and every oncologist has their own idea on the regimes. I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com Time frame questions Okay, I know Im going to ask my dr. this, but anyway...I have some questions about when the various " therapies " happen. 1. If I have chemo before surgery (to reduce the tumor), how long until I have the surgery? 2. If I have radiation, when does that start? 3. If I have chemo, when does that start? BTW, I'm planning on having masectomies. Thanks for your blessed help! Lucinda ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.16.7/618 - Release Date: 1/6/2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 Dear Lucinda, I have to agree with nne; it is impossible for us to tell you the timeframe of the three treatments. A lot depends on your stage of cancer and your doctor's preferences. I had DCIS (stage 0) in my right breast, and here is my timeframe: Aug 13 - biopsy Sept 13 - lumpectomy (we took a good month to look at options - but then we had a month because my cancer was confined to the milk ducts and not spreading) Nov 11 - started radiation - the dr. was very casual about when to start. In fact I took a brief trip abroad between radiation and surgery with her blessing. Jan 2 - ended radiation with 33 treatments under my belt But again, I must emphasize that for me, because the diagnosis was DCIS (confined to the ducts), no one was in a hurry to move on it. In fact I believe that some women even opt to just watch it with regular mammograms - something I wasn't comfortable with, but an option. If it had become invasive then I believe that we would have needed to move much faster. AND, you really never know what it is until they get it all out and you get the final pathology report. We were taking a calculated risk waiting a month between the biopsy and the surgery. Good luck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 it's so hard to say-- here's my timeline-- april 25th = dx'ed may 1 - lumpectomy june 7th = port insertion june 8th - chemo started chemo - A/C x 4, once ever 3 weeks; then taxotere/herceptin, x 12, once a week, then herceptin alone, every three weeks(ongoing - won't end till the summer)...not sure when radiation is going to happen...or if it will... I think the question BEHIND your question is the same on I had - " when will this all be over? when can I just get back to my own life? How LONG will I have to go to the doctors? " ... marisa -- In breastcancer2 , " lucinda " wrote: > > Okay, I know Im going to ask my dr. this, but anyway...I have some > questions about when the various " therapies " happen. > > 1. If I have chemo before surgery (to reduce the tumor), how long > until I have the surgery? > > 2. If I have radiation, when does that start? > > 3. If I have chemo, when does that start? > > BTW, I'm planning on having masectomies. > > Thanks for your blessed help! > > Lucinda > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 Dear , i also had DCIS in situ.i was not given the option of lumpectomy i had a mastectomy was estrogen neg so no chemo and i didn;t require radiation.i have now had reconstructive surgery with volume expander and later implant.i found my cancer very early and feel very fortunate.Lynnette mitchellst@...> wrote: Dear Lucinda, I have to agree with nne; it is impossible for us to tell you the timeframe of the three treatments. A lot depends on your stage of cancer and your doctor's preferences. I had DCIS (stage 0) in my right breast, and here is my timeframe: Aug 13 - biopsy Sept 13 - lumpectomy (we took a good month to look at options - but then we had a month because my cancer was confined to the milk ducts and not spreading) Nov 11 - started radiation - the dr. was very casual about when to start. In fact I took a brief trip abroad between radiation and surgery with her blessing. Jan 2 - ended radiation with 33 treatments under my belt But again, I must emphasize that for me, because the diagnosis was DCIS (confined to the ducts), no one was in a hurry to move on it. In fact I believe that some women even opt to just watch it with regular mammograms - something I wasn't comfortable with, but an option. If it had become invasive then I believe that we would have needed to move much faster. AND, you really never know what it is until they get it all out and you get the final pathology report. We were taking a calculated risk waiting a month between the biopsy and the surgery. Good luck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 I had DCIS- stage o. The doctor told me that I didn't have to rush into anything and with DCIS, it could take years or months before it becomes invasive. My pathology report came back intermediate to high grade, which means that it may turn invasive sooner- but there are no tests to determine it. I had my mamo in August. , biopsy 1 month later, lumpectomy October 23rd, Radiation right before Thanksgiving and will be starting Tamoxifen 2 weeks after I am done with rads. Some doctors have you start tamoxifen with rads, but my oncologist wanted me to heal a little before and not to over do it to my body.I am healthy otherwise. Of course check with your doctor I am sure it depends on what type of cancer you have, your general health and reactions to surgery and treatments. You may or may not need radiation with a mastectomy. I did not need chemo. Best of luck Eileen > > Okay, I know Im going to ask my dr. this, but anyway...I have some > questions about when the various " therapies " happen. > > 1. If I have chemo before surgery (to reduce the tumor), how long > until I have the surgery? > > 2. If I have radiation, when does that start? > > 3. If I have chemo, when does that start? > > BTW, I'm planning on having masectomies. > > Thanks for your blessed help! > > Lucinda > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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