Chemo first, then Mastectomy

nelia48

Janet, it is becoming more and more common to do chemo first to shrink the tumors.  I was shocked when he said I had to do that, but since then, have heard of a lot of gals who had the chemo first.  I'm doing ok today!  In fact, I really feel fine except for the radiation burns.  When I read on the radiation posts, it's so strange that some gals have almost no burns and others burn so much.  But it is getting better. 

I know what you mean about saying stuff about yourself, etc.  I go back and forth.  Sometimes, I'm making funeral arrangements in my head, and other times, I'm forgetting that all this really happened to me.  It's hard to think that all the treatments are over and now I just wait to see if. . . . .!!!!!

mumito

Nelia it sounds like we are both at the same place after treatment.  Its hard to get on with life when you always have these lingering worries.  I had terrible burns from rads and got quite depressed.  But started exercising a little and am starting to feel better now.   If you need someone to talk to PM me.

rosesinwinter

Nelia-

I just read some of your previous posts. OMG, you have been through SO much in this past year!  I am sending you huge hugs (that don't hurt the burned area by squeezing too much ).

It has been almost a year since I finished radiation.  This has been 10 months of healing in all ways, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  It seems that it takes as much courage to go throught the post-treatment period as it took to go through chemo, radiation and surgery!  On the way home today, I was listening to a song by Kathy Mattea on my IPOD that spoke of  "the courage finally comes- you don't see it coming.  Right out of nowhere". I had so many anxious moments and then,  the strength would seem to come back from somewhere to move forward.

I will pray for your healing!  You are an amazing woman!!

Titch

My cancer is aggressive (was 2.5 cm 8 weeks ago, is now 5.5 cm), so I am having Chemo prior to surgery.  They are trying to stop the growth and shrink it. 

My oncologist explained another bonus for chemo first.  Whilst I have not had surgery they can see how my cancer responds to the chemo treatment.  Once the breast is removed they just hope that it is responding to the chemo, and it is killing cells that may rekindle the beast.  As the actual cancer is gone, they cannot really say how it responds to that treatment.

 That was enough for me to be very content with the chemo first.

mumito

Yours sounds alot like what I had. Chemo worked so well at shrinking my tumors even the 5cm one.When I had my mast 6months later they had trouble finding any tumor for pathology.Best wishes for your treatment.

momgovero

I too, had chemo first.  My oncologist said they were customizing treatments more and more.  The goal is to shrink the tumor before surgery.  And yes, he was not able to feel the lump with physical examination after the first 12 weeks of treatment of FEC.  When I got excited by that, he informed it would not change the plan of mastectomy.  Because of the original size of the tumor, they would still want to do a mastectomy, so as not to leave a microscopic root in there to grow again.  They cannot give me a definite answer regarding the need for radiation until after the pathology they find out from the surgery.  But so far, I have had 12 weeks of FEC, followed by 12 weekly treatments of Paclitaxel and Herceptin.   And they have all been doable. Yes, I lost my hair, but never threw up!  The weight gain has been depressing, as I have gained 16 lbs so far.  I was not expecting that.  Oh well, I keep telling myself, "whatever it takes".  I will get through this, and I will be a survivor.  I am going through Barnes and Siteman Cancer Center, where are you going?