Wondering about treatment plan

dots74

I was diagnosed on January 6th. Two days after my 46th Birthday. At the time, they were saying that I had a very small 1.4 cm tumor and maybe a couple of lymph nodes involved. They suggested a lumpectomy and radiation. I came home and after a lot of prayer decided on dmx nipple sparing procedure.

I live in a small rural area so I was sent to a larger city for surgery. I had the dmx with immediate expanders. The tumor they found was actually 5.2 cm. I had 2/9 lymph nodes positive for cancer.

I went for a consult with oncologist yesterday, again in my small rural area, and he he advised 8 weeks of heavy chemo, 6 weeks of radiation, followed by ovary removal. I'm concerned. My oncologist score isn't back yet, but he said it wasn't going to matter because the tumor was too large and lymph nodes were involved so chemo was a definite.

I have read so many stories and articles that say chemo isn't as effective with lobular cancer. We don't have results back on any of the bloodwork or onco test. The cancer is slow growing according to path reports. Yet he wants a port placed and chemo to start within two weeks. I still have my drain tubes in. I'm thinking about getting a second opinion back at the larger city 2 hours away.

Am I overreacting? Is chemo necessary in my case? Is there a rush to get the chemo in there? Could I do radiation first? I'm hoping someone out there can guide me. Have any of you with bigger tumors in a few lymph nodes skipped chemo successfully?