decisions and questions about treatment

thirtynine:  I hope that is NOT your age and you only want another 10 - 20 years of life left!  I am quite a bit older than you and I am being greedy.  I want as many years as I can get!  So much is happening all of a sudden in the cancer research field that maybe things can get easier for you younger gals if you just stick with it and do everything you can to survive.  Especially if you have kids, this is no time to just look toward 10 years.  Take ALL the years you can get!

Hi, I had a right mx in March. I'm sort of surprised that the surgeon didn't go ahead and start taking your lymph nodes once the sentinel was positive.So in that regard I think you are lucky. Surgeons want to cut, but I think you have every right to wait and talk to your oncologist tomorrow about your options, which may include just radiating the lymph nodes. From reading lots of threads on this website it is clear the the full axillary dissection is very painful and can lead to problems like lymphedema which will last for the rest of your life. You are right to question it, for sure.

That brings me to your last statement. Are you just 39? Seems waaay tooo young to be giving in! I'm 43 and have almost the same dx as you, a huge tumor, btw. There are so many treatments, i think it is just a matter of finding the right onc and the right plan to get your optimism back! None of us want to be on these boards, facing the unknown, we are all scared s$itless and wish we could go back to our pre-bc lives. I really think once your treatment plan is clear that you will have a stronger sense of control. But take that control and don't let docs push you around. Do some research so that you can have facts in hand when you go see your onc. the NIH and National Cancer Center websites are very informative. You also do have the right to refuse any treatment, but that doesn't fly with me. The cancer has been there for awhile before you found it, so another week to research isn't going to matter and will give you more peace of mind then to think you are rushing into things.

If you have port questions, ask away. I have one for my chemo and find I'm really glad I got it. My veins roll so the thought of getting the strong meds that are chemo through them is just unthinkable. There are other options besides a port, but I'll testify that it has made life much easier. Your onc can give you some literature about ports and what to expect, which are sort of scary at first. I can't imagine having my chemo without it.

I know it's all really overwhelming right now, and you are still healing from your Mx. Take your time and ask a lot of questions, maybe find a friend who has been through bc to go with you or to get an onc referral if you are not happy with the one you have. I'll try to find some good lymph node studies and send you a PM. Feel free to PM me as well.

Gigantic hugs,

shelley

Thirtynine - Hang in there sweetie.  The first stages of dealing with a BC diagnosis are the hardest.  Go see your onc, tell him/her how you feel, they'll be able to help!  

Patty