I need advice!

Well, Arimidex IS a form of chemo. We're just so used to the harsher kind that is like poison that we think a little white pill a day is nothing. That said, I think your onc is bringing you back in four weeks to see how the Arimodex is doing. You might have as favorable results as the women on standard AC+T or TAC.



But as was explained in another thread in this Stage III forum, hormonals only work on the bc cells that are hormone receptive. Sometimes bc has a mix of cells, with some that don't have ER receptors. I'd want the harsher chemo to do a systemic flush hunting down those buggers, especially if your lymph nodes have already been breached. I'd worry that some have gotten through that line of defense.



Did your biopsy give a percentage for your ER+? Mine was @ 95%, but even then, I had six doses of TAC before I started Arimidex. I consider it a maintenance med, but maybe the thinking has changed. Are there other factors that are playing on his decision? How's your health, otherwise? Any heart or liver problems?

What sort of doctor is treating you? What country are you in? Are you sure you are stage 3?

Definitely get a second opinion. Any doctor, especially an oncologist giving biopsy results, who doesn't explain the medical jargon is not a doctor I would stay with. And especially one who is going with non-standard of care, as we know it, who doesn't explain why he's choosing that course.

I agree! Good luck with your next doctor's appointment. I really hope you'll find someone who'll give you ALL the treatment you need and as quickly as possible. Fingers crossed for the best possible outcome. Sending gentle hugs, Angelfalls xx

MakingLemonade - I certainly agree with the sisters that you should find out from your onc what he has in mind, so you understand clearly.  Or, if you are concerned, get a second opinion, soon. 

As SherriG wrote, I am one of those ones on the AI Aromatase Inhibitors/Arimidex/anastrazole trials given to try to reduce the size of the tumor prior to surgery.  The good news is that it has a very high success rate (I think my onc told me in the 90th percentile) of shrinking the tumors greatly, especially for ER+ as yours is. My nearly 5cm went down to 2.5cm in 4 mos. and I have the more difficult ILC to shrink.      

However, because it was an approved NIH clinical trial, they were sure to biopsy my tumor even only two weeks into it to be sure it was working before they let me stay on the trial too long just in case it wasn't.

You should know if you signed papers to be on a trial as it is an extensive interview process.  If not, you should look to another doctor if this one can't explain his behavior to you.

I hope you don't worry too much.  Arimidex has a high success rate and should keep things in check for a while, but I agree with the girls that you should definitely get out there and get some answers that make sense to you.

Perhaps your tumor is not operable at the moment so chemical therapy (to use a generic term) has to come first. I am wondering why there is no talk of radiation now. Glad you are seeking a second opinion. You want a doctor who will enter into dialogue with you. This may be a case where there is no one-size-fits all solution and where you need to choose amongst hard-to-compare choices. The reason why I bring up radiation is that it might be a quicker way to stem advancement, as AIs can take a while and there is hardly a guarantee that they work to shrink your cancer.

It would be a good idea to ask a second opinion for a timeline of what choice will be made when whathappens/does NOT happen. What I mean is this: If you start with the AI, can you and the doctor agree on a timeline by which IF IT HASN'T WORKED you resort to other treatments? It would be a good idea to have a pre-set decision tree in your case. Good luck!

I am glad you are getting a second opinion for this doctor is clearly not there for you and  with what you have told us , you need deep treatment yesterday!, I was on Arimidex, Femara and all those other things and all they did was make me sick or things worse. A good doctor will run a full round of tests and then tell you how it is to a certain extent for doctors never seem to tell you everything unless you wring it out of them! It is obvious you need treatment and it shouldn't be about the money for what price is a life?

I am on my 6th round with cancer in some form 3 rounds being BC and I am now undergoing palliative treament to make me more comfortable hopefully but while I can I try to pitch in and help who I can and Making lemonade you have been given a tough strike, you are doing the right thing by questioning-keep it up so you can get answers for what doctors forget cancer just doesn't hurt/affect the victim it affects all who are part of their life in some form and for you to get what you need you must do what you need to. My favorite thing is writting down questions as they come to me and getting answers so I know where I am at and I am not afraid anymore to call doctors out on what they say if, they deny prior information or deny stuff that is factual etc. My Gp says my doctors are scared of me because I know to much and they like it when patients don't. But it is your body your loved ones and yourself suffering because of the doctor you mentioned and it is wrong on so many levels, good luck dear one and may thing turn out for the better for you.

I just read your post and I am so happy you are seeing a different doctor. I do wonder if it is insurance issues, which is just wrong! It sounds like you have a great support system with your husband and friend! Please keep us posted with what is going on.