Early stage..

sharontg
sharontg Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I'm new and when the doctor break the news to me that i having early stage breast cancer i immediately cry out non stop. I'm not sure how to handle/face it and i was giving option. According to my breast surgeon I need to do another surgery to remove bigger area to exam that it didnt spread and same time do a limbnode in frozen section to check removal is it necessary. Luckily it was not infected the limbnode and Hormonceptor tested as +. I'm doing well and going to start with radiotherapy next week. After reading some of article from internet, i start to worry and scare especially on the hormon treatment (taking tomoxifen for 5 yrs) where there are lots of side effect. All sort of question keep on pop ups in my mind that can i handle all those. what shd i do?

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2012

    Sharon, welcome to BCO.

    Until other members post with their personal experiences, there's a thread at the top of this forum called Breastcancer.org Radiation Section that will point you to more information at the main Breastcancer.org site. Also, to connect with others who are exactly where you are in treatment, look in this forum for the July 2012 Radiation or August 2012 Radiation threads.

    The Mods

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited July 2012

    Hi Sharon, I am so sorry that you find yourself having to be here.  Taking Tmoxifen is a good thing and yes it does have some horrid side effects........but not for everyone.  Most people that take Tamoxifen have almost no side effects other than the occasional hot flash and it does well in keeping you safe from the return of the Breast Cancer.

    Take a deep breath and try not to worry about the possibilities of what may happen, just take the Tamoxifen.  You may find that you are just fine and if not, just stay in touch with your doc as there are other medications that do the same thing.

    Good luck and I do hope this pouts your mids at ease a little.

    Stay in touch and let us know how you are getting  on.

     Love n hugs.   Chrissy 

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  • sharontg
    sharontg Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2012

    Thanks Chrissy! It did comfort me a bit. Taking Tamoxifen, doc said it "may" trigger others eg. ovarian. Have u heard this before?    

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited July 2012

    Sharon yes I have heard that is one of the possible side effects but have yet to hear of it in reality.  There are many things it can possibly do but as I said not everyone gets them.  

    I have and do know of quite a few women who take and have taken tamoxifen with no side effects at all.  They rely on it so much that when it has come time at the end of five years and they can stop taking it they have been reluctant to do so.  As I said earlier, if you have too many problems with it you can always change to something else.....there are options.  The docs go for the Tamoxifen first as that is the one that is most commonly used and it has been proven to be very effective.

    Love n hugs.   Chrissy 

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  • sharontg
    sharontg Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2012

    Chrissy, what u suggest to apply during the rad session. Some said aloe vera gel is good for cooling.

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited July 2012

    Sharon, alovera is very good to use. Where you go for your radiation will also tell you what you can use and has proven effective for others.

    Emu oil is also another that has proven to work. Sometimes it is just a matter of trial and error to see what works best for you.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

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