1 Positive Node, Mastectomy...did you do Rads?

Hi Colt45,



I'm so sorry you had such a dreadful experience. I had multicentric breast cancer, and they didn't even know I had three large tumors until I had the mastectomy. I agree that it was probably best that your wife did the mastectomy instead of lumpectomy due to the fact that her cancer was multifocal. As for the rads, did they give you a timetable of when it would need to begin? They didn't want me to wait long after chemo before having mine. I also did not have my axilla radiated as I had no LVI - a complete miracle with the size of my three tumors. I also had two rad onc consults and both recommended rads. I hope you can come to a decision that you feel confident about. I am praying for you and your dear wife.

I had bilat BC. On my node negative side, I had LVI. There was no consensus when my case went to the tumor board. My RO said, his colleague "the guy from Harvard, thinks it's a good idea" to radiate that side (half joking). So my RO(from UCLA) gave me the pros/cons & i decided to go along with the idea. Partially because I finally found a doctor I liked(not the best reason). I was going to be getting RADs to the other side anyway & it could be done at the same time(not a good reason). Like you & your wife, I was exhausted with all the decision making. That being said, I don't regret having RADs. My LVI side is problem free post RADs. Having some minor issues on my node positive side.

I did doctor shoppng throughout my treatment planning & there was never any consensus. Mastectomy vs Lumpectomy, ALND or no ALND, chemo or no chemo, RADs or no RADs. Now i'm just stuck on Tamoxifen with a MO that I'm not entirely happy with. Just don't want to shop around for another. Just need him to write my perscription, right? Only for 5yrs, right?

Hope you come to a decision soon. I was so glad to be done with active treatment.

Hi,

I had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders put in during surgery.

I had one positive lymph node and the rest were negative ( Thank God) , I just went to see my oncologist for the first time this week, My surgery was done on April 23, 2013 .

He recommended for me no radiation, I have to get chemo

My treatment will begin June 3rd, it consists as follows for me:

15 Minutes IV chemo treatment in his office 2 times a month for 6 months , total of 12 treatments, including a pill to take in between the IV treatments. Just in case a few cells are roaming around my body in which he droughts very much , he is doing this for precaution due to one positive lymph node, no radiation, he said that can react against my heart or my lungs.(due to previous ablation and asthma in which I have) Then after 6 months he is Putting me on Tomoxifin for 5 to 10 years, I think I spelt the Med correctly. So by January my expanders can come out, if I don't flip by then with this pressure caused by the expanders..... But seek out advice from at least 2 oncologists due to the fact that she had one positive lymph node. That can be a bit scary, you do not want any cancer roaming around her. But my Dr.s all say not to worry they caught it on TIME. One node is not terrible it was only the beginning stage so she will be fine , we just have to get through all of this. Also the chemo he is putting me on is a very light dose , I will NOT lose my HAIR, so ask your Dr. To see if they can give your wife something similar so she doesn't lose her hair us women do not want to lose it, also it shouldn't give me to much nausea, it is a light dose, if it does there are Meds he can give me to off set the nausea. So good luck and ask questions it doesn't hurt to ask. Lots of luck to your wife, she will be fine, we need to think POSITIVE.



Doreen

Hi I am an Aussie girl diag almost 5 years ago I had a bi-lat mastectomy as I had grad 3,1/2cm idc on left side and DCIS on right side. It went really well and I waited 18 months to have expanders and then implants put in. I am glad I didn't have to have rads as I have heard of so many women with terrible side effects also I have very little breast tissue left so more peace of mind no mamagrams good luck Delvzy Aust

Thanks so much for bumping me this thread.  Has been informative and helpful reading. I have researched this thing to death and it appears that I am under the line (just under it with lump size) for every reason they could say the def recomend. I am going to take your advice and talk to a rad onc..however, my town..not small and considered a city..is some behind times..did not know what cold caps or icing was.  My oncologist is from Sloan Kettering, and is all for radiation, but debated a bit with him..to the point we were like well thats a bit off. So thanks for the advice and will speak with rad onc..its good to know that they are not all about it..so to speak.  Oh..my surgeon said he didn't see the point..but he did say he wasn't looking at it as a oncologist just from what he had seen in his years as surgeon. Anyway, one mans opinion.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your wifes..also, with the ladies in this thread. Thanks so much!

hi colt , i had 1 node with a little in it , they took 12 out and i had a double mast , ,i take tamoxifen a hormonal drug everyday and dr says im 96% everyone is differnt so just see what the onocologest says  those radition dr are all about giving radiation so , hang in ther i will pray for your wife , lara