Chemotherapy

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ScaredMotherOf_3
ScaredMotherOf_3 Member Posts: 2
edited February 2015 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I am 44 with no history of breast cancer, but on October 15, 2014 I was diagnosed with DCIS. After the removal of the mass and further examination of that mass, the pathology report return that a larger margin needed to be removed as well as lymph nodes. Now the diagnoses is Stage 1 Microinvasive breast cancer and I had the second surgery. I participated in a genetic study which returned no disease causing mutated genes. Feeling calm right now about all of this, but now wondering about prevention! My doctors recommends chemotherapy for the best possible outcome. He says that when it travels, cancer likes to leave little cells behind in its path and the chemo will help to kills those cells. Has anyone else had chemotherapy for this type of diagnoses or was radiation treatment sufficient? Just wondering if chemo is too much...but I definitely don't want too little.

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited February 2015

    Hi, I am so sorry for your diagnosis. I know you are scared, and I am so glad you found us here on BCO. This is a wonderful website and a caring community, and you will find so much here. I was told I was stage 4 at diagnosis, so I cannot answer your question from your point of view, but I will tell you what I would do..... I would do what my team suggests. They are the experts. They are the smart ones who know what works and what doesnt work. And chemo is very do-able. You can do this and be cancer free. But it is your choice. Please keep us posted

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  • ScaredMotherOf_3
    ScaredMotherOf_3 Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2015

    Thank you Meadow!!!!! My husband and I talked about it and I thought the same thing...do what the experts suggests. Chemo starts on the 19th. Will come back periodically with updates to this lengthy process. Many blessings

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited February 2015

    I did chemo first, then bmx, then rads. I wanted to try to kill all those nasty cells any way I could. It's not a fun day in the park, but doable.

    I'm 3 years out from chemo, and NED.

    Best wishes.

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited February 2015

    You are so welcome. There should be a thread for your time starting chemo in Feb 2015, I joined in the Starting Chemo Sept 2013 group when I first came here on BCO, and it was so great to have women going thru exactly what I was... as a support, and humor too. These same women are in my life now as cyber friends, and I hope to meet them one day! If there isnt a thread started you can start one and be the first. My thoughts are with you and your family as you begin this journey. One day will come where cancer isnt the first thing you think of in the morning, and believe it or not you might not think of it all day. I know that sounds impossible but it is true. Sounds like you have good support, that helps so much. Hugs to you.

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited February 2015

    Hi Spookies, and that is awesome.


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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    Good morning ladies,

    I am triple negative, and have finished chemo, surgery, and I am now doing rads. It is a process to get through, but we all support each other. I had AC/T before surgery. I hope everyone is well!

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  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited February 2015

    While it sounds like you have made your decision, since you asked, it is unusual to be recommended chemo for a true micro-invasion unless it is HER2+ and even then it depends on the size. Were I in your position (i did have a micro-invasion but chemo was never discussed), I might consider a second opinion just to be sure. Did you have multiple micro-invasions that perhaps added together would be a more significant amount of invasion?

    At the very least I would want to understand the risk reduction being offered by chemo, which can have very severe, life-long side effects to see if the risks of the cancer spreading are truly greater than the risks from the chemo. They may very well be, but from your description, it sounds like your case may be a bit unusual, so if it were me I would want to be sure I thoroughly understood what is being recommended and why.

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited February 2015


    I was also stage 1 and got chemo.  I did 4 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxan almost 4 years ago.  I was 45 at dx.  I also had a bilateral mastectomy so radiation was not recommended or needed for me.

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