No Chemo

SCmom
SCmom Member Posts: 46
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi all, just wanted to give you update. Saw Oncologist for the first time yesterday. He said my tumor was small, 1.5cm and with neg nodes, did not feel I needed to do chemo. He did say that he wanted me to start taking Tamoxifen. I'm not looking forward to be thrown into menapause, but I want to be doing something to make sure the cancer doesn't come back. I am still waiting the results of my Urine Cytology that was done last week and have a CT Scan scheduled for the 26th. The Oncologist told me it would be rare for my bladder to have cancer, I don't smoke, I'm young and a woman (i guess men get it more than women) and breast doesn't go to bladder. That's made me feel good, but won't feel great till I get all tests behind me. He did say I needed to see Urologist and have a scope done, fun!!!! I told him that I thought that was the next step that my GP said, just wanted to get test results before sending me to Urologist. I'm so tired of tests!! I know I shouldn't complain, many of you have it tougher than me. Anyway, to end on a positive note......NO CHEMO, that was very good news. Laura

Comments

  • simmonsg
    simmonsg Member Posts: 33
    #2
    Congrats Laura. No chemo is wonderful news.

    Hugs and prayers going your way.
  • Twinks56
    Twinks56 Member Posts: 37
    #3
    Laura,so glad to hear your news.Tests can be a real pain but just think no chemo.It wasn't fun.Hugs and prayers to you.Teresa
  • jake10
    jake10 Member Posts: 202
    #4
    Laura, are you getting radiation? The protocols are so different depending on your geographical area. Here any tumor larger than 1cm but smaller than 2cm with negative nodes, gets radiation but no chemo. Beth
  • chemoqueen1
    chemoqueen1 Member Posts: 50
    #5
    Hi There. Congrats on no chemo. I too had a 1.5 cm tumor and was ER/PR positive. You were most likely ER/PR positive too if they are starting you on Tamoxifen. I did have to do Chemo, which I finished on July 25th and now will start Radiation on August 18th. But that is becuase I was Her2 Positive which put me at a higher risk of reoccurance. Chemo did put me into Menopause, but at 41 could care less if I get a period anymore. I will also start Tamoxifen when I am done with Radiation and another 6 months of Herceptin (for the Her2 status). Glad to hear of your good news!
  • ktinkey
    ktinkey Member Posts: 170
    #6
    Hi Laura,

    Congratulations on NO CHEMO. I just wanted to let you know that tamoxifen does not throw you into menopause. It does give you the side effects, such as hot flashes and maybe night sweats, but if you are still having periods, it does not necessarily stop them. I had regular periods for 4 years while on it. Tamoxifen stops the estrogen from feeding the cancer, but it does not work on your ovaries and stop them from producing estrogen. Talk with your oncologist about that. Just wanted to let you know. Hope this helps.

    God Bless,
    Kathy
  • SCmom
    SCmom Member Posts: 46
    #7
    jake10 said:

    Laura, are you getting radiation? The protocols are so different depending on your geographical area. Here any tumor larger than 1cm but smaller than 2cm with negative nodes, gets radiation but no chemo. Beth

    I have already done radiation. I did the new procedure Mammosite Radiation. Internal Radiation at the source where lump was removed. It was done twice a day for a week. Thanks for asking beth.

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