Hi LisaP03,

Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm sorry you havn't received replies up to now. My reply will boost your post so a few more people may see it - hopefully in time before you go to the appointment.

I hope it all goes OK today. Ask anything you have in mind, and make a note of any answers or information so you don't forget things.

Wishing you all the best,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Ben

Thank you for your reply! We've been to mums appointment this morning, I think we've managed to ask as much as we could think of.  The next step is waiting for an oncology appointment to find out a treatment plan!

thank you again for your reply

kind regards

Lisa

I've just seen your post today. I hope your Mum's appointment went well. What a worrying time for you. Lots of love

Hi Cazzyjojo

Thank you for your post. There were positives from todays appointment, very happy and relieved that mum's Invasive ductal carcinoma (estrogen positive) has not spread to her lymph nodes and the surgeon was successful in removing all of the tumour with clear margins so again that was great news. The not so great news is that the grade of cancer is grade 3 although the stage has remained at 2. The next step is now waiting for an oncology appointment where they will discuss treatments, we know Mum will need to be on hormone therapy, have injections every 3 months to prevent brittle bones (caused by therapy meds) and radiotherapy! There is a question mark over if mum will need chemo. Part of the tumour  is being sent to America (oncotype dx) where they assess the tumour and basically find out if the benefits of chemo out way the risks! A lot to take in! Thank you for asking. 
 

kind regards

Lisa

Hi, I have just completed treatment in June for almost the same diagnosis and am now trying to get back to living my life to the full and actually doing ok.

My oncotype result was 35 and I am age 58 post menopausal obviously. 
Whatever treatment that is offered it will be the best for the type of cancer she has.
 

Here's hoping everything goes as smoothly as it can.

Best wishes xxx

Hi Kiera123

Thank you for your post, it is reassuring to hear from someone that has had a similar diagnosis to mum and is doing well. Mum is post menopausal like yourself, but she is 68. Do you mind me asking if they advised for you to have chemotherapy with the oncotype score you had? And if so how did you find chemo? Also how did you find radiotherapy and hormone therapy? It will be good to hear from someone's experiences with these treatments as we do not know anyone that has had to go through the treatments and sometimes it helps to know others experiences. I am so glad that you are doing ok and trying to get back to a normal life, I wish you all the best.

Lisa xxx

Hi Lisa, yes I had chemo, I had FEC some have EC-T, these are just different drug combinations. I had 6 cycles, one every three week. All I can say with regard to the side effects is everyone is different but for me the side effects I had included constipation but this can be easily solved by having some Laxido prescribed before you start. Also I did lose all my hair which I found very traumatic I won't lie.

I did have other side effects particularly fatigue but no matter what I had I got through it. It not an easy ride but definitely doable.

The radiotherapy went very well no issues at all. The hormone tablets I have been on now for 10 week and have been ok up to now. I did a start with some bone pain but started taking omega3 and cod liver oil capsules combined and have been ok since.

one of the reasons I needed chemo was because although my lymph nodes were clear I had some vascular erosion so just to make sure they got any of the potential rogue cells the chemo was given.

I am 3 month post chemo and am starting to feel well most days, I do get the odd day where I'm really tired stil, I finished radiotherapy 8 week ago so it's all still relatively early  days yet but I'm much better than I thought I would be.

Im off to Greece in 2 week a special treat from my husband who has just been amazing, so patient with me.

I hope all goes well, here if I can help at all.

Take care and give yr mum a hug from mexxxx

Hi Kiera

It is so lovely to hear that you have completed your treatments and things are going well. I've just been speaking to my mum saying I've been talking to a lady on this site and we both wish you a fantastic holiday, you truly deserve it. Sorry to be a pain with questions but mum has asked if I could ask you how many times a week you had to go to for radiotherapy and for how long? Also which travel Insurance did you find the most reasonable? Mum and dad have a holiday booked for May but say they may have to cancel it, with the extortionate travel insurance premiums. 

Lisa