stage 1a questions

You can see my signature line to see we are similar.  I am a stage 1 with stage 3 agressiveness...If you are TN chemo is your only optiion.  If we wre not TN chemo would not even be a consideration.  We would have had only radiation and probably be put on Tamoxifen.  I would not being waiting and going for second opinions.  TN is pretty clear.  We have not other options.  Sorry. 

 

Cheri

 

My wife's case is almost the same as your situation.  The first onc said rad only, but he went to a local breast conference and told us that the group was split on chemo.  He said that he was staying with rad only,  but we should get a 2nd opinion.  This onc spent 5 min with us, after a 1.5 hour wait and said rad only.  We set the app for the tattoo and called the 1st onc to tell him our decision  (rad only) and the nurse said he researched and M D Anderson says chemo, no matter the  size, so he changed his mind to chemo then rad.  We were so confused, but from this forum an angel contacted my wife with an app at M D Anderson and we went.  We feel very confindent wth our decision and just finished the 2nd round of taxol.  So far so good.  There are  sooo many loving and caring people on here, you are at a very good place. Good luck with your decision.

 

Brad

 

This is Kerry, Brad's wife.  As you probably can tell, he is my online reasearcher.  I still am having trouble reading about everything there to find out about TNBC.  When he told me about you, we thought that I may need to send you a note.  I had surgery Nov. 27th and I was told I had 3 months to start chemo or 88 days to do radiation.  So I believe you still have time to look around and not panic yet.  My first onc (whom I really like) said since my tumor was so small just to do rads only even though it was TN.  Jan 18th I went for a 2nd opinion and he used a flip chart and said radiation only.  I was in there maybe 4 minutes.  So we left and and told each other ok radiation it will be.   I then called my first onc's nurse and left a voice message to let her know that we would just do rads only.  We then went to set up our radiation treatments.  Later that evening we got a call back from my nurse and she said --Oh no, Dr said that you must do chemo since it is TN.  He did a research from MD Anderson and it convinced him of that--.   That is when my wonderful husband became TNBC Forum member---and boy are we glad he did.  I fortunately met a wonderful man on here and he led us to MD Anderson within the week.  I saw a super Oncologist there and she totally convinced us that I must have chemo regardless of the size since it was TN.  I just finished my 2nd week of Taxol and so far the only side effect is that I have a very very red face--it also could be from the premeds.  It just looks like I have been snow skiing and spending time at the beach---don't we wish!!

 

Do I think you should consider doing Chemo?  Definitley YES~~ Do I regret choosing Chemo?  Definitely NO~~Do I wish My plan in life would not have included this ?  Most DEFINITELY~~  But I consider myself still young and I want to see my first grandbaby be born in JULY!!   There are many years ahead of us and I think that we should do whatever we can to ward this evil out of our body!!   My theory is that there are many doctors that really do not know much about TNBC and so they assume that radiation only would be ok.   Don't assume--this is your life ---thank goodness I have my wonderful husband in my court to fight my battles with me!! 

 

Please keep us posted or send us a Private Message.  We would be glad to visit with you more.  Just remember whatever you decide to do will be the right decision for you.  Don't look back and just keep on fighting.

 

Praying for the best,

 

Kerry and Brad

Mary,

 

Kerry wanted to add, one of the biggest drawbacks was the hair loss issue.  She teaches 6th grade science,  and the thought of losing her hair was concerning.  Our angel, on this forum,  sent a wonderful book of women dealing with these same issues.  It seemed to reassure her.  Kerry and her sister purchased a beautiful cranial prosthesis (wig as I call it)  It is sitting in our bedroom, waiting for the day to be used.  So far so good, but like many other days, when that day comes there will be many tears, but we will get through it because of the many friends and family supporting us. 

 

 The school that Kerry teaches,  raised over $3000 in what they called a "Pink Out" at last night basketball games.   They sold T-shirts and donations for the Susan B Colman Foundation.  The players and fans from both schools were in pink.  They recongized the women fighting this monster between games. I can say that there was a standing ovation and I was so proud to see my wife down on the court recieving her carnation.  Kerry's sister and friends are having a city wide Pampered Chef party next week,  with the proceeds going to the TNBC Foundation.  We hope to give back something in return for the support we have recieved.

 

Thanks to all

Brad

 

Kerry' s onc all knew of the TNBC. She felt the same as you, why do the chemo if not that much help?  The onc that stayed with the no chemo was using guidelines from nccn 2008.  That scared me!!!  Surely he should have something more recent.  The trip to Houston convinced us.  Yes, the numbers for cure are low,  with chemo , but the Dr. at M D A was sure that we needed to do the chemo.  From what I learned about TNBC it is aggressive and there is alot of uncertainity on what is best.  Therefore we went the aggressive treatment route.  You will learn what to do, NO one is the same and teatments vary and side effects vary. This is what makes TNBC so difficult.  We were willing to take a chance for a better chance of NO MORE CANCER.  Its tough and you will learn there many tough decisions yet to come. We are just giving you our story. I think you need at least one more opinion maybe a 3rd.  Praying for you because we do know what you are going through. 

 

Brad

I was so proud to hear of the donations raised for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  This is a wonderful foundation. I have walked in 3 of the 60 mi 3-day walks, and will be walking in 4th in SFO this October.  Keep up the donations.  We all will benefit from the research that this foundation will give us and someday a cure for breast cancer.

 

Mary