Hi! @krisrwaters:

I really admire your courage and strength, for if I read it correctly: you just had lumpectomy on Tuesday! My thoughts and prayers are with you on the journey ahead. In fact, all our comrades are alongside you, you'll never be alone!

How to negotiate with the oncologists? In my own experience - even though I only started on this journey 4 months ago, I tried to read/research as much as I can and I truly learnt a lot from the experienced comrades from the discussions of this forum; asked my oncologissts to provide me with the bottom-line pros & cons of each treatment and thus made my own informed-decision based on those. Would the pain get better? I frankly don't know; but I've prepared to strive on to face all the challenges ahead to conquer the disease of cancer, and I am sure you will come out of this tunel of darkness healthier, happier with more joy and contentment, my friend!

Prayers and best wishes to you all!