Hi there - I underwent my first lumpectomy last July and it showed invasive ductal cancer with 2 positive notes, one of which had eroded. I underwent 4 cycles of carboplatin and taxol every 3 weeks. Following that it was necessary to go back for a second lumpectomy as the margin was to close. In the meantime, I underwent MRI breast and a second lesion was noted and biopsied showing neuroendocrine cancer. The second lumpectomy was performed removing the remainder of first lesion as well as all of the second lesion and, in addition, the surgeon and plastic surgeon performed a reduction and reshaping of that breast as well as reduction of my other breast taking me down from an F+ to between a B and A cup --- finally, I can eat at a table without my breasts being on the table! Following healing from this, it was necessary to have 30 radiation treatments including the neck area due to the erosion of the one sentinel node. Chemo was not my favorite as I do not do well with drugs; however, I kept a journal and so after the first infusion, I knew what side effects to expect each time. Main thing I learned was to take Gas X due to the gas pains from chemo, reading material in the bathroom for diarrhea, have diarrhea medicine handy, and to keep telling myself to not be so hard on myself. Tubes from my second surgery hurt like heck, but my method to get through that was to mark each day off on the calendar and do a countdown. Radiation burns and blisters were doable by using calendula cream several times a day, aloe gel, and when blistering using prescription Silvadene ointment. I am told the invasive ductal cancer has a good outcome. However, for me when they found the neuroendocrine, it puts a whole new spin on it as it is quite rare, only 2% of the population getting this. I have had a PET scan done last night and await the results. I've been told for best chance of survival that I will need to do more chemotherapy with agents used for lung cancer of 4 cycles, 3 times a week. Just when my hair has grown back nicely, too. You will do fine - have patience. Your breast care coordinator should have information for you, but if not be sure to look at the different subjects here...the information is quite helpful. Best of luck to you.

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