Breast Cancer Stage 1b --how much is just too much?

I’m so sorry you had that experience! My doctors were conservative in their recommendations. I had done a lot of research before I ever saw them and according to what I read, they were spot on 🙂
I did go to a comprehensive cancer center - something my brother (surgeon, burn specialist) strongly suggested, even though I have to travel to get there.
You might want to get a second opinion. All the large comprehensive cancer care centers will look at your scans and biopsy. It doesn’t cost too much, most insurance covers a second opinion.

As a medical professional myself (occupational therapist) it’s a little tough to read a forum that is only looking for what goes wrong. Because I know the dedication of so many medical doctors. It’s one reason I like this site. Sure there are issues and problems to discuss but the majority are just looking for answers.

You must have Drs like i have.
Just go for worst case senario
If they get the disease they will understand. There job id do no harm! That includes mental support. My male drs had compassion the female drs don’t. Strange !

Yea-I’m going to get a second opinion from a male breast specialist hopefully in a week or so. I just think they are bypassing testing that can be done for a more precise treatment plan —vs, just taking all nodes out, aggressive radiation, etc. Gosh if this how they treat stage 1, cancer only image how it is for someone with late stage cancer 😢

I’m glad that you decided to get 2nd opinion. The breast specialist seems to make decision without some important tests. I thought that was odd that yours hers2 is considered positive when FISH is negative. Usually FISH is performed when hers2 result is equivocal. If Fish is neg then hers2 is neg. So if you are stage 1b and hers2 neg, an oncotype test should be done to determine the benefits of chemo. My oncotype is 21, so no chemo. The decision to treat with chemo is usually from an oncologist, and how many radiation rounds is recommended by an onco radiologist. But that just my experience since I’m not trained in medical field. But definitely 2nd opinion is warranted in your case. Your care team should be more than just one medical doctor whether that person is DO or MD. I pray that you get a good medical team and your treatments will go well. Hugs.

Hey there!
I am a 15 year BC survivor. I was Stage IIB and had two involved lymph nodes. After examining various schools of thought, together with my doctor, we opted for a lumpectomy and complete removal of all the lymph nodes . I went through chemo and radiation.
I have had little to no swelling ( lymph-edema). I do have numbness in my upper arm, but over the years you don’t even notice it. No guarantees of survival, but complete removal rid me of any undetectable microscopic cells in the nodes or connective tissues.
I recommend getting 2 or 3 opinions from comprehensive cancer centers.
To this day, my oncologist’s words stay with me. The treatment plan “ will not change the end result”. Cancer is as individual as your DNA. So you do the best you can, seek opinions, read up on treatment stats, and pray.
All the best 🙏🏻

@billiemoore I was stage one and my lympnodes were clear. I received radiation and on medication for 10 years. I am 44 years old. I gladly did radiation due to my age. I would not go light if my lymphones had cancer. I did 20 rounds of radiation equalatent to one month daily. I had 3 different opinions from 3 different states and doctors and clinics and they all told me about the same maybe one a little bit slightly different than the other, but radiation didn't came off the table for any of them. I don't have any issues with my arm and even if I did, that problem with my arm would not kill me, but cancer will. I have seen too many people gone within months to gamble my faith.

@claudiaovando1 I’m surprised you had radiation recommended—did you have lumpectomy or mastectomy? The SUPREMO trial showed radiation not recommended for early stage (up yo stage 2) when a person had mastectomy and the TrialRT (in progress) is to look at those with 1-2 lymph nodes and low Onco (like mine) to see if they too should not have radiation as long as on meds.

UPDATE: I got mastectomy after all.

@billiemoore . I had a lumpectomy and my Onco type was 25% that's the reason of the radiation. I don't know what your Onco was. But, for me I did all the research and again, I consulted Mayo, Hopkins and Sloan Kettering. My sister that has been in the cancer search for 20 years, MD family member right away. They all agreed with my treatment. Again Sloan only said 5 years with medication vs 10 years. That was the only change.

@billiemoore It might be better in the long run. I hope your recovery goes smoothly 🙏