How To Decide Next Steps After Lumpectomy.

Posted by ngguil4d @ngguil4d, Jul 26, 2021

I am 66 years old and I had a lumpectomy and oncoplastic breast reduction on June 23 after being diagnosed with IDC IA, pT1a, pN0(sn), grade 1, ER+, PR+, HER 2- breast cancer in my right breast. My breast surgeon removed 100 grams of tissue down to the chest wall from my right breast along with one sentinel lymph node. The plastic surgeon removed another 100 grams of tissue from my right breast along with skin, Then 200 grams of tissue along with skin from my left breast. The pathology on all tissue and skin from both breasts along with the sentinel lymph node came back negative.

I have seen a radiation oncologist and she did not push radiation therapy. My husband and I both felt that she thought endocrine therapy would be better. Then she told me that if I decided to do radiation she would recommend 3 weeks/5days a week of full breast radiation.

I have my appointment with a medical oncologist this Thursday and I have been trying to do some research but the more I read the more confused I get. How does one figure out what is best?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

joiful | @joiful | Sep 6, 2021

In reply to @auntieoakley "I am thinking 17 years more for you ought to be just about right. 😁" + (show)

LOL!!! You betcha!! 😉😆

sequoia | @sequoia | Sep 6, 2021

In reply to @joiful "How wonderful that you've had these 17 years. Hopefully, you'll have many more. Having been diagnosed..." + (show)

Cancer treatment is NOT a One Size.

sequoia | @sequoia | Sep 6, 2021

In reply to @sequoia "Cancer treatment is NOT a One Size." + (show)

I do not know how to edit a comment.
Cancer Treatment is Not a One Size Fits All.

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 6, 2021

In reply to @sequoia "I do not know how to edit a comment. Cancer Treatment is Not a One Size..." + (show)

For a short window after you write it, you can click on those three little dots on the lower right corner of your post and then click on edit this comment. I am not sure how long the window is.
You could not be more right about it not being one size fits all.

sequoia | @sequoia | Sep 7, 2021

Thanks Chris.
Edit: just tested ‘edit’ is there.

sequoia | @sequoia | Sep 7, 2021

In reply to @auntieoakley "For a short window after you write it, you can click on those three little dots..." + (show)

Looks like about 1 hour. Guess after that y’all will have to put up with my typos. 🤷‍♀️😂

ngguil4d | @ngguil4d | Sep 24, 2021

In reply to @auntieoakley "I had radiation and it was very personalized. They made a mold of my body and..." + (show)

Chris - my radiation therapy was similar to yours. I had the mold of my body made and was tattooed to make sure placement was right. I saw the radiation oncologist once a week while going through radiation.

My radiation therapy was completed on August 31st (I had 15 treatments) and my breast still looks a mess - especially on the right side, underneath and under my arm. That side is still stiff and I often have pain. I do my stretches and use the lotions recommended. My energy level is still low.

All that said - I know it will get better in time. I feel lucky that my cancer was caught early, it was small and my prognosis for the future is good.

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 24, 2021

In reply to @ngguil4d "Chris - my radiation therapy was similar to yours. I had the mold of my body..." + (show)

Time will heal the burns, the skin may kind of thicken but that doesn’t always happen either. Your energy levels will come back in time. Do you have the luxury of being able to take it easy for now?

raebaby | @raebaby | Sep 25, 2021

I'm 80 in October. I was found to have HER2 positive breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and started chemo going every week at first, and now every three weeks getting just Herceptin until the middle of Feb. (one year in all). I finished radiation not long ago. I had 30 sessions.
The radiation gave me no trouble at all. My nipple still feels a bit sensitive, but my breast and the skin around it are fine. I had the bottom corner of my right breast removed. It looks kind of funny, but I can see it is starting to fill in a bit. Radiation didn't cause any fatigue.

My biggest problem from it all is the peripheral neuropathy the Taxol caused in my feet.

I'm back to being able to put in a good days work in the yard, and have flown to visit my kids in Portland . Pretty two toned gray hair grew in and I feel really good.

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 25, 2021

In reply to @raebaby "I'm 80 in October. I was found to have HER2 positive breast cancer. I had a..." + (show)

I am so glad you are feeling well after all of that. Be really nice to yourself, you have endured a ton of stuff. Please take care of your feet, I have the same issue for the same reason.