To have the op or try alternative

Hi ladies

Many thanks for all the comments.  I hadn't realised so many had been posted.

On the case of the new microcalcifications I found a study which puts the possibility of 25% chance of them being pre-cancerous, as opposed to the 20% I have recorded in the blog if not linked to a tumour.  It also said that there is a 90%+ chance of microcalcifications being present when a person has DCIS.  I yet have to research more studies which may confirm or further increase the possibility of the microcalcifications being pre-cancerous. 

I was diagnosed at a time when so many horror stories had been published in the papers.  I just could not submit myself to the slash or slice (surgery) and burn (radiotherapy) treatment offered.  There are other treatments out there but just not on the NHS. 

Having said that there is a photodynamic trial (I have mentioned this treatment before) and it is with the Royal Free and the link below is encouraging to say the least!  I just would not agree to the mastectomy bit. (see the link below)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2439464/Photodynamic-laser-treatment-kill-breast-cancer-15-minutes.html

To Purple Fox and PatricaB I would just say that you have every right to your opinion.  However don’t be so entrenched - the article in the link above says it all.  My research has shown that people could get up to 6 cancers in their lifetimes but the body uses its immune system to kill these off so enhancing your immune system is crucial.  It’s your body (immune system), after all, that gets you well after the surgery, chemo and radio therapies. 

Other up and coming treatments are Immunepheresis and HIFU, not forgetting Thermal Ablation and Cryo Ablation.

Another thought being floated is that as you have a tumour in situ it sends out ‘messages’ around the body to inhibit or stop other tumour growth.  Yes, Yes, I know, there are a lot of ladies out there with metasteses but WERE they there before the surgery or have they developed after the surgery and treatments and before the endocrine therapy!  The endocrine (and chemo) treats the whole body so would search out ALL tumours.  My perspective is that everyone should be offered one of these to reduce the need for a mastectomy.

In my case, I would have had a lumpectomy in October 2012 and when returning after surgery for checks they would have found the new microcalcifications (or were they there already) and I would have had to have more surgery possibly even a mastectomy as now quoted!  Two surgeries instead of one!  Having said that would the first operation have cut out the new microcalcifications!  I have been told that the excised tissue from lumpectomies are sent to the lab, during the op, to determine if there are clear margins so that they can cut out extra tissue if necessary.  Would I then wake up to be told that I would have to have another op, possibly, for a mastectomy as they could not get clear margins!  I would not have given my consent for a mastectomy beforehand, and in any case, they would not have gone any further with the surgery without my consent.

My known microcalcifications on my right boob are at 7-9 o’clock, tumour at 9 and the new microcalcifications are at 10-11.  Quite a lumpectomy if all taken out.   Definitely left mis-shapen.

My recounting of my case is mainly for my benefit and is not a guide to any other lady out there to follow my lead.  However if my stance has peaked your interest in asking lots of questions, not least of the multi-disciplinary team’s choices of treatment for you, then I have gone, also, some way to empowering you to seek the right treatment for you.

I’ll be back when I have more to say.  In the meantime love to everyone having to deal with this nasty little critter....

Reading this thread with some interest, given my background.  On my phone, so can't type much, but for what it's worth:

I'm a fully professionally-qualified holistic therapist, and I have invasive ductal carcinoma.  While I continue to use complementary treatments, I'm also on tamoxifen, will soon be having a mastectomy, then chemotherapy and radiotherapy. For me, personally, the research stats are very clearly in support of my decision. However, each person has to make their own choices, and I hope yours turn out very well for you.

Hiya Ladies

Just a small update.  You could say I have had a slight 'scare'.  I actually pulled my 'gluteus maximus' in my right cheek (done it before) but because it was taking so long to heal my GP sent me for a bone scan x-ray.   Everything alright there but they did find an osteophyte (calcium deposit) at L5 S1 (one of the lumbar vertebrae) with a slightly depressed disc.  Sending me for an MRI and this is just to be sure......  Personally I feel perfectly fine now the muscle has stopped aching but I know that the MRI will confirm for certain.

Fighting this nasty little critter all the time..... 

Morning Chloecat45, your muscle pulling sounds painful glad it has eased. I hope all goes well with you MRI scan is that before Xmas? Please keep us updated. Much love xxx

Hi you have so many replies to get through I just wanted say a quick reply.
First all my love and prayers are with you.
I was diagnosed 24th July. I just went with my cancer team at hospital and I had right breast mastectomy and 15/20 lymph nodes removed (8 wete full of cancer)
Initially where cancer came fromm seemed conduse my breast surgeon. I am hormone - but HER2 +
They found an 8mm pre cancer area in the breast. If I had not had a mastectomy it would of never been found til it had spread.
I believe God works through doctors and NHS professionals please don't be afraid.
Here I am one breast bald but at least I have an idea of when chemo and treatment will end.
If I had refused op. I would still have that cancer growing and spreading. I was well only sign was lump under my arm.
I am Trudi by the way.
Good luck with your decision I personally think go with surgery.
You at least may still keep your breast. I lost mine but I would loose a leg if it meant I will see my 2 kids grow up. It is hard I know. Think of it this way sooner its out and tested. Sooner you can get treatment and get well. Good luck I mean it thinking of you.
Trudi

Morning  Chloecat,  Phew !!  Nice to hear that you have had your mind put at ease. Think we're all hyper sensitive to anything that doesn't feel quite right now.  

So you "pulled" Gluteus Maximus, wasn't he the handsome, dark haired, muscular one in "Gladiator"....  Lucky ol' you  :-)

Take care and best wishes,  George & Jackie.

Hi Everyone

Thanks Dreamthief for making me laugh at your comments and to all others for their comments.

Had my MRI on Sunday 29 December at 6pm at a mobile MRI unit - YES on a Sunday.  Laid on my back this time rather than on the stomach for breast MRIs!  Go back to get results from the Bone Consultant on 9 January. Additionally have my check up with Breast Cancer Consultant same day.  Will advise the Breast Cancer Care Nurse before then of this additional bit of news and ask if they want to do any more tests before we meet.  Need to be updated anyway on the ultrasound I had done on 4 October 2013......

Health still good.  Constantly, it seems, I keep trying to 'feel' the tumour.  Sometimes I think I can but other times not.  Could I even be feeling the titanium clip they have put in?????? 

Will get back to you after the consults

Still fighting this nasty little critter...... 

Hiya Ladies 

Back to give you an update.

Had the results from bone guy on 9 January and MRI confirms X-ray.  He’s not recommending any treatment but suggested I did some swimming as exercise rather than the light jogging I was intending to do.  He wants me to build up my muscles!!!!

 Also had the results of 4 October 2013 US the same day at my other hospital.  They say that ‘it’ has increased from 11mm to 12mm - pardon!!!!!!  I didn’t even know it had increased to 11mm!!!!! 

 So I decided to check the reports and digital pictures (I paid for these) plus the copy letters to my GP and I can’t find this measurement anywhere!!  Previous US was on 18 July 2013 where the supposed 11mm has come from but I was told verbally and in a letter to my GP that the tumour was 5x5x7mm!!  On the 4th October US, verbally heard the radiologist (I think he was head radiologist - previous US were done by a very nice lady) said, whilst dictating, 12mm so there could be some correlation to the new measurement but I would have thought they would have told me it had grown, substantially, but they didn’t!  OR, are they be referring to the micro-calcifications which they said was 18x5mm on the 18 July 2013 at the 7-9 o’clock position - but they didn’t.  It was the Registrar at the appointment on the 9th who advised me of this new measurement not the consultant/oncologist.  Now that I have checked all my records will have to give them a ring to get this inconsistency resolved.

 Have been naughty with my diet and have eaten far too much red meat!  Stopped that now and plumping for the vegetables and fruit.  Can have fresh fish and free-range chicken.  Drink only green tea with honey in.  Do have an occasional ‘drink’ but may be exaggerating if I said I only have 1 glass a fortnight.  Still healthy (except for the BC) other than a ‘catarrhy’ chest - always get this in winter.

 My thoughts are with you all

 still dealing with this nasty little critter.....

Wow, chloecat, I've been reading looking back at this thread and must say I am quite in awe of your tenacity. I think it's tenaciousness? This is coming from someone who said very loudly CUT IT OUT NOW, and to this date have had everything thrown at it. However, I would be lying if I didn't say I am totally alarmed that you seem more concerned with getting to the bottom of the inconsistency of reports and what you remember people saying months ago, rather than the fact that your tumor is growing. I really do hope that this new news has given you some pause for thought re surgery. In my experience, and for many others too, the detailes of the tumor, including type, grade and size change, sometimes quite dramatically, once it has been cut out and analysed.

Hi chloecat

I have read this thread with interest and thought you might be interested in this anecdote.

My husband's aunt got breast cancer when she was 52.  I'm not sure how she found it, or even if it was a mammogram that found it for her, as she was a large lady with large boobs.  However, I do know that her reaction was that she didn't want a mastectomy.  So adamant was she that she had radioactive implants put under the skin to kill off any stray cells after the lump was removed rather than any other treatment.  

She recovered and lived another 6 years before it returned with a vengeance and killed her.  

I tried all the options and ended up with a double mastectomy (one preventative).  I truly believe that I've given it my best shot.