Different Treatment what appears to be to everyone else

Hi,

Hope your chemo is going ok and that you're not having many side effects.

I had chemo first as well and I didn't understand why. Unlike you I was triple positive. I did ask why they couldn't just do a mastectomy at the beginning but they said they wanted to see how my 'little C words' responded to treatment. I had three, two were IDC grade 3, one was DCIS. That made me feel like a bit of a science experiment! 

I think it really is personal to your situation and your oncologist. Everyone is different and they tailor the treatment to you. So don't worry about that. It's better that you get personalized treatment! 

I finally had the mastectomy and am due to start radiotherapy. Nothing in the lymph nodes but because I'm HER2 positive I also have to have 14 cycles of preventative chemo. Being ER positive I'll be having hormone therapy for 5 years.

Hopefully once your chemo, surgery and radiotherapy is done you won't need anything else? I get the impression that being HER2 negative is a good thing.  

Someone who has the same cancer as you will turn up on here but you're not alone in having chemo before surgery. 

Take care and have a lovely weekend! 

Mads xx

Hi KatieM2

So sorry you are feeling all alone at the moment. I think all of us who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer are feeling a little shell shocked.I have read lots of posts where people are started off with chemo. Just know that you are receiving the treatment that the experts think is right for you.  I hope you find someone who has had same diagnosis so that it reassures you.

Take care.

Evajean

Hi, I too had chemo first before surgery. I was diagnosed triple negative in November 2021. They called it neo adjuvant chemotherapy, to treat the whole body just in case there are any cells elsewhere laying dormant and to try and shrink the tumour.  I had 6 treatments of FEC-T every 3 weeks, then I had surgery in May, and now I'm on a further 6 treatments of chemo tablets on 3 weekly cycle, just for a currative and preventative measure and also because my tumour didn't shrink as much as they'd liked it to. Anyway yes your medical team discuss your case and give you the best possible treatment plan that is tailored to your cancer. Hope this helps, best of luck in your treatment and hope all goes well. X

Hi Mads, thank you for replying firstly I would like to say good luck with your Radiotherapy, you’re quite ahead of me. That’s positive that nothing in the lymph nodes too. 
thank you so much for taking time out for me and you too have a nice weekend xxxxxx

Thank you for you’re reassurance Evajean as I really appreciate your reassurance.. Yes I think I am still feeling shell shocked with it all. So upsetting for us all. 

Have a nice weekend, Karen xxxxxxxx

Hi Satire, the hospital said mine was essentially close to a triple negative cancer but are not treating as this because the PR was 5/8 positive?? So my chemo is different to yours. Hope your coping ok with chemo. Must admit I will feel better after the surgery but I am only 3 into chemo.
Can I ask what was the size of your tumour please? 

thank you so much for responding to me as I appreciate this so much

have a fab weekend Karen xxxx

Hi Katy,  Sorry to hear about your Cancer diagnosis and it is always overwhelming.  Takes time to sort it all out.  From what tI have read there are about 70% of cancers that are ER positive so there are 30% that are not.  Your cancer is progesterone positive, the other female hormone.  
I think they give chemo as first treatment quite a lot now to shrink tumor.  I don’t know too much about chemotherapy as I did not need it but I see many posts that are very educational and the women are so willing to share so I am sure you will find answers.  Breast cancer is very individualized now and they go by what the tumor dictates.  When will you have surgery snd what type?

Take care.

Barbara

Hi of course, my tumour at first MRI scan was 33/24mm, after chemo was 13mm. I was relieved to have completed chemo and then to have the tumour removed, I had mastectomy with immediate implant so was just glad to have the tumour removed and all breast tissue. I had no lymph nodes involvement which was a relief. It's a long journey we have to go through from diagnosis but we seem to get through it with all the help and support from this site has been really helpful for me. I wish you well and have a good weekend too x

Hi Barbara, that’s really helpful I didn’t even know progesterone was the other female hormone or the percentage.

it helps to know that others have the chemo first too

Thank you so much for your message

Take care xxxxx

Hi Satire, I feel more positive now from your reply, I have worried about my tumour not shrinking as mine is 28mm by 25mm similar to yours and up to now no lymph nodes involved but I know this can change after surgery

just one step at a time I think as I’m way behind you

thank you again and take care xxxxx