My story so far has been that I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April following biopsies with Er+, HER2 - tumour in breast and lymph nodes. Had MRI scan, nuclear bone scan and CT scan followed by axillary lymph node removal and mastectomy. All I know so far is that my tumour was 6cm and cancer was also in 13 out of 25 lymph nodes.
I have been told to expect radiotherapy and chemotherapy next but would really appreciate it if anyone has any advice to about what to ask oncologist as I feel like I’m on a very steep learning curve! My scan results looked clear except for nodules on my lungs so I will be having another ct scan next month. I think this is my biggest worry but I am also dreading my next treatment. Any advice would be gratefully received x
Hi, I’m sorry that you have been recently diagnosed, but your team certainly have acted very quickly!! That’s great. My team did, in January 2021, but I had my chemotherapy first, followed by mastectomy, axillary clearance, radiotherapy, then hormone treatment for ten years. I think, at the time, I was like a rabbit in the headlights. I’m guessing that the oncologist will be able to tell you more following the next scan. If you need chemotherapy, they will then tell you which treatment they will be using. You should then be told about any common side effects (this doesn’t mean that you will get them - I didn’t get all of them, and some were very mild), how many cycles you will be having, and how often each cycle is. You could ask if your treatment is systemic (goes through your whole body - I had that) or if it is a targeted treatment - which are being used more and more nowadays. I know it’s hard (and I’m really bad at this) but try not to think too far ahead. Take each stage as it comes, because sometimes treatment plans are changed a bit (mine was). I hope that you are resting well following surgery and that things don’t feel too tight in the armpit area. Xx
Thank you so much for this advice. In my head, I’d like my whole body to be treated to flush out all cancer but I realise it’s not that simple! I will definitely ask about systemic or targeted treatment. I do have some cording in my armpit but the exercises are helping and it’s definitely improving x
