Chemo may not be needed by many w/breast cancer - Page 2

Coquille · ‎07-20-2011

@pitdakota They discovered my Breast Cancer in 2002. Stage 1, no lymph nodes affected, estrogen based etc., same as the study. My Oncologist weighed the options for me and said that Chemo was not necessary. There were more cons and it would not give me any better chances of survival. Maybe my doctor was ahead of the game. Thank goodness this study is out officially. Wishing everyone good health and happiness.

Happiness is not a destination, it is a way of life.

Ms tyrion2 · ‎05-08-2017

Breast cancer treatment is changing and improving so much.

Two and a half years ago I was diagnosed with HR+HER2-

Breast cancer . Mine is a rare situation in which there were no lymph or breast tumors. It metastasized directly to my bones.

I had a very short course of radiation to deal with the pain from one of the spinal lesions. I take Ibrance and have Faslodex injections once per month. The bone lesions have been stable for well over a year. No IV chemo was ever done.

The side effects are mild. No hair loss. No nausea. Just a little fatigue. My blood counts are monitored closely as these drugs can cause lowered white and red counts. I am a bit anemic right now and taking bi-monthly Aranesp injections.

I feel great. This diagnosis used to be a quick death sentence. There is no cure, but my life expectancy Is greatly enhanced by this protocol. Better yet, my quality of life is wonderful.

The chemo nurses have said for awhile that they anticipate in 10 years or so, there will be no IV chemo for breast

cancer patients.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

I have had to care for unfortunate women who were told chemo was not necessary after a lumpectomy then a few years down the line they are back with metastatic disease. This is why I chose to have the chemo, and I would do it again.

Mj12 · ‎03-09-2010

@Ms tyrion2 wrote:
Breast cancer treatment is changing and improving so much.

Two and a half years ago I was diagnosed with HR+HER2-
Breast cancer . Mine is a rare situation in which there were no lymph or breast tumors. It metastasized directly to my bones.

I had a very short course of radiation to deal with the pain from one of the spinal lesions. I take Ibrance and have Faslodex injections once per month. The bone lesions have been stable for well over a year. No IV chemo was ever done.

The side effects are mild. No hair loss. No nausea. Just a little fatigue. My blood counts are monitored closely as these drugs can cause lowered white and red counts. I am a bit anemic right now and taking bi-monthly Aranesp injections.

I feel great. This diagnosis used to be a quick death sentence. There is no cure, but my life expectancy Is greatly enhanced by this protocol. Better yet, my quality of life is wonderful.

The chemo nurses have said for awhile that they anticipate in 10 years or so, there will be no IV chemo for breast
cancer patients.

@Ms tyrion2 thank you for sharing your story here. You have an incredible, wonderful outlook. Many perfectly healthy people could learn from you.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

My sister is a BC survivor. She had DCIS which is considered a Stage 0 breast cancer. It was found on a routine mammogram.

She had a mastectomy but didn't have any chemo or radiation. Her doctor told her protocol was to take Tamoxifen. After much research and discussion with her breast specialist, my sister declined because her chance of getting BC in the other breast was very small, and she didn't like the possible side effects of the Tamoxifen.

There is a lot of controversy so to speak with her type of breast cancer. Many doctors are of the belief that it should just be monitored and no treatments at all should be done. 2 doctors she went to both recommended a mastectomy.

Ms tyrion2 · ‎05-08-2017

Thank you for your very kind words my friend, @Mj12.

Life is meant to be lived with joy and gusto no matter how long we are given. I have beautiful, loving friends and too much to do to spend time being bitter and hateful.

pitdakota · ‎03-16-2010

@Coquille wrote:
@pitdakota They discovered my Breast Cancer in 2002. Stage 1, no lymph nodes affected, estrogen based etc., same as the study. My Oncologist weighed the options for me and said that Chemo was not necessary. There were more cons and it would not give me any better chances of survival. Maybe my doctor was ahead of the game. Thank goodness this study is out officially. Wishing everyone good health and happiness.

________________________________________________________

@Coquille, so glad to hear you did not have to receive chemo! And 16 years later, here you are....that is great news!

Spoiler

* Freedom has a taste the protected will never know *

pitdakota · ‎03-16-2010

@Ms tyrion2 wrote:
Breast cancer treatment is changing and improving so much.

Two and a half years ago I was diagnosed with HR+HER2-
Breast cancer . Mine is a rare situation in which there were no lymph or breast tumors. It metastasized directly to my bones.

I had a very short course of radiation to deal with the pain from one of the spinal lesions. I take Ibrance and have Faslodex injections once per month. The bone lesions have been stable for well over a year. No IV chemo was ever done.

The side effects are mild. No hair loss. No nausea. Just a little fatigue. My blood counts are monitored closely as these drugs can cause lowered white and red counts. I am a bit anemic right now and taking bi-monthly Aranesp injections.

I feel great. This diagnosis used to be a quick death sentence. There is no cure, but my life expectancy Is greatly enhanced by this protocol. Better yet, my quality of life is wonderful.

The chemo nurses have said for awhile that they anticipate in 10 years or so, there will be no IV chemo for breast
cancer patients.

__________________________________________________________

@Ms tyrion2, oh my goodness! I sure hate to hear you had metastasis to bone. However, I am grateful that your protocol has stabilized the bone lesions. You do have a wonderful attitude and I will keep you in thought and prayer that this protocol continues to keep the bone lesions at bay with no further involvement. Peace, my friend.

* Freedom has a taste the protected will never know *

Ms tyrion2 · ‎05-08-2017

@pitdakota wrote:
@Ms tyrion2 wrote:
Breast cancer treatment is changing and improving so much.

Two and a half years ago I was diagnosed with HR+HER2-
Breast cancer . Mine is a rare situation in which there were no lymph or breast tumors. It metastasized directly to my bones.

I had a very short course of radiation to deal with the pain from one of the spinal lesions. I take Ibrance and have Faslodex injections once per month. The bone lesions have been stable for well over a year. No IV chemo was ever done.

The side effects are mild. No hair loss. No nausea. Just a little fatigue. My blood counts are monitored closely as these drugs can cause lowered white and red counts. I am a bit anemic right now and taking bi-monthly Aranesp injections.

I feel great. This diagnosis used to be a quick death sentence. There is no cure, but my life expectancy Is greatly enhanced by this protocol. Better yet, my quality of life is wonderful.

The chemo nurses have said for awhile that they anticipate in 10 years or so, there will be no IV chemo for breast
cancer patients.
__________________________________________________________

@Ms tyrion2, oh my goodness! I sure hate to hear you had metastasis to bone. However, I am grateful that your protocol has stabilized the bone lesions. You do have a wonderful attitude and I will keep you in thought and prayer that this protocol continues to keep the bone lesions at bay with no further involvement. Peace, my friend.

Thanks, @pitdakota.

I haven't shared my situation here before now. Your post encouraged me to post about it. I don't think a lot of people realize how much cancer research has changed the landscape of breast cancer treatment.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

I am very happy for this news!!! I had stage 3a lobular breast cancer in 2012, had mastectomy, chemo and rads and on tamoxifen. And even tho I wouldn't have benefited from this , I am thrilled for all those women who will. I am doing well as of this date---got the all clear from my onc dr and will see her in 1 year instead of every 8 months. Great news !!!!!