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Mammocite or Brachytherapy
I was just diagnosed this week with early stage breast cancer, my Dr. told me I was a good candidate for an alternative form of radiation since it is small, ductal insitu, and I am 39 yrs old. I have been internet reading mixed messages on this new treatment but it promising to me, possibly enough to try it but I don't want to make a bad decision. Normal radiation is 5-6 weeks and 5 days a week. This type is 5 days, twice a day and then I would be done. I have been weighing the pros and cons of traditional and experimental and need some advice and help to do what is best. Has anyone had this done, is it too experimental still? HELP and CONFUSED....
Just found your messages tonight and greatly appreciate them. I'm having a lumpectomy for a DCIS a week from Wed., on the 27th followed by CAT scan etc etc. and then the Mammocite radiation. I learned a lot reading your messages even tho I have read a lot. Thanks. I didn't know anything about the possibility of more surgery to get it all. My prayers include all of you.
They tattoo 3 small marks so they can line up the radiation the same every time. 1 under each armpit, just above my bra and one in the middle of both breasts, kindof high or at least higher than I expected. I opted to have ink for that one, they try to con you into the tattoo method since it is guarantee to never wash off. I asked about ink and they are compromising with me for the middle one. I was afraid it would show in a V neck dress. The marks are like taking a ink pen and making a dot, almost look like a blackhead. They are small but you can pick them out on me. The doc told me most women cave in and agree to the tattoos after about 2 wks of messing with trying to keep them from washing off. The inked the spot and applied a tape over it. So far after 2 showers the sticker is still on, not sure about it after I attend a swim party this weekend. They said the middle one was easiest to reapply though because they can measure it down from your sternum.
Masectomy. What kind of tatooing?
Are you having a lumpectomy or mastectomy? Sounds like you were scheduled a while out for surgery. I asked for surgery right away, the hardest thing for me is the mind not the body healing. I couldn't sleep at all until after the surgery was over. I start radiation on 8/17. I went thru the consult, CT scan and tattooing on Wed this week. We'll get thru this together.
I have it on the 25th of August. Won't you starting radiation soon? When?
I thought you had a mastectomy. What's you course of action and where are you in the process. My turn to support you now for awhile.
So glad your news is good. Yes by all means keep your strength up that will help you in the days to come. I will be thinking about you. Keep me posted I made be on the same road right behind you.
Good news, went to the doc today, he removed my short leash today I can resume whatever normal activity I want again. So I'll probably be in super hyper mode again until the next phase (radiation) starts to kick in and make me tired. I figure I'd better get back in shape again to handle the next wave. I see the radiation guy on Wed (probably won't start the real treatments for another 1-2 wks), hopefully he doesn't put the leash back on me too tight. I've been feeling a bit like a caged animal lately can you tell...
Your wish is my command. Wouldn't it be nice to be a genie. Just said a prayer for you. Hope all goes well. Post me.
It is so nice to know I have a friend out there, thanks for all your support. Wish me luck at the Dr. on Monday for the post-op appt.
I am so happy for you. I actually cried just now but they were tears of joy for you.
I'll keep watch for your next post.
Got the test results today. No more surgery required, clear margins!!! It is not invasive so radiation is enough for my next step. Not sure on whether I can take the hormone drug or not, split results there I think, he said I needed to talk to the oncology Dr. to get his take on it. I am happy about the results I don't care about the drug one way or another, whatever they say I'll do. The doc says I can resume most of my activities but he won't let me go back to playing softball and volleyball (he calls them contact sports, it's not football) yet until he sees me on Monday and has a look at my healing progress first. Reluctantly I agreed to wait until then. I made an appt to see a radiation onocologist next Wed but I bet when he sees my surgery date he'll cancel it and make me move it out. I want to get it over with but they keep telling me I have to heal more first (3-4 wks). They are fussy, don't get radiation too early but don't get it too late either, make up their minds.
I feel pretty good, my husband is doing his best to keep me from doing too much already. I still don't have my test results from last Fri still. I have been calling constantly and now they are telling me I won't hear until Thu. I can't believe it takes so long for a test. I'll be healed up before I get them at this rate. I don't have much patience for stuff like that. Now that I am feeling better I can't bare the thought of a potential second surgery if they didn't get it all.
Glad to see your ok. Have you got your results? How are you feeling today?
I am sorry you having to wait. This is just awful. They said it would take 6/7 days after my masectomy to get my FINAL results so I was quite surprised when they had told you 3 days (I believe that is what you said). Try to stay busy. Oh **** who am I kidding. My brain goes every second I am awake. They did tell me though that I would get a prelimary report of my pathology report from hospital but they keep my tissue and it will be tested 3 additional times before disposing of it just to make sure because there have been times that it was nagative then after futher testing on sample had to call people back to tell they were wrong about the initial diagnosis. I quess it depends on if you have so much going on in the breast like I do. I guess they test every inch which is good. Is this how yours works? That is the reason for my masectomy. I don't want to go through this again. I used to tell my husband I wanted a boob job. This is one hell of a way to get it. Ha.
They originally told me 2-3 days then when I was in for the surgery someone along the line even told me Mon. might be a possibility (I doubted the 24 hr turnaround). I complained to the Dr. in an email last night and he called me today with some results but not all of them. He said I have clear margins, yeah... but he doesn't know the invasive vs noninvasive or the receptor piece yet for determining the next course of action for sure but last he mentioned it would be radiation. I think some serious breast cancer dollars should be used to develop faster test results so people can have one surgery and one alone. Like do the biopsy, hang on the table for a few minutes, do the lumpectomy in little pieces till you are clear or work into a mastectomy if needed but quit messaging with peoples heads. And, if I am really dreaming here figure out a way to take mammograms, biopsys and wire localizations without squeezing the heck out of a gal. My husband is liking my new boob a lot, he says it looks like I got a boob job because it is swollen larger than the other one, at least a cup size for sure if not two. I told him not to get used to it I was not having any electives sugeries after this experience. He is only kidding.
I posted right after my surgery on the calcification stream a little down from this one, sorry to make you nervous, thanks for thinking of me it good to know people are out there and caring.
I am ok, I am doing pretty well post lumpectomy on Friday, my husband is doing his best to keep me from lifting and doing all the things the dr. says to stop doing while I heal. I am on pins and needles waiting for the test results which are due back today. The Dr. says I have a 30-50% chance of needing a second surgery to get clear margins.
Please post to let us know you are OK.
I have talked to 2 radiation oncologists now and neither will agree to the procedure due to my age, they said it is more proven on post-menoposal women. My lumpectomy is scheduled for tomorrow, I am nervous and can't wait to get that overwith as the first step. The doctor says I have a 30-50% chance of a second surgery to clear the margins, I thought that was very high and hope to beat some of the statistical data here soon.
Please keep us posted on your decision and your outcome.
A friend of mine had the Brachytherapy about 18 months ago. She had a .6 non invasive DCIS tumor. She was very pleased with her treatment, especially the 5 days versus 33 days. The longer treatment would have made for more missed work time and as a single woman was a concern. She was older than you (61). That might be a condsideration.
Avidhiker - Thanks for your suggestion, I did more research to make sure it was covered. It is FDA approved.
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