[toberetired]

I know they are not pleasant but I lost my best friend in 2000 to breast cancer. My recent mammogram showed a "questionable" area in my breast. After a biopsy, it was determined that I have breast cancer. I have had surgery to remove the lump and the good news is that because it was detected in my mammogram, it was found early and it was small. The bad news is that I need to meet with an oncologist next week. He wants me to take a type of chemo in a pill form. There are three different drugs available. I was wondering if any of you have know someone that has taken or is taking any of these types of drugs. The only one I am familiar with is Tamoxifen. My surgeon told me that there are two newer drugs with less side effects but I was not familiar with these so I don't know the names of these drugs. I am just not sure what lies ahead with this course of treatment. Thanks.

[roserent]

I have no advice - just wanted to say I wish you good luck with everything and hope you find the information you need!

[Aria]

tobe, I hope someone will chime in with some info for you. I will pray for you and I am sure you will have a postive outcome.

[katzncandles]

So glad they were able to get it early. You hear this everyday and for the life of me why do they want to raise the baseline age? I don't know if they are also going to suggest the time in between mammograms are more than every year. There is lots of info out there and you are your best advocate. The best of luck and prayers.

[MaggieMae]

tobe, I am so glad that you caught it early! I have breast cancer on my Mother's side of the family but haven't seen many of my relatives in years. I wish I could offer you some information, but changes occur constantly and I am sure anything I said would be "old fashioned" and not current. God bless you and watch over you through this treatment! I am sure you will be getting positive news as you progress!

[cookielady]

You are in my thoughts and prayers

[cbgirl]

SO good they caught it early! Prayers coming your way!!

[mpfand]

I have no information on this or any advice, but I wanted you to know I'll be thinking of you and praying for you.

[sweet&spiceygrl]

Tobe - I'm so sorry you had to go though this , but, am so glad to hear it was caught early! Don't worry, there's no need to dread seeing an oncologist. It sounds like your doc is thinking the oncologist will prescribe hormone/anti-estrogen therapy, not chemotherapy for you. Along with Tamoxifen, some other drugs that I've heard used are Arimidex, Aromasin and Femara. The oncologist and his/her staff should be the very ones that will be able to answer your questions about the different therapies and what you may (or may not) experience with them. If the cost of the drug is prohibitive for you, there are even some programs provided by the drug companies to help. Many hospital cancer programs have begun to employ 'breast health navigators', usually a nurse, that helps you walk through the different stages of treatment (diagnosis, surgery, radiation, chemo/hormone therapy) and procure the best possible outcome for you. Since you've already gone thru the diagnosis and surgery, it sounds like maybe a navigator wasn't available where you are - ? I did a search and this site looks like it has some good info that might help. I don't want to mislead you, I'm not a nurse, but have worked in our hospital cancer program for over 35 years. Yeah...I'm that old. It already sounds like you're predicted to have a good prognosis, but you're in my prayers, too.

[cmarie]

Wow, it sounds like you are going through a lot, toberetired! We sure are glad they caught it early and we'll be thinking of you.

[Boogie]

My sister has been using Arimidex for over a year now with no side effects. It's been over seven years since her mastectomy and these drugs have helped.

Best of luck to you, Tobe. I am thankful for mammograms, as well, and get one promptly each year. I wish women wouldn't fear this test.

This post has been edited by Boogie: 16 April 2012 - 10:55 PM

[toberetired]

Thank all of you so much for your information and your prayers. I know for a fact that prayers do work. Will keep you posted. I keep pestering all of my friends to get mammograms.

Sweet - Am glad to hear its hormone therapy and not chemo. That website has a lot of info. As if cancer isn't scary enough, chemo is right up there.

Boogie - Glad to hear your sister is still doing so well. Will keep her and you in my prayers.

[NMhoneybear]

Sorry to hear you are going through this, Tobe. Glad to hear they caught it early!

Just had my annual mammogram a couple of days ago. I don't understand why women fear this test so much. I have a friend who refuses to get one and it makes absolutely no sense to me.

Good luck to you!

[Aria]

tobe, please keep us posted whenever you can...saying prayers and I know everything will turn out fine!

I get my mammogram faithfully every year. I am one of those that DREAD it! It is so painful for me. Maybe I am just more sensitive. I have pain and bruising afterwards as well.

[Boogie]

I have to go for my mammogram earlier this year, and will need a diagnostic. Developed some itchy red spots on the area surrounding my nipple (and my nipples have been super sensitive too, which is very odd). My doctor feels that the itchy spots are eczema, which I have had forever, but have never had on the breast. I was prescribed a cortisone cream which has eliminated the itching, but they still want me to get the mammo early. Has anyone ever had this? And I wonder if my use of fragranced body creams on my breasts has caused skin changes contributing to eczema. But....What's with the super-sensitive nipples?

[MaggieMae]

Boogie, on 06 May 2012 - 12:52 PM, said:

I have to go for my mammogram earlier this year, and will need a diagnostic. Developed some itchy red spots on the area surrounding my nipple (and my nipples have been super sensitive too, which is very odd). My doctor feels that the itchy spots are eczema, which I have had forever, but have never had on the breast. I was prescribed a cortisone cream which has eliminated the itching, but they still want me to get the mammo early. Has anyone ever had this? And I wonder if my use of fragranced body creams on my breasts has caused skin changes contributing to eczema. But....What's with the super-sensitive nipples?

Boogie...I have experienced the SAME thing...however I don't use B&B on the trunk of my body. I understand that the itching and sensitivity could be from hormonal changes but a mammogram is definitely a good idea to rule anything out.