Confused

[Bubba_6]

Hello every one! I'm kinda of confused with the treatments Im getting. I had chemo ,now taking ibrance and just started radiation. Yet everytime i visit with my doctor they seem to forget that i havent had surgery. They tell me they're focusing on my breast cancer and then they'll check the lesions on my vertebra. Dont know what to think anymore. I'm also gettimg an infusion of zomenta monthly.

[Kats2]

Hi Bubba-6,

Sometimes when BC is detected elsewhere in the body outside the breast, surgery is either called off, or put on hold for a future date. I'm surprised your Oncologist hasn't explained this to you.

Next visit, bring up the topic and get the answer from the horse's mouth.

Let us know what your Oncologist has to say about this matter.

Wishing you well! Kats2

[Mabethea in reply to Kats2]

Take someone with you and do not leave until you completely have had your questions aanswered.

[Bubba_6 in reply to Mabethea]

I have been taking someone with me everytime,and we get the same answers. Now everytime thay ask how I'm doing ,i tell them I'm fine even though i hurt at times.

[Bubba_6 in reply to Kats2]

Thank you so much, but it seems when I ask they just me the same explanation. Now im having radiation done. The doctor says so yhey can stop the cancer so other parts won't feed off of it.

[Kats2]

Bubba-6,

The next time you see your Oncologist, say, "I have a question to ask you. Will I at some time have surgery, or it that completely off the table?"

Then listen to his answer.

I too have Zometa infusions. First they were every month. Now I get them every 3 months. They help my bones tremendousy.

Do you take the Ibrance alone or with another drug like Faslodex or Letrozole? Usually they pair Ibrance with another drug.

Don't give up in getting your questions answered. Be assertive and direct. Also tell them the truth about how you're feeling. You may be prescribed something for your pain. Don't suffer in silence.

Good luck with everything! Kats2

[Bubba_6 in reply to Kats2]

I also take letrozole with imbrance. In refrence to surgery,all she says is we're trying to shrink it so you don't have surgery ?

[Kats2]

Bubba_6,

From what you've written, it sounds like your Oncologist believes that surgery isn't necessary, and that the other treatments will clear things up. That would be great! I'd want more clarification on that idea though.

It wouldn't hurt to get another opinion from another Oncologist. I'm sure your present Oncologist would be fine with it. It would help you understand your situation better and whether this treatment plan is indeed the way to go.

For myself, I wished that I had sought a 2nd opinion and not just relied on one Oncologist. If you read books on breast cancer, they also recommend this.

Good luck with your decisions and your treatment!

Kats2

[PJBinMI]

My understanding is that breast surgery is often not done when we have metastatic breast cancer. Mastectomy is major surgery and never gets all breast tissue and is not thought to help improve length of quality of life once we have mets. I had a lumpectomy only but clear margins were not possible and so my onc and I use my breast as a bellwether for stable vs progression. The only time I have had minor progression in the 13 years I've had mbc, we could feel a bit of growth in my affected breast. That has worked for me--might not work for all. Treatment for metastatic bc can be different than for an early bc as getting rid of all the cancer is just no longer possible. And some of us with hormone receptor positive mbc, a good response to hormonal treatment, and bone mets only, end up being among the longest term survivors! One bit of good news among all the crappy news that comes with this lousy rotten cancer!