Tomorrow's treatment

[Faith in Him]

Tomorrow I will start Navelbine. Please pray that it clears up the rash so that I can finally have my mastectomy. I am desperate to have it done so I can get back to NED. Also, with such an aggressive diease, should I consider bilateral mastectomies?

I think my surgery, from what I understand will include a skin graff (sp). Has anyone else been through that?

Also, what should I expect as far as side effects from Navelbine?

Thanks ladies.

Hugs

Tonya

[tousled1]

Tonya,

Good luck to you tomorrow with your treatment. Sorry I have no experience with Navelbine so I can't offer you any words of advise regarding side effects. I'm praying that the Navelbine will put you back to NED and that you an then have your surgery.

[sassy]

Tonya,

I'm sorry I cannot offer any advice or info, but want you to know that I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, especially tomorrow as you start your new treatment.

[Bill]

Hi Tonya! You will be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. My wife had no appreciable side effects from Navelbine, that I can recall. As to the question of the bilateral mast., keep asking your onc. and the BC warriors on this site. All I can say is to weigh the answers you receive, balanced with the stats., and make your own decision. If I read your question correctly, you are faced with a tremendously difficult decision. In my own opinion, if you can opt for mastectomies, with very little chance of mets elsewhere, go for the mastectomies. Yeah, I know, that's easy for me to say, but it's something to seriously consider. Praying for guidance for you, Bill

[Joanne S]

Tonya,

I believe that the surgical decisions should definitely be your personal choices.

My experience: My physicians told me that having masectomies would not lengthen my survival; however, I wanted to try to be symetrical (concave of both sides) and my gut told me it would lessen my risk of cancer recurrence in the breast. After my mastestomies, the pathology revealed more cancer than originally diagnosed. It was found on the cancer side, and in situ (pre-cancer) was found on the opposite breast. I was very disheartened to learn that I had quite a bit more cancer than initially diagnosed, but then it did confirm that I had made the best decision for me.

It's good that you are taking the time time to learn and assess all of your options and to hear others' personal experiences. I know you will make the best decision for you!

My best wellness wishes and prayers for you!

And I hope you have a good experience and great response with Navelbine.
And Enjoy some coffee !

Jo

(I don't have any personal experience with Navelbine.)

[Mary Jo]

Good Morning Tonya,

First of all I want to wish you a good day of treatment. May Navelbine clear up the rash, I pray. I cannot offer you any personal experience as I did not use Navelbine.

As far as a bilateral mastectomy goes, that is a personel decision only you can make. For me, it was the right thing. Like Joanne said, being symmetrical is a plus, especially if reconstruction isn't in your near future or in your future at all. I had my initial right breast cancer breast removed first. Then after my chemo and radiation were finished they did a mastectomy of my left breast because there was an area of calicifications near the chest wall they were watching. This area changed and a stereotactic biopsy was ordered. (talk about stress) Thankfully, it was benign, BUT for me personally, going through this every 6 months was not for me. I felt I was just waiting for invasive cancer to "pop" up again so opted on having my left breast prophylactically removed. For me, it was the right decision. There was no cancer found in that breast and I've never regretted doing what I did.

We are all different in this respect. We all react or reacted differently to having our breasts removed. I pray that you can come to a decision you are at peace with Tonya.

Love & Peace,

Mary Jo

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hey Tonya!
I did really well on Navelbine. Very easy in comparison to all others.
My surgeon didn't want to do both sides telling me that this type didn't usually spread to the other side. It would have been less complicated to have both sides done, but it's ok too. Much love for a quick process. Take a deep breath and trust that this will work for you. Luv U, ma

[charlotte]

wishing you a good response with this new chemo... I have not taken this drug so I can't be of much help...sending you prayers that the new drug will be sucessful