Older, triple negative, chemo?

LuvRVing

I'm starting a new thread to see if I can connect with anyone in my situation.  My hospital pathology report came back triple negative with a ki-67 index of 90!  So, it was a good decision to proceed with the lumpectomy as quickly as we did.  That tumor was growing so fast my body couldn't keep it supplied with blood, so there was lots of necrosis around the tumor.  My Oncotype score came back as 51, 34% chance of distant recurrence.  But it is probably not that meaningful (or is it?) because the Oncotype test is for ER+ BC.  Here's the dilemma:  my ER score was 6.2.  The minimum for ER+ is 6.5.  So it's mighty close.  My original biopsy pathology indicated "weakly positive" which would seem to be consistent with the Oncotype test. 

Because I am Type 2 diabetic, I have done a boatload of research on the outcomes of diabetics on chemo and the story is not good at all.  And one of the side effects of the "T" chemo drug is neuropathy in up to 70% of patients.  Neuropathy in a diabetic is bad, bad, bad and leads to things like gastroparesis and amputations, not counting the pain.  And the "chemo" diet excludes things like fresh fruits and veggies (unless you can peel them - so forget about the salads) which are the main staples of a diabetic whose trying to minimize side effects and maintain good control.  And has you eating the BRAT diet or whatever refined carbs you can "stomach" during those "nauseated" days after your treatment.   And oh yeah, the steroids that are pretty much a requirement send glucose levels into the stratosphere, which leads to more neuropathy, possible vascular damage and kidney/liver damage.

 The numbers are scary, the chances for recurrence are higher than I'd hoped, yet the real threat from chemo to my diabetic condition seems worse than the threat of a BC recurrence. 

It is likely that my oncologist, who I am seeing on Friday, is going to "highly recommend" chemo because there are no hormonal treatments in the toolbox....unless the "weak positive" nature of my ER score is enough to let him recommend an AI. 

 Anyone else been there, done that? 

Anyone weakly positive and taking AI's on the hope they provide some help?

Anyone triple negative and pass on chemo or have the onco say it was "elective"?

Anyone older and diabetic and escape the wrath of long term side effects? For some reason, there are no real studies that I can find on this topic.  Might have to start one!!!

I'm leaning heavily towards no chemo as it would seem my 4 clear biopsied nodes indicated little chance that cancer cells have invaded my bloodstream.    I may be hoping that research in the next few years shows promise of something like an AI for triple negs and take my chances. 

After all, a 34% chance of recurrence means a 66% chance of no recurrence.

Michelle

Foana21

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