confused

JuniperCat

Hello. A few weeks ago my medicaloncologist (whom I only saw once) prescribed Arimidex and said to come back in six months. That was before my Oncotype score came in. It is right in the intermediate scale at 22. He called me when he received it and said that I could either go ahead with chemo or forgo it. It was my choice. I had no clue what to do so today I went to another oncologist for a second opinion. She recommended twelve weeks of chemotherapy (I asked her why and she said that while the cancer stage was only 1, the grade was high at 3). I was pretty surprised and now I'm confused. I think that Cytoxan and Docetaxel are the drugs she mentioned. I don't think I will do it. It sounds like overkill. She did admit to being a proponent of an aggressive approach. It really is tricky trying to navigate this stuff. Your input and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

JuniperCat

Hydranne, thank you for your reply. I'm amazed at how being in the middle risk range can create such varying options. Unlike radiation and Arimidex where I feel that I have no choice but to go ahead with them. I appreciate your response and I'm going to keep it mind for sure.

BarredOwl

JuniperCat:

I am not sure, but there may be preferred sequences for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and endocrine therapy, when chemotherapy is in the mix. Please be sure to ask the second opinion MO about it, if she did not address that with you.

BarredOwl

JuniperCat

Hi, BarredOwl! I hope you're well. Yes, she did say to do chemo, then radiation followed by Arimidex. It just seems like over treatment for stage 1. I really am not sure what to do. Hydranne, thank you for your kind wishes! I'm sending good vibes and wishes your way!!!

BarredOwl

Hi JuniperCat:

Glad you got professional advice on the sequence of interventions.

My IDC was 1.5 mm (HER2 status unknown), so I didn't receive the test. As I never faced a similar decision, I can shed no light of experience on your dilemma. But I send good vibes for good thinking and eventual clarity.

BarredOwl

JuniperCat

Thank you, BarredOwl!!🙋🏻

puremalarkey

JuniperCat, I know the mixed feelings since my dx is similar to yours and my age at dx was 58( turned 59 in Oct) and I had oncotype score of 20. I think the recurrence number was 13 % with in 10 years on mine. I decided I'm pretty healthy now and the best chance to do all I could to lower the odds. I hope not to ever fight this fight again. I'm halfway done , the second treatment much easier than the first. One thing my dr and I discussed was that he would be okay if I stopped treatment because of side effects but I'm pretty sure I'll make the last two. Good luck whichever choice you make for yourself.

JuniperCat

puremalarkey,Hello! Thank you so much for your input! I hope you are doing well!! I'm still undecided about going ahead with chemo. Radiation is pretty much going to be a certainty in a month or so. Be well!!

JuniperCat

Oopps..sorry about the bold type...not sure what I did wrong...too much coffee!