not sure about doing chemo....

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brenda63
brenda63 Member Posts: 32
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I was DX 11/04/08 IDC Stage 1  dont know Grade. ER+/PR+ size 1.6.. I had a lumpectomy....margin and nodes were clean... I had an oncotype DX and mine came back with a score of 21. I am doing RAD 7 an 1/2 weeks of it. They said that it is a coin toss to see if I should have chemo. I am so unsure about it. I dont like the side affects just to gain a few points. But what scares me the most is.... What if a c cell broke loose. To me it shouldn't matter what area your in when it comes to the oncotype DX when it comes to the c cells that might have dropped. so that is where I am confussed. I hate the idea of destroying my immune sytem with chemo. So that is why I dont know what to do as far as chemo or not .... the tamx scares me too. I have changed my diet where all I eat is fish and fruits n veggeis and granis no aniaml by products at all. all organic.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Hi Brenda:  Sorry you had to join us here ... in the club where we really don't want new members.  There's a thread named NEW Oncotype DX ROLL CALL in the chemotherapy discussion board that has many women's scores and treatment decisions they have made.  

    I'm coming up on my 4 year cancerversary in a little over a week ...  I was 44 when I was diagnosed and my oncotype DX score was 19. I chose to decline chemo, but had a hysterectomy (with ovary removal) and had full breast radiation, and am taking Arimidex for my hormone therapy.  

    Making the decision to do chemo or not is very difficult.   I hope you'll make a decision you'll have peace with. I felt much better once I'd made my decisions and got on with the treatment plan I'd decided on.  

    Hugs, 

    Doreen 

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  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited April 2009

    I chose not to do chemo, my tumor was 1.4. grade 2, big clear margins and I am doing radiation.  My onc told me that doing chemo raised my chance of no recurrance or spreading by only 4%.  I decided it was not worth it.  Even if you do chemo it is no GUARANTEE that it will get all of the little buggers anyway.  It is a hard choice, you just have to stew about it awhile and then it will come to you.  Do a lot of research and good luck!  Tami

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  • brenda63
    brenda63 Member Posts: 32
    edited April 2009

    Hi  thank you all for your replys. It has been a rocky road. All I seem to do is second guess myself and the crying starts all over again! I just need to stick with my choice and have faith. All I know is that the big c sure made me be a stronger women.

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited April 2009

    I agree that you need to find the grade of your cancer.The grade determines the agressiveness (please correct me if I'm wrong!!).  I had a score of 15 and was grade 2 and was told I would not benefit that much from chemo.  Best of luck to you!  you are a strong woman!!

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  • cny46
    cny46 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2009

    Hi Brenda, I just rec'd my oncotype dx score yesterday, mine was 22.  My tumor was 1.2 cm with clear margins.  I am postmenopausal at 46. I also am struggling with a decision regarding chemo.  We have no guarantee but the odds are in our favor either way!  I wish you the best!  Cathy

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  • brenda63
    brenda63 Member Posts: 32
    edited April 2009

    Hi  Makraz

     I just found out my grade.. it is grade 1 so I decided not to do chemo. If I'm not mistaken .. you had it 24 yrs ago? If you did...do you know the stage and grade and if you were ER+ PR+?

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