Stage 1, Grade 2, ER+ PR+ HER-, Node-Negative, Onca 20 Chemo????

I was in your same situation I was 38 and 1.8 cm tumor onco 21 and 0/2 node erpr + her 2 -. plan initially was to do rads and tamox but my bs wanted me to see med onco for 21 score. I decided to do the chemo give it my all and never look back and say I should have. I was well premedicated.... never got sick.... never had low wbc and made it thru the 4 tx standing strong. I worked as Rn full time nights and completed rads today. I know I gave it my all and hope I gave it a a....... whipping. I am a mother wife and I wanted to increase my success even it was a little. You can be the only to make that decision. My onco and bs said after I made the decision they would have done the same but every one is different. I lost my eybrows and hair. but here it is 12 weeks post chemo and I have gi jane hair do. I feel good. Let me know if I can help with any other info. Take care Lisa

hi im a little different i am a stage 1 mass was 2 cm  my oncogene  was 18 0/5 nodes grade 2

 i did 4 rounds of AC er pr pos her 2 neg   i cchoise to do chemo i just wanted to know i did all i chould  i also choise to have ovaries out. 

i am also on arimidex  last chemo was march 17   everyone is so differant do what you want and feel good about

Hi Limegreen. I was 44 at dx with IDC, 2 tumours, one was 1.9cm and one was .7cm, clear nodes and also ER+/PR+/Her2-. My onc did the stats on recurrence risk and said he would only have had me do chemo (TCx4 is what he was recommending while we were waiting for hormone receptor results) if I was ER-, so no chemo for me.

Lime it is a harder decision than surgery...they grey zone is mysterious.

I did not do chemo with a 22, and a node, but it was a very tough decision. You have to decide what your priorities are are how comfortable you are with risk. Did I make the right choice? Most people in my boat would gave done the chemo.

Do ask for the 3 page report from your oncotype test. Looking at the charts helped me. I looked at the node positive chart, more, those stats are a bit different.

I would get a second 2nd opinion, if you want one.

Good luck!

Kelly - I have almost the same stats as you. My tumor was 1.8cm though. I too had a double mastectomy and my oncotype score was 11. I did not do chemo and have had no side effects being on tamoxifen. Did you get your ovaries out after your recurrence or before? Given the fact that you had a double mastectomy how did you find the lump. Was it noticeable by looking or did you feel it? I am nervous that I didn't do chemo but was told that it would not benefit me but I'm still scared of recurrence.

don23,

I did feel the new lump at about the 11 oclock position with the original cancer being at 9 oclock.  It was sitting on top of the implant, luckily.   I will be getting my ovaries out after I am done with radiation mostly so I can be put on a new antiestrogen drug.  I realize some people never have side effects with drugs. I just know I was having many hot flashes per day and a lack of a period. My onc listened to my concerns, but said they hope that the side effects do decrease with drugs without affecting the effectiveness.  Who knows, I have no proof tamoxifen wasn't working.

Well, this is the day I have been waiting for.  I received my Oncotype score and it is 18.  I had the feeling that it was going to come back mid-range because nothing about having this cancer has worked out as being a "white or black" decision process...always a "gray" area to muddle through.  My surgeon told me it was my choice about chemo.  I told him I needed his guidance and that I wanted to know if he would agree with me if I chose to do chemo so that I could be sure I had done everything I possibly could to prevent it from coming back.  He said that given my young age? (61), and strong family history of cancer, he believed chemo was a good choice.  He would have advised a family member with the same results to do the same. He is referring me to an oncologist and now I will have to wait AGAIN until March 8th.  I shouldn't complain because that will give me time to prepare myself for what is to come.  Actually, my daughter (who is an RN) said that she knew it was a good decision for me to proceed with chemo given the type of person that I am.  She said if your score had been lower and you didn't have the option to choose, you would have always wondered if you should have done more.  So, I'm going to "kick butt" and get through this like so many others have.  Again, so glad to have this web site to lean on.  Thanks for listening!  Karen

With the additional opinions I am sure you will be able to make the best decision for yourself!  I remember how hard it was to decide if the 3-4% was worth it. I did feel at peace after my third opinion. Two against it, and one for it.  The two against chemo were from research hospitals and were well informed on the oncotype , while the doc for chemo was not.  Good luck and keep us posted on your decision.

Kelly 

HI,

I discovered the small lump myself and went to my gyne , who refused to check the lump as he had no charge out code to OHIP ( I am from canada) and asked me to see my GP ( took me 3 weeks to get an Appt) and showed her my little lump which was growing rapidly and she sent me for an U/S which revealed that there was something and quick tests follwed - mamm/U.s/Biopsy which revealed I had DC and it was larger than they thought it was i have ended up having to go through chemo ( worst part of it) 4 sessions of TAC and follwed by 38 sessions of radiation (30+8 targeted) and started Herceptin alongside the radition. The radiation was painful as the skin tore so easily. if anyone has it ( make sure to speak to the radiation nurse in charge and they give something like novacain mixed with some cream which helps numb the pain and helps the healing process.
I have completed 7/18 herceptin ( have a powere port - hate it everytime they pierce it - tho i use EMLA)
When  I told my oncologist I had severe fatigue and dryness in my nose and with nose bleeds and almost every morning have post nasal drip and i have to gargle and bring out the dried mucus with blood. It is terrible.
Also, i hate peanut butter or any dairy products as the smell still puts me off. does anyone have that.
Otherwise i feel fine, and have started my exercise routine with my trainer and have a great appetitie. MY hair has come back thicke than ever and i am a platinum /dark hair person and people think it is cool as i am keeping up with the latest trend in hair style. I have to tel them that all i had to do for this thick hair and color is to get cancer / have chmo /lose all my hair / and then it comes back like this.
No one believes that i have cancer and everyone compliments me on my skin which is better than ever and no wrinkles at all as i feel the herceptin has thinned my skin a great deal.
I do not think about what i have , i only think about how i can make my life better and feel better so i tend not to talk about it as i feel we give life to something that we dont want as permanent residents in us.
 Love reading all your posts and I mentioned to my oncologist about the many ladies who have similar problems with  fatigue and nose bleeds -  he dismissed me wiht a "HERCEPTIN DOES not casue it" . So i am really happy i came upon this site. thanks ladies and may we live and love for many years.

The Juravinski Cancer centre i go to has a great team of professionals and the care they give is amazing. I take the relaxation treatments they give patients such as reflexology / reiki/ yoga.

My friends and family esp my hubby was and is a gret support for me and without them i would be lost. I wish all of you had the same support as i have. I worked and work right through my treatment from home but cannot do much home work / chores like before as i am very tired and hurt a lot if i stand for long periods of time. I look fwd to better days

 Cheers

Usha Meister

Hi plils,

It is perfectly understandable that you are confused...we all know how that feels. I dont have the same diagnosis you have but I did have a lumpectomy followed by another surgery to even the margins. I did have a micromet in the SN so I went from Stage 1 to 2. The Oncotype test is going to make a HUGE difference in your choice of treatment. That is of course TBD by your ONC. Some ONC decide on treatment regardless of the test. Mine didnt. She ordered the test and I am so glad she did for a myriad of reasons. My score came back in 10 days at 11 and my cancer was non-aggressive. Needless to say I was relieved. It meant NO chemo and I do feel a little more positive about the chance of recurrence. We all know there is no perfect science but this test is a good barometer for the ONC. You are young and even though you have a family history, as I do, the test is about the biology of your cancer. It does have some bearing on our overall chances but it won't be a factor in your test results. My discussion with my BS was that the ONC would decide the treatment.You have no node involvement which is good but your cancer is larger than mine which is Grade 1. Regardless this is not the death sentence. Yours was caught early too. Remember to be your own advocate. You need your doctors expertise but at the end of the day the decision is yours. Weigh the pros and cons and ask questions and come back here anytime for support. This forum has been a Godsend for me and it will be for you too. Good luck. Let us know when you get your test results. You are in our prayers.....diane