MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Interesting discussion going on about Oncotype & chemo. My score was about as helpful to me as Elimar's was - it was 17, technically in the low range but the highest low number. What spurred me on to do the chemo boiled down to my tumor being Grade 3. Like Barbe says, it grows fast and so hopefully it was running around being all active while the chemo zapped the little boogers.

Marlegal - did your MO switch you to Aromasin after 3 1/2 years on the Tamoxifen or did you request that? I've heard some oncs think it makes for a more effective bang for your buck to combine an AI and Tamoxifen like that.

I've been on Tamoxifen for almost 2 years and so far just minimal SEs. Except for the hot flashes - they are crazy! I don't know if you ladies know that Katy Perry song, "Hot and Cold", but I sing that all the time as I'm taking off layers of clothes and adding them back 10 minutes later. I just turned the air conditioning on for about 5 minutes even though it said it was 70 degrees in here - I was burning up! That was about 30 minutes ago and now I'm freezing and under a blanket. I'm this close to turning the heat on now. Good thing I'm divorced - I know that would drive my ex crazy!

Dianarose - that's a good question about multiple tumors and Oncotype and then how your Oncotype could be so low with 17 nodes involved. I have seen so many women in that position where the Oncotype doesn't match the "presentation". I would still be inclined to go with how my BC presented over the Oncotype. 

Hey Dakota, I did see that! Sherry had a similar situation, I think her Oncotype was 23 and her MO preferred Zometa instead of chemo for her. I had been talking to her about that because my MO was thinking of adding that to my regimen, but then my MO quit talking about it so I'll just let it drop, too! 

But there are lots of studies saying that Zometa reduces your chances of recurrence. Maybe ask your MO about that. It's all so hard because you're a Grade 1. My MO said it was my grade that made her decide I needed chemo, so that's a big factor to consider, too. I'm sorry, that decision is soooo hard to make! Just my onc bringing up Zometa sent me back into a tailspin like when I was first diagnosed. haha, it doesn't take much to dredge up the old fears again...

*Oops! I see you are a Grade 2 - ugh! It's that "in the middle thing" again! Maybe you could find your mitotic rate that Elimar was talking about. That would be helpful.

I'm so sorry!! I had to re-live that fear in August when they thought I had a new primary or recurrence. I had to have another biopsy because the radiologist said it was highly probable for malignancy. I was so scared! It turned out to be nothing, but the FEAR came back so fast! Another thing you might ask about is your age - for younger women they will recommend chemo more often. My MO was hesistant to recommend anything - she just laid out the cards and said it was up to me. It wasn't until I asked what Grade 3 meant that she stepped out of her passive role and came right out and recommended it. See how your MO feels about your age and how much emphasis he/she puts on that factor.

Also, a lot of times the hormonals are enough. There are studies about chemo + hormonal treatment vs hormonal treatment alone for early stagers. Ask your onc about those studies, too. I hope your doctor doesn't play the passive role - I didn't like that since almost everything fell in the middle. But the one factor (grade) made the difference for me. Try to pin your MO down and then later, when you're alone, you can weigh how they responded and maybe get a better feeling for what you should do. Boy, I wish I could think of something else that could possibly help! (((Dakota)))

Interesting that your score was 23 with low ER + Sherryc. I am >95% ER + and a 19. I am grade 2 with 1.3 tumor size. Both MO's said hormone therapy would be sufficient, so no chemo. I am just over a week on Tamoxifen. I am feeling it. I look forward to feeling better. I too will switch to AI in a few years because I am already post menopausal.



Getting back to this >95% ER+ issue. I saw dietician yesterday and he is recommending plant based diet. Had green tea today with Agave sweetener and I did not like it. I'd much rather have my large McDonalds iced tea, half sweet! I wish I didn't like food. These are going to be some difficult changes for me. So much to learn, but it is all good. Just need to rewire my brain!

MMMMM    margarita's yummmm Just up my river of drinks lol

heartnsoul - my onc followed the practice of switching from tamox to arom after I was totally post-menopausal, and also cited the benefits of following tamox with something else for the balance of the 5 yrs

momto7, I'll start the pocket party for you tomorrow. here's my contribution, so make sure to wear baggy pants

Leave room in the pocket for me!

Elimar, love the skeleton pic at top! Does Tamoxifen make you tired still? I get quite nauseated off and on. It's tolerable though. Are you switching to AI's or just Tamoxifen?

Oh Barbe...you know  cheese and white wine were made for each other!!! Just no more than those two glasses a week, right? Ha - I think I exceeded my weekly allotment about an hour ago

  I am scheduled for a mascetomy  on November 8th   the MRI showed a small 8mm lobular mass in the centeral left breast  that did not show up before my dr said she thought it is best  I have one  I hate this  I have so many questions and I am scared they will be taking both breasts and then  do reconstruction in a month  or so

Momto7,

Sorry to hear. We are all here for you and will help you through.

momto7--I want to second what has already been said.  You do NOT have to rush into surgery, you can take time to research your options (for surgery and for reconstruction) and then move ahead.  For myself, I didn't wait to do this becuase I had waited so long to get to see the surgeon in the first place and was scared to wait longer, so I know how that feels.  I then took a year off and researched recon.  I found the best choice for me was a procedure that had to be done out of state as no PS in Maine did the procedure.  It was worth living without a breast for a year to know for sure I was making the right move for me. 

Please take time researching reconstruction options.  Please see at least 2 plastic surgeons for consults.  Make sure at least one of them does the DIEP recon procedure.  The PS's who did not do the DIEP gave me the wrong info about it.  The PS who did the DIEP gave me wrong info about the other types of recon.  Know what the PS specializes in.  Find a PS you can talk to and feel comfortable with.  That is more important than anything else. 

Ask your questions.  There will be someone here who can answer, who has been through it. 

Disclaimer--I am partial to the DIEP procedure.  But I know it's not best choice for everyone.

Yes i am making phone calls Monday when I get up i have a list of questions to ask the doctors too  My oncologist appointment is Nov 4th  and i have questions for her too.  this is a big decision to make and I want to feel good about it not dreading it all