calling all emu oil users please

I used emu oil all through my rads tx and I loved it. My skin held up well all through rads. I applied it after each morning tx and again before bedtime.

jabal, yes, I did chemo (TCx4).  Did you?  I did not do an A/I, but chose a natural path following almost a full year of active tx that was really dragged out for a variety of reasons, some of which are detailed on my bio page.  

I've used a natural aromatese inhibitor (I3C), but I'd also gotten off HRT, and I've worked with a naturopathic doctor to balance my hormones naturally.  In other words, I didn't just "skip" hormone therapy, but chose to treat the need naturally.  If I hadn't been post-menopausal and very holistic in my beliefs, that decision would have been even harder than it was.       Deanna

jabal, if I was in your situation, I would want an MRI.  And some BSs or oncs do order additional screening prior to tx, but it probably depends on each patient's situation. I had a PetScan, for example, prior to starting chemo, because, as my onc said, if bc had shown up elsewhere, the game plan would have changed.  But my bc turned out to be more complex than originally believed, and there was a delay in figuring that out, having my second surgery, and starting chemo.  So a scan was probably a reasonable recommendation.  OTOH, if you have a Grade 1 bc, for example, the radiation from a scan might outweigh the very small potential that it would show anything concerning.  But MRIs don't use radiation, so I would at least ask  about having one for the added peace of mind, especially since you had a positive node with a very small lesion and a Grade 1 bc.  

As far as the hormone issue, I would start by having your estrogen levels tested, to see where you are.  I hesitate to recommend my regimen to others because I do a lot of stuff with diet, supplements and exercise that may or may appeal to or work for someone else.  I also had chemo, which you did not, and I'm under the impression that the Oncotype-DX score assumes a woman will do Tamox or an A/I.  One thing you might consider doing is at least trying an A/I.  Some women do surprisingly well with them, and you could be one of them.    Deanna