Vancouver Island friends

The BCCA started using the Oncotype DX test in certain cases as of early this year. I noticed this when reading the updated breast cancer management guidelines on the agency website. I don't have the direction to the information handy as I'm posting from my iPad but can edit my message to add the URL tomorrow. I do remember two things 1) negative nodes only 2) willing and able to do chemo (also willing to not do chemo depending on the result).

It was my surgeon who directed me to the BCCA website as a source of reliable information mentioning to click on the Health Professional button on top right.

Kathy

Most of what I read on this board have people do their radiation and then start the other therapies. I am starting all three at . So far the tamoxifen has been pretty good. I expected a little worse. I don't have any hot flashes, no weight gain, no tiredness and in fact feel a little more peppy. I did feel like my IQ was dropping a little each day for the first week I do get some minor aches and pains but the biggest side effect for me is muscle cramps/charlie horses. I take a calcium/magnesium Vit D supplement now for that. I start radiation next week and get my first hormone injection in about 2-3 more weeks. That will definitely give me more side effects.

I was offered a choice between chemo and hormone therapy using Zoladex. My Dr. in Victoria was not a big advocate of the onco test. She said its great if you are at one end of the scale or the other but if you are in the middle, it is still a coin toss as to whether the chemo will help or not. I choose to not pay for the test and not do the chemo. I will get a hormone injection once a month for the next three years instead. Every situation will be different - good luck with yours and please let me know how it goes.

Oh - and I will be at the clinic in Victoria every day starting next week .....

any more island girls?