Chemo or no chemo

Hope50
Hope50 Member Posts: 103
edited August 2014 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

I just received my oncotype dx score and it is 19. Had 1.8 cm tumor. Had lumpectomy. ER and PR positive, grade 3.  Being in the intermediate risk I have to decide on chemo or not.  I'm scared of making wrong decision.  Will for sure have radiation and then pill. What have others done?

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  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited August 2014

    Hi Hope and gentle hugs to you.   So first I would like to say that you should not fear making the wrong decision.  With your diagnosis, you can go either way, right?   And by now, you are probably used to having to make decisions that are so difficult.   For me, breast cancer treatment is a series of really difficult decisions we have to make.  So here is my best advice.

    Ask for a medical opinion and even a second or third opinion if you need it.  If your MO won't make a call, I would get a new MO.  Ask them why they make their recommendation.  Those "whys" count.

    Make sure you get the "science" from your MO.  Ask the important questions regarding the risk reduction you get from chemo, keeping in mind that chemo will delay your radiation and hormone therapy.  You might also consider getting the Mammaprint test done.  It puts you in low or high risk groups....no intermediate.  It's sort of like breaking the tie.

    Talk to your close family members.  My husband and grown children had strong opinions and it was important to me to respect them.

    Lastly don't be afraid of chemo.  If you need it, it is your friend.

    Good luck, I hope I have helped some.

     

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2014

    Dear Hope50

    Welcome to BCO Forums. It is a very stressful
    time but often talking with others can help.

    There
    are many issues to consider and many variables in all treatments depending upon
    location, surgeon, your body's responses and your Dx. Your choice is a difficult one as you are in the middle, so the more you analyse others' responses to the same dilema, the better your decision will be for you.

    We understand
    that it is confusing, often overwhelming and there is so much information to
    read and consider but there is no easy way as YOU have to make the decision as
    to what is done to YOUR BODY.

    Sorry
    we can't help more. You are best talking with the other members. Waiting is a
    hard time but can be well spent in educating yourself on the options for
    treatment.

    Also take a budy into doctor meetings to take notes (or ask doctor if OK to record on your phone) as it is often hard to remember what was said, what drug names and treatment protocols were offerred after the meeting. The more info you have, the better and having a person to discuss optipons straight away can be useful.

    All the
    best

    The Mods

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  • Hope50
    Hope50 Member Posts: 103
    edited August 2014

    thank you.  This is so hard. I know I'm not alone.

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