Starting Chemo March 2015

Theresa- you are a bright shining light to us all. I also believe that exercise is key in managing SEs. But believing it and doing it, like you do , are different. BRAVA!!

Carrie,

Both of those tests are done on the tumor to determine the genetic make-up of the tumor. So if you haven't had your tumor removed yet, you won't have an Oncotype or Mammaprint score. And, from what I understand, insurance insists that the Dr. wait 2 weeks following surgery before ordering an Oncotype Dx test. Why? Who knows!

Carrie and others- there is so much info to process, it's impossble to keep up with, especially when we are nerve racked by the very words breast cancer.

The following article came from this site and explains what the Oncotype dx test is and how it is used.

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types...

If the link doesn't work for you, just go to your profile and do a search on Oncotype.. There are several articles, but this one, to me, is very clear

I agree it would still be very nice to know even if one is node positive, or the tumor is very large.

The real reason, therefore, must be $$$$. It's about $4,000 to run it, and if you are already being recommended chemo based in some feature ofyour shit sandwich, they figure, what changes or treatment options would be offered? And the answer is none.

For years, women with smallish tumors (<2cm), clear margins, and no node involvement were greeted after surgery by their BS with a big smile and proclamations of your great prognosis. And therefore did no follow up.

I myself was greeted so on 12/18/14. Imagine my surprise, 6 weeks later, my MO told me that despite doing a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy, that if I did nothing further, I had a 30% chance of recurrence. To me that was a huge number. The BS's and MOs need to chew the fat more often!

So. The Oncotpe dx test is designed, I think to plug that hole. Because we are not safe. None of us are.

Carrie, The oncotype/mammoprint are tests done on your tumor after surgery. I don't know the specifics of mammoprint but Oncotype is only done on ER+, Her2- tumors.

I have round 2 on Tuesday then a consult w PS on Friday. Really torn on reconstruction.

Good luck this week my fair ladies

someone poste a link to a site with treatment recommendations based on specific diagnosis? I can't find it and hoping someone still has it. Need as much info as possible for my pending MO breakup.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one struggling with the reconstruction decision. I meet with the BS and PS again after round 3 to start finalizing decisions, so I still have a little bit of time. Summer seems far away, so I try not to get too far ahead, but I can't convince myself that immediate construction is right for me. Delaying or even declining reconstruction would help preserve my FMLA hours so I could take better care of myself during chemo, my dmx, and radiation.

The PS said that a TRAM sounds like my best bet due to large tumor size and radiation. I just think it might be too much for me right now. Honestly, I'd rather get the hysto first since this PCOS is making me miserable, and I can no longer take hormones to treat it.

DH is so supportive, but I've never felt so much social pressure to get new tits. Everyone seems to have an unsolicited opinion to offer. A huge part of me just wants to get back to my "normal" life, let the psychological healing begin, and worry about cosmetics later. Our reconstruction decisions are all so deeply hard, personal, and courageous. I'm glad you gals understand!

NurseJules, the "click" link doesn't work, but if I type the entire address in, I get there. I can try to fix the click link, but I'm not really good at that sort of thing.

I did try to fix the link, but now you can't see the whole address. It is

http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/cancerguidelines.asp

I have no started chemo yet, but have been buying some things I may need. When I was at CVS last week, the pharmacist told me they make their own mixture for mouth sores and call it "magic mouthwash" your doctor writes a RX for it. Worth a try if you have a CVS near

I'm with you IndyGal. A lot of people pessured me about recon. I have decided against it. I really didn't handle my bmx well, and still haven't recovered. These discussion boards are loaded with people complaining that it hurts too! Lots of people have them removed. More surgery. I just cannot willingly go under the knife for boobs that have no feeling. And if I am not mistaken, can you get a local recurrence with them? I think you can. Yikes!

If I need to have a dress hang right once a year, I'll put the nerf balls in the genie bra. My breasts never did define me. Ok. Maybe they did a little. But then they tried to kill me. And since I was such a large breasted woman, there were a lot of clothes I simply could not wear. Now in a way I feel I can dress more femininely. I know that sounds weird. I am weird.

The only surgery I might consider is a scar revision if it is determined that I can minimize this ongoing pain. I'll trade some pain for less pain. But that's it

E- yes. I understand it's a different decision entirely. I've been ranting a bit today. Sorry.

Sunshine, the Magic Mouthwash is what my doctor gave me and it seemed to really help. It was a little pricey but worth it to me.

Did you have Neulasta, Sharon? My white cells were high and they eased off the Neulasta a bit. I hope you don't have to go into the hospital and the neurologist can give you some relief. You amaze me how you function with those headaches.

Bekah: I am so happy you had a good day and were able to go to church. I am sure that is a great comfort to you now.

Sue: Please don't feel like you are clogging up our board. I don't think there is a woman in here who isn't happy to help where she can.

Nursejules: When you fire your MO, please tell him/her it's not you, it's HIM/HER. I might have to fire mine at some point but so far I see very little of her, which is fine with me. I wish you guys could see this chick in her big old high heeled boots and moused hair.

Italy: You are my exercise inspiration. I am trying to work up my courage to go to Jazz this am. I need to get back on the horse. I am trying to do an hour of exercise at least 6 days a week.

I realized what is so great about our group. Or at least one thing. We are here for each other 24/7. If you had to go to some meeting, you would be waiting for the meeting and then having to take turns talking. This is instant gratification support.

Hi ladies! I've been off the grid for the past 30 hrs. After two nights of tach/no sleep I finally slept about 12 hours last night! Only got up for some unwelcomed diarrhea from that Chinese food yesterday. You all have been busy. I think I'm caught up but without a LIKE button I may have a hard time commenting on all-

Sharon-Your grandkids are adorable! Makes me want some of my own but don't know if that's gonna happen in my lifetime haa!

Jules-Thanks for the feedback about tachycardia and meds. I think it's a great idea to record everything I take, that first night I felt like I took everything in the med cabinet trying to slow down my pulse. BP was fine/low but pulse between 100-125! My resting is usually around 49 or 55. I was done with steroids too so that wouldn't explain it. I reject this has anything to do with anxiety and I find it offensive..not because there's any shame in that but when you wake up out of a deep sleep with a pulse of 115 and BP 90/70, it just doesn't make sense. Your expertise is appreciated and I'm going to ask about changing from Lorazepam to Valium or Xanax

Indygal-Thanks for sharing your issues with Tach and I have to believe it's related to the chemo. Same time rounds one and two??

Katy-I'm going to look for that movie on Netflix I think the idea of passing the bracelet around is a great idea. I'll send my address to you on private message and if you could send yours I'll put you on the Christmas card list! Didn't send ANY this year but I have high expectations for next year!

Ninjamary-I'm lifting my finger in solidarity with you and FB vacation hogs, hee hee!

Meme-I looked up Newtown and you're only 3 hr 48 min from me! Quite a drive but nice to know someone is fairly close. I love your dog Southern. He reminds me of my Oliver who is more tan and less black but looks like similar breeding. Ollie is sulking since my DD left after visiting for two weeks; me a little too..

Sue-I'm thinking you'll be rocking a hot, short hair do by the time your daughter gets married! Most importantly YOU WILL be there.

Bekah-I love the scarf and you look beautiful as always. So glad you made it through church this time and that you have a super support system...I wish I still had my MIL, mother or any parent really. During times like this I wish so much I had my mom still and often have the impulse to call her..

Theresa-I love reading your posts and how authentic you sound. I know we will get along well Thanks for keeping the positive momentum train running here!

I have thought about "Why me?" mostly because with the unimx I had a less than 1% chance of recurrence and it came back with a vengeance in less than 4 yrs even doing all the right things. Just makes me wonder why and did I do something to cause this?

Anyone doing the false lashes while on chemo? I don't know how hard they are and I haven't gotten to go to a LGFB class yet so wondered how it works. My eyes are so dry but I just want to look a little more female you know?

Last day before returning to work tomorrow and it's sunny and forecast is for 78 degrees. What could be better??

TerryMarie, I have bone and joint pains, most likely from Herceptin, but mine are not nearly as debilitating as yours. I have read somewhere on these boards that if they slow down the Herceptin drip from 30 to 90 minutes, it might help with the pain. However, if you've had just one Herceptin so far, you probably had it over 90 minutes anyway.