Anxious to find out if I need Chemo

Options
M0221
M0221 Member Posts: 45
edited December 2016 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. One month ago I had a bilateral mastectomy with bilateral sentinel node biopsies. I was stage 2, grade 3, node negative, Her2-, Estrogen+ 90%, Progesterone+ 70%, oncotype DX was 24 and I am 48 years old. Appointment with the oncologist in 3 days to discuss need for chemo or not. Feeling very anxious and wishing I had definite answers today.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited November 2016

    Hi M0221 and welcome to BCO. I am not a doctor but because your grade is 3 which is faster growing I think that chemo may well be suggested for you as part of your treatment.

    We are all very anxious at the stage you are at right now but once you get your continuing treatment plan you will feel a whole lot better. Don't be afraid of chemo, it's not nice but it is doable and there are many meds to help you get through. There are also many threads on BCO which deal with side effects and what you can do to help alleviate them.

    The main site also has a great deal of information on chemo drugs and what you can expect from them as well as what you can do to help you get through.

    Wishing you all the very best for your appointment.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited November 2016

    Thank you Chrissy! I have been on the site for several hours reading everything I can. So much great information! Not a club I wanted to join, but so thankful for the women here. Pretty sure you are correct about the chemo. Grade 3 and an intermediate oncotype score and I am premenopausal. Seems like this has been forever when really I was only diagnosed 9/29/16.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited November 2016

    M0221, sometimes time seems to stand still while at others it seems to fly........unfortunately it goes so slowly when we are dealing with the not so nice things. When dx with BC for most it seems to be a year before you are done with surgeries and treatment.

    You are doing okay for time as you have already had major surgery and there needs to be a little time for the healing to begin before other treatment is given.

    Keeping everything crossed for you .

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited November 2016

    Given your age, the high grade, and your intermediate Oncotype I would not be at all surprised if chemo is on the table.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Icantri
    Icantri Member Posts: 93
    edited November 2016

    Hi M0221, I am 48 too and facing the same fear.

    I had a right mx 12 days ago and today I found out that the cancer was bigger than estimated. The good news is that my nodes were clear and the doc said that my tumors were "complex" (not sure what he meant by that) and that I made a good decision for having a mastectomy as a lumpectomy would likely not have been effective. So I am glad we are doing the rights things.

    But I hadn't prepared myself for the possibility of chemo. I am waiting on oncotype test that will determine if chemo is a good idea.

    I think 24 is a gray area but I think I would do it if mine comes back in that range. As I have read from others making the decision, I would hate to regret NOT doing it.

    Stay strong. :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited November 2016

    I agree about not wanting to regret not having chemo. I have 15 year old twins that I want to be around for a very long time to come! As scary as chemo seems it doesn't come close to how scary not watching my kids grow up would be.

    Please let us know how your oncotype score comes back. Waiting for that was hard. You can do this! The mastectomy was a huge step

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited November 2016

    That is what I thought too. I am less anxious today and more at peace. It's just the unknown. Only 2 more days

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited November 2016

    MO, I hope you get all of the answers you need, moving forward! We have a lot of tough decisions. Another test you could do, is the Mamma-print test. Similar to the onco-test, but it looks at a larger pool of genes and gives you a high or low risk...no intermediate. I am guessing you have had the BRCA test already...? Second opinions might be helpful as well, if you are on the fence.

    I fell into the the gray zone also and my MO left the decision up to me. I opted for chemo and have no regrets.

    Good Luck!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lisey
    Lisey Member Posts: 1,053
    edited November 2016

    I was a Grade 2, Oncotype 20 and my oncologist said no chemo... (I'm 41). My Doc was very optimistic, but I insisted on getting a Mammaprint second opinion which doesn't have an intermediate result. I ended up being low risk and didn't do chemo. I highly suggest people who fall into the gray area of Oncotype get a Mammprint. The MINDACT study released in August validates that the Mammaprint is an effective tool to help those of us in the middle.

    http://www.agendia.com/new-england-journal-of-medicine-publishes-mindact-trial-results/

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Icantri
    Icantri Member Posts: 93
    edited November 2016
    Thank you for the Mammoprint suggestions. I will keep be sure to ask if I fall into the gray zone.

    M0221 I am glad you are bit less anxious today. This is all such an emotional rollercoaster isn't it? And I agree about Time. BC (before cancer) seems a lifetime ago yet it has only been weeks.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    I finally have a plan for the next stage of treatment. Some unexpected developments but nothing I can't take in stride. I will have outpatient surgery to place my port on December 13th, chemo education visit December 14th and my first chemo treatment December 28th. To begin with I will have 4 chemo treatments of 2 different drugs, Taxotere & Cyclophosphamide, 3 weeks apart. This will be 3 months of treatment. I will also be on Neulasta during this time. Immediately after chemo I will start on hormone blockers. Following chemo I will have to have radiation. This was unexpected but with a close and questionable surgical margin it is felt like this is necessary. Radiation will delay the start of reconstruction until about this time next year. So while I was hoping to be finished with everything by Dec 2017 I am thankful for the treatments that will help me beat this! Somewhere after radiation is complete I will have surgery to remove my ovaries. Overwhelmed right now and feeling like hiding for a few days.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories