Treatment options

Options
Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited March 2020 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
Treatment options
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Kringle12
    Kringle12 Member Posts: 30
    edited March 2020

    Today, I met with my MO and discussed my treatment options. The suggestion is TC chemo- 4 rounds & 10 years of tamoxifen, due to my high risk/ luminal B mammaprint. The chemo benefit from that test was great her than 12% and without treatment the chance of reoccurrence at 5 years was 23%. If I didn’t want to go that route, my MO said I could suppress my ovaries for a couple years (I’m 45 and premenopausal ) and take an AI. She’s going before the tumor be next week with her suggestion but she said so far that the other drs agree with the chemo. I forgot to ask what my numbers would look like if I went with ovary suppression though.

    Any thoughts on this?


    Thqnksin advance!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited March 2020

    Kringle, I was post-meno, but had an oopherectomy 8 yrs prior to BC DX. Keep in mind, that the ovaries are not the only place your body produces Estrogen. It's hard to make treatment decisions. You could always get a second opinion if you are undecided. I had TC and for what it's worth, it wasn't horrible. Manageable and annoying, but not horrible. Not advocating it, just my personal experience. Did you have the BRCA test? Family HIstory? I hope you find peace with your decisions and best of luck with whatever treatment(s) you have.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited March 2020

    It sounds sensible to me, and I think it's great she's taking it to the tumor board. I think you should also feel totally empowered to get a second opinion if it would make you feel more confident.

    (Another thing to keep in mind is that not everyone tolerates hormonal treatment/it can be a complicated way to finding a hormonal treatment that is tolerable for any given individual. The additional layer of protection from the chemo could be even more important in that case, and there's no way to know until after the chemo window is already closed, afaik).

    Sending good vibes!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jackster51
    Jackster51 Member Posts: 357
    edited March 2020

    Just my experience with Taxotere is that I never got my hair back.. I was mid 40's at the time, and found that, and still do everyday, a most unwanted side effect. It had not yet been disclosed when I had treatment, so it was a major shocker. Not to scare you, but I wish I had known there was a 6-10% chance of that happening. Best of luck in your treatment decisions..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kringle12
    Kringle12 Member Posts: 30
    edited March 2020

    Thanks for your insight! I'm not BRCA positive nor have family history. I'm leaning towards the TC as it seems like it'd be better for me I'm the long run but I'm nervous about having a lowered immune system right now :/ I'll just stay home as much as possible. MO did mention about boosting my wbc count after each dose, but I missed hearing how they do that- too much info at the appt.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kringle12
    Kringle12 Member Posts: 30
    edited March 2020

    Thank you for your reply! I’m leaning toward the TC. I am concerned about tolerating the tamoxifen for 10 years, in the nausea way. Most medicines make me sick as it is. I know that may happen with chemo, but hopefully not the whole time???

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kringle12
    Kringle12 Member Posts: 30
    edited March 2020

    Thank you for that info! No, I didn't realize that was a possibility - I’m glad you mentioned it. I’m thinking of going the TC route, so that’s helpful to know.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited March 2020

    Kringle, Your MO is most likely referring to the Neulasta shot (or patch) for low immune response. They will ck your blood counts prior to each infusion. The Neulasta is given after chemo (mine was the next day). It can make your back and neck areas achy, bc of what it does to your bone marrow. To alleviate that, take 24 hr Claritin a day or two before and after your Neulasta and that may help with dis-comfort. I took some long hot showers and they helped!:)). I'm sure there are plenty of other threads with tips to get you through. This is a great place for support. Best wishes!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories