Skip to main content

A low number is good in golf....

and good in Oncotype DX tests, so let's hear it for 13 (out of 100), where 18 is the highest number you want.

I'll explain, as best I can. The issue with cancer is the chance of it recurring. As Dr. Mittleman said to me yesterday, you had cancer -- the cancer is gone. Now we are treating me so that it doesn't recur.

And what's the chance of it recurring? Well that's what the Oncotype DX test tells us. It's genomic test, looking at the makeup of the cancer. How likely is it to return? And, will it respond to chemotherapy (along with hormone therapy, like aromatase inhibitors) if it is likely to grow and spread?

So a 13 means that 1) the likelihood of it recurring is very low, and 2) I don't need chemo. In fact, the difference in preventing the recurring between chemo and the aromatase inhibitor is so low as to make chemotherapy "not worth it."

So as soon as I heal I can have radiation.

And whoever thought I'd be "happy" about that? Life is sure funny, isn't it?

I have an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Alfred Tinger at Northern Westchester Hospital's Cancer Center for Friday, November 3 to start getting ready for radiation.

And now it's looking like we won't be able to get away after all. I'm concerned about my adjustment to taking Arimidex-and it looks like I won't start that until after my radiation, or maybe three weeks into my radiation. We wanted to go to Curacao and we'd need to book that now.

We are both disappointed--the more I thought about traveling while trying to get used to a protocol that could have serious side effects the more I thought it probably wasn't a good idea.

Another reminder that "life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans." Which is why I have John Lennon's picture on this blog entry  😉



Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 24, 2017 at 10:33 PM

    Connie, I started Arimidex on September 27th and have had no side effects..so I hope that is true for you and go on your trip. Get cancellation insurance for peace of mind.. I just booked a trip to Portugal and Spain in May and I will still be on Arimidex, for five years at least, and then also on something called Xeloda, an oral chemo..
    Radiation therapy is not so bad, I have had 15 out of 25 treatments and except for some redness on my chest, I am fine..I am happy with your good results.
    Love,mjr

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ConnieOctober 25, 2017 at 12:02 PM

      Thanks for this Marilyn. Good to know. We are so "up in the air" about how I will feel. This uncertainty is very stressful, and it makes it hard to plan.

      Delete
    2. ConnieOctober 27, 2017 at 8:43 PM

      We made our reservations-Curacao in March!

      Delete
    3. UnknownOctober 27, 2017 at 10:58 PM

      That is a wonderful plan..I am happy for your..mjr

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"The Waiting is the Hardest Part" RIP Tom Petty

Okay, so I used that as a title in August-who knew that Tom Petty, a man younger than me (who apparently didn't know the rules: people younger than I am aren't supposed to die!) would die ! And actually, at this point, waiting isn't the hardest part. Healing is the hardest part. Every day I feel a little bit stronger, just enough to be dangerous. I'm almost "back to normal" and I just want to resume my "normal" life. As if life can ever be normal once you've learned that you have cancer. I'm still very sore but most of the bruising of the left breast is gone; the right breast is having a harder time of it. My sister drove from PA to spend the day with Anne and me yesterday. It was a wonderful visit.  I had a chance to ask her all the questions I had about radiation. She looks good and is feeling better, so that's encouraging. We had a great lunch at 105Ten in Briarcliff Manor. (Clever name, right? A take-off on the zip code). T...
6 comments
Read more

I feel like I was stepped on by an elephant

who kicked me in the sternum on his way out. Other than that, I'm fine! Seriously, I'm basically tired. I thought I was tired on Saturday, I had no idea what tired even means!! I slept nearly all day Sunday. But the good news is that I'm off the Tylenol and codeine. Tylenol alone is enough to deal with the pain. And I've been able to shower each day and wash my hair, which at least makes me feel somewhat human. Oh, and to add to the fun, I have some kind of rash (Anne thinks it's poison ivy, I think it isn't but I don't know what it is) that itches like mad. Me with pillow and bear And I have enough concentration to read- Glass Houses by Louise Penny. I'm enjoying it immensely. Maybe in a few days I can read The Thinking Woman's Guide to Breast Cance r -- just not now. I am so lucky--friends have dropped off food, delivered a beautiful stuffed bear (thank you Matt and Suzanne!!), sent cards, called and basically "been there....
6 comments
Read more

Cancer...there I've said it.

I had a bone density test this morning. When I registered I was given a "profile" form to complete. I was going along, happily checking "yes" and "no" until I came to a list of things you could have, and I had to check "cancer." And when the technician asked me if there had been any medical changes since my last bone density test, I said yes, I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Saying it out loud makes it real. My sister Gini told me how hard it was to go to the "cancer center" every day for her treatments, and she posted that she was " processing the fact that the word cancer is part of my life now and forever." I now know exactly what she means.
4 comments
Read more