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Tough decision Chemo or potential Heart issues - got 2nd opinion

Swedge
Swedge CSN Member Posts: 1
edited March 2018 in Breast Cancer #1

Realizing that we all have different motivations and options to beat this ugly disease, I wanted to share my personal experience and suggest that a 2nd opinion can be a good thing.  

Because I've had a mitral valve replacement (mechanical), and now a pacemaker for AFIB, I was very concerned with Chemo side effects of my Stage 2 Breast Cancer diagnosis.  Medical oncologist recommended standard protocol of ACT + Radiation, over the course of 8 months, while monitoring my heart.  I got a 2nd opinion, and a Mammoprint was recommended.  Approved by my insurance, I was exciting for this deeper dive and was blessed that results showed just a slight difference in DMFS (Distant Metamastasis Free Survival) when comparing Chemo + Radiation vs. Radiation only.  It was a dificult personal decision, but I chose Radiation only, accepting the 96% (versus 97%) chance of survival, because I feared the impact to my heart could be equally as damaging as fighting cancer.

Finished Radiation in July and blessed that my first post-cancer Mammo was negative.  With all the research on BC treatments, I expect women (and men) may have more options in future years.

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