Visit with my new Oncologist today

Calleen
Calleen Member Posts: 411
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I LOVE my new Oncologist!! He took as much time as I needed and didn't act like he was in a hurry to get to his next patient...he explained everything in such knowledgeable detail!!! To me this is how Doctors should be... he completely went over my path report and my oncotype results ...as you guys know I scored a 10. BUT did you know the test also gives the er/pr and the her2 a score? That also is part of the oncotype score.. My reccurrance % right now without tamoxifin is 10% If I take hormone therapy it lowers it to 7%. Sooo now I have to go see my eye specialist's (2 of them) becasue I've had 4 retina detachment surgeries including a double surgery where I had a catarac removed. all the eye surgeries have casued me to have Glacoma. I cannot see out of my left eye except for a little bit of perifieral vision. One of the side effects of tomoxifin is cataracs. So now I have to protect my good eye.. What it all means is that I may not be able to take any hormone therpy. My Oncologist said in my case since my recurrance rate is so low anyway that there would'nt really be much difference. So I need to look at all the side effects vs benefits and decide.....

Comments

  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #2
    I love my oncologist, too...
    Hi Calleen,
    It is comforting to have a great oncologist who takes the time you need to understand every detail of the Onco test, etc.

    My adult son has also had several surgeries for detached retinas. He has lost most of the vision in his right eye but sees well with his left eye. They did catarac surgery but because he is diabetic, they had to inject a steroid which caused glacoma. They don't know yet if it is permanent. Very frightening to have vision in only one eye so I think you are correct to be concerned about your treatment. My onco score was 18 which is on the low end of intermediate. I'm postmenapausal (59) so I decided not to have chemo because it would only give me an improved reoccurance rate of 3%. I am taking Arimidex which is what they give older women who have empty ovaries and have had no side effects after 2 months.

    We need to look at the big picture of our health when making treatment decisions. Did you or are you having radiation? I had 33 treatments and got through it with very little discomfort. Based on what I read, I was lucky.

    Roseann
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490 Member
    #3
    roseann4 said:

    I love my oncologist, too...
    Hi Calleen,
    It is comforting to have a great oncologist who takes the time you need to understand every detail of the Onco test, etc.

    My adult son has also had several surgeries for detached retinas. He has lost most of the vision in his right eye but sees well with his left eye. They did catarac surgery but because he is diabetic, they had to inject a steroid which caused glacoma. They don't know yet if it is permanent. Very frightening to have vision in only one eye so I think you are correct to be concerned about your treatment. My onco score was 18 which is on the low end of intermediate. I'm postmenapausal (59) so I decided not to have chemo because it would only give me an improved reoccurance rate of 3%. I am taking Arimidex which is what they give older women who have empty ovaries and have had no side effects after 2 months.

    We need to look at the big picture of our health when making treatment decisions. Did you or are you having radiation? I had 33 treatments and got through it with very little discomfort. Based on what I read, I was lucky.

    Roseann

    I really like mine also. He
    I really like mine also. He is a remarkable man. His life goal is to help find a cure for breast cancers. He has been working on a vaccine. My onco score was 21 but with radiation and Arimidex my recurrance rate will be 13%.My radiologist/oncologist agrees with my Medical oncologist, that Chemo won't really make much difference. I feel I picked a great team for my breast cancer journey. My radiation oncologist has dreamy blue eyes. LOL. I'll see him again tomorrow for my SIM. I am having hernia surgery on Thursday, and I'll rest up a week or so, and start my RADS on the 19th. I want to be done for Christmas. He said 30 treatments.
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #4
    lanie940 said:

    I really like mine also. He
    I really like mine also. He is a remarkable man. His life goal is to help find a cure for breast cancers. He has been working on a vaccine. My onco score was 21 but with radiation and Arimidex my recurrance rate will be 13%.My radiologist/oncologist agrees with my Medical oncologist, that Chemo won't really make much difference. I feel I picked a great team for my breast cancer journey. My radiation oncologist has dreamy blue eyes. LOL. I'll see him again tomorrow for my SIM. I am having hernia surgery on Thursday, and I'll rest up a week or so, and start my RADS on the 19th. I want to be done for Christmas. He said 30 treatments.

    I had 33 rads, too
    Ianie,

    I had 33 rads and it really wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Shop around for the right undergarments. 100% cotton is best. If you are wearing a bra, get one that is very soft like the Barely There sold at Kohl's. Also, ask you doc about creme and start using it a week or so before you start rads. Don't wait till you get red to start using moisturizer. Good luck.

    Roseann
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490 Member
    #5
    roseann4 said:

    I had 33 rads, too
    Ianie,

    I had 33 rads and it really wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Shop around for the right undergarments. 100% cotton is best. If you are wearing a bra, get one that is very soft like the Barely There sold at Kohl's. Also, ask you doc about creme and start using it a week or so before you start rads. Don't wait till you get red to start using moisturizer. Good luck.

    Roseann

    He told me plain aloe. He
    He told me plain aloe. He did say to wear an old T-shirt or bra tomorrow for the marking/SIM. He said the marker may stain. I have a bunch of tank tops, I'll just wear one of them. I also have a bunch of 5.00 t-shirts from Kohls.
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #6
    Calleen
    I am so happy for you that you have an Onc. you like, and took the time to explain things well. I think that is rare in this day and age. I like mine also. She lets me decide how long it will be before I see her again. This time I am waiting 2 months instead of each month like I have been. I am starting to wean myself away. LOL!

    It is a blessing that your reoccurance are such alow percent. I am sure you will make the right decision. Wishingyou all the best Caleen.

    Hugs, Jackie
  • Cat64
    Cat64 Member Posts: 1,192
    #7
    Calleen
    So glad you found an Oncologist that you are happy with & he spends "quality" time with you. It sure makes things so much easier & less stressful. I'm curious-what is an oncotype and when do you get those results? Interesting on the E/P/H report. Thanks for sharing that. I learn something new everyday on here.(good for the brain)
    So sorry to hear about your eye! That's awful! That is a pretty close percentage,just give it some thought,weigh your options, we know you will make the right choice for YOU!
    Take care
    Hugz,
    Cathy

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