Having mixed feelings

Christine Louise said:

Suddenly switching gears
After preparing for bad news for so long, you've suddenly been knocked off the path you thought you were on. It turns out to be good -- great! -- but it's still jarring and unsettling. And, you don't know if you feel you can trust the unexpected news. I would feel confused, too!

Let the good news sink in and you'll start to feel better, I'll bet. Plus, it won't be too long until the onc can verify the surgeon's opinion.

I hope you are enjoying kicking back -- or dancing -- with NED quite soon, Char.

greyhoundluvr said:

Char -
I agree that is really great news and i hope that you hear the same thing from your oncologist!! My only thought would be, did your surgeon or oncologist say anything about the oncootype test?? In my case, when I met with my oncologist prior to my bilateral, she told me that the final determining factor as to whether I would need chemo after surgery would be the oncoptype test which would further evaluate the tumor and determine the probability of recurrence. If there was a low score - no chemo; if it was high - chemo; if it was in the middle - we would have to decide what to do. I don't want to be a downer - just wasn't sure if this is something they were looking at doing in your case. Lots of hugs and prayers that this is the final part of the journey for you!

Chris

Hope 2010 said:

I'm still in the process to
I'm still in the process to determine treatment, but my surgeon went over my pathology report (post surgery 5/28) and he told me that I would just need radiation, (lymph nodes clear) only because mine was so close to my chest muscle (only had a .9mm clearance). My surgeon also mentioned that once the rads were done, then he would prescribe the Tamoxifen.

After I visited with the radiation oncologist, she refer to me to talk with an oncologist, mainly because of my age (premenopause) and the fact that I found the lump on my own. It's more of a just to make sure... Yesterday, I met with the oncologist and he recommended the Onco DX test, just to see if I should also have chemo. If it's high, I should have it - if it's low, no need -- if it's in the gray area then we need to discuss to decide.

Personally, I wasn't really sure if I needed to see the oncologist because I trust my surgeons opinion. But it's my life at stake and I wanted to see what he had to say...but like you I'm afraid of what he's going to recommend. Actually in my meeting with the oncologist, he asked, "do you know why the radiation oncologist referred you to me?" My answer, "no, but I'm thinking it may be a mistake to be here." I was torn between trusting what my surgeon was telling me and what a 'cancer specialist' would tell me. So right now I'm in limbo on my treatment until he gets the test results back. I have another appt with the oncologist in 2 weeks to find out the results of my test and go from there on my treatment plan.

Good luck with your appt and keep me posted.

Patty

roseann4 said:

Great advice from Chris.
I'm a real advocate for the OncoTypeDX test. It has only been available since 2004 and there is only one place in the world that provides it. It is only done when the we are node negative so sounds like you are a candidate for it. Node negative is a big deal in the breast cancer world so that's very good news.

Roseann

cahjah75 said:

thanks
thanks for all your comments. Chris, I will definitely have to ask about the OncotypeDx test. What is it and should I ask my surgeon or the oncologist? For now I'm letting his words sink in and very grateful. I guess I may still be a tiny bit nervous until I see the oncologist. I saw a post today that unnerved me though. After 1 year post surgery a biopsy of lymph nodes under the arm tested positive for cancer. My heart breaks for her.
Char