Yesterday afternoon, I got a call from the oncologist office. The first available appointment is not until July 14th. If we go with that, it would be 3 - 4 weeks before anything happens to attack the cancer. I'm not sure I'm OK with that, and I am guessing my breast surgeon would agree with me. This may impact the treatment plan I select.
Another consideration is called Oncotype DX. This is genetic testing of the tissue to determine the likelihood of cancer returning in the next 10 years. A number between 0 and 100 is assigned to your tissue, with lower being much better. If mine comes back between 0 and 20, I may opt out of chemotherapy. In that scenario, the side effects and impact to life outweigh the probable benefits.
With the good news yesterday that the nodes look clear, I am considering the following:
lumpectomy with sentinel node (SN) biopsy ASAP then radiation
If SN biopsy shows no involvement, then bypass chemo.
I will likely go on some type of hormone-suppression therapy for 5 years.
I was up in the middle of the night after attempting to get a night's sleep without the use of chemicals. Fell asleep ok about 10:30, but woke up around 2 am trying to solve this problem. I did manage to get back to sleep around 5, and we all slept in until 7:30.
I wish it was just a math problem, with which the Oncotype info helps. I really want someone to put all the possibilities into a probability software program, run the simulations and spit out the odds...LOL! I want intellectual confirmation of my "probably" emotional leanings.
You willing to travel?
ReplyDeleteThere has to be a hospital somewhere withing a day's drive (St. Louis, Tulsa......) that can get going faster.
There are so many things to think about now. This is such a life changing decision. No wonder you can't sleep properly. Have you thought about getting a 2nd doctor's opinion about the best route to go? I know this will have to fall on you, but sometimes another opinion from a doctor that does these operations and knows different patients works.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it would be nice to get a second opinion, that will take more time away for actual treatment. Is there another oncologist that your breast surgeon might recommend? I know you want the best so perhaps your breast surgeon can give you some guidance or perhaps make a call on your behalf to see if she can work some magic to get you in earlier.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can try to relax a bit this weekend. Once you have a plan worked out, there will be fewer decisions to make.
Elaine
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine trying to figure this all out. But all of a sudden the pieces will fall together.
It's hard not to rush when you feel you need the time to figure this all out.
linda