Oncotype scor of 22

[Ali713]

by Ali713, less than a minute ago
I have posted this to another forum but I think it should be posted here. Sorry!!!

It's been a while since my surgery. I am doing well and healing. The DCIS ended up being multifocal invasive Stage 1 but they believe they got everything because I had clear margins and clear lymph nodes. They sent my tumors to California for the oncotype testing and that came back today. My score is 22 and I go see the oncologist tomorrow. I was all set to do the radiation but I am really nervous about doing chemo if need be. 22 is in the grey area so I will have to make some decisions about having the 4 rounds of chemo every three weeks. Has anyone done just the four rounds and how did you tolerate it.

Thank you
Ali


This discussion is related to Oncotype DX Recurrence Score & Chemotherapy.

[alidi]

Hi Ali: I am also Stage 1, Nodes Negative, however my Onco Test was 13. i went to the Top Oncologist in my area, and She strongly, recommended Chemo, I refused. I went to see another Oncologist,(very qualified) and she recommended only Radiation Therapy, which I am starting on Monday. I will have Brachyterapy for 5 days, twice a day and I am done, Back to Detox , Organic whole foods,crude veggies,JUICING TWICE A DAY exercise, oxigene and POSSITIVE thinking, and must of all Prayers. I feel good and I know, I will beat this terrible cancer. A warm Hello to SOUZI, who gave me good advise and her prayers in my most difficult moments, SOUZI: I am alive and kicking!!!!!
God bless you all!
ALI

[zouzi]

Hi Alice,
I am really very sorry that you had such a bad reaction to chemo.:(
I am sure that you and your Oncologist have discussed the Chemo discontinuation   thoroughly and agreed to stop it.I wonder if your Oncologist has advised you to try another kind of Chemo drug that will be more suitable for you?
I really can't say if you made the right decision, unless your Oncologist is agreeing with you.
I am glad that you are feeling much better now,and I hope that the radiation therapy will be uneventful and much easier to bear.
I am sure that God will take care of you,no matter what decision you have taken.
Wishing you the very best Alice and God Bless you.

[Ali713]

Hi Zouzi,

Well I went for my first round of Chemo on 4th and by the second day after I started getting very bad reactions. In the following days the reactions started getting worse, my head felt like it was going to explode off my shoulders, terrible stomach cramps, very bad constipation, my throat was so sore that I couldn't eat, my blood pressure went up, chest pains, fever, I could go on and on but by the 5th day my fiance took me to the emergency room where they immediately put me on an IV then they put some medicine in the IV for the pain and I had an immediate reaction to that so then they gave me something else to counteract that and guess what another reaction. To say the least it was a total nightmare. I decided that I am not going to have any more chemo and just do the radiation which I will be starting in a couple of weeks. The chemo was just as a precaution and I don't think it is worth it. I usually can handle alot but this was just to much. I am feeling much better now and I know in my heart that I have made the right decision. I will just keep having faith in God that he will take care of me.

Thanks for listening,
Alice

[zouzi]

Ali, I am just adding this link because you might find this information useful concerning Chemotherapy.

http://www.chemocare.com/whatis/what_are_the_short_and_long_term.asp

[zouzi]

Hi Ali,
Well,I guess that Chemo will unfortunately be part of your treatment.I am sure that both you and your Oncologist have discussed this option in depth.
I did not need Chemo as part of my treatment Ali,but if I had to, I would have done it without question.
As I mentioned before, this therapy is certainly not pleasant and you might have side effects that will bother you.Of course it also depends on the dosage and what kind of drug it will be.These side effects though, are manageable as long as you tell your oncologist about everything that you can't tolerate.I am sure that you can continue working,many women have done so, and if you are fairly healthy I don't see why you can't do it too.Not everyone reacts badly to chemo and I sure hope that you too will go through this phase with minimum discomfort.After each chemo session,drink lots of water,this is good to clean the body ( Not too much though, so you don't make yourself sick)
I truly wish the best for you Ali...Good luck and God Bless...

[Ali713]

Hi Zouzi,

I will be starting chemo next Thursday. 4 rounds every three weeks. I'm a little nervous about side effects. Did you have chemo, if so how did you do with it? I am planning on still working.

Thank you for all your help
Ali

[Ali713]

Thank you zouzi, I will let you know what happens.

Thank you

[zouzi]

Hi Ali,
First of all I am glad to know that you are doing well after your surgery and that,even though the cancer was invasive,you got clear margins and clear lymph nodes, which is good.
Now ,you know that the Oncotype score 22 is not low but intermediate and you stated correctly that it's a gray area.
Your Oncologist will surely be the best source of information to guide you in the right direction and advise you about Chemotherapy treatment IF needed.
I know that Chemo is not pleasant,but there are medications that your Oncologist can prescribe for you in case you have intolerable side effects...Some people are lucky and have very few side effects.
Write down all the questions you need to ask from your oncologist and make sure that you understand everything that's been said.When you are well informed,things go smoother and much easier.
Please let us know how your treatment is going to proceed so we can help you as much as we can.
Best of wishes Ali ..and God Bless.