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36 Goodwill
- 7 Followers
- 7 Following
iluvmykids
Nehawka, NE
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Patient: Breast Cancer > Invasive (Infiltrating) Ductal CarcinomaPatient Info: Currently in active treatment (initial surgery, receiving chemo rounds/radiation), Diagnosed: 12 months ago, Female, Age: 51, Stage I, HER2 Positive: No, ER Positive: Yes, PR Positive: Yes
New Follow 6 months ago
iluvmykids
is following grams2jc
New Follow 7 months ago
iluvmykids
is following nightsky
Experience 7 months ago
iluvmykids
Celebration (Finished treatment): Completed radiation treatments a week ago. I was very lucky to go through radiation with little to no side effects. The last two weeks I experienced some fatigue in the early mornings and late evenings, but otherwise felt normal. The radiation side is red and itchy, but other than that, I can't complain! It's great to have that 2 hours (long commute) back in my M-F days!
Feel great, and it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Although now it feels like it went by fast, it didn't in the middle of it. The radiation techs were super, so that also made it easier to go every day.
New Follow 7 months ago
iluvmykids
is following KarenG_WN
Wall Post 8 months ago
hummingbird wrote on iluvmykids' wall
I'll call her tomorrow and let you know as soon as I find out. Unfortunately, her husband just found out he has leukemia so she has had a burden. He has been told that he is in the early stages and should let it ride...hard to hear I'm sure!
Wall Post 8 months ago
hummingbird wrote on iluvmykids' wall
Hi Iluvmykids..did anyone tell you about a special ointment that can help with the skin burning? I didn't need it because I had internal radiation, but my friend said it was a big help with her skin. I can get the name if you don't know about it.
Comment 8 months ago
iluvmykids
The radiation techs told me to use Aquagel and Eucerin. I got some of the Aquagel and it is a lot like vaseline, but supposed to be better. I have started using it even though I don't notice any change in my skin at all. Some of the information I have said if I do this, I may not have any skin problems at all. Here's hoping. If your friend knows a better one to use, let me know, I am all for preventing any skin issues. Thanks!
Experience 8 months ago
iluvmykids
Radiation (External radiation ): Starting 33 treatments of radiation tomorrow. Hoping to stay as active as possible, though everyone says it zaps your energy. Trying to stay positive!
New Follow 8 months ago
iluvmykids
is following avery
Update 9 months ago
iluvmykids posted an update
Went for set-up for radiation a couple days ago. Didn't know Sharpie markers has such different uses! The plan is to start 33 treatments next week. I still think I'm going to have the same energy level even though MANY have said no way. I can dream, right?
Comment 9 months ago
hummingbird
Don't dream....do!!!
Experience 9 months ago
iluvmykids
Drug or Chemo Therapy (Hormone therapy): First week of Tamoxifen, so far, cranky and tired are the only real noticeable side effects. My poor family.
New Follow 9 months ago
iluvmykids
is following heidifloyd
New Follow 9 months ago
iluvmykids
is following hummingbird
New Follow 9 months ago
iluvmykids
is following ThinkPink
Wall Post 9 months ago
iluvmykids wrote on ThinkPink's wall
ThinkPink, if you read my update, you know my score was a 20, which was not exactly what I wanted, but being on the low end of the intermediate and only a 3% benefit, it wasn't a big enough percentage benefit for me to go through the chemo. I am really really glad I did the test, so I had all the information at hand to make the decision. The onlcologist also showed us an older test (2006), which basically showed no difference (in recurrence) between the low and mid range scores. Even though it was an older test, it was a factor in my decision too. I really feel at peace with the decision - so I know it was the right one. Now on to 6 weeks of radiation, I already started the tamoxifen on Sunday. I'm sure the side effects of that don't start right away, but so far, so good.
Experience 9 months ago
iluvmykids
Decision Point: We got the results from the Oncotype test back on Friday. My number was 20 which is the bottom of the intermediate range. Not what I was hoping for, but what it boiled down to was a 3% difference with chemotherapy, meaning chemo would help by only 3%, so I decided against it and my husband agreed. After making this decision, that evening the huge knot in my stomach was gone, so I know it was the right decision for me. I started Tamoxifen on Sunday and meet to set up for radiation on Thursday. Onward and upward.
Wall Post 9 months ago
hummingbird wrote on iluvmykids' wall
I had the test and by doing so, decided with my oncologist, to have the chemo. My percentage of recurrence went from 1 in 4 to 1 in 6. Right now the Genotype lab is resubmitting the bill to my insurance as there was a problem with how they submitted it to begin with. But, I'm glad I had it so that my decision to have the chemo was based on a scientific reason accompanied with the emotional need to survive and fight the cancer!
Comment 9 months ago
iluvmykids
I have to say the test helped tremendously even with my "grey area" score. I would encourage anyone to do it, because you can never have too much information when it comes to your health.
Comment 9 months ago
hummingbird
My score was 38 so that's why I decided for the chemo. It doesn't make much sense to have all the tests and then ignore the results! So it's onward and upward for me too! I hope to start the tamoxifen as soon as I can . My last infusion is Thursday.
Update 9 months ago
iluvmykids posted an update
Thanks, ThinkPink, I decided to to the test, for a variety of reasons, but the fact that chemo may not benefit me was a big reason. I also got so much more information from a friend who's sister works in genetics, it seemed like a no brainer at that point. I also talked to the people at that place that does the test, they are great.
Comment 9 months ago
ThinkPink
iluvmykids, I think you will be really happy with your decision. If you are comfortable sharing your score when you get it, I would love to know. I scored a 21. Anything less than 18 is a great score, but my oncologist felt that chemo would not reduce my risk as much as it could be harmful. I'll hope for a really low score for you!!!
Wall Post 9 months ago
ThinkPink wrote on iluvmykids' wall
Hi Iluvmykids - I had the oncotype test. The people at the only place that does the oncotype test are very nice and communicative .. and will pre-authorize plus contact you. I am so glad I did the test. Even though I came back in the gray area, my oncologist did not recommend chemo. I don't know your stats, but knowing your score can go a long way in the chemo decision.
Experience 9 months ago
iluvmykids
Decision Point: Right now we are deciding on whether or not to do chemo, the oncologist would like to do the Oncotype DX to see how much of a benefit chemo would be. We need to make some phone calls and talk to the oncologist again to see if there are any other benefits to this test (it's expensive and our insurance probably won't pay).
Update, we have ordered the Oncotype test, after doing a lot of research, talking to a friend's sister who works in the field of genetics - all the information pointed to so many benefits of doing the test, so we are. Now we are waiting for the results, another few days..... then decision again.
Experience 9 months ago
iluvmykids
Procedure or Surgery (Lumpectomy)