Today was a day I had been dreading as we were to meet with the oncologist to see if I needed chemo or not. We were awaiting the results of the oncotype test. ILC is not like other breast cancers and whether you have chemo or not all depends on certain factors - size of tumor, lymph node involvement and the ultimate test they run, the oncotype test. Since my tumor was on the smaller size and no lymph node involvement, it came down to the test. Prior to my appointment, I received an email giving me the results of this test. I looked at the email knowing all I had to do was hit one button and the answer would be right there for me to see. I knew how to read the results, all my waiting could be over in just a few seconds….but I hesitated, scared knowing that once again my life could go a different direction in the click of a button.

The oncotype test is a tumor profiling test that can help determine if chemotherapy is beneficial in addition to hormone therapy in treatment for estrogen positive cancers like mine. For my age group there are two different scoring categories 0-25 and 26-100. My oncotype score is an 18. The benefit would be less then 1% and would not outweigh the risks of side effects. NO CHEMO!!! I was beyond excited and so grateful. We waited for the appointment to share the news to make sure that we were reading the results correctly and that there were not any surprise curve balls.

The next course of treatment with my oncologist, once the wound vac has been removed, is to start Tamoxifen. My body isn’t quite in menopause even though the majority of the women my age are, the three tests they use to determine that factor disagree with each other. So we will redo blook work in November and re-evaluate then if we will continue Tamoxifen or switch to an aromatase inhibitor.

It is still a little odd to me and surreal, because for me I associate breast cancer and chemo as things that always go together. However, I will take this win and celebrate this victory. After the appointment, we had a celebratory cupcake. Today marks one month since my surgery and reconstruction; except for the wound vac everything is moving along well. Now if we can just get this incision healed, we would be doing so much better!

Have a wonderful weekend
Love
Deandra