pennygram

Has anyone enrolled in the Tailorxtrial had this concern:  when my oncotype report came back and the doctor gave me a copy, my name and all identifiers were blacked out.  It is a big decision to rely on this score to determine your future, and I think I should have a report that I am sure is mine, and that shows they tested the right tumor (original surgery, not re-escision).  For some reason I am having a hard time getting that.  Am I unreasonable to expect it?  Is there something about the trial that requires this?  Thanks. 

Thanks, Sue.  I'd read that many women gain weight during chemo, so I'm glad to hear that is not inevitable.  When you say chemo was a little tougher because you did not have as much of the steroids, what do you mean by that?  More side effects?  Or having to take it longer?  I haven't gotten that far down the road to know the course of my treatment yet, or what the steroids actually do.  I see my surgeon on Monday for a follow up after my re-excision and if all is well, then will move on to the oncologist.  I'm anxious to get going, but trying to anticipate issues and be as informed as I can before we get started.  Thanks so much for your response.  Bonnie

Thanks, Karen.  I was one of those who wrongly assumed that once we got the info that the lymph nodes were clean, chemo was no longer something to worry about.  I knew I could handle surgery and radiation, and probably work through that, but I'd seen my mother endure 9 months of horribly debilitatin chemo with her ovarian cancer a number of years ago, and that was really scary to contemplate.  Fortunately, from reading all the experiences on these boards, it sounds like today's treatments are much more advanced and far easier to handle.  I'm not that young - 54 - but young enough to want it all out, gone, and never to come back.  Just anxious to get the ball rolling! 

Bonnie (Penny's gram)

I was diagnosed in early August, have had SNB and lumpectomy plus re-excision because of lack of clean margins.  I haven't seen an oncologist yet, but my surgeon said she thinks I will have chemo next and then radiation.  Even with books I can't quite decipher the pathology report, and waiting for the oncologist is making me crazy!  I really don't like not knowing things and not being able to plan.  Guess I better get used to that though.  Anyway, I have read a lot of the posts in search of terms like I am seeing on my report, but without much luck. I have invasive ductal, 1.8 cm. tumor, clearn nodes.   Anyone able to interpret, even generally:  Estrogen Receptor 100% Nuclear Staining with Strong Intensity.  Progesterone Receptor 20% Nuclear Staining with Strong Intensity.  HER2 Negative.  Histologic grade I/III, nuclear grade II/III.  And does it sound logical that chemo would be the next step?  Thanks for ANY help at all.