Christianne

I opted to not do chemo also.  I had an Oncotype score of 20.  My oncologist told me that the risks outweighed the benefits.  I prefer more natural things like housecleaners, laundry soaps, etc., so chemo did not sit well with me in the first place. 

You guys made me laugh!!!!  Much needed these days.  I'm glad to hear this goes away.

I had my mastectomy/reconstruction in April and it took about 2 months until I could sleep well in bed.  Do you have a recliner?  I slept in the recliner that whole 2 months, because it hurt to lay flat on my back.  If you don't have a recliner, maybe propping yourself up with a bunch of pillows would help.  It does get better!!

What does he mean that a cause of bc is "root canal teeth"?

To Route53--

Was the recurrence percentage really 11% for an Oncotype score of 11?  I would think it would be lower, because my Oncotype score was 20 with a 12% chance of recurrence in 10 years.  

I too can totally relate.  Some friends did NOTHING, absolutely nothing.  No card even.  The people who were most supportive were people I work with.   It hurts a lot when people you think would express caring don't do anything at all.  And it still hurts when I see them.  This whole experience has made me realize how much it means to someone facing something difficult to have support--so I have learned to do for others what I found so extremely valuable to me when I needed it.  I know I have been guilty in the past of not being there for friends, so I'm trying to do better.

A month ago, I too was scheduled for an MRI with my tissue expander in place (to check for a rotator cuff tear).  My new latest problem.  An hour before the MRI, it occured to me about the metal on the expander.  I called the MRI facility and asked about it, and they said absolutely no MRI for me until the expander comes out.  So my doctor dropped the ball too.  (this was my regular doctor who knows all about my mastectomy and expander, not the BS or PS). 

In your case I think many people dropped the ball--it could have been caught on the paperwork you had to fill out before they take you back to the MRI room.  I'm sorry you had this happen.  I do hope all is well.

You're right about being informed!!  I have done so much reading, research, etc.  Thanks for the laugh!

I am Her2 positive and my oncologist sent for the Oncotype test back in May in spite of it.  He said my results could end up anywhere on the map.  My score came back at 20, 12% chance of recurrence in 10 years.  He very strongly does not recommend chemo.  He said I am fine to seek a second opinion, but he said he'd fall off his chair if the 2nd opinion differed from his.  My largest tumor is .4 cm, which he said is the main reason for his recommendation.  If it were 1 cm or over, his advice would be completely different.  He thinks it is unwise for oncologists to assume high recurrence rates for HER2 positive tumors because so many other factors weigh in to the risk. And he thinks it is very unwise for Genomic Health to make predictive statements about what your outcome might be given the HER2 positive status.

I just met with my onc on Monday and asked him all these questions again to be sure I've made the right decision to not to chemo. He was very emphatic about what I just wrote.

Just throwing my take on things into the pot.

My oncotype score was 20, even being highly HER2positive, which translates to a 12% recurrence score.  My onc basically said that in my case the risks outweighed the benefits.  He still left the decision up to me--so I declined chemo.  Regarding the last post, I can't believe that healedn08's doctor said there's no benefit from diet, exercise, or losing weight.  Everything I have read totally disagrees with that.

As for me, I have been a lot more careful with my diet, have lost 13 pounds from walking the past 5 months, and have added Vitamin C and E supplements to my diet.  I've also been recommended a book called "Questioning Chemotherapy" by Ralph Moss.  I haven't bought it yet, but plan to.