I’m so sorry that I have not updated my blog yet…it’s been a couple of weeks of consideration and contemplation over the next steps…
A couple of weeks ago Dr.Janania-Martinez called, She excitedly bubbled that she got my results before I did, and was excited to share them with me… I said and??? So she said “they were good!” I said well what was the number!? (Remember I’m a details kinda gal…a “nerd” by birthright even, I need allll the facts!! And if you want to see what the report looks like, see the image below):
-My recurrence score was 15… And the results also revealed that chemotherapy had a less than 1% chance of having any effect at all on my tumor cells…
Sooo…NO CHEMO!! 🥳🥳🙏🏼🙏🏼
*Keep in mind it’s only statistics and I don’t even really know how I feel about that…but basically what we found out is that the chance of my type of cancer recurring anywhere else in my body (in the next nine years) IF I take tamoxifen would be 4%… Well how about if I decide not to take Tamoxifen then what??? I asked my doctor that question and she acted shocked like she couldn’t believe I would not want to take it.
I may or may not need to remind those reading this post that I’ve had type one diabetes for 30 years as of next February(2022)….another FYI: The leading cause of death in people with diabetes is (drum rollllll)… Cardiovascular disease…So when it’s suggested that my only “option” is to take a drug that will most likely increase my risk of:
-blood clots
-stroke
-cardiovascular disease
…I’m more than slightly hesitant to pop that pill.
Without Tamoxifen, my 9 year recurrence risk would be about 8 or 9%…It’s not “nothing” but that’s also a 92% chance that I won’t have a reoccurrence in the next 9 years. Keep in mind especially because I had a mastectomy the recurrence would likely be somewhere else in my body ..also known as “metastatic breast cancer” . I’ve already reduced a large amount of risk by -quitting smoking and -stopping the birth control pill. Plus, I’m going to do what I can to stay aware such as frequent contact with my surgeons and the survivorship program at the Sanford Cancer Center as well as the appropriate screenings (Women with implant reconstruction are offered MRI screenings of the reconstructed breasts, implants, chest wall & axillary lymph nodes every three years) and all of this in addition to “self-inspection” of my breast skin and any of the scant residual tissue that wasn’t able to be removed. One thing I’ve decided is that I am making a decision and I’m not looking back because life is MUCH too short to be wait in fear. It’s crazy to think Of what we’ve been through in the last five months. I say “we”because it’s definitely a family “fight”…I could not have faced any of it without my amazing support system and I’m so grateful for all of you , my friends, who offered prayers and support along the road . Much love to all of you! I will keep updating this blog as little things pop up here and there (checkups etc).
Illuminating Shadows 