Oncotype testing – Why me? Why Not?

Sometimes it takes a while for the blessing in a situation to reveal itself, but I immediately recognized that the stay-at-home order could be good for me.

Without carpools, after-school activities, tutoring, errands and routine appointments, I have time to concentrate on my health.

That feels especially important because my test results took much longer than the 10 days originally promised. Those results would help determine the next step in my cancer treatment.

I tried to view the delay as extra time to prepare for whatever came next—and as time when I could protect my immune system during a pandemic.

A blessing.

I should also add that on some days—many days, actually—the word “cancer” leaves my mind. In its place, I find room for relaxing, watching, reading and simply being.

I’ve gradually regained my strength through walking, biking, a little tennis and even running a mile or two.

Last week, I finally received my results. I’m still absorbing the news.

My recurrence score was low, indicating that chemotherapy was unlikely to provide enough benefit to outweigh its risks and side effects.

No chemotherapy for me!

It was a surprise to all of us, including my doctors.

My treatment plan includes close monitoring, follow-up imaging as recommended and hormone therapy to reduce my risk of recurrence. At this moment, there is no evidence of cancer, and I am deeply grateful.

I still have a couple of surgeries ahead of me. I don’t yet know when they will happen, but I will share more when I do.

Until then, I have so much to be thankful for—and I’ve already gone through two bulk-sized boxes of thank-you notes!

I’m caught in another waiting game: waiting for pathology results.

Because I chose to have my surgery through a different hospital system, there was some miscommunication and a delay in sending my results. What would typically take about two weeks is now taking four.

As I have mentioned before, my definition of time has changed since my diagnosis. I’m continually reminded that this is a “slow-growing” cancer, but I can’t say that puts my mind completely at ease.

Tick. Tock.

Pathology

My pathology sample will be used for Oncotype testing, which examines the activity of certain genes in the cancer tissue. The resulting score will help my doctors estimate the likelihood of recurrence and whether chemotherapy may be beneficial.

We already know that my cancer is estrogen-receptor-positive and that hormone therapy will be part of my treatment for the next 10 years.

Healing

I’m standing much more upright, and today I walked two miles—my farthest distance so far.

It seems I can walk well every other day. The following day, my back pays the price.

“No pain, no gain.”

My incisions are healing, but my abdomen is still very tight. Imagine filling your stomach with air and stopping in the middle of a breath. Tight!

My DIEP flap surgical sites are healing, and some sensation is beginning to return. For now, there is a great deal of tingling as the tissue and nerves heal. At times, it feels as though my shirt is made of sandpaper.

As uncomfortable as it feels, I’m told this is a positive sign.

Blessings

There are too many to count: family, friends, neighbors and all the mail. I’ve read every card more than once.

My meal train keeps my boys fed and my kitchen clean. My parents are “parenting” the boys, handling grouchy mornings and providing miles of taxi service.

My husband tends to my wounds and remains at my beck and call with icy water, hot coffee and middle-of-the-night pillow adjustments.

He even vacuumed today.

Yep, I can’t say I have much to complain about!

Tag: Oncotype testing

Thriving while staying-home

Post-surgery check in!