Catching up here: my OncotypeDX score was 16, so no chemo for me! And because of my age, the tumor profile, size and location, I am receiving partial rather than whole-breast radiation, 16 accelerated sessions rather than the usual 33. I’m more than 1/3 of the way through, and should be done before Thanksgiving. Only side effect thus far is that my treated breast has swelled from between an H and I cup to a J--or in UK sizes, from between an FF & G to a GG or even H. (Good thing I kept most of my pre-weight-loss bras). It’s caused by a seroma that formed in the cavity from which the tumor and its margins were removed (nature abhors a vacuum, apparently). Said cavity is only 2cm below the surface, so it looks bigger and feels more tender than if it had been deeper within the breast.
I also tested negative for the BRCA-1 and 2 genetic mutations, which are 10 times more common in women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and dramatically increase the chances of both aggressive breast cancers (as high as 70-80%), ovarian (30-40%), colon and pancreatic cancers. This means that my son and my sister needn’t get tested.
I did have a little scare last month, when the incision over the site of my sentinel-node biopsy ruptured and the orange-sized seroma beneath it gushed like Old Faithful all over my clothing and the bathroom. It was sutured closed, and seems to be holding now that the sutures were removed a week and a half ago.
But the one cloud on the horizon is that my DexaScan results (the scan was done to establish a bone density baseline before starting estrogen-suppressant treatment) show I have osteopenia (though not yet osteoporosis). My oncologist wants to meet with me to discuss my options for bone-strengthening medications such as bisphosphonates (e.g., Fosamax, Boniva, etc.), raloxifene (Evista), a statin such as Crestor or atorvastatin (estrogen-suppression can raise LDLs and an unexpected side effect of statins is slowing of bone loss), or a shot such as Prolia or annual IV infusion such as Reclast (a bisphosphonate, but as an annual IV less likely to aggravate reflux or ulcers). Part of what led to my osteopenia was a couple of decades of PPIs (Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix and then Dexilant) to treat my reflux, which reflux triggered my asthma, and montelukast and Nasacort to prevent asthma attacks. Apparently, the Tums I’ve been taking daily aren’t well-absorbed if one is taking a PPI--so I’m off to the pharmacy to get some Citracal or Caltrate, which don’t require acid to be absorbed.
All this shows how complex the body is--and that medication and diseases are tricky little seesaws indeed.
United States
