Dr. Yurinec agrees

Dr. Yurinec, my oncologist, agrees with Dr. Caldwell and his recommendation to do radiation as well. For 2 reasons, 1) my original tumor was large and 2) it was in multiple lymph nodes. Even though I have clean margins (would be the third reason to pursue radiation).

Dr. Yurinec thinks that radiation will kill any additional microscopic cells in the local area and Tamoxifen (a pill I will take every day starting next week) will act as an estrogen receptor inhibitor. Basically, this means that Tamoxifen acts like estrogen fitting into any abnormal cells hence blocking estrogen to fit into those cells which is what allows the cancer to grow, and multiply (in my case, given my tumor was estrogen and progesterone positive). So - Tamoxifen also gives me longevity of life.......... not allowing any abnormal cells to grow and replicate and even killing off those cells because they are not fed. Tamoxifen has proven very effective in preventing re-currance of breast cancer in women who are pre-menopausal. There are many drugs out there for women who are post0-menopausal that behave the same way.

Next steps - I still need to get the results from pathology on whether I am Her2 +..........I guess they did the test but did not put it into the pathology report. this is a surprise to me. I had thought that I was out of this woods and that they did the Her2 test with the core biopsy way back in the beginning. But, I guess that the core biopsy does not get enough tissue to do this test, so surgery pathology is the one that determines her2. If I am her2 - it means almost a year of IV drug (not chemo) - every week. It does not affect a person like chemo (won't lose my hair or anything like that) and is an in/out process - approx 1 hour every week. I have met MANY women at Pluta who are Her2. So - it will be disappointing if I am Her2+ because it will be a year of more treatment. but, still much easier than the AC and Taxol chemo I already had! I will get these results some time next week - let's hope I am her2 negative.

On Jan 9 - I have an appointment with the radiation oncologist at Pluta. She will determine whether she thinks radiation will be of any benefit to me. Based on Dr. Caldwell and Dr. Yurinec, I am guessing she will have the same answer - do it for insurance purposes. From there I will know when I start radiation.

On Dec 24 - I have an appt with Dr. Frankel my plastic surgeon - hoping for the drains to come out and another fill of the new boobs.