8. My Tumor Specimen Goes to Amsterdam… Can I Go Too?
May 7, 2022
Update: Friday with Doreen, breast cancer mascot.
Doreen and I decided it was time to add 2 lb weights to my post-mastectomy rehabilitation (I am a little over 5 weeks post-op and the incisions are healed). Ice/cold packs and the occasional naproxen help with muscular pain.
Then a trip to the medical oncologist. Discussed getting a Mammaprint genomic test: if the test shows the tumor has a low risk of recurrence, I can skip chemotherapy and just do hormonal treatment (Tamoxifen oral tablets for at least 5 years). But if test results reveal a high risk for recurrence, chemotherapy is recommended before hormonal treatment with Tamoxifen. For the curious: Oncotype Dx is a similar test, but gets sent to San Francisco, California, USA.
Mammaprint testing is only available in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where it was developed. So here’s Doreen kissing my tumor specimen goodbye for now; the company representative picked it up Friday afternoon. See you in (about) 2 weeks. As one of my friends said: “Can’t you go too?” Yes. I wish I could stuff me in a FedEx packet and go on a trip to Amsterdam!
