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Small Things sometimes are BIG


Some days it's the small things that make me happy.  A few weeks ago, my coworker brought me this little Prayer Box.  The kind thoughtful gestures mean a lot.   I am so guilty of taking those little things for granted sometimes.   But I am certainly making an effort to recognize them now, and going forward.  Again, I am so so blessed to be surrounded by such great people.   Some, I've known forever, some only a short time.   But wow, I've had some people placed in my path for a reason.  I know this beyond any shadow of a doubt.   

Anyway, the box, I put 2 things in this little box, almost immediately.  Today one of those prayers were answered, I just wanted the Oncotype Test to be a low #.   About 4 weeks ago,  my biopsy sample was sent for an "Oncotype" test.   Yeah, I had no idea what that meant either, but I'm getting an education whether I want it or not.  This test looks at the genes in your cancer sample and tells them risk of recurrence, and whether Chemo is necessary or recommended.   You get a score back from 1 to 100.   The lower the number the better.  

Well, mine is 17!   I'll take it.    I was praying for under 30.   Seems that area between 18 and 30 is a grey area of sorts. Almost everything above 30 they recommend chemo.    


  • Recurrence Score lower than 18: The cancer has a low risk of recurrence. The benefit of chemotherapy is likely to be small and will not outweigh the risks of side effects.
  • Recurrence Score of 18 up to and including 30: The cancer has an intermediate risk of recurrence. It’s unclear whether the benefits of chemotherapy outweigh the risks of side effects.
Next Step - get this Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy done and hope they find NO cancer cells..   If it's clear my treatment and recovery will be so much easier.  This test is not the be all end all - but it's a really good indication.  So today a good day!  


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