Next phase ... Chemo on Monday
Hi,
After the lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy op, then next op of total axillary clearance of my right arm, I am now up to chemo. It starts on Monday. I am HER2 positive, grade 3, so will be having 17 injections into tummy over the course of treatment, taking full treatment time to 51 weeks ... ergh. Did you know that 3 injections cost around $6500.00 each? I pay nothing as a public patient but that is amazing ... thank goodness I am not in the USA with no health insurance! We are lucky!
The chemo oncologist yesterday said I was cancer free. The chemo, radiation and injections are done in a 'curative window' and for prevention of a recurrence. What did surprise me is she said that if I got a recurrence, it wasn't curable. It was treatable. I didn't like hearing that.
The first oncologist recommended a longer 6 month chemo treatment as less harsh. However, her superior decided on the 6 cycles three weeks apart, so 18 weeks. She said she thinks as I suffer depression and anxiety I might not last the distance or the chemo may upset my mood and make me a bit manic. She was pretty dismissive of side effects except hair loss! I was particularly worried about diarrhoea as have IBS and little warning. She said constipation was more of an issue.
I miss my breast nurse and surgeon ... the environment in the new building of the hospital is different and new, and I don't feel as 'safe'. I suppose I will get used to it as I will be there long enough. The junior oncologist was nice. I'm sure the senior is nice but not very warm and fuzzy.
I seem to be at appointments nearly all day in some cases and when I get home am awake till 1am ... I think it is adrenalin. On Monday I have to be ready for hospital transport at 8.30am, then have a radiation oncologist appointment at 10.30am, a breast physio appointment at 1.30pm and first chemo at 2.30pm. I can sit in the Solaris Centre after the radiation oncologist and have a treatment if I like. I will have to get an uber home as transport cut off is 3.30pm. Wondering if I should try rescheduling all appointments except the chemo or just get it over with? Tired just thinking about it! Plus an education session today - 2 hours in driving all up and 90mins there. Guess everyone is overwhelmed. Sore throat, rain and tiredness not helping.☹
After the lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy op, then next op of total axillary clearance of my right arm, I am now up to chemo. It starts on Monday. I am HER2 positive, grade 3, so will be having 17 injections into tummy over the course of treatment, taking full treatment time to 51 weeks ... ergh. Did you know that 3 injections cost around $6500.00 each? I pay nothing as a public patient but that is amazing ... thank goodness I am not in the USA with no health insurance! We are lucky!
The chemo oncologist yesterday said I was cancer free. The chemo, radiation and injections are done in a 'curative window' and for prevention of a recurrence. What did surprise me is she said that if I got a recurrence, it wasn't curable. It was treatable. I didn't like hearing that.
The first oncologist recommended a longer 6 month chemo treatment as less harsh. However, her superior decided on the 6 cycles three weeks apart, so 18 weeks. She said she thinks as I suffer depression and anxiety I might not last the distance or the chemo may upset my mood and make me a bit manic. She was pretty dismissive of side effects except hair loss! I was particularly worried about diarrhoea as have IBS and little warning. She said constipation was more of an issue.
I miss my breast nurse and surgeon ... the environment in the new building of the hospital is different and new, and I don't feel as 'safe'. I suppose I will get used to it as I will be there long enough. The junior oncologist was nice. I'm sure the senior is nice but not very warm and fuzzy.
I seem to be at appointments nearly all day in some cases and when I get home am awake till 1am ... I think it is adrenalin. On Monday I have to be ready for hospital transport at 8.30am, then have a radiation oncologist appointment at 10.30am, a breast physio appointment at 1.30pm and first chemo at 2.30pm. I can sit in the Solaris Centre after the radiation oncologist and have a treatment if I like. I will have to get an uber home as transport cut off is 3.30pm. Wondering if I should try rescheduling all appointments except the chemo or just get it over with? Tired just thinking about it! Plus an education session today - 2 hours in driving all up and 90mins there. Guess everyone is overwhelmed. Sore throat, rain and tiredness not helping.☹
