Hi there,I was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 weeks ago. I am now 4 weeks post surgery after a lumpectomy. I had a grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. My specialist informed me last Thursday that I will definitely require radiation and hormone therapy, however chemo is still undecided as I am borderline but it is likely to happen. He said he was going to do a referral straight away for the Oncologist, I have heard nothing yet. Is it normally to take a while ? I have a lot of questions about the chemo and I am frustrated with not being able to get some answers. I do not normally go out much but I have quite a few events booked for Jan to March 2018 and am wondering how chemo may affect these events. Am I going to be able to attend ? Will I be too sick ? How bad are the side effects ? And so on. Not to mention being able to get back to work, how long ? I am a FIFO worker which makes the work situation even harder.Any help with answers or advice would be greatly appreciated as I know very little about breast cancer thank you.Kind RegardsJazz

Thank you ladies for your comments it is greatly appreciated. The more posts I read the more I realise I may just have to try it and see how I go, hopefully I won't be too sensitive to it. I do have a breast care nurse whom I emailed last week with my concerns but I have not heard back from her as yet. I will get onto my specialist on Monday and find out what is going on as waiting is no good when I want to get back to work ! It doesn't help that it is almost Christmas too which I'm gathering will delay my treatment too ? Rach I would be very interested to see how your journey goes as it is very similar to mine and at a similar stage also. I'm still trying to understand the lingo everyone is using and figure out how to read the pathology report properly to understand more details of the findings. This is the first time I have even talked about my diagnose in detail as I guess I just didn't think it was real. I just though the lump is gone now I'm all good lets move on. It was the discussion of my treatment that made reality hit me like a freight train. :-( Anyway talking to those that have experienced the same makes me feel a lot better so thank you all. :-)

Thanks for your helpful comments ladies I really appreciate it. I'm still in a bit of a head spin as everything has happened so fast since the appointments. I have a pile of brochures to read and just can't find the time so far in between the appointments and trying to continue my study. I will be going into tomorrows 1st session a little blind unless I get some reading done tonight ! @Unicornkisses I will certainly check out the websites you suggested thank you. @ Salpal good luck with your surgery on Thursday, it's a bit daunting but it is actually a breeze once it's done. There is a sense of relief because you know the BC has been removed. Talk to you all soon about the treatment.

I'd be on the phone Monday and ask the specialist who he referred you to and a contact number and get on to them...pointing out it's 5 weeks since surgery. As to how you will be...well it's not something you can know in advance. It depends on what chemo they offer and how you are affected. I was really unwell and unable to work. I had good weeks though snd hood days. Many women though are able to continue to work throughout and continue most activities.I was able to travel away for short trips when timing right and drugs sorted. I went out for meals for many family events. I just got tired easily and ready to be home by 9. I hope this helps. Does your hospital have a Cancer Care Coordinator or do you have a breast care nurse. Either can also assist in hurrying along your oncology appointment. Kath x

Hi Jazz, all the waiting and all the unknowns do your head in, that's for sure. It will get easier once you have some idea of what you're dealing with. As Kath said, get onto your breast specialist and see what's going on with your referral. Having no plan in place 5 weeks post surgery must be frustrating. When it comes to chemo, we're all extremely different. Some work comfortably all the way through with minimal side effects and others are literally bed-ridden for weeks at a time. I think we all have good and bad weeks too. It's impossible to speculate. It's a bit of a case of try it and see. Wouldn't it be nice if the oncologist tells you don't need chemo?!! Here's hoping xxxooo

Hi @Jazz26, there is an excellent booklet you can read and download called Your Guide to the Breast Cancer Pathology Report on www.breastcancer.org the main breast cancer website in US. It has places you can fill in your own details and refer to the description. This will help a lot with understanding the pathology.There is also a fact sheet on pathology that is helpful on the main BCNA website here under resources.One thing I have realised through all this is that you have to take control of the process if you want peace of mind. You will learn what questions to ask such as - when should I hear back from the ....... Insert specialist here ...... With my appointment?That way if the call doesn't come when you expect it, you can ring straight away.I would want to know who the referral was to and their contact number before leaving the specialists rooms. You will find the receptionists are usually very helpful with that information.

Waiting for oncologist ?? | BCNA Online Network

32 Replies

Jazz26
Member
8 years ago
Thanks for your helpful comments ladies I really appreciate it. I'm still in a bit of a head spin as everything has happened so fast since the appointments. I have a pile of brochures to read and just can't find the time so far in between the appointments and trying to continue my study. I will be going into tomorrows 1st session a little blind unless I get some reading done tonight ! @Unicornkisses I will certainly check out the websites you suggested thank you. @ Salpal good luck with your surgery on Thursday, it's a bit daunting but it is actually a breeze once it's done. There is a sense of relief because you know the BC has been removed. Talk to you all soon about the treatment.
Rachwllms
Member
8 years ago
Good luck with your surgery Salpal xx
Salpal
Member
8 years ago
I have my surgery this coming Thurs.
Confirmed B.C 4 weeks ago today.
This has been a great thread to read as l think this shows we have to be proactive in our treatment as we can perhaps get a bit lost in the system.
I am ER Pos with a 2.8 cm tumor and have opted for lumpectomy and node removal.
Good luck with your appts and upcoming treatment xx
Unicornkisses
Member
8 years ago
@Jazz26 your Oncologist should give you a sheet for each of your drugs and their side effects.
if they haven't you can download one from the Internet. I used eviQ cancer treatments online fact sheets. I had FEC, but you may be having AC. It will give you excellent information. Another great website is chemocare.com, you can research the individual drugs there and I found the way they set out the side effects, with how common they were, most helpful.

Regarding support groups, I know some are better than others, but I have attended many in my area, and no one cares what sort of couple you are, if you have cancer or are supporting someone who has, you are welcomed into the group with warmth and compassion. I hope you find one you are comfortable with, because for me they made all the difference struggling through everything that came with the treatment.
If you happen to live on Central Coast NSW I can certainly help with who to contact.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
@jazz26 do you know your diagnosis? Docetaxel and Cyclophosphamide is used for Her2- diagnosis. Also Tamoxifen means you are also ER+ Estrogen receptive. Tamoxifen is only a tablet and you have that once chemo is finished. It is overload, ask away am sure we can help decipher some things. :) Hugs Melinda
Jazz26
Member
8 years ago
Apparently I'm on Docetaxel & Cyclophosphamide for the chemo.. don't really know much else about the drugs. lol
Tamoxifen was mentioned or something else ? Overload right now I think.
primek
Member
8 years ago
Do you know what chemo you are on?
I did all my visits with my husband (except the last ...I was really annoyed he missed that one). I was quite sleepy after doses.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
@jazz26 glad you at least got your results, my tumor was 2.5cm Stage 2, Grade 3, sounds like yours is too? as the Grade is how rapidly the cells are dividing and how aggressive. My oncologist said his rule is with pathology grade 3 he orders Chemo.

I remember my first infusion, I went alone had company for about 3 of them, I did all my appointments however alone, I just found it easier than managing someone else. I was petrified, the Staff were amazing! so communicate absolutely everything and a day at a time and you'll get through it.

Hugs Melinda
Molly001
Member
8 years ago
@Jazz26 I think chemo is the one we dread the most, for obvious reasons. Don't panic, though. It's certainly no party, but most of us find it better than expected and definitely do-able. Your oncologist monitors you closely and they have a whole heap of things to help manage the nasty side effects. Some people are so well they can comfortably work right through. We all have those moments of 'wow, this is getting real' but I think a certain amount of acceptance comes with that. Keep busy for the week and try not to over-think it. It's so individual and you won't know how you're going to react until you do it.
Jazz26
Member
8 years ago
Today I decided to do chemo unfortunately. The oncologist strongly recommended it because of the size (24mm), the fact it is grade 2 and the pathology showing that 40% of the cells are multiplying rapidly. The 40% was quite scary to hear ! Deep down I already knew it was likely to be the case but hearing that I had such a high percentage of cells developing rapidly really made me think Shit this thing is real & aggressive ! There was no doubt in my mind then that I had to give it a go no matter how high my fears of it all. Treatment should start next Friday I'm just waiting for them to confirm. Guess I have a week to get myself organised !!

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