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Samantha_Jane's avatar
Samantha_Jane
Member
11 years ago

Decision Time

Hi lovely ladies, So just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts. I saw the oncologist for the first time on Thursday and she has given me the following results....cancer all removed, clear margins, no lymphnode involvement, Grade 3, TNBC. She then advised due to the above and my age, 36, that she would like to hit me hard with chemo. I was a little in shock! I thought ok they got it all and I will have chemo but I didn't expect t her to say hit it hard. She has given me the following treatment plan....4cycles every fortnight of AC and then 12 weeks of Taxol. She did mention a treatment plan of less time but emphasised due to my age and the TNBC she felt I needed to do the harder one? I am able to ponder over the weekend and get back to her on Monday. As I said she was really lovely and not pushy at all. I just am a little confused, I can't make up my mind in a sandwich shop, let alone pick what treatment plan I want. And hey wouldn't we all love to just pick the easier option if it was really that easy? My husbands reaction to her diagnosis tells me the harder plan is the right one but I really value all you ladies offerings experiencing this in real time!!!! So is anyone able to offer anything on the below? - I have noticed a lot of TNBC ladies are on FEC? Is there a reason as this wasn't offered to me. - Can anyone offer there experience good or bad with the port. I'm thinking of it, as I hate needles. I know I'll have to get over that but it seems a better option if I hate needles? - I did ask why, what would you do, what if I don't? Side effects etc is there anything I should really need to know. - I am thinking of going Private patient in public hospital. She tells me I will get the same treatment. The only difference is in the private I will pay for my meds and excess each time if I have one and the consult , but if I go through the Public I will pay for the chemo drugs and that's it. Is there any pros and cons to this or anything I should know? Thank you so much for helping me out, I just need some help. I am staying strong and completely positive but these decisions are really draining.
chemotherapy
triple-negative-breast-cancer

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  • Samantha_Jane's avatar
    Samantha_Jane
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Paula, Thanks so much for your help. Your decision to have the mastectomy was that yours alone from research or was this proposed by your medical team due to your diagnosis ie lymph node or was it based on statistics of reoccurrence. I ask this as no one has ever mentioned to me about the need to have it off. I will let you know my diagnosis- lumpectomy, invasive ductal carcinoma 1.6cm, grade 3, no lymph involvement stage 1. I am seeing the oncologist tomorrow and will choose my treatment plan which I am going with the harder hitting one but again many of the TN ladies seem to be on the FEC chemo. Was the AC and then Taxol offered to you. I am in sydney going through St George Private at present. One other thing is the oncologist said it works like this regarding hospitals- if I go private I do have health cover I pay for the excess if I have one, consult fees and medication for side effects. If I go through St George public as a private patient I pay for the chemo drugs and that's it but the treatment is no different? I know you said you didn't have to pay for anything in the private for chemo but did you have to pay for meds. I had heard that it can cost up to $10000 or more in the private for chemo. Hence my concern. I know money shouldn't be a concern when it comes to health but it is overwhelming I have 3 little ones and I just don't want the financial burden. I really appreciate your advice. You are amazing to be able to pass on your wisdom. It's incredible how much peace I have gained from joining BCNA. Xx Sam
  • Samantha_Jane's avatar
    Samantha_Jane
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Paula, Thanks so much for your help. Your decision to have the mastectomy was that yours alone from research or was this proposed by your medical team due to your diagnosis ie lymph node or was it based on statistics of reoccurrence. I ask this as no one has ever mentioned to me about the need to have it off. I will let you know my diagnosis- lumpectomy, invasive ductal carcinoma 1.6cm, grade 3, no lymph involvement stage 1. I am seeing the oncologist tomorrow and will choose my treatment plan which I am going with the harder hitting one but again many of the TN ladies seem to be on the FEC chemo. Was the AC and then Taxol offered to you. I am in sydney going through St George Private at present. One other thing is the oncologist said it works like this regarding hospitals- if I go private I do have health cover I pay for the excess if I have one, consult fees and medication for side effects. If I go through St George public as a private patient I pay for the chemo drugs and that's it but the treatment is no different? I know you said you didn't have to pay for anything in the private for chemo but did you have to pay for meds. I had heard that it can cost up to $10000 or more in the private for chemo. Hence my concern. I know money shouldn't be a concern when it comes to health but it is overwhelming I have 3 little ones and I just don't want the financial burden. I really appreciate your advice. You are amazing to be able to pass on your wisdom. It's incredible how much peace I have gained from joining BCNA. Xx Sam
  • michellelf's avatar
    michellelf
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi I'm TNBC but did 6 rounds of TAC not FEC. As i had lymph node involvement, chemo wasnt a choice but Given the agressive nature of TNBC i think its a good idea. I have strongly taken the preventative side, so i've had both breasts removed, ovaries out and radiotherapy. I made all of these decisions so i would have no regrets if there's a recurrence. The worst thing for me would be to think that I should have done something e.g. The radiotherapy was done after i sought a second opnion. Good luck making your decision. Maybe you could discuss further with your oncolgist - i'm sure if she's suggeting chemo its probbebly the best path. Sorry i dont know about ports or the public/private questions. Michelle