Treatment plan from Med Oncol

rrogers34

Okay, I had my first Med Oncologist visit yesterday. This is the plan Chemo Cocktail will be Taxotere and Carboplatin and Herceptin every three weeks. the Herceptin every week until done with the other two T and C. Then hercpetin every three weeks for a year. Then Radiation for seven weeks then the post menopausal drug for Tamoxifen for 5 years. I go for my Muga scan on Thursday, I have my port put in Jan 7th and start Cheno on the 8th. I have drugs to take before chemo, after chemo treatments. anti nausea, steroids, others. It is so overwhelming. I did fine during the meeting, then after a while the fear of the unkown is beginning to take over. Reading the Se'smakes me so nervous. For example before driving make sure you can feel the gas and break? What happens if my legs or hands go numb while I am driving? I am praying for Gods strength and blessings as I begin this journey. I feel like a big baby. I guess it's just the unkown. Thanks for listening.

CypressCynthia

I had to quit reading ;-).
I had to quit reading ;-). I'm not really kidding though. Every person is such a unique combination of chemical reactions that no 2 individuals will have all of the same SE. So, take a deep breath and take it one day at a time. Easier said than done, I know!

TraciInLA

Of course you're overwhelmed and afraid
I did chemo and radiation, but my treatment plan wasn't nearly as complicated as yours (I'm HER2-), and yes, all the pharmaceuticals that now become your constant companions, all the appointments and treatment schedules -- it's overwhelming and so frightening at first. So I can only imagine that it's even more difficult for you.

It may be hard to believe now, but you really do settle into a routine after awhile -- it's amazing what can gradually feel like "normal." The big hump to get over is your first chemo -- after that, you'll have a better idea of how your body reacts, what drugs you need (or don't need), what days are your "good days" and "bad days."

You're NOT a big baby. You're a woman who's been diagnosed with cancer and has to spend the next 5 years fighting it in one way or another. You have every right to be overwhelmed and afraid, but I promise that it will get easier.

Traci

Noel

TraciInLA said:

Of course you're overwhelmed and afraid
I did chemo and radiation, but my treatment plan wasn't nearly as complicated as yours (I'm HER2-), and yes, all the pharmaceuticals that now become your constant companions, all the appointments and treatment schedules -- it's overwhelming and so frightening at first. So I can only imagine that it's even more difficult for you.

It may be hard to believe now, but you really do settle into a routine after awhile -- it's amazing what can gradually feel like "normal." The big hump to get over is your first chemo -- after that, you'll have a better idea of how your body reacts, what drugs you need (or don't need), what days are your "good days" and "bad days."

You're NOT a big baby. You're a woman who's been diagnosed with cancer and has to spend the next 5 years fighting it in one way or another. You have every right to be overwhelmed and afraid, but I promise that it will get easier.

Traci

I just want to offer you
I just want to offer you support and prayers. Your treatment is complicated compared to mine. I just had a lumpectomy with rads. Just remember that are fighting the beast! We are all here to help you thru this. Good luck!

♥ Noel

carkris

Noel said:

I just want to offer you
I just want to offer you support and prayers. Your treatment is complicated compared to mine. I just had a lumpectomy with rads. Just remember that are fighting the beast! We are all here to help you thru this. Good luck!

♥ Noel

I have alot ahead of me I am
I have alot ahead of me I am on the tail end of chemo , but need two surgeries then rads. I get overwhelmed, then I try to break it down to smaller pieces that I can deal with. I got some side effects and not others. People here are uplifting, right when you feel like "ok I'm done" someone here supports you and gets you through. Some people do very well and dont have the side effects much or any at all. Just one day at a time.

Ritzy

carkris said:

I have alot ahead of me I am
I have alot ahead of me I am on the tail end of chemo , but need two surgeries then rads. I get overwhelmed, then I try to break it down to smaller pieces that I can deal with. I got some side effects and not others. People here are uplifting, right when you feel like "ok I'm done" someone here supports you and gets you through. Some people do very well and dont have the side effects much or any at all. Just one day at a time.

One day at a time
I want to wish you good luck with your treatments! I know it can be overwhelming, but, we will support you!

Sue

mizcaldwell

We're on the same plan
My treatment plan is the same as your plan - taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin. I have had 3 of the 6 treatments - and I can say, it has gone better than I had anticipated. The anti-nausea drugs can constipate - so I have learned to watch that and counteract it! Who needs to be stopped up when going through all this!! You are right - the unknown is the worst. And until you go through the first treatment, you won't know how things will affect you. I haven't had any real neuralgia side effects that are bad - no numb feet, etc. I also had a port put it - and that surgery was about the same as the lumpectomy for me - not a problem. What I'm trying to say is that yes, it is overwhelming when you are looking at it at the start - but as others have said, you get into a routine and it becomes less overwhelming over time.

Try and breathe - and realize that it is OK to be scarred and nervous. Just accept the emotions and let them pass - or else they get all bottled up and that doesn't work too well!
There's always someone here on line that can help!

Good luck!

Lori

rrogers34

mizcaldwell said:

We're on the same plan
My treatment plan is the same as your plan - taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin. I have had 3 of the 6 treatments - and I can say, it has gone better than I had anticipated. The anti-nausea drugs can constipate - so I have learned to watch that and counteract it! Who needs to be stopped up when going through all this!! You are right - the unknown is the worst. And until you go through the first treatment, you won't know how things will affect you. I haven't had any real neuralgia side effects that are bad - no numb feet, etc. I also had a port put it - and that surgery was about the same as the lumpectomy for me - not a problem. What I'm trying to say is that yes, it is overwhelming when you are looking at it at the start - but as others have said, you get into a routine and it becomes less overwhelming over time.

Try and breathe - and realize that it is OK to be scarred and nervous. Just accept the emotions and let them pass - or else they get all bottled up and that doesn't work too well!
There's always someone here on line that can help!

Good luck!

Lori

Thanks for your support
Thanks for the encouraging words. You all are really wonderful. I am trying to be positive that I wont have bad se's but am realistic. I have only cried three times. The day i was diagnosed, the day the told me I had to have chemo and today. It felt good to cry a little. It makes me feel so much better knowing that you are all here to be supportive. Lori is there a way for me to contact you privately? If that would be okay.

Becky

Ritzy

rrogers34 said:

Thanks for your support
Thanks for the encouraging words. You all are really wonderful. I am trying to be positive that I wont have bad se's but am realistic. I have only cried three times. The day i was diagnosed, the day the told me I had to have chemo and today. It felt good to cry a little. It makes me feel so much better knowing that you are all here to be supportive. Lori is there a way for me to contact you privately? If that would be okay.

Becky

We all shed tears Becky. I
We all shed tears Becky. I think that is just a part of having bc. But, just don't let it get you down all of the time. We are entitled to it sometimes, but, not always. You have a great life ahead of you, free of bc!

Sue