I am meeting with my Oncologist for the first time after my Bilat Mastectomy to day and I am scared

Ladydi6365

Hi Everyone,

I am new here just joined the network yesterday looking for some answers as well as support.
I am 3 weeks post op w expanders and have my very first meeting today w my Onc. a little scared don't know what to expect. I never ever wanted to do Chemo and still don't but my surgeon said if I don't then the cancer will come back.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Diana

MyTurnNow

Diana, welcome to this
Diana, welcome to this amazing group of amazing women, and a couple of amazing men, too. I know it is a very scary experience in the beginning because everything is so new. Just slow down and take a breath. Your meeting today will go over the results of the pathology report along with the recommendations of your oncologist as far as your treatment options. This will all be based on your stage and type of cancer. Take someone along with you to take notes. Some people have actually recorded the meeting so as to not miss anything. There is so much information that it's almost impossible to remember everything. You mentioned that chemo may be in your future. Please know that this is not anything like it used to be. There are pre-meds that are given prior to the chemo drugs that will likely help you avoid nausea, etc. In my opinion the worst part of chemo was losing my hair. But, even that is temporary. If you are not comfortable with your oncologist, you can always get a second opinion. All of the decisions to make are your decisions. Please let us know your treatment plan. Also, know that we will be here to support you every step of the way. Take care and good luck!!

Rague

We are all different as are our cancers!
I never wanted chemo, I never wanted surgery - or more chemo or radiation - none of us want any of it but - - - -. I had no options - chemo had to be done before surgery could be done. Talk to (and LISTEN to) your chemo DR. - get a second/third opinion if you feel you need it.

Different cancer have different re-occurance rates and different protocol are used for treating them. Think of all the questions you can to ask and if anything he/she says brings other questions to mind, ask them then.

Thoughts and prayers!

Susan

BethInAz

Fear is natural
Ladydi: Fear is a natural instinct as we deal with this new time in our lives. I agree with the others - take a deep breath and take each moment as it comes. When I first thought I'd have to do chemo, I remember crying like a baby and feeling like the biggest wimp in the world. A fellow at my church who has undergone cancer treatments 3 times (beginning in his 40s) took me aside, sat down with me, and became my cheerleader. He told me I was a strong person and that I could do it! And you know what? I did! I found out that a lot of the fear associated with chemotherapy stems from the horror stories from the past. So much has changed - with better anti-nausea drugs - that I was very rarely down and out. So, don't be afraid. You will come out on the other side of this stronger in many ways - and be a witness to others of who's really boss! Certainly this disease isn't. You Are!
Blessings - and let us know how your appt goes. We're here for you.
Beth

Ladydi6365

BethInAz said:

Fear is natural
Ladydi: Fear is a natural instinct as we deal with this new time in our lives. I agree with the others - take a deep breath and take each moment as it comes. When I first thought I'd have to do chemo, I remember crying like a baby and feeling like the biggest wimp in the world. A fellow at my church who has undergone cancer treatments 3 times (beginning in his 40s) took me aside, sat down with me, and became my cheerleader. He told me I was a strong person and that I could do it! And you know what? I did! I found out that a lot of the fear associated with chemotherapy stems from the horror stories from the past. So much has changed - with better anti-nausea drugs - that I was very rarely down and out. So, don't be afraid. You will come out on the other side of this stronger in many ways - and be a witness to others of who's really boss! Certainly this disease isn't. You Are!
Blessings - and let us know how your appt goes. We're here for you.
Beth

Thanks so much for the encouragement
Hi All,

Thank you for the encouragement thru this process. Met with my Onc yesterday and she told me what drugs I will need.I have stage 2 BC Her2+ so I will be on the Herceptin Protocol
along w several kinds of Chemo drugs. meeting again with her later today to go over the entire process. It is scary for me because I just relocated from Washington state to Florida in January only to find out I had cancer. It has been a whirlwind since I was diagnosed last month.

Thank you again for all the good wishes and advice

Diana

MyTurnNow

Ladydi6365 said:

Thanks so much for the encouragement
Hi All,

Thank you for the encouragement thru this process. Met with my Onc yesterday and she told me what drugs I will need.I have stage 2 BC Her2+ so I will be on the Herceptin Protocol
along w several kinds of Chemo drugs. meeting again with her later today to go over the entire process. It is scary for me because I just relocated from Washington state to Florida in January only to find out I had cancer. It has been a whirlwind since I was diagnosed last month.

Thank you again for all the good wishes and advice

Diana

I'm in Florida, too, north
I'm in Florida, too, north Florida. Where are you?

Ladydi6365

MyTurnNow said:

I'm in Florida, too, north
I'm in Florida, too, north Florida. Where are you?

South Florida
I live in South Florida Jupiter Florida by the Ocean.