chemo treatments

Doe1504

I am new to this site and have a question. I am 50 yr old and was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma on 4-12-13. I had a bilateral mastectomy on 5-15-13. I was stage IIa, ER+, PR+ and HER-. All lymph nodes were clear. I had silicone implants put in during surgery. The surgeon said I will have to have chemo  due to having 4 tumors, one which was 2.2 centimeters and is sending me to an oncologist. I am wondering how many chemo treatments I will need. Does anyone know this? Thanks for any advice/information.

desertgirl947

If you look around, you will

If you look around, you will see that so many of us have different chemo plans.  Part of it is our own diagnoses while part of it is what our oncologists prefer.

I would have to go back and dig out my papers, but I know I was told after my surgery, which was the last part of February 2012, that I was Stage 3A.  Tumor size had a lot to do with it, although I had one node affected.  My oncologist had me do Adriamycin/Cytoxin four times, every other week and then taxol four times every other week.  After that I had radiation therapy.  I finished everything as of the end of last September.

What we share around here varies person to person.  I know that how chemo affected me was different in most instances than it affected two other people I know.  What they shared, though, gave me some idea of what I could expect.  That did keep me from unnecessary concern I sometimes experienced.

Keep a positive outlook, as that helps a lot.

e

Doe1504

desertgirl947 said:

If you look around, you will

If you look around, you will see that so many of us have different chemo plans.  Part of it is our own diagnoses while part of it is what our oncologists prefer.

I would have to go back and dig out my papers, but I know I was told after my surgery, which was the last part of February 2012, that I was Stage 3A.  Tumor size had a lot to do with it, although I had one node affected.  My oncologist had me do Adriamycin/Cytoxin four times, every other week and then taxol four times every other week.  After that I had radiation therapy.  I finished everything as of the end of last September.

What we share around here varies person to person.  I know that how chemo affected me was different in most instances than it affected two other people I know.  What they shared, though, gave me some idea of what I could expect.  That did keep me from unnecessary concern I sometimes experienced.

Keep a positive outlook, as that helps a lot.

e

Thanks. I have no idea what

Thanks. I have no idea what to expect and I am dreading it. Thanks again for your reply.

Megan M

Doe1504 said:

Thanks. I have no idea what

Thanks. I have no idea what to expect and I am dreading it. Thanks again for your reply.

Just wishing you good luck. 

Just wishing you good luck.  Keep us updated as to your treatment.

Hugs, Megan

Doe1504

Megan M said:

Just wishing you good luck. 

Just wishing you good luck.  Keep us updated as to your treatment.

Hugs, Megan

I certainly will. Thank you

I certainly will. Thank you so much.

Faith_In_God

Hi Doe1504

I had a lumpectomy last Jan. to remove an ILC tumor. I was stage Ic, ER+, PR+ and HER-, all lymph nodes were clear. I had 4 sessions of chemo; Taxotere/Cytoxan -one session every 3 weeks-. 

When you have your treatment plan, you will be able to ask for more advice/information on this board. Members here are very helpfull.

Good Luck.

KIMKATAOKA

Your doctor will know.  He or

Your doctor will know.  He or she will refer you to an Oncologist who will give you all the answers.  My surgeion refer me to a wonderful Oncologist who answered all my questions.  Take someone close to you to help you understand what you will be going through.  

 

 

 

Doe1504

Had my oncology appt. today.

Had my oncology appt. today. Found out I have to have 4 adrimycin/cytoxin treatments, 1 every 2 weeks with a neulasta injection to follow each treatment, then 12 weekly taxol treatments. He wants to get started by the end of the month as time is of the essence. He said chemo has a higher survival rate if started 90 days after surgery. Please pray for me.

Faith_In_God

Doe1504 said:

Had my oncology appt. today.

Had my oncology appt. today. Found out I have to have 4 adrimycin/cytoxin treatments, 1 every 2 weeks with a neulasta injection to follow each treatment, then 12 weekly taxol treatments. He wants to get started by the end of the month as time is of the essence. He said chemo has a higher survival rate if started 90 days after surgery. Please pray for me.

Hi Doe1504

I wish you good luck in your treatment plan. I didn't take this combination but others in this group have taken it, and members are eager to help with advice.

Take care

VickiSam

Faith_In_God said:

Hi Doe1504

I wish you good luck in your treatment plan. I didn't take this combination but others in this group have taken it, and members are eager to help with advice.

Take care

Doe .. prayers going out to you

My 2 cents -- keep a journal on hand  write down any questions, or concerns you have regarding your treatment - time frame - side efforts, and any preparation you may need to do before starting your chemo therapy.   A tape recorder is highly recommended to take with you to your Oncology appointments - this way you can go back and revisit what was discussed during your doctor session.

Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

Vicki Sam

 

Doe1504

Thank you for your responses.

Thank you for your responses. I will stay in touch as I start chemo. Prayers please.

Doe1504

I have a busy 2 weeks ahead.

I have a busy 2 weeks ahead. I go tomorrow for my CT and Eco. On fri. I have my first saline fill then have my port put in on Fri. Next week I go to an oral surgeon to get some teeth out and have chemo education. The should start my chemo treatments on 6-27-13. I have a friend who just finished chemo and is going through radiation and a male co worker going through chemo now for cancer. I have heard about possible side effects but have no idea how I will do. I am really dreading this part of my life and the next 5 mos. of treatment. I am a single parent with an adult son who lives with me and is in college and the Army reserves and works evening shift. He is devastated by all this because he feels like I am all he has. I feel pressured to be strong for him, friends and family. If they think I am weak they smother me. Please keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers as I begin this journey.

coco2008

Doe1504 said:

I have a busy 2 weeks ahead.

I have a busy 2 weeks ahead. I go tomorrow for my CT and Eco. On fri. I have my first saline fill then have my port put in on Fri. Next week I go to an oral surgeon to get some teeth out and have chemo education. The should start my chemo treatments on 6-27-13. I have a friend who just finished chemo and is going through radiation and a male co worker going through chemo now for cancer. I have heard about possible side effects but have no idea how I will do. I am really dreading this part of my life and the next 5 mos. of treatment. I am a single parent with an adult son who lives with me and is in college and the Army reserves and works evening shift. He is devastated by all this because he feels like I am all he has. I feel pressured to be strong for him, friends and family. If they think I am weak they smother me. Please keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers as I begin this journey.

You are already in my prayers

You are already in my prayers and I will continue to pray for you.  God Bless.

Faith_In_God

Doe1504 said:

I have a busy 2 weeks ahead.

I have a busy 2 weeks ahead. I go tomorrow for my CT and Eco. On fri. I have my first saline fill then have my port put in on Fri. Next week I go to an oral surgeon to get some teeth out and have chemo education. The should start my chemo treatments on 6-27-13. I have a friend who just finished chemo and is going through radiation and a male co worker going through chemo now for cancer. I have heard about possible side effects but have no idea how I will do. I am really dreading this part of my life and the next 5 mos. of treatment. I am a single parent with an adult son who lives with me and is in college and the Army reserves and works evening shift. He is devastated by all this because he feels like I am all he has. I feel pressured to be strong for him, friends and family. If they think I am weak they smother me. Please keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers as I begin this journey.

God Bless you Doe1504

Good luck and God Bless, please keep us updated.

Take care,

 

Faith

Doe1504

Tomorrow I get my port. I am

Tomorrow I get my port. I am kinda nervous. Thanks for the comments you all have posted. Please keep me in your thoughts and  prayers tomorrow morning.

Doe1504

Got my port put in today. Now

Got my port put in today. Now to the oral surgeon next week  to have some teeth taken out then on to chemo the following week!

coco2008

Doe1504 said:

Got my port put in today. Now

Got my port put in today. Now to the oral surgeon next week  to have some teeth taken out then on to chemo the following week!

How was it getting the port

How was it getting the port put in?  I'm having mine put in Monday morning and my first chemo that afternoon.

Doe1504

coco2008 said:

How was it getting the port

How was it getting the port put in?  I'm having mine put in Monday morning and my first chemo that afternoon.

Coco, getting port was not

Coco, getting port was not bad. Where I had the bilateral mast, I am kinda tender and numb in spots anyway. The area where the port is there is some bruising, but, not very sore today. I start chemo on the 27th.  Let me know how your chemo goes. Prayers for you. Good luck! Keep us posted.