26 months later...it's back

Beth,

I'm nervous about the side effects.  I had TAC with my initial breast cancer and I'd have a few rough days after each cycle of chemo.  I'm hoping that I won't miss too much work this time around.  It's the fatigue that I hated the most.  Of course I know that with new drugs come a whole new passel of side effects.  Ugh!  A few things I'm doing different this time are better diet, better hydration and exercise.  I get my PET/CT and brain MRI tomorrow so I'm nervous about that too. 

Does anyone have any helpful info on Maitake mushroom extract or Boswellia?

I found the post on NoSurrender's site and ordered what I was missing in my supplement line up.  I was already doing the D3 and calcium as well as fish oil and CQ-10(?), C, E, etc.  The maitake is so darned expensive!  I held of on that one for now. 

Today I go for my PET/CT scan as well as a brain MRI.  I should have the results by Thursday when I see my onc again and start my chemo.  The incision from my port is healing really well and hardly hurts at all.  I hope I'm just imagining that I'm starting to feel a little discomfort from the area where they found my mets (mediasteinum).  I'm trying really hard not to be angry at my old onc for not having me do any CT scans or testing other than the tumor marker tests every three months and not ordering a CT when he saw that my tumor markers were up back in October of last year.  I know that the tumor marker test isn't real reliable but if there's even a hint I would want to do some other testing to make sure.  Ugh...ok, I shouldn't dwell on that and I need to stay present and focused on what I can do from here on out.  Happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts.

Hugs to you all!

Beth

Insurance companies are EVIL!

I just got a call from my oncologists office telling me that my insurance company will not approve the chemo combo that my oncologist submitted.  So, while I was scheduled to start tomorrow, now I have to wait to start chemo! 

I'm pretty sure I'll still get the Carbo and Avastin but they wouldn't approve the Ixempra.  So I may get Taxol or Taxotere instead.    What on earth is their issue???


Edited by BornInWA - Mar 18 2009 at 3:00pm

Evil bastard!!  There, Nancy, I spelled it for you.

I don't know why WE allow insurance company to play doctor, second guessing the practicing oncologist who's obviously more familiar with the particular patient's case.

Edited by PineHouse - Mar 18 2009 at 6:37pm

Beth, I hope you hear good news today.  It is just awful what the insurance companies are doing and it seems many people are having even more trouble since so many companies made changes beginning at the first of this year.

Hi Beth,

Hi. I am a newbie to this site as well. I feel like my story is your story. I did no research into my cancer when I was diagnosed either(Metaplastic Carcinoma Triple Negative), I just wanted to be done and move on.Well I am one year post chemo and I just heard triple negative for the first time friday at my oncologist. I am sure it was said before, but I was so numb that I missed it I guess. How the hell did I wind up with the 2 most rare forms of cancer together is what I keep saying to myself. I also have kids at home Nikole 3, Andrew 15, and Frankie 17(a senior). I have been checking out the stats and what little I can find does not make me happy! My onc ordered a PET Scan for April 1st and I am anxious to get the results, but realize I cannot take that big sigh of relief til I hit 5 years! I just want you to know that I am thinking about you and if you need anything...to laugh, cry, scream, pound on a wall...whatever just let me know.

Hi Beth,