Starting Tomorrow

annafriday,

Sorry to hear you had problems getting your port.

I do not have any advice for you..........just some thoughts and considerations:
-   If any one has a lot of questions that have not been answered, it certainly sounds reasonable to
          me to get answers before starting chemo.
-   On May 8, 2013, you posted:
        ......."Getting a port placed and 2nd opinion at UCLA with a TN Specialist to see if she has a
        different opinion or clinical trial for me. My Vegas Oncologist wants me to do 6 cycles of AC
        every 21 days. ......"
        Sorry I do not understand your oncologist not supporting a 2nd opinion.
        Maybe your current oncologist did not really listen to what you were saying.........maybe you
            need to ask again for help in getting a 2nd opinion.   Maybe also asking how many TNBC
            patients does your onc treat in a year.
        Think you mentioned in your initial post about insurance matters and an HMO.
        Thinking by any chance do you have a good patient physician relationship with your PCP/primary
              medical physician or a gynecologist?     If the oncologist you are now seeing, is not able or
              willing to assist you in getting a 2nd opinion, would your PCP or Gyn MD help?     Or does your
              current oncologist office have a nurse navigator or social worker or patient advocate that could
              assist in expediting a 2nd opinion?
-    Thinking this is what I would want my oncologist to write down for me before I start ACx6 chemo:
               What are the doses/frequency of adriamycin and cytoxan I would be getting?
                        (Doses of chemo are calculated according to mg/m2 (milligram per meter squared.)
               Then ask for a copy of the reference the oncologist used to recommend this treatment.
                      (It is just that one usually sees mention and use of the
                      AC Dose Dense q 2 weeks x4 and T dose dense every 2 weeks x4 (or T weekly x12)   
                                    or      TAC q 3 weeks x6.
                                    And due to individual situations, other treatment plans may be recommended
                                        or   one may participate in a clinical trial with other meds protocols.)
                      Your oncologist may have good reasons for the AC x6 plan
                      but I would want to know what was the source and references for AC x6 and why onc
                             feels this is the best plan for you and not AC-T or TAC.
               Would ask oncologist if the dose and frequency of AC could be changed IF a 2nd opinion
                     presented documentation/references for other dose/frequency of AC.

If chemo plan is still on for Monday:
Most important: BEFORE they check your temperature ..........ask what is the temperature above
                             which chemo would not be given.
                             (Will hope your port is OK and this comment was unnecessary)





With caring and positive thoughts,
Grateful for today............Judy
              

Edited by Grateful for today - May 13 2013 at 1:45am

Chemo and TNBC isn't a coin toss, there's lots of solid research showing it saves lives with our disease. Everyone dreads chemo, AC is particular, but with the tremendous anti-nausea meds we have now it is totally "doable".

Get that second opinion no matter WHAT your Dr says. Maybe especially since he didn't support it.

I've not met anyone that didn't lose their hair on AC and Taxol. I dreaded it as much as anyone, I have great hair! It ended up being NBD after the shock wore off. In the end it was just another new experience, I just had fun with it. Considering all the other physically crappy things we go thru In Treatment, I just enjoyed the easiness of quick showers, no shaving or futzing with my hair while I was sick and tired from surgery, chemo and the massive amount of time getting medical care. I'm almost at four years from the end of treatment and my hair is long and thick again. The dang leg hair all came back too unfortunately!

Kelly,

Anna,

Good to read your " I am still going to get 1-2 second opinions."   Knowledge is power.
It would be great if that could be done before your 2nd dose. Keep asking nicely for the appointment
   ASAP and remind them you are TNBC. If need be, speak to supervisors/head nurses whomever
   you need to get the appointment.
This is repeating what I said above: Your oncologist may have good reasons for the AC x6 plan
BUT I would want to know what was the source and references for AC x6 and reasons your onc
feels this is the best plan for you and not AC-T or TAC......and have onc re-confirm/write down
your AC dose.

You said: "My dose is doxorubicin(AC) 11mg and Cyclophosphamide 1110mg."
Wondering if there might be a digit missing from the doxorubicin amount?

Hope you are feeling somewhat better now about one week post 1st chemo.


With caring and positive thoughts,
Grateful for today...........Judy


Edited by Grateful for today - May 21 2013 at 1:58am