I'm so glad you had a good visit and they spent so much time answering your questions.  Personally, I think you are doing a wise thing entering the neoadjuvant clinical trial.  With this disease, I believe you need to throw everything at it and hope it destroys the beast.  The time between diagnosis and the beginning of treatment is the worst.  Once you have a plan in place, it's easier to move forward fighting this cancer.  It's the waiting around and unknowing that's the hardest part.  Wishing you the best.  Keep us posted.

Donna

There is something comforting about getting your info explained and talking with the oncologists and having a plan to fight this disease!!  I'm glad the appointment went well and you have a plan in place.  I tried to focus each night on positive affirmations and positive thoughts of my white cells eating up the cancer.  I remember everyone questioning why they wouldn't do surgery first and the explanation of the surgeon made so much logic and as my tumor shrunk (Didn't notice any change until around 9 weeks) and eventually was gone I realized how good it felt to know that the chemo was doing its job.  I think it would also be good to know if it wasn't working so they could pick something else to attack it.  I found the nurses at the Chemo center to be fantastic.......so caring and helpful.  For most of my infusions I had my Sister with me and would help me to keep my mind off of it all.  We always had a magazine we were looking at or a project to discuss. (When you are from a large family there is always something going on!! LOL)  We tried to keep things light.  You'll meet all types of people with all types of cancers.  One day it was a 21 year old with testicular cancer........a 65 year old who was told he has 6 months to live.......  I got advice from both the nurses as well as some of the patients. As you go through the process you start to be the one giving out advice to the newbies! LOL  I met a women who went to the same college as I did at the exact same time and was in my major........we laughed as we probably were in class together!! 40 years ago!   LOL  So many wonderful positive experiences with patients, patients families, volunteers and staff.  It was truly amazing! While I would never wish this on anyone.........there are blessings that come from it.  This site is another one of those blessings!!  Thanks to everyone who posts their experiences and helpful suggestions it is much appreciated. 

Sorry to hear you didn't feel well with the AC.  I have been very lucky with the Taxol so far.... and the tumor has shrunk!  My eighth week coming up, then two break before I start AC.

And the news of your surgeon, that is tough.  Where are you located?

One day at a time...

GailF

 

I saw a dr. on 7/24 they said my treatment would be 8 A/C and 4 Toxol. They made it sound very standard so I have decided to get treated closer to home . Still a Dana Farber Doc but a general oncology rather than one that deals with just breasts.

 

After a little research it seems it isn't as standard as I thought. Of course I will ask the doc on 8/13 which is my appt in NH. I was just wondering on the thoughts of all these wonderful and knowable people I have spoke with on this site.

 

Thanks for any info :)