Help on Questions for Oncologist Appointment Coming Up

IslandGirl50

Hello,

I am new to this forum and new to cancer.  Here are my stats:

- age 50

-diagnosed with bc July 1, 2011

-core biopsy - 1.9 cm lump in left breast 10 o'clock postion

-poorly differntiated infiltating ductal carcinoma

-Histologic grade - 9

-ER; 5%, PR: 0%, HER2: negative (everyone keeps refering to it being triple negative - is it since ER is 5%?)

-BRCA1 and BRCA2 negative

-had bilaterial simple mastectomy, bilateral axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy. Had immediate reconstruction done at time of mastectomy.  Tissue expanders used. July 25, 2011 (24 days after diagnosis)

-two lymph nodes taken on noncancerous side negative, four lymphnodes take on cancerous side negative.  Good margins - 2 cm.  No cancer found in right breast.

-Mother had breast cancer twice, ages 65 and again at 70.  Diagnosed with lymphoma at 72 and passed away 6 months later.

-do not smoke and drink in moderation.  Moderately overweight.

I am now 6 days post surgery and feeling really well.  Sore but not in bad pain. The plastic surgeon removed one of the drains on Friday (4 days after surgery).  Controlling pain with ibprophen every 6 hours.

I have an appointment to see an oncologist at the end of August and I was wondering about what questions to ask.  Can you help me with this?  I want to go to the appointment with as much knowledge as possible and be able to ask the right questions.  This seems to be the place to receive help.  Everyone seems to be very nice and helpful.

Thanks so much!

Jo Ann

tninalabama

Ask about a port for chemo, it will be easier. Take someone responsible with you. Two sets of ears are better for all the information you will get. I am glad you feel good. Keep the positive attitude!

Titan

Jo Ann...your onc will have lots of information for you..usually for your stats (very similar to mine and very similar to age)..you will probably have dose dense chemo (8 times every 2 weeks)...not sure what you will have ..I had AC and Taxol..you may have something different.

About the port...well..you do have a choice...I was totally against having a port and my onc was ok with it...I didn't want the additional surgery..plus I just didn't want to have a port anyway...I guess they are easier but I just couldn't deal with it..my veins were good..and they still are..2 years later....just saying.

Your onc will give you information on se's from chemo...you can find alot of information on the chemo thread here...tons!..In fact you will have a group started for the month you begin chemo so you all can go through it together..it really helps alot.

Good luck to you!   

Luah

Your onc may go over your pathology and give you some idea of prognosis with and without chemo. Ask what chemo regimens he/she recommends and why? What side effects can you expect? How can you manage those SEs? When will blood get drawn for testing? Will you need neulasta shots and how will that be managed? What constitutes an emergency during chemo (like fever) and who should you call/go to in the event of that? Will you have a port or PICC line or nothing? What does he/she recommend for diet and exercise during chemo? Does he/she recommend hormone therapy following chemo as you are weakly positive? What are the risks/benefits of that? Hope that helps.   

IslandGirl50

I asked all of your questions to the oncologist and found out a lot of information.  Thank you for your help!

Towny

Ask your onc if he reads the ct .. pet... bone.. scans himself or if he only reads the written reports.

I have just had a horrible experience with this. The onc only read the written report and it was not very detailed.. so a mass in my right lung was not noticed!!!! The onc says he does not look at the scans only the written reports!!!!!!

I am devastated