Trouble making a decision

Ruth: great analogy!

Some of the pictures on TV look surreal. Hoping you're well out of the path of any potential flooding. I'm sure you must be feeling awful for the people you know who are affected.

I'm 40, misdiagnosed for over 1 year. I was told it was a benign fibroadenoma. After numerous mistakes along the way by health care workers, I insisted it be removed. DX: 1 cm idc with mucinous features inside 6 cm DCIS. Grade 2, but slow mitotic count (scored only a 1). Does this mean that the chemo will not be effective against my cancer because it grows more slowly? I had my bilateral mx, no rads recommended. Oncotype has been recommended but not ordered and since my med. onc. appt. will be 11.5 weeks after the primary was removed, I suspect they won't even bother with Oncotype. SNB was negative and no sign of lymphovascular invasion. I know that they will not recommend chemo, just Tamoxifen. However, I am scared not to do the chemo. I am in Canada and don't like the wait and see approach here. Any thoughts? TIA.

Congratulations on making your decision, and making the one that is right for you.

So, chemo tips: Start making and freezing protein snacks. Each serving should be around 2-3oz. During my chemo months I had: quiche, meatballs, chicken pot pie, steak tips, fish cakes, lamb stew, etc. Then just before each chemo day I would boil some eggs, stock up on small yogurt containers, stock frozen fruit, and clean out my water bottles. A friend made a crock pot of steel cut oatmeal at the beginning of each week to have an easy breakfast. I had a husband who made me oatmeal for breakfast before I woke up.

I found that many small meals during each day was the only way I could eat successfully. Oh, and during the decadron high, I made a bunch of mashed potatoes which I could warm throughout the week.

The only other tip is to have clean sheets on your bed for your "down" days. For me that was day 5... for me, clean sheets makes feeling less than perfect better.

Good luck!

*susan* 

Hi Dexxy.....believe it or not, you are through the hard part of this journey.  Having a treatment plan in place is a major milestone.  Congrats on getting there.

Being in a study also is a great place to be.  You get monitored very closely, and you get to feel you are giving back.

I am sure all will go just fine.  Not fun, but you'll be amazed at how easy other challenges in life turn out to be after going through breast cancer treatment.

Good luck and thrilled you are moving forward. - Claire

Hi dexxy. What Claire states is correct, you are through a tough part making a decision.



I've been through 2 TC treatments to date and have my next July 5. What surprised me the most, is they aren't that bad, the build up in your mind is worse than the actual infusion. I've sailed through with basically fatigue on day 3, that's it. I did keep a log after each tx so I could know what to expect for the following tx and was proactive. For example my tummy was a little rumbly the first tx, I took prilosec. For the second tx I took prilosec the day before tx and 5 days after and encountered no problems whatsoever.



MaryNY gave you great advise to read through the tips and shopping list threads. There are many great tips there.



Also if I remember correctly you went to a naturopath, listen to their advise. I'm seeing an integrative onc, and her advise is right on the money as far as I'm concerned. My se effect free experience and blood work is proof of that. My hemoglobin is actually rising from borderline anemic of 11.4 to 12.2 DURING chemo, this took place in the last 2 weeks. Make sure you eat Adequate protein each day to protect your lean muscle mass. Exercise to push the drugs through your body, drink lots of water, days before and days after chemo to keep it flushed.



You can do it and come through strong. Wishing you all the best.



Debby


Edited to add: heed advise of naturopath, but run the supplements etc by your MO for approval.

I would do everything possible to prevent a recurrence as you have a genetic predeposition to cancer.  You may regret it later, if you don't use all options.  I would also continue to rely on your herbs, supplements, and acupuncture etc....as I'm sure they will help as well.  There will be some women on here that will chime in that chemo is really bad for you, it destroys the liver, etc....I agree with them in many respects but it has been shown to work and it's all we have at the moment. It is a necessary poison to get rid of a potentially immortal, unatural cancer.