treatment and long is too long to wait

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synsan60
synsan60 Member Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I was diagnosed on 11/30/11,  Late January I had my double mastectomy.  In February I sought out a second opinion with a breast cancer Onco specialist .  He suggested Onco type DX.  I received my results from ocno dx mid March.  I am triple negative with 33% chance recurrence, now there appears to be an urgency to start chemo,  I was schedule to get my first treatment March twenty seventh, Now I'm being told I have to first get an Echo/cardio test. I'm pretty nervous because maybe the delay is too long and the effect of the chemo will not b as effective.  Can you share any info that will put my mind to rest.  I also have diabetes II, and hypertension how will the chemo affect these pre existing conditions. I have been advised 4x AC, and twelve x taxol.

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited March 2012

    Sorry you are going through this. I am not sure about the wait, but it seems it would still be worthwhile to do chemo.  I think it is typical to wait 6 weeks after mastectomy for chemo, so it sounds like you are just a bit past that. I had chemo first then surgery, then rads. My radiation had to be put off a while because of infections. My doctor said they like to start sooner but sometimes there is more time inbetween due to circumstances. I had my surgery the same day as you! I didn't start rads until the middle of february.

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  • Mazy1959
    Mazy1959 Member Posts: 1,431
    edited March 2012

    sinsan, I'm sorry you are going thru so much. Your onco is doing the right thing. You need to have those tests before you start chemo. It seems that you are pretty much on track and I would absolutely do chemo. Ask you onco about your concerns of how chemo will effect your other health conditions. Many people take chemo who have diabetes, hypertension , etc. I hope all goes well for you..Hugs, MAzy

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited March 2012

    Studies have shown that patients who begin chemo within 12 weeks of surgery do better than those who begin later. It looks like you are still comfortably within that window... the heart scans are important for some types of chemo, so yes, I would proceed with that and ask your onc for the earliest possible chemo following. 

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  • synsan60
    synsan60 Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2012

    Thank u ladies for your quick response, it has given me peace of mind, it took sometime figuring out this network, Im glad I was persistent

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  • synsan60
    synsan60 Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2012

    now it appears i have a seroma, the dr doesnt want to postpone chemo, but primary dr feels taking a risk of infection which will complicate chemo, whats next, anybody encounter this problem

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited March 2012

    Yes, I had a seroma. The surgeon drained it several times. I did have an infection too after surgery, not sure if they were related.

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