Anyone out there for moral support?

Hello GoLilly, Its  a quiet time here but I am sure others will chime in later. Just wanted to say ((hugs)). Its a difficult waiting time and I am wishing you a good result on your Oncotype dx. I am not an expert but my RO did a routine non diagnostic ct scan as part of the set up for rads so I think that is just a common practice, not something to worry about. 

You will find lots of support here.This is such an emotional time, believe me most of us have our times where we cry or have a meltdown or feel tired to the bones. My latest meltdown was today!

On the question of retirement, I have thought a lot about this. Just my opinion but if you like what you do and it is just the illness dragging you down maybe you could find out about taking the time off that you need with a view to returning when you get past this, and I know its tough but you will get through it!! Returning to a job you love can help in the healing process. If you don't enjoy it and you can afford to retire, then that is what I would do and then find something to do that you enjoy once you are feeling better.

I don't know the ins and outs of which doctor to ask about leave. My surgeons office gave the info for my week of short term disability while the ROs office filled in the FMLA form incase I needed odd days off due to fatigue during rads. I think I would discuss your sick leave initially with whichever doctor you are most comfortable with and who knows you best, maybe your primary care, just my thought. They can then point you in the right direction. Hopefully somebody who works in a school and has more knowledge than me will pop on here.

Anyway just wanted to wish you best possible results and hugs again!

GoLilly- Keep breathing.....  Hang in there.  You are still in the fact finding stage of things which translates to it is hurry up and wait.  I know the waiting can be a very anxious time.  Hopefully you will learn as I have that patience is my friend.  As to whether you should work or not, it does depend on how you feel physically.  If you are able to take off time when you aren't feeling good enough to work, then that would be great.  I have known many women who continued to work throughout their treatments.  Yes, they had their good days and not so good days.   Your fear of chemo is a valid one; however, everyone reacts differently to chemo.  Some have minimal side effects while others have a little tougher time.  However, the thing to remember is that there is an onco on call and available to you 24/7 so if you are experiencing side effects that you need help with, you can and should contact your onco no matter the time of day or what day of the week it is.  If you are wondering about my chemo experience, I had 6 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere plus Herceptin through a clinical trial.  I had chemo every 3 weeks and continued to receive Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year.  I had minimal side effects but most of all, they were manageable side effects.  As you will read on the chemo boards, chemo is doable. One is given pre-chemo anti-nausea meds as well as post chemo anti-nausea prescriptions to take at home.  If the post chemo meds aren't sufficient, one just needs to contact her onco to get the meds adjusted.

I had a PET/CT scan before I started chemo.  It was to check to see if there were any other areas in my body that the cancer may have gone to.  It is a considered a baseline test and just provides more valuable information and another piece to the puzzle.  

As for the emotional roller coaster you are on right now, it is part of what happens.  It is definitely okay to vent, cry, scream, be anxious and lost.  Hopefully, once your treatment plan is in place and you know the direction you are heading, you may feel a little bit better.  Try to stay positive and keep moving forward.  No one ever asked to be on this journey but here we are and so we just do our best and keep going.  Keep breathing...... keep believing in yourself and know that you can do this.  Sending you many hugs and positive, calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy.....

The posts above are sooo helpful to me!

Melrose, your post in particular was just what I needed to hear today!

I am still waiting for my scans, port surgery, appt with MO and RO. I have so far to go; some days are better than others. I also know that more difficult days are ahead.

I hope GoLilly benefits from the posts as I have!

Poppy 

Golilly, I wanted to jump in and add my support for you.  The time between diagnosis, testing, waiting for results, and waiting to come up with a treatment plan was awful.  I was shocked, terrified, and despite having great support from family and friends, felt so alone.  With each decision that was made about treatment, I started to feel better that there was a plan in place.  I had surgery, and have just completed two chemo sessions which although not fun, have been manageable so far.  I'm a few years from retirement age, but at first thought I would just retire early to deal with all of this.  But, I do love my job (Like having a paycheck!) and decided this is not the time for me to make such a big decision.  I plan to work as I can through treatment and see how it goes.  I wish you luck as you do what's right for you.

PoppyK, I've read some of your posts before.  I am a few baby steps ahead of you in the process and can encourage you that it does get better with each thing that gets checked off the list of tests and procedures!  Hang in there, I'll be sending good thoughts your way.