Post op/awaiting 1st oncology appt for treatment options.

Jalsgal, 

Sorry you need this website. My situation is different, nodes full of cancer & bursting open. 

I have learned in the last year that there are many treatment options, varying chemo regimens, length of rads, number of chemo infusions. Your oncologist will recommend a plan, I think most hospitals have a tumor board, they go over the path report & decide as a group. 

Hopefully you are comfortable with your surgeon & oncologist. Chemo is difficult but doable. Having breast cancer is a roller coaster, basically sucks. 

Someone will come along & have better advice for your situation. Be kind to yourself, do what helps you relax. 

Jalsgal, 

Very sorry that you are going through all of this. I share your situation a bit, but every case is very individual. I will say that chemo, while not a walk in the park, was much less terrible than i imagined it would be.

i had dose-dense A/C and then dd Taxol. Both had their own set of challenges. T was harder for me as i started to have allergic reactions after the second dose and developed severe hand/foot syndrome and neuropathy. Luckily,  the h/f went away within weeks of my last treatment, and now a year out, my neuropathy is almost completely gone. 

Get a second opinion about everything, ask a lot of questions, speak up for yourself and voice your concerns and pains. If your dr is not on board with you doing all of that- find someone who is. There are a few good sited with great lists of questions to ask. Print out all your q's and take it with you. 

Take someone with you or record every appointment so you can really get all the info. I recorded mine b/c i wanted to go back through everything a few times. 

Keep a separate calendar journal- with full page for each day- track everything- every ache, pain, feeling, symptom, joy, your diet, exercise - everything related to your treatment and how you feel even if you just have radiation. it is important to have a reference at all times. 

If you have to do chemo, there are a few things that will be important:

Have a schedule for chores and cooking for friends/family to help you out. You will need to rest a lot.  The sooner you make that plan, the better. do not be afraid or ashamed to ask for specific help with things around the house. They need something to do to feel like they are helping- so put ppl to work. 

Soft everything. My skin became so sensitive. I bought yoga pants and super soft tees and sweaters, and fleece caps with no inside seems. soo important.this is the one i loved best: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IFB92U/ref...

water water water. a gallon a day. not joking. drink up. 

get a baby toothbrush. your gums will be vey sensitive. 

blackstrap molasses is your best friend. I have a blog post about this particular thing if you want it. I do cuss a bit, but if you are not offended and want to read it, let me know. 

sunscreen- 100000spf, all day every day, and don't forget lip balm with spf!

Biotine mouthwash. a life saver. 

that is a short list, but i hope it helps. 

get a rolling bag for all your goodies, hobbies, books, computer, etc for when you have treatment. It can be boring as all get-out. 

Personally- i waited too long to shave my head. Do it after 7 days after your first treatment. It hurts when it starts to come out. It is also an emotional punch that is pretty hard to bear. 

These are just a few things i found to be helpful/true. I wish you the best and please never hesitate to pm me or jump into any thread- lots of amazing people here at BCO- all ready and willing to offer you the support you need. 

be good to yourself!

xo- jeni