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Tennessee
Tennessee Member Posts: 2
edited April 2017 in Just Diagnosed

I want to know what to expect at my Dortors appointment....

IDC STAGE 2

Please help!!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2017

    Tennessee - please go to My Profile and fill in as much as you know so far about the diagnosis and treatment plans. Like are you ER/PR positive? Are you HER2 positive? Have you had any surgery yet? Did you have just a biopsy? We'll need some more info to answer.

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  • Tennessee
    Tennessee Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2017

    yes biopsy! Waiting to start chemo! No surgery chemo will be first! Positive HER2 as of right now that is all of the information I have!!!

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited April 2017

    Try to stay calm. We all 'freak' at first but it does get easier as you start with treatments. As you find out details, go to your profile and update. Make sure to go to settings to set it for us to view or it stays as only you can view. See my sig for what I mean by info we need.

    If you're starting chemo first, go to the chemo forum and post in whatever month you are starting thread. Look at prior threads, post questions. Don't think too far ahead. If chemo is first, then focus on it. These forums are full of so much info but we need specific questions to help you, not just what do I expect. I spent a lot of time on these forums for each phase and learned more about what is what and more than any doc, class anyone else could give me at an appt. You're at the right place. Best wishes.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited April 2017

    Tennessee- Artista928 gave great recommendations for you. I was diagnosed in March 2017 and am on the first leg of a long journey. My treatment plan starts with chemo. So I read lots of posts from the Chemo Before During and After boards here. There are a couple of posts specifically with tips and suggestions for chemo. Great stuff all of which really helped me arm myself with knowledge instead of just fear of the unknown I bought a journal so I could keep track of appointments, questions, and results. I take it to all my appointments.

    As suggested, I am concentrating on the chemo process first, not reading the forum too far ahead. There is only so much you can read and remember. I am half way thru with 4 cycles of AC chemo then will have 12 weekly treatments of Taxol. I joined the April 2017 chemo forum and just started reading a forum on weekly taxol to start mentally preparing for that step.

    Things I ended up scheduled to do between diagnosis and chemo were: MRI, chest X-ray, EKG , ECHO, PET scan ( which you probably won't need if you are at an early Stage), excela port installation ( personal choice when getting chemo), and blood work. Lots of appointments in the first month but that all settles down once treatment starts.

    I am working full time but have missed 5 days thus far

    You will feel more in control once you know the path your MO puts you on and you find people with similar paths on this forum

    This site is amazing and there are so many people willing to reach out and help

    Keep us posted. You can do this one step at a time



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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited April 2017

    Good luck too, Dogersgirl. I bought a planner where there is a lot of lined space to write under each date. There are so many appts and questions that that was the most valuable thing I got when I was going through it all. I'd write my questions in black, answers in red or green. Kept a journal too of how I was doing/how I felt because you think you'll remember it all at the appt, but you may not. I still have memory issues this far out from active tx. So I took my daily planner and journal to each appt. I still kept it, not to jinx myself, but should I recurr I can look and see what worked and what didn't in terms of supps and dealing with se's and all.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited April 2017

    Artista928 - thanks for well wishes. I would never remember all my questions for various doctors if they weren't written down!

    I wish I had written better notes on how I felt and what I ate for first chemo cycle. Will do a better job this cycle for sure.

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  • NorthernPeach
    NorthernPeach Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2017

    Hi Tennessee! I am in a similar boat...just dx with IDC stage 2 grade 3. Waiting to meet oncologist next week and plan chemo. Waiting for more tests as well. Let me know if you want a virtual chemo buddy!

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  • thomj
    thomj Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2017

    Breast Cancer is awful. My wife had breast cancer 8 years ago. Double mastectomy, chemo, and radiation. After 8 years at her 6 months scan, cancer back with vengeance. It's in her brain, spine, and hip. She's only 42 and her biggest worry is about kids age 10 and 15. Already started radiation and chemo. Prayers needed

    To



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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited April 2017

    hello i also was diagnosed idc stage 2 I was 42 just planning Our 2nd marriage had chemo 3months then Lmast then 3months after we got married then did radiation 7wks 5 days a wk and 5yrs on tamoxifen Praise God I'm now a 23yr Survivor. Have Hope stay Positive is what got me thru.msphil

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