Jan and Chemo Class

We fell in love with the chemo coordinator that spoke with us after the oncologist. Her name was Jan and she was spunky and had a take charge attitude. She explained the three drugs that would most likely be my chemo treatment and then said that when we had a more definite diagnosis we would attend chemo class where we would get specific directions. She gave us her direct line and let all of us know that we could call her with any questions.

Fast forward to 6:30pm that night and I got a call from Jan (yes 6:30!) that she had seen my oncologist in the hall and that the MRI had pointed to Breast Cancer. She didn't know a definite answer on what was found, but we were to attend chemo class the next morning and we now had a plan! What a relief, we now weren't searching or treating an unknown!

The next morning we went to chemo class with 18 other newly diagnosed patients. Jan came up and told us she may use us in her future classes as one of the only groups of people that were excited with a diagnosis she gave! For us three, the known was a better scenario than the unknown. Here is what we learned about my chemo:

3 drugs commonly referred to as TCH: Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin

One 3-4 hour treatment every 3 weeks for 6 total treatments (18 weeks total)

It is an aggressive and very strong treatment due to my age, health history and fact that the goal is to CURE it!

I will lose my hair :-( The way she put it is that Taxotere won't make your hair brittle it will open up the follicles and all the hair on my body will actually fall out. This should be interesting. Brian and I should be sporting matching do's by christmastime.

She said that the drugs have improved greatly and that everyone reacts differently so the other side effects can range in intensity. The date of starting chemo treatment was now dependent on 2 things:

1. Clear PET Scan showing that the cancer had not spread to any other organs in my body.

2. Surgeon's decision on whether or not to operate.

Results should be in by Monday, October 24 on the next step.