I'm so sorry that your going thru this, I know the feeling. The unknow & the waiting is the hardest part. Keep praying for strength and hang tough.
Thoughts & prayers go out to you,
Wendy :)

sorry you oncologist didn't go over all of this ahead of time with you. it has to make it harder when you don't know what is going to happen.

I hoping that I can share some words that will make you feel better.

I will be going for my 6th chemo treatment next Friday. I was terrified of chemo, but having had 5 treatments already, I can tell you that there really was nothing for me to be terrified about- and I had a lot of chemo. My treatments consisted of 4 different medicines and when I started were 7 hours long. My worst complaint from chemo was how tired I feel- the nausea was well controlled with meds and regular eating. My white blood cell counts were kept very high throughout the process with proper eating and nutrition. Please don't let this terrify you- it's okay, you will be okay with it, and it's not the horrific experience that it is made out to be. There have been some side effects, but nothing that isn't bearable.

As for the hair falling out, yes that happens, and I can honestly say that it's been my least favorite part of the experience. If, and I say "if" you will be getting chemo that will make your hair fall out, take control of the situation, cut your hair before it starts to go on it's on. I had hair to the middle of my back, and cut it into a cute little bob before I started the chemo. It was still tough loosing my hair, but I really think that was an easier adjustment.

I am sorry that you don't know what the plan is... I felt that way only temporarily- and when I felt that way, I demanded to be put back in the loop. You have a right to question them and ask them what the course of action is going to be- and if they can't give you a definite plan, written on paper, you need a different oncologist. Knowing what is going to happen, and when is what has kept me sane throughout this whole process!

Hang in there... Hugs! Marianne

Just now noticed the Herceptin. If you are HER2+ and will be taking Herceptin it does not take your hair. You can google this on the net and read about the side effects. Most are mild compared to many chemo cocktails. I may be on this myself but won't know till after surgery when they have further testing complete. hope this helps some.

Probably they are waiting the final results from pathology to have a treatment plan, make a list of questions, join a support group recommended by Reach to Recovery.
We give an hour chemo class to each patient, same for radiation, a visit to the beauty salon in the hospital to have counseling on skin, hair, scalp, how to wear makeup. hats, scarves, wigs.
Life is an unknown, healthy or not.
Ask for a referral to a counselor, here we have psychiatrists that help patients to cope.
Use all the help you can get.

I had the chemo and it really wasn't too bad. I only had some nausea relieved by a great drug called Zorphan. Isabelle1954

Stay strong. Right now things might seem a little crazy, but you have a medical team right on your side and many people who are hear to support you. I work in nuclear medicine and we do testing on women every day who are on herceptin and they don't look and they don't say that they feel like you average chemo patient. It does not make your hair fall out. All of this is very scary but just think of the bright future that you will have after everything is said and done, there is a rainbow at the end of every storm. http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/druglist/herceptin, I'm sure you have found many links about breast cancer but thought i would give you this one, maybe their is something else on there to help you. You should take some time for yourself, go get a manicure, massage take a cooking class (if you like to cook), these are all great therapies than can help you through your treatments. If there is a breast care navigator at the institution where you are receiving treatment, you should talk to them. They can set up appointments and find you resources to help you through your treatments.

When I was a child I my mother had border line stage three breast cancer, it was very hard at first but with the support of doctors family and friends she was able to beat it. I can;t remember exactly every chemo dug they gave her. but taxol was the last one. The one thing that she did every day no matter how sick she felt was go for a walk. It is very important to keep on doing things for yourself to keep your spirits up. I hope this was of some help to you, I'm sorry that you have to go through this,but just try and stay positive, you have many people who are their to lift you up when you need it the most : ). I wish you the best of luck!

Try to keep your spirits up. Be around people who understand or who have compassion and love.
I remember the first time I went to look at wigs. The woman was so nice. She gave me a complete makeover and let me try on tons of wigs. I took pictures to show my family. After I left I cried my way home. Then I cried all night long. I cried myself to sleep. I called my sister and cried to her.
Then the most amazing thing happened. My sister who has done some plays and had some fun wigs drove four hours to visit with bags of wigs that she had plus a few new ones. We spent the whole weekend trying on wigs, laughing taking pictures, putting wigs on my son and husband. I had red hair, blond hair, black hair, brown hair, long hair, short hair, curly hair,... you get the idea.
I used to wear a different wig everyday depending on how I felt that day. I really had some fun with it. It also gave people something to comment on instead of the cancer. People would ask what color are you going to be tomorrow? I also had a piece of hair for bangs that I would wear with a hat. I did find one wig that I wore more than the others. People didn't know that one was a wig.
I guess I am trying to say is make it fun. Look for the good. Go with it and it will be better. Best to you - in sisterhood.

I had a lumpectomy a year and a half ago, it wasn't until testing was done that I found out whether or not I'd have chemo and radiation therapy. One month out from surgery I began chemo and only needed four treatments, followed by six weeks of radiation therapy. I lost my hair a couple of weeks after chemo began...it's hard, but remember you can survive that....it will grow back. You will survive chemo and if you need it radiation therapy. While I was going through all of this I was so afraid I couldn't even cry...I was numb. I couldn't read anything about it...I was basically useless.

Each stage of this journey will be different...and everyone who travels down this road will face their own challenges. Remember to breathe...and believe that you can get through this and that you are not alone. The unknown is scary...take it one day at a time.

My oncologist didn't get me a lot of information either....I think in my case it was because I was so frozen with fear and she could tell that I was not processing information very well.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Valerie