Oncologist appointment tomorrow - what questions should I ask?

After being diagnosed on 18th January and going through all the various test, I finally get to see the oncologist tomorrow. Would like to hear from anyone who has any suggestions about what questions would be good to ask. 

Also what are your experiences of how long it took for treatment to start after first oncology appointment. As my breast cancer is grade 3 and fast growing, I'm worried about it spreading, before my treatment even gets started. 

Was it suggested you have a PICC line or port?

  • Good luck today Pippin and NGS.

    Hope you continue to sail through the side effects and hope Docetaxol is easy on you. 

    so far my nails are fine, actually they’re super strong and so far no neuropathy either after 2 rounds of TC…hoping that lasts! Was super nauseous this time around so definitely going to stay on top of my anti sickness meds next time..I’m now quite bunged up but taking laxatives in the Hope things ease in that department soon! Had a bit of an low day yesterday but gave myself a pep talk and hopefully today is a new and more positive day! Sun is shining so that’s a good start! 

    Grest news Pippin that the Chemo seems to be working and the tumours are shrinking! Amazing news in fact!

    Thinking of you both today..xx

  • Hi Greeny80, good to hear your nails are doing well and so far you have no signs of neuropathy. Did you paint nails before your treatment? I've been using polybalm for a few months, but a bit worried painting my nails will be detrimental to the effectiveness the polybalm will have. I've painted them for now, but am going to get in touch with polbslm makers, to see if they can advice me at all. Sorry to hear you have had some issues with nausea this time, I'm also worried about this, such an awful feeling. I've got them to prescribe me som more laxido, as I too suffer with constipation during the first week, when taking the meds. Didn't sleep much last night, think it was due to the double dose of steroids, before starting the docetaxel. Didn't even have my usual couple of hours in the evening, so unfortunately will be super tired for treatment day. Might try a walk this morning to perk me up a bit. I'm sure everybody gets down days, it's to be expected, hopefully the nice weather will cheer you up. 

    Also wishing NGS (sorry my last post said NHS, spellchevk changed it) good luck today, hope all goes well for you. 

    Wishing everyone a great day, will let you know how things go. This is the most nervous I've felt so far about going to a treatment, but need to try and stay positive!

    Xxx

  • Morning beautiful people, I hope you are all just been catching up     hope all goes OK today sweetie. Keeping toes, fingers, arms, legs abd eyes crossed for you. 

    I woke up this morning to the right side of my face swollen up, so just waiting for oncology to call me back, but I slept really well. 

  • Morning everyone 

    pippin - good luck for today.  I’m at hospital now - feeling super anxious but fingers crossed it’s all ok 

    I did manage to sleep but had horrible night sweats which must be steroids. 
    live also gained weight - puzzled as been running around after puppy and eating super healthy - again another effect of treatment it seems 

    madhatter-   Lovely to hear you have a puppy too. They are such a positive distraction

    do you suffer from hay fever.  I do and have had super itchy eyes and my face was also swollen. I took piritin which helped

    greeny - hope you start to feel much better this week.  So far my nails are also stronger than ever. I’ve been using the poly balm and keeping them filed really short 

    anyway positive vibes to you all 

    see you on the other side of treatment 4 

    xx 

  • Hi MadhatterC, thanks so much for your good wishes, super nervous today. Hope you find some answers from oncology about your face. I have read on this forum about others suffering with this. Let me know how you get on. Xx

  • Hi NGS, hope all goes well for you today, I'm just on my way to the hospital now. I'm really nervous today about different chemo and really anxious about Herceptin injection. Didn't really sleep last night, think it was all the steroids. Didn't even have my usual couple of hours during the evening, so unfortunately feel pretty tired. Did manage a walk this morning though, which perked me up a bit and made me feel better. Strange you mention about the eyes. I don't suffer with hay-fever, but have noticed eyes are feeling uncomfortable in the mornings. I've been using eye drops for dry eyes, which seems to help. I've been told to wear dark nail polish now I'm starting docetaxel, but wonder if this will be detrimental to effectiveness of the polybalm. I have emailed polybalm to ask the question, so will hopefully hear back soon.

    Hope you all have a lovey day and enjoy this lovey weather. Xx

  • Hi All,

    Sorry I've not been in touch for a while. I've been busy moving house and had disconnected the  internet before we moved, as I didn't expect to stay in my old home for as long. Hope that you're all doing well. Pippin and NGS, I hope that you're both fared ok today. Thinking of you all.

    Jolamine xx

  • Morning everyone, thought I'd post an update after treatment yesterday. I was initially told the treatment would be quicker this time, but did actually end up taking longer than last time. It took three attempts and three different people to access my port this time, it's apparently quite deep. It was third time lucky, after about 45 min. Next I had Phesgo injection in my thigh (not Herceptin as I thought, but apparently does the same thing, but is a combo of two drugs). This was not the scary experience I thought it was going to be, and won't worry about it next time. Needle did fall out part way through though and had to be put back in. Guess it just wasn't my day for needles lol!! Then had to wait half an hour to make sure no reaction, before starting on docetaxel. Did end up being 45 minutes before docetaxel started, but that all went well. Only have two lots of tablets to take this time, instead of four, apparently don't need the others with this chemo. Still need to have the injections on days 4-7. Had a few extra hot flushes last night, I think caused by the phesgo injection. I can up the tablets the dr gave me for flushes if I want to, but will see how it goes. Forgot to take double dose of laxido last night that was  suggested, so hopefully taking today will sort out constipation. Didn't sleep again after 3am, due to all the steroids, but only one day left of those. So far I feel fine and intend to go on my usual 21/2 mile walk this morning. I know the side effects can kick in after a few days, so think I'll make the most of the weather. 

    Hope all went well for you yesterday NGS and that you're feeling OK today.

    Also hope everyone else is feeling OK and have a lovely day today  xxx

  • Hi Jolmine, lovely to hear from you, hope all went well with your move. I had my first docetaxel yesterday, along with phesgo injection (as I'm HER2 positive). I seem fine so far, but realise side effects can appear after a few days. Due to taking double the steroids since Monday, I haven't been sleeping, but last day today, thank goodness. Hope you are keeping well. Xx

  • Hi Pippin,

    I'm delighted to hear that all went well yesterday, despite the problem with needles. Here's hoping that your sleep improves, once you stop taking the double dose of steroids and that the side-effects are not too bad once they kick in.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx