A Diet to Die For! Breast Cancer in Canada.

I received an email from Princess Margaret Hospital about their new fast track “Rapid Diagnosis”, which, in essence, says that women can have a biopsy and a treatment plan within hours.

I guess some people might find that a good thing, but having gone through breast cancer myself, there is way too much information to absorb to make such a life-changing decision within a few hours of a diagnosis.

Am I the only one that finds this a not-so-good thing? Are women really that uninterested to learn more about their cancer before taking directions from a  bunch of strangers, all spewing the same thing.

Let me guess … the Rapid Diagnosis treatment options are:

1. Lumpectomy + radiation: Recovery time is only a few hours to a few days.
2. Radiation + lumpectomy + further radiation: Recovery time is also only a few days since radiation is not painful or invasive.
3. Chemotherapy + surgery + further chemotherapy + radiation: Recovery time is approximately one year.

Number 3 was the so-called “treatment plan” I was told I needed — basically, they throw everything at you and hope that something sticks.

From the time I had the biopsy to the time I received a treatment plan, it was exactly one week — and a bunch of strangers (pathologist, surgical oncologist and medical oncologist) had already decided what my plan should be — all strangers who didn’t ask me a single question about what might be best for me.

I can’t imagine what I would be like now had I not researched everything I could about the type of breast cancer I have — not all breast cancers are created equal and I really hope the women who utilize Rapid Diagnosis take time to think about all the options they have, and not be brain dead.

I just got back from seeing Dr. Chemo and as pleasant as everyone is at the clinic, it’s not an appointment I look forward to.

This is probably my third or fourth “follow-up” with Dr. Chemo. The poor guy … he’s such a mellow doctor and here I come flying in at a million miles an hour with millions of questions and probably look like a neurotic nutcase!

When I first saw him at the end of December, 2008, he gave me information on a treatment cycle called “FEC Chemotherapy” [link opens UK cancer site] — the FEC stands for the 3 types of injectionable drugs used during a cycle — and “cycle” or “regimen” stands for the drugs given every 3 weeks typically over a certain period of time, i.e. Dr. Chemo recommended I do 6 cycles of FEC which lasts approximately 15 weeks.

Confused yet?

I found out today that I do indeed have “node-positive breast cancer” [link opens a PDF document that is very self-explanatory]. This is news to me! Two of my lymph nodes had cancer cells which means that I probably should seriously consider chemotherapy as a preventative measure to hopefully save my life.

Right now, I’m told I have approximately a 75% chance of survival — add chemotherapy for a few short months of my life and my chance for survival jumps to 90%-95% — an easy decision, right? Wrong! I still have lots to think about … and if I’m really sick from chemo, how on earth am I expected to pay my bills? Anyway, it really isn’t an easy decision, and yes, I realize that I’m playing Russian Roulette with my life.

Oh, and I’ve lost a few more pounds  for a total of 15 pounds so far …

I also don’t feel sick, nor do I look sick, and most people who see me say I look healthy … I guess I”m a better actress than I thought

Towards the end of the appointment, I’m sure he notices how squirmy I am, he says that I have another chemotherapy option called “TC chemotherapy” [link opens eChemotherapy site and here's another discussion about it at MayoClinic's web site].  I only need 4 cycles for a total of 9 weeks of treatment. I have to look it up, but it certainly sounds more promising than the prospect of being bald and nauseous for almost 4 months. I know I’d wear my bald proud (no wigs for me!) but man …

I ask Dr. Chemo if he recommends a cold cap or ice cap — I’ve read somewhere that these sometimes can prevent hair loss during chemo — he says it’s an old wive’s tale, so I won’t add any links to information on them. If you’ve used them and can absolutely say it worked for you, feel free to comment.

So I still need to answer my own question: to chemo or not to chemo.

I just got back from seeing Dr. Chemo and as pleasant as everyone is at the clinic, it’s not an appointment I look forward to.

This is probably my third or fourth “follow-up” with Dr. Chemo. The poor guy … he’s such a mellow doctor and here I come flying in at a million miles an hour with millions of questions and probably look like a neurotic nutcase!

When I first saw him at the end of December, 2008, he gave me information on a treatment cycle called “FEC Chemotherapy” [link opens UK cancer site] — the FEC stands for the 3 types of injectionable drugs used during a cycle — and “cycle” or “regimen” stands for the drugs given every 3 weeks typically over a certain period of time, i.e. Dr. Chemo recommended I do 6 cycles of FEC which lasts approximately 15 weeks.

Confused yet?

I found out today that I do indeed have “node-positive breast cancer” [link opens a PDF document that is very self-explanatory] – this is news to me! Two of my lymph nodes had cancer cells which means that I probably should seriously consider chemotherapy as a preventative measure to hopefully save my life.

Right now, I’m told I have approximately a 75% chance of survival — add chemotherapy for a few short months of my life and my chance for survival jumps to 90%-95% — an easy decision, right? Wrong! I still have lots to think about … and if I’m really sick from chemo, how on earth am I expected to pay my bills? Anyway, it really isn’t an easy decision, and yes, I realize that I’m playing Russian Roulette with my life.

Oh, and I’ve lost a few more pounds  for a total of 15 pounds so far …

Towards the end of the appointment, I’m sure he notices how squirmy I am, he says that I have another chemotherapy option called “TC chemotherapy” [link opens eChemotherapy site and here's another discussion about it at MayoClinic's web site].  I only need 4 cycles for a total of 9 weeks of treatment. I have to look it up, but it certainly sounds more promising than the prospect of being bald and nauseous for almost 4 months. I know I’d wear my bald proud (no wigs for me!) but man …

I ask Dr. Chemo if he recommends a cold cap or ice cap — I’ve read somewhere that these sometimes can prevent hair loss during chemo — he says it’s an old wive’s tale, so I won’t add any links to information on them. If you’ve used them and can absolutely say it worked for you, feel free to comment.

So I still need to answer my own question: to chemo or not to chemo.

Update: April 3, 2009

I’m quite positive I will not do the chemo — Dr. Chemo gives me an additional 3 months to think about it, or talk with a social worker or psychologist. He’s given me an appointment for April 27th and since I still have not heard from a therapist, it’s likely I will cancel the appointment.