Chemotherapy

I met with the Medical Oncologist yesterday. From the looks of it, I will need chemotherapy. He has ordered one more test to be done for the pathology report that should be available in 7 - 10 days. It tests for certain kind of receptor (HER2/neu) on the tumor cells that if it's there tells the cells to multiply faster. The preliminary testing for it is negative but he wants to be sure. If it's positive it just means that the tumor and those cells could reproduce faster. That would in turn mean some different types of drugs would be used in my chemo treatments.

This whole thing is fascinating and the more I read about it the more I am understanding the particulars of my type of tumor. They can learn so much from such a little sample of tissue. I wish I paid better attention in science class now...

The doctor did not really get into what drugs would be used and the schedule of the course of chemo. That will be determined at my next appointment in 2 weeks. I did ask for a rough idea so I can start to find babysitters, etc. He said most likely it would start in 2 - 4 weeks. I would have treatments every 2 weeks for 8 sessions (about 4 months). In between weeks I would have to go for blood tests. Radiation wouldn't start until chemo was over. Sounds like a lot but again, I will do what I have to do...