breast cancer

[mfatony]

I have to write a 5 page paper concerning breast cancer and the following scenarios....

You have been diagnosed with invesive ductal breast cancer. 5 out of 10 lymph nodes taken were (+) for cancer. There are no other signs of metastasis. The tumor size was 2.1cm and was grade 3. The tumor was (+) for estrogen, progesterone, and was HER 2 positive. The tx plan will include the following: Modified radical mastectomy, mediport placement, andriamycin with cytoxan and taxol to be given every 3 wks for 4 doses; herceptin every 3 wks for one yr; arimidex daily for 5 yrs. The herceptin and arimidex will begin after the adriamycin/cytoxan/taxol is finished. Mammograms on the remaining breast will be done yearly. CAT scans to chech for metastasis will be done every 6 months for 2 yrs and then yearly. You will be seeing the oncologist and getting lab work (CBC, CMP, tumor markers) every 3 months for3 yrs and then every 6 months for 2 more years and yearly after that to chech for metastasis. Your mediport will remain in place for 5 yrs and needs flushed monthly when not in use. State how you will inform your family and school-age children.

Any thoughts???

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

I think this was meant to be about your personal thoughts, not ours. I've had cancer 3 times. Imagine what it would be like to be told this information. I was scared and cried a lot the first time I was told I had cancer. I also started trying to find as much information as I could about the cancer, about how it was treated. What do you think you would do when you were told all that information?