Oncologist

We had our first appointment with the oncologist today.  He is putting Vonnie on a very aggressive course of chemotherapy.    Because cells were found outside the lymph system and there are independently forming tumors forming in the breasts he feels aggressive chemotherapy is warranted.  Starting next Thursday she will be going every two weeks and getting a combination of three chemo drugs  (5FU, epirubicin and cytoxan) commonly called FEC.  There will be 6 doses (12 weeks) of this therapy.  Each chemo will be followed by an injection of Neulasta on the following day to increase the white blood cells. The Neulasta costs over $3000 per injection. Can you imagine how much the chemo must be!!. Following these 12 weeks she will have 12 more weeks of Taxetere and Carboplatin given every three weeks.  By our calculations we are looking at 24 weeks of chemotherapy ending a week before Labor Day.  Somewhere during the Taxetere and Carboplatin regimin she will also begin a year long therapy with Herceptin also given every three weeks.  

Another question that was answered – she will lose her hair. Apparently all hair! Head, underarms, legs, perhaps the eyelashes and eyebrows… Lovely!!