jojosmom

Hello, How are you dear? I do not get on here much. I am still so tired all the time. But thinking of you!

Herceptin is a fantastic drug for breast cancer patients. It is not a chemo drug. It is administered like chemo though. Usually people are on it for a year. I know It was given to me because I was triple positive.

JoJoMom Just answered your question - here are some links for support specific to Iowa - hope you find them useful.
http://www.idph.state.ia.us/WhatWeDo/Profiles.aspx
http://www.canceriowa.org/Cancer-Information.aspx
http://www.cancer.net/publications-and-resources/managing-cost-cancer-care
http://communitycancercenter.org/support-resources/online-resources/financial-travel-assistance/
http://www.knowcancer.com/financial-assistance/iowa/

I am really concerned about the travel time to your treatments - are you getting traditional radiation i.e. 5 days/wk for 4-7 wks or newer direct radiation treatments where they inject you with the radiation - there are several types, some involve staying near the treatment center for a week others only having one or two very intense treatment once a week for about a month.

Hi jojosmom - it sounds like you're dealing with some difficult decisions right now. How can we help? I agree with SusanK - finding a doctor you feel comfortable with is really important. I have a blog (I'm an 8-yr BC survivor) to help people going through this journey - since you're newly diagnosed, it might help you. It's my mission in life to help as best I can - I wrote a report about the 21 things I found it crucial to do after diagnosis. If you'd like a copy of that, just sign up for my newsletters : http://MarnieClark.com. Sending hugs from Denver to Des Moines.

Hi. I am sorry about your diagnosis. The process is difficult enough, the tough decions to be made, and even more so when you are not happy with your physicians. I have Triple Negaitve breast cancer, Stage I, and I decided (almost without hesitation) to have a bi-lateral mastectomy even though my tumor was fairly small. My parents both died from lung cancer that couldn't be operated on, and I vowed if surgery can remove my tumor, I would go all the way and take my risk factor as low as I could. This cancer is aggressive and I didn't want to have to think about an issue in the other breast at a later date. The mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, the waiting...ugh...I knew I just couldn't do it again. Thankfully I have wonderful medical people and a breast cancer center within twenty miles, so I didn't have to deal with what you have to. Have you talked to other patients in your area and gotten opinions on their doctors? Do you have choices? I hope you do; it is imperative you find someone you like and respect as you will have quite a few appointments ahead of you. It's taken me ten months from diagnosis through reconstruction (I have my last appointment with plastic surgeon next month), but I have not second-guessed my decision, not even once. You are going through so much right now, so much information coming at you. Please try to not let yourself be overwhelmed, and first and foremost, locate a doctor you feel comfortable with.

Hang in there! I sense from your profile name that you are a mom. I am a single mom and one year post-treatment. You'll be fine.....find someone to lean on and who can help you when you need it, but you'll be strong for your kids! H/She /They will help you through it!

Hi jojosmom - glad you joined us here. This site is remarkably helpful for the newly diagnosed, lots of info here.

I also write a daily blog on the BC journey to help others through it, so if you'd like the web address, please let me know.

Sending hugs and healing thoughts your way. xoxox

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