Diagnosed with breast cancer & primary lung cancer: Next steps?

@mamajite Thank you for your reply. Dr Gandara at UC Davis only serves as my second opinion. He said that at this point there would be no advantage to receiving treatments there vs here locally in Redding. My local oncologist and Dr Gandara both questioned the post surgery pathology report so had it re run at UCD and they were correct in questioning it. So I was finally given a treatment plan on Friday and have a video appt today with UCD to confirm he agrees. Tomorrow I go to wound care clinic to have that hole looked at because chemo is starting very soon. But it is looking much better.

@bdurel I'm glad it's looking better and that you can be seen at a wound care clinic. even though Dr Gandara gave you a second opinion, you still have been seen by him. and that should give you access to any resources that UC Davis has, that your local clinic might not. and for many things telehealth appointments are options so you don't have to drive there to see someone. keep us posted on how things go!

I had my video appt yesterday with Dr Gandara at UCDavis. He said he agreed with my local oncologist’s treatment plan. 4 cycles of Carboplatin and Pemetextred at same time as 7-8 weeks of radiation. The only change he would make based on recent studies is instead of following that with 2 years on Tagrisso he would recommend 3 years. I’m scheduled for an ultrasound and needle drainage of the seroma from my Jan surgery tomorrow. I have wound care working on the lung surgery incisions to expedite healing. Tomorrow I also have chemo education appt. Then next Tuesday needle drainage of fluid from lung surgery so I won’t cough so much during radiation treatments. Next Thur I get a chest port put in. They asked if I was ok using a picc line for first infusion so they could start sooner because they are ready. Today is 4 weeks since surgery. I said I’d prefer to just do chest port and wait extra week. I appreciate them moving quickly but my body is so sore and exhausted and I can’t sleep etc. At this point I’ve thrown trying to set up cold capping out the window. I really wanted to save my hair but our hospitals don’t have the machines so it’s more work and I don’t have the band width to take on any more plus it would be more pain. I don’t know how everyone does this. Especially those who work, or have children, or both. Everyone keeps telling me how great I look and they think that means I feel good but I am just exhausted, scared & tired of hurting. My husband means well but he said he could take me to my chest port appt at 8, no problem, as he doesn’t have to be at golf til 9:30.

@bdurel I am giving you the biggest virtual hug. you are doing a fantastic job of managing all of the appointments, procedures, and treatments you need, especially when you aren't feeling well. this is a time when you have to rely on people that will offer support (sometimes it's not who you expect.) does your local cancer center have a social worker? they can be incredibly helpful. do you have family/friends that can help with what you need as you start chemo/radiation? meals, transportation, help with housework?

you might need to explain that having a port put in is surgery and you will need someone to drive you home. I made my husband and kids watch a video about cancer fatigue because they were having trouble understanding that I looked mostly the same, but couldn't do all of the things I used to do.

Thank you SO much!