The visit to Cancer Treatment Center of America-Chicago (CTCA) was very good. I am glad that I went for a second opinion. For all first time patients, they pay for travel, transportation to/from the airport, all meals if eaten in the cafeteria, & hotel for the patient and a caregiver. My boyfriend, Steve accompanied me. For all subsequent visits, they pay for travel & meals in the cafeteria for the patient. The hotel cost is 40.00/night. Of course, they have financial assistance available to patients, if needed. I would recommend CTCA to anyone. CTCA re-read the chest, abd, & pelvis CT, Bone Scan, Breast MRI, & biopsy that were previously done in the KC area. They agreed with the results. They did another Breast MRI to see if I had responded to the 3 rounds of chemo done in KC. I have not responded to the Adriamycin/Cytoxan. I have lost the hair on my head and developed some neuropathy in my hands from the chemo. I would not have known this, has I not sought out a second opinion at CTCA. The plan is for me to have a right mastectomy the first or second week of November, heal for a month, and then do 4 rounds of Carboplatin/Taxotere every 3 weeks. Depending on the margins of my Right Mastectomy & whether I have lymph node involvement, I may need radiation. After my skin is healed from radiation (if needed), I will then have a left mastectomy with reconstruction. I have asked for the tumor to have genomic assessment that may identify treatment options not previously considered. I have already had a panel of 25 genetic mutations tested to rule out heredity (including BRCA1 & BRCA2). They all came back negative. There are genetic mutations discovered frequently and I will check back at least on a yearly basis for any new ones that could be tested. Please keep me in your prayers, as I am looking at a long road ahead. Thank you!
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 02:29:52 +0000
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