I had my first medical oncology appointment earlier this week. Admittedly, there was some trepidation about this appointment since my cancer diagnosis. Happily, it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be.

My cancer surgeon had briefed me well about what to expect on this first medical oncologist appointment. I had also done a lot of reading about chemotherapy and radiation so that I could pose questions to the medical oncologist during the appointment. The information given by the medical oncologist was similar to what my surgeon had said, but was more in-depth.

The medical oncologist taking care of me has kind eyes, a warm smile, and a sparkling personality. She was very thorough in her discussions about how we will manage my cancer treatment along with other medical professionals whom I have yet to meet.

As the head of breast cancer oncology in the province, I am fortunate to have her as my medical oncologist. She carries a large patient load, is compassionate and patient, and took the time that was needed to ensure that I was comfortable and clear about the information she was imparting.

She is also a cancer researcher who is involved in a patient research study. The oncology research study is being offered to all new breast cancer patients to participate in voluntarily. It involves using an electronic audio recording device to record the medical oncologist’s initial discussion with their new patient about their pathology report and cancer treatment plan. The patient then gets an audio copy of the discussion to take home as a reference resource.

Participating in the study involves a brief pre-appointment survey by an oncology nurse researcher, an audio recording of the patient’s diagnosis discussion and treatment plan with the medical oncologist, and two post-appointment interviews with the oncology nurse researcher. I may also be asked to participate in a focus group when the patient interviews are done. There is a possibility that the study findings will lead to a future journal article for a medical oncology publication.

My medical oncologist is one of several doctor researchers involved in the study with others in Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. The aim of the study is to improve doctor-patient communication using an audio recording of the discussion regarding the cancer diagnosis and treatment plan.

I think recording the initial appointment is a good idea. The experience of hearing of your cancer diagnosis and treatment plan involves receiving a lot of information, some of which may not be retained as so many details are being disseminated in a mere few minutes. An audio recording allows you to revisit the discussion for clarity.

Looking back to the beginning of this cancer journey that started in late January, I have come to realize that the mastectomy and its post-surgery complications were the easiest part of the treatment plan to rid my body of cancer.

Six three-week cycles of chemotherapy are next (starting by mid-July following surgery to implant an intravenous port line for chemo and blood work), followed by a month off to rest and rebuild my body from the toxic treatments.

Then I am will undergo daily visits (5 visits per week with weekends off) of 15 minutes of radiation for five weeks, followed by daily hormonal therapy for up to five years. In between both sets of visits are blood work tests and various scans to check for cancer (CT scans for chest, abdomen, and liver; a bone scan, and a muga [heart function] scan) and to monitor treatment effectiveness and side effects. Various medical doctor specialist appointments will be sprinkled in between treatments and tests.

When all is done, the treatment success rate against cancer recurrence is anticipated at 90%. Without any kind of treatment it’s 50%.

It’s going to be a long and difficult journey during this yearlong treatment cycle. There may be bumps along the way that could include multiple types of infection risks due to a compromised immune system and the potential of low white cell blood counts that can delay chemo treatments. With an inserted intravenous port, there is also a small risk for blood clots to form.

People I know that have had cancer treatments tell me that the hardest part to get through is chemotherapy as it can make one quite sick and very tired. They claim that radiation is an easier treatment.

For me, both are new and “big” experiences to undergo.

I’m looking at this whole cancer experience as yet another new project to undertake. It’s more of a nuisance rather than a disease to conquer. I’m up for the fight and have spent the last four months “in training” learning about this disease and building the mental muscle I need to get through this next year of treatment and recovery.

Over the years I have fallen into a predictable pattern in how I handle all new projects I undertake. I research the topic, read extensively about it, and ask a lot of questions from people who know more about it than I do. Then I process the information, come up a plan on how I want to pull it together, and “attack” the project with fervor. For me, this has been a fail-proof method that garners positive results.

It’s now time to attack my cancer treatment. I’m calling it “Project Chemo: Getting on With Getting Better”. Bring it on.

I feel somewhat like an army general in this next phase of the cancer fight. Chemotherapy books and other cancer publications tell me that I am the most important member of my healthcare team. Nice terminology, but not fierce or visual enough for me. Cancer is a battle to fight and we are at war. So in my mind, the term “army general” applies.

The “army general” has been doing a lot of positive self-talk to herself these past few weeks as she prepares for battle. The battle is mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. My troops—the other people involved in my cancer care are a war team of soldiers that are doing their part. It’s now time for me to do mine—again.

As the army general, I am the lone constant member on this battle team. The medical caregivers, like soldiers in an army do change, but I am still the one heading up the battle against the cancer opponent.

During my appointment this week, the medical oncologist told me that I was in excellent health, fit, and cancer-free for now. All of the pre-visit cancer blood tests came back negative. She said my health and fitness states would be of great help to me to get through the chemo and radiation these next few months.

I’d like to be as fit as I was pre-surgery. I went down a clothing size by just working out with 45 minutes of aerobic activity five times per week for the six weeks prior to my surgery. I felt great, not sick.

Unfortunately, my physical conditioning was set back with surgery and cellulitis. Just this week, I have finally been strong enough to resume a half hour of aerobic walking each day. I won’t get to my pre-surgery fitness level, as there isn’t enough time to do so prior to chemo beginning. But getting fit at a higher level will still help.

There was a lot of information given to me by the medical oncologist and her oncology nurse during my lengthy appointment. I will share the information in a series of blogs in the next few days. I am always learning about this disease and how the many day-to-day things I take for granted can become hazards when I’m in cancer treatment with a weakened body.

For now, this army general gal is working with her medical troops, the Women Warriors of the Amazon Tribe, and the Male Warrior Action Heroes to continue the battle against cancer. I am leading the charge with Strength, Courage, and Determination.