Cancer Survivors Network

I just had my second of 12 taxol treatments and am wondering what's in store for me...
after reading the responses here I feel like at least I can be prepared if something does begin to bother me. A/C was HORRIBLE! so glad that's over with. and glad I found this website! WE are all sisters in this battle. God bless each and every one of you.
Lorraine

you know I had wondered if it was some kind of reaction to the treatment. more than pickingup a virus. and having the temp dehydrates me and Ihave trouble eating and drinking as it is. but AC was worse. I have 9 taxol to go. I have had trouble with my liver function tests one goes up and down, so i usually do the motrin and not tylenol. I feel like I get all these weird side effects and they dont know why. It scares me sometimes.

I am about to have a/c and taxol - what reactions did you get to a/c -- thanks

I just find it wierd that thurs is my treatment day, and thurs and friday I have no temp and it starts on saturday. very achy that day. but I think it is some reaction to the taxol. BTW I had the H1N1 vaccine not the actual flu.and the temp continues until wednesday, I have it starting in afternoon, take motrin and dont get it again until the next day.

I hope that you are doing better now carkris. You got the H1N1 flu shot? Any reaction to it? My oncologist did not want me to get it.

Angie

I am not sure as I had fever and D for the first 3 treatments. and no one knows why the fever persists. otherwisw no. I wanted it as swine is at both my kids schools and Ihave not been feeling well throughthe AC and felt like i couldnt deal with H1N1 too. I am pretty debilitated. Why did your onc say no? Mine did not hesitate.

My oncologist felt that it was rushed too much and not tested. He just felt that it wasn't safe yet for bc patients that were barely out of treatment. My immune system is already down from the treatments. He did give me the regular seasonal flu shot. I hope you feel better soon.

Angie

of course no one can figure out why I get the fever either, I did not get it with AC. I am waiting to see if I get it this time. Its a good thing I got the H1N1 shot as my daughter got the live virus (nasal) even when I told her not to. and she could not have been around me this TG. It would have been bad as I havent seen her for 3 months as she is at college. It was emotionally so good for me to see her!!!!

treatment I got a fever 3 days after and spent a week in the hospital. They don't know for sure what caused it. My temp went up to over 103 several times. Finally after a week, it started to subside and I went home 2 days before my next taxol treatment was scheduled. I had my chemo dense-dose (every 2 weeks, rather than 3) so the Dr told me as long as I didn't run a fever those 2 days at home I could come back in for my treatment. Needless to say I was very anxious about going in for my 2nd one. Everything went OK after that - just the usual achey feelings with the taxol. Hopefully you'll feel better this next time too. I had A/C also (every 2 weeks) and never ran a fever with it either. Who knows? I know we all react differently. I'll be praying your next visit goes much better!
much love,
-Jenny

My first 3 treatments I ran a fever starting 2 days after treatment and running until night before next treatment. it would start higher 101 the be more like 99.8 -100.2. this time (knock on wood) it has been two days no fever !! I am hoping....... It is weird! I will have the 5th one thurs. I didnt want to post until I got through a whole week, maybe its the body reaction to taxol 103 very high you must have felt miserable and in the hospital too!!!

Having finished 3 out of 12 I've had almost no side effect except for dry mouth.
I'm wondering why some doctors have their patients take 4 "mega" doses and others allow for 12 "lite" doses. With absolutely minimum side effects I don't see why anyone would want to do the 4 if it takes the same amount of time and still kills the cancer cells. Anyone know?
l

I think its center preferences, I was offered both but since I had issues with AC wanted the more gentle route. i think some people want to get it over more quickly. sometimes I think they will pull together the data later and see what one works the most? doesnt it seem like a long time though????

all my chemo had to be "dense dose" - I got it every 2 weeks instead of 3 - he wanted to "hit it hard" so I guess it depends on your dx and what the best course is for you. My tumor grade was 3 and my oncotype (spelled?) was 32 so my risk for recurrance is high. Chemo every two weeks was NOT fun - but then, it's not fun anytime! I had 4 rounds of A/C, then 4 rounds of taxol. That fever thing though was the worst - a week in the hospital - I was in longer for that than I was my surgery!
-Jenny