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taxol and side effects

momof2
momof2 CSN Member Posts: 81
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Have been reading some previous letters of taxol side effects. Have any of you ever had weekly taxol treatments? My Dr. said that these next 12 weekly treatments would be a piece of cake. I'm not so sure about that. PLease let me know. She said that they would be easier cause I would be getting a 3rd of the dose rather than one large dose all at once. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for everyone's help and support.
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Comments

  • imdebra
    imdebra CSN Member Posts: 20
    #2
    my first of 4 taxol treatments was a full treatment, and i reacted badly to it. (the first 4 a/c treatments didn't bother me at all). i went on weekly after that, and it was much easier. treatment day was thurs, ok friday, bad day saturday and by sun, i was mostly ok. it'll stretch out your treatment by a couple of weeks, but it is worth it. (i just finished all treatments last thursday). good luck and hang in there. by the way, your hair starts growing back when you take weekly treatments. by the time i was finished, i could go out of the house without a wig. just looks like i've got a short buzz. (thought you might like some good news, too!)
    debbie
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  • imdebra
    imdebra CSN Member Posts: 20
    #3
    i forgot something. if you're going with weekly treatments, i highly recommend having a port put in, especially if you had any lymphs removed. if that's the case and they can only use one arm for chemo, you tend to run out of good veins if they're poking you every week. the port was a godsend to me. and they'll use it to take blood for the next year after chemo, too. just something to think about!
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  • momof2
    momof2 CSN Member Posts: 81
    #4
    imdebra said:

    i forgot something. if you're going with weekly treatments, i highly recommend having a port put in, especially if you had any lymphs removed. if that's the case and they can only use one arm for chemo, you tend to run out of good veins if they're poking you every week. the port was a godsend to me. and they'll use it to take blood for the next year after chemo, too. just something to think about!

    Thank you so much for your input. I am having the weekly taxol because I have to have 52 weekly treatments of herceptin as well. I did have the port put right before I started the A/C. What was terrible about the 2nd day after chemo? Just curious and want to be fully informed of everything. You are right about the port! IT is soooo great and I love it. Not sure if I want it out or not. I have such terrible veins on the arm they can use! And I did love the news about the hair. Some of it has started to come back, but by far still not enough to go without a wig. Can't wait to have hair again :) Thanks so much!
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  • gayj
    gayj CSN Member Posts: 38
    #5
    For me Taxol was almost a piece of cake compared to AC. See my response to lilmermaid "Questions about AC" above for a description of my experience with Taxol and some of the things I've done to ameliorate side effects. Good for you for asking for information and good luck! - Gay
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