New here and have a question

Imadandy

Hi everyone. I just found this site today and am so glad I did! I was diagnosed in August with Stage IIIA, ER+, PR+, HER2-, 9 out of 23 nodes positive. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy since I did not want to find out a year from now that I had it in my left breast also. I have the tissue expanders in and just finished my 4 A/C treatments and have had 1 of 12 Taxol treatments so far. I will have 6 weeks of radiation afterwards. Then reconstruction. I am 51 years old. This has been a very scary time.

I see in some of these posts where people talk about their "Oncotype". Can anyone tell me what that is? I don't remember hearing anything about that when they discussed my diagnosis with me. I'm hoping they didn't omit testing me for something that they should have!

Also, were any of you totally exhausted from the chemo? They have had me off work for the surgery and A/C and said I will be able to return part time on the Taxol after about a month of treatments when the A/C isn't so strong in my body. Although I hope this is true, I just can't even imagine trying to concentrate or having the energy to work right now! Does it really get that much better on Taxol?

Thank you!

grams2jc

Hi, sorry you are here, glad you found us.
I did not have oncotype testing, did have epirubicin and cytoxan instead of a/c and then Taxol. Once we slowed the Taxol drip to eliminate bone pain I did feel better than I had on the e/c. Finished chemo the end of April and rads in July...am doing better now with both energy and concentration...still get tired fairly easily, but better. Have worked through the entire treatment but must admit that I was no where near as productive as I had been.

Good luck!

Jennifer

Rague

NO - For me anyway
A/C was not bad at all for me but Taxol was BAD! I was completely and UTTERLY exhausted - existed thosxe 12 weeks either in bed or on the couch in front of TV. The exhaustion started going a way quickly though a week after last Taxol.

Drs are different. Mine does not do Oncotype testing. I suppose if you really pushed for it he might. He says they are unreliable and can give false fear or false hope. My surgeon, rads and PA all said basically the same thing so I didn't push for it.

Susan

epark

Rague said:

NO - For me anyway
A/C was not bad at all for me but Taxol was BAD! I was completely and UTTERLY exhausted - existed thosxe 12 weeks either in bed or on the couch in front of TV. The exhaustion started going a way quickly though a week after last Taxol.

Drs are different. Mine does not do Oncotype testing. I suppose if you really pushed for it he might. He says they are unreliable and can give false fear or false hope. My surgeon, rads and PA all said basically the same thing so I didn't push for it.

Susan

As I understand an Oncotype
As I understand an Oncotype test lets you know if you need chemo or not... I never took it since im 39 and grade 3 ( aggressive) my doctors highly recommended I do the chemo so I did...like Susan I never pushed it I just did what my doctors felt was best for me.

Eva

DianeBC

epark said:

As I understand an Oncotype
As I understand an Oncotype test lets you know if you need chemo or not... I never took it since im 39 and grade 3 ( aggressive) my doctors highly recommended I do the chemo so I did...like Susan I never pushed it I just did what my doctors felt was best for me.

Eva

I think the Oncotype test is
I think the Oncotype test is only done if you are Stage 1 or possibly stage 2 and have negative nodes. This is just a little of what I got off of their site----

You may be a candidate for the Oncotype DX test if:
Oncotype DX

You have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and you and your doctor are making treatment decisions regarding chemotherapy.
Oncotype DX

You have been diagnosed with stage I or II invasive breast cancer.
Oncotype DX

Your breast cancer is estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+).
Oncotype DX

You do not have lymph node involvement (this is known as lymph-node-negative breast cancer).

beachmom

Welcome!
This is a great site and such wonderful ladies! I'm pretty new to this board and there is a wealth of info on here. Sorry you are here but glad you found the site...

I'm currently waiting for my Oncotype test results. My nodes were negative but I have/had two different types of cancer, one in each breast. I looked at the test as another tool to use to make an informed decision regarding chemo treatment.

One of the gals posted some info from Onco's website. It is for Stage 1 and 2 folks, mostly with negative nodes. I don't think that you've missed a thing!

I hope that you regain your energy soon. I can't offer any info on chemo since I haven't done that. Just wanted to welcome you to the club.

Keely )

jessiesmom1

A/C and Taxotere
I was 51 when I was diagnosed with Stage IIa, Grade 3, triple negative breast cancer. I had a right mastectomy (tissue expander implanted), a port implanted, followed by 4 rounds of A/C (every other week) and 12 rounds of Taxotere weekly. 2 of 22 nodes were positive. I did not have any radiation. The A/C rounds were not too bad. I did lose my hair and was progressively more tired but all in all it was OK. Since I did so well with the A/C the oncologist thought I would likely do even better on the Taxotere. He was incredibly WRONG. I vomited several times a day and also had diarrhea. I lost my desire to eat and in addition almost everything tasted like paste. I lost 40 pounds. The doctor said you could last a long time without eating but it was important to remain hydrated. I had to have IV fluids several times. I did not miss a single chemo infusion though. I also lost 8 fingernails and 2 toenails. My eyes were constantly watery, also - a common side effect of Taxotere. My strength was non-existent until about 3 weeks after chemo ended and I was able to start eating properly again.

Everyone reacts differently to chemo. May your side effects be minimal. Wish mine had been.

IRENE

mamolady

A/C and Taxol
I did not work at all during treatment. I do direct patient care and chemo was during cold and flu season so I didn't want to add that to the chemo. I had my surgery after chemo, then rads. I was off a total of 9 months. I went back part time for the first month.
It was nice because I could rest when I needed. I think it helped with the recovery. If you have a less active job it may be ok. Some days I am physically drained at work even prior to treatment.
The taxol wasn't bad for me except being extremely tired. I would nap most days and sometimes I would nod off on the couch till it was time to put my grandaughter in the bath.
Good luck,
Cindy

PS - do your best to not get sick, it will help. Hand sanitizer, keep your hands in your pockets when you are out, stay away from sick people.

VickiSam

mamolady said:

A/C and Taxol
I did not work at all during treatment. I do direct patient care and chemo was during cold and flu season so I didn't want to add that to the chemo. I had my surgery after chemo, then rads. I was off a total of 9 months. I went back part time for the first month.
It was nice because I could rest when I needed. I think it helped with the recovery. If you have a less active job it may be ok. Some days I am physically drained at work even prior to treatment.
The taxol wasn't bad for me except being extremely tired. I would nap most days and sometimes I would nod off on the couch till it was time to put my grandaughter in the bath.
Good luck,
Cindy

PS - do your best to not get sick, it will help. Hand sanitizer, keep your hands in your pockets when you are out, stay away from sick people.

Welcome to our Sisterhood of PINK WARRIORS!
I just wanted to add that I am sooooo IMPRESSED by the information you've gather thus far, and clarity in which you are addressing this blasted disease --!

We all have a common goal of eliminating cancer from our bodies, and living with NED (no evidence of disease) for many years.

I endured 16 consecutive weeks of Taxotere and Carboplatin, mixed with Herceptin (which then continued for 1 year).

Be your own Health Advocate -- it will serve you well in the long run. Never .. ever allow any Doctor, Specialist or RN to give you the brush off... It is 'YOUR' body, YOUR life.

Strength, Courage and Hope.

Vicki Sam

debi.18

Hi & Welcome
So glad you found us, sorry you had to! The support and information here is amazing!

As to Taxol, I just finished 12 weekly rounds last month. I was able to work full time, I only missed the day of treatment. It wasn't easy, but doable. I didn't have AC, but for some, taxol was much easier than AC. Everyone reacts different. I had my treatments on Thursdays and was back to work on Friday. My worst day seemed to be Sundays - no energy what so ever. Spent them on the couch and barely moved.

Now that I'm finished, my energy level isn't back to normal, but is much better. I'm enjoying my Sundays again!

Hugs,
Debi

carkris

debi.18 said:

Hi & Welcome
So glad you found us, sorry you had to! The support and information here is amazing!

As to Taxol, I just finished 12 weekly rounds last month. I was able to work full time, I only missed the day of treatment. It wasn't easy, but doable. I didn't have AC, but for some, taxol was much easier than AC. Everyone reacts different. I had my treatments on Thursdays and was back to work on Friday. My worst day seemed to be Sundays - no energy what so ever. Spent them on the couch and barely moved.

Now that I'm finished, my energy level isn't back to normal, but is much better. I'm enjoying my Sundays again!

Hugs,
Debi

Because your nodes are
Because your nodes are positive you do not need the oncotype test. I did not work during chemo, some people do. Taxol was easier for me.

camul

Welcome
This site has been so helpful and supportive. I had A/C years ago and usually slept the whole next day, but was back to work on Monday. I have not had Taxol, but with my latest chemo's I am exhausted all the time.

Best of luck to you,
Prayers,
Carol

laughs_a_lot

Worked durring chemo
I worked durring chemo. I work third shift and the duties are quite light. I work for about 4 hours of the shift and then can sit durring the rest of the shift. Even when I do work, the work is not physically demanding. It is basic housework in an adult foster care home. I worked 9 days out of 14 but was signed up for intermittent FMLA. If your employer has 50 or more employees you can use FMLA for abscences related to your illness without the threat of termination. I used 1 or 2 days a month once I came back from having 2 weeks off after my lumpectomy.

I was one of the lucky ones that did not get too awful sick durring chemo nor too tired durring radiation. However, I rested whenever I felt tired and did not feel guilty for doing so. Listen to your body and rest when you are tired.

Try to laugh every day even if you have to laugh at something absurd. It will help with your mental health durring the journey. And by the way, Welcome.