Adriamycin(Doxorubicin), Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide), Taxol (Paclitaxel)---Any experience with any of

AngieD
AngieD Member Posts: 493
in Esophageal Cancer #1
The past week has been a flurry of phone calls, tests, appointments, etc. for us. Barring any compelling reasons otherwise from an onco surgeon that I have a second opinion appointment with tomorrow, we have a plan.

Are there any sayings about "The couple that chemo's together ---?"

Starting Tuesday, for my triple negative breast cancer: 8 weeks Adriamycin and Cytoxan, 12 weeks Taxol, 3 weeks rest, surgery, 6 weeks radiation. Starting a week from Tuesday, Larry (stage IV EC) has been approved for Stage II clinical trial with Taxol and 50% chance of getting an antibody that will interfere with cancer cell replication. (Not a blind study, so we'll know the day it starts if he is getting antibody or not. He can quit the study at any time, of course)

After some discussion, we decided to schedule our chemo for the same day and time just to free up more time for our "other life."

I know everyone responds differently to chemo, but I was wondering if any of you veterans had anything to share about your experiences with any of those 3 drugs? Tips, anything you wish you'd known sooner, etc.

Thanks!
Angie

PS I've progressed from the stunned, numb stage to the scared, angry one.

Comments

  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #2
    Taxol
    Hi Angie:

    Scared and angry - boy that sounds like us. Don just started his treatment this past week and he gets Taxol and Carboplatin (1 hr. for the taxol and half hour for the Carboplatin). He just started chemo on Thursday and will go every Wednesday for the next 5 weeks - 6 wks total. Also he radiation daily M-F.

    He was fine until yesterday - odors are particulary bothersome and he was nauseous all day - still like that today but a wee bit better. Today he told me our house stinks. He is staying hydrated and forcing himself to eat a little something which as you already know is very important.

    As both chemo drugs have so many side effects and most are the same for both - it's hard to tell which one is the culprit or if it is a combo of both.

    I hope you both have a great support system around you - you will certainly need assistance and I hope you will ask when you need assistance and not try to be 'tough' about this. I am looking at Don and he is really whipped and we did not expect this so soon after chemo - we thought it would build up.

    Sending love and hugs to each of you - keep us posted.

    Judy & Don

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