Chemo choices, personal experience wanted!

taysho
taysho Member Posts: 19
in Breast Cancer #1

I saw the oncologist today and received the final pathology report, they did find a few (<10) cancerous cells in one of my lymph nodes, which is still technically considered node negative due to such a small number and the type of cells. This doesn't really change anything since I already knew I had to do chemo since my cancer was aggressive. I go tomorrow to HOPEFULLY get my last 2 drains removed. If I can get the drains removed and have those wounds heal I will start chemo probably on the 15th or so, I see the Doc again on the 10th to finalize the plans. 

Right now I have 2 options as far as what chemo  is used. Option 1 is 4 rounds 2 weeks apart of Adriamycin and Cytoxan followed by 12 weekly treatments of Taxol, 18 weeks total. Option B is 4 treatments 3 weeks apart of Taxotere and Cytoxan, and then be finished only 9 weeks. Option B is a newer approach and my doctor is going to discuss with her colleagues to see which they think is best, she also told me to do research on my own. I will do some research on the pros and cons of each and try to educate myself, but I wanted to reach out to all of you and get your opinions and personal experiences. I am 28 with stage 2 :)

Comments

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #2
    I did the Taxotere

    I did your second choice. There were a lot of annoying side effects, but I felt better because I had also been on very difficult chemo (red devil) before my surgery. Taxotere felt easy after that. I think you will get through either one of your choices with you having such a positive attitude. The main thing to remember is that it will be hard, but over much quicker than you think at the time. If you wish to PM me during your treatment, feel free at any time. I wish you best of luck! hugs, Anna

  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #3
    I did Option B 5 years ago

    It's curious to me that your doctor would tell you Option B is a newer approach, because I had exactly that regimen when I did chemo in 2009:  4 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxan, 3 weeks apart.  Perhaps she means it's a newer approach specifically to your particular type of breast cancer?  But it's definitely not a new chemo regimen.

    At the time, I asked my oncologist why he chose 4 rounds of TC for me, and he said it was the "lightest" chemo regimen available.  Because my tumors were so tiny, and all my lymph nodes were negative, chemo was optional for me -- I chose to do chemo, mainly for my own peace of mind.  So my doctor said he didn't feel more aggressive regimens were necessary, and that 4 rounds of TC was the least aggressive.  He even mentioned your Option 1, called TAC, as being "full court press" when it comes to chemo, and more than I needed.

    Obviously, this was 5 years ago, and there very well may be new research on particular chemo regimens for different types of breast cancer.  But I thought my experience might be a little bit helpful, at least for a bit of history?

    Traci

     

  • MaggieCat
    MaggieCat Member Posts: 54
    #4
    Consider You Tube Search

    Taysho... There are an amazing number of You Tube videos out there on specific chemo treatments.  Most are patient orientation videos.  Consider doing Google search.

    Here's one I was looking at yesterday...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfwYR7bm208

    When I started this unexpected journey in mid-October, I looked at treatment options just as soon as I had insight into my particular cellular challenge. A trip to MD Anderson,an evaluation with a local oncologist, and a trip to UNC Chapel Hill Health Care.  There were many treatment options discussed over the course of 5 weeks.  After all of the considerations ---- all in agreement for my best option - a Dana-Farber sponsored clinical trial. I'm headed in that direction. 

    Maggie  (the devil is in the details!!!)

     

  • alabama_survivor
    alabama_survivor Member Posts: 85
    #5
    I did the A/C and Taxol.

    I did the A/C and Taxol. Yesterday I had #10 of the 12 weekly Taxol.  I was a little afraid of the red devil, but the fear was unfounded.  I've had very little nausea. For the first few days after a/c, I wanted to sleep alot. My biggest problem was low white count and fatigue Iit was really hard after the third treatment. All in all I did well compared to th side effects I could have had. With the taxol, I did end up taking a two week break after week 7. I had the rash and blistering on my hands and started itching really bad all over my body.  I took a steroid pack and Benadryl,  an d that took care of it.  I also used steroid cream oon my arms and backs of my hands. I did have some low white counts and hemoglobin. I've had some fingernail changes--discoloration and several are lifting from the beds. I was told they may fall off. I've also had a lot of tingling in my feet and ankles and also my hands and fingers.  Please don't let this scare you because all in all it's been much better than what I expected.  I would certainly do it again. Good luck to you. 

  • alabama_survivor
    alabama_survivor Member Posts: 85
    #6
    alabama_survivor said:

    I did the A/C and Taxol.

    I did the A/C and Taxol. Yesterday I had #10 of the 12 weekly Taxol.  I was a little afraid of the red devil, but the fear was unfounded.  I've had very little nausea. For the first few days after a/c, I wanted to sleep alot. My biggest problem was low white count and fatigue Iit was really hard after the third treatment. All in all I did well compared to th side effects I could have had. With the taxol, I did end up taking a two week break after week 7. I had the rash and blistering on my hands and started itching really bad all over my body.  I took a steroid pack and Benadryl,  an d that took care of it.  I also used steroid cream oon my arms and backs of my hands. I did have some low white counts and hemoglobin. I've had some fingernail changes--discoloration and several are lifting from the beds. I was told they may fall off. I've also had a lot of tingling in my feet and ankles and also my hands and fingers.  Please don't let this scare you because all in all it's been much better than what I expected.  I would certainly do it again. Good luck to you. 

    BTW, the Aveeno the NP

    BTW, the Aveeno the NP recommended for the dry itchy skin has been great. If you start having problems with itching,  you might want to give a try. The blistering on my hand started off as a dry chapped feeling.  I felt like it was trying to come back since I rrestarted the taxol, but so far the Aveeno seems to be warding it off. I also use Aveeno body wash.

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #7
    ACT
    I had 4 adriamycin and

    ACT

    I had 4 adriamycin and cytoxin -- however they are spelled.  No problems.  My onc said that I should not have problems with nausea, as long as I took a few days' worth of my anti-puke drugs.  I would have a bit of queasiness but that was it.  My infusions were every other week.

    I had 4 taxol every other week.  I did not have queasine or nausea.  I took no more anti-puke drugs.  I had a few challenges the last two -- a reaction -- but we got past it without delays or changes.  The sides of my feet plus my toes got scaley/rough. I put lotion on them because I did not want cracks to develop -- that had happened to a friend of mine.  I had some breathing issues but that quickly cleared up when I finished chemo.  My neuropathy was minimal, affecting a few small toes.  Still doe.

    I had neulasta shots.  My numbers were always good.  I finished all my chemo on schedule.

    After all this, I began rads about thre weeks later.

    Two years ago this fall, I finished treatments.  I currently am on tamoxifen.

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #8
    cytoxin and taxotere

    I was not given any choice, MO just said this is what you'll be taking, glad I didn't have to research myself and make a choice, I figure she's the oncologist and should decide what's best for my type of cancer.

    I had no problems with nausea, had good premeds. Didn't have a big appetite, and food tasted like wet cardboard. Developed very weak muscles, had to use a cane to even get around the house. First round had about 4 days I was done and pretty much just in my recliner, than 2 weeks of feeling good and doing my usual activities. Lost hair about day 14. The recovery time got longer and longer with each session, and by round 3 I was still using the cane when it was time to get round 4, so MO cut my last dose by 20%. Had some chemo brain fog - trouble focusing my eyes at times, reflexes & decision making slowed enough I didn't feel it was safe to drive, had trouble multitasking, had trouble retrieving words sometimes (had to describe a spatula to Lew as I couldn't remember what to call it), fatigue - took a nap most days, insomnia at chemo time from the steroids. I got short of breath with activity, even bending over to tie my shoes made me short of breath.  I had no problems with nerve pain in my hands and feet but I know others who did on the same meds. My last chemo was Sep 18 and most all the issues are gone, I'm back to the gym and walking the treadmill, head has cleared up, no shortness of breath. Still working on getting my leg strength back - in the senior fitness class the 82 year old can still do more leg reps than I can!

     

  • taysho
    taysho Member Posts: 19
    #9
    Thanks everyone for the

    Thanks everyone for the input, I spent last night trying to figure out finances so I didnt look into anything. That's what I figured I would do today. I didn't get my drains out today because they are still draining too much, more than likely caused by my increased activity levels, but I feel fine so I'm trying to take advantage of it! I'm 2 weeks post-op and feel great, I know there are some rough days looming in my future and I'm trying to take advantage of the good days, and I've had to pay the price...I have these dumb , pain in the butt drains for a few more days. I am going to try my best to be good these next few days and hopefully get them out on Monday!

  • alabama_survivor
    alabama_survivor Member Posts: 85
    #10
    Puffin2014 said:

    cytoxin and taxotere

    I was not given any choice, MO just said this is what you'll be taking, glad I didn't have to research myself and make a choice, I figure she's the oncologist and should decide what's best for my type of cancer.

    I had no problems with nausea, had good premeds. Didn't have a big appetite, and food tasted like wet cardboard. Developed very weak muscles, had to use a cane to even get around the house. First round had about 4 days I was done and pretty much just in my recliner, than 2 weeks of feeling good and doing my usual activities. Lost hair about day 14. The recovery time got longer and longer with each session, and by round 3 I was still using the cane when it was time to get round 4, so MO cut my last dose by 20%. Had some chemo brain fog - trouble focusing my eyes at times, reflexes & decision making slowed enough I didn't feel it was safe to drive, had trouble multitasking, had trouble retrieving words sometimes (had to describe a spatula to Lew as I couldn't remember what to call it), fatigue - took a nap most days, insomnia at chemo time from the steroids. I got short of breath with activity, even bending over to tie my shoes made me short of breath.  I had no problems with nerve pain in my hands and feet but I know others who did on the same meds. My last chemo was Sep 18 and most all the issues are gone, I'm back to the gym and walking the treadmill, head has cleared up, no shortness of breath. Still working on getting my leg strength back - in the senior fitness class the 82 year old can still do more leg reps than I can!

     

    Some of the side effects you

    Some of the side effects you are describing, I did have, I just forgot about.  I did finally break down and buy a cane about 5 weeks into the Taxol. I was unsteady and just wanted something to hang onto. I do get short of breath, and I get shaky when I overexert myself,  and my heart will race. Since I don't work,  I spend most of my time on the sofa. I started losing my hair right before my second ac treatment. Since starting the Taxol, I've lost what wasleft of my eyelashes and eyebrows.  However I did notice just a tny bit of very fine fuzz starting to grow on my head just in the last week. Following the two week break I got a few weeks ago, my symptoms are better.  I don't really need my cane now, but I still take to chemo with me because the drugs make me really sleepy and I nearly lost my balance one day.

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