anyone turn down Taxol?

vn753
vn753 Member Posts: 1
in Breast Cancer #1

Hello All,

I am recently diagnosed. I have completed 3 of 4 rounds of AC (neoadjuvant therapy) and I am seriously comtemplating turning down Taxol as the side effects from AC have already been severe. My tumor has responded to the AC by shrinking almost 2/3 of its original size.

I want to move forward with surgery after completing 4 rounds of AC. I want to get a mastectomy to avoid radiation. I am willing to do the hormonal therapy. Any thoughts, advice, warnings?

Thanks, vn

Dx 2/9/16 IDC and DCIS (L breast: 2.05 cm, no lymph nodes, no metastasis; ER+/PR+/HER2-), started AC 3/21/16 x4 rounds

 

Comments

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #2
    Welcome Vn

    I'm so glad you found this site! I was diagnosed four years ago and I did neoadjuvant to shrink my tumors too. After surgery, I did five rounds of Taxotere which is a taxane drug like Taxol. It was so much easier to handle than the neoadjuvant. Maybe you could give it a try and see how it goes for you? These drugs are AMAZING cancer killers, literally stopping cancer in its tracks. You never know if a few cells could be left behind from surgery and why not take the chance to kill them off? Chemotherapy is not easy, but you don't want to leave any stones unturned. I am so healthy now and proud of myself for getting through all my treatments. You don't want any regrets down the road! This site is great to come to if you have questions that are too minor to call your oncologist about, everyone is SO kind and helpful. I wish you the best of luck...Hugs, Anna

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    edited May 2016 #3
    I did AC, followed by Taxol. 

    I did AC, followed by Taxol.  The queasiness I would have a for a short time a few days after AC was not around then I did Taxol.  With taxol, I am not sure if my few problems were because it was taxol OR due to the accuulating effect of chemo and Neulasta shots.  Really, it all was do-able.  Although I had to be careful about being around sick, germy people when I was doing chemo, I was not housebound. 

    My goal was to do whatever I needed to to get the disease out of my system, as far as possible.  I was classified as III-A.  I am now in my fouth year of being clear.

  • Crash684
    Crash684 Member Posts: 1
    #4
    Chemo or not???

    My wife has stage 3 cancer.  Her PET scan and bone scan came back negative.  9 lymph nodes removed, 1 has a tumor, 4 had small traces of cancer.  My wife had a total masectomy in March and had a hysterectomy in May (a couple of weeks ago).  My wife is getting better but concerned about chemo.  Doctor wants to do 6 months (24 sessions) 4 hours per shot with taxol?  Don't know why so agressive with all the tests coming back negative?  Any information would be truly appreciated.

     

  • dpletzke
    dpletzke Member Posts: 11
    #5
    same

    VN 753

    I am at the same spot as you thinking the same way.

    I'd like to keep in touch and see what you've learned/decided.

    I've been reading about long term side affects-scary.

    Debora

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #6
    Just a note that just because

    Just a note that just because a person gets  mastectomy does not always guarantee no radiation. If margins are not clean after the mastectomy, radiation may still be recommended.

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #7
    You're in the driver's seat

    You can refuse any threatment, but do you really want to take the risk?  Maybe. It all depends on your stage, grade and hormone status on the protocol recommended for you.   Not all breast cancers are the same.  Just because X was the same stage as you and refused Y and is just fine, doesn't mean you will be or that she will be tomorrow.  Learn about your specific type of cancer (beyond the stage) and why what is being recommended is being recommended.  Then make an informed decision.  And yes, radiation often is not necessary if you have a mastectomy, but not always.  Depends on a whole lot of factors.  Please have that frank discussion with your doctor about YOUR cancer stage, grade, and type and WHY s/he is recommending XYZ and the statistics.

    Suzanne

Discussion Boards