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AnnaB
AnnaB Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone. I'm 39 and was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 15, 2002. Had a mastectomy on December 16, 2002 and started chemo on January 16, 2003. It's funny how some dates remain permanently fixed in your brain. I've completed 4 doses of A/C and getting ready to start Taxol in a couple of weeks. I'm doing the "dense dose" chemo - going every 2 weeks, instead of 3. Anyone out there with experience on both the "dense dose" and/or the side effects of Taxol? I'm very much looking forward to adding myself to a long list of Breast Cancer Survivors!

Comments

  • DianaF
    DianaF Member Posts: 5
    #2
    Hi! I just posted on another message (Taxol survey) and then saw yours. I hope you are doing alright! Just wanted you to know that the Taxol didn't seem to bother me (side effects were the usual, but no neuropathy or anything unusual). I didn't have "dense dose", and actually, after the first two cycles of Taxol and carboplatin every three weeks, my regimen was changed to every four weeks due to my low white blood cell count. I hope it won't be too bad for you. I just kept telling myself it would all soon be over! You already sound like a survivor :o)
  • AnnaB
    AnnaB Member Posts: 9
    #3
    DianaF said:

    Hi! I just posted on another message (Taxol survey) and then saw yours. I hope you are doing alright! Just wanted you to know that the Taxol didn't seem to bother me (side effects were the usual, but no neuropathy or anything unusual). I didn't have "dense dose", and actually, after the first two cycles of Taxol and carboplatin every three weeks, my regimen was changed to every four weeks due to my low white blood cell count. I hope it won't be too bad for you. I just kept telling myself it would all soon be over! You already sound like a survivor :o)

    Di,
    Thank you for your words of encouragement! I am continually overwhelmed by the kindness of complete strangers - it really is true, "breast cancer survivors are sisters at heart."
  • TylersMom1
    TylersMom1 Member Posts: 57
    #4
    Hi AnnaB

    I do not have any experience with the "dense dose" of Taxol but I was on the regime of Taxol every three weeks. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on April 25th and had a lumpectomy (I know what you mean about the date thing!). On May 3rd I had 13 nodes removed and had one positive. I also had four doses of AC before my taxol. My experience with Taxol was severe muscle pain. Basically, I felt like I had the flu for about a week. For about 2 or 3 days, I didn't want anyone to even touch me. Because I was also on nulasta (for low white blood counts), I also had bone pain so you may not experience as much pain as I did. It was not fun but I had nausea with my last two treatments of AC and I would take the muscle and bone pain anyday!! My doctor also said that the side effects of Taxol are tougher when you are on the 3-week regime rather than the one-week regime. Maybe the two week regime is similar to the one week and your side effects won't be too bad. Good luck to you, my prayers are with you.
  • KimInBeirut
    KimInBeirut Member Posts: 39
    #5
    It's odd about the dates you all mention because I don't remember any of them except for my second surgery (lymph nodes). The day I was told I had cancer, my first reaction to the doctors was, "I need to buy shampoo!" You see, I was scheduled to deploy shortly and had enough shampoo to get me through until I moved. When the cancer diagnosis came the ONLY thing that came to my mind was, "I need to buy shampoo." I may not remember dates, but every time I need a bottle of shampoo, I remember that diagnosis day.
  • newbeginning
    newbeginning Member Posts: 13
    #6
    Hi Anna..am also new..am having my 7th of 8 chemos on March 17th..clinical trial-every three weeks but increased doses. Now on taxotere for 4 rounds- my last on 3/17. I go straight to radiation after that. Have heard GREAT things about every 2 week therapy. Don't know how you do it though..Taxotere not my favorite, for sure!!!But if it makes ya well, give it to me!!!..lol..Good Luck Anna...Linda
  • sisler01
    sisler01 Member Posts: 10
    #7
    Hi Anna! I'm new to this website. I have been out of treatment for a year now. I did four A/C treatments and then did Taxol. I participated in a study and received Taxol weekly. I went in every Friday for three months. The weekly version was called Taxotere. The main purpose of the study was to look at quality of life. I can't speak for everyone but I can tell you that I had no problems at all. I didn't get nauseated or sick thru the whole thing. Don't get me wrong-they gave me Zofran before my treatment and then I took pills for two days after-even if I didn't feel sick. I had to take every Friday off work but I didn't feel overly tired. I was able to maintain a full time job (with Family Leave of course). I know I was incredibly lucky and blessed but I was very focused on not getting sick. I thought of the drugs as "PacMan"-going in to find the bad cells and "gobble them up". As silly as that sounds, it really did help. I'm sure anyone here will tell you how valuable a positive attitude is-more than anything, it can help you get thru. Take care, good luck and God Bless. Sharon
  • vjean
    vjean Member Posts: 14
    #8
    sisler01 said:

    Hi Anna! I'm new to this website. I have been out of treatment for a year now. I did four A/C treatments and then did Taxol. I participated in a study and received Taxol weekly. I went in every Friday for three months. The weekly version was called Taxotere. The main purpose of the study was to look at quality of life. I can't speak for everyone but I can tell you that I had no problems at all. I didn't get nauseated or sick thru the whole thing. Don't get me wrong-they gave me Zofran before my treatment and then I took pills for two days after-even if I didn't feel sick. I had to take every Friday off work but I didn't feel overly tired. I was able to maintain a full time job (with Family Leave of course). I know I was incredibly lucky and blessed but I was very focused on not getting sick. I thought of the drugs as "PacMan"-going in to find the bad cells and "gobble them up". As silly as that sounds, it really did help. I'm sure anyone here will tell you how valuable a positive attitude is-more than anything, it can help you get thru. Take care, good luck and God Bless. Sharon

    What kind of side effects from the Taxol? I've been on it since June, and my feet and ankles hurt, and they've been swollen for over three weeks now--extremely swollen! Did that happen to you?

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