Getting Nervous About My Chemo tx

ninel

My oncologists is choosing 4AC 4 Taxol prior to surgery. I am reading sooooo much about heart problems with this type of treatment. I am getting a MUGA scan.

I am stage IIb. They found the one node they removed for the SNB to have microscopic traces of BC. So I don't know if the other nodes are infected.

With my stage and grade and the fact that at least one node is positive is there any other combinations I can ask my onc about?

What is this donse dense everyone is talking about?

Ninel

lemonld

Nine,

The AC and Taxol are the best drugs available at this time according to my onc.  The adrymicin is the drug that is hard on the heart.  They should do the MUGA scan before and after the tx to make sure that everything is ok.  I think that my percentage went down like 2%.  Dose dense chemo is where they give you the drugs at closer intervals and hit the cancer hard with the tx.  I know that this is very scary for you just remember to treat yourself with kindness, when your tired rest.  While on tx ask your doctor for anything that will help with the side effects.  Remember to keep your eye on the horizon even though you may be going through the valley.  I will keep you in my prayers.

 Hugs,

Linda

ninel

Should I be worried about the heart issues? I am young only 34. I guess they figure my hear tis strong enough????

lemonld

Nine,

I would suggest you ask your onc.  I believe that mine started at 78% and went down to 75%.  I am 50 years old and do not feel that I have suffered any serious SE from this. 

Hugs,

Linda

ninel

Linda,

What started at 78%?

FloridaLady

Ninel,

Take the supplement COQ10 to help protect your heart.  Also try and do light exercise this will keep the heart strong and push the access chemo out of it.  The Big A rarely causes problem in a young heart.  I have only meet one person who was hurt by this chemo, and she was in her 60's.

Flalady

ninel

Thank you so much FloridaLady. I so appreciate all your help.

S3K5

Ninel,

I couldn't tell if you are going to get dose dence AC (once in two weeks) or once in three weeks? I just completed my MUGA scan before and after 4 cycles of dose dense AC. The EGFR (ejection factor) was 70% before and 69% after, which is virtually unchanged. I am 49. So at your age, I wouldn't worry about it at all. I was too tired to exercise! I guess my heart was strong to begin with.

AC + taxol is the best chemo available and ER/PR negative people respond very well to this regimen. Good luck with your chemo. It is doable - just report any side effect to your Oncologist. There are a lot of meds for everything (mostly nausea).

Desi. 

FloridaLady

Let me clarify on exercise...I know it's hot as Haiti's here in Florida, but try just walking a half an hour each day.  If you have to go to the mall an walk.  Ladies I can tell you from experience..doing chemo in the cooler month's is soooo much easier.  Chemo makes you have hot flashes, wigs or hats are hot, and some days your just miserable from the all bc thing, and in 90+ degrees, not a great mix.  Stay cool..

Flalady

Sadie-Rose

Ninel,

I just wanted to mention that the platinum drugs seem to be considered frequently for TNBC.  Information from the  Oncology conference in San Antinio, Texas highlights the success of Carboplatinum for TNBC.  You might ask your doctor about the new research which is showing success with the platinum drugs.

Sadie

FloridaLady

Ninel,

As Sadie says the are using platinum drugs but not as a first line of treatment.  I know Moffitt protocol's..;unless they have a trials going, they will not change standard protocol for your first treatment.  I would still ask but I have research and not found anyone with first round of chemo with platinum drugs.  This a good chemo for most, I have done it twice in three years.

Flalady

HeatherBLocklear

Hi all,

Flalady is right. Standard first chemo protocol for triple negative is a taxol + AC. Platinum drugs are used only if the standard treatment doesn't work, or doesn't work well enough.

Annie

ninel

That puts me at ease. Thank you all for your help.