Mom's Chemo Regimen

anithope

I also posted this in the chemotherapy forum, but figured since she is triple negative, I could get more answers here.

My mom is starting her first chemo treatment tomorrow. She told the doctor that she wants her chemotherapy treatment to be aggressive so she is having 4 DD AC (every two weeks) treatments and 12 Taxol (weekly) treatments. I've noticed that some women have 4 treatments of Taxol, not 12. I'm wondering if she should consider just having the 4 treatments of Taxol.

Is the 12 treatments standard for woman who are triple negative or is it usually for node positive? I'm just really worried about the side effects accumulating, particular the bone/muscle pain women seem to experience. Thanks!

She had 2 lumpectomies, is ER-/PR-/HER2-, IDC, 1.5cm and 0/2 nodes

sftfemme65

Hi there.

I had 4 DD A/C and 12 weekly taxols too.  My onc said he believes that its more effective and the side effects are more managable.  I can tell you that I did not have any neuropathy with the taxol and I think alot of that was because it was weekly.  My bone pain was not bad at all, in fact taxol was seriously a walk in the part compared to the a/c. 

Your mom will do great.  It will go by fast and its very doable

Teresa

anithope

Thank you Teresa. It meant a lot reading this. It has been very difficult for me to see my mom go through this and words of encouragement are always helpful. Wishing you and your loved ones all the best.



Anita

VickiG

Weekly Taxol is very manageable.  When I first had mets I was doing chemo & rads at the same time, so my Taxol needed to be wkly so I could tolerate both.  Once I finished rads I could switch my Taxol to once every 3 wks ~ but my onc & I decided there was no reason to do that since I had so few SEs w/ the wkly schedule, and getting a higher dose would give me more fatigue, pain etc.  Your mom will do great w/ a wkly schedule. 

anithope

Thank you ladies. It is very comforting hearing that.

Is there anything I should keep in mind that could help her during the A/C treatment?