TAC Chemo x 6 Experience

ScrapsMom

My sister will begin chemo on 4.26.10 for stage III breast cancer.  Her protocal will be taxotere, adriamycin, cytoxan every 21 days for 6 cycles.  She will be on Emend and Zofran for nausea  She is 41, married to a quad and has 3 little kids.  Needless to say she is overwhelmed and terrified so I am simply trying to find out as much as I can so that I can be the most help to her.  I will be with her at least for the week of chemo if not more as needed.  I would love to hear how people fared on this particular protocal and would welcome suggestions on things I could do to help.  These discussion boards are a wealth of information and I can't thank you all enough for participating!

diana50

hi scrapsmom

in 2002, i participated in a clinical trial with TAC for 6 rounds...every 21 days.  shortly after the trial it became a standard treatment.  i found this trial do-able..and it seems to have really worked for me as i am still clear of my cancer after 8 years*** 

i didn't experience much nausea or sickness....i didn't have mouth sores....however, i did have problems with irritated eyes.  it is an accumulative effect...by the 5-6 round it was tougher then the earlier rounds.  they gave me decatron (steriod) before...during and a day after infusion which prevents an allergic reaction...and i think it also makes you feel better.  the biggest issue for me was that my white blood count really dropped shortly after each infusion and i needed shots to boost my white count. i only had one time problem with red blood cells.  once the chemo protocol got started i also noticed that food tasted like cardboard..and there were a few foods i really could eat....not much of an appetite.

i kept track on a calendar of how i was feeling (daily) to track the effects.  usually felt weak..tired..5-8 days after...but as you get ready to do the next cycle  you begin to feel better..then they hit you again.  i did rest every day which seemed to help. i did exercise daily...some days better then other days...but i felt it was important to keep moving on some level. i never had big problems with vomiting or anything like that. 

each person reacts differently to chemo; some will have difficult times..and others maybe not so much.  it is very important that your sister communicate with her chemo nurses and the oncologist so they know what symptoms she is experiencing.  she should drink a lot of water and fluids. it helps.

i really believe in chemo.  of course...TAC appears to have worked well for me.  use the boards..or get your sister to get on here too; lots of good experiences and suggestions along the way will help. she is not alone and neither are you.  i also got into a support group which really helped me too; i could talk with others who were going through similar experienes. 

oh, her hair will begin to fall out after first infusion..14 days or so.  i went and had my head shaved because it was easier to shave it off then have it all fall out.  i wore scarves and hats when i went out...toward the end i was just a baldy every where i went. 

hang in there.

diana50

precioustime

Hi Scrapsmom

First of all I had pretty much the same info as diana50.

I am 43 years old and have a 4 year old-- I had my parents come and stay with me during my 6 Chemo Treatments and Believe Me I needed it!!!  I felt like I was glued to my couch/recliner for 6 months-- occasionally up and about to do a load of laundry or fix myself something to eat.

The 6 treatments were definitely accumulative for me.  The first 2 were not so bad-- just really tired and out of it the first few days after infusions and then I would regain my strength back to only go at it again.  By the 6th treatment-- my Body had had enough and I was Done!!  

I had Neo Adjudvant Chemo- which wiped out the biggest tumor that was 2cm.  After surgery the pathology report still showed 2 >1cm tumors and 12 positive nodes in the axilla nodes.  

The things that stick out in my mind while doing Chemo-- were

#1 (fast heart beat and harder to breathe when I would over exert myself)

#2 (lost hair on my head 2 weeks after 1st infusion)- I also shaved my head before and glad I did.

  I bought two expensive wigs but my personal choice was BALD.

#3 (TIRED- Accumulative TIRED as I received another infusion)-- Lower Extremity pains at times- felt like an 80 year old lady trying to get up out of the chair!

YOUR SISTER- will be so thankful with any help she can get:)

I wish you ALL the best!  It seemed at times while I was doing Chemo that my family was suffering more than I was.  Keep your head up and encourage one another because this will soon be just a Mountain that you all have climbed.  My family has grown closer through my journey and I am a NEW person from who I was before.

Loretta

DATO

I did 6 cycles of TAC from July to October 2006.  There is a great thread that you should read; it helped me a lot.  Do a search on "TAC March/April 2006".  I had my chemo on Mondays; I took the rest of the week off work.  I never did feel horrible, but I just felt puny.  I just lazed around going from my bed to the sofa to the recliner, watching TV, reading and going on the computer.  I worked the next 2 weeks until my next chemo.  I have a desk job so it wasn't too strenuous. I had great meds for nausea and never got nauseated from the chemo.  I had to wean myself off the decadron slowly or I would get nauseated from the sudden cut-off of the steroids.  Food tasted very metallic.  I ate a lot of scrambled eggs and watermelon because they tasted normal.  I lost my hair at day 18 and went au natural.  I wore a hat outside because of the sun or the cold, but at work and at home I was bald.  Actually, I never went 100% bald.  I wanted to see if I would all of my hair but I didn't.  I kept a little around the edges.  I finally shaved my head when I finished chemo so the new growth could all come in at the same time.  I lost my eyebrows and lashes near the very end of chemo.  TAC is a very strong chemo, but it is doable.  Hang in there.

jenn3

I did AC+T(Taxol).  It was tough, didn't know what to expect, but I have to say what made our lives easier was my mother in-law cooking and sending meals 3-4 times a week throughout chemo.  Even if I couldn't eat I knew there was something my family could eat for lunch or dinner.  My daugher, so sweet made a big batch of potato soup and my cousin made a big batch of chicken noodle soup, which we froze in individual containers.  Those came in real handy on the days I needed comfort food or just couldn't eat much.  My sister also came over a few times and did house cleaning the way I like it - which really made me happy - the fact that she was not only helping, but taking my thoughts into consideration.  In addition, my husband was extremely patient with my bad moods and understood it was not only from dealing with the chemo, but the medication too.  And.........just having friends and family there to laugh with me and treat me normally felt good.  I hated being treated as if I was sick.  Also, I think it was mentioned, but getting out everyday for a walk, even if it's a short one not only helps the body, but helps the mind. 

You sound like a wonderful sister and I wish you all the best........come here anytime you have questions or just need to talk and encourage your sister to come here too.  It really helps to know that there are other women that have gone through or going through the same thing physically and emotionally.

KerryMac

I had a different chemo too, but I will say that everyones SE's are different and you sort of have to wait and see what will happen, and then the next round you are a bit more prepared!

I got a bad taste in my mouth for much of it, I couldn't drink water even. I did get some nausea, and my Dr upped my nausea meds - always tell the Dr if there are SE's, as there is always something to counteract it! Freezing meals is a great idea - I would cook on my good week, and freeze it. Soup also was something I ate a lot! And I would encourage exercise (even just walking around the block), there is some research to say exercising during Chemo has a positive effect on fatigue, as well as increasing the effectiveness of the Chemo.

If she wants to, I would strongly recommend she connect with a Chemo group on this site. She will get a group of women who are all going through at the same time, dealing with the SE's, and  just supporting each other.

karen1956

Scrapsmom.....I did TAC x 6 chemo March - July 2006.  As DATO suggested, check out the thread "TAC March/April 2006".  I participated in that thread and it was a great source of information and support. TAC chemo is hard, but doable. But please remember that everyone reacts different to the chemo and side effects will be different.  For me, the side effects were cumulative.  I had trouble drinking water the first couple days after chemo, so I went in for IV hydration...my chemo was on Thursday, and I went friday, sat and sunday.  I got a Neulasta shot the day after each chemo and my blood work was always good.  I was generally fine to go back to work on Monday or Tuesday, al be it, not up to par, but well enough to get through the day.  My hubby try to get me out walking everyday even if just for 5 minutes....the day of chemo, I would come home and crawl into bed, but each day got better, though I didn't do much the few days post chemo Tx.  The biggest side effect for me was nausea....I got the pre-meds...decadron, Emend and Aloxi, then I also took Ativan, Kytril and BDR (benadryl, decadron and reglan suppository..this was the most effective)...tried compazine and it was only so so.  I also had heart burn and after the 2nd chemo, onc Rx Nexium.  I lost weight on chemo (some people gain weight)....appetite was less, though I did eat....peanut butter and toast was something I could eat as well as fruits like apples, strawberries and watermelon, smoothies,  chicken, potatoes...I could not stand smells and they still bother me to this day!!!! As someone else said, things tasted tinny...I used to drink diet coke and it was awful in the can...it took my DD who was 8 at the time to tell me to put it in a glass...I quit drinking it soon after chemo due to awful heartburn.  My hair started to fall out day 12 post chemo #1.  My hair was long and a gf cut it first into a "bob", then 2 weeks later cut it quite short and the next day it started to come out.  I bought a wig and wore it about a dozen times and then put it on the foam head in the closet where it still sits today 4 years later.  I wore hats, or went naked.  Ball caps were my favorite hat. We had meals cooked for us the day of chemo and for the next week which was a great help.  My youngest was turning 8 when I was Dx and friends had her for play dates after school and on week-ends.  Your sister is lucky to have you for a sister.....wishing her an easy time with chemo. All the best to both of you.   Hugs, karen

jpsgirl96

I'm a TAC sister of Karen's (we even started and ended at more or less the same time); I'll add a couple of things.  I had treatment in Florida but was working in Washington DC.  For each treatment, I flew home on Wednesday night, had the chemo on Thursday (accompanied by my mom, or my sister, or a friend - they took turns!) and then my husband came home late on Thursday and took me for the Neulasta shot on Friday.  For the most part, the meds controlled the nausea from the chemo, though I would say my interest in food was usually a bit off for a few days.  The side effects from the Neulasta were much worse - it was like having a really bad achy flu for about 24 hours, starting on Saturday.  Sunday I would start to recover, and Monday I would be almost normal.  I flew back to DC on Tuesday, and went back to work on Wednesday.

I did get my hair cut super short.  It started coming out just before the second of the six treatments, and it was painful, so my husband shaved it off for me.  I had the last treatment in early July, had fuzzy hair by mid-October, super short hair by Christmas, funny curly stuff for a few months after that, and then my "normal" hair back in April or May, about a year after starting.

I loved having my sis around; the treatment isn't awful but it takes some hours, and it was great to have a driver, a buddy, a lunch partner (I could always eat right after), etc.  I didn't have little ones, but I can tell you that when I had the shot symptoms, having someone to do pretty much everything while I moaned on the couch was very welcome.

Thinking good thoughts for you both.  Leigh

PS Let me second Karen's wig comment.  I bought two; the synthetic one was cheaper and MUCH easier to deal with.  I wore it to work so as not to freak out people I didn't know very well (versus my close office mates), but I HATED it and gave it up in early August and people seemed to cope just fine and I wouldn't do it again.  Miserably uncomfortable, the worst "Side Effect" I remember!  By the way - I'm four years plus from diagnosis, and doing well.

KerryMac

Just want to add a comment on the Wig thing. I was adamant that I wasn't going to wear one, I bought lots of scarves and hats, and was just going to be bald and beautiful! 

Well, I lasted about a week. I was the worlds worst bald person. I felt so awful from the Chemo, and looking at myself with a scarf on just made me feel worse. So I went and bought myself a wig and wore it every day. I got out of the shower in the morning and put it on, and took it off when I got in my jammies at night. It was winter (I am in Canada) so I didn't have to sweat through a hot summer.

So, she will really not know how she feels about wig/no wig until the hair falling out thing  happens.

jpsgirl96

Good point, Kerry - I was in Washington DC and south Florida that summer...I would definitely have minded less in winter!

ScrapsMom

Holy Toledo Ladies, you all are WONDERFUL!  What a huge wealth of knowledge . . . so willingly shared . . . thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I am feeling worlds better with this information . . . the next couple of months are certainly not going to be easy for my sister but I know we can do this and will most likely be able to laugh a bit as we go along.  She is going to have great support . . . my mother (69) and I (43) will be with her for at least the first week each time if not longer as needed and we certainly can split up as necessary thus being able to cover two weeks.  Her husband's family will also be available to help with her little kids and I think as long as we work as a team she will be able to focus on getting through the chemo.  She is an amazing woman . . . wonderfully funny and incredibly strong . . . I think we all will just feel better once the first one is behind us.  We start this Monday so please think good chemo thoughts . . . at this point we just want to decimate each and every one of those chemo cells!  I wish you all nothing but clear PET scans and continued remission.  This has just got to be beat!!!  Thank you for everything!!!

YATCOMW

I also did TAC and I felt that it was really doable......I found the mental part of the disease in the very beginning more challenging than the actual chemo......DISTRACTIONS are key.

I think the best advice someone gave me was to accept help.....my children were younger and it was such a blessing to have people offer to cook some meals....take my kids to dance....CCD....etc.  I would normally have tried to not bother people but was so glad to take them up on it.

Like Kerry.....I hated how bad I looked bald....certainly wasn't GI JANE....so I had the wig on all the time.  I did find that not wearing the wig scared my younger children the most.....I bought a good wig and had all kinds of compliments on my "hair" from strangers.  I think it just helps you mentally to not feel sick.....and not look like a cancer patient. 

My family prepared a chemo bag for me.....it had ipod, music, books to read and 6 very small gifts that I could open each time I started a TAC.  It had snacks etc.  The bag was beautiful and I have put it to good use even six years later.

She is blessed to have your support.......as that is priceless.

Jacqueline 

azs40

I also did TAC x 6 from 9/08 through 1/09. Looking back, I thought it was all pretty manageable. Many healthcare professionals that I know (I work at a hospital), impressed on me the importance of taking ALL the drugs they tell you to take, and I did, even when I felt "fine." Also, your sister will find after a couple of rounds, that there will be a "pattern" to how she feels and when she feels it. I had chemo on Tuesdays. Thursdays and Fridays I felt generally yucky, mostly tired and like I had morning sickness (without actually getting sick, btw). By Sunday I rounded a corner. By Monday I felt pretty good, and, oddly enough, was ravenous! I took this sudden hunger of mine to mean it was my body trying to repair itself and re-energize. I also didn't work from the Tuesday of chemo until the Tuesday following, but went back to work that Wednesday until the next round and felt it helped to keep active and have some semblance of normalcy in my world. 

Everyone's different, as the ladies above have mentioned. For whatever reason, I heard a lot of worst-case scenarios. After a few of them didn't materialize in my own experience, I learned to keep my head down and plow through, listening to folks, but handling my experience as best I could, without necessarily expecting the worst.

Your sister's lucky to have you. God bless. 

apple

i am champion of chemo.

except for the hairloss (yuk), a few aches and pains, general tiredness occasionally, i was fine.  I kept doing everything.  my advanced cancer demanded another 6 months of taxol ... and then another 6 months of taxol and avastin.. i can't believe it's over sometimes.  Chemo itself was not a bad experience.  i read, practiced on my keyboard, listened to my ipod.  After the first year i came to relish the time.. to rest - actually sleep during the 3 or 4 hours.  The nurses were great. (surgery and radiation was in between).

My hair's back.. i'm still an accompanist, getting ready to move to a new house.. lots of work and I'm up to it.  She'll probably fair better than me.. certainly not having to do so many chemos.  It's doable.  Even those who experience nausea make it.  Tell her not to be terrified... it's not that bad.

Eating was not that fun.. Hot peppers (my favorites) were absolutely off limits.  My mouth hurt and I ate a LOT of applesauce.

I had a bunch of friends (internet friends) who pooled together and bought me 16 house cleanings.  That absolutely wonderful...I could have done it, but it was so nice to have women come in, scrub my floors and toilets and let me teach, practice and tend to my hubby and kids.

ScrapsMom

My sister just finished her 2nd round of TAC and she is doing WONDERFULLY!  She has chemo on Monday . . . is great the rest of that day and Tuesday . . . and then feels punk Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with little energy and a bit of depression.  She has found if she continues to eat well through those days she doesn't feel naseaus at all . . . only when her stomach gets empty . . . and other than the nasty chemo taste in her mouth she is able to eat most of what she loves.  The second and third weeks are pretty normal and she handles virtually all issues with her three little kids with no help.  We feel very, very blessed.

Now here is another question . . . Did all of you who had TAC x 6 and / or stage 3 breast cancer opt for a double masectomy?  Her oncologist is all for it . . . her surgeon is vehemently opposed.  I'd love your views!!!

NancyD

I had TAC every 21 days, too, two years ago. Four cycles before surgery and then two more afterwards.

I opted for a bilateral mastectomy...I wanted to reduce my chances of it happening again in my other breast, and felt reconstruction would be more symmetrical if done to both at the same time.

I had the support of both my surgeon and oncologist, whatever I decided.

marcy4

I am taking different drugs, but I have 4 young kids at home. We have family who help with the kids and my co-workers, neighbours, and family members frequently send over a complete meal.  It is such a joy to answer the door in the morning and greet someone holding a crock pot and bag of fixings for a meal.  If someone asks me if I want a meal, I always decline, but when it just arrives, you can't so no.  This would probably be a great burden off of your sister.  One of the best ways to help is just to be a sounding board for her. Just talking about her fears and concerns helps.  She should also have someone go with her to her appointments with the doctor to hear what is said and to ask questions.  My husband always went with me to these meetings.  If her husband can't go, perhaps you could be that extra set of ears.

sugarplum

Here I am, another 2006 TAC sister coming out of the woodwork! I decided (prior to any treatments) on a bilateral mast because I wanted to be done with my breasts (they were 50 years old & one of them had just BETRAYED me!) - a friend said it's not twice the pain or twice the hassle to get them both done at once, plus you'll be "balanced" with your reconstruction. I have never regretted that decision and got through the surgery/reconstruction with no complications. When the path report came back showing skin involvement & 10 positive nodes, I was even more glad that I had opted for bilateral. My biggest challenges these days are: sleeping through the night (impossible since chemo), managing lymphedema (it behaves - if I'm careful), and struggling with the uncertain future of a breast cancer survivor.

This forum HELPS!

Julie 

YATCOMW

I did bilateral......I don't know why but it seems that the oncologists are generally for it and the plastic surgeons are against it.....

 

It is a personal decision......not sure there is a right or wrong answer.....

 

Jacqueline 

diana50

i had small tumor; had ONLY lumpectomy and auxillary node dissection..where they found all the positive nodes..which put me into the TAC clinical trial back in 2002.

karen1956

Scrapsmom.....I had a bilat....that was one of the questions I had for the 2 surgeons I intereviewed....before I could even ask it, both surgeons suggested I do the bilat....good thing as the prophy side came back pre-cancerous.  For me the bilat was the right decision....my course of Tx was bilat with axillary dissection, chemo, rads, ooph and AI's. 

Hope your sister continues to do well.  Karen

DATO

I decided on bilateral mastectomy because I wanted to do everything in my power to prevent a recurrence.  At first I just had a mastectomy on the cancerous right side.  About a year later, after chemo and rads, I had a prophylactic left side mastectomy and a hysterectomy (my mom died of ovarian cancer).  The year after that I had bilateral reconstruction (DIEP).  I am now 4 years out and I've never once regretted my decision.  My breast surgeon supported me completely.  My gyn supported me completely.  My onc said it was my decision.  My plastic surgeon was wonderful.  Now I feel happy, healthy and whole.

TaniaF

I am 44years and just got done with my 3rd session of TAC. My nausea, gas and tierdness has been the worst side effects until now. I have decided for unilateral mastectomy because the TAC population recurrence rate: in the the same breast is only about 4% and in the contralateral breast 0.9% (second primary).I look at it at being less then the general population. Both my oncologist and breast surgeon supported me on my decision. The plastic surgeon had a different view. He is a great plastic surgeon and looks at things more from an aesthetic point of view versus disease. There are other factors that one needs to consider example: BRCA +,etc. I always ask for numbers and the studies that support them.

The numbers I quoted are from the N ENGL J MED  352;22 Adjuvant Docetaxel for Node-Positive Breast Cancer by Miguel Martin et al, JUNE 2,2005. It also has a list in percentages of side effects experienced with TAC. 

Meanwhile I think that the most important thing is to be comfortable with the decision you make. Do not be rushed, you can ask for a second opinion. Also you can always decide to surgically remove the other breast later during reconstruction.

Stay positive and I send to all of you lots of love.

Tania 

RIV54

Hi, I had the same tx course, TAC x6 every 21 days. I didn't know I was stage 3 until my pathology report. I just had the LT mastectomy w/ reconstruction and reduction on RT breast. I can't say that I'm thrilled with all of the results. If I had it to do over, I'd skip the recon. I had my 3 year cancerversary in March of this year.

jpsgirl96

TAC'er weighing in re: bilat.  I had cancer in both breasts, though only the right was "serious" (ILC spread to lymph nodes).  My breast surgeon was able to do bilateral lumpectomies (my girls are not small) and get good margins and so I opted to keep them, figuring I can change my mind if there is a recurrence, and knowing that there was (in my case) little to no difference in long term survival as long as the cancer could be removed, and with chemo, radiation and hormone therapy after surgery.  This is really a totally individual choice.  I was not excited about reconstruction, I don't mind having regular mammograms and MRI's, and both my doctors agreed.  Thinking good thoughts, Leigh

mchan99

what type of the cancer you have? ER+ PR+? Do you know why your doc put you in TAC?

mchan99

What type of cancer you have? ER+ PR+? premenopausal, or post? do you know why they put you in TAC? Why not AC. TC?

Racy

mchan99, you can see my stats below.  I did TAC x 6 earlier this year.  The first onc that I consulted recommended AC x 4 and then T x 4, which it seems a lot of people get.  The second onc recommended the TAC.  He said it was the same as the AC-T only given in a different sequence. 

I chose the TAC because I would finish quicker and I preferred the onc who recommended it. From what I have seen on these boards, ladies who have done TAC are mostly doing very well. I am happy with the choice I made.

karen1956

mchan99...I was in a clinical trial and radomized into the TAC arm....and I am happy that is what I got.....just had my 6 month check up today....uneventful visit.....5 1/2 years since Dx....next appt is in 6 momths!!!  Karen

diana50

i was in a clinical trial back in 2002; i got the TAC.  i am 9 years out NED.  i have always believed that the TAC has been beneficial for me; even with 10 fully encased lymph nodes full of cancer*

mtnbiker

Hi Diana,

Just started chemo in dec. I live in Idyllwild,,,R u doing well? If you dont mind I have some questions regarding where, you had your treatment and surgery..

Happy New Year !!!

Missy