FEC-D and Docetaxel anyone had this regime?

fighter13

I will be starting 3 x FEC-D and then 3 x Docetaxel on 9/20. I will be having a Gated Cardiac Scan, Bone Scan and CT Scan prior and also will be having day surgery to have a port put in. My MO said I will also need to have Neulasta injections as well. This is such scary stuff after chemo I will then have radiation to my chest wall and then Tamoxifen. Has anyone else had a similar regime and can give me any idea of what to expect? I have ILC (twenty tumours spaning over 10cms) and three positive nodes. ER+, PR+, HER2-, grade 2, apparently they are not sure how to stage me as I had so many individual tumours that they can't just go by the biggest tumour as that would grossly understage me. Pre-menopausal. I had a MX two weeks ago along with Axillary clearance.

Trisha-Anne

Hello Fighter from another Aussie girl!

I did FEC-D and got through the FEC part ok - it wasn't nice, but doable.  Taxotere (the D part or Docetaxol) was a nightmare for me, but that doesn't mean it will be for you.  I never had Neulasta injections though - and I never needed them.

Make sure you take all your anti-nausea meds that they give you for the FEC, whether you think you need them or not.  It's easier to prevent nausea than to stop it once it starts. Drink lots and lots of water - especially the day of infusion.  The E part of FEC is hard on your bladder if you don't flush it out properly.

I had taste changes on FEC not severe - but everything tasted horrible.  I found sucking on jelly beans helped.  I was told not to try to drink tea or coffee while I had the taste changes as it might put me off it forever.  I drank green tea through chemo and now can't stand the thought of drinking it lol.

You'll have your FEC first probably, and when those rounds are finished, they'll start you on the Taxotere.

FEC-D is standard treatment in Australia, and there's many Aussie girls who have had it.

We have an Aussie Sisters thread - please come over and introduce yourself - we are a great group who support and care for each other.  We are also having a get together in Sydney at the end of November.

Oh - and I also had a port - don't worry about having that put in, it's relatively easy - it's a bit uncomortable for a little while until your body gets used to it.  Get yourself some Emla cream from the chemist.  It's a skin anaesthetic that works beautifully.  I put it on about 3 hours before getting chemo and never felt the needle going in.  It's not cheap - around $80 for a tube, but it lasted me 14 months (I had Herceptin every three weeks for a year) and I still have some left over.

Please let us know if you have any more questions - we're here to help :-)  And don't forget to pop in and say hello to your Aussie Sisters!

(((hugs)))) to you - it's all overwhelming, I know, but you'll get there.

Trish

xoxox

kyliet

And another Aussie chimes in. I did fec d. Trish and the girls were a great support, please pop over to the thread. My hubby gave me the neulasta, the onc nurses showed him how. I had a lot of nausea with chemo, as Trish says take your meds and drink heaps. Radio was tiring but ok. We are here for you every step of the way. I asked millions of questions and our aussie system is a bit different to others so it was great to chat here. Hugs xx

conniegorsline

I am on exactly this same chemo protocol  FEC-D and and coming up on my third cycle next week.  Which will be the END of the first three drug combinations, the FEC part!!!!  Then by my fourth  treatment, I will commence the back half of 4-6 chemo cycles, the D part, and at the same time they will introduce Herceptin for I am HER2+, E+ and P+.  I am in a world class Cancer hospital in Canada and they have encouraged me to believe that Herceptin is my game changer.

I am so far tolerating FEC-D very well.  No big deal, truthfully, so far.  I do take Neulasta...thank god...have met women wthout for whatever reason...and I feel most protected by Neulasta regarding managing the boost to my WBC and my sense of well-being and energy.  So that is my contribution.   Everyone responds uniquely to their protocol...but I feel you are on the right track and do not be afraid...once you start you will feel more like your OWN this and can focus on all the ways you can devise your own helpful chemo management.  It does work...to stay in the moment...stay as active as you possilby feel you can...good for your immune system.  Think excellent nutrition...lean towards organic...for you do not want to support any more estrogen fed foods in your system.  And wisdom says it is an excellent approach during chemo to eat maybe 5 0r 6 small meals...throughout the day...rather than 3 significant ones. Research on chemo says. At least here. 

Do take loyally your anti nausea meds...they really do help your initial few days and I hope you can be one of the fortunate ones...who sails through most of your chemo...feeling pretty good.  I am told to expect accumulative fatigue through the remaining cycles, with much fatigue by the final chemo treatment.  I will cross that bridge when I get to it,  For now I try to stay very focused on the present reality..and the present reality is pretty good in terms of stamina.  

We do not have exactly the same pathology...I have chemo now before surgery so I have not been staged yet.  However with my Triple Positive pathology...staging seems a moot point for me.  My treatment is clearly laid out.  Chemo first, Herceptin commences, surgery, radiation, hormone therapy.  

Hope this helps you and good luck.  You can do it.  We all do it.    keep posting.

woodyhollow

Hi there, I am on FEC-D as well, just finished the FEC part yesterday, so far haven't had any major problems at all, energy levels good even the nausea this time has been ok. 

Next time the Docetaxol, onc said to take dexamethasone before the treatment, something to do with allergy reaction..

Fighter - I have ILC as well, was yours pleomorphic too? Mine was also multifocal, but only 2: 1.6 & 1.8 cm. 3 lymphnodes affected, one with extravascular involvement. I also have the neulasta injections - my dh does them for me, they are not to bad, and I haven't had any bonepain from them.