Starting Chemo in December 2013

emq2

Atlbraves: Just curious why your Onco recommended AC Tx? My Onco (1st appointment) told me that is the most toxic and has the most serious side effects. My Oncotype was also 25. My Grade is also 3; however, I was given choices between AC, TC, and CMT. I have one week to make a decision. CMT has the fewest side effects to include much less chance of hair loss (thinning) is possible but not guaranteed to happen. It is the treatment that is the least toxic.

sloyd66

emg2 Good Luck on everything. I just want to know my fate so I can get my mind right for it. I keep telling myself I won't have to do chemo, but at the same time, I'm looking at head coverings. =/

emq2

Chaille: Thank you and SAME TO YOU! I hear you. I would like to know how the Oncologists/Researchers determine where this 16% reduction in reoccurrence rate goes down to 10%. It doesn't seem like a hugh reduction for what we will go through..still how do they determine only 6%?

RobinLK

I had the the choice of A/C/T or T/C....My MO feels that both are good choices, but prefers A/C/T for my particular diagnosis. He feels that in my case it is the more "proven" method of treatment, with more data backing it up at this time.

emq2

Robin: It's interesting how Oncologists differ in the recommendations for Tx. Perhaps the more aggressive tx for you due to so positive nodes? My Oncologist told me that my reduction rate would drop to 10% with any of the three choices.

RobinLK

emq2- I think you may be right, as he did say my diagnosis played a big part in which treatment he would prefer to use. He also stated that my health is extremely good (minus the cancer), so I should be able to tolerate the more aggressive treatment. We will see after my ECG if this still holds true!

emq2

You are so brave! Keep us posted! Stay Strong Robin and KICK CANCER'S ASS!!!!

RobinLK

We are all gonna kick ass!!! We may drag ass for a few days here and there, but that is what we are all here for...the arms, hands and shoulders that are held out for us in our time of need! Then we pay it forward!

emq2

Absolutely Robin! We are all here!!! And, yes, pay it forward. All the best. Keep smiling girlfriend.

atlbraves

The choices in all this treatment are sort of overwhelming. All the options are pretty crappy..it always seems to be a case of the "lesser of the evils." That said, I'm grateful for the good care I've received and a good prognosis. Short term pain for long term gain...keepin' my eye on the prize!

I really don't want anyone to get anxious, but here goes. My MO said TC was harder to get through on a daily basis and the outcome between that and AC were the same. She said she's never seen a patient at the hospital with any of the serious SE's from the AC and at my age (43) I should bounce back from the doses pretty well. Fingers, eyes, and toes crossed.

Now, Tamoxifen and radiation freak me out more than chemo...especially the Tamoxifen. I told my fiancé and MO that I'd give it a go, but if the SE's are unmanageably crappy, a percentage point or two is not worth the agony for 5-10 years.

OneTexasDay

I am stage 1, already had BMX and am already scheduled to start chemo in less than 2 weeks.

I NEVER had the Onchotype DX testing..... Seems so many of you with early stagediagnosis did base decision on treatments on this test.... Did any of you NOT get this test?

Stephanie

joanmj58

Hi, I'll be starting chemo too! What is TC like? What is Herceptin like? What are the neulastas shots like? So many questions! I take a chemo class on the 5th of December to answer many of these questions--but would like to hear from this wonderful group as well. Off to do some research!

sueshen50

Hello there!

So far I have had 3 treatments of AC and this past week was the two shots, one I did with my clinic nurse to make sure I did it right and I did the other one at home by myself! not hard unless you don't like needles! Next week is rest week and then it all starts again!

atlbraves

Sueshen, I thought you were starting tomorrow...what are these shots? How are you feeling?

My MO based the chemo decision on the Grade 3 piece; the Oncotype was something she asked if I wanted, but it wasn't going to change her recommendation.

Has anyone been told or read anything about recurrence rates for the different grades? I read something about grades being a much better prognosticator than stage.

It's nice to have so many folks join the group! Hugs all around!

keepthefaith

OTD, I think the oncotest was designed for post-menopausal women, if that is pertinent.

Visit: www.oncotypeDX.com for info on the test. There is another test for recurrence rate called the mammaprint, but it does not test for chemo effectiveness or benefit. I decided to forego it bc I didn't want to wait another 2-3 wks for results and decisions.

My onco was in the gray area at 21.  Decided I need to give TC a shot. My MO told me the chemo would reduce my 13% recurrence risk by about 50%... to 6-7%. Are you all hearing something different? I'm not sure where that data comes from.

((HUGS))

 

 

RobinLK

Stephanie- I did not have oncotype testing done. I am Stage III though and triple positive and it seems they like to throw everything at it when you have a Dx like mine.

Joanmj58 - the ladies on the November chemo thread would most likely be able to answer most, if not all, of your questions. I am curious about the neulasta and herceptin also. Have been reading up on other threads, hard to get a good feel for it, because everyone's experiences are so different.

Brioche78

Hello ladies,

Hope it's ok if i join the group for support during chemo. I met with the onco yesterday and I'm starting chemo on the 27 th I'm so nervous. Wen I was with the onco I told him I didn't want to hear numbers I never had an oncotype but I think it's because my nodes were positive wen I asked about ATC chemo they said no and that I would receive FEC-D I'm in Canada. They said its very similar. They also gave me a shot of zoladex and ill have to take tamoxifen for 5 years. I'm 35 and my husband and I were trying for a baby before all this appended I had 2 miscariged now they are telling me that because of my positive status of er/pr 67to 100% response I'm to at risk for a pregnancy or egg preservation, I'm so sad is anybody in the same situation? I'm glad to have found this group, together we can win this battle one step a the time.

sueshen50

.My oncologist moved the day up so my 3 week cycle started last week on the 12th. This week I am due in to have a clip put in. When I meet with my onco doc I will ask her about the oncodx test I don't remember it being brought up, but I live in Israel and sometimes things are different.

RobinLK

Brioche78 - you are more than welcome to join us here! Sorry you have to be here....

There is a great forum on this site where you may find others in a similar situation to yours. It is possible there are some on this thread that may jump in, but wanted to give you other options too

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/27

OneTexasDay

Brioche, I am so sorry that you having to deal with fertility decisions on top of everything else. Praying that there is a solution out there that works for you and your hubby.

SpecialK

onetexas - Oncotype is not usually done for Her2+ people. The assumption is that you will get chemo and Herceptin.

joan - Herceptin is only given to Her2+, by your sig line you appear to be Her2- so you would not be receiving this drug.

keep - there are a couple of risk models that you can use, I will link them. Many docs use Adjuvent Online, but you have to be a physician to access it. Cancermath and PREDICT you can use yourself, but PREDICT is better for Her2+ because it factors in the use of Herceptin. On the cancermath site use the pictogram rather than the graph, it is easier to understand.

http://www.lifemath.net/cancer/breastcancer/therapy/index.php

http://www.predict.nhs.uk/predict.shtml

brioche - you are correct, Oncotype Dx is usually ordered for node negative.

sloyd66

I'm still awaiting to hear if I need to do chemo, but do All chemo treatment get the port put in you, and where exactly is it put? Also does it stay in you until all 4 chemo session is over, if so how do you shower with it, do it interfere any?

joanmj58

There is a new study out doing Herceptin on Hers2- folks. A new clinical trial.

RobinLK

sloyd66 not everyone gets a port and there are different types and placements for them. Mine is under the skin just below my collarbone on the left side. I have very small veins that collapse easily so a port was my best option for chemo.

SpecialK

sloyd - the port is surgically implanted under your skin, and is usually located on the chest or upper arm. Once your incision is healed you can shower. Some forego the port if they are only having four rounds of chemo, but if you are receiving Adriamycin some oncologists will insist on a port due to the caustic nature of the drug if it leaks from a standard IV to your skin.

joan - I am aware of the use of Herceptin for low level expressors of Her2, I linked the trial below - is this the one you are in? I don't think this is a new trial though as it is in Phase III, so the potential benefit of Herceptin for low expressors has been known for a while. I am actually in a vaccine trial that has one arm available for low expressors of Her2 as long as they are histologically compatible for that vaccine arm, enrollment in this trial takes place after treatment is complete.

http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?cdrid=692574&version=healthprofessional

Brioche78

thanks for all the answers,

I really didn't want a port or picc line and I asked the onco if I could do it without. He said we could start without but if it gets to difficult then I could have one installed. Anybody knows if its doable without it?

Robin thanks for the links

SpecialK

brioche - I would personally get the port - that is a lot of chemo, including Epirubicin, which is caustic like Adriamycin. You can only use your left arm and hand due to your surgery on the right side, so you are limited in the number of available veins.

keepthefaith

Thanks SpecialK-I looked at cancermath before, but I don't think I got the answers I was looking for. I'll look at predict.

sloyd, I have my port on my left side, upper chest by collarbone. I forget it's there except when I use my seatbelt. My MO and another chemo patient let me see hers when she was in treatment. They used to make them pretty big, but now they are about the size of a quarter. Really no big deal.

brioche, sorry you found yourself here and having to deal with fertility, too. That's hard.  You might want to get a second opinion from a specialist, if you haven't already...?

We are getting "wintry" type weather here in Central Tx! I am having TG dinner at my house tomorrow and so glad the weather is cooperating. Perfect for putting a turkey and ham in the oven, filling the air with the smell of Thanksgiving! Can't wait.

Gobble Gobble!

 

 

atlbraves

Brioche,

My MO prefers to skip a port unless it proves to be necessary, like in Robin's case. One less procedure is her thought and she's not the reckless type, so we'll cross that bridge if we get there.

lorreymom

Day after my first chemo dose! It is do-able!! I had FEC. I went for acupuncture the day before...my acupuncturist chose points to strengthen my immune system & prevent nausea. I took my anti nausea meds 1 hour prior. No vomiting, but nausea came back in middle of the night. Felt like a bad hangover with sinus headache. I took my stemetil and put an icepack on my forehead. Was fine & eating by noon today. Next time I will have some acupoints needled for sinuses too!

Got my Neulasta injection today. There is suppose to be bone pain with this. None so far, but I have left over pain meds from my surgery that I can take if needed.

I am eating small frequent meals, mostly soups & rice...easy to digest. And rinsing with water & baking soda after eating to prevent mouth sores.

So far, so good.

Oh...and I decided against the port for now. The FEC is only every 3 weeks. However, I will seriously consider it for the next phase of weekly taxol (12 weeks total)...that is a lot of IV catheters!!