AC Chemo

RuthElizabeth

Hi, my name is Ruth. I just had a double mastectomy four weeks ago. I am to start chemo next week, but I'm going for a second opinion tomorrow. Surgery went pretty good, I'm really nervous about the chemo. I'm suppose to only get 4 treatments. One every 21 days of AC. Any help or suggestions would be great. I asked my 4 1/2 and 8 year old grandchildren, if when I start loosing my hair, if they will buzz my head for me. I figured it would take the fear out of seeing me bald.... Thank

Pessa

I had the same chemo, AC every 21 days for 4 doses. I lost my hairabout 2 weeks after the first dose. I had already cut it short in anticipation and started wearing a wig. It all came out within a couple of days. The worst side effects were mouth sores. They gave me something to swish around, which was of minor help. these did not develop until near the end of the treatments. I lived on Skinny Cow ice cream for a couple of weeks. I did have fatigue but went to work every day, working full time. I did avoid crowded meetings to reduce exposure to people. All in all, it was a very doable experience. That was 5 years ago and I have no (known) lasting effects. I remain NED. I wish you well

RuthElizabeth

thank you for the reply. I read the side effects, and am more worried about the hand and feet problems. I'm a hairdresser, and just started trying to work a few hours each day. I'm also hoping to work thru the chemo. I'm anxious to get it started so I get thru the four and try to get things back to normal. I'm so happy you have been doing good. Bless you

Scwilly

I had both AC and Taxol. From what I understand it's the Taxol that has the side effect of numbness in feet/hands. I developed some on my toes about half way through the 12 weekly treatments. I do have a little remaining a year and a bit later. You should be ok for this on just AC.

For AC I would recommend keeping ahead with side effects and make sure you take something for nausea. I had Emend (3 daily doses starting day of chemo) and also Zofran. I never had nausea except once when I I stopped the Zofran early. I also had decadorn (a steroid) and some shots (self administered once a day for 5 days) to help my blood cells recover.

I lost my hair at around 3 weeks. Whilst taking the chemo - I was given ice crush - flavored with cranberry juice - to help prevent damage to my mouth. Not sure I will think of the taste of cranberry juice in the same way ever again - so make sure you don't choose to drink your favorite drink if given this option.

I wish you all the best. It feels such a long time when you are going through chemo over weeks/months but you will get back you energy and start to feel normal.

Sarah

RuthElizabeth

thanks so much Sarah. I go today at lunch for my second opinion. This appointment is with a woman doctor. I'm anxious to see if it's the same suggestion. I'm ready to start, so I can get done.

It's only stage 1. I haven't marked it on my profile, because I don't know what 1a or 1b, means.

Im trying to get prepared for my treatments. I'm ok about the hair loss. I just started back a few hours a day working and hoping to continue. I can't take much more resting. I am still really sore at the tumor area of my surgery. Icing it helps after working. Otherwise I'm getting back to doing things pretty good.

Good luck to you. And thanks for writing. It helps to be able to talk to someone going thru the same thing.

It looks like you have a triple negative too. They told me I couldn't take the taxol. That's another question for today....

Ruth

RuthElizabeth

I'm starting the AC chemo Monday. The doctor I went to for the second opinion, suggested doing treatment every 14 days... She said by doing that, the cells have less time to restructure themselves in between treatments. So, I will be talking to my Doctor to see if this is an option.

Scwilly

Thats what I did - I think its a good timescale as I did find I recovered in the first week and in plenty of time of the next dose. The tiredness built up but not enough to stop me going skiing over New Year just before my last AC dose. I did only ski 2 day out of 4 but felt great.

Best of luck.

Sarah

RuthElizabeth

thanks Sarah. I got my first treatment today. All went well and I am scheduled for every 14 days. I'm glad to get it done much sooner.

4pink101

I'm new to this forum. I was dx with IDC grade 2 (2 cm) with a positive sentinel node and a ALND additional 6 nodes negative. Initially my MO recommended ACT DDx4 every 2 weeks but I just received my oncotype test back with a score of 18.. Because I'm ER and PR positive my recurrence rate stays the same with or without chemo. I'm struggling deciding how to proceed as I don't want to go thru chemo if it's unnecessary bu because im PRE menopausal chemo is the standard of care. I had a BMX done 7 weeks ago and they are pushing me to move forward with treatment but I just don't know what to do?