Treatment "cycles"

Sjd

I thought I posted the following earlier today (my first post) but I can't find it anywhere so here it is again:

I cannot, for the life of me figure out how long my chemo is to last! I'd really appreciate some help. I don't see my onc again for another week and I am honestly obsessing over this. I've had 2 tx's and not new to chemo, just different cancer this time)

My chemo tx consists of 1st week carbo plus taxol

2nd 3rd & 4th week taxol only

(no break)

start over carbo plus taxol then 2nd, 3rd & 4th weeks taxol only

etc. etc.

I finally remembered to ask length of tx when I went in for labs today. PA said 12 cycles??

Does that mean 12 X 3 = 36 weeks???? (for the 3 taxol only weeks)

and then add 12 X 1 = 12 weeks???? (for the carbo plus taxol week)

My God that is 48 weeks of TX. That can't be right, can it?

NancyHB

Hi Sjd. I'm betting that 12 cycles would be 12 weeks, as you're getting Taxol weekly, so really only 3-ish months of weekly chemo. First, fifth and 9th would also include the Carboplatin.

I had 6 cycles of TC, one cycle every three weeks, for 18 weeks total of treatment.

I'd certainly ask for clarification next time you see your MO - they often assume we understand what they mean, and it can be confusing