1st TAC chemo down, 5 to go!

Virgo_1970

Hi everyone... i've been reading quite a few posts over the last few weeks since my recent diagnosis, and i finally had the courage to join...it really looks like a wonderfully supportive place to be...

i am 47 yrs old, had yearly mammos, but found a lump ... unfortunately i waited a couple months to go have it checked out, b/c i couldn't imagine a cancer growing to the size of a grape in less than 10 months from my last mammo... My gyn didn't suspect anything, but told me next steps to be safe: mammo & biopsy. I went for those the same day, and really just thought it was a cyst or possibly a fibroadenoma (it felt oval and rolled between my fingers). After the mammo, they gave me a sonogram. I was still clueless. The Dr saw i was not very concerned, and told me that the biopsy would be monday (this was friday), and that she wanted me to know that this was cancer. (she explained shading and jagged edges on the underside, etc... and 2 lymph nodes were suspicious too) You could've knocked me over with a feather.

long story, short: biopsy showed cancer in tumor and lymph nodes. I got a first and then a second opinion on treatment. the MRI was the worst (that banging was so jarring), the PET and bone scans were simple. The wait on results is the KILLER!!! I lost my shit many times in that 10 day window, and you immediately think of worst case scenarios (pllleeeeease just give me 10 yrs to at least get my 8 yr old off to college). DH has been a terrific support - thank goodness, because our immediate family and dearest friends are in other states. I had my first TAC chemo on 10/30... had an allergic reaction to the T, not fun....my neulasta device malfunctioned - not fun there either... had to go back for the shot .... the bone pain mocked the claritin (useless)...love the biotene...everything tastes bitter, but i still have my appetite.... luckily no nausea..and the fatigue set in... . hate the steroid (made me feel worse)... the whole thing knocked me down for a good 5 days...but i got back up... and back to work (office) for some normalcy. So I have one under my belt, then 5 more... then surgery and radiation... getting my genetic testing done before next treatment ... so I don't know that part yet....

Most of the time i feel like "I GOT THIS!"and then other times, the 'what ifs' creep in... i know it's normal, but sometimes i just don't understand how i got here... no family history, i am not a drinker, no smoking, etc.... just shit luck, i guess... anyway, thanks for letting me purge all that.....

Much love and strength to you other CANCER WARRIORS out there...

Moderators

Virgo, welcome to Breastcancer.org,

We're so sorry you find yourself here, but we're really glad you found us! You're right -- you've found the best place for support, information, and advice as you navigate your breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. We're all here for you!

There's a really active November 2017 Chemo thread you might like to read up on. Stop by and introduce yourself to have a group who is going through chemo right along with you to help encourage each other, compare/contrast experiences, and share your ups and downs.

There's great support here for you, too, when you're ready for surgery and radiation in the monthly threads in those forums!

We look forward to hearing more from you soon!

--The Mods

Racy

Welcome Virgo. I had TAC chemo in 2011. I had the impression it is very effective but I don't see many members here having it now.

Chemo is the hardest part of this ordeal but the best thing about TAC is that the treatment time is shorter than some other protocols. I just kept counting them off on the calendar and that kept me going.

I didn't have problems with the Neulasta and didn't have too many awful tines, but I wasn't working. Drink plenty of water in the days following treatment, eat small meals of whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it and have ginger handy to counter nausea.

My hair started to fall out on day 15 and I lost 90+% of it progressively. I didn't shave or cut it but used a hair net to prevent it falling everywhere.

This experience is temporary and you will have better times after it's over.

Keep in touch. This is a great place!

sbelizabeth

Welcome, Virgo, to the club no one wants to join!

I had TAC in 2011, the same six rounds as you're doing. I work in an office environment and kept working all through treatment. Chemo on Wednesday, I'd take Thursday off for being good and taking my medicine (felt fine) and then CHEMO FRIDAY brought fatigue, aches, brain-fog. It lifted by Sunday and I was fine for work on Monday.

Six rounds will be over before you know it. Gentle hugs.

Virgo_1970

Thank you, Racy! Glad TAC was successful for you!

I haven’t lost my hair yet, but I know it’s imminent. While I am not happy about it, not much choice in the matter, so trying to adjust to the new me in the mirror by wearing scarves or hats now (before it goes).

How are you managing now? Any long term effects from TAC? I chose TAC because it has less neuropathy associated with it than AC-T, but you are right, some places don’t even offer it as an option (my first med opinion didn’t).

All the best!

Virgo_1970

Thank you, Mods! Glad to find a positive, supportive community

Virgo_1970

Thank you, Sbelizabeth! I hear TAC has cumulative fatigue, but it sounds like you didn't have much of that! Good for you!! I hope I handle it as well as you!

Happy that to see so many women on here doing so well years after treatment! Rock on, Warriors!!

Racy

Virgo, life is good seven years after my diagnosis. I have no residual issues that I can attribute to treatment.

You will get past your present difficulties too. Be kind to yourself.

Bock

Virgo,

I started 6 rounds of TAC last October and I'm here to tell you that although it was no walk in the park you will get through it. I found that the fatigue was cumulative...each round took a little longer to get over and seemed to pack a bigger wallop than the previous ones. My worst lasting s/e was ankle and leg edema that began after round 5 and lasted for a several months after completion. My oncologist says this was the Taxotere and most people do not experience this side effect. Lucky me! The Neulasta bone pain actually hit me hardest the first couple of rounds and seemed to not be as bad in the latter rounds. Mine was in my knees and I would wrap an electric blanket around them and turn it on high. That seemed to provide a little relief. Just remember that hydration is extremely important. Drink, drink, drink.

My hair began to fall out about 2 weeks after the first round and I had to buzz it before the second round. My last treatment was February 2nd and I'm sitting here typing this with a ton of chemo curls covering my head. It is absolutely nothing like my original hair which was stick straight and actually a lot thinner than it is now. I guess that's one positive to come from chemo. Lol.

Saying a prayer for you that you have an easy and seemingly quick journey through chemo. Just remember that this too shall pass.

Bock

Virgo_1970

Racy, very happy for your seven years and counting and to hear your journey... thank you for sharing. Congrats again on your survivorship!! All the best

Bock, thank you for sharing your very recent journey. Congrats on completing your treatment and rocking the curls! Very happy for you. (I would welcome thicker hair for sure! Lol). My knees were painfully achy too (along with my back), but will try a heating pad/blanket - thanks for all the tips/advice! Yes, lots of fluids...sorry the Tax caused some edema. I had an allergic reaction to it (which was not fun, but apparently common), so they will give me Benadryl prior next time. My chest felt tight all week afterwards. (My luck lol). I feel like the pain disrupted my sleep which compounded the fatigue. I am not sure the drs recognize how painful the Neulasta is, but your comment about it being worse for you in early rounds gives me hope. Thank you again. Congratulations on your survivorship!!

All the best to you

alund

Hi, Virgo. I'm wishing you the best of luck on your next TAC, which might be tomorrow? I finished 6 rounds on 9/6/17. I had a unilateral mastectomy prior to starting chemo. I remember the Neulasta pain only lasting 24-48 hours for me. The worst time was the last treatment, but that was because my tissue expander for my reconstruction was fully expanded and it pressed on my rib cage.That was not pleasant since my bone pain was mainly in my shoulders, neck, and ribs! But the Neulasta worked very well for me - no problems with low WBC.

I was able to work throughout, just taking a few days off after each treatment. Cut yourself some slack when you need it and don't overdo it. TAC is a very difficult but highly effective regimen. My oncologist told me that she wanted me to do TAC since I am younger (even though I'm 54!) and because of the triple-negative diagnosis. It's not recommended for older patients since it is so tough. She felt like throwing all three drugs at the cancer at once is more effective than dividing them up as AC, then T. I just want to do whatever I can to be sure this cancer is gone!

Just take it one day at a time! I found that planning fun things to do the weekend before my chemo got me through. I usually felt pretty good at that time and even had an appetite.

Best of luck to you as you continue with your chemo, surgery, and radiation

Virgo_1970

Thank you for your supportive words and congratulations on completing your surgery and chemo!! Sounds like you managed it all well (for chemo treatments) too... very happy to hear it doesn’t necessarily have to be so grueling - several other members posted similar stories.

Hope all went well with reconstruction...I have time to decide, but I have no loyalty to keeping something that is causing me the scariest moments of my life.

You are correct, next treatment is tomorrow... getting it done 👍🏻

All the best to you! Hugs to all the otherwarriors out there 💛

nye1980

I also had TAC July through November of last year and for me I needed a full week to regain my strength and for my blood counts to get back up before I could go back to functioning. I worked freelance so had some flexibility. You get really "good" at managing chemo, something you never wanted to be an expert at. There's a lot of normal in between all of that too. I hope the next five go well and you aren't too uncomfortable.

Virgo_1970

Nye, I know what you mean... I need a full week off too... then I start feeling progressively better pretty quickly, and about 90-95% the 3rd week (but need go to bed a little earlier though)...

Very glad you managed well the entire course of TAC. Good to see others managed it well for their full treatment

I feel like the steroid (decadron) makes me feel worse and affects my taste more than chemo..

Congrats on your 1 yr, and wishing you many more healthy anniversaries... keep on rockin’!!