Chemo before Surgery

BonnieML

Anyone receive 4-AC treatments and 4-Taxol treatments prior to surgery?

riley702

I had pre-op chemo. I actually signed up for a clinical trial, with 4 rounds of Avastin, Xeloda, and Taxotere, followed by 4 rounds of Avastin, Cytoxan and Adriamycin. I was initially diagnosed with Grade III Triple Negative IDC that was 4x4.5 cm. After chemo, I had BMX and radiation. It stayed away for 7 years, then metastasized to my right lung. I've had a year of weekly Abraxane, followed by rads directly to the tumor. CT now shows no evidence of active disease. I'll be getting repeat CTs every 3 months.

smc123

I had chemo before surgery...

Cytoxan and Adriamycin every other week (x) 4

Taxol every week (x) 12

I managed my chemo very well...I had no idea what to expect...only what I saw in the movies...thankfully it was nothing like the movies. Other than a mild stomach ache I never got sick once.

Meggy

That's exactly what I had. It was 10 years ago almost to the day. The surgery showed a tiny bit left in a node and then I did 2 more doses of AC then 4 Taxotere with Carboplatin. I'm 10 years out with no recurrence. I'd do it all again. Then after I finished chemo...I did the low fat diet very strictly for 2-3 years and exercise (about 3 hours of arobics per week).

Nifer

I also did 4 rounds of AC then 12 of weekly taxol before surgery. The good thing about it if the tumor is still there you can watch to see it respond to treatment. Once its gone you can't tell if the chemo is actually working. I chose to do a dmx but all of the cancer was gone from the chemo. Because my tumor responded so well I could have chosen a lumpectomy.

Jennifer522

I had 4 AC and 6 Taxol. 4 is standard and my MO would have stopped at 4 if I was having problems. But I had no neuropathy and did the 6.

MRI showed my tumor barely detectable in between 5 and 6 Taxol. My BMX is on Tuesday.

Chemo before surgery seems standard for TN's

BonnieML

Thanks Maggie - so glad to hear you have not had a recurrence - thanks for sharing!

BonnieML

Thanks Jennifer - glad to hear that your tumor is barely detectable - I was wondering when they do an MRI to see how the tumor has responded to chemo - Also, what is a BMX? Thanks for sharing - I get to have my 2nd AC Treatment next week and have felt really good this last week. I hope it will be the same - 4-5 crappy days and the some really good days. Thanks for sharing!

Jennifer522

BMX means bilateral or double masectomy

I got an ultrasound after AC before Taxol, ordered by my oncologist. My breast surgeon ordered the MRI between 5 and 6 Taxol as a surgery prep

BonnieML

Jennifer - Thanks for the clarification - I am also leaning towards a BMX -

Healing . . . .

. . . . a journey traveled,

one step at a time,

one day at a time,

one prayer at a time.

May you heal quickly and completely after your surgery.

Wishing you the best next week!

Sincerely