Starting PA school after Dose dense AC-T

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syilee
syilee Member Posts: 2
edited August 2019 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hello all! I am currently going through a round of dose-dense AC-T. I’ve done 2/8 treatments so far and my last treatment of taxol will be on 5/17. I also just found out I got into physicians assistant school and classes start on 5/20. I was wonder if anyone was in a similar situation or had any advice on how one generally feels after all 8 rounds. I want to do my best to start school but I will also have to do radiation treatment during my first month. I know PA school will be intense but I can’t defer. I’m trying to decide if it’s worth not getting in next year if I don’t go know as it’s been my dream since I was a little kid. Thank you for any help!

I’d love to hear any experiences about dose dense ac-t during and after treatment!

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  • MoonGirlJess
    MoonGirlJess Member Posts: 267
    edited March 2019

    Dose dense AC was awful for me. Really took me to the edge. I started fasting and the treatments got a lot easier on me. Since they were afraid DD Taxol might and I quote “kill you” I did weekly Taxol. That was so much easier than DD AC. I really got sick sick sick with AC. Many others do not. I was 41 yo at the time and extremely healthy. I’m a RN and I understand the challenge of starting PA school. I would highly suggest reading up on fasting to limit your SE.

    I firmly believe you can do anything that you set your mind to. After my hellish AC experiences, every other treatment was a breeze. Rads is nothing. I’m just finishing up my last boost in a minute (7 weeks of rads!) and then I’m done with active treatment.

    Explain to the school that you’re going to be doing active treatment. I’m sure they can accommodate you to some degree. Starting school 3 days post chemo is rough but you will do it. Don’t put anything off. That’s what I’ve learned! Best wishes! Keep me posted! PM me for anything

    Jess

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  • footloose
    footloose Member Posts: 47
    edited March 2019

    Syilee-

    I'd go for it! At least start school and see how it goes. Find a professor or Administrator you like and explain your situation if need be,

    but you've wanted to be a PA and now you have the chance. You don't have to be an A student to get through the first semester.

    And classmates are good study partners. You've already had 2 treatments, how did they go for you? Everyone's different.

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  • footloose
    footloose Member Posts: 47
    edited April 2019

    Syilee,


    How are you doing? Not long until you're finished. hooray!

    I've been doing taxol every week and it's going well. The target therapy is causing a drop in WBCs. Otherwise I'm sure I could take classes. Hope you're feeling that way too.

    Good Luck, keep us posted.



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  • syilee
    syilee Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2019

    Thank you so much for your help! It's been a while but I felt like I should reply as your replies really helped me during my time of decision making. It was so encouraging to see a community of women help other women :)

    I finished chemotherapy and radiation! Now I only have to take tamoxifen for the next forever years ...

    I am also almost done with my first semester of PA school and not sure if it was the adrenaline or skipping Neulasta for my last chemo but I felt fine with my first week of school! I'm doing well and really glad I decided to go for it. Now I only have bouts of worry about recurrence and the finances of medical treatment :/ but other than that the stress of life/school is all doable! Overall I'm very thankful for everything.

    Thank you for all the support :)

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