Calling veterans!

nowheregirl · May 2009

Hi sisters,

I received a PM today from a newbie I didn't know of. Apparently she read one of my posts talking about my experience with Taxol and EC (pretty much the same as AC) that I had before surgery. She is going for her #3 AC this week and then start Taxol. She wants to hear some positive stories from people who have been through the same thing. She is only 32 and wants to continue working as a teacher if possible. So far, she hasn't noticed any significant change in the size of her tumor although she is almost done with her AC. (Not sure if that's only how she feels, or is based on her scan results etc.)

Of course I was willing to share my story with her. I have responded to her PM and told her how I managed to work while on treatment without calling in sick, and how my tumor that was originally measured 3.5+ cm shrunk to less than 0.8cm. But recently I figured that the doses we receive here in Japan are much lower than those in her country, the good ol' USA. So I don't really think I was the right person to tell her the story. I would really appreciate if any of you could help me helping her. She would want to hear more stories from those had their treatment in her country. Her username is lissette and you can either directly PM her or post your experience (e.g. what you did to minimize the s/e's, if you were able to work, how effective your neoadjuvant chemo was etc) for her to read. I am sure she would appreciate your help!

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. Thank you for your time.

Hugs,

Fumi

Member_of_the_Club · May 2009

Well. I decided to stay home and focus on my kids while going through treatment so I can't speak to continuing work but I did take my children to and from school every single day throughout treatment and I went running and worked out most days. I had AC plus taxol, dose dense. If Lissette has made it this far, still working, there is a good chance she will go the distance. Most of us found taxol easier than AC. The thing to watch out for is fatigue, but she should know that already.

djd · May 2009

I tried to work on AC, but I was worthless. The worst part was that I have to work in a client environment and I just didn't have the energy to keep my game face on with high-maintenance clients. If I had kept on working, I probably would have gotten fired! After my second round they started giving me neupogen and I bounced back much more quickly from rounds 3 and 4 than I did 1 and 2.

I didn't do taxol, so I can't speak to that.

lissette80901 · May 2009

Thanks for your feedback! It is really helpful. My experience with AC has not been bad at all. Some fatigue, upset stomach and heartburn, but it's all manageable and has not put a stop to my daily activities. I am wondering if round 3 and 4 are harder and if the taxol is harder???

mke · May 2009

I worked through AC but taxol was hard on me. My onc says that for most people taxol is easier. However I was about 60 when I was going through it and it might be harder on someone nearly 30 years older (most things are). The good news is that my tumour responded to the chemo, I started out with a 3cm tumour and it shriveled up to nothing.

Member_of_the_Club · May 2009

Lissette, the side effects can be cumulative but probably won't be any different. Whatever you have been experiencing so far may be intensified -- more fatigue, more upset stomach. I found, though, that psychologically I got used to the side effects so even if they got a bit stronger, they bothered me less. You've already learned how to adjust so you should be fine. As for taxol, the consensus is that for most of us it is easier but for the women who get neuropathy it can be more difficult.

Bugs · May 2009

Lissette,

I worked through chemo except for the Thursday (chemo day) and the day after. So, 40 hours on my non chemo week and 24 on chemo week. I found that working helped me keep my mind focused on something that wasn't about cancer..which really helped my mental state. I was tired, yes...but not terribly so.

I think you'll find Taxol to have a different set of side effects. My mental fog lifted (from A/C) but I had quite a bit of joint and muscle pain from day 3-5 after chemo day. Again, working helped keep my mind off of it, but I won't lie...the pain sucked. I think the first one was the worst just because I was so unprepared for it. I also found the Taxol side effects were cumulative. Not that the pain got worse, just that it lasted a bit longer each time.

Big hugs...you can do this!!

Bugs

Anonymous · May 2009

Hi Lissette...Everyone reacts differently to these drugs, of course, but if you have an experience like mine (and I hope you do!), you'll be just fine. I had 4 AC's and 4 Taxols, dose dense, neo-adjuvantly. I worked throughout the chemo (except the days of the infusions because each took about 5 hours from arrival at the clinic to the end) and through 39 radiation treatments and had virtually no side effects. In fact, I taught aerobics and worked-out on a regular basis through the whole period. I can't say that THAT was easy, but it was doable and it also helped me to have more energy and to feel like I was keeping up with my life.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to PM me!

~Marin

gsg · May 2009

Hi, Lissette. I had 4 ACs and 4 Taxols dose dense prior to surgery. The first two AC's were not so bad, but the last two were more difficult. It definitely was cumulative effects. Taxol was easier for me. I would receive it on Monday and by Friday afternoon I'd experience some bone pain from the hips down, but it only lasted for the afternoon and was easily controlled with Tylenol. My biggest problem with Taxol was neuropathy in my toes. Still have some trouble with tingling toes and I finished Taxol in August 2006. I was able to work through all my chemo, but not consistently. The last two of each drug, I had to miss some days. I never experienced one moment of nausea...not one. Biggest complaint was fatigue and weight gain, aside from the neuropathy.

The good news is my 3 cm lump had been easily palpable and by the time chemo ended and they operated, it was gone. They removed dead cancer cells. The lump had disappeared. My surgeon referred to it as a "ghostectomy."

Good luck to you, and I hope you get spectactular results as well, without very much downtime.

Estepp · May 2009

Lissette... Hang on sister! You can to all this too!!!

I did the AC and 12 taxol run. If you can do the 12 weekly taxol.. it is suppose to be easier. I could have worked all through Taxol. It is easier that AC. If you did AC and worked.. you can do the taxol and work. SE of Taxol are bone aches and neuropothy. I think those are the big ones. I had a TINY bit of both... each SE went way right after. I still could have worked..

You will do great!Z

Sierra · May 2009

Howdy:

I did 4 ac

4 taxol

and taxol was a lot harder for me

I too am older

still have some neuropathy

but this does not happen to everyone

sending you lots of hugs

and very best..

take good care!

Sierra

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