Chemo or No Chemo?

Kathy - PR status is not a significant prognostic indicator. As far as medical science is currently aware PR status does not impact upon treatment options or mortality. I am treated at one of the best teaching hospitals in the UK and they don't even bother to test tumours for PR status anymore.

In all honesty I am staggered that anyone with locally advanced cancer is even questioning having chemotherapy.

I drink one big cup a day.  I don't think it's a problem.

Kathy ~ I just wanted to say I applaud you for doing your research, asking questions, and searching for opinions.

You appear to be well aware of the risks of not taking chemo...and the risks of taking chemo.   Only you can determine which side of the fence you want to jump over to.

Since you sound like you have decided not to do chemo, I just wanted to offer support.   Nothing is guaranteed with BC ....you could do chemo and still end up Stage IV.  

If you (and your onc) feel that the AI's are the best weapon in your particular case,  then go for it and don't ever look back.

I was completely and utterly exhausted on Taxol - basically existed on the couch in front of TV. BUT Hubby and Son took over all house and barn care so I didn't have to do anything so I didn't.



Did not loose nails though they didin't look that great but OPI Nail Envy kept them together. Well I did loose 1/2 of one big toe nail as it turned black while on A/C but Dr T insisted I had injured it - not chemo. He was probably right - I first noticed it after I had run a Powder Puff Mud Bog which was 2 days after 2nd A/C.

Kathy - I had 4 servings of dose dense Taxol and did not get neuropathy, and I am a diabetic so I'm a bit more susceptible to it.  I used Acetyl L-carnitine, L Glutamine and Vit B6 to prevent it.  There are clinical trials underway using Acetyl L-carnitine to prevent neuropathy from Taxanes.  And I had no problems with my nails, other than they were soft for a few months.  I think Taxotere is harder on nails than Taxol.

Kathy - I think the anticipation was worse than the rest of the process, to be honest.  I had worked up in my mind that I would find chemo absolutely debilitating, and that it would trash me completely.  Yet I knew I had to do it (remember, I passed on it the first time around).  Looking back, I think the worst was some fatigue and not feeling quite up to par. Yet, I never felt so bad that I stayed away from family and friends.  I had treatment on Wednesdays and we went out to eat every Friday night, just as we've always done.  We had family, including the grandkids, over every weekend including the weekends right after treatments.  I didn't wait on them - they took care of themselves.  But it was so great to have them around.  My appetite was not great and I lost about 5 pounds, not a big deal. 

I was extremely diligent about drinking 96 ounces of fluids (including soups, juicy fruits and veggies, popsicles, etc) each and every day.  I really think that made a huge difference. 

There is a pill for almost every side effect except fatigue and hair loss.  I accepted that I needed the help and took whatever would keep me comfortable.  I knew it was only for a while.

I mentioned this before but it was a few pages earlier in this thread.  I have been keeping a blog and there are pictures of my journey, including getting the first dose of Adriamycin.  You can find more information about my chemo journey at:

http://www.mch-breastcancer.blogspot.com/

Also, I highly recommend you read one of the past monthly chemo discussion threads.  It will be very helpful for you to read about the whole experience and how people fared.  If you want to read the ones that track my chemo, here are the names of the threads:

June 2011 A/C & T Groupies Unite!

Jun 2011 chemo

Both of these can be found under the forum:  Chemotherapy - Before, During and After

I was on weekly taxol per MDAnderson protocol.   And it wasn't bad at all.  I started Acetyl L Carnatine and L-glutamine and a multivitamin at week 5 (could have started earlier).  I have no neuropathy and my nails were just fine.  I lost hair up until week 6 and then it stopped falling out and started growing back.  i would say I had 40% hair density on the weekly taxol.  Taxol wasn't bad, except for the tiredness.  I was still able to keep up with my toddler (though a little slower) on the taxol.  No nausea, vomitting, diahrea... ect.   Goo dluck with the decision, you have lots of support here.

KathyS7--could you expand upon and explain your reference to treatment in Germany? "Of course, there's Germany." I would love to hear more about it.



Let me second all of the other ladies above who have said that Taxol is doable. I did 4 DD Taxol and had minimal SEs. I had some strange and annoying nerve pains in my legs for 3-4 days after, but that's about it. Oh, and my nails turned grey on Christmas Day and then cleared up. For awhile, it looked like 2 or 3 nails were going to lift away from the bed, but they did not. My final chemo was 1/11/2012, and all effects are gone. I feel terrific, and I've had BMX and 2 weeks of radiation since then.