Anyone else doing TAC neoadjuvant chemotherapy

I had 4 rounds DD A/C, then 4 rounds DD T every other week (June-Sept 2011).  I couldn't feel the tumors after 2 of the DD A/C.  I had tumors in both breasts, and they measured them at about 6 cm at the time of my PET a week before chemo.  In that week, they estimated them have grown to about 8cm by the time I started chemo. The bone pain was the worst for me with chemo, the heaviness/neuropathy in my legs, and chemo brain, but it does subside.  I still have numbness in my toes.  I had my BMX a month (Oct 2011) after completing chemo, and the path report said no evidence in my right side at all, and 4mm with clean margins in my left, with 1/19 pos nodes.  I'm soooo glad they did the neoadj!!!  I started rads a month and a half  (Dec. 2011) after my BMX, and had 55 total treatments (treating both sides).  Rads was not a walk in the park for me, like they said it would be.  I had a "good" skin reaction in their eyes, but a painful one in mine!!  Plus, I had to travel 200 miles roundtrip daily, but stayed there usually 2 nights/week, so that helped some. I was exhausted!! I just finished a month ago, and skin is healing well, got my port out, and finally feeling somewhat "normal". Reconstruction can wait!!  You will make it thru this...hard to see the end of the road, but it will come.

Hi all,

I am doing 4 rnds of TAC.  1 down 3 to go. My primary Dr. is optimistic that shrinkage will occur and wants to save as much of my breast as possible.  Honestly I have already had shrinkage and I am about 10 days out from 1st chemo, and yes i can feel it-it is like someone is using my breast as a pin cushin.  But that is still better than how it felt before!  Okay, wandering, my OBGYN is telling me I should just have a BMX.  That I have many years ahead of me and shouldn't have to worry about reoccurance.  My primary doesn't like this attitude and they are kinda fighting about it.  OBGYN tells me basically it is my choice.  Any advice from those of you that have been through this?  Oh, I did have a needle biopsy on lymph nodes and pt scan which show positive for at least 6 nodes. 

Thanks, SherriG.  Yes, I agree with you, I fervently wish I hadn't been invited along, or included in the sorority, or whatever euphemism we use to describe our process to wipe out the cancer and save our lives.  

My doctor used one that I thought was appropriate, since my own "journey" will be about 18 months before (hopefully) the last stitch finishes my "addaracktomy" surgery--the reconstruction. She said, "This is a marathon.  Not a sprint.  But there is an end, and you will get there."

Hey guys-I am joining you all here, from NJ,USA.

My port will likely be put in next week(I have no veins to speak of,so my Onc thought it made more sense). A little nervous about them cutting my neck (just diagnosed 6/19, so I've been in the familiar whirlwind of tests,etc since then. A bit on the anxious side, so bear with me:) ).

My 1st TAC treatment is scheduled for 7/19. We are doing Neo in hopes of shrinking tumor. I am 36 and would like to conserve my left breast if possible (no signs of disease in right breast), but I am starting to make friends with idea of the Mastectomy in case it is not possible. I've come a long way, since thinking my 'lump' was scar tissue from being clocked in the boob while folding laundry one day. There were 2 other small areas on an MRI that my breast surgeon ordered, which were to be biopsied with Ultrasound guidance. However,they didn't manifest. Radiologist felt they were likely lobules, and or enlarged lymphones which were not necessarily a cause for worry. All was discussed with breast surgeon by him right after Utrasound, so we'll see if she wants to squeeze in more tests prior to Chemo. Previous Cat Scans-Pelvic, Abdomen, Chest, and Bone scan all clear, which was a relief. Muga=66.

 So, now my actual road to recovery starts on 7/19. Like many, I've spent much time asking questions, learning, etc from my 2 fantastic doctors, and all of you, and at other sites. I am nervous about starting treatment, given side effects, but have been remaining very positive, with steady support system, including my partner of 13 years, behind me. I've dubbed myself 'Xena' for this journey, which fits my personality and spirit:) 

Thanks Kicks-ah ok-I guess that makes sense. When they originally described the procedure they said 1" incision, but I kept reading about a neck incision elsewhere, when trying to get more familiar. Thanks for the post!

My mom is going through TAC neoadj right now, actually she just started.  She's having problems with metallic taste, dry mouth and decreased appetite - well actually she says she'll be very hungry but when she eats she gets full very quickly.  She describes a heavy, sinking feeling after eating.  I suggested trying to use plastic utensils for the metallic taste, and I'm going to send her some BioTene - do you ladies have any other suggestions?  Did you find that any particular foods were better for your stomach?

Nicole, I didn't find much that helped the metallic taste but for me, it was worse in the beginning and lessened as my treatments went forward.  Hope the same is true for your mom.  I couldn't stand the Biotene rinse but the gum worked really well for me.  I also remember reading (in the January 2012 chemo thread) of someone using a good olive oil to rinse her mouth with and that helped with mouth sores and other issues.  At the time, the thought of it made me gag, but it might be worth a shot.

Appetite was really tricky all through treatment.  I'd go from feeling sick to starving, having odd cravings, and feeling over-full.  It was a lot like morning sickness!  I just learned to eat small amounts of whatever sounded good; that would keep the nausea at bay without causing that weighted-down feeling of a full meal.  It's very hit or miss and makes for a long few months, but at least it's temporary.

Good luck to your mom!

On another note...my eyelashes started falling out last week - six weeks after my final infusion! Boo.