For those starting TAC in March/April 2006....
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Yes, since I had lumpectomies nuking is coming for me, both sides plus the axilla bed right - onc and surgeon have said 6 wks but haven't met the radiation oncologist yet (have to decide between FL and DC) and then Tamoxifen for me. I was pre-menopause (now in at least chemo-pause) so Tamoxifen first then Arimidex later if the menopause sticks. her2neu negative, strangely enough the DCIS side showed her2neu positive but both oncologists (DC and FL) say the ILC side is what counts. If I were er/pr neg then they would re-test and try Herceptin, I gathered. Will you start drugs after rads? That's what my FL onc told me last week. Oh - I see the surgeon again June 16 and she will schedule mammogram and MRI; I didn't ask about another MUGA (thought there was some threshold for Adriamycin after which they scan for the injection fraction again, but not sure the level or what dose I'm getting). Are they doing that b/c the Herceptin has heart implications too? Leigh
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Question:
Have any of you ladies onTAC been able to work between treatments. I am trying to decide whether to do TAC or AC/taxotere. I can't decide. Any advice?
Thanks,
Terry
I start on May 25th. -
I was able to work the majority of time through TAC but everyone is different and unfortunately you won't know until you start. drinkkkkkkkk wattttteeeerrrrrr and exercise are my 2 biggest bestest pieces of advice.
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I will be having radiation and Herceptin after I am done with chemo also. #3 for me tomorrow. I am nervous and hoping that nausea isn't as bad as I had with #2. I am going to try the decaron again this time, but the onc cut my dose in 1/2. Hopefully it will be enough that I won't have the ugly side effects that I had the 1st treatment but it will be enough to help with the nausea that I had with the 2nd treatment Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Mindy -
I'm having radiation done on lumpectomy side only, about 3 weeks after chemo ends for 5 weeks. Going for #4 tomorrow, and I already kicked and screamed tonight saying I don't want to go. *sigh* I guess it's just one more out of the way. I'm kinda nervous about it though. I don't want to be stuck on the couch or bed for 5 days like last time. At least I have the meds to back myself up this time, and my mom in too.
Wish me luck!
Paula -
Mindy
My onc reduced the decadron by 1/2 for my 2nd TAC and it has made all the difference. Not the bad side effects - and no nausea. I still have some blush and bloating but it is tolerable.
TerryJill, as for working - I guess each of us is different and so much depends on what kind of work. My onc would have been happy if I stayed on sick leave, but it was my choice to get into the groove - in part because I am in academia and so this is a personal and professional decision for me. I have some projects that I want to work on. I think that my attitude would be quite different if I had less independence in what I do (but then I do have to worry about the "publish or perish" so nothing is as easy as it sounds.
Now I have to go and talk with my boss tomorrow about what an "accomodated work schedule" will look like. Hope she is in a good mood.
Jeannette -
I start radiation for 6 week after TAC ends too. I should be starting sometime in August.
Anyone have any enlarged lymph nodes after surgery and during Chemo? I -
(my post posted before i was finished) I have developed a swollen lymph node in my armpit this week in the opposite side that i had my surgery. makes me nervous. i was wondering if anyone else has experienced this?
molly -
Leigh, I had DCIS (Rt lumpectomy) so I will have radiation on rt. side only. I was pre menopausal also but tamifoxin not an option for me with neg er/pr.I have been in chemopause since second chemo. I am having the muga scan because Herceptin is about as toxic to the heart muscle as adriamycin. So I am going to be checked to see what shape my heart is in after Adriamycin and then every three to six months on herceptin since I will be on that IV for one year. I think it is kinda cool you have two options for radiation. I think I would visit both sites and look on line for the best linear accelerator and maybe even see if you can pic a doctor you like. I visited my radiation oncologist before I started chemo and I just love her! And I picked the newest and most advanced center. I also checked out the physician credentials thru the state medical board. Maybe you could ask the onc you have now who they recommend in DC and then check around in FL for the best site....I think I would want to spend the summer in FL (if hurricane season is kind).
TerryJill, Regarding TAC vs AC/taxotere, Perhaps your onc has a preference based on your cancer type. I asked mine for the one with the highest success rate for my type. He told me he wanted me to be on TAC. It attacks the cells 6 times versus 4 so it has two more cycles of growth it is attacking, and giving the taxotere the same time keeps the cells from growing back abnormal .TAC treatment schedule is 2 weeks longer than the dose dense schedule so it isn't much difference in time. The onc nurses said TAC is one of the toughest protocols. I agree with that but I want to kick my bc once and for all. As far as work goes, It is best to have a plan B available in case you have a rough time, the treatments and side effects are so varied by individual. Good luck with your decision.
Mindy and Paula, I hope your chemo went well today...Just remember one less chemo!
Jeannette, I hope your boss was in a good mood. Did you get your schedule adjusted?
Good to hear we are all hanging in there! Take Care!
MarciaA. -
Terry - I fly to DC from Florida on day 6 and return to work on day 7, and work until I travel back to FL on day 21. I chose TAC because (with dose dense) it's 'third generation' with very good results, and because the 3 week cycle would give me time to recover and work. That has worked for me, and I'm actually really glad to be working. When I first knew that the cancer was in 6 of 16 nodes, I started to think - maybe I should take time off, focus on this, do the yoga-and-green-tea thing - but I'm really glad I didn't. The work is saving my sanity, I think.
Marcia - I'll get recommendations from both the FL oncologist and the Georgetown team - I love both of them - and we are sort of inclining toward DC for convenience and because our sailboat will be on Solomons Island in Maryland or somewhere in the Chespeake (so SHE is out of hurricane range after being badly damaged in Wilma!) You seem to have researched radiation much more thoroughly - can you say more about linear accelerators (advantages) or other things you've learned.
Hope our TAC sisters don't mind a digression into radiation - sounds like many of us have that in our future.
Mindy and Paula - Hope it went well for you both today!
Jeannette - Let us know about how the conversation with the boss went!
Molly - I had some (what looked like) fluid retention around my armpit after the axillary node dissection, but no swelling. Suggest you call the surgeon's office - (s)he will probably want to have a look. Did you have node surgery?
Leigh -
Leigh, If our TAC sisters won't mind one more post about radiation here is what I have learned.
MammoSite® is Accelerated partial breast irradiation,a method of treating selected early breast cancers following surgical excision. Special balloon catheters are placed in the surgical cavity and radiation is given through this catheter to the lumpectomy.
Teletherapy (external radiation)External beam treatment, or teletherapy, is delivered by a linear accelerator. It has the capability of treatment with high and low energy photons and superficial electrons depending on the depth of the target tumor.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)IMRT is another specialized, complex, method of delivering high dose radiation therapy precisely to a target volume while sparing nearby sensitive and critical structures using beams of many different shapes and angles determined with the assistance of computer programs.
Leigh,I guess you may need to find out what type of radiation you need and how old the equipment is. The newer the equipment and the types of radiations that they can offer usually provide the best treatment because it can avoid other organs as you are being nuked.
Glad your boat is out of harms way.
MarciaA. -
I'm home, I'm alive, I'm TIRED!! Didnt' sleep too well last night, and then got chemo'd lol. Got a little nauseous during the taxotere, but the nurse gave me a zofran, and it went away. I feel like I weigh a ton right now, but I think it's just fatigue.
Just took some painkillers, and I am going to go sit in the shower for a bit and then go to bed.
Paula -
It has been 6 hrs since I have been home from chemo. So far just very fatigued. Knock on wood, no nausea yet. I hope that it stays that way. I go back for neulasta shot tomorrow. YUCK! I hate being achy all over. But at least I am 1/2 way through. I will be so glad to get it over with. The onc increased my ambien so hopefully that will help me sleep. Has anyone had problems with their legs from the knee down being achy? I am wondering of it could be restless leg syndrome!! It isn't just after the neulasta shot, it is all of the time. Not so much during the day but every night when I get ready to relax for the evening or go to bed, they start DRIVING ME NUTS!!!!! Thanks for letting me vent.
Jeanette, I am hoping that cutting the decadron in half will work for me also. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Paula, I hope that you get along ok with chemo #4. Just think only 2 more for you and you will be done with chemo:)
I am only 1 behind you.
Marcia and Leigh, thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.
I hope that everyone else is getting along ok also:)
Will post again soon!!
Mindy -
TAC sisters,
Just wanted to let you know that the meeting went A-OK. I will be working 1/2 time and mostly on stuff I am already doing. So I am really relieved and glad to be able to work at my own pace and mostly on the stuff I am alrady doing. So that is a relief and now I can concentrate on the healing as well. Lets just hope that the next few rounds of TAC don't send me into another orbit.
Mindy, I hope that you bounce back quickly. As for the neulasta shot - you get one and it works for a long time. I get to give myself a daily shot for 10 days after each treatment. I can't say that I enjoy that - but if it does the job, I will put up with it. It seems as though the clinical trial I am in was started before the neulasta became available so they go with neupogen (like neulasta but given daily). My biggest complain is that they should have figured out a way to make the daily shots available by injector pen/needle the way diabtics now give themselves shots. Oh well, it is only for a short while, I tell myself. And the stuff does prevent other nasties, so we should be thankfull for that.
Guess that's my rant for today. Have been on the go all day so I shall surely pay the price with fatigue tomorrow. C'est la vie.
Jeannette -
So, it's been a little more than 24 hours since tac #4, and I'm mostly just tired! YAY! Also the dreaded decadron face red and hot. Praying that everything stays this well.
Paula -
Paula, I hope #4 will prove to be easier for you. Just pace yourself. I felt good after mine and tried to do a little too much and got tired easy.
Take Care
MarciaA. -
Hi Leigh and the rest of the gang - I am also scheduled for radiation after chemo. 28 and 33 times - one to the chest and the other to the lymph nodes. Radiation starts 3 weeks after I'm done with chemo. I still need to schedule and appt with a radiation oncologist. Will talk to my medical oncologist when I go for chemo #4 nex thursday (25th). Had an infection in my port this week - was given Rocephin by IV 3 days this week and also started on Levaquin. I went for my CBC on monday - actually was feeling pretty good and then this. Tired today, but otherwise okay. It takes me to day 10 to feel pretty good after chemo. I was lucky that I was off last week after #3. Next cehmo is just before the long week-end so will have chemo on thursday and be off till tuesday - will take more time if I need it. Paual and Mindy - hope you are feeling better. Karen
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Hi everyone. So many questions on the boards in the last couple of days. Will try to give you my updates and answer some...
Radiation--
I ended up with a double mast with expanders and will be going through the reconstruction but no radiation.
Working--
Thought I would be able to work part time, but it is just not happening. Each session has been worse and this last one knocked me on my butt! I am hoping to do some part time work next week if possible. I do have excellent short term disability and will have full pay throughout, so I am just feeling blessed and taking advantage. It must be hard for those of you who have to work. I have been so fatigued from this last chemo that I have barely been able to get off the couch for a week.
Restless Legs Syndrome.
I DO get that some times and typically take 3 advil and an ambien if it is bothering me in order to get some sleep. I wonder if is is part of the tingling from the Taxotere or bone pain from Neulasta?
Fevers
Tac #2 I had a fever of almost 101 and they basiclly said my white blood looked good and ingnored it . This time I was up at 2am last night with 102 fever and felt like I needed to call...they sent me to emergency room for all kinds of tests, chest xray (in case pneumonia), blood cultures, etc. After about 5 hours and a drip of antibiotics, they sent me home. As I sit here at 6:53, my fever is back up to 100.7. I am really going to wait until I see my onc tomorrow.....Do not want a repeat of last night--but is it typical to just get such a fever without any infection just from the chemo.???!!!
Shortness of breath and fullness in rib cage.
I think someone mentioned this, but I am really struggling with what feels like my rib cage is exploding. I have gained about 7 or 8 lbs. (usually it goes to my tummy), but it is totally up high! Also feeling pain in the back and shortness of breath like a vise. Docs checked it out to make sure it wasn't pnumonia or blood clot, but they don't seem to have a good explanation. My Onc prescribed Prevacid for heartburn (which I take every day and has helped), but have any of you experienced this as something related to gas or reflux? Very strange...
On a very positive note--NO FOLICULITIS this time so far! My head is healing and hope that is a very distant memory.
Good luck to everyone with this journey. I think we are all hanging in quite well!
Karen -
karen,
sorry to hear about your port infection. i was wondering what kind of symptoms you were having. i think i have an infection in my port as well. it is very red and sensitive to touch. i'm going in to see my nurse tomorrow to do my weekly bloodwork so hopefully they can give me something to clear it up. I don't want to have a delay in treatment. #3 treatment is next friday.
it is good to hear how you all are doing.
molly -
I hope all TAC sisters who got their chemo this week have a peaceful comfortable weekend. Hang in there!
MarciaA. -
I was hoping that the decadron would help with the nausea this time, but guess what! I am here with nausea again. I am tired of feeling sick and nothing tastes right. I just want it over with so I can get back to normal. I am trying so hard to stay positive but sometimes it is hard. Thanks for letting me vent.
Hope everyone else is doing ok!!!
Mindy -
Mindy it is ok to vent, It has only been 2 to 3 days post chemo. I NEVER feel human until my 6th to 8th day out and I still have that metal taste until the 12th day. I maintain numbness in my hands and feet. I don't think the decadron has ever helped my nausea, just makes my heart race and a full feeling in my abdomen and sleeplessness. Are you taking zofran or emend? I take both and then I have phenergan when those don't work for me and it keeps me dozing until the nausea goes away on my 5th day or so. Mindy you can do this but it has to be a day at a time. You will feel better in about a week. We all want to feel normal again but gotta get rid of the cancer first so our lives can really be back to normal.
Take Care,be good to yourself, we are all in this together!
MarciaA. -
Molly - my arm was red and there was a little yellow area where the needle goes in. It did not bother me at all (except to look at it). I didn't touch it so not sure if it was sensitive to touch. They gave me Rocephin antibiotic by IV right away and I went back for the next two days and I am also on Levaquin for 7 days. It responded to the antibiotics right away. In retrospect, when I see where they marked my skin to measure, the red area was a lot larger than I thought. It looks fine now. Karen
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SO far this time, I've only been really tired and achey. Mostly tired. I guess it finally caught up to me. So I try to get outside for a bit each day, and then rest the other time. I guess it's only day 3 post chemo, so give myself a break right?! lol.
I'm just glad there is only 2 left, this really really sucks sucks sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paula -
Hello Everyone, Just checking in a few days ahead of #4. Feeling well, glad to be looking at the downward side of the slope. Husband and two dear friends just set off from our docks in Lauderdale for Solomons Island, MD - probably an 8 day adventure. My mom has taken Th and Fr off, and will be my chemo buddy and stay with me through Mon. I'm the "weathergirl" for the trip - I wish I were with them. Hope you are all doing well...Leigh
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Hi Leigh, Glad to hear you are gearing up for #4. I know you wish you were sailing with your DH and friends but just think of it as an investment for all the years you will have ahead of you because you are taking chemo now.
I have TAC #5 facing me this Wed 5/24. I really dread it...I still have some numbness in my feet, fingers and nose so I may ask for an additional reduction of the taxotere so that I will be sure to finish all my chemo without too much nerve damage. I do have a cough this session that I haven't had before.
Paula I hope you are hanging in there, you are kinda quiet lately..
Karen, Mindy, Molly and Jeannette, Hope you are all doing ok....
Everyone take care
MarciaA. -
Hi Ladies,
It looks as though TAC 2 hasn't gotten me totally down. I've had some really tiring days - but then I have been a bit more on the go. Boy I wish I was sailling up the coast!
Anyway, I am - with a little trepidation - off to the east coast to see my parents and go to this conference I have been working on. So I may not check in for a few days.
For those of you up for another round this week - just think of how much closer to the end. I think of 3 as the magic no. then it's all down hill - fewer and fewer to go.
We are a tough bunch that opt for this TAC stuff. It will be so nice to be all purified with no little cancer b***ers floating around.
Everyone, a good week.
Jeannette -
Hey Marcia - Thanks for the encouragement; I was pretty down last night but spoke to JP this morning - they were about 30 miles offshore, opposite Cape Canaveral. Think they'll be off Jacksonville by tomorrow a.m.
Jeannette - Safe travels. I have been traveling on day 6 (2.5 hr flight plus the usual to and from) and I'm tired when I arrive but otherwise I've been fine...hope it's the same for you.
Leigh -
Yep I've been quiet, lol, been asleep a lot this week. Last night I went for a walk with the hubby and the dog. Finally got on the computer a couple nights ago, but only to play some games. Number 4 wasn't bad. I think I'm just sick of the 7 days after each time. I'm sick of being sick. I keep telling myself that it's only been 2 days or 3 days, etc. Never been a patient person lol. Today I'm dealing with tthat taste in the mouth part, grrr I hate that!!! At least I know I can eat chicken and be ok. I know this week I will be feeling better, it's just that waiting SUCKS!!
Oh, I also found it easier to think of it as only 6 weeks left instead of 2 treatments. It just sounds like less to me for some reason. Actually it's only 5 weeks and 2 days. hehehe Countdown time!
Paula -
I am starting TAC on Thursday the 25th. Any suggestions as to what I should bring or any advice about what to expect. I am really scared.
Terry
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