How important is your oncologist? (and NOLA)

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    Taxotere rings a bell.

  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    I did find it. It is Adriamycin and Cytoxan 4 treatments, then

    Taxol for 4 treatments,

    then Neulasta or Neupogen.

    Since I am going to a different MO, maybe it will be different? He said this was standard. But I am not seeing all those names on everyone's and heart issues was one of the SE's of the first one, I think.

  • debiann
    debiann Member Posts: 1,200
    edited March 2015

    Your chemo is likely the same as others with a similar type, stage, grade , ect. I'm IDC and HER2+, so I'm different than you. I did TCH (6 rounds of taxatore, carboplatin & herceptin, followed by 11 tx of herceptin alone.) Herceptin and Perjeta are for HER 2+ only.

    The neulasta or neupogen is a shot you get 24-48 hours after chemo to help boost your white blood count. At my center they offered it on the arm or the belly. The PS recommedned using the arm cause of the upcoming DIEP.

    There should be a "CHEMO IN MARCH" thread starting which you may want to join. I got so much support from others going through the same thing I was. We bitched and moaned and hugged each other every day.

  • dltnhm
    dltnhm Member Posts: 873
    edited March 2015

    Trvler-

    I sent you a private message with a list of all my team. I'm not certain if you saw it or not - but just in case you didn't, please check your private messages.

    As for the chemo regimen - although I did not have neoadjuvant chemo, I did have AC and then Taxol. Many many women in the last few years have been prescribed a regimen of 4 AC every 2 weeks followed by 12 weekly Taxol. It may seem like a long way to do it - but studies show it is a very effective chemo regimen and given over 12 weeks is somewhat gentler on the patient. Depending on your Her2 status (a negative can be a 0, but it also can be classified as a negative, but is actually Her2 LOW. There is an ongoing NSABP study for women with Her2 LOW status which adds Herceptin to the Taxol arm and then Herceptin continues for a year (not weekly!!).

    I echo what others have written you about having a good relationship with your MO. Once everything is said and done, it is your MO who will be guiding your treatment & long term follow-up care. Patients who have a great relationship with their oncologist are much more apt to be involved in their care, obtain more information, and make educated decisions going forward.

    PM me or reply here if you want more info. If you need an ear - I'll give you my phone #.

    Heading out of town on Wednesday.


  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    So that first a-hole MO told me they would call me to set up a time to start. Still no call.

    No matter. I am going elsewhere. Just pi$$es me off because I told them I wanted to get started ASAP.


    Thanks, dltnhm. I am going to try this lady by me and if I don't like her, I will check your team out in PR.

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