AC & T ended with disasterist results

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BJO62
BJO62 Member Posts: 2
edited July 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Three rounds of Adriamycin and Cytoxan with a total dose of 3000mg resulted in cardiomyopathy. 4th dose not given. Started on Taxol had first round but cardiac symptoms shortness of breath, +4 pitting edema of lower extremities persisted so it was held for 3 weeks. Cleared by cardiologist to restart it (lower dose given), however, 2nd round resulted in an anaphylactic event nearly resulting in my death, requiring an overnight stay in hospital.

I'm meeting with my wonderful oncologist in 4 days to discuss what do we do next. The original plan was four rounds of AC every two weeks, then 12 rounds of weekly Taxol , ending with 6 weeks of daily radiation. Since the cancer was in my left breast my heart will be subjected to the radiation. My concern is will this further damage my heart. Will this be enough to reduce the odds of reoccurrence? Are there other chemotherapies I should consider? Other kinds treatments?

To say I am overwhelmed is an understatement. Am seeking a therapist to help my deal with all of this. It feel like the light at the end of the tunnel has gone out.

BJo


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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2015

    BJO62-

    We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We hope you find this to be a supportive and informative place, when you need it most!

    We are so sorry to hear of all the troubles you're having! We're sure some of our members will chime in with their advice or experiences, but we just wanted to say we hope your meeting with your onc goes well, and you are able to come up with a treatment plan that works and doesn't cause anymore issues.

    The Mods

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2015

    BJO62, I hope that you and your oncologist can find a new plan. Sometimes Abraxane is used when people are allergic to Taxol. I am sure there are multiple issues to discuss though. Best wishes to you; sorry you have had such a rough road.

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  • crs003
    crs003 Member Posts: 73
    edited June 2015


    AC and Taxol are aggressive therapies, but there are alternative therapies. Ask your oncologist about your options. Also, if you are receptor positive, there are targeted therapies with less side effects. If you are receptor negative, ask about the iSPY trial or other trials with targeted therapies. You need to learn all you can. Are all of your doctors from the same hospital? Maybe you can request a conference with all three to come up with a plan or request an opinion from the Chemo board of the hospital. I'm sorry you had such a hard time, and you are feeling off course. Just know that it is not uncommon to have to switch therapies because of adverse reactions, and there are other drugs in the same class as the ones you've had that could be more tolerable. Bring a notebook to take notes when you speak to your oncologist, and request info sheets for all of the recommended chemos, then ask questions. I always annoyed my doctor by asking her to slow down or repeat things or with my page long questions. But she always answered them. You can do this.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited June 2015

    BJO62 - wanted to give you some encouragement.  I had a heart attack during AC Chemo - never knew until Herceptin gave me permanent valve damage.  Then through testing they discovered the heart attack.  I remembered exactly when I had it during AC - typical heart attack symptoms, but I thought it was side effects of AC as I had a horrible time.  I did okay on Taxol but Herceptin had to be stopped after 3 months.

    Your cardiologist is your best new friend.  Do not be afraid to go on heart meds - they have helped me tremendously.  Sounds like you really trust your Oncologist.  They will figure out a plan!!

    Mine was also left breast.  I had radiation.  I didn't have any trouble.

    I am now 3.5 years out from chemo.  Although my heart is permanently damaged, I do quite well.  I only see my cardiologist once per year now!!

    It is all so overwhelming!  I am so sorry you are going through this!!


     

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  • TNCatMom
    TNCatMom Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2015

    I've never had any heart problems, but I did have 4 biweekly AC followed by 12 weekly Taxol. I had my Bmx a month after finishing, and 33 radiation treatments to the left side beginning five weeks after surgery. During the radiation, I was told to hold my breath each time the radiation was given (It was like having several x-rays), and if I understand correctly, having you hold your breath actually moves your heart out of the way. If you can't hold your breath long enough, the machine will shut off, and they will keep shooting the beam until you've had the correct dose. I am not an expert, but this is what I understood from my personal experience.

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