My mom in China got BC......

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ywok15
ywok15 Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer


IDC, stage 1, 1.0cm, node-negative, 61 years old. ER+/PR-/C-erbB-2-. She went through 1 CAF and could not afford the discomforty, so the doctor changes chemo to another 3 AC with less amount. She worried about the insufficiency of chemo amount and would like to know whether need to to more chemo....

Her main health problem is the digest system, such as gallstone. Could someone gives some advices on how chemo should be carry on?

Thanks so much!

yw

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    ywok....Your mom's cancer is very early stage and with no positive nodes, she has an excellent chance of surviving a good long time with no recurrence. Once she's finished with chemo, I'm assuming that she'll take one of the aromatase inhibitors for at least 5 years..? That would be the current standard here. Try not to worry....it sounds like she'll be fine!

    ~Marin

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  • ywok15
    ywok15 Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2007

    FitChik, what would be the standard chemo treatment here in the states? Would AC*4 be fine? Or CAF is a must? Thank you.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    Well, of course each case should be evaluated based on its individual characteristics, but based on what I know and what I've learned from members here, most of us with early stage IDC receive 4 infusions of AC or 4 AC and 4 Taxol/Taxotere. Sometimes CMF is prescribed instead. Now, as you probably know, the 'A' in both regimens that your mother has been considered for refers to Adriamycin, while the 'C' in these cases is Cytoxan. The only difference with CAF (I assume) is that the 'F' is yet an additional drug, fluorouracil. So if the doctors are comfortable going ahead with the chemo without the 'F' drug, it sounds pretty similar to what she might get here in the States. I hope that helps!

    ~Marin

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  • dalycity
    dalycity Member Posts: 248
    edited September 2007

    I just want to say that FitChik has helped so many people, me including! Thank you, FitChik!

    I wonder if the protocols for treatment of the same cancer would be different, depending on the country we live in. 

    Ywok15: Best wishes to your dear mother! 

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  • ywok15
    ywok15 Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2007

    FitChik, thanks so much for your detailed information. The more I research online, especially coming this community, the more I learn and feel I can support my mom.  In the past several days, I called my mom and dad daily and tell them that according to their pathology report, 4AC is actually standard treatment in the states. I can tell that my mom gets a lot releaf.

    Dalycity, thanks to your greeting too. The treatment in China to my knowledge I learn in the past week is that it is slightly different. Doctors over there tend to prescribe chemo more than here, and less hormon. Other than that, AC, CAF, CMF, etc are available popularly in hospital.

    I notice a significant difference, however, is lack of community support over there. It might be that dad and mom have not used internet to look for BC community but here in the states, patients get support not only from family members and friends, but also from community, while in China, they in general can not reach people outside their close contact.

    I will let her know people's sincere greeting from here.

    Thanks so much!

    ywok 

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited October 2007

    On to the gallstones.  This can be fixed without any surgery at all except 3 small slits for the metal rods to fit in her tummy, then they snip off the gall bladder and that is that.  No big incision.  Check around and see if someone is doing this type of surgery.  It is called. "Arthroscopic".

    Of course, the BC comes first, but she should take care of the gall bladder as soon as possible.

    Hugs, Shirlann

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited November 2007

    ywok, don't feel too bad, it is hard here to have a lot of comfort.  There are support groups and a LOT on line, but not too much in the community.

    I think things are pretty much the same everywhere.  People don't know what to say, so they avoid saying anything or avoid you.  It hurts, but that happens here a lot.

    Come and post often, we are always here to help you, and FitChick is one of our VERY BEST!

    Gentle hugs, Shirlann

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited November 2007

    I think you mean laproscopic, Shirlann, for the removal of the gallbladder thru some tubes in the belly.

    easy mistake.

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  • ywok15
    ywok15 Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2009

    It has been more than a year so i thought i should post an update here.

    My mom has been fantastic. She did a full checkup in December and all numbers looked very good.  Even better, my wife, 2 years son, and myself spent 1month+ with parents from both families together at southern china to enjoy holidays last month. 

    I'd love to share the happyness with people here. May god bless all of us.

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