Finally I have some choices for Treatment
Hello smart beautiful ladies,
I have to make a decision on my chemo treatment. I finally got to talk to my onc to get some questions answered. After I pressed her a bit about the different chemo drugs she laid out 3 options:
1. A/C 2wks x4, Taxol 2wks x4
2. A/C 2wks x4, low dose Taxol 1wk x12
3. Taxotere,A/C (all at once) 3wks x 6
I just don't know what to do. I am getting a 2nd opinion, but I am really not expecting any new earth shattering revelations and I am sure the treatment recommendation is going to be the same. So ultimately my decision is probably going to come down to a personality contest and how far am I really willing to drive. I am just so frustrated and tired of the Dr. battle.
Anyway thanks for being here and for your support.
Jenny
Comments
-
Hi Jenny,
I was a total sheep when it came to my treatment. They said, "This is what you're going to do" and I said okay. I figured they know what they're doing. I know a lot of women on here research and get multiple opinions etc, but I skipped that drama and trusted the pros.
My treatment was lumpectomy, 4 AC every three weeks then 4 taxotere every three weeks. 30 rads. My onc said she liked to use Taxotere instead of Taxol because there was less neuropathy involved. I had NO signs of that at all.
I was very lucky with chemo. I didn't even take the anti nausea meds. I was not sick at all and worked full time through both chemo and rads. Even at a three week interval, my white counts were slow to bounce back and I had to have the neulasta shot each time.
I am 2.5 years out from diagnosis and it has all worked for me so far! Try not to stress too much over your chemo decision. (easier said that done, huh?) You will see that all of those choices you were given have been done by the ladies on this board.
Just think, in 2.5 years you can be fat and sassy with a head full of chemo curls just like me! ha ha
Much love,
Watson
-
I suggest a second opinion. New studies have come out and some triple negs have dropped the andriamycin and are doing c and t together.
One thing that seems to be certain...the taxanes seem to work the best on triple negs. I did AC dose dense (only had 3 out of 4 as I got sick) and then I did the 12 weekly Taxol. Taxol was a breeze for me after the AC. Basically no side effects. I had 33 rads following the chemo. Rads was easy, too. I was diagnosed about 2 years and 4 months ago.
Today I feel fine.
Be well.
-
AC (4 DD) didn't work on my tumor...didn't reduce it in size, just a little in density.
Taxotere (4 DD) reduced it in size from ~4cm to .2 mm. I was offered the choice of Taxol or Taxotere. Taxotere is the more effective of the two. Although I was hardpressed to find much information at the time, I've since read numerous good reports on Taxotere.
I still had micromets in three nodes though after all that chemo.
Had the nodes out and did 4 carboplatin treatments (every 3 wks). There's good information out there on the efficacy of platinum (carboplatin, cisplatin) therapies in triple negative BC. I'd ask your onc about them. I had to find a new onc at a teaching hospital to go down the carbo route as my regular wasn't up on the studies and said it wasn't warranted.
Good luck to you Jenny.
-
All of those look like the standard options offered. My only suggestion is to do taxol in the weekly doses instead of dose dense every two weeks. Its much easier to tolerate and the side effects are greatly diminished. I'm a triple neg Inflammatory bc survivor and my treatment was 5 rounds of FAC every three weeks and then 12 weekly treatments of taxol.
-
Hi Jenny,
I just really wanted to second what Twink, Watson and Ravdeb said about the taxotere vs. taxol, the importance of the platinum's for us triple negatives and a second opinion.
I went to a local Onc who recommended the SAME options as yours did. Then I went a 1 hour and 45 minutes south of me to a teaching hospital and the Carboplatin and Taxotere every 3wks times 6 was recommended. So, I know traveling for treatment isn't fun, but if it is the better decision for you it might be worth consideration.
I ended up choosing the carboplatin and taxotere. I have done four tx and have two more to go. I have been really happy my decision.
I am also around your age (I am 27) so if you ever want to chat I sent you a PM as well.
Take care,
Natalie
-
Hi Jenny,
I just wanted to add my agreement with Natalie, Twink, Wastson and Ravdeb. I had 3 rounds of AC and it did not reduce the size of my tumor at all. Then I was switched to taxotere and carboplatin for six rounds. My tumor got smaller. I am now 4 years out from diagnosis and doing quite well.
Sadie
-
HI Jenny,
I agree with the other answers too. I did two cylces of A/C and it did absolutely nothing. Had a bad reaction to Taxotre so I had my mastectomy and finished with Gemzar/Cisplatin for insurance. I think the platins are better then the A/C. Just my humble opinion.
Good luck!
Laurie -
Hi Jenny - our dx were quite similar (your tumor was larger but mine was multi-focal [2.5cm+.65cm] and BRCA-1 positive) and if you can believe it, I was offered ACx4 at first. After tactfully
saying that I wanted to approach this more aggressively, I was offered TACx6 by my 2nd oncologist (your option 3).
My tumors were removed pre-chemo, so I didn't have the satisfaction some of the women here did of watching mine respond to the infusions. However, when my bilateral mastectomies were done post-chemo (due to BRCA+) all tissues (incl. 2 more nodes) came back free of any sign of malignancy or even cell dysplasia.
That said, even in the nine months since my chemo began, there has been real movement toward Taxotere and Cytoxan, or for Triple Negs., Taxotere and Carboplatin. If I were just starting now, I'd be campaigning hard for the latter, I believe.
Best of luck to you on your next opinion. Why are you pretty sure it will be just like the first one?
Lisa
-
I've just been diagnosed with lymph node mets (lungs) and after doing tons of web research on new treatments and clinical trials, I'm going with carboplatin / taxotere, at the recommendation of my onc. He has given me the choice, and says there's no right answer, but from what I've been reading, the platinums are a great choice for triple negs. I'd prefer using carbo alongside with Abraxane, but he won't do a non-tested protocol. Originally I had A/C times 4, taxol times 4 (summer of 2005).
-
Hi, I am a six year NED triple neg survivor. I did CMF in a study that had a stronger dose than normally given. They don't do that anymore now.
Now, six years later, the very latest research is showing that triplenegs should do some sort of platinum based drug, either Carboplatin or Cisplatin.
My onc is very well renowned and he only gives that to triple negs now. The trick is hit is hard the first time- it is the best shot we have. And since Tripleneg is so responsive to chemo and platimums seem to be the best at the moment, it is the way to go now.
However, if you do not want to do a platinum based drug upgrade your taxane- taxol or taxotere- to ABRAXANE. It has been shown to be superior to its older counterparts.
Good luck!!!
g
-
Oh Ladies, THANK YOU, I am swinging from the tree tops right now!!!!
I just knew that A/C was not the best choice, I can't tell you why, but I just had a feeling. I now feel like I have spent enough time reading and absorbing all the fantastic advice on this forum that I can make a decision that I can live with and not regret.
I am getting a 2nd & 3rd opinion 1 in Seattle and 1 in Portland. I am really leaning toward the 6 hour drive to Seattle as the bios of the DR's and ND's at the facility is insanely awesome! I can't wait to hear what there recommendation will be.
You babes really are the best!!!
XoXoXo
Jenny
-
Jenny - have confidence that you will make the best choice for yourself. I had dose dense A/C x4 followed by dose dense Taxol x4 and then 31 rads.
I wish you well on your journey and keep checking in here - it is a wonderful place of support and love...
-H
-
Hi, Jenny.
Good luck with your second opinion. I did dose-dense AC followed by T (last one in January) and the tumor could not be felt after the 3rd treatment of AC, so ultimately, it is one's individual's response that really counts. At MCV (in richmond, VA) they are having a trial for triple negatives and the standard protocol is T followed by AC, whereas the other legs add some platinums. Unfortunately, the trial has just started in September... -
Hey Babes,
So I got the 2nd opinion and loved the Dr. but there has been a twist in the plot. My surgeon when she removed my tumor had it sent straight to Fish analysis for the her2nu, well the results are borderline, meaning that I might be slightly positive. They are calling it equivicol basically I have 4 copies of her2 but my distant cell only shows 1.9 copies. My new Onc and a 3rd Onc said do the Herceptin it wouldn't hurt and it would take care of the little that is expressing? The Onc did send it out for a 2nd test to see if we get the same results and we are still waiting for the verification. Overall I am happy with my new Onc and we have settled on taxotere/carboplatinum 4 x3wks with Herceptin every week for 1 yr.
I just came back from my visit with the Onc and I am feeling the presure of the inevitable, plus he is highly recommending getting a port and I think that is freaking me out. It is just more new information all at once.
-
The port will certainly save your veins. I have terrible veins and could not have done chemo without getting the port. Saves your veins and easy for blood collection and getting IVs. Initially a little sore when inserted but then you adjust and for me I wasn't aware of it. Best wishes Joann
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team