New tripple negative - need advice

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  • Elliemae32
    Elliemae32 Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2008

    Jason,

    I am also TN, 32 years old and had to have a mastectomy before chemo because I am pregnant and we were giving the baby more time to grow before starting chemo.  My local oncologist recommended AC but I went in for a second opinion at a large teaching hospital.  The director there recommended FAC every 21 days for 6 treatments then a taxol drug and maybe radiaiton.  I just had my first FAC treatment on June 27th and I believe that I tolerated it very well.  I got Aloxi for nausea as a pre-med and I think it is my best friend.  I have been a tad more tired, but nothing a nap didn't fix.

    Your mom's MD seems to be giving out the same advice as mine. 

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  • StefS
    StefS Member Posts: 157
    edited July 2008

    TAC Regimen Superior to FAC for Early Breast Cancer
    http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/465643

    The FAC plus taxol looks interesting. Personally, I would make sure there was a taxane (taxol or taxotere) in the regimen.

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  • jason222
    jason222 Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2008

    Thanks again everyone for your support and help.

    I have just scheduled an appointment with an oncologist who specializes on triple negative next week. Will post his suggestion here soon.

    By the way, would like to ask do most ladies here see a general oncologist or breast oncologist? I have been sent to general oncologist mostly before this.

    And i've heard that carboplatin being used in TN by a few people with increase effectiveness. Any idea on this?

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  • Camama2
    Camama2 Member Posts: 44
    edited July 2008

    Jason,

    I am also TN, 51 years old, stage 3, grade 3, 2 nodes.  I had the identical regime that your mom has been told of except that I had 30 rounds of radiation.  This was 3 years ago.  While TAC wasn't a walk in the park it wasn't the end of the world either.  My oncologist is the head of research and told me that TN responds best to chemo and since there is no additional meds after treatment that it needs to be treated as aggressively as possible.  Good luck to you and your "mum"!

    Laurie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2008

    Hi Jason,

    TN as well.  Dx'd in July 2005.  No T, just  4A/C every 21 days.  Tolerated quite well because of steroids, which gave me permanent visual problems.  Chemo is a good weapon against TN cancers, the good outweighs the bad.

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  • jason222
    jason222 Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2008

    Hi everyone,

    The new oncologist we saw has recommended 4 AC dose dense every 2 weeks, and 12 weekly taxol (maybe with Carboplatin).
    Is the 2 weekly AC schedule and 12 weekly taxol tougher than normal regime or is it suppose to be easier on the body?

    The chemo will start this week. The oncologist also keyed in her probability of recurrence on the adjuvant online calculation, and being ER - and with her stats, she has a 35% rate of recurrence.
    It's worrying. and the software doesn't take into the account of triple negative, only ER negative.
    It pains me seeing my mum going through this.

    I hope a cure will come soon for everyone. I really do.

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited July 2008

    Hi Jason, for heaven's sake be sure your mom does the chemo.  It is so important, especially with the Tri-Neg.  But the good news is that after 2 to 3 years, if this type of cancer has not come back, it rarely does.  The graph is really a sorta straight line, then drops to almost nothing, unlike the other people.

    No, we never know about, "is the chemo working", because these cells, if they are there, are microscopic.  But years and tons of research have shown that chemo most certainly works.  So buck up, my dear son, and stick this out with your mom, it is most definitely not in vain.

    And some people get along quite well with chemo.  We have a sister in another thread who just finished her chemo, she is a Tri-Neg and is a single mom with a manager's job at Subway, on her feet up to 23 hours, some days.  She worked through the whole thing.  I can't truly say this was easy for her, it was not, but she did it. She lives in Bolton, Wales, United Kingdom.

    So keep on keepin' on.  And your mom is so lucky to have you.

    Gentle hugs, Shirlann   

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  • Raye99
    Raye99 Member Posts: 1,350
    edited July 2008

    Jason,

    Shirlann is our Trip Neg Hero(heroin sounds so much like an opiate). I applaud you for seeking out information for your mother.  As far as the chemo goes - can I say if it is tough to have AC every two weeks and then Taxol once a week? I don't know. I can tell you this, Taxol was much more tolerable for me than the A/C, but I had Taxol every two weeks. I was 39 and have an office job, so I didn't miss much work at all. It sounds as though science is progressing with the weekly Taxol (not an option two years ago when I had my treatment).  You are a wonderful son, Jason. Your mother will tolerate the chemo  - some days it stinks, but it is not as terrible as one may think. SHE CAN DO IT - especially with a son like you by her side.

    Raye

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  • controlmydestiny
    controlmydestiny Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2008

    Hi Heatherbloc

    36 yo triple neg, starting Cytoxan, Adramycin, Taxotere and Avastin.  Trying to find someone out there  that are getting these drugs and the Side effects.  Concerned about some many drugs at one time. 

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited July 2008

    Controlmydestiny,

    Your right these are a lot of drugs.  Most have done these chemo's, including me.  Most first line treatment is CAT that you are getting, but how you are getting it the important question these day.  I got all three ever three weeks.  Now they spread this out.  What is your schedule?  I am taking Avastin for the 2nd time.  I had no l side effect with this chemo except tightness in my chest. This is not a normal chemo like the other one's you are taking.  One chemo kill's the cell's while they are resting, one kill's the  cell's that are multiple very fast and Avastin starves the tumor of blood supply.  Avastin main side effects are bloodily nose, they will watch your kidneys closely and you need to drink a lot of water while using this or any chemo.  Long term use of this drug or any chemo for that matter can hurt the heart.  Again this is for us who have to be on chemo for years at a time.  (I have had 19 mths of chemo in three years, and have know long term side effects.)

    As of the side effects of CAT see the link for "getting through treatment"  There is a great thread out there that tell's you how to handle side effects.  If you can't find it let me know.  I also have my own list of "tips" if you would like I can send you.

    This is the top combo out there for us TNegs.   I hope this is gentle on you and your body, but kick's butt.

    Living in hope,

    Flalady

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  • controlmydestiny
    controlmydestiny Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2008

    Hi Flalady, thanks.  Any advise would be helpful, start tommorrow and don't know what to expect.  Anxiety startintg to kick in.  New to board not sure how to chat but if you can send me any information, I appreciate it.  If you need it I can give you my email, just tell me how to chat or what they call pm. Lots of Hugs and Love.  I was told by the nurse I would  hav e A&C every other week and Taxol every other week and she wasn't sure about Avastin.

    Paula

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  • jason222
    jason222 Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2008
    Hi,

    My mother is currently undergoing chemo. She has done the first round of A/C last Friday.
    Still no side effects currently.

    And I have posted in another topic as well, that her first chemo only took about 15 minutes. It seems quite fast compared to the rest.
    Any one else who has a chemo done that fast?
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  • carolbythecreek
    carolbythecreek Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2008

    I have just joined and wanted to thank you for your answer as I am TN, grade 3, T11B and just had my first round of chemo after much doubt over my decision to do chemo. Everyone kept asking me if it was really necessary to take the treatments as my lymph nodes were clear. I wasn't sure if my choice was right or not. Thanks again to Falady.

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited July 2008

    carol,

    I sent you a PM (private message).  Look near the top of this screen and click private message and then you will see where I sent you a email. Let me know if you have problems.  It took me a while to figure this site out also.

    Flalady

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  • jason222
    jason222 Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2008

    Hi Carol & Paula,

    How are you doing?
    My mum had just done her 2nd AC treatment last week. Hair is starting to drop and has shaved her head.

    Other than that, there is not much side effect yet. How about you?

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  • slcleveland
    slcleveland Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2008

    After reading all these replies, I'd like to know, Jason, how is your mother doing now?  I went through 4 cycles of A/C, and 4 cycles of Taxol.  I am also triple negative, stage IIIB with lymph node involvement and a grade 3 tumor.  On top of everything, I found a new primary site in the same breast 4 months after my first diagnosis while I was in the middle of chemo.  To this day, no one can figure how I had growing cancer cells after 3 cycles of A/C.  Only thought was that it was missed originally, for some unknown reason.  I did have to have the mastectomy because of the new primary site and went through 38 radiation treatments of my left side, up to my neck and almost down to my waist.  BUT, I've had 2 clear reports since, so I'm happy I went through all the treatment.  My side effects were horrible, too, but I'm alive and today, doing well!!!

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  • jason222
    jason222 Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2008
    Hi,

    My mother just finished her fourth cycle of A/C, will be starting Taxol and Carboplatin in 2 weeks time. Good to hear that you are doing well. My mother does not has much side effect from the chemo, hope it stays that way.

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  • KPolasek
    KPolasek Member Posts: 184
    edited August 2008

    Rav,

    How do you know/find out if your cancer is the "basal" type?

    Blessings,

    Kay

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited August 2008

    Kay,

    Your pathology report would show this info...I can't remember if they have to run a particular test or not...

    Flalady

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  • KPolasek
    KPolasek Member Posts: 184
    edited August 2008

    I read through my path report and didn't see anything referring to basal ... I will ask my onc the next time I see him.

    Thanks for the info flalady

    Blessings,

    k

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  • Frenchie
    Frenchie Member Posts: 37
    edited December 2008

    Could I ask what A/C means when referring to treatment?

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  • Westie
    Westie Member Posts: 89
    edited December 2008

    AC is a type of chemotherapy consisting of 2 drugs:  Adriamycin and Cytoxan.  They are administered intravenously at the hospital every 2 or 3 weeks, usually 4 times.  The Adriamycin is slowly injected into the IV lines by a nurse, about 4 very large syringes worth, the Cytoxin just goes in via a regular IV bag.  Takes about 50 minutes to administer AC.

    Check out the Chemotherapy threads.  I found them very useful.

    Hugs to you and your wife.

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