I am not a doctor, so please keep this in mind when reading my comment.
I am so glad to be back, by the way, I have kept myself lonely by staying away!
I was diagnosed and treated for triple-negative breast cancer, stage 3a or b, invasive ductal carcinoma, this in early 2011. Still here!
Dose dense Taxol was one of the chemo drugs, along with surgeries due to a BRCA mutation, and then radiation.
I am one of the women, it is less than 50%, I am not sure of the exact number, with residual, ongoing after effects from the drug Taxol.
The after effects I contend with are rough. However, in no way do I recommend against
using this as part of your protocol if your doctor advises.
I strongly, I cannot stress this enough, suggest getting a second opinion if possible. If you can, consider treatment at one of the hospitals certified as a cancer hospital. I am not using the right words, think I am conveying the concept though.
If I had not been able to go to a certified cancer center for most of my treatment, for a second opinion, I would be dead. My local hospital, the local oncologist, did not see the need for genetic testing. I called Myriad and arranged for the test myself, found I do have the BRCA mutation.
The surgeries were done at the cancer certified hospital, deleterious tissue was found in my fallopian tubes. Had they not been removed, cancer would have continued to grow in that area.
When treated by oncology groups working out of local hospitals, it is a risk. Why?
They are accountable only to themselves. While "keeping up", going to conferences, taking the extra classes, is the moral and professional choice, it does cut into their profit per patient.
!You may find a great group, a group that keeps up with all that is new, everything in the field.!
I am grateful to have insurance. All insurance plans now are now local, I think. For treatment or follow up I, we, are confined to whatever is on offer in our region. This is
much better than not being insurable, the alternative.
I try not to take it personally, the callous oncologists. It does hurt emotionally though, my visits are less than ten minutes, no time for questions, I leave as frightened and confused as when I arrive.
Taxol related problems at present: finger nails continue to fall out, extreme pain, not constant, in legs, torso and side of breast. Cognitive function diminished, getting better.
Inability to use fingers for needlepoint, fine work, this comes and goes, sometimes can walk, very occasional need for wheelchair. Extreme isolation, husband had moved family from my home town area, got sick in a place where I had not made new friends, some acquaintances. Most days alone. Extreme fatigue, days impossible to leave bed.
Please remember the above does not happen to everyone.