Carboplatin

I have Stage III Triple Negative Breast Cancer and am being treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with four neoadjuvant  Adriamycin/Cyclophosphamide chemos, to be followed next month by four Paclitaxel chemos.

I had Carboplatin and taxol as first line. My lump completely went away to the touch after the very first Carbo/Taxol treatment. I just finished 4 rounds of AC and still no lump on October 3rd. I am waiting for Surgeon to schedule me for the lumpectomy and port removal
, they are expecting no cancer.

Jackie

Dear bcarya,
Your chemo regimen definitely is NOT OVERKILL.... As far as I can determine from self experience and treatment of others, "THROW THE KITCHEN SINK" first. It sounds as though that is what you are doing. Bless you and good luck. Please keep us posted. WE UNDERSTAND because we've been there.

God Bless,
Lillie

Thanks for your response and reassurance. I finished my 5th weekly taxol treatment Nov 5th and then we delayed my sixth one (scheduled for Nov 13) because I have been having increasingly severe fevers after each treatment. Then I broke out in hives all over my arms, hands, and legs after treatment #5. I guess that was sort of good because it answered the question of what was causing the fevers. We were getting ready to start testing me for viruses and bacterial infections. Now it's looking like I'll be on prednisone packs after each treatment. I have my 6th (of 12) taxol treatment on Weds, and later in the week we have an ultrasound to see if it's making any difference on the tumor. My tumor is deep and my breast tissue dense, so I never could feel it. It doesn't show up on mammograms, either. Only ultrasound. I'm worried, of course, that the taxol hasn't made any difference. If not, we are probably going to add Carboplatin. 

JackiWalkr,

Hi,

Dear wwjdJanice,
The radiation is a lot easier than all the chemo. The side effects are mostly like a burn (for which they will give you creams to help with pain and healing) and you may get a little tired (sleepy early). My wife was able to drive to all her radiation appointments and also drive back. The Chemo is far more difficult so you're at the home stretch and you should get the maximum advised treatment, which includes the recommended radiation.
Yes, the 7 weeks is very long and it is an inconvenience to go in daily - but it will pass by fast, but if you were able to do the chemo, the radiation will be easier. Also, usually the first burn like feeling and tingling feeling may not come till after 10-12 treatments, but it may vary. Speak to your Oncologist and Radiologist on this to get reassurance - but you must do it as prescribed.
Regarding Cording and pain in the arm / lymphadema, you can work with a lymphadema therapist. They will work with you on excercises which are in fact very important to do, even for a week to 10 days before radiation (during and after as advised). The therapy will help minimise pain and symptoms that you describe.
You can find a therapist by getting a referral from lymphedema assoc in states.
http://www.lymphnet.org/
You can also speak with your Oncologist / Breast Surgeon for a good referral for a licensed Lymphedema Therapist. This will help you.
Stay well. Good luck. All will be well.

Janice,

Hi Kelly I was diagnosed with recurrence to subcl node and mammary node I am currently on weekly taxol and avastin every other week 3 on 1 off my cancer has responded quite well node in neck was originally 1.6 mm now 0.4mm node in chest originally 1.6mm now 1.4 mm my question is the node in your chest did they take a biopsy of it.

Alison

Edited by Alison4ox1 - Dec 10 2014 at 4:05pm

Hi Alison,
I'm sorry to hear that you have had a recurrence. Would you mind me asking if you previously had radiation in your subcl node and internal mammary nodes? I'm currently doing radiation for these nodes, and my concern is that if I ever have a recurrence, I won't be able to do radiation in the area again.

Thank you,
Natasha