Chemo after surgery/good Pathology results (PcR) |
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koala55 
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Joined: Jan 29 2016 Location: Singapore Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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 Topic: Chemo after surgery/good Pathology results (PcR)Posted: Feb 12 2016 at 10:37pm |
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Hi,
Have just had breast conservation surgery and about 17 lymph nodes removed following 12 weeks of carboplatin and taxol (Carbo and Taxol 3 weekly and just Taxol on the other weeks). I was diagnosed with a 3 x 4 cm lump and at least 2 lymph nodes with cancer in October '15 - TNBC Grade 3 and possibly STage 2 - 3. According to pathology after surgery there were no cancer cells seen in removed tumor (what was left of it - it had shrunk considerably) and no cancer cells in any of the lymph nodes (previous biopsy had shown in at least 1 and 2 had lit up on PET scan at time of diagnosis). This is all good news. My oncologist has suggested my next steps could be:- 1. standard treatment of 4 x AC (I am assuming this is Andriamycin and Cytoxan) to be given 3 days in a row with a two week break in between or 2. two more 3 weekly rounds of the Carboplatin and Taxol before then moving to 1. (AC treatment). The plan is to still have radium after this. I'm 60 years old and so far have tolerated the previous chemo quite well apart from extreme tiredness and lack of energy. Just wondering what others may have done or suggest as I know all chemo comes with side effects and impact for the future. My treatment is carried out in Singapore as this is where I currently live. Thanks a lot. |
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gordon15
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Joined: Jun 22 2015 Location: San Diego CA Status: Offline Points: 788 |
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Posted: Feb 13 2016 at 9:39am |
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Great to hear the good news of PcR! You're asking if you should have a little more Carbo-Taxol, after the 12 ? I read somewhere that more chemo isn't necessarily better of the same one, there is some research out there on that, if 12 is the normal regimen depending on your tumor size/grade/etc of course.
From everything I've read, the AC is very effective, generally. The "A" can do really some damage to any cancer still floating around. My wife had it in 2008, and that non-TNBC cancer never came back. Sounds like a good plan to followup with the AC if you can handle it. |
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koala55
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Posted: Feb 26 2016 at 10:14pm |
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Hi Gordon,
Thank you for your reply. I did get a second opinion and will now just go for the AC combination and not add two more rounds of carboplatin/taxol. This will still be followed up with radiation so hopefully all bases will be covered. I'm hoping I can have the AC as a dose dense schedule across 8 weeks - so 4 doses. Thanks again |
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Dporter
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Joined: Jan 31 2016 Location: LA Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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Posted: Feb 27 2016 at 10:13am |
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I just got my pathology report yesterday. My case is similar to yours, I was diagnosed with stage 2 with no lymph node involvement. My neoadjunct chemo consisted of 12 weekly taxol treatments followed by 4 DD AC. I then had my lumpectomy. The surgeon took 1 lymph node and removed the area of the mass. He had to go back during the surgery and trim a little more on 2 margins. When the pathology came back, there was NO cancer remaining in any tissue, A complete pathologic recovery! I love the way that sounds.
I will be going for 4 weeks of radiation starting on March 21st. I and ready to get to the end of this long journey. Having said that, I know that there is a chance that it might come back, but I also understand that with a cPr, my chances of it returning are lowered a lot. So Koala55, I believe in the drugs they pumped in me, and I am so thankful that I sought out the "best" cancer team to treat me! I hope all goes well with your aditional treatment. AC was rough for me, much harder than the taxol, but hang in there because it is only 4 treatments long! I am praying that this week had good news for all of you, and that the weeks to come will as well! Thanks for following my case! Debbie |
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Dx TNBC 7/15; age 52; stage 2, grade 3, BRCA negative; Taxol weekly x 12, DD AC x4 completed 1/19/16
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AmyL
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Joined: Jan 21 2016 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 237 |
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Posted: Feb 27 2016 at 10:24am |
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What wonderful news Debbie! I hope you are recovering well from surgery. I knew that A/C was going to be tough, but WOW! Each day is a new adventure. Yesterday I was hit by the most profound exhaustion...dizzy when I stand up and move about. Hoping for a better day today. I know it will be worth it in the end, but that seems like a long way away!
Amy |
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Jacklin
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Joined: Dec 26 2015 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 559 |
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Posted: Feb 27 2016 at 1:06pm |
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Hi Amy,
When I started chemo there was a lady there who was having her last chemo treatment that day. Her advice was "listen to your body' and I'd like to share that with you too. I found that helped me tremendously, I didn't feel guilty or 'bad' having a nap whenever I needed it. What you are describing is very normal, I found that day 4 was the day I often had a 24-hour nap when I was on A/C. If that's what you need, then take it. Your body is working very hard right now and needs the rest. Praying that today is a better day for you. Blessings
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Dx: Nov. 27/15, TNBC, left breast & lymph, BRCA -; Chemo: Dec 4/15 - Mar 4/16; 4 DD A/C, 3 DD Taxol; BMX/ALND: April 26/16; Stage 3C; Radiation: June 10-July 15/16; 1 cycle Xeloda: Aug 15 - 28/16
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AmyL
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Joined: Jan 21 2016 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 237 |
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Posted: Feb 27 2016 at 5:37pm |
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Thanks for the wise words of encouragement Jacklin. I'm definitely going to try to embrace the advice. It's such a weird feeling to sleep for a few hours, then be just as exhausted when you wake up! I did spend a beautiful hour in the sunshine sitting on my deck with my daughter this afternoon. A rare treat in Colorado in February.
Amy |
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Jacklin
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Posted: Feb 27 2016 at 7:13pm |
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Good for you Amy, so glad you spent the time with your daughter. Especially when you're blessed with such good weather. Same for us here, I'm north of Toronto, Canada and it was above freezing today, but I was honestly too tired to go out for a walk. You are right, it is something we don't ever experience before chemo - that is, we usually have a nap and wake up refreshed. But now, the chemo is working hard in your body to kill the cancer cells, and also some of our non-cancerous cells, and that's why our bodies are so tired. Enjoy that beautiful sunshine!!
Peace, Jacklin
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Dx: Nov. 27/15, TNBC, left breast & lymph, BRCA -; Chemo: Dec 4/15 - Mar 4/16; 4 DD A/C, 3 DD Taxol; BMX/ALND: April 26/16; Stage 3C; Radiation: June 10-July 15/16; 1 cycle Xeloda: Aug 15 - 28/16
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Dporter
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Posted: Feb 27 2016 at 10:30pm |
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Thanks Amy,
AC knocked me off my feet! I was down for 3 days after a treatment. I would make it to the couch and had no energy to do anything and nauseous. The medicine didnt help a whole lot. The next 4 days Were a little better each day. I would feel much better then until my next treatment. I took them every 2 weeks. The best thing about the AC was that there was only 4 of them! Debbie |
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Dx TNBC 7/15; age 52; stage 2, grade 3, BRCA negative; Taxol weekly x 12, DD AC x4 completed 1/19/16
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Posted: Feb 27 2016 at 11:57pm |
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Ac is really harsh. I was glad they gave 2 weeks inbetween. They said it was cumulative so it builds up as it goes. I was so sick after 3.i was hospitalized for 7days. So take care to rest and drink lots of water. Dont turn down any help at home rest is really important. My prayers are with you. Just remember it is killing the cancer.
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AmyL
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Joined: Jan 21 2016 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 237 |
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Posted: Feb 28 2016 at 3:32pm |
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What a difference a day makes! Much better today... Way less dizzy. It's almost like I can feel the Neulasta kicking in to make more red blood cells. I'm even well enough to put real clothes on and meet my husband for lunch after his golf game with my daughters. Another day of warm Colorado sunshine in the middle of winter. God is Good.
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Posted: Feb 28 2016 at 3:48pm |
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Did any of you feel really tired at the end of your Taxol treatments? Im so week and tired and its my 11th week. I didnt feel this bad at the beginning
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Jacklin
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Posted: Feb 28 2016 at 8:07pm |
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Hi Romnessprite1,
I just completed 2 of 4 taxol and NEVER felt THIS tired during any part of chemo. I did feel a bit tired during A/C, but it's been building and it feels like I might never get my energy back again. I heard that taxol is much more tiring, so you're not alone in this. We both have 2 more to go - we can do this, right? Blessings
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Dx: Nov. 27/15, TNBC, left breast & lymph, BRCA -; Chemo: Dec 4/15 - Mar 4/16; 4 DD A/C, 3 DD Taxol; BMX/ALND: April 26/16; Stage 3C; Radiation: June 10-July 15/16; 1 cycle Xeloda: Aug 15 - 28/16
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Posted: Feb 28 2016 at 8:12pm |
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Jacklin yes we can. We will just keep encouraging each other. Its raining here today and that really effects my mood too. I have a sunshine light that helps but its not the same. Hearing from peole os so important. Thanks for the note.
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Posted: Feb 28 2016 at 8:20pm |
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Cant type either lol. 😁 i drop stuff all the time too. Ive got that finger and thmb numb thing. Its so wierd. I laugh at myself because its like a silent commedy to see me try to do stuff. I feel like Lucy in the old black and wbite tv show. Haha. I looked goofy today too I put my wig on and it some how got pulled down too low on my forhead in the car. Didnt notice untill i saw my reflection in a window. It seems funny now but it didnt then.😵😁
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Jacklin
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Joined: Dec 26 2015 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 559 |
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Posted: Feb 28 2016 at 8:21pm |
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Hi my friend,
Well, for us it was about 50F today, which is SO warm, usually it's about -25 or -30 so it was a beautiful day for walking. We've had very little snow this winter, for which we've been thankful when driving to chemo. The rain is good for the trees and grass, but I hear you, it can be tough to 'up' when it's dark and raining. So glad we've connected tonight. Are you treatments weekly? I sense they are since you said this was your 11th treatment coming up. Mine have been dose-dense, every 2 weeks so my next one is Mar 7. I had a bad reaction to the first taxol, but the dose was reduced by 15% for the last treatment and my hands & feet weren't nearly as bad. But the fatigue!! Oh my goodness, I've felt like I'm fight the flu and a cold since Thursday, just feeling icky. And no desire to get up and do anything either, just want to lie in my chair and rest/sleep. I'm here for you, just like you are for me. Hope you have a good night and sleep well. Hugs
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Dx: Nov. 27/15, TNBC, left breast & lymph, BRCA -; Chemo: Dec 4/15 - Mar 4/16; 4 DD A/C, 3 DD Taxol; BMX/ALND: April 26/16; Stage 3C; Radiation: June 10-July 15/16; 1 cycle Xeloda: Aug 15 - 28/16
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koala55
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Posted: Mar 18 2016 at 2:52am |
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Hi Debbie,
So pleased you also got a good response. I am now into my second round of AC - every fortnight and it has been harder than the carboplatin/taxol but round 2 was easier than round one. I figure I have two more challenging weeks ahead of me following the next two doses then can move onto the last stage - radiation. It is a long road but getting there bit by bit.
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Posted: Mar 18 2016 at 11:32am |
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Hi Jacklin. How are you doing now? Im done with surgery yay! Next step is radiation. Recovering from double mastectomy and reconstruction is taking longer than I thought it would. But we can do this right?
Im looking forward to planting some flowers in my garden and going on picnics again. Im trying to see beyond cancer. I think Ive let it take over my life. When I look passed it its not as scarry. Its like a mountain pass I have to drive over to get to the next place.  Thank you all again for all the prayers and support.😁 Ginie |
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Minigerkin
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Joined: Feb 12 2016 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 151 |
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Posted: Mar 18 2016 at 12:11pm |
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Hi y'all,
Just finished my chemo on 1/28/16. Yay! But, I do have to agree, Taxol is very tiring. And, I just learned there will be a week (a couple of weeks after chemo completion), when our bodies will try to regain the strength it once had, and we'll experience nose bleeds, sinus issues, ringing in the ears, and muscle spasms. I had the daily nose bleeds and muscle spasms in my calves.
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Minigerkin
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Posted: Mar 18 2016 at 12:29pm |
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Hi minigerkin. I had my last taxol on feb29. Surgery on march 8. I found out some of my tired was an underlying problem my adrenal glands have almost stopped working so they put me on prednisone. It also made my blood pressure really low after surgery and nothing they tried worked. Finally after one of ladies here posted to me that she was praying for me. They discovered this problem. And im going again. Fighting one day at a time with all of you.😁
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