FEC and Taxotere

I am interested in opening a discussion with ladies who have received or are receiving the chemo combination of FEC and Taxotere.

I have completed 1 FEC treatment with little to no side effects except a little "foggy" on days 3-5. Not so much that I couldn't continue to complete all daily activities including driving, just a little "off center."

One unexpected side effect of the "E" is a slightly pink tinge to my blonde hair - a little gift of color before it probably goes away.

I was dx 11/7/07, lump and SNB 11/27/07, IDC, 2.8cm, TN, node negative, stage IIB, grade 3.

I retired June 30, 2007, so do not have to worry about trying to work - what a blessing in this fight. I am also blessed with a very large loving and caring family to support me.

Happy New Year,
Adrea

Hi Adrea,

Adrea again - forgot to mention that "YES" I was under a lot of stress prior to diagnosis. I retired in June so thought my stress was OVER!!!!

Much reported about the immune system and its ability to prevent. Stress really has adverse effect on immune system. Who knows?

Adrea

I opted for a port b/c I did not want to ruin my veins...I am only 37 y/o...I need my veins...I hope to have many years ahead of me. 

Hi Adrea, I am about to have my 4th treatment of 6 FEC (every 3 weeks).  I was dx aug 17 with stage 1, node negative grade 2. It makes me very nautious for about 5 days (even with meds), constipation, heartburn, and my eyes burn and tear up. My Dr prescribed stool softener that I take every day. I have a port which I didn`t like at first but now I`m very thankful for since I have to get a CBC every week and they use the port. You talk about stress before DX. I had alot of stress for 3 years before my DX, including planning my  wedding 10 months before DX. I really think stress has something to do with suppressing imune system and getting cancer.

Hello girls,

I got also radiation.  After it I had a little red skin which is a common reaction on radiotherapy. Then the treatment was followed by Taxotere. Taxotere caused in my case skin sensitivity and together with previous radiotherapy the result was that my part of chest (treated with radiation) was very red. I was treated by a dermatologist and this problem disappeared. So also a strong unexpected skin reaction is curable.  For me was chemo more hard than the radiology because this is the whole body treatment.  The radiology is a local treatment, during this time I could do more things  than during chemo.

Hi all.  I was diagnosed august of 06 with 2.5 cm IDC triple negative stage IIB.  I had a port and have never regretted it.  I had six FEC, 12 weekly taxol and 35 radiation.  I had a lumpectomy and SNB with one positive node.  FEC made me very constipated, fuzzy brain, exhausted.  Taxol gave me bone and joint pain.  Out of the two chemos, I would say Taxol kicked my butt more than the FEC did.  With both chemos, the side effects got worse at time went along.   Radiation is something I regret.  I wish I would have had mastectomy.  My skin is tough feeling, like leather almost.  When I raise my arm above my head, it hurts.  When I lay on my stomach sleeping, my boob hurts.  Belinda...my muscles are stiffened.  And stress??  Hah!  Stress is my middle name!!!  I am finished with all treatment as of May 2007.  I am back to work full time, I go to the gym five days a week (to try to lose the 40, yes I said 40!) pounds I gained during the past year.  I feel better, almost "normal" again.  I do go for scans every six months and have a mammo once a year.    Good luck to all of you!  You can do this...if I did it anyone can!!!!!!!  take care of yourselves. 

Joyce,

Hi Nikol,

I have a question about radiation after treatment.....I had a mastectomy lft side.  They got great margins.  I also had 3/20 nodes positive.  I will have tx start this week 4 A/C every 2 weeks then 4 taxol every 2 weeks.  I asked if I should have radiation but onc said no because he doesn't think it would be necessary.  I was thinking under my arm and subclavical area would be beneficial.  I'm going to see a rad dr about it but did any of you that had rad after a mastectomy have positive nodes?