chemo length of treatment
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Topic: chemo length of treatment
Posted By: katri
Subject: chemo length of treatment
Date Posted: Jun 20 2010 at 6:38pm
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Hi, I am new to this forum, and I would, first of all, like to thank those of you who created and maintain the site. It is a wonderful resource to have. I had been diagnosed with a Stage 2 triple negative tumor. After exhaustive testing and surgery, the doc now says there is no cancer left that they can find. He wishes that I participate in adjuvant therapy-16 weeks of chemo and 5 of radiation. If I find my body can't support what I see as a draconian measure, will a lesser time with chemo have any effect? If say, I make it 8 weeks? Thank you for your reply, and my prayers and best to all.
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Replies:
Posted By: 123Donna
Date Posted: Jun 20 2010 at 6:58pm
Katri,
I'm sorry you had to find us, but this forum is a wonderful place to connect with others that are going through the same experience.
I'd say any adjuvant treatment is better than none. Chemo helps target any stray cells that may have gotten away either through the lymph system or blood stream. We just don't know if we have any circulating tumor cells and the chemo will hopefully zap any floating around. I hated the thought of chemo, but visualized that I was actively using it to attack any cancer cell in my body.
Donna
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
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Posted By: trip2
Date Posted: Jun 20 2010 at 7:18pm
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Hello Katri and welcome,
Surgery, chemo and radiation are all we have to fight off this wretched disease. Any treatment decisions should be made between you and your Oncologist.
My personal view is do all that one can. TNBC is very aggressive. I doubt there is anyone here who would say they liked going thru chemotherapy although it affects everyone differently. Some do not have many issues with it while others have a hard time.
The thing is that many of us are glad we did do all we could get our hands on so that when it was over we knew in our hearts we had tried with all the weaponry at our disposal.
When dx the second time in 07 they set me up for Taxotere x 6. I had a horrible time, in and out of the hospital with Neutrapenia and CHF. But, after treatment #4 my Onc asked if I wanted to go on for 2 more and I said yes without hesitating.
I would suggest you research TNBC, check out our News/Resource forum, try the Resource link near the top and please feel free to ask questions. We'll help all that we can.
You might even consider a second opinion to help you decide what you want to do. In the end, it is your body, your decision.
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007
BRCA 1+
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Posted By: 123Donna
Date Posted: Jun 20 2010 at 8:29pm
Katri,
Have you seen this brochure about TNBC?
http://www.lbbc.org/data/media/LBBCunderstandtriplenegative.pdf - http://www.lbbc.org/data/media/LBBCunderstandtriplenegative.pdf
I'd definitely give it everything you can. At least you'll know you've done everything to fight this disease and keep it from coming back.
Good luck with your decision. Keep us posted on how you're doing and your treatment.
Donna
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
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Posted By: Sugar77
Date Posted: Jun 20 2010 at 8:56pm
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Katri - as Donna and Pam mentioned this is an aggressive type of breast cancer. I chose to do chemo even though my tumour was very small because I knew I wanted to hit it with everything I could so I never had to look back and wonder "what if...". I wish you all the best with your treatment.
Sherri
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DX IDC TNBC Oct. 27, 2009, age at diagnosis 45, Stage 1, Grade 3, <1 cm, 0/2 nodes, lumpectomy, Taxotere/CytoxanX4, finished Feb. 8, 2010, radiation completed Apr. 21, 2010.
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Posted By: kirby
Date Posted: Jun 21 2010 at 7:39pm
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Katri,
I was diagnosed in 2001 before they knew what TN was. I had always considered my 2 cm tumor stage 1 but I see that some consider that stage 2. I was given half the chemo they give today, and what has been current protocol for more than 3 years that I am aware of. I am not advocating for half the chemo whatsoever, even though I am almost 10 years out. I assume with all the studies that have done that there is better results with the additional chemo. For me, I wouldn't feel comfortable taking a gamble on what is now common protocol. I also found AC , a chemo many have had great difficulty with, to be not so bad and continued to work all thru treatment. Some of us have a much easier time than others so perhaps you will not find treatment so draconian.
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kirby
dx Feb. 2001. Age 44
Lumpectomy
2cm. no nodes stage 1 grade 3
4 rnds AC, 35 rads
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Posted By: Kristine
Date Posted: Jun 21 2010 at 11:23pm
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I have to say that you need to go into it with the mind set that you will complete the 16 weeks of chemo, rather than even think of doing 8 weeks right off - this way you are in the proper frame of mind.
Originally they wanted to do a lumpectomy on me, but because of the nature of this cancer I told them I wanted a mastectomy. Go at it with gloves on & swinging all the way.
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41 yrs at diag, Diag 10/09, Stage1, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, Mast & reconst, TCx4 comp 02/10, BRCA-, http://kristine-livingmylife.blogspot.com/
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Posted By: Shelly Rae
Date Posted: Jun 21 2010 at 11:48pm
I wish no one had to make these choices. I did everything standard for treatment and didn't loose my cookies once. I did take ginger root tablets with what they gave me which really helped me. I was tired, but could function still. For me the AC was easier than the Taxol. I had a ton of bone and muscle pain with the Taxol. The AC caused allergy type symptoms for me. It is amazing the stories about how we all have different symptoms from treatment. Treatment was not fun but through the Grace of God, I made it through. It is something that is doable. For me it was kind of like childbirth, I've forgotten a lot of the pain now that I'm done. We don't have to be superwoman, we do need to listen to our bodies and rest if needed. I have always been the caretaker, so it was hard to be the care receiver. It was very humbling for me to be on the other end. Good luck with your choice and remember, One Day At A Time. Make you choice and be at peace with it, don't look back.
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4/09 age 47 Stage 3a, Gr 3,1 node micro ACx4 Tx4 Rads x 33, done Dec.1,2009 NED
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