Hi. wondering if anyone had chemo before op to shrink tumor and had to have it again afterwards cos some lymph nodes were affected? Dont know for sure that I have to have more chemo but know that it may be part of the plan!
Dear Smiler
I have had exactly that. 6xFEC, followed by WLE then completion mastectomy because the margins were not clear. 14 lymph nodes removed, of which 5 affected - told that 4 affected nodes is the threshold for further investigation +/- treatment.
After surgery I was initially told that I would have some scans but would be offered chemo regardless of the results due to the lymph node involvement, the need for mastectomy and because of my age (41) - because what they found at surgery suggested that the FEC had not been as successful as we’d hoped and in order to reduce the risk of later recurrence. I agonised for a while, but in fact the scans showed a hot spot and the offer became a recommendation, and I’m 2 cycles into 6xTaxotere.
When it was just offered, I really felt torn. Tried to view it as an insurance policy for the future, but of course having been through it once before, you know that the last thing you want is more chemo. Trying to take the long view might help - I figured that life is upside-down now already, might as well stay that way for a few more months. Better that than going through all this again in 5 years time. Also, although they were allowing me to make the choice, and said that they would not hold it against me if I said no, I also figured that they do not offer expensive and unpleasant treatment to someone if they don’t think it will benefit them.
In the end of course, the choice wasn’t mine. Good luck with your results and decision-making!
Helen
Yes I did in 2003/2004. Had 6 cycles of AC prior to surgery, then 4 cycles of taxotere after surgery (23 nodes cancerous.) I was then OK for two and half years but got a regional recurrence last April so have had more chemo.
I reckon the taxotere probably kept the cancer away for those two and half years so think it was ‘worth’ it.
very best wishes
Jane
Thanx for replying, always good to hear others are going through similar things. Frannie how are you finding the taxotere, thats the one thats been mentioned as a possibility for me? Hope treatment is going well
Smiler
Thanks Smiler. I am about to have 3rd Tax tomorrow and so far better than FEC in many ways. The best thing is no sickness. The worst is the fatigue which is much the same as with FEC.My taste has been affected, like with FEC, and I’ve had a sore mouth which was new for me. Also constipation, hair loss, some joint pain and peripheral neuropathy, not much fun but manageable with good planning. One real bonus for me was having a Hickman line inserted because the FEC had really messed up my veins, really reduces the anxiety on chemo day, no worrying whether they will find a vein and how many attempts.
There are lots of threads about the side-effects of Tax on the discussion board. I read them before I started and scared myself rigid - but clearly has not been as bad for me as for some people. Some of the side-effects seem to be very unpleasant and slightly weird! But difficult to tell how representative they are of all women having Tax.
Good luck with your future treatment
Helen
Hi. Pleased you mentioned about the Hickman line, I was also very nervous on chemo day when I had AC cos that was injected into canula in veins, hopefully taxotere will be a better procedure! I saw oncologist and have to have 4 taxotere after radiotherapy, I feel , like you, that I might as well take all the treatment offered.
Hope your treatment is going well.
Smiler