Hi everyone
I am - very reluctantly- going to agree to go down the chemo route. Am currently discussing with my oncologist the minimum level of treatment that she can recommend and that I feel able to withstand.
I understand that it may be possible to have EC at 2-weekly rather than 3-weekly intervals but this may possibly still be in trials. Has anyone experienced this?
Alternatively has anyone had only 2 cycles of EC - planned that way rather than deciding after 2 cycles that they weren’t able to carry on.
Thanks if anyone is able to give a bit of personal experience to assist in my discussions and decision making.
Hi Granny P
I had 4x 2 weekly dose dense EC, however there is also a protocol for 4 x 3 weekly EC at my hospital. Maybe check the protocols on your hospitals website to see the criteria. I just went online now and the 3 weekly one says ‘approved for use in less fit patients and/or over 60s’. I would imagine there is leeway for either protocol though. I just finished the 4 EC and found them really hard going after ‘sailing’ through 12 paclitaxel in comparison. The thing with having EC 2 weekly for me was that I felt lousy for 12 days then 2 days later I was starting again but then it has to be weighed up against outcomes etc… my oncolologist seemed to be of the opinion that ( for me ) 2 weekly dose dense was the better option and if I was unable to tolerate then They could reduce the dose for later ones… in the end I managed all 4 at the fulll dose though…I’m now 2 weeks post my last chemo and still not feeling great… but onwards and upwards!!
hope you get sorted.
take care