Hi, I post on behalf of my best friend Heather, fighting TN breast cancer for four years now. Her first chemo was fec after MX on left side, then it came back in other breast and lymph nodes and bones. She had cap for a while but awful se’s and progression. Next a great year on Taxol/avastin, NED! but within a month of chemo break back in numerous nodes, bones, lots of v bad pain in back. She is currently on gemcarbo but v low bloods , had to have a transfusion, and she feels it is not helping and SE’s are so bad she is talking about stopping. So are there more chemo options? Or should she persevere with gemcarbo? She only completed one ‘round’ and a bit before having tyo stop to get her white cell count up, it was 1. Any advice appreciated,
Kim xx
Hi bestfriend and welcome to the BCC forums
In addition to the peer support you will have here shortly please feel free to call our helpliners for more support and information on 0808 800 6000, lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 Saturdays
The BCC secondary web page contains information and support ideas which you and Heather may find helpful and you can access it via this link:
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/secondaries
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi Best friend. I am sorry that I can’t help with advice on medical issues as my breast cancer is different, but I think your pal heather is lucky to have you as a supportive friend and your help must be such a comfort to her during such a difficult time. Don’t forget to look after yourself though, and then you’ll be strong for her. Good Luck! xx
hi horsie,
welcome back to wales and this beautiful weather, how is your chemo going and are you still feeling well, i have got my scan tomorow hoping its good responce same as three months ago. apparently the weather forecast warm weather on on its way, hoping it is i am moving in four weeks cant wait.
hugs lorraine xxx
hi horsie,
welcome back to wales and this beautiful weather, how is your chemo going and are you still feeling well, i have got my scan tomorow hoping its good responce same as three months ago. apparently the weather forecast warm weather on on its way, hoping it is i am moving in four weeks cant wait.
hugs lorraine xxx
Hi Lorraine, just want to say Good Luck for your scan tomorrow, hope the results are what you want. How many scand have you had and over what period?
Pam
FEC / Taxotere / Taxol / Gemcitabine / Abraxane / Capcitabine / Carboplatin / Doxyrubicin / Navelbine / Paclitaxol / Halvalen (Eribulen)
and that’s just the ones I’ve heard of…
You could check out the macmillan site too which gives an overview of different chemos
Also remember that if you friend has had a good treatment response to a particular chemo in the past, there is a possiblity that it could be used again.
If her white cells remain a problem, she can have something like Neulasta to boost them if she’s not having it already.
Hugs to you both
Laurie
Hi Kim,
I’m on gem / carbo, too and is going to start cycle 4 tomorrow. My blood counts have been all over the place and I’ve had all sorts of things to keep my blood counts up, from diet to injections because I don’t take blood transfusion. I’m going to have what’s called EPO tomorrow because I’ve been quite anemic.
My tumour marker is still going up but my pain has been greatly reduced, so we think it’s working. My platelets was hit really hard after cycle 1 and my onc had to do something real drastic! And remember that chemo effects build up so I wouldn’t give up just after cycle 1.
Laurie already listed a few more chemo options, so I won’t repeat. Hope things improve.
Hugs
M xx
Thanks everyone for help and advice, confirms my feeling that she shouldn’t give up on the gemcarbo yet… but its not me that has to do it and Heather gets sooo fed up when she can’t work etc, I will pass the advice on and let you guys know how it goes. thanks again, KIm xxxxx