When I had FEC first time round it was 6 doses total, given every 3 weeks. Now I’m on taxotere every 3 weeks (although that may change). My onc didn’t mention how many - and I’ve seen comments here of people having 6 of 1 and then another 6 of another drug.
If my health holds good for the drugs, and they keep needing to control the cancer (big spread), do they just go on and on?
I don’t see my onc till next week, and I’m wondering what’s in store treatmentwise - is over 6 possible/likely? Does it ever finish?
Susie
Posted on Terry’s behalf
Kind regards
Lucy
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care
My wife had eleven sessions, but that is the most I have heard of.
Cyber hugs
Hi Susie
Our booklet ‘Secondary breast cancer’ may be helpful for you to read in relation to your queries about treatments, it also gives information about other publications you may wish to read to help you understand more about secondary breast cancer treatments.
You can read it via the following link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/sbc_sept_2007_web_final_0.pdf
Hope this helps and if you have any further queries or concerns please do call our helpline on 0808 800 6000 which is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm. The helpline team can talk to you about other secondary breast cancer support services and information which you may be interested in, such as our ‘Live chat’ session on Tuesday evenings which is only open to those with secondaries and gives users the chance to ‘chat’ about their experiences and share info and advice.
You can also find out more about our support services via the ‘Support for you’ tab at the top of this page.
Best wishes
Lucy
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care
Hi Susie, How are you? I was just going to post you and belinda re: brain mets. Saw the rad oncologist in Sydney today. Im booked in for 21st dec. on the Linac machine not the gamma knife, it seems that there is no difference between machines, which is good that I dont have to come over to the uk or usa for treatment. I see that you are having taxotere. I had it in 2005 straight after the 6 rounds of normal stuff that I have forgotten the name of now? (just like child birth we do forget) Anyway, the oncl. was aiming for 6 treatments but I only made 4, I just got too sick to keep going, with low blood counts and infections etc etc. I think having altogether wasnt easy. Amazing how everything comes back though hey. even my toe nails and finger nails and hair after a while. Anyway. take care Susie, thinking of you. Suzy
Hi Suzy
The good news I found out today is that the first 2 taxoteres have had a good effect - stuff is shrinking all over! So we’ll leave the gamma knife considerations for another 2 cycles to see what is going on then.
However my oncologist said that they would aim for 6 MONTHS of it. By my calcuations that makes about 9 or 10 cycles - wow! Good thing that so far I seem to handle it pretty well! Guess it will deteriorate over time though. I need to run a sweepstake on how long my hair will stay in - till Xmas would be nice…
Susie
Hi Suzy just seen your message …GOOD LUCK! for December 21st…will be thinking of you, I hope all goes well.
Hi Susie, it’s brilliant news you’re having such a good response with taxotere.