Hi. I am due to have 4 x FEC (just past my 2nd) and then weekly Taxol for 12 weeks, which works out to be 8 in total (if the Taxol was one every 3 weeks). This means I will not finish until mid-March which seems such a long way off I’m finding it hard to think I’ve got such a long way to go. From what I’ve read/heard most women seem to have about 6 lots in total…I haven’t got an appointment with ONC lined up and I just wondered if anyone could throw any light on this?
I had 2 lumps 2.5cm grade 1, right MX and LNC with 1 node infected.
Hi Lou1
It does depend on the chemo regime you have been put on. I had 6 x FEC a couple of years ago but a lady I buddied up with (yes, we are still on these forums!) had similar to you - I think. She certainly finished a couple of months after me even though we started in the same week. Maybe you can contact your BCN to find out more? Or you may see your onc just before the 1st treatment starts so you can ask then?
Good Luck
Nicky
Hi Lou
I’m having the same as you - essentially, although taxol will be 3-weekly (had no idea it was sometimes given weekly - do you know why this is?). I’ve had ACx4 and I’m due to have TAXx4. Unfortunately my regime is lasting even longer than yours as I have a 2/3 month break between drugs to give birth.
I sympathise wholeheartedly with you because I know a long, drawn out treatment plan is really daunting. I hate the fact I started chemotherapy at the end of July and won’t finish until the beginning of March 2011, at the earliest.
I know my diagnosis isn’t great, with 3 separate tumours in my lymph nodes and wider spread. That’s why they’re suggesting full-on bombardment of chemotherapy, for which I’m told I should be truly grateful. I am, but it’s bloody tough!
Good luck with it. All we can do is look forward to next summer and trust there’ll be some good days before then too.
Jane
Hi there
I had 4 x FEC and then 4 X taxotere. It was a long haul. I was never told why I had 8. I’m not entirely sure that there was a rationale as I saw a locum who just prescribed the 4th FEC as she wasn’t sure what to do and then I had 4 tax as a result.
Horrible though it was I’m grateful as I had a large tumour and lymph node involvement so blasting it hard was good.
All I can say is not to keep thinking ahead to much and take each day at a time. Yes, it’s a big chunk of time but if it gives us longer to live then that’s got to be good.
take care
Elinda x
Hi there,
I was diagnosed with grade 2 invasive BC on April 19, not sure re lumph node involvement yet, as difficult diagnosis (neally 4 months to diagnose).
chemo started 17th May (I delayed as I working in New Zealand and wanted to complete, Onc fully supported this).
My regime was 4 doses of Epi and 4cycles (8 chemos in total) of CMF, I have my last does on the 17th Nov, a very very long and at times very difficult, sickness and fatigue mainly getting me down.
There is light at the end of the very dark tunnel, keep believing that, as it really is true.
all the very best xx
Mine was the same - 4+4 FEC-T - see profile for details and diagnosis. Actually lasted longer due to a 6-week delay half way through because of a problem with access.
Different regimens relate to severity of prognosis, age/general health, whether you’ve had chemo previously… FEC-T is a third generation (latest) regimen and offers better efficacy with some diagnoses. There’s loads of info online.
The weekly versus 3-weekly Tax treatment is, I think, given based on some evidence that weekly has statistically fewer side effects. At least, that’s the result of research that I’ve read.
Batten down the hatches and you’ll get through. I was diagnosed in January and I’m in mid-rads now. Chemo, even though it finished 8 weeks ago, seems like a lifetime away. Still got another op and Herceptin every 3 weeks until the summer. It’ll be one and a half years’ treatment all together.
Don’t know if it’ll help you not to worry, but I came through relatively unscathed in terms of side effects, even on the dreaded Taxotere. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d expected. Around about number 6 or 7 I was flagging, but that was more emotional than physical. Try breaking it down; look forward to celebrating finishing FEC and then think about the rest.
Sending lots of anti-side-effects vibes your way xxx
Thankyou for all your comments. Have been feeling a bit down a week after my 2nd FEC and I’m just not normally like that. Had a few tears today and experienced a bit of role-reversal with my 11-yr old telling me “it will be ok mum!” The reason for weekly Taxol starting in Dec. is, (as you say), to limit side effects, so we shall see!
Just trying to cope with the hair thing at the moment. Although I’ve used the cold cap it started to come out just before my second chemo and is now really thin on top. I can’t go out without either hat or wig and so haven’t been out much over the last week or so! Getting ready to steel myself for the school runs after half term. I haven’t told many people and I just don’t want questions/stares!
Anyway…I am going to ask for an appt with the Onc. before I start on the Taxol and can ask questions I need answers to.
Roll on this time next year!
Hi,
I’m on 4 x EPI and 4 x CMF, the EPI is once every 3 weeks and the CMF is day 1, day 8 and then 2 weeks off, in total 28 weeks, I’ve done 2 x EPI so far 23 weeks to go after this one, yay,
Belinda xx
I had 4xfec,4xtax. followed by 6wks rads. I sort of took a year out of my life for treatment and then just got on with the rest of it. But I didn’t wrap myself up in cotton wool infact I was lucky enough to be able to keep on working as an electrican’s mate trough most of my chemo.I told only close family and my best friend so was able to get on with it and carry on as normal really.I’m not saying the year flew past as I can remember almost every minute of it …and that was 6yrs ago! But the treatment was very ‘doable’.
Best of luck to you all xx