This is the first time I have ever posted in a forum so please bear with me!
I was diagnosed with bc on 13th July 2010 and have since had a WLE and Lymph Node clearance. I am due to meet my Oncologist on Friday (24/09/10) and have already been told I will be having TAC chemotherapy.
I am just wondering if there is anyone else starting chemo soon and if anyone else has had or is having TAC? Also what should I expect with my visit to the Oncologist?
Getting quite nervous now - my appointment seemed ages away but all of a sudden it is this week!!!
Hi, I had taxotere and Cyclophosphamide without the adriamycin, side effects vary from person to person, your oncologist will give you an overview of what you may experience. I phoned the helpline here to prepare for my first onc appointment to make sure I ask the right questions. You may like to take someone with you who takes notes. It is hard to take it all in and remember it correctly in detail later.
Some units offer a pop in opportunity to the chemo unit so you can have a look and see the facilities. You will be heighted and weighted, your dose depends on that.
There is a link to Macmillan macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Chemotherapy/Combinationregimen/TAC.aspx
which has an overview of the TAC regime. You might ask if they have scalp cooling equipment if that is something you would consider.
Good Luck. Tinaxxx
Hi Becky,
Lots of lovely people are here and you will take encouragement from them and their experiences, I certainly have. I am so sorry for you that you have had to join the group.
Time is a weird thing in this process, you do suddenly find things are upon you and you are overwhelmed with what you should be remembering to ask etc, and worried about what might be said…sometimes it feels like there are too many things to discover!
I am due to see my onc today (!) and will find out when my 1st chemo is, not sure what I am having yet- I will be interested to know if it is TAC( whatever that is!)(I have breast cancer a 2nd time in 5 years, this time in my lymph nodes, and have just had a ANC late august and am still managing my op recovery).
The girls here referred me to a thread about top tips for chemo, which admittedly I found partly overwhelming, but also interesting to see what people say and helps appreciate how individuals get through!
I wish you very good luck on 24th, and don`t be afraid to ask even the silliest of questions- nothing is a silly thing to enquire about in something like this.
Lots of hugs
Sarah
xx
I have not had TAC chemo but have had FEC-T and the T part is the same as your T (taxotere/ doctetaxol).I am having my second tax tomorrow, then only 1 to go.
I know there are a few women on the site who are having TAC and hopefully they will be along soon to say hello and answer any questions.
For your onc appointment, they will explain how your chemo cycles will work and talk you through the possible side effects. It is important to remember everyone reacts differently to chemo, but I would mention if you are someone who had morining sickness badly or are travel sick, because this can suggest you might feel sick ( but this is not always the case)
If there is anything about your diagnosis and treatment you want to ask them this is a good time to do it. Write your questions before you go and make sure you get them all answered. They may also take blood from you and weight you to decide your dose of chemo.
Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply and for the advice. It is much appreciated.
I hope I get to look around the chemo unit - I think that would alay some fears of the unknown! Hopefully I wont get too sick as I never got morning sickness too badly.
Tina - thanks for the link - very informative
Sarah - I hope all goes well with your appointment today - please update us with your start date and what chemo you will be having. From what I have read so far, TAC seems to be used a lot for women with Lymph Node involvement so we may be on the same stuff.
Midge - how have you felt with the Taxotere? I know everyone feels different but I have also heard some scary things about the Taxotere!
I don’t know about yours but my chemo unit is a bit like a ladies hairdressers. Big chairs, magazines, cups of tea, radio 2. It’s only the drips that give it away.
I don’t want to tempt fate but personally I have found tax easier than fec- I hate feeling sick and fec made me feel really sick. The side effects of tax were a bit grim, but did not last long and as I say everyone is different anyway. My only real advice is whatever side effects you get keep note and if your tablets don’t work ask for new ones there are lots too try. I suppose the benefit of having six cycles of the same chemo is you have longer to get it right.
Hello there
mmm, interestingly, not having TAC at all, having 6 lots of FEC.I think the C is the same in both tho, is that right? Seem to have entered the world of abreviation now too! They also told me am her2-ve which I understand to be good! And,that post chemo will have to have probably tamoxifen + something else beginning with Z, Zoldex? to suppress ovaries as am pre menopausal…even if chemo knocks me to early menopause which might be a SE. I am assured it won`t come back a 3rd time after all this, I do hope so.(was assured that last time)
My seroma is annoyingly needing further work, but feels miles better as they drained it again yesterday and my poor pit has yet to resemble its old self. They think I will start in about 3 weeks as this needs a bit more time to settle down.
And I will get a pre-invite to the chemo suite, so will get to suss it out for hairdresser comforts!!!
So weirdly, that seems to be it for 3 weeks, just need to wait…I have physio to do though as my arm is corded and very sore and I think a need to try and get back to work to establish a regime to work around during chemo to keep me mentally sane. Has anyone else managed to work successfully on FEC?
love to all
Sarah xx
Hi, the C is cyclophosphamide, I did FEC and TAX-C, side effects are different on the drugs, Macmillan website has a very good directory of all the different chemo drugs and their side effects. There are many different anti sickness etc options and your team will find the ones which will work best for you, many people work through their chemo (there is thread on this) and having two primary school children at home, never missed a school run. Waiting for the chemo to start is the worst bit, I had my chemo 8 weeks after surgery because of seroma, too and it was horrible waiting to start. Once you are on the way, you count down your sessions and knowing what to expect make it easier in a way. Take a day at a time and be kind to yourself. Good Luck, Tina.
I am on TAC, had my 5th one last Thursday and I am just starting to feel a little better today. Although I have had different side effects with each cycle it generally takes me about 7-10 days to recover from each chemo. I am still really tired on weeks 2 and 3 but I think this is because it all builds up in the your system. I rest as much as I need to when required (found this hard at first when you are used to working and looking after two children) but I made myself do it and basically take each day as it comes. I have been really lucky in terms of sickness, I haven’t had any at all. I have had some really good anti sickness pills and I was given neulasta the day after chemo to boost white blood cells so my blood counts have always been fine. My best advice is to always tell your ONC about your side effects as they can generally manage them better for you next time. It really does go quick too, before you know it, you will be half way through and for me it hasn’t been as bad as I expected.
Sarah - I could not have comtemplated working through TAC, even on my good weeks I am just too tired and I want to make sure that I am fit enough for the next cycle. My brain goes to mush too, I think they would end up sacking me as I have to make on the spot decisions. I am really lucky that I get full pay and they are supporting my chemo. I think some ladies on FEC have managed to work in between cycles though.
Hello
thankyou for the web site advice, and all your experiences on SE, waiting, work etc. I guess I will have to see how I am and take it from there. I spoke with my boss, and he is being very supportive, so I feel very fortunate…he has promised to work me hard next year! I still worry about the financial aspect though as I am the main breadwinner, so am really hoping I can work around it a bit.
Its difficult supposing “this is how you might feel” and so I just need to wait and see.
Becky -your appt is soon, I hope that goes ok for you and you find out as much as you need to.
much appreciated
Sarah x
I hope your seroma sorts itself out soon Sarah - they do not sound nice. I was lucky not to get one although I did have my drain in for over 2 weeks which was a bit of a pain! My arm was a bit corded too but seems to be nearly better now with all the exercises. I think you are very brave wanting to work. I can’t even begin to contemplate that - although I don’t really enjoy my job anyway (dealing with complaints - ever likely lol). I was HER2 +ve so will have to have Herceptin for 1 year but can’t have any hormonal treatments as hormone negative. I’s amazing how different these cancers can be.
It’s nearly 8 weeks since my op now Tina and seeing the onc tomorrow - feels like waiting forever doesn’t it?! Can’t wait to get started because that means the end of treatment is getting nearer.
Thanks for the advice Amanda. I too am used to working and looking after 2 small children (2yo and 14months) so can’t really envisage me relaxing ha ha. Have you got 1 more cycle to do? Or more?
It’s so nice to hear that lots of employers are supportive. Mine have been brilliant too. Surprising in this day and age really!
Take care all xxx Becky xxx
