Hi I am new to this and have never been on a forum sight before. I had a mastectomy 2 weeks ago with lymph node removal . Tumour was about 6cm long with 1 lymph infected. Been told today I have to have TAC chemotherapy & oncologist says it is a very strong chemo. I am scared stiff of the side affects as anyone had this ? Having 6 treatments followed by a month of radium.
Hi maureenrose
Welcome to the forums, I’m sure you will fidn them to be a great source of suport and information. Whilst you wait for the other users to reply with experiences and knowledge you might find it helpful to gie the BCC helpline a call on 0808 800 6000. Here you can share your thoughts and concers with a member of staff who
will offer you alistening ear as well as emotional support and practical information. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9 to 5pm and Saturday 10 to 2pm.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hi Maureenrose
I am undergoing TAC at the moment and I am due to have my third session of six on Monday. I was terrified before I started because it is a very harsh regime, but it hasn’t been as bad as I feared. I have had a few problems, mainly with taste changes (even water tastes foul) but after my last chemo session, I was back to normal very quickly in about 5 days. The only other problem I had was a very sore tongue which felt like it was sticking to my mouth due to dryness. This was sorted out quickly with Difflam mouthwash, which I got from one of the nurses. Oh, and I have also had some very nasty looking spots on my chin and head. I made the mistake of reading all of the forums on here before I started and I was so worried, I thought I would be like the walking dead for the next four and a half months, but it really hasn’t been that bad, OK, not too pleasant but after the initial first few days everything does get back to normal again quite quickly. Please try not to worry too much, if you have any nasty side effects let your oncologist know and he will prescribe you meds to make things easier, they won’t let you suffer. I have not yet had surgery as I am having my chemo first, and already my tumor has shrunk considerably, just remember, this is a harsh chemo but it gives good results!
I am wondering if this will be the cemotherapy I will be switched to?
I had 2 dozed of FEC, which hasnt done anything for me, so I am to be switched to a stronger chemo either before or after mastectomy.
I have requested mastectomy first because FEC hasnt worked for me, who says TAC will work for me? I will be much more confident once tumour is out of me. It’;s not behaving how it should, so I want rid
Hi Beerhappy1 and welcome to the BCC forums
This thread has been quiet for a while so it may be worth re posting in another thread, you could try this one which is a chemo monthly thread where users are going through treatments as from July:
You may also find our ‘Someone like me’ support service helpful, here you can speak to someone who has had similar experiences to you via email or telephone, you can read more here:
breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/support-you/someone-talk/someone-me
Hope this helps
Take care
Lucy BCC