Has anyone had any good results from this chemo. I have just had number 4 treatment and am not having the scan until after number 5.
I have secondary bone cancer with spots in my lungs.
Hi I had Taxotere and have only heard good reviews on it. I wish you luck
Jax
Hi Fayjay
I blooming hope it’s good!! I have had two TAC and going for 3rd on Friday. I was told by oncologist that it is used in younger women who have spread or lymph involvement. I had a grade 3, 23mm lump and a lot of lymph involvement.
Was also told that it has shown to be more effective than other regimes in this instance. I’ve done a bit of research and the results do look quite good. To be honest I put my trust in the team at centre. Another girl who had similair lump etc is on FEC but her lymph glands were clear. I’m 37 and want them to throw the lot at it. I have 6 TAC then 4 weeks of Radiotherapy and then Herceptin for a year.
My circumstances are that they removed the breast, done recon and then started chemo, hence I have no way of knowing if it would have shrunk the lump insitu.
Good Luck
MuddyXX
Hope its good too!
I have had 3 x FEC and now had 2 out of my 3 doses of taxotere. As well as BC i have secondary bone cancer. WHen i finish tax will be have rads then tamoxifen
Jools
Here’s hoping!!! Like Jools I am going 3 x FEC then 3x (or maybe 6x) Taxotere. I am doing the pre-surgery shrinkage thing…and they reckon it has shrunk by poss 1cm after the first FEC. I am scared of Tax, but I know it is one of the best and most expensive around…so will gladly take whatever they throw at me.
Good luck with yours Fayjay, and hope everyone else is OK today…are you feeling any better Jools? xxx
Ali
x
Hi All
I am having 3 x FEC and 3 x Taxotere (I think) . … got my second FEC tomorrow. Is the tax a lot different to the FEC in side effects, or are they pretty similar? Have read a few things on the forums which have scared me a little with the tax. I have heard it is one of the best around. I have secondary liver, which scares the S**T out of me, to be honest, and know its not curable, but that tax batters the buggers.
Jools hope you are feeling a lot better today. THought your poem on bccpals was awesome (sure it was you, chemo brain not so good today). If that is how good you can write when feeling down and blue, you should do one on a good day, it was so good. But honestly, I do hope you are happier today and not so down and if you need anything just ask. Know can’t do much to help, but if you need to speak to someone in similar position, I can give you my number via email. Not that I am probably much support, but can try.
Muddy, Jax and FayJaye, good luck to your all with your treatments and hope you are all doing well.
Take care
Love
Dawn
x
Blimey,
muddy’s post has got me really worried now! I am 35, had extensive lymph node involvement too, but my onc has put me on E-CMF, which I started in May. Was sort of hoping that this was the best one for me but muddy’s post has got me wondering now and I’m a bit worried to be honest!!
Ladies that have secondaries - I hope you don’t mind me asking but how did you find out? Did you have symptoms or was it a scan that showed further spread?
Thinking I need to be asking my onc lots of chemo questions when I see him on Monday, even though its an appt to discuss rads!!
Am I being daft?
Kelly
-x-
Hi Kelly
In response to your question, I only found out about my secondaries after having CT scan, MRI scan and bone scan and this was 10 days after being told I had bc. But am sure you are OK, as you would have been scanned if your onc thought there was any chance of a spread. I had no symptoms at all, and my onc and macmillan nurse were surprised about the spread to my liver, as had not been ill at all in any way, all I had was slight back ache, but this could also be due to my heavy lump of a baby, as he is a chunky monkey. After looking at the symptoms I didn’t have any of them.
Please try not to worry if you can, just ask your onc when you see him Monday, but sure you would have been told or given scans if they thought you should.
Please don’t let my response upset or worry you.
Love
Dawn
x
Hi Dawn,
thanks for that. You have not worried or upset me at all, I just hope you don’t think I was being too nosey. I am sorry to hear of the spread to your liver, and I hope they are arming you with a sufficient cocktail of chemo to kick this cancer’s ar*e!!
I had a CT and bone scan before starting chemo, both showed no further spread, although I realise this is not always conclusive.
Thanks for your prompt response,
Take care and I hope chemo goes well for you tomorrow,
Kelly
-x-
Hello,
Thanks for the info. I have the scan on 18th after the 5th dose of Taxotere. The nurses at the hospital seem to rave about it but was wondering if anyone had any experiences.
By the way I am 38, I had breast cancer 10 years ago (at 28) had chemo, lumpectomy then more chemo as it had spread to my lymph nodes, then was on zolodex for two years then tomoxofen for 5. All was well until June this year when i found out the cancer was back, this time in my bones with spots on my lungs. Doctors are giving me Taxotere and also aredia (for the building of my bones.) Of course I am going to fight this all of the way, but it is scarey with it coming back a second time. Not sure about the treatment after the chemo as I am taking it one step at a time. They have told me that one if four woman can have Herceptin and I am not sure yet if I am the one of the one in four. Not sure what the treatment will be if I am not.
I would be interested in hearing from anyone else who has been or is in a similar situation.
Its nice to have this forum, and good to hear from you all. If you have any questions for me, ask away.
Fay :o)
Hi again all
Princess - try not to worry - sorry if my post has. I am in N Ireland so not sure if that’s why I have TAC. From reading your various threads I reckon both of our cases are quite similiar- I am 37, grade 3, Her+, 23mm lump, and lots of lymph (too many to write down as it would scare the wits out of you). I know in my local area TAC not offered but it’s a long story and I am treated in a different trust.
I’m sure the Oncologist knows what’s going on and I even see people here on TAC2 which is a step on from me. I haven’t even heard of yours treatment so perhaps it is excellent for you (hope so).
I have no spread beyond lymph (that I know of) had CT and bone scans done and thankfully clear.
Hang in there all
Muddy
Kelly,
I would try not to worry about the chemo you’re given, E-CMF has the wonderful Epirubicin in it as well as the C and F of FEC!
For us her2 positive types, the most important thing we’re given is Herceptin, it is that which really increases our chances of cure, and if you dont believe me just follow the links below - takes you to very interesting articles about how much difference Herceptin will hopefully make to our prognosis!
breastcancer.org/treatment/targeted_therapies/herceptin/new_research/20050629.jsp
breastcancer.org/treatment/targeted_therapies/herceptin/new_research/20050526.jsp
webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20070104/herceptin-works-after-chemo
Take care,
Pauline x
Hi ladies,
thanks for setting my mind at rest! To be honest I don’t even know what TAC is but I am gonna mention it to my onc when I see him on mon. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing though, at least he certainly seems to.
Muddy - not sure how many positive lymph nodes you had but I reckon I could trump you! I had 25/28 affected!!!
Pauline - thanks v.much for those links, I certainly will check them out as I will be havin Herceptin when I finish rads.
Take care all and thanks again,
Kelly
-x-
Hi Kelly
I am nearly at your lymph level - scared to say it out load - 24 out of 37 nodes involved. Scary or what- but after scans etc no spread - so far. I read your threads early on and they did give me hope as I went for CT and bone scan. Was convinved the brute would have gone elsewhere but thank God (and I mean that) I am OK so far.
Not a nice place to be but no choice!
MuddyXX
Muddy,
My fellow lymphomaniac!
I know exactly where you’re coming from! We’re the lymph node queens I reckon!! Although we’d obviously prefer not to have such widespread lymph involvement at least both of our CT and bone scans have come up trumps so far!! I know that these tests are not always conclusive however I’m happy enough until I hear otherwise. I think someone must be looking out for us! Thank god.
Take care and keep in touch,
Kelly
-x
Thanks Kelly
As I said when the consultant first said it I nearly fainted and felt that the bone and CT scans would prove ethe worst but thank God that so far so good. I really hope that this chemo, Rads and then Herceptin frys the little sods to a cinder.
Obviously, I’m not an idiot and know that it may come back but there’s sod all I can do about that so that’s why I’m doing all I can to stay well, stay positive and stay focused on the end goal of no more cancer.
I had a bit of a wobble today. Oldest boy started ‘big school’. He’d worked hard and passed a transfer test we have here in N Ireland so got into the school he really wanted. I dropped him off and went back to the car for a big long sob. I could see other mums looking and thinking sad cow go and get a job(normally I too would think get a life woman, he’s only moving school) but today all I could think was - this is him started Grammar school and will I see him leave at 16. My younger boy is 8 and I didn’t feel so sad leaving him off as I felt it was more business as usual, same school ,same uniform etc.
Like the idea of being a lymphomaniac ( nearly could we not change l to n LOL)
HAve TAC number 3 tomorrow and that will be half way - feel positive and in good health - hope the old veins don’t let me down, Been Drinking like a fish today - but cordials and juice, also lots of moisturiser on arm - read that on site.
MuddyXX
Hang in there ladies
I have already had three FEC and I’m due to have three Taxotere, the first one this Thursday. I’m a little afraid of Taxotere. I’ve been reasonably well during the three FEC and I’m afraid that I won’t be so well during the Taxotere. I have to work full time and I’m terrified that I will be ill with Taxotere. I’d love to hear from people who have had FEC followed by Taxotere.
Hi Myras
I am too interested in what people think of Taxotere, as got my last FEC two weeks today and then go onto taxotere. Have had no side effects with FEC apart from my hair, so hoping it is the same with tax. It is like all of this though, everyone is so different to reactions. Just have to hope that we are ok with it. Good luck on THursday with your first one and let us know how it goes.
Take care
Dawn
x
Hi All
Still a bit awake on the steroids! But am here and kicking
Today. Well all was fine, apart from several goes at the needles yet again. Turned out it was the damn machine that was malfunctioning, not me! But that apart!
Hi All
Just had first tax plus herceptin today. So my experience
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It takes longer as you have one hour odd on herceptin on iv, and then the taxotere for about an hour on iv as well. No more red stuff through the syringes
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Not sure if you have the eighteen cycles of herceptin but because this is the first they want to hang on to you for 6 hours to make sure you have no reaction! .
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Taxotere. They said it is much better at not making you sick than FEC. I wasn’t sick on FEC so woopee!
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They said after two days you may well get the flu like pains… Take nurofen!
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If you aren’t bald yet you will be! Bye bye eyebrows and lashes I think! And the rest of the hairs still sticking to my arms
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Apparently harder on the blood count. Aargh!
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I already have stripey nails but those will apparently turn dark - need very dark nail varnish
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They told me the total cost of just today’s herceptin and tax was £2500. Do we love the NHS or what? I for one am SO grateful
But all that apart we are still here and fighting
Love to all !
Much love
Dilys
Hi Dilys
great that one is over and onwards! Thanks for all the useful info.
All the best
Jo