Which Chemo?

[Lyn]

Hi girls, well I am back on the round about, seeing Radiation Specialist tomorrow hoping I can have more radiation to the right side of my neck, that side didn't get cooked as much as the left side. After that I am to have more chemo, which one I am asking. I definately don't want to loose my hair again, it isn't that I am vein, I just want to look normal after nearly 6 years of doing these treatment, I still have the wigs and I don't want the steroids either. I don't know why but in Australia they don't go for the knife. I have a clear CT and normal bloods but this lump finally showed up in the ultra sound, so we were able to do the biopsy which came back as having the same cells as the original BC site. We don't even know which lymph is involved because it is deep in my neck but the right side of my neck to touch is a big flat thick lump. So any suggestions.

Love & Hugs Lyn

[jessica]

Hi Lyn-
I think the only chemo for BC that doesn't make your hair fall out is Navelbine.There are many women here who have had great success w/it and kept their hair!
Unfortunatley for me,I didn't respond to Navelbine.Taxol/Herceptin was my magic combo and I'm NED today.That is truly the most important thing and I believe that if I had to live on chemo, I could handle it, but I'd really like to keep my hair too!
Hope your radiation treatment goes well.
Take good care,
Jessica

[Kathie in NJ]

Taxol can be taken at a weaker strength and given on a weekly program with herceptin and it does NOT make you loose you hair. My friend did this protocol twice and it put her in NED for quite a period of time and her hair only thinned. What ever they decide, I wish you well
Kathie

[Kitty]

Actually I am on a weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin regimen and have not lost my hair - it's been two months now. I lost my hair the first go round with 4 of AC and 4 of Taxol. The weekly dose is less toxic to your system. Good luck.
Kitty

[Lolly]

Lyn, what about the TCH combo? I think some of the ladies are receiving it weekly, so it's not as harsh, but not having had it I don't know, hope some who are taking it will post. Will they give you Navelbine again? I know you had good results with it before, seems like it would be worth a try to see if it'll chase that#%!*% thing off again!
Hugs,
Lolly

[lolam]

I had a lump in my neck too, mets to the lymph node there. Taxol/carboplatin/herceptin took it away in four rounds. I had it once every three weeks so lost my hair but try once a week and you may not. I hope you find what works and your doctors know what they are doing. We need them to be right! Hugs, Lola