Chemo questions***RE POSTED***

[RhondaH]

This was under the Lifetime post for DianneS, so I am reposting seperately so that it doesn't get missed:

"Hi,

I am supposed to start on 4 treatments of some type of chemo then another 4 treatments of another type (8 total every 3 weeks - 8 MONTHS!) then a year of Herceptin. I have noticed that some women do not have to have so much chemo even though they are Stage III.

Why am I getting so much for so long? Is this typical?

Also, what is the general opinion of chemo - is it tolerated mostly ok or do you just feel rotten the entire time?

Diannes

Dx right breast DCIS Aug 08
Bilateral mastectomies Sept. 9, 08
Right breast only Grade 3, 2 cm tumor, her2 positive, weakly ER positive. Nodes negative, no vascular invasion. Stage I-IIA - because of grade 3 and her2.

[RhondaH]

Dianne, chemo regimens are ALWAYS changing...I did 6 rounds of TEC, Taxotere, Epirubicin and Cytoxan every 2 weeks and almost WASN'T going to get Herceptin, but the results for early stage came out the day of my last chemo and I was started on it every 3 wks for a year my first followup. Also, because I was done in 3 months mine was VERY hard and no, I only felt rotten the last 3 treatments, but I would "assume" that you are going to get Taxol/Taxotere, Cytoxan and maybe Epirubicin or some form or the latest replacement. Once you know your regimen, you may be able to compare to others, but understand that everyone responds to chemo differently. Good luck.):

[RhondaH]

hi Diannes--
Your reaction to chemo depends on what chemo drugs you are getting. Post again with that info, and people will reply. You can of course also ask your onco.

It still surprises me that there are so many different treatment approaches given by different providers around the country and around the world. My tx regime is listed in my signature.

Everyone is different, but I am a Spin (indoor group cycling) instructor (not my day job, but my 5 a.m. job!) and I was able to continue to teach my classes during my chemo. Admittedly Herceptin, Carboplatin and Taxol are not as harsh as others....but try to keep as active as you are able to tolerate and the time seems to go quicker :-)

Good luck!
Val

[chrisy]

Dianne,

Figure you're tired of my responses already on your other thread!

Everyone is different in responses to chemo. I think for most people, this is NOT the chemo as it has always been portrayed.

There are lots of medicines to help manage side effects, and when I got chemo they really expected you NOT to have unmanageable side effects.

I had TCH and never once felt nausea, ate Mexican food on the way home from chemo, and although I did have to learn to embrace my inner baldness and at times felt tired I thought at the time that I was feeling just fine and was able to do everything I would normally do.

You need to be cautious about cutting yourself (low platelets) and around flu season, but don't claim all the bad side effects until you actually have some. Because you may not.