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hi~jojo's right...i did switch from taxol to abraxane.
taxol/herceptin had always been a great combo for me, but we couldn't get this one pesky spot in my liver to go away completely & stay away. so we switched to abraxane/herceptin q3weeks x 3 cycles. unfortunately that didn't do the trick either, so i'm back on taxol/herceptin+carbo. now THAT did the trick after 8 weekly cycles, I'm NED again.
i had a much easier time w/the abraxane than the TCH-that carbo does a number on me...i should clarify that by saying i'd never had any major nausea w/ the 70+ tx's prior, but once carbo was mixed in, i did have some moderate nausea & that awful taste in my mouth. the abraxane infusion is quick-30mins & no pre-meds, which is so great too.
i've recently read some new research re: weekly tx & higher efficacy than q3week tx's. from what i understand, the chemo is cytotoxic-poisoning/killing the cells-AND causes some type of interrupt of the signals of the epidermal growth factor, bringing more cell death. (JOE-DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS RESEARCH...I CAN"T QUITE RECALL WHERE I READ IT...?)
i've had some great success & maintained a pretty darn good quality of life on weekly treatment...i'm bald, but i'm still active & happy. but if weekly tx gives me an additional advantage & response, i know from this point forward, if i have to go back on chemo again, i will always choose weekly treatment.
hope this info is helpful...oh, and my hair fell out by day 14 after my first abraxane too...
Keep the Faith!
Jessica
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