Standard Treatment?

SusanC · 09-08-2006, 09:31 AM

Hi, this is my first message. I have been trying to get information about the type of treatment that most people have received. I am 44, stage 1, ER-/EP+, her2+. I have just finished (3) out of (4) of A/C. Yuck. I have one left and my Oncologist is suggesting 12 weekly treatments of Taxol and of course Herceptin. Does everyone do the Taxol as well? I am looking to see if it is worth doing the Taxol. Please let me know what treatment plan you had or are getting. Thank you!!
Susan C.

RhondaH · 09-08-2006, 09:43 AM

treatment plans are ALWAYS changing (I received 6 doses of TEC...taxotere, epirubicin and cytoxan...wasn't supposed to get Herceptin as I TOO was Stage 1, ER/PR-, weakly HER2+3.16...but at my 1st 3 month check up, my onc recommended it). Yes, you should do the Taxol as there is a synergy w/ Herceptin (I will look up and add to my post previous discussions). I don't know as I did ALL together, but many say the taxanes are easier than a/c. What your doctor has proposed IS the current protocol. Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB...rtikelNr=55401

tricia keegan · 09-08-2006, 01:24 PM

Hi Susan I also did 12 weekly Taxol/herceptin and found it so much easier to tolerate than a/c.I did'nt even need anti nausea meds and my hair began frowing back although I did lose my lashes and brows! Really it is a much easier regime for most people.Good luck

Tricia

SusanC · 09-08-2006, 02:23 PM

Tricia,
Thank you for your reply. I am glad to hear that you handled it better than A/C. Just the thought of more chemo makes me queasy.

Margerie · 09-08-2006, 04:53 PM

Susan,

I did the exact same protocol. I also found the taxol/herceptin much easier than AC. I was not nauseous, but I had to take more steroids and ended up having to take ativan to sleep. ALso taxol is VERY dehydrating. I would actually panic if I forgot to bring a water bottle when I left the house. Stool softeners, saline spray and vaseline (really dried out my nose) were also my friends. I would take that over nausea any day. Fatigue was not too bad either. Hair started growing, eyelashes and brows left after I was all done- go figure.

Hang in there. Each day is a day closer to ending chemo!

Tami · 09-08-2006, 06:41 PM

My experience was the same as Tricia's. I felt a lot less foggy and did not need the anti nausea meds. I continued to get more tired with each treatment but was totally doable. Hang in there. tami

SusanC · 09-08-2006, 02:16 PM

Rhonda,
Thank you for your reply. Your information is just what I was looking for. Thanks!
Susan

doh2pa · 09-09-2006, 06:05 AM

Hi Susan

I was a stage II back in Feb 2004 with negative nodes. They wound up doing a mastectomy, because they were unable to acheive clean margins with a lumpectomy. I did 4 rounds of dose dense AC and skipped the taxol because with neg nodes it was not strongly indicated. 18 months later I advanced to stage IV with liver mets. I regret not going all out full tilt and doing the taxol. So please, please, please, take every chance to be CURED rather than have any regrets.

Donna

SusanC · 09-09-2006, 08:56 AM

Hi Donna,

Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I am so sorry that you have to go through this now.
I was going to skip the taxol, but with the advice from everyone, I am going to go for it. Take care Donna,
Susan