Taxol treatment change

marybeth · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 7:22 am Post subject: Taxol treatment change

Hi everyone! Thought I'd bring everyone up to date since you have all sent good thoughts and prayers for me for my treatment. Have just about sailed thru AC #2 and #3 after that "Neulasta disaster" as I call it (I'm the one who had a 1 in 4,000 severe reaction to it and was rushed to the hospital). I have had minimal naseau (thank you God for meds Smile

and the fatigue seems to be a week after for me probably due to my hematocrit lower at 32 with some shortness of breath but overall I am doing so well. So in light of not being able to boost my WBC with the shot, my treament plan got changed to AC every 3 weeks and then Taxol for 12 weeks once a week (instead of the original 1 every 2 weeks). This info was relayed to me by the onc nurse. I have not seen my onc since I started chemo (always the NP) since he was out sick the day I was scheduled to see him and now I find out he is 'out for a month'.(sure not happy about that either btw). I will see his associate next week hopefully. Anyway, I have not yet been able to talk to a Dr. about why they'd do a lower dose of taxol every week other than the nurse telling me it would be 'tolerated better' but I'd like some more info and if, b/c of lower dose, would MY side effects be less than dose dense? Has anyone done weekly lower dose taxol? and any thoughts from Dr. Leo? OH and btw, I think my hair is growing back! seems odd still doing AC but the little that WAS left after I shaved it is 'taller' LOL... Sending good thoughts to all going thru this! MB
_________________
Dx 12/28/04 at age 51
DCIS and ductal carcinoma invasive
6mm tumor
lumpectomy 1/5/05 unsuccessful margins
left mastectomy 1/14/05
1 +/5 lymph nodes
Chemo started 3/15 AC, then Taxol
Herceptin 6 rounds/stopped b/c of low EF
Armimidex
right prophylactic mastectomy 2/17/06
Implants 1/07, final w/tatto 9/07

sgishelly · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 8:51 am Post subject: Re: Taxol treatment change

Marybeth,

Hi. I did the AC dose dense with the Neulasta and now I am doing Taxol and am getting the once a week dose because I'm also doing radiation and it is so much easier than AC!! My doctor has mentioned changing it to every 2 weeks after my rads are done, but this has been so easy, I'm hesitant to change it. I will be at dose 7 of the 12 of the Taxol when I finish radiation. It is my understanding that they double the dose every 2 weeks as opposed to every week so I'm not sure that it really matters. My doc was going to change it to make my travel time less...I have to drive about 2 hours to get there.
_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

marybeth · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: Taxol treatment change

Hi Shelly - wow 2 hr drive every week! That's quite the drive. I am very very lucky to have my infusions and Dr. visits just a mile down the road here in Syracuse. Well, I have done quite well on AC so hopefully I'll do as well on Taxol weekly (today's blood results all in range believe it or not post chemo 7 days!) Hey - btw, my Stage III BC friend was put on Herceptin yesterday based on the great results of the clinical trials. What I didn't know was that it is an infusion and she will be on weeklys for 52 weeks!!!!! I thought it was an oral thing like Tamoxafin. I am Stage II her2+ and wonder what my Dr. will do with me. I'll find out more next week. You hear anything along those lines? MB
_________________
Dx 12/28/04 at age 51
DCIS and ductal carcinoma invasive
6mm tumor
lumpectomy 1/5/05 unsuccessful margins
left mastectomy 1/14/05
1 +/5 lymph nodes
Chemo started 3/15 AC, then Taxol
Herceptin 6 rounds/stopped b/c of low EF
Armimidex
right prophylactic mastectomy 2/17/06
Implants 1/07, final w/tatto 9/07

sgishelly · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: Taxol treatment change

I would think with all the positive results from the clinical trials that HER2 + ladies would benefit greatly from herceptin. I would ask your onco. I'm not HER2 + so that news really didn't affect me but I am so thrilled that they are making progress and there are many out there who will benefit.
_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

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