Koukla
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Re: Dr wants to finish my chemo early
@Fionap2017 My treatment schedule was to have 4 x 3 weekly AC + 12 x weekly Paclitaxel but I stopped after finish of the 8th Taxol three weeks ago due to neuropathy. I have numbness on my finger tips, feet as well as on my tongue. This numbness started after the 5th Taxol, my Oncologist skipped one week of treatment after the 7th and then reduced 25% of the dosage on the 8th but it did not reduce the level of my numbness so we decided to stop the treatment because we did not want to cause a permanent damage. However, the reason both myself and my oncologist felt comfortable to stop the treatment is that my lymph nodes were not involved. My suggestion is trust your medical team‘s advice and make sure you let your Oncologist know if the neuropathy does get worse.8Views0likes0CommentsRe: TNBC
Hi @Nikkilee, I had TNBC grade 3 stage 2a with no lymph node involved. Single mastectmy was suggested but I opted to have bilateral, then followed by chemo -- 4 cycles of AC plus 12 cycles of Paclitaxel, no radiation is required. Your Surgeon will propose most suited treatments based on your individual circumstances.2Views1like0CommentsRe: What happens if I cannot trust my Oncologist?
Hi @onemargie, yes I have been reading the posts on this forum so I am aware that we have the same type of bc and I am also negative on the gene tests. Knowing someone has survived from TNBC gives me the courage and hope to keep going with my treatments so thank you for sharing your stories, experiences and providing support to all bc sisters on this forum. @Mollygirl, the way they work here seems to be different from Brisbane, I do not have a channel to talk to my Oncologist except making an appointment to see her (I tried the Breast Nurse, the chemo nurses and called the Cancer Centre) but like I said it was difficult to get her time. She does not come to see her patients who are having their treatments, this is very different from Brisbane too. I understand perfectly that everyone needs holidays and this includes Oncologists, I guess like @Mrs_H says we do not deal with this on a daily basis so when I have developed Neuropathy and the numbness has increased and even to my tongue I do need to talk to my Oncologist regularly to give me a piece of mind and make sure this does not become a permanent thing. Well, my Oncologist is away for 4 weeks and this relief Oncologist seems to be more approachable (I have got an appointment to see her next week) and I only have 5 weeks to go if things progress smoothly so I tend to not to make a change now. How often are the followup checks after chemo is completed? Would it be a good idea that I change Oncologist for followup consultations?5Views0likes0CommentsRe: What happens if I cannot trust my Oncologist?
On Tuesday before the treatment commenced I told a nurse about my numbness she then told me that another Oncologist was covering while my Oncologist is away. This Oncologist came and talked to me and then we decided to give it a miss this week, I will call a nurse on Monday to let them know if my numbness decreases and ok for another treatment next Tuesday. I felt so much better afterward, just have had a chance to talk to someone who I know can make a decision. My initial post was just about how disappointed I feel with my Oncologist and how lost I felt with the situation. I guess I am looking for some sort of reassurance.6Views2likes0CommentsRe: What happens if I cannot trust my Oncologist?
Exactly @kezmusc! I have blood test on the same day before my treatment and this blood test results can be available with 20 minutes for red & White blood cell counts, as to checking for liver function it requires 2 hours. I asked one of the senior nurses there what would qualify me to have no problem for a treatment, she said normally people do not have problems with blood cell counts with Paclitaxel, however, liver function is more of a concern. I started to have the treatment 20 minutes after blood test so I assume they used blood test from last week for this week‘s treatment? Go figure!19Views1like0CommentsWhat happens if I cannot trust my Oncologist?
I went into the cancer centre I normally have my treatments for my 8th Paclitaxel on Tuesday, I told the receptionist that I wished to see my Oncologist before my treatment, she then told me that my Oncologist was taking a 4-week holiday now. I almost broke down and tried very hard to hold my tears in the waiting room. The reason I wanted to see her was because I have developed Neuropathy that my fingers and feet are quite numb and my tongue is a bit numb as well. To give a bit of background, I was diagonised triple negative bc in July 2017, grade 3 stage 2a with no lymp nodes involved while I was in Brisbane. My surgeon suggested to have single mastectomy but I opted to have a bilateral matectomy, like all the other ladies in the similar situation on this forum, I did not want to deal with the possible recurrance on the other breast later. I did this surgery and 3 cycles of AC in Brisbane then transferred to NSW due to my husband‘s work. I have done 4 cycles of AC and 7/12 Paclitaxel so far (3x AC in Brisbane and the rest in Sydney). I found the system in Sydney is very different from in Brisbane, or maybe just this cancer centre/or this Oncologist is different (?). I was able to see my Oncologist before each treatment while I was in Brisbane or if she was too busy at the time she would come to have a chat with me while I was having treatments. Nurses were great and her secretary was very helpful. After I was transferred to the current cancer centre in St. Leonards NSW I only saw my Oncologist twice because she is only there two afternoons a week and it is so hard to get an appointment to see her. When I saw her four weeks ago she booked herself in to come and see me in the following treatment but guess what? She did not turn up! We all know how important it is to be able to trust our medical teams when we are dealing with breast cancer but at the moment I feel so insecure to be "looked after" by my Oncologist. I am more than half way to finish my treatments now so I don‘t think it would be a good idea to change Oncologist, but on the other hand I am also worried who is going to make a call to reduce my doseage or stop my treatments to avoid a permanent damage to my body?437Views0likes15CommentsRe: New to this group
Endone was the pain killer I was given after the bi-lateral mastectmy operation and it worked for me. It is a prescribed medication, you can talk to either your surgeon or Oncologist and see if they think this suits in your condition. You could get addicted to Endone so be very mindful when you use it.4Views0likes0CommentsRe: New side effects from Paclitaxel
My oncologist arranged me to do gastroscopy this morning and they could not find anything. I will try and see what is available over the counter that can help reduce my flatulence. Peppermint tea is also a good idea. Thank you ladies for your advice and tips.25Views1like0CommentsRe: New side effects from Paclitaxel
Oh Gee.... @AllyJay, it is so funny to read your comments, you have made me laugh and it is so good to be laughing while having to put up with the discomfort from side effects from chemo. I wish I could get rid of the gas through farting or burping but I am not as lucky as you are. :p And Margie, I have had reflux for a long time before I was diagnosed breast cancer and I was originally on Naxium 20mg, my Oncologist expected it would make my reflex worse once I have started chemo so she doubled my doseage. Unfortunately this change did not seem to help reduce my bloatness. I think I might change a bit of my diet and see how I go. Thank you for sharing your experiences ladies!14Views0likes0Comments
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