Chemo Round Eight - half way there!
Today I had my eight chemo (fourth Taxol) and am travelling well. No nausea just a wee bit of neuropathy in my fingers and fatigue, but we are keeping an eye on botht. I must say Taxol is certainly...
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Congratulations on making it through the chemo. Fabulous to finish. I am looking forward to it but the ladies (and men) at HOCA are so supportive it will be sad not to see them and chat.
With regard to the radiation, I have had a lumpectomy rather than a masectomy (at this stage). When removed the lump was 30mm, stage 3 grade 3 and when I found it quite deep in the breast tissue (big boobs). But close enough to the chest wall to be a niggle. I told the surgeon to take the lot, his response was he would prefer conservative surgery at my age, but to be "careful what I wish for". As it was they took a "small block of cheese" from the mid breast so there is a definate weight and size difference in the before and after.
When removed the pathology indicated spindle cell with necrosis - so there is a possibility that there might be some radicals getting around, although my margins and nodes were clear. So, in consultation with the surgeon and oncologist, taking into account my age, size of breasts, clear margins, but very mindful of the aggressiveness of my tumour (0-30mm in 8 weeks) chemo plus radiation was decided upon. I understand that statistically radiation can give a better result with most BC, but my Oncologist stressed this is very individual, and in reality the treatment of TNM is all a bit of an unknown. Alot depends on the individuals response to treatment.
I will have a scan before radiation (specific to effected breast) then after the radiation (and some healing time) I will be having a full body scan etc etc. This will be both for myself and also as a contribution to the research int TNMBC.
My radiation oncologist has been very helpful (again through Mater). He went over the risks (to lung etc) very thoroughly and the fact that in my case I will have a four week break at least between final chemo and first rads. He had a list of questions and answers from previous patients which covered a huge amount of information - more than I had considered.
Due in part to my sensitive skin and the side effects. But also they have found that the chemo effects tend to be lighter after four weeks so your body can respond to the rads better (fatigue etc). They also recommended a couple of products for skin care. Hopefully I will be finished in time for Christmas and summer swimming, but that depends on my skin I suppose.
Let me know how you go.
Take care.