Chemo Options

Thanks for sharing your experience and advice. xoxo

Hi I wish I could offer you some insight I had to look up FEC as I wasn't sure which one that was.  Firstly huge congrats on clear margins and no lympth involvement.  Sounds like your doctor is trying to ensure it doesn't come back.  I had lumpectomy then not clear margins so then mastectomy also was in lympth nodes I did 4 rounds of AC then completed 8 out of 12 taxols that was stopped due to nerve damage but I'm bouncing back now I've just done one week of five of radio like you decisions were so hard personally I hated chemo, however I knew it was my best odds I had one specialist explain to me the odds which really helped basically I got her to write down and explain what benefits being 50 at the time and otherwise I felt I was so healthy doctors chose what they thought would work my odds in beginning 50 percent each step has increased to 80 it's a very personal decision but take your time to decide I've made the decision if it returns I'm not doing chemo again be careful of good natured well meaning friends that have never been there can't tell you the amount of remedies cures I've been forwarded much love ensure you have a list of questions you know your body 

Nothing went wrong but I had chemo before surgery and a biopsy after two cycles of FEC showed not much change on the cancer 

Hi Gurneys,

Welcome to the Online Network.  It's great to see you have been able to find your way around.  The members are wonderful and will be able to give you as much support as you need.

Ann-Marie x

Thanks Jane. I wouldn't mind following your journey as our timing will be similar. I think I am leaning towards the FECD now. Kick this thing in the butt.

Thanks Tracey, some good info there.

Thanks Lyn

Hi there,

I was given the options & went with the FECD (or T) option due to the percentages. I don't want to have to do this again! I had an ECG before & will have a bone density test shortly.

The nausea, heartburn & fatigue are the main side effects I am experiencing (just done my 2nd FEC). The oncologist was great after the first & has tweaked my anti nausea meds & given me nexium for the heartburn, it's worked. It's all hard but you get through it.

Lost all my hair on day 14.

Its a difficult decision.

Good luck with everything & keep us posted.

x Jane

Hello, congratulations on clear margins & lymph nodes, that is such good news. I was offered the same options as you & chose the FEC+ 3 Taxal because of the slightly increased odds. Figure if I'm going to fight this bc then I might as well go all the way and give myself the best chance. I had an echo before and after chemo as I have a family history of heart trouble. Finished chemo November and no signs heart failure so far.

Pro's & con's: Taxal type chemos cause joint, bone & muscle pain, also fluid retention. Can deal with that using strong pain killers, but would be nice to only have 3 doses instead of 4. FEC is the worst for nausea and low blood pressure. Not sure if TC would cause that?

You know your own body best and what you can cope with, whatever decision you make will be the right one for you. Just messes with your mind to have to make that decision. Hope you find peace of mind as you start down this road, Tracey??

I wasn't offered an option on what I would have, just advised that for me, the FEC/T combination was what I would be having. Hard work, but I got through. 

Good news on the results ?? 

Take care, Lyn