Hi All, This is my first post but I have been reading for a little while. Was diagnosed Nov 14. Lumpectomy on Nov 21 and stared AC chemo on Dec 16. Having 4 x AC every 2 weeks then 12 x Taxol weekly. So far AC has been manageable but the 2nd knocked me around a bit more. Wondering if others have had the same experience. I consider myself really lucky as I was mis-diagnosed but but insisted on further investigation. Good news is it was early but still grade 3 Triple Negative. No lymph node involvement and all other scans were clear. Looking at the chemo and radiation to follow as insurance therapy. It's definitely challenging but I am still working and trying to cope with the normal day to day stuff of being the mum of a teenager. That's challenging enough! I have met some amazing people on this journey so far and I am so lucky to have an awesome medical team. I feel so blessed and am looking forward to calling myself a BC SURVIVOR! Luv to all who are on this parallel journey with me! Maryanne :)

You started your chemo the day I finished!I had a different chemo to you, but I am very sure,that they are all cumulative.My second was worse,but after that it didn't really change.To some extent I think you adjust to it,or you kind of get into a routine of sorts.I didn't work,and I think that this must be challenging in itself.I really admire ladies that can do this:) Take care of yourself,and all the best with the rest of your treatment.xoxoxRobyn

Hi Maryanne I am having the same treatment as you - 4x AC every fortnight and 12 taxol weekly. I started on December 13th. I am having my third AC today. The side effects of my first treatment was actually worse than my second treatment except when I got extreme back pain one night due to the neulasta injection I had the day after to boost my white blood cells. I am not working at the moment but I do have an 11 year old and a 16 year old so I am thankful it is the holidays now so there is less rushing around. I think anyone who works while having treatment is amazing. Hope your treatment gets easier for you. Keep up the positive attitude !! Lisa xx

Thank you for your response. I figured that you don't really have enought time to recover from the first treatment so it's still knocking you about when you start the next. It's so good that you have finished. I hope that you recover as quickly as possible. Thank you for your best wishes. Maryanne. xxx

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's good to know that it's not just me from others who are actually going through the same thing. I really appreciate you getting back to me. Maryanne xxx

Thanks so much for responding. We really are walking the same line! I am glad you mentioned the neulasta as i did have some neck/shoulder pain and thought it might be that. Also coming off the steroids on day 3 doesn't help I guess. I don't think I'm amazing by working but that I have an amazing boss who has been extremely supportive and allowed me to work from home when i need to and re-arrange my hours to suit the chemo appointments. You are definitely right that's it's easier when the kids are on holidays. One very big rush we don't have to worry about. Good luck for today. Each day is a step forward and after today you'll only have 1 AC left to go! Luv, Maryanne xxx

Half way through AC chemo for triple negative BC,

12 Replies

maryanne43
Member
12 years ago
Yes it is definitely a no brainer! Looks like we were meant to connect! We had the mother of all Disney vacations in Sept last year, Disneyland, Disney cruise and Disney World. Sounds like you are in for an awesome time! Cars land is just brilliant! I was diagnosed when I got back and that holiday seems like years ago now. But each time I've been for treatment I take a little bit of Disney with me....one of my pins! A little bit of magic goes a long long way!!! M xxx
SamzRusty
Member
12 years ago
You're not only my Pink Sista, but a fellow Disney junkie!!!

We were there in 2011. This time we've rented a house...Disney themed & our best friends are coming.

I think the kids deserve it just as much as I do :)

Don't be scared about the results. Either way....it's good to know. Without the ops, I have an 87% chance it will be back within 5 years. WITH the ops, my chances drop to 1-2%...bit of a no brainer.

My email is [email protected] if you ever want to talk :)

Sam xoxoxox
maryanne43
Member
12 years ago
I guess after finding out and deciding on the extra surgery you aren't having radiation? I'll be thinking of you on the 30th as this is my last AC. You are an extremely brave lady and I think you've just helped me take my next step of moving forward with my genetics appointment. Disneyland is a brilliant idea and wonderful goal to look forward to. I'm not sure if you've been before but I am an official Disney nut!!!! Please get in touch if I can help with any tips for your trip! Luv, Maryanne xxx
maryanne43
Member
12 years ago
That's awesome! Brilliant pic too. I shaved my head after my 2nd treatment and I know what you mean about the little stubble it itches like crazy! I kind of have a halo of hair that hasn't dropped but thinking it may go too after this last cycle. Im so happy for you! Maryanne xxx
SamzRusty
Member
12 years ago
OMG....YES!!!! How did I forget to mention that?! It will grow back :)

I had been shaving my head, as I couldn't stand the feel of the little bits on my pillow. On my last AC, the nurses told me to stop shaving. And it grew back! The downside is, you'll lose your brows & lashes, but I faked them really well.

To show you how quickly it grew back, this is a pic of me & my fav nurse on my last day of Taxol.....I was razor blade bald on my last AC. I had a mini mohawke :)

I found out I was BRCA1 positive while still doing AC. 30th Jan I'm having a full hysterectomy & 25th Feb is my Bilateral Mastectomy with Lat Dorsi reconstruction.....THEN we're putting this crap to bed & taking the kids to Disneyland in July.

I still have chemo brain, but if you ever want a chat of ask me anything else, please yell out.

Sam xoxox
maryanne43
Member
12 years ago
Hi Sam, First of all you must be so happy to be finished with chemo...and you are right AC is not fun. Had my 3rd on 16/01 and the few days after are horrible. Last cycle I had oral thrush and mouth ulcers which were yuk but the bi-carb helps heaps. I have heard that taxol is a breeze compared to AC and am hoping this will be the case for me too. Yesterday I filled in my forms for the genetics test and that is next on the agenda for Me it's been a lot to get my head around. Am really looking forward to my last AC cycle!!!!!! Every day is a step closer and with the taxol being weekly it will hopefully fly by as you say. I hope that your side effects subside quickly. I've also heard that your hair can start to grow back on taxol, is that the case for you? We are the lucky ones I think! We found it and we are dealing with it! All the best, Maryanne xxx
SamzRusty
Member
12 years ago
Hi Maryanne,

I'm Triple Negative & BRAC1 positve.

I finished my 4 x AC & 12 x Taxol on 6th Dec. My 1st AC was the worst, I got very dehydrated & ended up back in hospital to get my fluids right. I was very tired & felt like a zombie the whole time I was on AC....oh, & I had terrible mouth ulcers that even went onto my throat.

Taxol was GREAT! I was worried about having it EVERY week, but the time flew by. Week 12 came & I would have had money on it only being week 6 or 7. I didn't get any side effects while I was on it.....I got them after. Started with burning in my legs, like I'd run a marathon....then my neck & shoulders started to ache. Those symptoms have pretty much passed now, but my hands are troubling me. They ache something terrible. I don't know what arthritis feels like, but I imagine this is it. Some days I struggle to brush my teeth. My oncologist says to expect this for the next 3-6 months :(

Agh...Menopause started 3 weeks into taxol too. It could all be worse though ;)

Sam XOXOXOXOX
maryanne43
Member
12 years ago
Thanks so much for responding. We really are walking the same line! I am glad you mentioned the neulasta as i did have some neck/shoulder pain and thought it might be that. Also coming off the steroids on day 3 doesn't help I guess. I don't think I'm amazing by working but that I have an amazing boss who has been extremely supportive and allowed me to work from home when i need to and re-arrange my hours to suit the chemo appointments. You are definitely right that's it's easier when the kids are on holidays. One very big rush we don't have to worry about. Good luck for today. Each day is a step forward and after today you'll only have 1 AC left to go!

Luv,

Maryanne xxx
maryanne43
Member
12 years ago
Thank you for sharing your experience. It's good to know that it's not just me from others who are actually going through the same thing. I really appreciate you getting back to me. Maryanne xxx
maryanne43
Member
12 years ago
Thank you for your response. I figured that you don't really have enought time to recover from the first treatment so it's still knocking you about when you start the next. It's so good that you have finished. I hope that you recover as quickly as possible. Thank you for your best wishes. Maryanne. xxx