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Arleene's avatar
Arleene
Member
10 years ago

I'm a little confused

Hi Ladies,

 I am a little bit confused about something my oncologist said to me when I saw him last week I have just had my second round of chemo and before my fourth round he wants to repeat my heart scan probably because my base line pre chemo scan was 52% just being careful I guess but that's not what confused me what confused me was from my 4th round I am on docetaxel and he's talking about changing it to weekly something to do with the side effects and making it easier and then he left it at we'll talk about it at your next appointment on the 29/9 does anyone have any advice for me as I am currently having chemo 3 weekly it's just a little confusing, sending a cuddle and a smile Anita xxx????????

4 Replies

  • Gillian2069's avatar
    Gillian2069
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Anita,

    I had four treatments of AC three weeks apart.

    Then I had 12 treatments of docetaxol one week apart. I think they used to give docetaxol as 6 fortnightly treatments but they find the 12 weekly treatments are just as effective and have fewer side effects. It's the same dose spread across 12 treatments instead of being in 6.

    So your doc isn't changing the treatment, he's just moving onto phase two of the standard treatment.

    As others have said, the docetaxol is easier to bear than the AC.

    Watch out for numb fingers and toes (peripheral neuropathy) with docetaxol cos it can be permanent. Tell the nurses and doctor if you get it cos they'll stop the treatment early to avoid permanent damage.

    Take care, Gillian

    docetaxel
    docetaxel
  • Glynnis's avatar
    Glynnis
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Anita, it can be confusing, I had the 3 weekly treatments x 4 then went on to weekly treatments, I have found with the weekly treatments that the side effects are less severe, I have had 11 weekly treatments with the last one on Monday 21/9 woohoo, it has just been the last few weeks that any side effects have come out and my oncologist tells me that's because it is accumulative. I fair much better with the weekly treatments. I hope all goes well for you, go with what your oncologist says they will do the best for you. Take care Glynnis xx

  • Arleene's avatar
    Arleene
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi afraser, I really appreciate your support and yes it is very daunting and I always take my husband with me and he's a little confused also but we trust my oncologist so he'll do what is best for me. I just need to take it one treatment at a time. Sending you a cuddle and a smile. 

    Anitaxx??????

  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Anita

    Don't panic, your oncologist is checking for any side effects from your treatment before (and if) it gets to be a problem. I am not sure about docetaxel but many of the taxane types of chemotherapy are best given in smaller, more frequent doses, just for that reason.

    I know it's really confusing (there is a welter of information coming at you all the time, sometimes it's hard to just say "Whoa, stop, go over that again, I don't understand" and you may also feel lousy!) but don't worry about it, just ask. Sometimes it may help to have someone else with you? You are focusing on an awful lot at once and someone else may be able to help you clarify what's going on.

    Good luck on the 29th.