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2MC's avatar
2MC
Member
5 years ago

Red devil

Hello I’ve just completed 12 rounds of chemotherapy Paclitaxel weekly with carboplatin combined every four weeks
i have coped really well but am now about to start 2 drugs every 2 weeks for four treatments one of them being Doxorubicin. I have been doing some research because I have been told to go for a agated blood pool scan on my heart And I have to say the side effects have me frightened.
Im 47 and have a grade 3 triple Negative early stage breast tumour
  • Hi 2MC,
    I to had grade 3 triple negative BC, was diagnosed in October 2018.
    Finished  dense dose AC, 12 rounds of pactlitaxel, 30 rounds of radiation, treatment finished October 2019.

    One thing I learnt very early is not to do dr google. It just does your head in with not the correct information.
    Websites that were the best was BCNA and Cancer Council.
    I also had scans and tests on my heart during treatment, it’s a normal process so they can monitor you throughout treatment.
    Everyones treatment is  different in order how they have it, if you are concerned ask your oncologist as only they can answer that question.

    Depending on which hospital you have your red devil, you could be offered a cold cap to help with hair loss, where I had my treatment that wasn’t on offer.
    I started loosing my hair in the third week after commencing red devil, I opted to have my head shaved as soon as I noticed hair loss, I wanted to control my hair loss not the cancer treatment.
    Fortunately I purchased some pretty head scarves from ebay pre treatment.

    Drink plenty of fluids to flush your system, your first few trips to the toilet to do a wee you will notice that it will be a very bright red/orange which is normal.
    Fatigue is very common, you will be given medication to take to help,with any nausea, diarrhoea etc. Very important to take your temperature on a regular basis , the nurses will speak to you in regards to all of this and what to look for.
    I was pretty lucky , not having much nausea, kept on top of things with the medication they send home with you. Any issues you will have 24/7 access to support, I can’t recommend highly enough if at all not sure please call them, they are fantastic even if it’s just putting your mind at ease.

    Would recommend if you can do some cook ups and freeze some meals before AC.
    If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask, if you want to pm me privately anytime I’m happy to help you get through this, and discuss anything more in depth.

    You can do this, kick cancer to the kerb.........

    Just to let you know, I have had the all clear at my first yearly  mammogram after treatment in December 2019.
    Stay positive, you have got this.

    Sending hugs xx




  • I know everyone says it but Googling seriously doesn’t help. I did at the beginning, convinced myself I had inflammatory breast cancer. I didn’t. Have you got a cardiologist? Much better if you can discuss your concerns with a good specialist, specifically about you and your body and concerns. Take care. 
  • Thanks for responding I’ve been having so much anxiety about the cardio side of things and googling like crazy only to become more anxious 
    I hardly had any side affects to Taxol 
    don’t understand why AC was last for me when everyone else I spoke to had it first
  • I had the A/C (Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide) cocktail (Doxorubicin is another name for Adriamycin). Generally the view is that it’s doable but not fun. A smaller percentage (me included, I was 67) found it much easier than Taxol! Orange urine sure but hardly any other side effects. It’s the luck of the draw as far as I can tell, so best to note what particularly to look out for, monitor your reactions and see how you go. Best wishes.