Starting Chemo in March/April 2025?
Gather here to support one another!
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Hi everyone. I'm genuinely surprised not to see more posts here. When I did chemo back in 2011, threads like this were an emotional lifeline!
I'm doing dose dense AC x4 followed by weekly Taxol x12... same cocktail as in 2011 but the Taxol timing is different (I did dose dense T last time). They're also adding in Zinecard to protect my heart from further damage, and Neulasta onpro for my WBCs. My first AC was this past Wednesday, so the biggest SEs are hitting this weekend, as expected. I've done ok so far, thanks to the steroids and nausea meds. General fatigue, feeling slightly off, blah taste in my mouth. One thing that has me slightly concerned is a very slight chest pressure, like when you have had a respiratory illness and can't quite get a full breath. It's not enough to slow me down, but I notice it most when going up the stairs - or yesterday when walking around the neighborhood, when going up even slight hills.
Anyway, this is not my first rodeo and I'll be happy to support others going through chemo in the months to come. Sending light to whoever is reading this. 🫂
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@kks_rd - Thank you for sharing your experience. We really appreciate you opening up and offering support to others going through chemo.
We encourage you all to join the conversation and share your experiences and questions too. Threads like this are a great way to connect with others who truly understand what you're going through.
@kks_rd - We're glad to hear you're doing OK so far. Looking forward to hearing more from you soon!
The Mods
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Hello All!
I am 41 years old and was diagnosed with HR+ HER2- IDC and DCIS of the right breast on January 13th, 2025. I had a double mastectomy with SLNB 2/7/25, with 1 positive node out of the 4 taken. I was clinically lymph node negative. Oncotype score = 16. Official staging: 1B
I started with my first of four TC infusions 3/20/2025 to reduce risk of recurrence. I am also using the DigniCap scalp cooling system.
I have joined to share comfort and love with all of you.
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Hi there! With that feeling in your chest, does it resolve with rest? If it does resolve with rest, I would just continue to monitor it for now. If you are finding that it becomes more persistent and does not resolve with rest, then I'd mention it to your oncologist. I am a Registered Nurse and unfortunately a breast cancer patient myself. ❤️
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Hi @prets41, and welcome! We're glad to have you in the April chemo thread. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. If you’d like, consider filling out your diagnostic profile. It can help connect you with others who have similar diagnosis. Here's how:
Best wishes for your treatment and everything else. Looking forward to hearing more from you soon.
The Mods
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Hi everyone! I'm brand new here, just had my first Taxol treatment yesterday. Reading through these message boards it seems like there's a lot of information my chemo center left out, I'm honestly thinking of switching to a different provider but wanted to ask here if maybe I'm overreacting?
Before my first treatment, I had a session with an NP to go over everything. It was scheduled for an hour but were were there for over two, she was really nice but scattered and seemed disorganized. Here are some of the issues, please let me know if I'm rightly concerned or not.I kept asking about how common different side effects are with Taxol, and every time she just said that everyone is different. I know that, but some side effects are much more common than others and she wouldn't tell me anything about which ones were most likely to happen.
Reading these message boards, it looks like neuropathy is a very common side effect and that wasn't even mentioned. It seems like there are always to prevent it or make it less severe, none of that was mentioned at all.
No info mentioned on wearing compression socks or gloves. I asked about a cold cap and she was very dismissive. Same with icing down my hands or feet.
No mention of taking L-glutamine or any B vitamins. Also, I was there with my partner (heterosexual couple) and she completely skipped over any info about intimacy during chemo. She was looking through her book and I heard her say "oh, this one is about intimacy" and then she turned the page! I had to ask her some specific questions, and she even changed the subject and I had to ask again.
Would appreciate any input!!
As far as my treatment, I had the first one yesterday and no side effects yet but I know they are coming :)
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Hi @tjstyphon and welcome to Breastcancer.org!
We're so very sorry to hear of the reasons that bring you here, but we're so glad you've found us. As you seem to already be able to tell, our community is made up of some amazing members always willing to offer advice, information, encouragement, and support — we're all here for you!!
We're also very sorry to hear of the lack of information you received regarding your treatment. This can be extremely frustrating, not to mention catch you completely off guard when you experience something that you weren't prepared for. We're so happy you found some insight here and hope you'll continue to!
As for preventing neuropathy with taxane chemotherapy, here's some information:
And info on cold caps and scalp cooling:
Podcast:
Podcast:
Info on supplements and treatment:
And lastly, info on Sexual Health and treatment:
Podcast:
Podcast:
Podcast:
And, if you want to join others in our virtual support groups, check out our weekly In Treatment meetup schedule here:
We hope this all helps! Any other questions you have, just ask. We look forward to supporting you!
—The Mods
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Thanks, I appreciate the links but my question was about if it's normal for so much info to be missed, and to not have things like cold mitts, compression, etc. available. I've only done one treatment and am seriously considering switching my chemo provider.
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Hi, tjstyphon, similar but different situation, maybe, but I had a disappointing first consult and follow-up appt with my medical oncologist prior to my lumpectomy. She gave me all the possible paths for treatment and their downsides, but left out some important info including possible side effects, which I had already read about. Whereas after even my first appt with her my surgeon made me feel invincible and positive and strong, my appts with my onc left me crying in the car. I shared my concerns about my onc with my rockstar surgeon, and she urged me to get a second opinion, and even offered a couple suggestions. Within minutes of meeting with one of the recommended docs, I immediately felt comfortable as well as the same strength I felt after meeting with my surgeon.
All this to say if you have doubts, look for an alternate clinic. This is already a scary journey—you need to feel comfortable with your provider. Hugs to you.
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Hi everyone! I've appreciated reading your updates. I have to say that not feeling well-informed or trusting in your onc is, well, it's understandable that you'd be feeling uneasy about that! It's totally OK to get additional opinions... sometimes just meeting with the doctor instead of the mid-level (or vice-versa) can be a help. This is scary stuff and you deserve to feel confidence in your team. Period.
I am in the low days following A/C (4th and hopefully final tx was last Thursday). In mid-May, I'll start Taxol weekly x12 weeks. It feels like such a long course, though mentally I'm telling myself some of the hardest parts are behind me. I still get the chest pressure, and high heart rate at rest and activity... it was fully worked up by my cardio-oncologist, and we're thinking it's just a weird side effect.
There are other side effects that have been problematic, psychologically more than physically. I'm just praying they pass with A/C and things are better with T.
Hope whoever reads this is doing OK. This can be such a lonely journey... 🫂
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I think i just need to say this out loud: I was sincerely hoping that taxol would be easier than A/C, and overall it is, but it still sucks! I feel like I have the flu, so achy and my energy is just zapped. I have ten more rounds...
Thanks for listening 🫂
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