Birads 5 with calcification
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@scaredme Hey there! I’ve been meaning to check in, but that last AC treatment really took a toll on me, definitely the toughest one out of the four. I dealt with extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and those awful mouth and throat sores. Thankfully, the magic mouthwash helped a lot with that part.
Today was my first Taxol treatment, and it only took about an hour. I’ve heard a lot of people say it can cause neuropathy and bone pain, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can make it through all 12 rounds smoothly.
It actually slipped my mind to go over and compare the plans he has for me to prevent recurrence. We ended up spending a lot of time talking about dieting and why he doesn’t want me on any weight loss medications during treatment. Then, when he brought up that I would need another PET scan before surgery, I completely lost my marbles. that part of this journey always gets to me. The scans just give me so much anxiety.
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@lisa8228
I am so sorry that your last AC was so bad, but at least you could be comforted in that it was your last of that type.
I had neuropathy with Taxol, though it went away after I finished. I don't specifically remember bone pain, but I did have chronic dry eyes that I have held onto, unfortunately. I had to go on steriod drops for them during treatment and have transitioned to Restasis for long term use. Overall, Taxol was much easier for me. I had good blood counts and was able to stop steriods and the Neulasta shots. I also didn't have any nausea or food aversions.
That stinks that you have to have another PET scan. I 100% understand how scary that is. They are probably trying to see how the chemo worked so that that they know what to expect in surgery. Try not to think about it. It is so unlikely that your Cancer became metastatic during such an aggressive course of chemo.
Once you feel better, I 100% recommend starting a walking regimen. I've been doing it for years and it has definitely helped me to control my weight. There are also studies that it helps keep Cancer from coming back.
Hope you are feeling well today.. You are technically more than half way done!!
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@scaredme So far, so good with the Taxol! I’ve actually been feeling much better than I expected. I was able to get a lot done around the house this week, things I’d been wanting to do but just didn’t have the energy for during AC.
My mom promised to come clean every week during chemo, but she only made it that first week. 😂 I’m still grateful though! I’ve mostly been just “cleaning up” to the best of my ability, and since I’ve managed to keep up with the basics, I think she figured I didn’t really need the help. Still, I’m used to my home being spotless, so not being able to deep clean for a while was really bothering me.
Yesterday, I finally felt good enough to give my place a full top to bottom cleaning! I even did some yard work and started putting up Halloween decorations outside. I woke up with a slight headache today, but honestly, I still feel the best I’ve felt in the last two months.
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That's so great that you feel better on the Taxol. That was my experience as well, though I received 4 dose dense infusions just like the AC. I did find that the weird symptoms accumulated over time though.. Do they do your blood counts every time you go? If you find them to be within normal range and you do not have any allergic reactions, you also may want to inquire about dropping the steriods and Neulasta shots.
It is hard to believe that I started this journey more than 5 years ago. The experience has stayed with me like no other. Soon you will be on the other side of it, too. Isn't it so true that chemo is not like they portray in the movies?
Hope you enjoy your holiday weekend. My husband is a riot.. He plans a big Columbus Day dinner every year with family and we are expecting 20 people tonight. He does a speech and even dresses up in costume. He claimed the holiday 7 years ago; Apparently my mom and my sister and I had already grabbed the other holidays and he was pulling this one of of the trash for his own.. It has rapidly become the favorite holiday of the family.. Hope it goes off smoothly!
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@scaredme It never occurred to me to put your own twist on an established holiday but your husband claiming Columbus Day has me both impressed and amused. I’m also curious about the menu and activities, if any, please feel free to share more.
@lisat8228 I have steroids as premeds, so I only cleaned the day after my infusion, fortunately I’m a naturally tidy person otherwise. My onc also said not to diet really, which wasn’t necessary since I lost 35lbs just from chemo side effects. I lost another 85 after brain surgery problems and I now look at extra weight as insurance.
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@scaredme Haha, your husband sounds like a true explorer claiming unclaimed holidays like Columbus himself! 😂 I love that he turned Columbus Day into a full blown family tradition. costume, speech, and all! That’s honestly hilarious and so special that it’s become everyone’s favorite. O how I wish I lived close enough to come join in on the festivities! lol!
To answer your question, yes, they check my blood count along with a list of other things before every infusion. They didn’t give me the Udencya shot the last 2 times I went because my white blood cell counts were already up. Idk why but they’ve never given me any steroids.
@illimae I was really looking forward to losing some pounds, but I don’t think that’s going to happen on its own for me during this chemo. I had a short stretch where my taste buds were off, but that was brief, and since then, my appetite has been pretty normal. From what I’ve read, fat tissue produces estrogen, so keeping a healthy weight is especially important for estrogen driven breast cancer. If I really want to lower my risk of recurrence, I know I’ll have to be intentional about losing weight once treatment wraps up.0 -
Y’all, this Taxol has been making me sleep! Not tired, fatigued, or exhausted, just taking extra naps these past few days. 🤨 My energy is actually good when I’m up, unlike with AC, which had me feeling groggy and drained all day. Lately, I just need one good “booster nap” a day. During my last appointment with my oncologist, he mentioned sleepiness had been common for a few of his patients.
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How is Taxol going for you?
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Hi @lisat8228
I'm from Austria and had the same classification on 16/07/2025
Startet chemo in Taxol on 08/08
Now on EC (like AC).
With the taxol ist was the same for me 2hour of full energy than so tired that I had to go to couch immediately 😅
Sometimes for just 15min sometimes for 2hours.
The the energy was back.
I'm39 years old.
With taxol its standard to get befor the chemo a stetoide infusion.
So I was high the day after chemo (but no sleep the day before!),
And on the 2nd and sometimes also the 3rd day I was a little bit more tired, but afterwards it was better till the next chemo.
I got 11times taxol (1 treatment I had to skip because of an infect..)
Since Thursday this week I got EC and yesterday my first Neuladta too… premeditated... I'm not happy with it because with Taxol my blood was always in the norm and I would have preferred to wait and see what effects the EC causes. And than, in case of evidence to start a blood treatment....
But I can sooo feel with you - I read all your comments till July and also for me the waitig was horror (my fist tasting the tumor was on 26/05 my ultrasound/mammography on 01/07 and than all of the staging. I was also birads 5. Now I'm between 3/4
MRT showed also supposed tumor in my breastbone but Szinti not... Than the wanted to do PET CT too but I had CT from Abdomen ecc before and my oncologist said that for the treatment it will make no difference…so I denied it.
But now the end is near! 6 weeks (hopefully!) left for me.
On 22/12 I have my next MRI.
Mri befor Ec on tuesday showed a reduction of my tumor from 5 to 2,6cm after taxol and no more lymphnodes infected.
My family prayes a lot for me and about 60 friends - believers - that helps me. Otherwise I don't now how I can survive this...
Knowing that God has everything in control is the best calming for me.
And as you wrote: I was so down after the diagnosis that I didn't do any sport for 3months. With chemo I started with walking and now trying to do every 2nd day some Pilates.
Sry for the long post 😅
Its one of my no-sleep nights…
All the best for you.
Wish you Gods blessings and send you Psalm 46
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Hi @triplepositive5 , and welcome to the BCO community! Thank you for sharing your story. You might find our Triple-Negative Breast Cancer forum helpful, and also, feel free to join our Starting Chemo August 2025 support thread to meet others going through similar experiences at the same time and share tips and encouragement.
We’re glad you’re here and look forward to hearing how you’re doing. 😊
The Mods
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how are you ladies doing? I read this whole thread this evening. Recently diagnosed and enjoyed your supportive words to each other!
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