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dose dense chemo

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Posted 5/4/2005 2:35 PM (GMT 0)

Hi,

I am new to this site a friend told me this was a great place to get information and support. So here I am. 

  I was diognosed with stage ll invasive ductal breast cancer, one node involved.  I had a masectomy and now have been given a list of treatments to choose from.  The one with the highest cancer free rate is chemo with dose dense treatment every 2 weeks.  

  It sounds like a lot of experience out there, I would like to hear about it. 

Judy   

Posted 5/4/2005 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Judy!
Welcome to our group, but sorry for your diagnosis. I was aslo stage II invasive ductal, no nodes and 2.5 cm tumor. I went through chemo 5 years ago, did AC. Dose Dense was not an option, we went every 3 weeks. I read that dose dense is being has a better chance of getting any cancer cells during a re-growth cycle, just giving the cells less chance to grow or recover. But I don't have any personal experience with it, it is pretty new...

You can read our roll call at the top of the board and get a sense of who and where we are....

Lori
Posted 5/4/2005 5:12 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Judy! Well, like Lori, I didn't have the Dose Dense either. I had the A/C every 3 weeks. So much has changed in just 4 years. I was part of a clinical study involving herceptin. I was in the group that did NOT get the herceptin. It has just shown, from these trials, that the women that took the herceptin along with the A/C have had a much lower rate of recurrance than those of us that didn't get the herceptin. This might be something that you will want to discuss with your oncologist.

Deb

Posted 5/4/2005 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Deb , thanks for the info. I will ask about that. I am having a hard time deciding weather to do the dense dose or the 3 week treatments. I was hoping to be able to work off and on during the treatments but I'm not so sure that is possible with the 2 week treatments. The % of re occurance for me according to the oncologist report goes from 77% to 83% with dense dose. The dense dose does not have the long term info but appears to be positive so far.
Posted 5/4/2005 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
I really can't help with your questions. As Lori suggested, check out the roll call to find out more about us. There are several of us who have been around a long time and are way behind in up to date knowledge, so I will let those who know more try to help you, I will just say welcome. Hugs Mary K. MK
Posted 5/4/2005 5:43 PM (GMT 0)

Judy: Some women are able to work thru their treatments with no problems and others can't. I was in the "others can't" group. My counts dropped to low and I was really tired thru most of the treatment. I was lucky that I had a boss and job that allowed me to do some work from home when I felt like it. The one thing to remember is that you MUST listen to your body. You are fighting the battle for your life and there is nothing more important that putting that first. (in my opinion anyway) You will prob be told that you have to be careful, once treatments begin, and not be around anyone that has a cold or the flu. Luckily it is spring/summer so you will be able to be outside as well as eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Great to help with the healing. I don't know if anyone has suggested to you that you take someone with you when you go to talk to the onco. In fact, take a small tape recorder if you have one. Write out all of your questions and make sure that you get the answers to them. You will receive so much info that you will be overwhelmed at first.

Hugs...Deb

Posted 5/4/2005 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Judy,my name is tammy and i was diagnosed with the exact thing as you.One node involved and i had a masectomy on the left side on march.8 im taking chemo every 2 weeks.The doctor said if thats to hard than i can go to every 3 weeks.My hair started falling out in 2 weeks after my first treatment.after chemo is done im going to have the right breast removed by my choice.Im not having reconstruction,i have a prostesis and it looks so natural.Im satisfied with it.You found a good place to get information everyone here cares so much about each other. Tammy
Posted 5/4/2005 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tammy,

Thanks so much for the info. Did you already start the chemo? I will be starting on the 25th. Do you think working a couple days a week would be possible? At this point I do not plan on reconstruction either. I still just have a foam pad but plan on getting fitted for a prostesis soon.
Judy
Posted 5/4/2005 11:49 PM (GMT 0)

I was going to do the chemo twice a week (taxotere) but had allergic reaction and needed more cortisteroids before treatments.  Onc decided to just do the 3 week protocol.

Good Luck.  We'll be praying for you!

Posted 5/5/2005 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Judy my daughter worked through her surgery, mastectomy and reconstruction done at same time, and through her chemo, every three weeks, but she was working on her computer at home. She put in long hours and had two small children at the time. She did fine, but was really tired. She learned to nap when she needed and then she would work during the night if she woke up. Everyone is different and the advice you got from Debi was good, "listen to your body" and do what you should to make it happy. Hugs MK
Posted 5/5/2005 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Judy-
Every one of us has a very different reaction to chemo. My experience was relatively postitive, while others suffered with negative side effects. I did not do the dose dense protocol, but I did chemo on a Tuesday...took of Tues and Wed, went in half days THurs and Friday....also worked a little from home during those times. I felt well enough...but it will also depend on what kind of job you have. Mine was not physical...and if you will be around lots of people and germs (like a school), sitting out might be a good idea.

Make up your mind that you WILL be able to work....the attitude will get you far.
Lori
Posted 5/5/2005 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Judy Hi!! (joany here....."Buzzard")

 

I am so glad you found the site and are getting such great advice....very wise and wonderful ladies here.  Did they find you were Her2neu positive and are they talking about Herceptin?

 

I too was diagnosed before the every 2 weeks was an option, so I am sure others here can speak to that issue.  I love how you are being encouraged to take care of yourself, however that looks to you. Those little ones at home take plenty of energy too, but boy are they cute!

 

I look forward to walking with you and Lisa this Sat at the Komen Race.  Blessings & love ~ Joany

Posted 5/5/2005 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Joan!
No word on the HER2, I will see if the results are in when I go to Chemo class in the morning. THANK YOU so much for all your support and for telling me about this site. It's so helpful to hear what everyone has to say and know that there are so many that care.
See you on Saturday!
Judy
Posted 5/5/2005 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Judy,im going on my fourth chemo treatment and im having more nauses now than with the other treatments.I take zofran and steroids for three days after each treatment but that wasnt enough so im taking ativan for nauses as well but that makes you tired.Im a lead custodian and i do alot of physical work and i work at a school around alot of sick kids(cleaning up after them daily)so im not working until my treatments are over.Also you feel different each day you never know if your going to feel like working,as for me i coudnt do it.Keep us posted Love Tammy
Posted 5/5/2005 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tammy,

How many treatments do you have to go through> are you almost done? Do you have to give your self an injection each day? I was told that I would have to do that with the dose dense treatments

Judy
Posted 5/6/2005 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Judy,
I started dose dense a little over a week ago.I only have to give myself an injection 24 hrs. after the initial chemo. I don't know if that will change. I was pretty sick from day 2 to day 7. I know I could not have worked. Im hoping the next round will be better. It was not terrible, but it was not fun.Today is day 8, and I feel pretty good. I've heard everyone responds differently. A positive attitude really does take you far. Best wishes-Michelle
Posted 5/6/2005 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Judy,i have 8 treatments but i have 5 more to go,and i dont have to inject myself they do it every two weeks. Hugs Tammy
Posted 5/6/2005 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the info. Please keep me posted on your progress. I don't start until the 25th.
I was told by my oncologist that I would have to give myself an injection that will help my white blood count each day for 7 days after the treatment. So pretty much every other week during treatment. I will let you know how it goes.
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