paclitaxel

Hi Jodie

I am on paclitaxel at the minute and am receiving it weekly for 12 weeks.  Treatments are very individual though and if they have changed your mum's treatment plan there will be reasoning behind it and probably only they could explain this.  I would suggest you document all your questions and try and attend with your mum next session.  If you can't attend maybe write them down and ask your parents to ask the consultant or the nurse to document a brief description of her treatment down , my nurse did this actomatically on the macmillan information sheets for me when my consultant was taking me through it.  

Was she given a copy of her consent form for treatment? If so it should also be documented there.

Olivia x

I have finished taxol now. I had  6 x weekly cycles. Day one taxol and another chemo the next two weeks just taxel. next  cycle the same - double chemo then 2 weeks only taxel. No week off unless my bloods were bad.   If your mother has 4 week cycles  then it sounds like she is having 3 cycles of taxel so should be 12 weeks including week off?

Thank you  very much for your reply, I hope you are  doing as well as can be ? The initial  meeting we had the specialists  said its going to be 12 weeks of palitaxel,  it wasn't until she went yesterday that they mentioned  be 3 week on 1 week off. This was never previously  mentioned, so wasn't if it was all going to be done in 12 weeks or the 12 weeks  would now  become longer because of the break  

Thank you  very much for your reply, I hope you are  doing as well as can be ? How did you find treatment if you don't mind me asking  The initial  meeting we had the specialists  said its going to be 12 weeks of palitaxel,  it wasn't until she went yesterday that they mentioned it will be 3 week on 1 week off. This was never previously  mentioned, so wasn't sure if it was all going to be done in 12 weeks or the 12 weeks  would now  become longer because of the 1 week break x

I was unlucky with taxol as I was allergic to it and kept going into shock so they had to drip it in really slowly over 9 hours. But this is v unusual. I didn’t have many side effects to taxel though it was the three weekly combo with carboplatin that was a bit harder.  I had 6 3 weekly cycles.  Everyone is different though. Wishing your mum all the best.

finone

Sorry to hear your experience.  My mum doesn't seem to want to ask the questions, she is more get on with whatever they say do but I was just confused to if it was 12 weeks in total and that was that or it would be longer because she had to have week of after every 3 x

Hi Jodie, I’m having weekly Taxol for 12 weeks with Herceptin every 3rd treatment, so 4 of those in total. Could that be what they are meaning that your Mum will have? I think it would be unusual to have a break after 3 weeks. I’ve just had number 11 so one to go. Having weekly treatments is a bit relentless but the side effects are so much less than when I was having 3 weekly EC. Hope your Mum gets on ok with her treatment x

Hi Jodie, I’m having weekly Taxol for 12 weeks with Herceptin every 3rd treatment, so 4 of those in total. Could that be what they are meaning that your Mum will have? I think it would be unusual to have a break after 3 weeks. I’ve just had number 11 so one to go. Having weekly treatments is a bit relentless but the side effects are so much less than when I was having 3 weekly EC. Hope your Mum gets on ok with her treatment x

My dad seems to think the lady who done pre assessment definitely  said once a week for 3 weeks then a week off, this is  not what I previously  heard in other meeting  or what anyone here seems to have had. I'm so glad your are nearing  the final sessions and glad you have found it less harsh . Remember not all superheroes  wear  capes..... you and everyone fighting this battle are warriors Please keep in touch with your progress x

Hi Jodie87 , its a pleasure to try and help you.   I just started Taxel cycle 1 last Friday and 2nd cycle yesterday.  I am HER2  positive so also need the trastusumab ( Herceptin ).  I will have 12 weekly Taxel.  For the Herceptin it will be administered every 3 weeks initially with the Tazel then the remaining 9 months on its own but every 3 weeks.   In total I will have 12 weekly Taxel and 18 three weekly Herceptin.

I was not told to have a break after the third week but  each persons treatment plan is different.  However I agree with Daisy06 its unusual to have a break after 3 weeks unless there are blood count issues or your mum is unwell.

Best thing is to email your BCN to check with the oncologist and to confirm via email so all relevant parties your mum , dad and yourself fully understand the treatment.

All the best to your mum.  The good news is that weekly Taxel is very doable and lighter version.    The chemo nurses are very good and make sure steroids and anti sickness meds are given prior to starting the Taxel / Herceptin to limit side effects and after every chemo next day for 2 days anti sickness tablets .

Every cancer patient on this forum is a fighter and will get the amazing  strength  from some where to deal with this horrid disease . And  every supportive loved ones remains our steadfast rock and medicine to combat this heartbreaking disease.