Hi, my wife just had a little response from EC, but the docetaxel absolutely melted it all. She had 2 tumours (4.6cm and something around 2cm) and lymph involvement. She was originally down for a mastectomy, but because she had a total response to the Docetaxel, this was downgraded to a lumpectomy.

They found no cancer cells in the pathology, and she's currently considered cancer free. Her cancer is triple + and she's still to get radiotherapy just to make sure as her's was grade 3 which is as bad as things can get in the aggressiveness.

Hi, my wife just had a little response from EC, but the docetaxel absolutely melted it all. She had 2 tumours (4.6cm and something around 2cm) and lymph involvement. She was originally down for a mastectomy, but because she had a total response to the Docetaxel, this was downgraded to a lumpectomy.

They found no cancer cells in the pathology, and she's currently considered cancer free. Her cancer is triple + and she's still to get radiotherapy just to make sure as her's was grade 3 which is as bad as things can get in the aggressiveness.

Hi ProfBaw

Thank you for your reply! 

I am so glad to hear that your wives tumours reacted so well to the tax chemo after little response from EC.

To be able to change to lumpectomy must also have been a relief for her. 

Mine are grade 3 also but have not discussed much beyond chemo and surgery at moment but I do believe radiotherapy will be on cards. 

It's such a scary time and I really felt a blow when told no change on MRI (especially since I was sure physically I felt a small change - suspect wishful thinking). 

But will try to keep positive that tax chemo will be different and melt them too without being too hard to cope with physically

Thank you 

To put your mind at further ease, there are others on here that assumed the chemo wasn't working. Because of scans and because they could feel no change in the lump. Only, when they went in to remove the tumours, the tumours were in fact dead. There was no cancer.

The tumours can remain, but the actual cells are dead. So even if things don't appear to change during chemo, it doesn't automatically mean it hasn't had the desired effect.

My wife actually thought her lump got bigger during EC. But that wasn't the case. It was doing it's job, but no one knows until the pathology, so never lose hope regardless of how slim you think that hope may be.

Docetaxel is potent stuff, and I'm rooting for you that you get come out the other side with similar news.

Hi,

Oh, I had no idea that could be the case. My Dr has said will.do 2 docetaxel and then MRI and if still no change go straight to surgery before any more chemo so that may be why. Have meeting on 20th with him and will make sure ask that question thank you.

I keep checking my lump hoping to feel some sort of reduction.  Granted only had chemo on 10th so possibly too soon yet. 

Did your wife notice a change physically in lump once moving to docetaxel? Sorry to keep asking questions. 

Thank you so much for your kind words.  

As i said, she thought things got larger on the EC, but did feel a noticeable difference (getting smaller) on the chemo you're getting put on. She felt that difference between the 2nd and 3rd treatment.

The thing about my wife's treatment, during her docetaxel treatments she got shingles, covid and some other weird thing, so her treatments kept being put back a week here, and a week there. During one of her treatments, there was a 5 week wait rather than the usual 3 week wait, and 4 weeks for another.

She was suppose to get her scans after her final treatment, but she was so behind due to illnesses, she got her scans 2 days after the 2nd docetaxel treatment. And that showed a considerable change. They weren't really concerned about her actual lumps, they were more focused on her lymph nodes. Supposedly, those are where they want to see the results, not the actual tumours. Or that was the impression i got.

My wife is on these forums too, I'll ask her if she can add anything to what I've already said as to put you more at ease.

Thank you so much for your response.  Definitely given me some much needed reassurance. 

Sounds like your wife has been through so much, hope she is well. 

My oncologist appointment is now on Wednesday so feel more prepared with what I need to be asking.

Many thanks again  

Hi KCMmum

I'm the wife of ProfBaw and yes, Docetaxel is termed a cancer melter.  For good reason.  I found it a bit harder to take than EC and watch out for anxiety as it's actually a side effect for Docetaxel.  I'd consider Gabbapentin for pain relief as we're not meant to use paracetamol as it masks a temperature.  I wasn't allowed Ibuprofen either.  You could ask your Oncologist.  And if you have a high or low temperature, you need it checked out via the cancer hotline.  Hope you have a decent thermometer.  Gabbapentin was recommended to me by someone on another Taxane type chemo and it worked.  The pain shouldn't be too bad though.  It's bone pain and joint pain and I'd have been quite happy going to bed with a hot water bottle except my temperature kept going above 38 and I had the chills too.  So I had to phone up and go in.  That's not to say this will happen to you though, don't worry and it wasn't continually throughout getting Docetaxel.  My temperature just seemed to be triggered by inflammation.  Watch out for leg and arm weakness too, that's common but you only notice it on standing up, it won't stop you walking. You might feel a lot more tired with this chemo too. 

I also get Phesgo injections into the side of my thigh.  Phesgo is both Herceptin and Perjeta or Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab to use their MAB names. MABs are Monoconal Antibody drugs, where the MAB bit comes from. I'm still on these and tolerate them fine.  You can get Herceptin on its own done this way too. The thigh injections can be a bit burny and stingy but only for seconds throughout the 5 minute injection, usually at the start and finish.  And sometimes you feel nothing at all.  Nobody warned me about that bit and I really wish they had as I got a fright the first time.  The very first injection should be done over 8 minutes so it's going in very slowly and mine wasn't.  Had the only grumpy nurse I've come across.  You get these every 3 weeks so continue them after the Docetaxel.  And 5 minutes sure beats the previous 2.5hrs in by iv like chemo, how the drugs used to be given.  I'm fairly sure Herceptin won't give you any problems.  Best of luck with the results from Docetaxel, its tougher but it worked on mine.  And remember we don't all get the same doses of chemo so if you have any problems taking it, your Oncologist can reduce the dose for next time.  Hope that helps a bit and remember its a cancer melter so I hope my experience gives you hope.  Cancer is cut out in the operation which is important to remember.

Hi thank you for your post. I have had 2 Doses of docetaxel and herceptin now and MRI shows limited response. Will have another 2 before surgery.

How do you find the injections on their own without chemo. Was just wondering what side effects of those alone were. 

It's likely I will need more chemo post op but if dont I have been wondering how immunotherapy is on own and if be bit more back to normal. 

Thanks x

Hi everyone on here, I know it's a bit of an old post, but I've been searching for people receiving docetoxal. I have triple + breast cancer and had 2 EC which didn't have much of an effect on reducing the tumour (shrunk the lymph nodes a bit). I had my first dose of docetoxal plus the leg injection last Monday (halloween) and although the symptoms are worse than EC they're not awful. The worst thing for me is the horrific taste in my mouth! It's utterly depressing. Im trying everything, salt rinsing, pineapple, sweets, drinking loads of water. Please can you tell me if this will go before my next cycle?

also I would love to know how you are all getting on a few months later? Did the docetaxal have a good effect on your cancer? It was pretty disappointing when the mri results came back to show not much reduction.

tbanks for listening

Helen 

Hi Helen,

Sorry to hear you are also on this journey and the worry you are experiencing over MRI results. I know how much it can get you down. 

I'm glad to hear the side effects for you haven't been too bad. As for the taste and mouth issues my savoir was strawberry milkshakes and plain soft foods like baked potatoes etc. Mine did go before next cycle, was amazing to enjoy food again for a bit! 

I never managed to get the final 2 docetaxel.  When got 2nd dose I took an allergic reaction but with extra pre meds managed to take it few days later. However, on 3rd dose I reacted straight away and it was decided too risky to try me again. Please don't worry Dr said very few take reactions, just my luck I was one of them. I got moved on to pacetaxel however for 2 doses which was worse than EC for me but less severe than docetaxel.  Although made me lose my hair again that had started to regrow.

My final MRI showed limited change to larger triple negative lump but the double negative HER2 positive had disappeared! 

I had my lumpectomy on 28th September and results showed only 10% of larger lump remaining (whilst MRI showed limited response due to size the cells were mostly gone) and 1% of smaller one. My surgeon had suspected the smaller one was a lymph node but it wasn't and my lymph nodes were all clear.

I am back on the herceptin injections and main side effect tiredness and acne. 

Due to start radiotherapy on 21st November and then I will have tablet form chemo for 8 cycles every 3 weeks along with injections until July 2023. 

The tablet chemo shouldn't be as severe in side effects I believe from what Dr has said. 

A long road ahead but definitely seems a positive one based on what Dr and surgeon have said for which I am so grateful.

Take care

Louise 

Hi Louise 

thanks so much for replying and explaining your journey. Sounds very hard for you with the allergic reactions, but so glad you have come through and had a positive result from the chemo! Were you always going to have a lumpectomy or were they playing it by ear depending on the success of the chemo? I have been told I will be having a mastectomy and full auxiliary lymph node clearance whatever the results?

my taste is much better now but I still have a lingering metallic taste...really not looking forward to it again in a week. My next docetaxal is Monday and as I've kept a diary of my symptoms I can hopefully manage the headaches I have been getting with regular pain relief.

Take care

Helen