My Experience with AC/T Chemo: Seeking Positive Stories

I'm currently receiving Taxol, and Carboplatin weekly for 16 weeks, and Keytruda every 3 weeks. I'm on week 5 and I really haven't had much problem. Nausea starts up the end of day three, but I have Zofran and compazine to help the rest of the week. I'll have my double mastectomy after the 16 weeks chemo. Then radiation and more chemo for 6 weeks. My Surgeon told me to make sure I get some kind of exercise and low weight lifting to help get the toxins out as soon as you can. And also so you don't loose chemo induced muscle mass. Even a walk to the mail box on chemo days. My sister just finished the same regiment this summer. She was diagnosed May 2023. I was diagnosed November 2024. We have the BRCA2 gene in our family. Sorry for the editing, chemo brain and fat thumbs don't mix 🤭

Lou, My first chemo set was Carbo/Taxol and I received aggressive doses weekly for 12 weeks, followed by Adriamycin (red devil)/Cytoxan every 2 weeks for 12 weeks, and finally Xeloda for 3 months. You will do well. Stay active as able and keep positive. Oncologist gives green pre chemo meds and I actually slept through most of the chemo infusion time. You will be prescribed antiemetics as needed, and I rarely needed extra meds. My key was to keep my normal routines and symptoms will be managed. Best wishes and prayers…. My journey continues as I am starting a PARP inhibitor soon to control BRCA gene. I’m not allowed immunotherapy because of 5 autoimmune dx and fear that my body would attack and cause unstoppable harm. I wish you the very best. 🙏

Great chemo prep meds .. not green… 👍

I had this it didn’t work my 1st chemotherapy but my only side affect was wasabi nose at the end of the drip otherwise no other symptoms i have tnbc and was pregnant when I started chemotherapy act . Only other down side is your pee will be redish/orange a few days from the doxrubcin hope im spelling that right.

Diagnosed with TNBC in Dec 2024, started with AC for 4 rounds every other week with Neulasta OnPro - and Keytruda immunotherapy every 6 week. Do have a rash on chest, legs and arms from Keytruda, so on prednisone. Some achiness and lots of fatigue. Just a few mouth sores, but tolerable. Just finished 3 out of 12 Taxol and Carboplaxon. More fatigue again some aches. Using cold packs during Taxol to hopefully eliminate the side effect of neuropathy Continue to work remotely, walking and light weights to stay as healthy as possible. Surgery and radiation in the plan ahead. Good luck, we got this! 💕

Hello, I had an easy time with all adjuvant chemotherapy with taxol and A/C. It shrunk my small tumor enough for double masectomy and I'm clear of any detectable cancer. I suggest you keep track of your side effects from Keytruda immunotherapy. It's a very helpful drug but there are chronic adverse side effects. My doctor didn't recognize my symptoms and this lowered doxorubicin dose but continued Keytruda. I developed adrenal Insufficiency and hypothyroidism. Need daily prednisone to keep cortisol levels up. Make sure oncologist includes cortisol in your labs and ask questions about their knowledge of this drug. I wish you well and hope your chemotherapy goes as well as mine did! Nicole

It just made me tired and had brain fog for a week. My short term memory was zapped at times during the first week. I stuck to a chemo diet. I didn’t have nausea or other symptoms. I did have mouth sores at times but used baking soda and water which helped a lot.

Keytruda aka Pembro is the only thing working for me . The keytruda doesn’t give me side effects. I do pembro carbo taxol one week the rest of the month Carbo / Taxol side affects are diarrhea/ cramps I take to Imodium pre hospital visit and This med my doctor said it is not normally used but it will help PHENOBARBITAL; HYOSCYAMINE; ATROPINE; SCOPOLAMINE (fee noe BAR bi tal; hye oh SYE a meen; A troe peen; skoe POL a meen) treats stomach or bowel disorders, such as stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or bowel inflammation. It works by relaxing the muscles of your stomach and bowel, which reduces cramping. It helped a lot stopped the stomach cramps that where debilitating

My treatments were mainly weekly for Carbo and Taxol, and every 2 weeks for Adriamycin and Cytoxan and each regimen was 3 months, followed by 3 months oral Xeloda, 3 weeks radiation, and now Lynparza and all meds aggressively dosed. I had to accept hair loss with my treatment needs along with occasional nausea, rashes, abdominal cramping, fatigue, sore lips, blisters on feet, toes, fingers and neuropathy. I’m never complaining as I pushed myself to be independent, walk, good nutrition as able, knowing I needed to help myself to get through this journey and I remain on Lynparza to date. Everything managed well and I used zero addictive pain meds… rare Tylenol and antiemetics. You will be given valuable education on prevention measures to help symptoms. I purchased a good wig and honestly, most do not know it’s a wig, as my hair was long… already growing back. You need to stay positive and walk away from negativity. My prayers and best wishes to you 🙏❤️

I am currently on a 12 week - every Friday -taxol and carb and every other immunotherapy (I have triple neg). No nausea No mouth sores just dry mouth Rash - but just at the beginning Weight gain - from steroid anti nausea meds HR get high faster - I swim and lift weights Hair loss Abdominal pressure!!!!!!!!!! Cuz of the steroids - insomnia bad - take gummies Steroids also get me angry Steroids also give shorts bursts of energy - which is nice My next cocktail hopefully about the same we shall see I agree stay away from the negative !!! Good luck and fight on

Sometimes the local support groups are severely negative. I found good assistant through the cancer society. You join and they match you with volunteers of your cancer situation. You have the option to text, email, talk. It was nice cause you didn't have to stay committed. You can get support on your time line. My treatment was Taxol/carbo and Keytruda. Then cistol, keytruda and doxorubicinthen .Mastectomy then radiation following. Nutrition, rest, exercise is key. Hydration is essential. I put a recliner in my bedroom by the bathroom so I could rest...pee....rest...pee legs elevated .I didn't do any type of breast reconstruction therefore can't comment. Weight gain definitely happened to me prior to hysterectomy. Insomnia was high. Who can sleep right with all that's happening. Stay away from the negative.

It's completely understandable to seek balanced perspectives when facing treatment decisions. Many people do navigate AC/T chemotherapy with manageable side effects, though experiences vary widely from person to person. The community here includes members who have had different experiences with this treatment regimen, and hearing from those who had more tolerable journeys can provide valuable perspective alongside your medical team's guidance.