Dear Ellen, I had a mastectomy at Memorial ten years ago and was 72 at the time. I then had chemo and radiation back in CT closer to my home, but including the chemo's recommended by the surgeon at Memorial. These were adriamycin, taxol, and cytoxin. I had to have a bone scan and MRI of my spine prior to the chemo, as I have bad arthritis, and they wanted to be sure I did not have bone cancer, but my age was not brought up at all, except by the surgeon with regard to reconstruction, which I did not have. I was in the protocal for a clinical trial, though it was not the kind where you had to be specially chosen for it, as it was testing two different ways of administering the chemo's, which were already approved. I was in one that lasted nine months, with large doses every three weeks. I think the other approach (smaller doses more often) was eventually found to be best. I have a slight heart murmur, which has increased somewhat with age in later years, but this was never mentioned as a reason not to do this--probably your problem is more serious. In England, I don't think they give chemo to older patients at all--wonder if this will happen here if the new health care system is adopted. Anyway, adriamycin and taxol were both pretty rough, in different ways, but I got through them all right. I was always active in spite of my arthritis, and think my health was pretty good otherwise. I suffered in a general way from fatigue, but continued basic activities. I live alone, but had help from nextdoor neighbor and close friend, as well as other friends and some paid help at times. I was very careful to avoid secondary infections--avoiding crowds, etc.--which are very common with these chemos. I lost my hair with adriamycin quite quickly, but it came back with cytoxin, which was also less toxic than the other two. I never spent a day in bed the whole time, except one day (which happened to be the day of the millenium, which I watched on TV to distract myself) with taxol which caused a period of severe pain for a day or so a few days after each infusion. I think it would be well to have a meeting with your oncologist and ask to have the reasons for doing the adriamycin made clear re percentages, etc, about which I have no information. Good wishes, Martha F
Eight year survivor of BC
