Chemo Regimen FAQs: AC Chemotherapy

I had four AC treatments in 2002.  I had had my heart function test prior and I tested very high function.  Over the next few years I had decreasing energy but it was so slight that I hardly noticed it.  Then I developed a cough that wouldn't go away.  Since my history included mild asthma and bronchitis, my doctors treated me for that.  My oncologist took a lung X-ray which showed fluid so she treated me for pneumonia (outpatient) because it was the day before my 3 week trip to Europe (which I insisted on doing).  The cough continued through and after my trip:  9 months total, although at times it seemed I would feel better but it always came back.   Then after not being able to catch my breath one night even with my inhaler, I saw a general physician at the urgent care clinic and she immediately suspected CHF: Congestive Heart Failure.  My heart was enlarged and full of fluids and so were my lungs.  She saved my life by checking me into a hospital for a complete workup.  I have been on cardiac meds and low salt diet (absolutely imperative!) for over 3 years now and my heart function and heart size are almost normal.  In spite of the heart disease that I attribute to the AC chemo, I still would have taken it since I have been able to see 3 more grandchildren during that time and have had no recurrence of the breast cancer.  My only warning is that you insist on having a cardiologist check you if you have a persistent cough that won't go away for months at a time.