Best Of
Re: Tips for getting through chemotherapy
Your own blankie .... the hospital ones aren't as comfy.
pics of your family ... Show the nurses your pics. You are a person and they need to know you and that you have a family who will wring their necks if they keep blowing your veins!!! Actually, you want them to take good care of you and give you good treatment!!
old magazines: Have you noticed there are no current mags in the chemo clinic??? Bring your recently read People or latest paperback book and leave them so the person who forgot their reading material, or the first timers have something to read.
Kleenex: Have you used their Kleenex??? It's that sandpaper tissue!! I like my real stuff, sometimes I love the lotioned up Kleenex.
Re: Tips for getting through chemotherapy
Overall, each A/C treatment was a little different.
The first one was a learning experience. For the second round, I added sleeping pills and was much more vigilant about stool softeners and laxatives (took them from the day of the infusion as recommended by the nurses and it helped). So, my second A/C was actually easier in many ways than the first. It was the easiest of all!
For me, there were some aspects that were cumulative. That awful taste was not so back in the beginning but was quite strong in the last cycle, starting from the moment the meds were infused. The fatigue level was also cumulative.
Re: Tips for getting through chemotherapy
Debi D.
Re: Second time around needing Chemo - just wondering about the prescribed treatment
Hi there, 2x survivor here too. I'm sorry you're going through this again, for me it felt like lightning striking twice. Our situations aren't the same - you can see my history in my signature - but I did doxorubicin (and cytoxan) and paclitaxel both times. Agree with ratherbesailing, no harm in getting a second opinion even if it's just for peace of mind. You can also ask for review by the tumor board. Good luck with the node surgery! Keep us posted.
kks_11
Re: Second time around needing Chemo - just wondering about the prescribed treatment
So sorry you're going through this. That protocol is pretty standard for a high risk cancer, which I'm guessing your pathology and/or Oncotype shows. Some centers would do the Paclitaxel every two weeks for a total of eight treatments, which is one month shorter, but I think a higher dose. Even with mastectomy, radiation would likely be recommended now for you given nodal status.
Of course, get a second opinion if you're uncomfortable. I know that is a lot to face.
Re: How are people with liver mets doing?
Histotripsy: I created a new topic for this also, but thought I would cross post, since this is the liver mets thread:
I am in the process of learning about histotripsy for possible liver mets treatment. My oncologist has told me something about the process, and I've read quite a bit also. It is not yet offered at all cancer centers (mine included), so it's sometimes necessary to go to a different clinic for the procedure. Has anybody here had any experience with this treatment? Have you had it yourself or do you know anyone else who has? I'm trying to gather as much information as I can, as I weigh my own options here for liver mets treatment. It is a new procedure and considered experimental in many ways. They are still gathering data and trying to decide who the best candidates for the procedure might be. It appears to do something of what ablation and Y-90 type treatments do, but it destroys the cancer cells with sound waves, so usually non-invasive. Like the other treatments, this too is not a cure, but something to knock the cancer back a bit. I would appreciate hearing about anyone's thoughts or experiences regarding this new treatment. Thanks much!
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@shanagirl - Thinking of you and just "dropping by" to say hi. Hope everything went well and that you are recuperating and relaxing. Hugs.
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
I believe this is true. When the miniscus tore off my knee i had to reduce my interval training due to pain. Within 5 months.my cancer had returned. I had my knee replaced. I still lift but I don't do as much interval work. Maybe it is time to change that. My guardant showed instill have a very small amount of cancer cells in my blood. I will have to rethink my workout program.
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
@chicagoan Really interesting. this is really advocating HIIT (like Japanese interval walking)—short bursts of intensity. I can get my heart rate up in Pilates, but I'm also trying to get some bicycling in. Good motivation. Guess I'd better get out for a walk tonight!
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
Exercise can be considered a first line treatment for breast cancer patients. https://wapo.st/47EINFQ