CMF Question
Comments
-
Colleen...So sorry that they found so many complications during your SIL's surgery. I will continue to keep her in my thoughts and prayers. Rehab does perform miracles! Hugs to you and your family!
Annie...so sorry that you had to give up the kitten. I've wanted a kitten for quite some time but my 17 year old male would NEVER let it fit in. He hisses at the vet if another cat gets too close to his space and he's terribly spoiled. I finally gave up the idea as Ashie is THE KING of the house and is a super lap cat, himself. Still, it would be hard to find a cute kitten and then have to give it up. Enjoy your daughter during spring break!
This is a lovely February day in Illinois. I'm about to get up from this computer and walk down the lane for the mail. I hope it's equally as nice outside your doors!
Rita
0 -
Happy Hump Day
Just about blew a gasket a few minutes ago ... read through the posts ... did as my dh always says and composed in Word ... then the battery went dead on the lap top and poof ... gone was my post ..... Breathe in/breathe out !!!
So here I go again, in a nutshell ...
Annie .. Better late than never but here's a big ol' high five on your awesome news. I truly felt that you we're going to come out of that last scan lookin' good and now I'm tickled that you are !!!
Good idea to post about the Femara aches ... unfortunately been there, done that ... I think I'm just one of the unlucky ones to have issues. I have exercised, taken some time off from exercise .. I take all the supplements recommended ... and so far no relief. My onc's suggestion ... drink plenty of water ... well I drink upwards of 80 to 100 oz a day, and I refuse to take mega doses of ibuprofen to cope. The saga continues ....
A heavy sigh though on having to give up the kitten ... sometimes we just have to do what's right for the good of all.
I've got a dh that is overdue for a physical exam as well.
Rita ... so I started taking Arimidex this morning ... I gave Femara the old college try for about 7 months ... seemed to be getting worse not better. The aches in my arms, is the worst ... I have my fingers and toes crossed that I have better luck and that I'll be able to swing a golf club pain free here in about 4 weeks when we head to AZ. My elbows are giving me fits.
So sounds like you had a spring like day today ... figures ... we're expected to have a dusting of snow tonight ... I'm so ready for some warmth ...
Speaking of warmth ... chatted for a short while with Jill tonight. She was sitting at her home in AZ with the windows and doors opened in her shorts .... Gotta like that !!!
Colleen, so sorry to read about your SIL, you know I have a pin that say's "Cancer Sucks" ,,, we'll as we all know it really does.
Scarp ... your checking um off gal ... hang in there.
Mandy, hoping that you've got your tummy troubles under check ... good advice from Rita to let you onc know that whatever you have had for feeling yucky is not working.
Harley ... thinking that you should be docking soon ... can't wait to see a pic or two and hear about your travels.
0 -
HI all
My tummy troubles are more or less in check thanks to me. My onc and my rads onc both point fingers at eachother and blame the other treatment for the side effects now. The tummy issue could have come from either. But luckily I had an old lomotil prescription around, so that helped.
I see the rads onc today. He has no patient skills at all and I am hoping I survive the visit!!!
Have a nice day all.
Mandy
0 -
Carol... I hope the Arimidex brings you some joint pain relief. I did have the joint pains with the Arimidex but they have subsided over time. I really don't know if adding the magnesium helped or if my body just needed time to assimilate the drug. I still have occasional knee and feet pain but not like I did the first year. My hands are still swollen but do not hurt. I see my primary care physician today and am asking her about my hands. My rings no longer fit! However, I must admit that the Arimidex is doable now and I hope it agrees with you, too. I played five rounds of golf in Florida within a two week span and had no joint problems.......now you could handle that, couldn't you? I also walked the beach numerous times. My worst problem is the weight gain, especially around my waist area. My next project is to work on reducint this belly fat! Please let me know how the Arimidex works for you. Hugs!
Rita
0 -
Rita ... Thanks for the encouragement. I've continued to take my Magsesium as well as my Calcium, D3, Gluocosamine and Fish Oil. Had to get a granny style weekly pill organizer !!! If nothing else, hopefully my bones are staying strong.
I havn't swung a golf club since we we're in AZ in Nov. Probably should atleast hit the range soon.
All for now at work typing on my BB !!!0 -
Carol...We'll keep our fingers crossed that the Arimidex works for you! In the meantime, get those clubs cleaned up and ready. Spring is on the way!
Rita
0 -
Finally, I found this thread. I kept looking in the chemo forum and couldn't find it anywhere. I'm about to start CMF next Monday. My onco score was low (14), but since my tumor size was high (2.6) and my age at diagnosis is young (40), I decided I wanted the insurance policy. My doc recommended CMF because of its low risk of long term damage and tolerable short term side effects (according to her--we'll have to see about that).
I am about to wade through the 100+ pages of this thread, but first wanted to ask if anyone has done the regimen I am going to do: an infusion of CMF every 3 weeks for 6 weeks. It seems most people are doing it over a six month period and getting more frequent dosages.
0 -
Hi Samian40! Welcome to the CMF world. I am on the weekly six month schedule - all these oncl. has their own concoctions it would seem.
Today I finished 8 out of 24, so I am 1/3 thru.
Carol - hope the Arimidex works for you - I had to get the geriatric pill organizer too. WOW didn't see that coming when I turned 44.
Everyone else - hope you are all doing well.
Carol and I woke up to snow in Seattle - really looking forward to spring!
Susan
0 -
Hi Samiam
I get CMF every 3 weeks like you are. My onc suggested 8 doses, but 6 is also usual. I don't know what info you want, but I have had 5 doses so far and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have either by message or on this thread.
This is a lucky thread. The gals who had CMF a couple of years ago, still write in to support the newbies like you and me.
Let me know if I can answer anything
Mandy
0 -
I pm'd you both, but I guess I'm just wondering what other wonderful side effects I have to look forward to. I've been warned about nausea, fatigue and hair thinning. What other goodies can I expect? Also, does the nausea and fatigue set in immediately, or does it take a couple days like I've read about with other chemo regimes?
Mandy, do you get it by IV? No one mentioned anything about port placement so I guess I won't be needing one of those? BTW Congrats on being over 1/2 done!
0 -
Samiam....I also did the 6 IV treatments of CMF, 3 weeks apart. Since I also did radiation due to a lumpectomy, they stopped after my 4th infusion to do the radiation. Then I came back and finished the last two treatments. I started the treatments in January 2007 and finished up with everything (radiation included) in late August 2007. Now I am taking Arimidex,
Like you, I was given the choice of chemo or no chemo. I chose to take the CMF chemo because I knew that if I had a recurrence and had not done the chemo, I'd always have wondered if it could have been prevented. Now I know that I did everything available to me at the time to stop the beast. I am glad that I did the 6 treatment regiment.
I had no port. With the treatments being 3 weeks apart, my veins held out pretty good and yours will probably do the same. The treatment itself is noneventful and if you squelch any side effects before they happen, the whole experience is very doable. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. We're not too far away. I'm in Bloomington, IL and we make it to your fair city at least once a year....often to a Cardinal/Cub ballgame. However, I imagine that you and I would be rooting or opposite teams! LOL
Hang in there hon. Now that you have made your decision, things will seem less stressful for you. HUGS!
Rita
0 -
i am an IV CMF veteran from back in the day (1997). i took it following dose dense adriamycin, so for me, CMF was a walk in the park. i felt SO much better than on the adria, and my hair started to grow back while on the CMF. the adria was so terrible that i cannot even remember any ill effects from the CMF. i felt like i had gotten my life back! best of luck to you!
0 -
Wow roachrp, you got hit hard if you had both dose dense adriamycin and CMF! I feel for you, but it looks like it worked and that's what we want! Best of luck to you, too. Stop by often and post. It's so encouraging to hear success stories and I'm sure you have a lot to share.
Rita
0 -
Hey RitaJean, I too live in Bloomington Normal and am having 5 of 6 CMF treatments. I have not losted my hair but would like to color it. Do you know if you can color your hair during this time? thanks. have not came across any posts
0 -
Tammy...hey neighbor! Are you having your treatments at the cancer center in Normal? I colored my hair all the way through the treatments and had no problems. You are about done with the chemo! YEA! How has it treated you?
If you would like to PM me with some contact info, I will give you a call and we can chat. There are a few bc ladies from the area that meet for lunch or dinner every so often. It's always a fun night out and everyone can vent. We're of all different ages but all share this unfortunate challenge.
Will you be doing radiation after your chemo or taking an AI?
Hope to hear from you again,
Rita
0 -
I am. Dr Migas is my doc and I do adore him. I do have radiation next 6 weeks 5 times a week and the herceptin for another 8 months and theen Tamosifin or something else, the name I am unsure of. I would love to get together and chat. I work so dinner would be better for me. What kind of color did you do? Permannet, semi, bleach etc? did you do it yourself or have in done in a salon. thanks for answering my question....
0 -
Tammy,
My beautician did the permanent color. Then she highlighted it about a week later.
We have the same oncologist. In fact, I go to see him in a couple of weeks.
I have sent you a private message. To collect this message, go to the discussion boards and click on the private message section of the title bar that goes across the top. It is the last box.
Rita
0 -
I just wanted to briefly thank everyone who has pm'd me and posted here with info and advice about CMF. My father passed away after a long illness yesterday, so I won't be on the boards much for the next couple days, but I'm still planning to start CMF on Monday and will read everyone's advice more carefully in a few days when my head is clearer. I sincerely appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences.
0 -
Oh samiam..........I am so sorry to hear about your father. This is a very trying time for you. I relate so well as I lost my mother between my second and third chemos. It gives perfect credence to the old saying,"When it rains, it pours." Somehow we get through and go on. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of sorrow and stress. Hang in there.
Hugs....
Rita
0 -
Samiam - I am also sorry to hear about your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Let us know how it goes on Monday.
Susan
0 -
I had a question, does staging matter with CMF? Can someone with stage III be put on CMF? I am going with my sister to her 2nd opinion dr tomorrow and have been reading up on this chemo treatment, so any help would be appreciated.
Samian, I am so sorry for your loss.
0 -
Karma76, there are some stage II women on this board, so I think the answer is yes, stage II patients can use CMF. I think stage III's can too. From what I can tell, it seems like each oncologist has their favorite treatment plan.
You are great to go with your sister. It is really helpful to have someone there to take notes. My husband came with me, but my sister, who has a Phd in Pharmacy and is married to a plastic surgeon flew up for my appts and it was a huge help.
Susan
0 -
She I believe is stage IIIc at this point only due to the axillary nodes checking out positive (more than 10 sadly) Was not anywhere else and the tumor was little larger than 2 cm (I believe) and only in one breast (just not sure if that is cm but i assume). I will have all the details tomorrow. Her original oncologist was terrible...basically she felt good that day because she knew all the other scans came back good, just needed her nodes to check out in some way shape or form. She knew she axillary had her nodes out and that meant the sentinel tested positive, but hopefully it would be better news.
The oncologist walks in does not even have her file and says, it bad it's real bad...then says hold on let me get your file, then calls in another clinician to read the report.....she was miserable. Then told her mastectomy was going to happen in 2 weeks, Like hold your horses, she already told this oncologist that she was going to seek a second regardless when she met with her 2 weeks ago. The place she was going was not known for it's cancer care and we have incredible hospitals where we are, she was only suggested to this oncologist based on where she was dx so she could go through her scans to get it all going. She knows the mastectomy is most likely going to happen at some point regardless of 1st, 2nd or 3rd opinion, which she is honestly okay with the chemo part scares the crap out of her the most. I have read up on this chemo and have seen it takes longer, but that it appears to be somewhat manageable and lower dose. I also know that it is just hair, but I can not lie the fact that is causes thinning as opposed to losing it all i think would really help her emotionally a great deal, especially if she is getting a double mastectomy at 31 years old. So any advice is appreciated. I also know she is young so she wants to attack this, I do I get that and she does too but she is very very emotional right now so any bit of treatment that could make this easier on her.. I have to ask and look into, so I really appreciate any information on this or other treatments like this.
0 -
Karma76 - Your sister has really had an awful experience, not that having BC is ever a good experience, but seriously, that doc has no tact.
You will want to know the hormone status of the tumor (estrogen, progesterone and Her2 status).
All of this goes into the big decision. SO HAPPY you have a second opinion.
Please keep in touch.
0 -
Hi Karma..
So sorry to hear about the crummy oncologist with a bad attitude..not needed at all..time for a new one...
I saw three surgeons and two radiologists and three oncologists...you have to get someone you can
work with, or your sister does in this case...
I was 2B...and had six months of CMF...eight years ago now..
The hardest part is getting the treatment plan in order this means getting doctors you can work with and the information you need to make educated decisions...
This means taking one step at a time...This is also not a race...take the time to make good decisions...
sending hugs to you and your sister..
0 -
Karma, my oncologist told me that 6 CMF treatments are equally effective to 4 AC treatments. However, CMF chemo has been around for a long time and most oncologists usually suggest the newer regiments, especially for young gals or gals with stage 2 or stage 3. There is so much to consider. Some stage 2 gals do CMF if the grade of their tumor is 1. The grade refers to how fast the tumor cells are dividing and multiplying....how aggressive the tumor is. I'm not really sure why they hesitate to give CMF to aggressive tumors at the later stages. Each oncologist has his or her own comfort level with the types of chemo. Getting a second opinion will give you a better idea of what will work best.
Hugs to you both you and your sister.
Rita
0 -
Thank you both!!! Yea this oncologist was awful, but she just wanted to get all her scans done and THEN get her 2nd. Her surgeon though was fantastic....and has been fantastic through all of this. He talked to her the day after her meeting with the nice oncologist because she was getting her staples out and he was going over what he knew, she said he explained things so well and did not treat her like an idiot, but also did not put anything in a way to make her feel like she was hopeless, he calmed her although he did not tell her anything different about the nodes and such. Luckily I work in healthcare and contacted my friend who has a connection within the breast cancer center, so she is meeting with the best. Now will the hormone status be a test, if so do they retest the tumor sample or is it done some other way? I just want to give her something to feel even a little better about...I think if CMF is a possible option for her, she would feel a little better. I just wake up daily and think oh my god this is not a dream,and feel sick...so I know she must wake up worse and that pains me.
0 -
Hi Karma!
I am so sorry to hear about your sister. Before I decided on my treatment plan, I had a full second consultatoin at a different cancer center. My home center is in Philadelphia and I went to Boston for full consults--with surgeon, oncologist and radiation oncologist. I would think that you sister might want to do the same. Each cancer center has it way of looking at things and it is surprising how differently doctos will handle things. Like Lisa, I ended up seeing 3 oncologists, 3 radiation oncologists, and 4 surgeons.
It is likely that the docs will suggest chemo, radiation, and surgery but your sister will need to find docs who listen to her and who she can talk to. After her second opionion, she will be in a better position to know what kinds of things are being considered. And even if CMF is not one of the chemos, you can come right back to this thread and tell us what is going on.
When they test your sister's tumor, they will do the estrogen, progesteron, her2 tests routinely. They will also grade your sister's tumor--grade 1, 2, or 3....that will tell them how quickly the tumor is growing. They may do some other testing as well and you and your sister could ask what tests will be done and you also can ask for copies of the pathology reports so you can read them if you want to.
There are alot of things they can do to help your sister so just take the time to get the opinions that she needs for her decision.
Hugs to you and your sister.
Mandy
0 -
Good morning everyone!
Carol...how's it going on the Arimidex? Any noticeable changes? Better? Worse? I've been thinking about you and hoped to see a weekend post from you. I'm hoping that no post means you were running around having one heck of a good time.
Hugs to everyone! I have a free day and need to get something accomplished around here. I'll be back later. Some of you have been missing in action lately and I'm hoping to see a post from you.
Take care, gals!
Rita
0 -
Rita ... had a crazy busy weekend ... my ds had a local skate meet ... I was a placement judge for the event. Early get-ups ... and long days.
I also spent the last few evenings trying to compose my fundraising letter for my 3-Day Walk ... my brain was mush trying to come up with the right words !!! Could have used your help !!!
Today is day 7 on Arimidex ... no luck as of yet although I realize it will take more than a week to probably see any improvement. Will be getting my almost weekly massage tonight ... she has been working on my tendon in my forearms, hoping that it might help with my elbows.
I am starting to seriously consider trying accupuncture ... if I get brave enough I think I'll atleast make a call for a consult.
Karma, looks like your getting some good info from the gals here, if I think of anything to add, I'll chime in.
Samian ... good luck to you today ... it's nice to get that first txt under your belt. Remember to drink, drink, drink your H20.
Susan, name the time and place, and hopefully we can make something work. BTW ... you'd be good to go for the 3-Day, its not until September. You seem to be doing so well, and even with my having a few more issues (GI distress during chemo), and a pretty tough go of radiation, I was still able to make the 60 miles.
Okay, sorry for a shorty post ... at work but wanted to atleast check in!
0
