CMF Question
Comments
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Cabmom,
You may be retiring for the night and will not read this email before going there tomorrow, and I hope you sleep well. I wanted to make a remark about the Decadron. It's steroids and has its own side effects. I suggest you ask your doctor if it is necessary, because I think you (and all of us) can manage without it. I am not getting decadron because I am a borderline diabetic, yet I have minimal SE's and am doing just fine. I still don't understand why it's necessary with CMF, while I understand why they would give it with more toxic treatments. So just ask your doctor, OK?
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Elisheva,
Exact same advice I gave Cabmom in a PM. I, too, did without Decadron and did just fine without it. They supposedly worry about an allergic reaction- but it's rare with CMF and there are other ways of controlling a reaction should it happen. I, too, don't understand why it's automatically given as a matter of routine, often with little patient consultation or explanation of the SEs. I never even knew I was being given it. I had a rare adverse reaction to decadron when I went through A/C back in 2000. So it was pulled after my first treatment and even with the stronger chemo, I did fine with other antiemetics. Bit of a sore spot with me. Steroids can produce a bit of false euphoria for the first 48 hours and in my grumpier moods, I wonder if it's used more as a patient pacifier than anything else.
BUT- this note is just to wish Cabmom an easy day, getting over the first treatment, the scariest one and hope we hear from her soon...
-julieb
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Hi Gals!
Idon't know what made me do this, but today I looked back at some of my posts when I was having chemo and rads and last year. It is funny, I had a rough period that I don't even remember now....funny how the mind is. But I don't know how I would ever have gotten through this without your support, suggestions, and kindness and although I've said it before, I wanted to thank you again. You gals are the best!!!
Many hugs
Mandy
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Hello Ladies! Well I survived my first treatment and went very well. I know that the good feeling that I feel right now.....probably won't last and that there will probably be some tough days ahead but for now, I'm feeling okay. No nausea just being a little with what I eat because I do feel a little weird just mostly tired. Thanks to all of you for the prayers and thoughts today.....it meant so much and thankfully I made it fine!!!!! Thanks to all.......
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Cabmom: One down, you're on your way!!! Good for you!!!
Sending hugs.
Mandy
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Cabmom .... whoooo-hoooo, your off and running gal. Glad to read that your txt was went well, no unexpected twists or turns ! Sleep well and carry-on tomorrow. Your armed and dangerous with tips to breeze through the days ahead.
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YAY! So glad to hear that your 1st tx went well... It IS doable!!
Sending more prayers that you will continue to do great...
Harley
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Cabmom .... did we get a scrip for anti nausea meds so you can take something at home ??? Stay ahead of any yucking feeling ... atleast for me it did help to keep just a little something in my tummy. I was able to take Zofran (which did not cause any drowsiness) on a daily basis and continue to work. I know that some of the nausea meds (I think Compazine) may cause some drowsiness.
Oh, peppermint or ginger tea was also soothing at times along with ALL that H20 !!!
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So I'm off this morning for my 3 mo check, will be hoping to schedule my Mamo and MRI on ol' lefty before year end. As well I'll be asking for an updated blood draw to check cholesteral (since the AI can be rather unkind to those levels), my hormone levels (I don't care to be surprised by Aunt what her name), and my Vit D levels.
Now I can't remember whom I've chatted and where I've posted, but my "big" news is that I'm going forth with a reconstruction surgery. I am a candidate for the DIEP flap surgery and currently have a surgery date of 14 Jan. It's a healthy surgery with a 4 to 5 day hospital stay and appx 6 to 8 week recovery .... whew !!!!! At age 46, I've decided that I've got alot of years that I'd like to have some sense of symetry. I think having to wear that darn prothesis in my bathing suit this past summer put me over the edge.
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Cabmom...so glad that all went well! Take it easy for a few days and you'll be back to normals shortly. One down............YEA!
Carol...how exciting! It sounds like that's a rough surgery but you're right. You have lots of years left and you might as well look GOOD!
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Way to go cabman..you are now on the path taking those steps...
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Carol: the results on diep are terrific and worth the surgery. You are young and have alot of years to enjoy your new look. We here will have our fingers and toes crossed and send healing vibes to you in January.
Mandy
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Ladies, Good morning to all. I'm doing well except for just a couple issues, first since it's 4:30 a.m. here, I can't sleep and secondly, I'm having a few stomach issues, which hopefully I'm taking care of today. Other than that, so far no other complaints. Hope all is well with everyone else.
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Cabmom...sleeping can be a problem from the steroids. I never took anything for my sleeping problems....just toughed them out and eventually they went away but I know several of the other gals took something so they got plenty of sleep. I know a few of them will pop on and tell you what they found to help them. In the meantime, I'm glad you're still doing well! Hang in there!
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Cabmom, as Rita mentioned your sleep may still be disturbed if you did have a steriod in your drip for a night or two. Yes, I am the Lorazepam gal, and I'd ask your onc for some type of sleep aid if it truly could be a problem (such as you need to be alert for work, etc).
Not knowing what you tummy issues are ... something else that did come up a bit for me was some heartburn type feeling in my tummy (I've never had heartburn before, but I think that is what you'd call it). A little PepCid type stuff might be of help. Remember that for some of us, 48hrs after infusion day was typically the worst ... with that said, hopefully your on the swing to feeling better.
Remind me ... are you doing all three drugs via infusions ???
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golfer779, yes I am doing all three drugs IV and I probably didn't explain it very well but it's like I could be sick at any moment. The constipation has subsided thanks to some meds in the early morning hours (not completely but much better). I also have had a little heartburn but that's gone away on it's own.......I hope tomorrow is not worse but if it is, it will get better eventually. I'm trying to complain too much because I know it could be much worse and if the icky sick throw up kind of feeling would go away now everything would be okay......just wishing I guess
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Cabmom....sucking on lemon drops helped me with that icky stomach issue. You might give it a try.
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Cabmom ... what did they give you for that "throw up at any minute feeling" ????? I'd continue to take it for a bit .... so is your next infusion in like 3 weeks ??? Hoping your feeling a better tomorrow and can enjoy the weekend.
Be well my CMF friends !!!!
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Good morning Ladies.....well it's Sunday morning around 5:15 a.m. and up again but I'm feeling better (so far) than I have the last two days. I'm hoping today will be a good day. They first game me compazine then they gave me Kytril. Haven't taken the Kytril yet as I was doing some better without it so I figured I'd wait until next time. Yes, my next infusion is 3 weeks out (probably right about the time I feel normal again
)! I did try the lemon drops (helped) and also some peppermint (also helped). All the water about sent me over the edge and made me feel more sick. Thankfully, the nurse said I could start backing off from that but to try to eat and stay hydrated, which is hard to do but trying. I think today will be better.......Hope everyone has a blessed day! 0 -
I hope it is o.k. to post on here about CMF.
My oncologist has not used this particular chemo. but is willing to look into it. I am Her2+ and would get a year of Herceptin. She is going to look into studies and research. My aunt used this combo. in California and is doing well now, 10 years later.
Ang
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Good question Ang .... hopefully some of our Her2+ gals will pipe in here.
Have you by any chance looked at the boards that might be specific to Her2+, and surveryed to see if any of them have done CMF. Hope you get the answers you need ... I love that your onc is "willing" to look into other options !!! Hang in there .... Carol
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Pamspromise, Just wondering if your chemo is complete and how you are feeling? I've missed you on the boards for a while and just didn't know how you were doing. I just started on Nov 4th and thankful to have one down, 5 to go. I'm praying they pass fast for other than a nausea for several days, I seem to be doing okay. Also, I found it hard to sleep for the first few days but I'm getting another hour these last two days....so YEAH! Hoping that continues to improve as well.
Ladies, I was finally able to eat yesterday without any problem. Good and bad I suppose, good that I was able to eat and not feel sick, bad in that I need to get off these extra pounds that I added due to stress of finding out I have cancer. Anyway, I'll take it, it was a miserable feeling not being able to eat hardly anything.
Hope everyone is well. And Ang7, I'm fairly new to the board myself so I'm not sure about the relationship of HER+ to CMF but these ladies on this thread are great and if there's anyone out there that can help, they will. Don't give up....also do lots of your own research, I found out the hard way that's the best way to go but using this board to find out is also smart. I was able to learn and trust more here than most any of the other websites available. Everyone here cares because everyone is in the same boat. Good luck!
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Cabmom....glad that you're back to eating and glad that some of our suggestions helped with your nausea. As for the extra pounds, don't even worry about them until you are finished with the treatments. Just eat what tastes good. You will have lots of time to get those pounds off later.
Ang7....welcome to the CMF thread. I don't think I' know of anybody who's Her2+ that's done CMF but (as golfer suggested) you might find somebody on the Her2+ thread. I think you have a good onc if he/she is willing to check into some different options for you.
Hi to all of you gals! I wasn't on the computer much this weekend. The weather here was unusually gorgeous for this time of year so I golfed and we attacked all the leaves in the yard, which is quite a job when you live in a little wooded area.
I hope everyone is doing well!
Rita
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for what it is worth, I used a compazine suppository to
help with my tummy problems..that way the meds did
not have to go thru my stomach to be absorbed..
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Thanks SoCalLisa for the info. I'll probably ask about that as well. I can't believe how good I am feeling. I go for my blood test tomorrow and hoping all is well.....hope everyone is doing great. Hey, am I the only one on CMF at the moment on this thread? I was thinking there was a couple more but I could be wrong. Good night all!
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Hi Gals!
It is just over a year since I had my first CMF (November 11 was the day). It is amazing how far I have come in that year. Thanksgiving will have special meaning to me this year.
Cabmom: I am so glad to hear that you are doing well after your first CMF. Hopefully you will be one of the gals who breeze through.
Hugs to all.
Mandy
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Hi, Everybody!
I haven't been here in awhile but wanted to stop in and tell everyone that I just had my last CMF treatment on 11/9, which was also my birthday. My family took me out to celebrate, more for the chemo than my b-day...LOL!
I stopped taking the Decadron after my 2nd treatment because I am diabetic and it would really spike my blood sugar. It also kept me awake at night. I did fine without it. Never had to take my anti-nausea meds throughout my 6 cycles. I was losing a lot of hair, so I cut it short, but nobody noticed it. They would only notice the strands of hair on my back if I wore anything dark...LOL! I wonder how long it takes before it stops falling out.
I still have to go through 6 or 7 weeks of radiation, but I have a break in between. We are hoping to relocate to West Knoxville, TN, so not sure where I will be for the rads. The transfer is taking so long, I'll probably still be here (Fort Lauderdale, FL).
Anyway, you have all been great. I wish you all well. I will stop in now and again to see how you are all doing.
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YEA Susan.............no mo' CHEMO! It is so good to hear from you. It sounds like you did pretty well with the CMF. I think you will find the rads even easier. Please keep in touch!
Mandy....gosh it doesn't seem like it's been a year! We do have alot to be thankful for now, don't we? I am so glad that you're getting your life back together and all is going well for you. Every year is indeed a milestone. Hugs!
Cabmom............are you still doing O.K?
Rita
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Congratulaions Susan! I'm happy for you, and wish you all the best when you move to a new home.
I am almost done - just one more round at the end of this month. Can't wait. Also am aware that more is to come - radiation etc. but am taking this one thing at a time. I was thinking lately that we have fewer newcomers on this board. It seems that fewer oncologists go for CMF. I'm so convinced that if CMF works for early, clean-nodes cancer, then why should they object their patients to some toxic and disabling treatments? Beats me. For instance, I re-visited the thread for women starting chemo in July, and noticed that I was the only one there doing CMF, no matter the diagnosis. Don't you agree that patients should take more interest in their condition, educate themselves and have more to say in the matter? For instance, I have a colleague who went through this a couple of years ago. She didn't even know what chemo she had. Left everything in the hands of her husband who is a physician (a veterinarian, for God's sake!) That's ridiculous.
Ok, that was my two cents. Best of luck to cabmom, and I hope all of you will be doing well forever. Elisheva.
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SusanFL, Congratulations on your last treatment! I am so happy for you.....
elisheva, I agree with you it is crazy that people don't do more research or maybe they do and just feel more comfortable with whatever their doctor tells them. I just wasn't one of those people, I wanted and needed all my questions answered and that unfortunately upsets some doctors. Some get angry when you ask for second opinions.....I think everyone should have as many opinions as they feel they need to make their decisions. Now, that was my two cents
! Have you had a lot of side effects? Ritajean, I am doing great. After I got over the nausea......thinks went fine. Can't tell I've had any hair loss, not sure when to expect that or what to expect but I'm hoping for the best.
Hope everyone else is fine.
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