Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Cupcake,
It sounds so good to read your words again -- I was Stage III and am now cancer-free. That is so wonderful.
Usually the radiation doesn't have any side effects until the beginning of the third week....and, I was just dragging. Nothing else. But was working full-time and just almost in tears every evening b/c I was so tired. Like your arm gets when you're painting a ceiling -- my whole body was wasted. I am lucky to have a sweet husband who has shopped, cooked, served me in bed, and cleaned up the kitchen. Then, the next morning I'm ready to go again. I loved the people at the Radiation clinic so much I miss them. Crazy to have looked forward each day to something like that.
Thanks for your encouragement -- I"m just being impatient I think.
Blessings, Bethany
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Hi Ladies-
May I join this camping group? I have lurked here for quite awhile as my treatment is ALMOST the same. Only difference is that instead of taxotere, I am on Abraxane which is taxotere in a different form. Actually, I feel kinda lucky because there is some kind of natural enzyme in Abraxane that makes it water soluable. As a result, I don't have to have the steroids. My Onco. was able to get this for me (it's usually only approved for mets) due to pre existing nerve issues that could be further complicated by steroids. My schedule differs as well..3 weeks on, 1 off for 4 cycles. Lower dose to further avoid complications as I also had a very bad post op infection. And of course there's Herceptin weekly now- every 3 after chemo. So, I belong here right? Basically the same meds?
I have found these boards to help me beyond my wildest dreams. When my hair started falling out on Thursday and more on Friday, I went straight for the shave - complete credit for my abilility to do so goes to my sisters here. Seriously, when I told my Mom, kids etc. that I had done that, they of course were very sympathetic but wondered whether I had jumped the gun so to speak. I knew from those who have gone before me that this is what would work best for me. I can't really explain it but to say that I felt a peculiar strength in one of my most vulnerable moments of this breast cancer journey to date.
LOVE LOVE traveling this road with my internet sisters and owe my ability to do so as sanely as possible to you all!
Ellen
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Rockstarmom: I had them the last of my TX's but there is really nothing to do for them. I used old fashion Vicks to sooth the lining. When you are done with chemo they will go away. It's just the lining in your nose that has cells that divide that get hit. When I woke up in the morning it was all plugged up. You are normal so don't worrry.
Lucy: I am going in to have a saline implant in a year following this radiation I'm on. I did the research and for me it was the best. The silicon ones if they leak they have a gel that is hard to clean out and you won't know if they do right off where a saline is just salt water and if it leaks no big deal and nothing to clean up. I investigated into the flap, but you have to have a good blood supply to the flap to work and I didn't. I did not want to take the flap off the back cause that muscle is suppose to be back there and not transplanted to the front. I would suggest for you to get "A woman's decision by Karen Berger and John Bostwick III MD. A very good guide to see which one would be best for you. By the way, don't know what size you are, but they fix the other side to match...
Magnola: Love the name...Most infusion places have drinks for you and a refrigerator if you want chips. I took a movie, but was so busy watching everything and visiting the time was up before I knew it. Your movies is a good choice. I took my cell phone and caught up on my calls. You know that raggy ol personal phone book you have that you have always wanted to update and put numbers in a new one, but never had the time well...Perfect time to do it. The blankets were warmed up in my place. Didn't mind having a clean one thrown on my feet. Once you get one TX under your belt you will feel much better.
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For some reason my computer does not want me to post a reply since this is the 3rd time I have written this. Anyway, I totally understand the fears that you are having--it's normal. I told my husband the other day that since my diagnosis I have overcome 3 huge hurdles--surgery, 1st TX and head buzzed. I am fine now, but the fear and emotions are real. I have learned to turn everything over to the Lord in prayer.
I use Ayr nasal gel for my nose. I don't have nose bleeds, but a little bloody when I blow my nose, You can use the Gel Swabs or Gel in a tube--applied with a Q-tip. Speaking of the nose, has anyone experienced smell changes?
I will have a silicone implant put in to replace my expander--can't wait. The expander has been more aggrevating than the surgery or chemo side effects. When it's all over, I will have a perky left boob to match the implant side--there is some good in all of this.
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Good Evening Ladies. My goodness.....101 pages??? ReKoz....it looks like you are from Long Island too. Not too many of us New Yorkers here, but TCH is becoming more widely used in this region of the country, so hopefully some more will sign on. Welcome to all the new campers. I am just crashing very hard this last TX #6. I was doing O.K., until yesterday and now I think my poor body has had enough and it's insisting that I rest, rest, rest. Funny, but I cannot sleep, yet I have NO energy. It is only day 6, so I'm hoping that I will have a nice rebound by the end of the week. My hubby is home from work this week and the kids are off from school, so I'm grateful that he's here to drive them to their activities and do the cooking. The cravings have started again....this morning it was cantaloupe and this afternoon it was a piece of vanilla buttercream cake. I will be glad when these silly cravings are done.
I think I will go curl up and watch a movie....
Stay strong, my friends. There WILL be an end to this crazy chemo and then you can kick back and relax, knowing that you made it through to the other end.
Much love,
Anne
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Hi Ellen - welcome. I'm also on Abraxane, Carboplatin and Herceptin.
Happy belated Valentine's day to everyone. Today is family day in Ontario so I took a short road trip with my family to Buffalo this weekend and we spent the night and did some shopping. So sad when we arrived at the hotel to see TV camera crews and lots of people wearing NTSB jackets. Unknown to us, the recent plane crash in Buffalo was just a few short miles from the hotel.
Treatment #6 is tomorrow. I'm feeling kinda blue since I had a great time this weekend. It always seems that when I get back to "normal", I have a week or more in bed to look forward to. I'd like to think it's my last treatment (or so my oncologist says) but I've been down this road before and my oncologist is known to change her mind about chemo at the last minute. I've had about as much of carboplatin as I can handle. Each time I do chemo, it makes me less and less tolerant of feeling like crap.
I also found out at my last hospital visit that the government wants to stop paying for my Herceptin. So, if I decide to stop active chemo, I'll be walking out the door with NOTHING since I'm not ER/PR+ and can't get tamoxifin. My oncologist is outraged since she thinks Herceptin has played a large part in my survival to date. It almost seems unethical to me. We'll see how it goes.
Yeah, I guess I'm feeling kinda blue. I wish I could see an end to this crazy chemo...but for me it just goes on and on and on....
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Another chemo milestone passed - I took my last Neupogen shot yesterday. Still feeling kind of crumby today.
Magnola, they will probably have ice chips. My infusion room has ice chips and small selection of drinks (juice or soda) and snacks (saltine and graham crackers and pudding or jello cups). They also have blankets from a warmer though I have seen someone bring their own afgan. I use their blankets and occasionally a pillow - I trust them to have a proper washing service.
I bring whatever snacks and drinks I prefer. I don't want to rely on their limited selection especially since I don't drink soda and don't like canned juices. I also bring my laptop with a power cord. I didn't need benedryl so I was awake for my treatments. I worked on my laptop. I've had offers of people to go with me, but since I felt good during treatment and needed to take time off on some other days, I preferred to use treatment time as work time.
Paula I haven't heard anything to do about the nosebleeds. Mine mostly just bled when I blew it.
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Evening Ladies. My, has this been an active thread today! Welcome to the new campers, sorry you are here, but you have come to the right place. It is so wonderful to read the posst from the newbies with just one treatment under their belts, and already they are turning into to counselors to help those getting ready for their first tx! Rock on girls!!!
Like my2boys, #6 has just beat me to no end. I cannot sleep and I am just exhausted. I have also had some stomach upset that is unusual. I had a hard day at work today too and I just want to go to sleep.
My biggest tip for chemo is take a laptop if you have one.
Mason: I hope you and your onc can fight the system and keep the herceptin, you are in my prayers.
I will check in more in the morning!
Camp on ladies.
Lisa
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Hi ladies, I'm cross posting from the Feb 2009 thread as I'm a newbie to the board here. I'm a little intimidated by the length of these threads, there are so many responses but I am in the TCH treatment plan group so I guess this is the place for me. I started chemo last Friday (13th) & am "ok". Still tired & sick feeling. Not too nauseous though. I have the big chemo every three weeks with the Herceptin in between (Herceptin for a full year). Radiation will follow chemo. I'm a full time mom to 2 beautiful little girls (ages 5 & 3), part time work at home Mom, though I'm on a medical leave right now. I had a bilateral Mastectomy last month with tissue expanders put in. I still don't understand all the terminology, as far as ER/PR/HER goes. I know I'm not positive for the BRCA 1 or 2 genes though....at least mostly. Part of it was inconclusive, like they hadn't figured something out yet but they told me not to be concerned now. Whatever, no one in my family has had breast cancer so this was totally unexpected & shocking to us. I am 38. My husband has been very supportive, he's of the mind that we'll do whatever it takes to get me healthy & doesn't really care if I have boobs or not. lol I found the lump myself last September & it went from there. I'm just glad I pointed it out to my OB because my cancer is aggressive. I had an excisional biopsy at the end of October on the right side of my left breast, it was less than 2 cm. They didn't touch the lump on the left side of my left breast though until my Mastectomy and that sucker was 11 CM!!! Thus, I went from stage 1 to stage 3. Crazy. My right breast was cancer free but I still had the bilateral mastectomy because I just didn't want to risk ever having to go through this again. If I can at all avoid it, you know?
I wasn't sure where to introduce myself but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now. Very tired, very emotional, very weepy. Just wanted to get in touch with others who understand it all. Thanks.
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Welcome to Camp, newbies! It sounds like lot has been going on with everyone today. Is it a full moon? I had my herceptin infusion and asked for extra saline as I have been feeling terrible and thought I might be dehydrated. it took a bit longer but I really didn't mind as I was so tired I just wanted to rest.
I also wanted to mention that my onc advised I use little neosporin in my nostrils to help with the nosebleeds. Haven't had any since I started that.
Mason, I hope that everything works out with your herceptin. Keep fighting the good fight and it will. It is so unfair to have to fight for care when you are sick!
Seems that tx #4 is the gift that keeps on giving as I still feel like**** 8 days later and every day is something new. These power surge hot flashes are the pits. I go from freezing cold to burning hot and sticking my bald head in the freezer.LOL
It is enough to make me crazier than I already feel right now!!!!!!
Well, nobody said that Camp was ALWAYS fun. I used to hate it when it rained.....but we campers always had each other...and the great camp songs to keep our spirits up, same as here.
Thanks for listening.
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Hi to all Chemo Campers! I just spent about an hour skimming through all the posts I've missed - it's too bad that this has to be such a heavily-visited site, but it's also so wonderful to see such a courageous, generous group of women sharing so much of themselves with each other. I finished chemo on July 22 - will finish Herceptin in April.
Helen, In October, I had the same recon you're doing - implant on one side and a lift on the other. I'm so happy with the results - the implant side is a little smaller and higher, but in clothes, it looks great. And the lift is amazing! You'll love it.
Kristine, your letter really touched me. Tired, emotional, and weepy - I remember that so well from my surgery/treatment days. Your husband sounds like a sweetie - best wishes to you and your family as you go through treatment. You'll find so many wonderful new friends here to help you along the way.
Cupcake and Carolyn: Hi to both of you and glad to see you both doing so well. Cupcake, your story has been so amazing - how wonderful to have your tumor go awol! You both are so welcoming and reassuring to the women who come here - bless you both.
Hi Bethany! Always great to see you!
I need to update the photo - I saw some friends today for the first time since I've been going out with the short 'do, and got lots of compliments (and I'm even getting used to the silver-grey color.)
Hang in there everybody - this is such a wonderful group - I feel honored to be able to come back and see how everybody is doing.
Sue
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Thanks to all you experienced campers for the caring advice, encouragement, and support. This group is amazing. Your energy to care for others as you go through this is inspiring.
rockstarmom I followed your lead and got my hair cut real short. Thanks to you and others for provided the push to do it. Much to my amazement, it is chic and everyone loves it, including me. Now I am dropping short hairs, rather than that long mess, but am feeling so much more prepared for the next step in the hair saga.
This site sure is busy! I have been reading twice a day, but not posting because I have been feeling so good and trying to pack a lot in before my next round of chemo. No symptoms for a week except for very mild headaches and the beginnings of hair loss. I hope all of you newbies who are following me read that. It is possible to have very good days. I wouldn't have imagined that.
Are any of you doing acupuncture? My onc recommended it, so I started just before I had surgery and have continued for chemo. I think it helps. I did it during menopause to get rid of hot flashes/waking up at night. It worked great then and I am hoping it will help during this stretch of chemo and also for what I do after, since I am ER+.
I start Decadron in the morning to prep for Tx2 on Wednesday. I am both more anxious and less anxious than I was for the first round.
What is Magic Mouthwash? Is that what it is really called? How does one find it?
M.E. (my initials, but that's what folks call me--pronounced like Emmy)
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M.E. Magic Mouthwash is what it is called and it is a prescription you onc can get for you. It only last for the treatment and has to be in the fridge. They mix it up for you. It does work though. I only had them one TX and not bothered again.
Sueand Beth: So good to see you guys come back. Carolyn and I are just about to leave as we can see the counselors taking their place in helping the newbies and the round begins once again. They in turn will leave and the newbies today will be the camp counselors for the new ones behind them as us guys were for me.
Kristine: Welcome and you will be bunking in cabin with the other newbies. Your counselors are amazing and will be there for anything you need to know.
Cheryl: You are so brave battling this cancer for 6 years. Your picture looks like you have a lovely family. I am sooooo sorry they won't pay for your Herceptin anymore. That is awful and wonder if they would make that decision if it was THEIR mother needing it. Policy making people sometimes don't have a clue. There must be some organizaton out there that can help you.
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Lucy, I know this is probably too late for your stomach cramps but I thought I would say this in case it happens again or if someone else has it bad. I woke up one morning and my stomach was cramping like crazy. It lasted all day long and I would try to eat but it just made things worse. I tried Gas X and a little soda pop but nothing would help. I decided to chew some gum. I don't normally chew gum but I did and I got the best relief from that. I guess I had some gas but the gum chewing was not putting anything in my stomach but it causes your stomach to think it is and it then digests what you have in there. My reasoning with NO scientific explanation. It happened to me again a few weeks later and the gum did the trick again and I never had it again. I don't know what caused it since I had not done anything different.
Bethany it is good to see you again. I am finishing radiation too and then just Herceptin until June.
Cheryl, I am sorry you may not get the Herceptin but I will keep you in my prayers. Maybe you will get to take it.
Welcome to all the newbies. Yes there are some great counselors here. I can say if one has not experienced something another has. Someone will come to your rescue. I do still look in everyday. Just in case I have something that helped me.
If you check the "ADD to MY Favorite Topics " just above the preview and Submit buttons you can go to the last posts and you won't have to go through so many to get to the latest. It just takes you there. I do go and reread some things from long ago sometimes. It seems long ago and has not even been a year since I started here. Time does go by fast when you are looking back.
Hang in there everyone and all you newbies try not to be scared but I was. It will get better. It will be through soon
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Good Morning Ladies.
Cheryl - You will be in my prayers this week. I hope that your Herceptin will continue to be covered by your government. Please try and keep a happy thought as you go through treatment #6. Let us know how you are doing. BTW....Buffalo is beautiful. We took the family up there to see the falls last year and we had a lovely time.
Emmy - One word of caution about acupuncture. My lymphedema specialist cautioned against using acupuncture anywhere near the arm where nodes have been removed. She said that she had some patients who came to her with lymphedema after having acupuncture on their arms. It's important to stay away from anything that can prick those arms!
I'm still reeling from #6. Geez....enough already, right? I'm kind of winded and the intestines are giving me a hard time. It's only day 7, so I guess that I'm a little premature with my impatience. I decided to take immodium and hope for the best. I've been sipping gatorade all morning and it seems to have settled down some. I've been taking Nexium for the heartburn this month and it's made a world of difference. These treatments are much easier to deal with, once the heartburn is under control.
It's a lovely day here in New York. The sun always makes the mood a bit better.
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My 2 boys- Curious where on LI you are? You're right, I haven't found too many Islanders on this site. Nice to finally meet one.
Mason- Wondering how you have tolerated the Abraxane? As mentioned, se's I think differ in that we don't have the bone pain associated with the steroids. I seem to be doing a little better this time around but always use caution when saying that. I've found that you can never count on anything as far as se's come and go! I do have less stomach issues, not gone but more tolerable but am more wiped out then the first time. I'd much rather that then stomach issues! My hair is coming out with every hand glide through now. I already did the longest buzz cut but will hold off for the bald buzz if and when any bald patches appear.
Have a good day ladies and thank you so much for the warm welcome here. I must get to work which I am fortunate enough to do from home on bad days. My challenge is to get to it instead of veg out on the couch!
Ellen
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My dear campers: Like the ones before me it is that time, and that is for me to move on and lay down my camp duties as I see such wonderful camp counselors stepping into place. This has been my secure home the last few months, but it is not made for me to stay here as I have to step on to the next phase of the treatment.
I will leave with you hope and that is I am "Living Proof", like the movie ,and that is I am cancer free. What you are going through does work. I know it is hard today for you. For me I could have never made it through the dark nights without my Lord beside me. Many times those footprints appeared when He was caring me. There are many Christians that are in here and I want to say to you that this did not come upon you without it passing the Fathers desk first so don't be discouraged. Like Job, in the Bible, be patient, and keep the faith. Keep loving your Lord even though sometimes it is hard to understand why He has you go through this. Be patient and keep complete faith in God in spite of all the crushing troubles and hardships you are going through now. Everywhere I have turned in this journey has been an opportunity to share my faith in the Lord. I have made the most of my chances to tell others the Good News, and I hope you will do the same. And lastly remember that this suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps.
I will come in and check on all of you campers, as I am praying for you daily. Each of you hold a dear place in my heart and I have learned to love each one of you very much. For you who are down today, for you just beginning your treatments, for you that have now finished, and for you who are at the half way mark and almost done I hold each of you up in prayer. Keep up the good work you are doing and when it is time for you to leave just remember to make sure a new batch of counselors are holding the newbies up. God bless all of you....Brenda from California
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Cupcake Although I have only known you for a short time I cried like a baby when I read your post,I am so glad you are ready to move on ,but I will miss you like crazy. You are such an Angel who has earned Gold wings for all your warm kind words to all of us, You have helped me more than you will ever know.May you always have Sunshine & Laughter & Love!! WE ALL LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!! May the Road Rise Up to meet you,May the wind be always at your back,May the sun shine warm upon your face,the rains fall soft upon your fields,And until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of his hand! You are a beautiful Lady Thank you so much from the whole of my heart for all you have done!! 0 -
Sailor I knew you would be just as happy as I was to get rid of the hair, it feels wonderful like you I was surprised how everyone loves it you think maybe I should have done it before. Funny thing with mine so short it has really slowed down shedding but if it starts going again this is easier to cope with. I still have my backup hair AKA Wig on standby. You learn alot more about yourself when you are in this fight with cancer, I always thought I was pretty strong but I am constantly amazed how strong I really am things have happened never did I think I could take all that has been dealt to me, but I am doing it with grace, Life is crazy how bad it would have been if I was cheated out of not knowing every one of you. God is good in his Wisdom!! 0
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Cupcake From a selfish point of view I want to beg you not to go but I am so glad that you are ready to move on with your life. You have been wonderful to all of us here in Camp Chemo and have always had kind and supportive words for all of us campers! As RockstarmomPaula said WE ALL LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
Please come and visit whenever you can. Thank you so much for giving so much and making this hard road a little easier.
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Cupcake: I can't express how helpful and enjoyable your posts have been to me. I am thankful that your treatment has been so successful and that you can look forward to good days. Of course, you're always welcome here if you decide to drop in for a visit!
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AWWW Cupcake: Thank you so much for all you have done and will continue to do (its in your nature) I pray that you stay healthy and happy.
Mason204: I have to say I am hopping mad about the herceptin. Can you contact the company itself at 5000.00 per infusion I am certain that they have some program to help. God Willing. There is a new study here that will be implement in the next 6 months that will increase herceptin for two years for Early stagers. So come on. Please use visualization and think good thoughts. I know that it is so hard but you have to believe in your powers to heal too. And make as many nasty phone calls as possible to make damn sure you get what you need. Please let us know if we can help in anyway.
I have had a real ruff week.I could not control my stomach cramps no matter what I took. I had no energy at all. My face is all blotchy and red. And I am on Day 8 tx 3 with 3 more to go. And I have to meditate 3 times a day to keep the blues away.I must say that most of the time it work. My husband is an architect and his firm is having to do lay off and pay cuts. He recently became partner and we are really feeling the pinch.It just keeps coming. I still have so much to be grateful for. The weird thing is that It is hard to not jump to anger or frustration. I bet we are all like that to some extent.
I am so sorry that there are so many women here. This is so ridiculous. Enough already find the F#*+N cure. I will pray for all of us and the hero that comes up with the cure. I think that it will be something that will not make money for anyone and that is why it is taking so long. BLAH BLAH BLAH
Another wonderful rainy day in Sunny California.
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Cupcake: so happy for you that you are where you need to be and know that it is time to step aside. I begin my journey on Friday and can't wait to be where you are today! Thank you for all your advice.
Well, I woke up with my first cold in two years (sore throat, runny nose). Will this have any effect on my treatment on Friday? I am having the port placed tomorrow, have first round of herptin on Thurs, then TC on Fri? I am worried about my counts being off. Is there any OTC I should not take? I'm thinking Tylenol cold, since I can't take any blood thinners until after surgery tomorrow. I really want to get this show on the road!
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Thank you, Cupcake, you said exactly how I feel. You have been such an encourager to those of us who are so new on this journey. Please keep in touch.
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Has anyone had to deal with sores on their head? I understand this is from the Taxotere, and I have it. I go in for my second TX tomorrow, so I'll see what my onc says.
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HELEN I had sores on my head about day 10 after tx 3. Since it was very cold then and I was wearing lots of hats I put some nivea on my head in hopes to moisturize. The next day I had sores. So, I used some tea tree shampoo and followed with the tea tree conditioner that I had used prior to chemo and they went away in a couple of days. I am not sure whether they were caused by chemo, hats, weather or nivea. Hope that helps.
MAJA CAROLYN
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Thanks, Carolyn. I have some very mild shampoo from the lady who sold me the wig--it is specifically for chemo heads, so maybe that will help. She said to use it every day. They seem better today than they were last night, but I also have a red spot on my face.
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Head irritation can be folliculitis where the hair follicules get inflammed. That seems fairly common after chemo makes the hair fall out. It can also be acne. I had lots of red dots on my head and my onc said it was acne. She prescribed an antibiotic cream and it cleared up within a couple of days. The next cycle it came back a little and I used the cream again. It didn't come back after that.
I got a red dry spot on one area of my face during the first couple of chemos. It didn't recur later. I also got a few white heads on my face during some chemo cycles. So it seemed like chemo made part of my face dry and part oily - chemo just isn't fair.
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Thanks for the welcome ladies. It's day five after my first treatment & I'm feeling better. Much less fatigued than I was this weekend. I did, however, have terrible (and I mean terrible) diarreha yesterday. Very chemical smelling. Nausea hasn't been too bad, I have a sinking feeling I'm going to be gaining weight because I find if I keep something in my stomach it helps the nausea. I was the same way with my pregnancies....I'd give anything to be in that situation rather than this one!
Has anyone had a cold while on chemo? I was a bit congested last week before my first treatment. It seems to be lingering. I'm hoping it's nothing to worry about. No fever or anything, just a runny nose & congestion.
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Cupcake - Please take all of my love and warm wishes with you as you continue your journey. I will miss you terribly. I want to thank you for holding my hand and walking me through some of the worst parts of this chemo. You are a very special lady of great faith and an example to everyone here.
Please don't forget to keep us updated on how you are doing. We all care about you.
Much love,
Anne
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