Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Happy Birthday Cheryl!!!! I'm glad that the nausea is behind you. Each time my foot started to get a bit numb from chemo, I would massage it with Eucerin cream. This seemed to help. I also found a "foot fixer" heated foot massage/foot soak that I had bought several years ago. I soaked my feet in that with some hot water for an evening and it helped. I hope that you start to feel better soon. Hang in there. Prayers headed your way.
Lisa - I'm with you when it comes to muscle mass and getting back into shape. This is going to be a long road, but just like you I'm feeling better and better each day. I can tell that my cell counts are not back to normal, but they are waaaayyyyy better than last week. I'm not as winded and only sleeping about 7 hours a night. Are you nervous about the Herceptin only treatments? I must confess I'm a little nervous about my first one next week, since there will be no pre-meds. Nothing to mask any side effecs I may have. Good luck to you. Have a great time at your party. You've earned it!
Bold - Thanks for the kind words. You are right.....no hormone therapy for me, just herceptin. I was 100% Her2+ and not one cell showed any ER/PR+. I've put on about 10 pounds since I started chemo, so I am anxious to get back to my exercise routine.
Keep Smiling Everyone!
Anne
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Smile: Go to planetbuff tonight! Loved my buffs! They kept the hair from getting all over everything!
Cloud: I must have misunderstood you. I have had two MUGA's and they NEVER drew my blood and then re-injected it! They injected a radioactive something, waited 30 minutes, then injected something else, then did the scan. EVERYTHING going in me was clear!
my2boys: I am not nervous about the H only. Just curious I guess. After T & C, how bad can it be?
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Has anyone noticed a sun sensitivity on TCH? I have had this rash on the back of my hands--like so many of us, but after walking on the beach yesterday and today, my hands look sunburned. They were the only part of me exposed and it was really late in the day, but it was sunny. I had a reaction to Doxocycline once before, and it seems exactly the same.
Cheryl, Happy Birthday!! My prayers are with you, your family and your oncologist.
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duneoaks!! Chemo will make you VERY sun sensitive. Be deligent with your sunscreen and avoid too much sun exposure whenever possible. The drugs are actually thinning your skin. Be carefull with strong exfoliators also. Your skin is also dehydrated, so that adds to the sensitivity level. For walks on the beach, you need to be covered up as much as you can.
Lisa
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IMy toothpaste even tasted bad tonight...cant wait until this goes away or at least subsides a bit.
ve been using aquifor...doesnt seem to help me. Utter Lotion works better for me..and not so greasy. I have had sensitivity with tch....i notice my hands...i started putting on lotion with sunscreen in the mornings and afternoons for my drive to and from work. Other than that I have not been out in the sun. I plan on getting spray tanned tomorrow morning... I am going out tomorrow night with my girlfriends...Birthday Celebration.
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Lisa, I wish you misunderstood me, but no, I wrote it like it happened:
The tech withdrew blood into a vial and labeled it with my name. Then she pushed saline solution "to keep the vein open." She capped and taped the needle left in my vein. Then I went to a waiting room and was called about 30 minutes later. The tech pushed more saline and then brought out an unmarked stainless steel container with a blood vial inserted inside the container. She withdrew the "blood colored contents" from the vial with a syringe and used that syringe to push the contents into the needle in my arm.
So do you agree that this doesn't sound like a "best practice?"
Before I agreed to the procedure I asked the tech if my blood was the only blood in there (as in getting the radioactive whatever), the tech looked at me and said yes. A few minutes after I returned to the waiting room, the tech called another woman who also had a capped and taped needle on her hand. Hmmm. . . Even at this moment, the whole encounter makes me mad that I went along with it. If anything goes wrong, I am the victim of my own stupidity!
I told my husband that I will never return to that clinic again.
I am beginning to think that I am too much of a control freak to be a patient patient. Guess I'd better get over it, huh?
Cheers!
Cloud
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Cloud: Several pages back, Cupcake and I had a discussion about cancer NOT being good for control freaks. It sucks! Being told what to do, when, where and how is very difficult for people that like to (must) be in control and in charge. Hang in there. Both of my MUGA's have been done at a large radiology center in town. I have used this center for years for any thing x-ray wise I have needed, mostly because I personally know the head doc that owns it and he is a total OCD perfectionist/control freak. That is the kinda of guy I want reading my film results. Maybe someone else will post their MUGA experience, but yours sounds strange to me.
Smile: The bad taste is the worst! I found that anything containing hidden sugar tasted the most disgusting (store-bought bread, commercially made macaroni meals, processed cheese foods) what did taste OK was anything with a high fat content - go figure. I am a bit of a healthy food nut, but I could pig out on McDonalds sausage biscuits during tx time. Also, good quality pasta (Bertolli brand) with alfredo sauce was good (heart attack on a plate). And for healthier fare, eggbeaters. Real eggs tasted terrible, but I practically lived off egg beaters. Pour some egg beaters in a no-stick skillet with a sprinke of good quality cheese, dice up a fresh tomatoe and mix it in and you have a decent meal. Everyone's tastes are different, good luck.
Lisa
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Cloud. the first time I went for a MUGA scan I sort of freaked out! It was about 2 weekss after my surgery and no one had prepared me for what was going to happen. When I got into the radiology lab they explained about the blood draw from my arms etc. I just refused to have it done. i couldn't stand the thought of anyone else poking me with a needle and I didn't know what they planned to do. Plus I had a port that no-one at the lab knew how to access. It was terrible and I actually started crying!
The techs at the lab were very understanding and sent me on my way. I called
my onc and explained that I couldn't bear to have anyone touch me unless I knew exactly what was going to happen. She explained and I went back for the test a few days later after having my port accessed by the onc nurses.
I know exactly how you feel. I don't think you should be worried as apparently there are several different ways to do a MUGA scan. Yesterday I had one and it was completely different. When I asked the tech the said the Radiologist was trying this technique as it was shown to give better results!
Any way, yes it is hard to be a cancer patient and a control freak. Don't be afraid refuse treatment until you are satisfied that it is the right thing for you. You are amazing and have a great attitude and you will be fine. You have been through alot in the past few weeks.
Cheryl, wishing you a fabulous birthday week. Enjoy!!
Maja0 -
I searched and found out this MUGA info--there are 2 ways to do it...
At a high level, the MUGA test involves the introduction of a radioactive marker into the bloodstream of the patient. The patient is subsequently scanned to determine the circulation dynamics of the marker, and hence the blood.
The introduction of the radioactive marker can either take place in vivo or in vitro. In the in vivo method, stannous (Tin) ions are injected into the patient's bloodstream. A subsequent intravenous injection of the radioactive substance, Technetium-99m-pertechnetate, labels the red blood cells in vivo. With an administered activity of about 800 MBq, the effective radiation dose is about 8 mSv. In the in vitro method, some the patient's blood is drawn and the stannous ions (in the form of stannous chloride) are injected into the drawn blood. The Technetium is subsequently added to the mixture as in the in vivo method. In both cases, the stannous chloride dilutes the Technetium and prevents it from leaking out of the red blood cells during the procedure.
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I just read on a fitness website that - DON'T LAUGH! - Monistat on the scalp will make your hair grow faster. Has anyone heard of this? None of the fitness people knew why.
Lisa
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is off to buy some Monistat! haha
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Duneoaks, thanks for researching the MUGA.
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Hi ladies, has anyone gotten BAD headaches with TCH?? I've had one on & off since my Herceptin only txtment last Friday. I'm going in today again (for just the Herceptin only) & was planning to ask my Onc but wonder if anyone else experienced this?
Monistat eh? lol Anyone going to try it?
Today is day 14 for me & I think I noticed a little more hair coming out yesterday than normal. We have family pictures scheduled for this Sunday & I'm PRAYING I still have hair! Whaaaa!
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Kristine, I had a horrible headache after my first treatment. I was so sick from the headache not the chemo. I ended up calling my oncologist on a sunday night and he let me take some excedrin. I know asprin lowerds your platelets but he said it was okay since I had just started. I started my period while getting my first chemo (it was just what I needed) and I think that is why I had such a bad headache. I still get headaches from the herceptin only. I take tylenol or excedrin at home before I go for the herceptin. It does help. Since they tripled my dose to every three weeks I also feel "weird" in my head. They said it is rare but normal. Good luck with your pictures!
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Cheryl: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope that you could taste your cake and that you were surrounded with those that love you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa: I want to know the minute you have hair. I just want to live vicariously through you. I am sorry to ask you again but what was your regime for thwarting constipation again? Sorry to bring back bad memories. I have been using sennekot extra the day of Chemo and subsequent days. Only one per day. Thanks for always caring.
Monday is tx number 4 I am a little nervous as usual. I still am a little breathless and my tongue feels raw still too. But all in all feeling okee dokee. I hope that this ine is easy.
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Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone!
I've had the MUGA done both ways.
Method #1 - received radioactive injection, waited 30 minutes, then received injection #2. This is the method they use at my hospital. I prefer it since I'm in and out in about an hour. My veins are terrible and using this method, they are able to inject me with very few problems.
Method #2 - my hospital tested this about a year ago. Apparently I've been told it gives clearer and more accurate results. I had this done twice and both times I spent about 3 hours at the hospital. What's more, they tried to insert a saline lock on the top of my hand so they wouldn't have to inject me twice. With the larger needle, they couldn't get it into me and at one point there was blood everywhere. I was also "creeped out" when they reinjected my blood back in 30 minutes later. I also had no guarantee that it was actually mine. My hospital has gone back to method #1 (thank goodness). I felt like a guinea pig. I'm sure this method couldn't have been more convenient. And the hospital, being all about costs, wouldn't find this method more cost-effective, I'm sure.
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Just for the record I do not get MUGAs at all. My center uses echo-cardiograms. They are much more accurate and no pain or blood or anything. Maybe you could request it. It measures the same input output strengths, along with a complete function test. .(IMHO)
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Bold I used Miralax for constipation. You just mix it in whatever you are drinking and you cannot even taste it. It does not cause gas or stomach cramps. It just makes things continue to move normally. I used it from two days before tx to about 3 or 4 days after. I was extremely constipated after my forst tx and then I started this and never had a problem again.
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Lisa So you be the tester on the Monistat and let us know OK?? The MUGA process sounds scary like Bold I am getting echo-cardigrams I am very glad for that!!! I have been having headaches as well 2 Tylenol seems to help, Ibuprofen is not recommended I called my ONC on that. Cloud Don't beat yourself up over what happened, just learn from it, trust yourself to make the right decisions It will all be good!!! Im putting the advice for constipation out there again Phillips Milk Of Magnesia I take 2 Tablespoons the next morning all things are go! Excuse the bad pun!!LOL If it doesn't work you can take 2 more.It is an old school med but its cheap BYT It tastes Nasty!!! It works for me!! 0 -
Bold: I've posted before about my constipation. However, it was a huge problem for me, so I'm posting again in hopes that it might help you. For two nights before my treatment, I take 2 stool softeners. The day of treatment I take 1 oz of lactulose (prescription) in the morning and again in the afternoon. Then I take 2 Senokot-s and 1 stool softener at bedtime. I repeat the lactulose and senokot-s with stool softener regime every day until it is no longer needed. I can usually cut some of the dosage, i.e. lactulose only once a day, after a couple of days. I'm careful not to eliminate anything too soon; I would rather have a little diarrhea than deal with that horrendous constipation again. I just have to pay attention to my body. Good luck with your next treatment. I am 9 days out from my tx4 and feel pretty good - just tired. According to my onc, the fatigue will probably be with me until the end of treatment. My other big problem is my weight. I have gained 6 or 7 pounds in the last month. My appetite is huge and I don't feel like moving a lot. I'm trying to do better, but it's really hard.0
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There is a light at the end of the tunnel!
Tx 6 had side effects that lasted well into week 3 for me. But it is day 19 now. For the last 2 days my stomach feels almost normal. The tiredness is passing too. The last 2 days have been sunny (or at least not raining - there were some fluffy white clouds yesterday) and I took a walk each day. My legs feel like lead after all that down time but I walked farther today and even went up a small hill.
Even my finger tips are starting to feel less numb (the only hand foot nerve symptom I had).
There is an end to chemo!! Hang in there!!
Next week I have my first Herceptin only treatment on Monday and my rads simulation on Thursday. Radiation starts 2 weeks from Monday so I can go on one last business trip before plunging into rads.
I had my third MUGA last week - I should get the results Monday but my impression from the techs was that the result was good. My onc did one after Tx 3 and one after Tx 6 so that was every 2 months during chemo (even though I think every 3 months is more typical). She said that the ones during H only will be every 3 months. Mine used the in vivo method.
I think some people have gotten the order of the injections backwards. The first one is not the radioactive one. It is the staneous injection. The second injection comes out in an impressive metal tube and is the radioactive one. By the way, I did some checking because I was living with a toddler and my pregnant DIL (and now a brand new baby). The half-life for the radioactive element they use is about 6 hours. It is a pretty low level of radioactivity but to be extra cautious I stay 6 feet or more away from the little ones for 24 hours after each MUGA.
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I hereby volunteer to be the official Monistat tester!!!!!!! I will buy some first thing tomorrow and keep ya'll posted. As of today - 18 days from last tx - I have no new hair growth. I do not expect any until 3 or 4 days past my 3 week mark. But I will get the Monistat - what the heck!
Bold: Honey I am not that one to guide you in constipation. I was born missing the the last 1/3 of my large intestine, so I have had a lifetime of issues. I had colostomies as a child and adhesion surgery as an adult where they took out another third.. I LIVE on stool softeners and laxative. BUT!! As someone who has had a lifetime of issues - Water WaterWater!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing that is drying. No caffiene, no alcohol. Chemo actually helped my normal constipation - wierd - until tx #5! That was awful! I almost went to the emergency room. I was terrified I was going to rupture something. GRAPHIC ALERT! I eventually pooed bricks but only with the help of a enema - and it was still awful. All I can say is keep up with the stool softeners and Water Water Water!
Lisa
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Thanks Lisa: Glad your volunteering but remember that being bald is not for pussys. (bad joke I hope that I do not offend) I know what you mean about the brick thing. I think of them more as meteor rocks.
Thanks rayhope: I will not have the prescription that you have but I will be more aggressive with what I do have and talk to my onc. about prescription.
Today is my favorite day of treatment I go in on Monday so this is the day before I start steroids. Other than my tongue feeling sensitive and fingertips a little sore, my eyes twitching, nose running and a little queasy with shortness of breath. I feel fabulous.
I hope the best for all today.
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Bold: The lactulose is a liquid which brings fluid into the colon. If you can't get that, you might substitue with stool softeners. Either way, I think drinking a lot of water really does help. The first time I tried this regimen (second treatment) I was worried that I might be overtreating myself. However, that wasn't the case; and I was really glad that I had been so proactive. It made my life much easier!0
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The Miralax also works by pulling water into your colon. If you drink water when you take it works great. No gas, no bloating or diarrhea and no cramps. You cannot even taste it so you can mix it in coffe, soda, juice or water. The stool softeners gave me cramps for some reason. You can buy it over the counter now. It used to be prescription only but it is now otc.
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Hello Ladies. Last night I had my first sip of wine since before I started chemo. We toasted the end of the chemo road....yippee!
Regarding constipation. I had terrible constipation after my first Tx. I managed to avoid it after all of the subsequent treatments, by just eating oatmeal, raisin bran and drinking loads of water. I also stopped taking Zofran. I really think the Zofran was a big part of it. I've become a big fan of oatmeal too. I eat a small bowl each morning with a piece of fruit.
Lisa...Monistat? Ha, Ha that sounds so silly that it just might work! Let's hope, right? I still have some of my hair, but I haven't noticed any new growth yet. I'm hoping that will start next week or the week after. Good luck with your Herceptin only treatment this week.
Blue...I'm glad that you're feeling better. Any new grandbaby news? Good luck to you with the herceptin only treatment this week.
Regarding MUGA Scans. I had two injections, 30 minutes apart and then the scan. No blood draws here.
We had such beautiful weather in New York this past week. The weatherman just announced a snowstorm tonight.....ugh! I guess winter isn't over yet....go figure.
Enjoy the rest of your Saturday! Stay strong...stay positive.
Anne
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Anyone else who started chemo around Feb 12th, starting to lose hair? I thought I was prepared. Maybe not so much. Every day I run my fingers through my hair and so far nothing came out. Until yesterday.
A couple hairs would come out each time I did it--which was over and over and over, because I was fascinated at first. Then today 4 or 5 come out each time I run my fingers through. EEKs! If there's a silver lining, it's that the gray is coming out first.0 -
To my Best New Friends:
Thank you so much for the feedback on the MUGA scans. And thanks to Cheryl for echoing that she also wondered whether it was really her blood. If the clinic in my smaller town also uses this procedure, I am definitely going to ask for an echo cardiagram.
My port placement was sort of OK; as usual, the drug dose is always more than my body can comfortably handle. It's always about the drugs; they are always too much for me. Yesterday, I felt so lousy and out of control, I decided that I wasn't going to carry on; I would take my chances on just a lumpectomy and radiation.
No matter how hard I tried to bring myself out of my funk, I could not do it. Feeling miserable, I went to bed and drifted off to sleep with visions of the South Pacific Island my husband and I would move to. Several hours later I woke up feeling much better; the drugs had worn off and my world had righted itself. This was probably and excellent experience for me to have and remember! I will probably have to look back on this experience many times throughout my cancer journey because in addition to being a control freak, my life has been such that I expect good health and nearly non-stop happiness. I guess this is the character building part of my journey.
Tonight I am off to buy the recommended items for Chemo. The oncologist recommended senna root for constipation, but I think I'll go with the Miralax suggestion. I haven't been given instructions on pills to take before hand, or pills not to take. So, I guess I'll just carry on with my regular vitamins until I am told differently.
Cheers!
Cloud
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The last two Hercepting only treatments I had headaches with. Tyelnol helpe with that. BOLD have you tried baking soad and salt mouth rinse? I cant remember who posted, but said that helped. I had serious tongue rash after my first tx....never had any mouth sores, but the tongue was awful. Hope you feel better soon.
I went out last night for a birthday celebration and everytime I went to the bathroom to spruce up my new short hair cut....more fell out. Today I just put a hat on....couldnt face seeing more hair in the sink. So with all that....also had a huge fight with my Best Friend.....so depressed right now
I have my 2nd tx this thursday....not looking forward to that. Friday night we are suppose to go see Jeff Foxworthy....a good laugh would be good about now.
My onc also prescribed an echo...I am so glad I dont have to do the MUGA....I dont think I could handle that without passing out. Needles really effect me in a bad way....but still cant face having a port either. Its just a no win situation for me.
Tomorrow is another day......Its going to be a better day....At least that is what I keep telling myself. Good night everyone....hope you are ALL having an enjoyable evening.
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Denali, I know it is hard to imagine losing your hair but as strange as it seems you adjust and it becomes less of a big deal than you imagined. Well, that's how it was for me. I cut my hair short and it started coming out. I decided to shave it off when it started hurting . No one told me it could hurt so it freaked me out at first. But the weight of my hair was uncomfortable. I Went bald everywhere and only wore a hat if my head was cold. About two months ago I put on one of my wigs and it was too weird. My daughter even said "take it off". I finished my chemo on December 2, 2008. I started radiation the first week of January. I had NO hair when I started and they took my picture. I finished 7 weeks of radiation last week and my hair is coming in fast. I will post a picture. You know I have no idea why I keep rambling but I guess I want to say this...I went out without my wig and met so many wonderful people that were going through this or had been through this and if I had worn my wig they never would have known and I would not have had the opportunity to meet them. I have had the most meaningful hugs by complete strangers and I would not trade those feelings for a full head of hair anyday. Hang in there and cherish the sweet moments. Thank...Traci
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