Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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I am so glad to find this site. I have HER2 & will start chemo in 2 weeks & I am scared to death about it. It sounds like everyone has different reactions to TC-H.
It sounds like it might be managable. Any tips that would help before taking chemo, like eat or don't eat before treatment, that kind of stuff?
rosieb
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Rosie - Another Fla Gir!!!
I am so sorry that you are joining us, but you have come to the right place.
Please take the time to read back thru the last ten pages or so. That will give you a good base to draw on.
As for Chemo day - post and pre- Water, water, water. Make sure you take snacks in with you for the infusion - your fisrt day, plan to be there 6 hours!!!! After that - 4 to 5 hours. Drinking low salt beverages and nibbling bland foods is great.
Find the thread(s) about your "chemo bag" One for the road and one for home.
If you have any more questions we are here for you (sorry, bed time for me)
Night all!
Lisa
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Hi Rosie,
Sorry that you are here, but you are with a great group of loving ladies. I was scared to death too...but the nurses made it very comfortable, and reading what to expect on here. I slept about an hour after getting benadryl my first tx. I did not know about the claritin so the Nuelstra was hard on me, but I also think that i had that flu that was going around....by my next herceptin only treatment I was really sick. The onc prescribed me an antibiotic and now I feel soooo much better. I have my 2nd tx tomorrow and have a girlfriend coming to sit with me...I told her she was just going to watch me sleep. I have another girlfriend bringing us some lunch....they only allow one guest with you at a time, but I am hoping that it is not busy and they will let me. Who knows...all you can do is ask. Definately check out the chemo kits....i have one for my home and one at my office. And definately come back to this thread....ALL THE LADIES are very helpful..so just ask anything you want...if they dont know then call your onc! I am wide awake because of the steroid that I am taking....i love it during the day, but the insomnia is terrible. I do have Clonopin to take to help out....the onc suggested over the counter sleep aids...but they make me so droggy in the mornings I hate taking them.
Keep checking back and ask as many questions as you want. Some of the Vetrans here are great at responding and helping out!
PS. Here is a link for a chemo kit I found on this community site.
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/706846?page=1
Shari
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Anne, each time that I had a blood transfusion they gave me 2 units. I think that is pretty typical. They wait until your counts are really low like 8 for Hemoglobin and then want to give you 2 units to give you a boost. So to do what you suggest would take two family members with a matching blood type. Around here they seem to not encourage that or even to discourage it. The worry is that a family member or friend could have some disqualifying factor that they won't want to admit because they feel pressure to give the blood for you or because they don't want others to guess the reason they can't give blood. My husband and I have given blood to the local blood bank for years and we trust their screening.
I am fortunate in my medical plan. The blood transfusions cost me nothing.
To those going through a difficult #4, you are almost done!I got my first Herceptin only on Monday and have had no side effects, not even the headache that some have gotten. Since I got the transfusion and magnesium, I've been feeling so much better. I think the transfusion is just enough to get me close to the low end of normal so I'm not quite up to full endurance but it is still so much better. Walking a quarter of a mile trying to keep up with guys with longer legs than me had me breathing hard but at least I can walk around the house or across a parking lot without feeling exhausted.
Rosie, Lisa gave you good advice. Also, yes do eat before chemo but keep it a bit light. I usually had oatmeal with raisins or banana for breakfast that day. If you are a laptop user, take that with you to give you something to do. Or take something you would like to read. Some people get benedryl (sp?) with their treatment and it makes them sleep. My onc didn't prescribe that and the steroids kept me very awake. I'd take my laptop and have a productive work day during treatment. Like many I felt fine on the day of treatment and for the next couple of days. Then on day 4 I would start feeling very tired and low energy. Not everyone follows that pattern but a lot do.
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Rosie, one more thing I meant to mention: I always asked the nurses for a cup of ice chips to suck on during the taxotere infusion. That is suppose to help avoid mouth sores. I don't know if it worked, but all during chemo there was only one time when I got what felt like a cold sore and even that wasn't a bad one. Other than that, my mouth did great.
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Lisa - You outta control counselor you- Now I know we share a sisterhood beyond bc! There is nothing I find funnier than ironic humor with a "sick twist." The girls at work call me "sick" just about daily. Though I am quick to point out something to them while they are LOL'ing. I tell them that they are indeed as "sick" as me but just don't have the gumption to say their thoughts outloud. Or, they're just jealous because such humorous observations about the irony or upsurdity of whatever it is does not pop in their head like it does mine! That way, I feel better in those rare (TEE HEE) times that I question the appropriateness of what I said. I do "sick" and "justify" real well!
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Blue - I guess what you're saying makes sense, but my doctor told me that she has done the procedure with a family member donation before and her nurse was familiar with it as well. Maybe since my sister donates blood regularly and she was the one who approached me about doing the transfusion if I needed it, my doctor didn't feel that my sister was being pressured at all. My doctor kept a close eye on my counts and said she would let me know if she thought that I would need a donation, this way my sister could get the ball rolling after my doctor gave the order to the blood center. My doctor did mention that she's had very few patients who needed the transfusions, so it was unlikely that it would ever happen. Most insurance covers blood transfusions in full, but to set up an account with a donation from a specific person costs about $150. This cost is usually not covered by insurance.
Welcome Rosie - I hope that you have a smooth ride and very few SE. I usually ate a full breakfast on the morning of chemo because I didn't like to take the premeds on an empty stomach. My hubby and I would always bring lunch with us and eat it during the treatment. Does your treatment center have a refrigerator? If so, you can bring something to eat while you are there, since your first treatment is usually a long one and you're likely to get hungry. Hang in there.
Anne
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Day #4 Tx4 : I AM ALIVE!!!!!! Yikees Hard night, it was like I could feel all the cells that were dividing dying. (gulp). Any way still slow moving but I love the mornings they are always filled with such hope. Never mind that my fingertips aches my eyes twitch, I have chemo gas( P.U.) Bone aches. runny nose, And feel like I weight 300 pounds. Not to mention the thick salty taste. And last but not least a cold white globe where my long blond hair use to be. AWWWWW its all good. I just had to type the diatribe out. So I can appreciate all the good things too. Most important that I am on my way to perfect health. I will not take it for granted not for one second. I will eat less but more pure and I will move more and workout more consistently. SHE HAS SPOKEN! I think I might be getting a little bit goofy. May be it the liver. Lisa you crack me up with your subversive comedy. I sure wish we were just saddle-up and talking about how we both beat the SH@# out of cancer at the same time and look at us now. Long hair bouncing in the rhythm of a canter. Stopping for lunch having a cold refreshing beverage that tasted the way God intended. (Liver functions normal) We might not even wash our hands just to be naughty. AWWW now that the life.
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Bold: I am glad you are feeling better. You will make it thru - I promise. Many pages back I told Cupcake that I am planning a trip to the Cali Wine Country later this year. The "purpose" of the trip is for my girlfriend to visit her brand new neice in Santa Ana, but while we are up there, my firiend knows of a great riding stable that we plan on visiting; I would love for you to join us! Of course, there are several planes leaving LAX headed to Fla every day!
REKoz: Glad you enjoy my humor, it normally keeps me in trouble on my boss on valium. He he. But humor is a great way to get thru this bump in the road we find ourselves standing on.
MY GOOD NEWS AND HOPE FOR ALL: My hair is growing back!!!!!!! As of today, I have a full covering of stubbly white fuzz! I have to go outside in the bright light to see it, but it is there!!! I would measure it, but I don't have a measuring device small enough!!!! Oh Happy Day!!! I will once again have hair!!!! I don't care what texture, color or curl pattern, I will never bitch or complain about it - never!!!! Hair is sooooooo precious....... For those of you that are waiting and wondering, I am on day 24 from my last TCH - I got the TCH every 21 days for 6 tx's.
Happy days are HAIR again....... har har....
Lisa
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Bold I had axilliary node removal, my scar is like 3" long I still have some numbness in the upper part of my arm It is so annoying I hope the feeling comes back. Sorry Tx 4 has been so bad for you Hope you are better today. Maybe 4 will be the one thats keeps me home so far Im still working. Someone Please tell me it will get better fast for Bold??? Has everyone had problems with Tx 4 kicking their butt bad??? Lisa You are so much my kinda gal I love your posts they always make me smile and lots of times Crack me up!!! That was a Great Pep Talk Girl!! Appreciate It Lots!! So did you use the Monistat???? Do tell?? So glad you are getting hair!!! Jeff Dunham is so funny My family watches all his shows.Peanut is my favorite character!! Rosie Welcome glad you found us!! Denali My newly bald headed fellow Coloradan Did you sign up for the Chemo Angels?? Also you should check out Heavenly Hats You are going to need warm caps theirs are great I got ones to sleep in, Our nice weather is coming to an end It is 75 in Wray today!! Saturday will be 40 we need the moisture we are in High Warning for Fire. Let It Rain !!!! 0 -
Congrats Lisa on new hair already! I hope mine comes in as fast. (Have tx #6 next Friday). TCH does affect everyone of us differently. Tx #4 was my easiest. #5 left me very tired. The taste thing is just starting to go away. My counts always came back up, never got the Nuelesta shots, never had a blood transfusion. I now have a slightly sore throat and I am freaking out because everything has been going so smooth. Hot flashes and constant eye twitching are my big problems. I hope all the newbies have a smooth ride in what can be a rough ocean. Remember, the horizon is in sight!0
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Hey Lisa....congrats...so is the monistate working???? LOL I had my second tx today and I am high on steroids...love this part. Came home and started cleaning..trying to get everything done before the crash.
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This board has been really amusing today and I seriously needed the humor. I had tx 5 on Monday and the crash came last night. I feel pretty awful but keep telling myself that I have only one more to go. Lots of se's this time my bones really ache after the neulasta shot on Tuesday.
LISA, it is so exciting that your hair is growing back in. I am dreaming about that and I don't care what color it is. I also cant wait to get my foobs. They are pretty uneven right now and look really funny! I have just been laying around all day with no energy and sleeping off and on. My dh went on an overnight business trip the first time since my dx and I miss him.
BOLD #4 kiCKED my butt. seems the window of feeling good gets smaller after each tx. Remember each one is closer to the last and hang in there. Hope you feel much better tomorrow.
Not much else to say except hang in there everyone and think very positive, healing thoughts.
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Good Morning to all. For those on the seriod high, I know you were up all night. For those that just crash, guess you slept pretty good. I still have the after effects of a head cold and I coughed all night. I did not get a bit of sleep and this morning I feel like crud.
But, I am crud with hair!. No, I never got around to buying the monistat. I never stopped washing my "hair". For the 100 hairs that never fell out, I used Nioxin #3 shampoo and scalp treatment and Mane & Tale for horses every day. I have no idea which one (or neither) has helped, but the horse shampoo is dirt cheap (I won't even use that crap on my horses) and I can buy the Nioxin wholesale, so what the heck. Once I get enough growth to see what the new texture is going to be, I will switch to the appropriate salon quality shampoo. I used to have to straighten my hair every day; something I complained about for almost 40 years. Oh how I would love to spend 30 or 40 minutes with a hair dryer and flat iron only to step outside into the thick Florida humidity and have it all fuzz out instantaneously.......
Lisa
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Lisa, I am like you. I never stopped using shampoo. My hair is coming in thicker now and you can't see the scalp so much. I think it will be the same color as before. I have brown & gray but not as much gray as I was afraid I would. Yesterday was warm here so I took the scarf off while at home but I have not gotten the nerve to go without it at the bank. I showed my cop friend how much I had because he was saying he was ready for a burr since it was getting warm. His Mom went through this 2 times so he is very helpful with this. He is almost 7 ft tall and large but is a gentle giant. I just love him, like a son!
everyone who had a hard time with tx 4 I did too. I hope it gets better for you. I was sick longer with #6 but not as sick.It will be over with soon.Herceptin only is not bad but I get a weird taste in my mouth but just for that day. I feel feverish and so I take it easy that day.
Smile2006, I like the steroids too but not because I would clean more it just helps my old bones feel better. I didn't have a lot of sleepless nights on them but I am used to taking them because of arthritis. Can't wait for my rheum. appt. he will give me a shot that lasts a little while.
I always had to have something for my counts but they tried the Neupogen first and that was not as helpful as the Neulasta but it sure gave my bones fits. I was the exception as far as the counts being so low. I had to postpone my tx once and I felt like crying because I wanted to get it over with. I still can't keep my RBC up but now that doc has gotten it confirmed about the rheumatoid arthritis they can give me Procrit or the other one I can't spell right now. I will be able to forgo the blood transfusions but I plan on not having to have it anymore. when the sores heal from radiation I think it will stay up.That is my plan!
Bold I hope you feel better soon. I know it seems like it will never end but once you finish it will seem like it was not so long after all. It does take a few weeks to feel like that but I had a diversion with my hubby having surgery.
hang in there everyone. You can do it and be good to yourselves.
Gramma23 (aka Carolyn)
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Rosie: I was very scared before my first treatment also. The unknown is the worst. I even broke down in my chemo chair. And as it turns out, it wasn't that bad and I am soo glad to have #1 under my belt. I know there will be down days, but they are outnumbered by the good days!
Smile: you are exactly one week ahead of me-I want play by play!
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Had Chemo #2 yesterday and it was a full house. All 6 chemo chairs were filled --we have chemo in the oncologist's office where it's really homey and comfy. I told them all about my shaving party and how much fun it was. 3 of us had new wigs to show off.
DD came with me and had to leave at one point because we'd dropped my 2 shepherds at my son's house with his shepherd. He'd gotten a call from his neighbor that all 3 dogs had gotten out! By the time DD got there, the Animal Control AND police were there! She said she was forced to play the cancer card: told them she's so sorry but my 2 were just there for a 'playdate' while mom was in chemo. She not only saved the dogs from doing hard time, but saved us from getting tickets!
After that a woman who I'd seen in chemo before, but who had been very quiet (and tearful?) 3 wks before, volunteered that she'd had to use the chemo card too. She'd gone to the dog park and was yelled at by this guy whose dog had been 'humped' by her dog. He even called the police! She was in tears by that time and when the policewoman asked if something else was going on, she said she'd come to the park in the first place because she was just diagnosed with BC. At that point the guy apologized profusely and HUGGED her!
Then we all started talking, joking and laughing. When we left, saying goodby to the front office, a nurse came up to me and said I'd done such good for that woman in chemo. I guess she was tearful coming in again and we had put her in good spirits. That felt SOOOOOO good to me!
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Magnola....the second treatment was much better than the first, only because I now know what to expect and really like all the nurses (except one) she is just a little harsh. But I am the type of person that will smile at you just to get the response back (it worked with her
yesterday)...Anyway I took some pictures during my treatment (my profile pic). Tonight I have a date with my Man.....then tomorrow and Sunday I am just planning on taking it easy. I took my Claritin this moring getting ready for my Nuelasta shot today. Hopefully it wont be as bad as last time. Lisa: I also use Nioxon #3 and even though I have shaved my head I am continuing to use it. I am thinking seriously about going to go and get the horse shampoo you are referring to. I have had friends use it before and said it made a difference with their hair. We have a feed store right around the corner from my business...so maybe I will do that today when I am out doing my errands.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day!!!!
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You ladies are making me laugh today! I go for my 2nd TCH at 10:00am. Lovely, long day sitting in the chemo chair. I'm anxious to see how the next few days go...same as #1, easier, harder. Can't wait to find out.
Dang Lisa, I was hoping you tried the Monistat! lol I wonder if anyone will have the nerve.
Have a wonderful, "no chemo fog" day ladies!
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Good Morning: Well yesterday was the worst day of this whole scarry ordeal. I got caught by the nausea bug and could not seem to get it under control no matter how many drugs I took. I think it is because of the liver enzymes being so elevated. Just horrible.I had bone aches with a bad headache as well. I do not want to scare any newbies but this site is for our truths. Ugg!!! Now for the good news. I am allot better. Not great but much better. I do think that the worst of #4 is behind me and that makes me happy so only 2 to go. I am so jealous of the gals who kinda sail through. I still can not imagine having to go to work. I work at home when I want to. I will say that by the middle of the second week I am weak but OK.
I wonder how cupcakes doing?
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers during my ruff patch. It really is nice to no you are not alone. (((((hugs))))))
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What is the monistat supposed to do ??
I had treatment 2 last week on the 23 and then I managed to get the flu and I still feel horrible
I need at aleast a couple of days inbetween to give me some strentgh to keep going. I feel like a truck ran over me. I have 9 days until my next treatment and I hope I can squeeze out a couple of good days in there. 0 -
Smile: Go ahead and try the horse shampoo, it can't hurt and it IS the cheapest horse shampoo they make. Mane and Tale by Straight Arrow and about 8 bucks for a large bottle that is over a quart. My horse would be insulted if I came at him with this stuff!
Jaimieh & kmn0701: The monistat is supposedly a good topical for hair growth. I saw it on a fitness forum. KM - I may still get some and try. If it makes the hair grow faster, what the heck!
gramma - Glad you continue to due well!
Bold - Just keep haning in there girl!
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Hi Gang: Just stopped by to see how all of you are doing. I see you are helping the newbies coming on and the camp counselors are graduating from camp chemo. So good to hear it is past you. I only have 9 radiation treatments to go and for you that now will be facing that let me tell you it is a snap. You will breeze through it. I learned the fatigue can be controlled with just letting your body sleep when you need to. Most days I come home and take a nap and I haven't had the fatigue since. The redness isn't bad and controlled by Aloe Vera so nothing to get through it don't worry. You are and have went through the worst. The Mastectomy was easy and now the rads so the worst is behind you guys. My radiology oncologist says he doesn't see this ever coming back on me. For you that don't know me I was a stage 111 and now cancer free. He said the chemo just obliterated the cancer and killed it all so for you going through and finishing know it does its work. The Herceptin will shrink that tumor to nothing. My hair now is long enough to start a style...of sorts. I will take a new pix and show you. The hair will come back, but remember your other organs that had cell damage gets fixed first. then the hair is last. But it will come back....I just love all you guys so much and think of you so often.
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Cupcake-glad everything is going well for you. You are thought of often. Would love to see your hair! -Kristine-my daughter lives in Henderson, off Stephanie Street. She is a sophmore at UNLV. I love Vegas!!!
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Cupcake: You just made my day!0
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Cupcake So good to hear from you!! We all love you!! Can't wait to see your hair!! Glad yopu are doinng so well!! God Bless Take Care Of You!!!! 0
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Cupcake - I missed you dear. I'm so glad that everything is going smoothly for you. Only 9 more rads....HOORAY for you!!
Lisa - What are you supposed to do with the monistat? Rub it in, let it sit or wash it right out? I don't know about horse shampoo??? This has got to be the funniest conversation I've had with someone in a long time.....LOL.
Jaimieh - Rest, rest, rest...then hopefully you will be strong again to deal with your next Tx. Feel better.
Bold - #4 was a bad one for me too. The last two go pretty quickly, as you are nearing the end of your chemo journey. I hope that the nausea stays away from you for a while, so you can gain the strength.
I'm two days past my 1st Herceptin-only treatment and feeling just fine. I had a little bit of a headache yesterday and I'm still having heartburn, but other than that I've been out and about town. My son and I went for a walk after dinner and once we got going I didn't want to stop. My body is anxious to get back in shape. It's nice to feel like my life is slowly coming back. I'm tempted to say that my hair is looking a little fuller, but I'm going to be cautious and wait a few days until I am sure. The hair that I do have is white! I still can't figure that one out.
Stay strong ladies.
God Bless You All.....
Anne
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Ladies, I decided to be alittle proactive and cut my hair short so I go to the beauty shop and asked for a pixie cut. I am not sure what pixies they have seen but we were not on the same page! I never thought I would be glad to go bald but after this cut I can't wait!! Even my dog growled at me when I walked through the door.
Cancer does have it's funny moments and I am sure I will laugh at this tomorrow! 0 -
jkcrml....I did the same thing....I should have drawn a picture or brought one at least. But I thought that I would just break down and cry when I finally looked at myself without hair....but it didnt even phase me. I am so glad I went ahead and shaved it off. Then again...it could be the control issue! I do tend to like to be in control!
Jaimieh... I got the flu after my first tx...i know what you are going through and it really stinks. Just rest like Lisa suggested. You will eventually feel like yourself again. Dont forget to drink plenty of fluids....that does help.
Good night....Still on my steroid high...its nice but I am sooo ready to sleep!
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Ok I got someone to take a picture for you. Now this will be 4 months from chemo on March 11 so just now able for the hair dresser to start to shape the do. I wear it in a sweep up the back and short on the neck. So you will know your lovely hair will come back as soon as your body repairs the main things that was damaged. Mine is the exact same color, and nope didn't get the chemo curl. I'm feeling good, but I know some of the poison is still in my body and by 6 months I will be clear. You lovely angels take care of yourselves and soon you will be where I am and this nightmare will be over. Cyber hug to each of you....Brenda
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