Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Cupcake-Wow! Pretty impressive for only 4 months out of chemo. Your hair grows fast and looks wonderful! You are on the road to normalcy. Can't wait to join you!
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Hi All,
Haven't posted for awhile and there are so many new campers in the club! My treatment plan was a little different in that I had 6 cycles of TCH, finished the last one on February 18th, and then I will have a mastectomy on March 13th followed by rads. (Same treatment plan as Cupcake)
Had my pre-op visit with the surgeon today and the good news is that TCH has virtually destroyed all of the cancer cells, he doubts they will be able to find any sign on the tumors when they do the surgery. So although Chemo sucks it does seem to work, so to all of you just beginning the chemo journey, hang in there it will do it's job. At least with my treatment plan I was able to get confirmation that it was worth it. Still having Herceptin but now it is every 3 weeks instead of weekly.
On the hair front, I had some random strands that never did fall out and I didn't shave them off. I decided if they wanted to stay I was going to keep them. I think the ones that didn't fall out are actually beginning to grow. Now my head looks like some messed up cross between Uncle Fester and Beetlejuice...HA!
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jkcr: Sorry you got the bad hair cut, but like you said, this is the one time there is a bright side!!!
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If there's one thing to be said for all of us, it's that we can be so funny and creative in dealing with the effects of chemo! Cali, I am hysterical at the visual of Uncle Fester and Beetlejuice! TOO FUNNY, yet so accurate! Guessing we must be around the same generation. Don't know that the younger ones can picture good ole Uncle Fester. I actually know of a sister who made herself up to look just like him when she went bald! If we can't keep a sense of humor during all this, we are really screwed!
I too did the "progressive shave" and finally went to stubble when my longer buzz started making such a mess. I'm thinking I'll look like you in not too long though. The places that are not coming out are growing..pretty white too- Yuk. I know I'll be covering my head until I can make it all brown again. Just don't have the face and certainly not the mindset to go all gray. In my head, I'm still 35- the reverse #'s of my real age! Sometimes I can still act 15!
Starting to warm up in these parts. Even the bird sounds upon waking are foreshadowing good things to come! Hope everyone feels good today!
Ellen
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Cali4 - The TCH worked! That is is the best news I've heard today. Keep smiling.
Cupcake - That's some head of hair you have there. Congratulations.
REKoz - Keep that positive attitude girl....it's what will get you through. You are right about the weather. The first morning I heard the birds chirping, it put a smile on my face.
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I'm glad we're on the hair subject today. Just like everyone said, I'm on day 15 and my hair is coming out in clumps. It is having a bigger effect on me than I thought it would but it is the last unknown I've been dreading so I'm glad to have hit the milestone. Is it necessary to go to the quick today or can I get just a really short doo? How long until the short hair starts looking patchy? My hairdresser is opening the salon for me around 6:30 to do the honors. My husband offered but so did my hairdresser-think I'll go with the expert one last time. Guess I'll throw out the harisprays and gels that are taking up space in my bathroom!
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Good morning camp chemo.
Lisa - how is chemo recovery going? When do you get another blood test to see if the platelets and Hemoglobin are back up? My onc is pretty free with the blood tests.
I'm feeling good but I had to spend a surprising amount of time in the infusion center this post chemo week. On Monday, my hemoglobin was low as was my magnesium (I think this was the first time that was tested) and my creatine was high. So after getting Herceptin on Monday (90 min infusion), I had to come back in on Tuesday for two units of blood and some IV magnesium (about 4 hours altogether). Then because I'm going on a business trip so I couldn't retest next week, my onc had me get a blood test yesterday morning. Despite what they had given me Tuesday, my magnesium was a bit lower. My creatine was still high. So I had to come back in yesterday morning for a bigger bag of magnesium and fluids (about 2 and a half hours). They also gave me a bottle of magnesium capsuls to take one a day.
I'm suppose to get my blood retested in about a week. I don't know why my magnesium was down Friday instead of up. Vomiting can make it go low (something I had a problem with on week 3 of the last chemo), but I've been fine since the transfusion. Time to google magnesium.
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Maggie: It is totally up to you how short to go. I felt better with buzzing it all off and then you have the comic Cali, (who by the way made me crack up with her fester description), left some. With the one time buzz everything off I felt it would grow back all the same length and not have to trim it, which it did. I was more upset in the beginning too, but then grew accustom to the bald and felt it was so easy for the next few months not to have to deal with fixing the hair. Pop a cap on and out the door.
Everyone reading this Cali4 is another example that the TCH ,that is so miserable for you on it now, shows you that it can rid the cancer from your body. Hold on to this when your in the depths of this awful chemo that you too will be cancer free and have a long and healthy life.
Cali4: Thanks for sharing your humor and the good news. With my tumor (lump) being gone all that was left was Foci of Fibrosis (scar tissue where the tumor was) and Hemosiderin-Laden Macrophages ( little garbage collectors cleaning up the dead cancer cells.)
Have a wonderful weekend gals and know I am praying for you in here. Love ya bunches...
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The NIH website has a good description of magnesium including why it's important to the body and what foods have it. I had no idea how important it is. It is common in a lot of foods so I guess that's why we don't hear as much about it as things like calcium.
The first paragraph on the NIH page answers my question above. Typically, only about 1% of the body's magnesium is in the blood. The body tries to keep the blood level constant. So I guess magnesium was depleted from elsewhere in my body to maintain it in my blood. They added some on Tuesday but it must have gone to replace the magnesium elsewhere.
Also, when I had asked my onc if my low magnesium could have caused the vomiting she said "vomiting causes low magnesium, low magnesium doesn't cause vomiting". The first part is right according to the NIH website but that site also says that one of the early symptoms of magnesium deficiency can be nausea and vomiting.
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WOW! Cupcake: You look great. Thats just wonderful. You must be psychic. I just ask about you and you appear.(very cool).
I have made it back from the dark side. I am once more walking amongst the living. I have some energy today so I will tackle some choirs. I love the weekends because my DH is home. He tiling the master bath. I am so happy to feel human again. ONLY 2 MORE TO GO. I hope that my liver hangs in there. My fingertips are very sensitive. I hope that I do not loose my fingernails. (Geez)
I can't wait till I no longer look like a long shore man. Maybe I'll buy some chia pet seeds and put them on my head. CHA CHA CHA CHA CHIA.
I am glad the new girls are tackling the hair thing it is not easy and although it does get easier it is not cool and never will be. My heart is with you. Smile you are so beautiful that you do not even need hair to be a knock out.
Lisa: My friend thanks for the encouragement. I hope the weather is great for you and you have a great weekend. I do not think that this is the time for me to jump on a plane and go riding with you. But I still love thinking about it. I need to get back in the saddle. I have not ridden for 18 months. Thats a long time. Right now it is just a wonderful daydream that makes me happy. Do you ride English or western? Or both.
Peace
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Cupcake your hair looks beautiful
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Thanks guys and this is what it will look like in awhile before all this began back in June. I will have it all back and so will you.
Bold: Cha cha chi, now that is funny. The sense of humor coming from ladies that has spent the last few months in the depths of such anguish. Shows the human spirit can't be crushed, even though sometimes it seems like it is.
I went over to the rad sight and it is ok, but here is home and always will be. I made such a bond with all of you in here that is why my heart keeps wanting to come back. My Alumni is Champ Chemo. I'm a cheer leader now and on the sides cheering all of you on.
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Cupcake: Yippee!! Love the Hair!!! Thank you so much for THAT encouragement! I am also glad to hear from you. I missed you.....
Blue - My chemo side effects are fading - I think. I get my blood re-done this coming Monday. I tried to take the potassium , but that was not fun - horrible head ache! I will take the half dose until I see the doc on Monday. I SHOULD have started my tamoxifen this past Monday. I am being a real baby about this. I do not want to take this, I just had a very breif conversation with my husband RE: tamoxifen. He is not giving me any slack. He says it is just like Herceptin - my Gold Card to live - take it! End of discussion. So I am off to grap the bottle and choke it down.
Bold - Honey! Of course you can't get on a plane now! When you get your six tx's over and done, you have an open invitation!
Lisa
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Lisa, I understand about the tamoxifen. I feel fortunate that I was ER-/PR- and I'm glad I was HER2+ at a time when we have something so good to fight it. Of course you have a right to feel like a real baby about it. I understand how having just finished chemo you aren't in the mood for more side effects. But good for your husband for looking after you - mine does that too.
Did your onc test your magnesium? My test last Monday was the first time they tested mine. I read on the nih.gov site that low magnesium can be associated with low levels of potassium in the blood.
I hate choking down pills too. And yet I've signed up for the SWOG S0307 study where two of the three arms are taking a daily pill or two of a biphosphonate drug for 3 years. (The other arm is an IV bisphosphonate once a month for 6 months and then every 3 months for the rest of the 3 years.) And everyone on the study has to take calcium and vitamin D daily too. The theory is that biphosphonates reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrance by about a third. They need a bigger study and they want to see which ones work best.
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Ok campers I have a question for those of you who had experienced vagina dryness during TCH. I'm hoping some of you that said that are still here. The burning after intercourse is so painful that it is really becoming a problem. It burns like crazy. I use the Astro Glyde that works with lubrication, but it still burns afterwards like I am on fire. I have went to the GYN and they say things look fine. I have talked at length since the beginning of this with my ONC with no luck. We KNOW it happens, but I was hoping after the chemo and the cells repairing this too would go away. I never had it before chemo. I'm at wits in where to go from here. No dr's seem to know that chemo even does this to women, and it is quite common. Any suggestions, web sights to check out ect.? I will be 4 months out of chemo next week and maybe some who had this that at the 6 month marker it just goes away. I would hate to think this was going to be this way from now on. They took one of my husbands rattles away and now the play pen has closed for repairs on it most of the time...please help!
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Cupcake....Great to hear from you! Wish I had an answer for you! Next week when i go back for another treatment...I will ask the nurses...they are soo sweet at my onc office. You know they have to hear everything..more than the onc. I will see what I can find out, but hopefully you can get an answer before then.
Last night has been the worst yet. I was great all day...I took it easy....sat outside on the patio for a bit....had a manicure and pedicure...and YES I was very cautious.. I have a friend that does it for me : )! So everything was very clean. But last night....the naseau would not go away..even with the meds. The taste in my mouth..YUCK! Its like I am sucking on a piece of metal all the time!
I am hoping I feel better today, Jessica Simpson will be at the Strawberry Festival today and I am hoping to get back stage to give her some of our "Ice It" shirts.....My Uncle is a Director and said that I could go to the Directors lounge and lie down if I needed to. I really do hate being sick....this is not me at ALL! Depending on other people...it is usually me who is taking care of others!
Hope everyone else is doing MUCH better than me. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY LADIES!
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Cupcake, Asking the nurses is a good idea. For both my medical onc and my rad onc, if a side effect will kill you or severely damage you (though I realize to your husband and you this is severe damage but probably not on the oncs radar) they know about it. If it is merely uncomfortable or needs management, the nurses seem to know more. I've had my onc tell me to ask the nurse for handling a SE and my rad onc sent me to the rad nurse for skin care during radiation. You don't even have to wait until you go in again - have you called the oncology advice line?
Are you on AIs since you are hormone positive? Maybe it is related to that rather than the chemo so you might ask on the hormone treatment board.
I assume a yeast infection has been ruled out. That can cause burning but I don't think it would be only after using the playpen.
Sorry to not be able to help more, but I haven't had that side effect either. IIRC correctly, the discussion of it on this thread was long enough ago that those women may not be reading any more.
BTW, there is a post on the HER2+ board for someone with BC in their clavical nodes (that makes it stage IV) without anything in the breast except a 1 mm spot on the PET scan. That sounds similar to your occult cancer so maybe you could pop in there.
Smile, I hope you feel better soon. I don't recall where you are in the chemo cycle. When I had nausea during the second week of my cycle, neither Zophran or Compazine did anything for me. They prescribed Ativan which works through different paths and that fixed it. Most of my problem was in the evening or night but when I needed it during the day, I would take just a half pill. A full Ativan pill usually knocks me out but I could function with a half pill.
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Cupcake- are you taking an AI for your Er+? That can also cause extreme dryness.0
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Yes I was on the Arimidex then stopped it when the joint pain got so bad, but will resume after rads. I have had this before them though. Started right after chemo. I think you are on a marker Blue with the hormone imbalance. Beings I was HER2 strong positive and they have worked to get that estrogen down not to feed the cancer I am thinking it is causing it. I cannot use estrogen based creams that most do for the dryness and they don't make any other. Your right it is not life threatening and off the radar screen, but I cannot leave this cancer journey with this the rest of my life...there must be something out there they can do. Yes I don't want the level of estrogen to rise to ease this and cause cancer to rise, but surly there is a compromise here. I have ask onc nurses, haven't rad onc nurses as I don't think that would be their expertise. I ask my oncologist, two of them, and my P.C. and cancer onc too.
Smile: like Blue said make sure they change those nausea meds around for you. Zofran that was sooo good for everyone did nothing for me as well as the Compazine, but Emend worked wonders also they put something called Aloxi in my infusion bag and I never experience nausea the rest of the way. I heard once that if you are experiencing nausea through chemo someone isn't doing their job cause there are sooo many meds out there to help. Be sure to discuss this with them..We don't want you to go through this...
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Cupcake I had the same problem. It was soooo bad. But it is getting better. I have found that the regular astro glide was not enough to help. They make a much thicker one that is more of a jelly. It is Astroglide gel. The thicker formula helps more than the silky thin regular formula. Try it, I hope it helps.
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Thank you...I did not even think about the nausea meds not working...last night I could not even keep my eyes open...felt sooo bad. Feeling much better today though. Other than that awful taste in my mouth. Thanks Ladies.....I dont know what I would do without this site.
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I've been following this forum for while now, but this is only my second time posting here - Now that I'm officially "in the TCH club" I thought I'd join in. I wasn't really sure if I should start a new topic though. I joined a clinical trial and received my first TCH plus Avastin last Thursday, March 5th. I'll receive 6 treatments plus the remainder of the year just Herceptin and Avastin. I'm not sure if I'm lucky or not about having been chosen to receive the Avastin, but I'm hoping and praying for the best. My first day was uneventful, and I was able to work on Friday, but the Neulasta injection made my bones ache. However, it's wearing off right now. No nausea, diarrea or constipation so far, and I'm getting used to the strange taste in my mouth. My wig is bought, scarves on order...so far so good! Anyone else out there taking Avastin?
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Hey Nonni- You sound great and as prepared as one can be for this adventure. No Avastin here, I'm actually still getting a strong education on all the chemo and hormonal treatments. Am I wrong in thinking Avastin is a hormone inhibitor?
Hardy welcome to a sorry place to have to be. This place has become a major life activity for me these days. What a gift.
Ellen
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Wow, Cupcake, you are one hot mama. You look great and give hope to us all so thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Welcome Nonni, you have found a great forum. I am not taking Avastin just TCH but I too am -ER- PR.
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My se's have been horrendus following tx#5. Everything tastes like swill. I have just wanted to stay in bed with my head covered. Lame! It sounds like I have had a lot of company, sorry to say.
Anyway, soldier on ladies and be strong. Cry when you must and remember for a little TLC and lot's of love and laughs to visit Camp Chemo!
I am praying for everyone who has tx this week and hoping you experience no se's.
Ellen, the pic of you and your daughter is beautiful .
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Thank you Maja. That's my "baby" who just turned 24 this week! Her sister is 27 and getting married in July. I always imagined it would be a beautiful celebration. NOW? Well, the unexpected bc drama should be three months passed chemo by then. Surely, we will all be celebrating at a level we have not ever experienced before. It's all about life and new beginnings right?
I had an overall yucky week. On a weekly rather then every three tx schedule, I normally feel good after Wed. This is my off week and yesterday I ran a low grade fever and high grade depression. The third of major, major cries I've had since this all began. I have definitely had shorter bouts in the interim but yesterday morning was dominated by it. Today much better thank God. I know on those days, the next one or the next will be better. It doesn't make the suffering any easier to take though. It does however, make me feel so GRATEFUL on the next good day.
Blessings to all you campers,
Ellen
Cupcake- Is Astroglide insertable? I've had luck with Replens. I know of your frustration!
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REKoz, Avastin isn't a hormone inhibitor. It in is a monoclonal antibody. That is the same class of drug as Herceptin, but if I understand the description of how Avastin works correctly, Avastin doesn't target a receptor. It targets VEGF, a protein released by cancer cells to encourage blood vessel formation. The blood vessels would supply the cancer cells so the tumor could grow faster. Avastin is suppose to inhibit that.
Nonni, welcome camp chemo though I'm sorry you had to join us. My onc said I was eligible for that study too but since I'm stage Ib (< 1 cm and no nodes) we agreed that the risks of Avastin weren't worth the benefits for me. The discussion was back in October so I can't recall now if my having high blood pressure was also a factor in that decision. That calculation probably is different for you with a larger tumor and 1 node. I hope it goes easily for you.
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Traci": I didn't even know there was a gel too. I will look for it. I thought at one point it was getting better, but then bad again. Hopefully after all this chemo works though my body it might. I'm hoping, but I will tell you one thing I am going to educate these onc at Kaiser that this may not be life threatening, but it is a very important issue.
Maji: Thank you girl that is so sweet. This is the before cancer pix. When you post one it goes all the way back to the beginning of the post. #5 was my worst session too. I just couldn't hardly hold my head off the pillow. I think my body was so saturated with the poison and just knowing I had more just about did me in. But to help you #6 is the best. You know by this one you are done so each day is the last and it makes it so much easier to handle. The light is at the end of the tunnel for you now.
Blue: You certainly have been the educated camper in here. Thanks for all your research for the ladies, myself included when you helped me.
Ellen: So sorry you are having a bad time of it, but it ok to cry and hit the pillow. Done it many times. To answer your question no the Astro Glyde is like Ky jelly but very slippery and not greasy. I like it much better. Anxious to find the gel one Traci suggested.
Noni: For sure this is where you need to be and ask anything any time...hey look at me graduated from Camp Chemo and then came back to ask a question about sex, now that is way out in left field, but its important to me right now as yours is. The campers in here do not mind at all in changing gears.
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Cupcake,
You might want to take a look at this thread:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/729965
It is about trouble people on AIs are having that may be similar to yours.
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Bold, I have been thinking about you all day and hoping that you are feeling alright. We haven't heard from you in a day or so. Miss you.
Maja0 -
My friend Maja: Thanks for asking. I had a ruff time of it for the first 5 days and then I got my groove back ( so to speak). I was able to get some floors scrubbed. And a little gardening. So much is starting to bloom the wisteria, pink jasmine, rhoneculas, calla lilies, prim rose,camellias,Cafer lilies and azaleas. Just to name a few. I have over 300 varieties of plants and they all desperately need attention. I have a wonderful Buddha water treatment that is filled with leaves and winter debre I love the peacefulness when it is on and gently trickling. I have a great collection of wind chimes too. I am so grateful for my retreat. I just have to work like a dog to get it back in shape for the spring and summer. Not to mention that I have started to paint the kitchen and have to get that done before the new floor goes in. UGG. I need to be on my game. My husband is going out of town for about a week and a half. I am going to miss him badly. He will be back the day before TX5!!!!!!!
So TX# 5 a real laugh riot huh? (Gulp) I hope that my liver enzymes hang in there. My fingernails are sore still. How are yours doing? I have been pushing through a lot of the fatigue. I hope that it will make me stronger in the long run. (still I rest when I have to)
We have to remember that crying is part of this journey. The chemo plays havoc with our endocrine system which can make you feel more exaggerated emotions. (not to mention fear, pain and exhaustion). I cry at nice things too. My brother and his wife brought us over dinner tonight. I was just blown away. I had used all my energy and did not go to the store so it was perfect. I was so grateful and kinda embarrassed too.
I got a card from a chemo angel. She is a 15 year survivor oc breast cancer. She is 80 years young and her name is Gurtrude. How wonderful and classic.
One last thing Cupcake you never seize to amaze me with your MOJO. I would suggest maybe some toys.They can help with pain. Maybe a little on line shopping is in order HMMMM?
Noni: Looks like you are putting up one heck of a battle plan. I am certain that you will be victorious. I am sorry that you have to but kick some butt.
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