Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Bold: Er +100% strong ,PR 30% moderate, Her2 age 63 Post Menopausal. I am, now , about 40 pounds overweight. At dx I had lost 67 pounds so was only 15 pounds overweight. I knew Estrogen was raised by the fat in your diet, but didn't know it could be lowered by weight. Ummm interesting. I plan on getting back on target after the rads. It is so hard to get on the treadmill when you feel like you can barely walk. What level of chemo are you on? I will ask my onc and do some research also on lowering the estrogen. Thanks0
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Cool Cupcake: I have 2 more to go.(ugg) I finish on the 13 of April. I have to say I feel that my eating is a bit out of control. I have to loose 35lbs. Thats not easy, as you know. I know that I will have the resolve and how mucho importanto it is. My husband has gained weight since I was dx as well. I guess we are both stress eating. I can not even taste anything thats the really pathetic part. I know that exercise is a big part but smaller portions is were I need to start.
You should not loose weight during rads. They would have to remap you. Did your onco test say that you would benefit from hormone adjuvant care?
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Bold: Nope not going to do any dieting while going through all this. My body needs these high caloric foods right now for healing. I think they are just putting everyone on the adjuvant care and I am questioning it. Remember when the big thing was after your hysterectomy to go on hormone pills then after so many years they now don't think that was a good idea. Well same with this. They are going to have to do a whole lot of convincing before I jump on board. Remember I was the one that didn't even have a tumor. Radiation was iffy if I needed that even. Just because everyone is doing it doesn't mean its best for me. I will listen to the onc when I go on the 24th, but I have been educating myself before hand. Oh yeah on smaller portions. I am diabetic and that is essential for me. You know all through the chemo I didn't even check and my numbers were perfect even though I was eating whatever. Maybe you and I can start a buddy weight loss after we get through all this. Do you have rads after this? Surgery???0
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Smile - You have got to eat!!!!! Honey if you do not eat, you will get much sicker!!!! Your blood counts will fall lower and your muscle loss will be more extreme! This is where this phase (I refuse to use "journey") really sucks. You need to eat whatever you can get down and not worry about the weight gain. You can worry about diet and weight after the TX sessions. Right now you MUST eat. Trust me, you will totally screw up your blood counts and muscle mass if you go anorexic! Iknow everything tastes like crapolla - but the really fatty stuff tastes pretty good! Girlfriend!!! I will drive across this skinny little state and force feed you!!!!! Signed, Momma Lisa
Cupcake and Bold: The weight gain has been hard on me (Smile, you are not allowed to read this) but we know we were better off in the long run. I am on Herceptin alone until October and now that my blood counts are back up, I can concentrate on getting weight off and getting back in shape. I tried so hard to keep the wieght down during tx's and it came back and bit me in the arse. Get cancer free, then worry about the weight. I should post pics so the newbies can see how hard it was for me to let the "weight issue go".
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Lisa...you made me laugh!! I am not at all trying to diet...or watch what I eat...in fact I drove myself to McDonalds this morning to put down a Bacon egg and cheese biscuit....I am willing to eat anythng....I have never had a weight issue and I am definately not worried about that going through this. And I do admit the fattier the food the better tasting it is...but I am a VERY picky eater! I dont like a whole lot to begin with. But when everything tastes like metal...I dont want to eat because I feel like I am going to throw up......My SE are nothing like the rest of you and I am here crying like a baby....I feel bad about complaining....I wish all of you the best and to FEEL BETTER real soon!!! But you are more than welcome to drive across to come and visit....just bring your horse...I love to ride! I took english lessons years ago....but prefer western! English was just really good exercise on the thigh muscles..LOL
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Smile!! I am so glad you are trying to eat!! Unfortunatley, McDonalds tastes great during chemo! I would never dream of eating there - but chemo? What the heck!
If you want me to bring a horse - no problem!!!! You live within 1 hour of some of the greatest riding Florida has to offer!!!! I even know of several places that rent cabins with barns. You tell me your good week and I will be there with a horse and a cabin! I am not kidding! You need a break from the BC world, just let me know! I have been there...... Sounds like a weekend retreat to me!
Lisa
Excuse me, Momma Lisa!
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Smile: Please keep going for food and lots of liquids. It will help. Other folks have previously made suggestions about drinks and ways to flavor water so that it is easier to consume when things taste rotten. More liquids will also likely help with the taste problem. If you are at all dehydrated, ask your onc to get you in for IV hydration. It makes a lot of difference almost immediately. Friends have been making things for me like very fatty chicken soup and then I salt them a lot.
Seems like a lot of us are engaging in eating behavior that is strange for us. I have been craving and eating red meat a lot and have allowed myself to buy potato chips. No McDonalds yet, but I bet it is in the cards. I very much appreciate the support of everyone reminding us that our bodies are telling us what they need and it makes a lot of sense. However, why would any body ever say "McDonalds"?
Awake in Boston on steroids.
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Dear Sailor,
I empathise with how you feel. I'm on my fifth day now, and for the first four nights was wide awake with aching joints, muscles, bones and head. Thankfully, I slept last night.
I can't eat anything too. Darling gfs have been cooking broths, drinks, meals etc, but could only manage a few spoonfuls. I'm Chinese and usually eat very well, but have lost all appetite.Took some french fries, don't feel like it too. I've lost 15 lbs since surgery and am down to 105 (5ft2) so I hope this won't go further.
To share with you, you could try a health drink called Immunocal from the US which a gf bought for me. Take it first thing in the mornings. It's whey protein plus cysteinne and is supposed to be very popular............also, try boiling some barley and squeeeze in some lime/lemon for vit C. This drink is common in the UK and its colonies and is good for the kidneys/pu.
I did not feel nauseous nor did I have diarhea and constipation. But the bone and muscle pain was intense the past few days.
Hang on there, dear sister.
Hugs from Hong Kong
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Good Morning Ladies,
Smile - A helpful hint about the dry skin. I use Eucerin body lotion every morning. I put it all over, including my face and even my feet. This has helped tremendously with the dry skin. I also use aquaphor ointment on my finger tips. They are harder to deal with because of hand washing all day, but the aquaphor keeps the peeling skin from getting too out of control.
Also regarding diet during chemo. I found that I had terrible cravings.....kind of like when I was pregnant. One month it was olives, the next it was potatoes, the next it was vanilla buttercream cake.....lol. I would give in every time and although the food wouldn't taste that great because of the "potty mouth" from the chemo, I found that the cravings would subside once I indulged a bit.
I have been taking antibiotics for the past few days. It seems that one of my breasts has developed an infection of some sort. My oncologist took a look at it and then sent me to my plastic surgeon. I am almost done with my expansion and I was hoping to have my implants in by next month.......sigh. My plastic surgeon is keeping a close eye on the redness and he said not to worry, but of course I'm just worried sick about this. Hopefully I will start to respond to the antibiotics today (I've already had 2 days worth). If not, I guess he will tell me what we are going to do next.
Hoping and praying for the best.
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HI everyone:
I'm so sorry to hear about your nausea, shari. Everyone has given such good advice. When I was on taxotere years ago, I found I couldn't eat anything processed. I also craved foods but my foods of choice (that would stay down and still tasted like they were supposed to) were Thai food (mild of course) - I loved the ginger chicken and white rice and Japanese food. Miso soup went down especially well. I'd eat california rolls (cucumber or avocado) - no raw fish, of course. I actually buy the Kikoman miso soup packages in my local supermarket. An oriental friend of mine tipped me off on this as he says he's surprised at how authentic the soup is considering it's packaged.
I have a question for the ladies who have taken Emend....
I took my first 3 pills during my last treatment 3 weeks ago. They are a WONDER DRUG. Unfortunately, when the 3 pills were done, on day 4 my nausea was so bad I was wishing for death. Zofran took a slight edge off but didn't quite cut it.
After speaking with my oncologist yesterday, she suggested I get 6 pills of Emend this time around. I have never heard of anyone on these boards taking 6 pills, only 3. Is there a reason why only 3 pills are given? I'm just checking....ordinarily I never question my oncologists advice but, apparently, I was the FIRST chemo patient to receive Emend at my hospital and it's all so new to them.
Thanks, everyone. I have chemo again tomorrow (treatment #7) and I'd like to know what everyone thinks.
Cheryl.
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ipohgirl...for the aches and pain it was suggested to try Claritin...not the D. I took that this past treatment and was a major difference from my first go round. My guy bought me the crystal light packets that you put in water bottles last night...much better. Especially love the lemon aid one. I will definately try the barley info! Thank you!
my2boys....so sorry about the infection...hope you get better soon! I am going to purchase the Eucerin today....my fingers are flaking and hurting.
Sailor..I am going to ask my onc to give me an extra IV next treatment...I am pretty sure that was my problem, dehydration! I asked him this last time and he wanted a reason for me to get it....now I have one
I cant wait until we are all at the end of his and it is just a memory!
I was able to make it to work today....but still feel crappy.
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Cheryl: I took Emend and it was fantastic, but I only took one before and then one for two days after. They put Aloxi in my bag. The Emend works for 7 days with this dose, apparently you need it to go longer so hopefully next round with the added pills will keep the nausea away.
Ipohgirl: Remember you digestive system is taking a big hit with this chemo. It kills the nasty cancer cells in your body, but also the good cells too. Anything greasy (french fries), sweet or spicy just makes your stomach work all the harder and it needs to rest the few days after chemo. Also remember your kidneys need a good flushing right after your chemo so lots of liquids to get that chemo out, and the liver needs it out too and that is the BM's. When you start to feel better on whatever day your coming out of it., then you can add foods back in. For the first few days I would eat baby food cause it was easy to digest. Not the most favorable, but it worked. Especially the dry cereal.
My2boys: I will send an extra prayer up for you today. I always keep all of you in my prayers. I am so proud of you helping the ones behind you. It is almost over for you and it will be a distant memory very soon. Cyber hugs to all of you...
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Shari, I'm right with you on the food thing. I'm just now joining the land of the living. For the last 3 days I've been in bed and haven't felt like eating. Nothing sounds good and then all of a sudden I get a craving. Do you all do that? Yesterday afternoon it was a MacDonalds Qtr Pounder! I haven't eaten those greasy things in a decade! THEN I had a craving for pancakes and syrup! I can understand the hamburger thing as I must have needed the protein, but pancakes?? I've lost 14 lbs since surgery (ok, part of that was my my right boob which was removed), but it's a good thing as I'm overwt.
As for the hands, my dr recommended a steroid cream like Cortisol. I've used it since my Chemo #2 and seems to be working.
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On the taste issue I was told to eat a small piece of cheddar cheese right before I ate. It did help with the awful metallic taste so some of you may want to try it????????????? Have a fab day!!! Traci
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Hello Ladies,
I had my first chemo treatment last week and I think I did fairly well.
For the past few days I have been having an achey sensation in my chest. Is it my port, heart, lungs? I just couldn't tell ,so yesterday I did a real easy mile on the treadmill to see if I would have any shortness of breath, but I didn't. I rang the oncologist for a little reassurance and he sent me to the ER for an EKG. He said that heart disease in women doesn't follow predictable symptoms and he "would sleep much better" if I went and had the tests done. I was sure that I wasn't having a cardiac event, but what the heck, I want my oncologist to like me! Turns out, my heart and lungs are great. My RBC and WBC are low, but I don't feel too bad.
The ER doc gave a sheet of paper telling me that I have Chest Wall Pain (costochondritis) which is an inflammation of the cartilage joining the ribs to the breast bone. The literature went on to say the exact cause is not known but it often occurs during emotional stress. Home Care Action #1 was to identify my stressors and learn ways to deal with it. It said I should go the book store and buy a book on "stress reduction." I found some useful information further done the sheet about local analgesic creams and that helped enough for me to fall asleep.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of ache? It actually feels more like gas pains at the top of my diaphragm and shoulder blades.
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Hi Ladies. Tomorrow is Trt. #2. It's much different from the last one. No anxiety at all, though it sounds like the SE's may be pretty bad this time around. I had very few the first time. I did clean the whole house today and washed the dogs. I think the doc's prescibe the steriods so we can spend a couple days preparing for the next rounds.
My2boys: I got an infection in my left tissue expander last week (Monday to be exact). My plastic surgeon put me on Cipro and when I went to the onco for blood last Wed., they gave me on an iv of antibotics. I'm still on the Cipro, and though the redness and purpleness (is that a word?) and swelling has gone down, I'm still not back to normal. I was scared they might have pushed tomorro's treatment back, but they were pleased with the improvement. It may take a while for the infection to clear up, just keep taking the anitbotics. The doc. said once off, the infections can come back.
I will be happy to say "two down, four to go" tomorrow afternoon!
Thanks to all the veterans for their words of wisdom.
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Magnolia - Thanks for the supportive words. I am also on Cipro. How many days are you supposed to take it? My plastic surgeon only prescribed enough for 10 days. I go back to see him tomorrow. The problem is that I have no feeling in my breast, so I cannot tell if it hurts or not. There is no swelling, just redness and kind of like a bruised look. Good luck with TX #2. The treatments will fly by and you will be done before you know it. Just think, after tomorrow you will have another one under your belt.
Cupcake - Your picture looks great. Thank you for the prayers, dear. It is nice to see you posting again.
Smile - Let me know how the Eucerin works out. I must admit that the skin on my face has never been smoother.
Hi Cheryl - I am glad that you are going to take the Emend again. My dose was 3 pills. If I'm not mistaken, the first pill was a larger dose than the two that followed. The nausea that you experienced last month was not typical, so if your doctor wants to give you more Emend, then go for it. Remember on the first day of your last chemo how you said that you were able to eat something for dinner? That was the Emend doing it's job. Please keep us posted.
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Mary Ellen--WE ARE 1/2 WAY THROUGH--YEA!! My treatment went without incident, so that is good--came home and took a nap. Since I had my onc visit and blood work yesterday, it only took about 4 hours. I'll be in touch with any side effects--we're headed to our beach house in SC tomorrow to rest and heal.
Californiacloud: I had lots of gas pains after my first 2 treatments that went from day 3 to day 6. I am going to try some GasX this time, but most of us had have some stomach issues. Glad it was not your heart.
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Duneoaks: Sounds like we both had an easy day. However, I was there from 9:30 to 3:45. Long day, but they feed us a lot and I had an entertaining friend with me from 11:00 on, when my spouse headed out to work. My blood counts are real good, so they have not cut dose at all. They say that is uncommon and even less common in us older girls. So, I am pleased. I am going to be ready to declare victory celebrate the halfway mark after we slog through the next week in good shape, which I am confident we both will do.
Smile: My oncologist has not been doing the next day hydration on a regular basis, but I asked for it because another oncologist told me that she does it with all her patients. Once they did it with me, he and the nurse practioner both researched it. There seem to be data in the nursing literature, but not in the other medical literature. They have shown that women who get next day hydration have much less trouble with nausea, no matter which nausea drugs they are taking. I think they have now decided to to it with everyone. I will ask for the reference, so you can check it out.
Magnola: Good luck tomorrow. My #2 was as easy as #1 and today (Tx 3) has been fine so far.
Mason204: I haven't heard of 6 Emends. It is very expensive (around $350 a pill, I think), so you might want to check out your insurance situation. I get Aloxi in my IV before I get my chemo drugs. It is supposed to be a long lasting anti-nausea drug. My last dose of Decadron is not until day 5 and that also helps prevent nausea. And, they have me on Ativan for as many days as I want and that is also prevents nausea, as well as helping with sleep during the steroids. I have so far had NO nausea.
Traci: Thanks for the cheddar cheese suggestion!
Ipohgirl: Thanks for the advice. Actually, I can eat and drink easily, but for the first week or so, some foods start to taste funky after several bites. And, I am having all these cravings. I am just trying hard to manage cravings and do whatever I can to avoid junk food. In order to do this, I have moved potato chips out of the category of junk food for the duration of chemo!
Cheryl: Emend is a wonder drug and the data are so encouraging. My team is adamant, though, that you must stay hydrated no matter what drugs you are on in order to feel OK. They say dehydation can creep up swiftly on folks undergoing chemo, just as it does with kids.
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sailor: Thank you and I definitely would like the literature on that. But, because I don't have a port...I am going to ask for the extra the day of. Its bad enough getting stuck every week...but I definitely can go through that twice a week. Glad to hear you are breezing through this.....there is hope..that the next one wont be sooo bad.
I thought that eyelashes come out at the end...I am loosing them now....and on top of that...I have what I thought to be a rash around where my collar bone is, but after a closer look its like little blisters that have popped from me rubbing on my lotion. I was, however, able to make it through work today. Even though all I did was play on my computer and delegate all the work. My partner is in Dallas working a booth..so I had to go in.
Hope everyone else had an fulfilling day!
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Smile: I also don't have a port. They leave the IV in and just close off the ends and tape it to my arm overnight, so they don't have to poke me again the second day. It is not uncomfortable and I am even allowed to shower.
I wouldn't quite say that I am "breezing" through. I feel like it is real work just to take care of myself, deal with my body and all the issues, etc. Which one of you all said that "cancer is not for control freaks". This has way too many surprises and uncertainties for me. I have been pretty lucky thus far. We are all slogging through, but for most of us it has been a lot better than we feared and all the help on this site has made a difference for me. I know how much it meant to me to hear from folks that it is DOABLE. It isn't fun (although it is often funny, if you are into black humor) and it is not a walk in the park, but it is not necessarily hellish.
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Im sorry...I didnt mean breezing...as an easy walk in the park..... This is not an easy process and it is nice to read when someone is having a good day....because this is not easy. I know I would be completely lost without this site. So if I upset anyone..I am truly sorry.
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this morning at 8:00 I had my port put in. It was pretty easy but when I woke up all I wanted was oatmeal!! I hate oatmeal! I have decided that the dr. and nurses were talking about breakfast when I was under and I picked up on their suggestions! tomorrow is my 1st chemo, I'm nervous but glad to get the 1st one behind me.
Cupcake, I am so glad to see you are back with us, I hope you will stay. When I was 1st dignosed with this I wrote this board and you wrote back such encouraging words. You just never know when something you do or write has such an impact on someone else. So thank you
Karen
Life may not always be the party we hoped for, but as long as we are here we might as well dance
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Thank you Karen you all are now doing what I did and yes there are some that lurk in here in the beginning before they feel safe enough to jump in. You guys are now the head counselors and I am sure the new campers will be coming in very soon. I remember each of you coming in and soooo scared. Now look at you, standing tall, or over the bowl, but now with the knowledge of how to get through this awful journey and your helping others that was as scared as you were. You are uplifting, and loving each other through the difficult days. My last Radiation is tomorrow, then I have five days of boosters. That is where they just zap the scar tissue where the mastectomy was. Not burning all over on that ones. Radiation really went pretty fast and it didn't hurt at all. So if any of you are heading there and want into please respond and I will answer any of your questions.
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It is so great to see the support that continues on with this thread, What a great bunch of people!
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Quick update: The breast surgeon said that the costochondritis is from the radiation treatments. The oncologist okay'd Aleve once a day for 7 days to reduce the inflammation.
The ocologist also prescribed Neupogen for my WBC count. Is it possible that the Neupogen is already working because I feel so much better? I am so encouraged by this, and I must thank you ladies for letting me know that this and any transfusions, if needed, are to be taken gratefully in the name of health.
Karen, I did my first treatment last week. I was given 50mg of Benadryl, so except for drinking water and going to the bathroom, I basically slept for 5 hours. I can now say from experience, the Camp Counselors are right that proper hydration is key. Good luck tomorrow!
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Smile, if you were worried about upsetting me, never fear. I kinda liked having it called a "breeze" and am always interested in yours or anyone else's perceptions. And, relative to anyone having a tougher time, I am breezing (as a sailor whose real boat is in drydock, I prefer "sailing") through. I am just not a superwoman kind of person and don't want to tempt fate by pretending to be. Also, I am hoping that the newbies get positive, but still realistic expectations. It can be just fine, but it is likely to be better if you do everything you can do to make it better. Start with you oncological team and then rely heavily on the amazing and caring advice from this site. This is the gang that has kept me going. Like you, I would be lost without it. I would also be lying in bed feeling miserable because I wouldn't have had the extra advice and support to do those things that really have made a difference in how my body is doing. And, I wouldn't have had role models about how you can do chemo, have a real life, and keep your sense of humor. Before I hit this site, I expected I would be entering an 18 week tunnel of misery and gloom. Not true. And now that we are getting great descriptions of radiation, I am gratefully learning what I need to plan realistically for the next step. Upbeat but not sugar-coated.
I am off to hydration with a friend (great time for visiting and they give a free massage at my infusion center) and then an afternoon of reading a mystery novel and watching the food network while napping. Hope you all have easy and pleasant days.
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I am very excited today. I am having my tamox metabolism test! I think it is 2D6 or something like that. It took a lot of work to get all of the proper information to my oncologist but we finally got it all together!! I really hope I get good results! I hope everyone has a good day.
Cupcake, I had no idea how tired I really was from the radiation until I finished it. I am 2 weeks out and my energy level is on the rise for sure. I feel better every day. In the middle of chemo I never imagined feeling this good again - BUT I DO! So hang in there every one. Soon this will all be a memory and you will feel normal again!!
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Sailor - A free massage with your infusion???????? I got jipped!!!
Have a great day all!
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Hi ladies. I saw my plastic surgeon this morning and it appears that my infection has started to respond to the antibiotics.....thank God. Another week of antibiotics and I can start my fills again. What a relief.
We're hoping to get me to surgery for the implants by the end of April.
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