Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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Once again, you ladies have come thru for me. Thank you! Bold, Lisa, Carolyn, and Bluedasher you have really set my mind at ease. On one hand, I really appreciate how much my doc wants to keep on top of things (while covering his butt), but on the other hand, for things like this, I wish there could be a wait and see approach. Your words of experience have settle my bloodpressure.
Bluedasher I think you would approve of my doc; his game plan is the same as you have suggested: no drugs to stimulate marrow for RBC production, and transfusions when RBCs drop below 8.
Bold and Lisa I have been married 22 years to a man I believe was Heaven sent. I prayed for my perfect mate--perfect as in a man who would compliment my strengths and weaknesses, and I his. It took time for my prayer to be answered and I didn't immediately recognize the answered prayer. In fact, I responded to my answered prayer by asking my girlfriend, "Why is this loser caling me?" Thankfully, he was a charmer and I recognized him as God's gift to me. Nine months later we were married. I very much believe in love, marriage, and marriage full of laughter--right thru the good, the bad, and the ugly. I think one of the reasons I feel so comfortable here at Camp Chemo is because all of the women are so respectful of their husbands and mates. (Being cranky or hurt isn't being disrespectful).
Thanks again to all you Ladies for making this such a healing place to be.
Cheers!
Cloud
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Thanks Paula & everyone here. I have another meeting with the oncologist on Friday. Paula, I also am in Colorado (Denver). Where do you go for treatment? I am having trouble sleeping & the tissue expanders are very uncomfortable. I even wonder if the one on the right is properly placed because it is digging into my ribcage. I can no longer wear a sports bra so against doctor's orders I'm sleeping in just a t-shirt tonight. I will call the surgeon's office tomorrow.
Rebecca
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Smile: If you think TCH causes hot flashes, just wait until you start the tamoxifen!
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Rebecca: I'm in the Denver area too--Arvada. I just sent you a private message.
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Magnola - I'm so sorry that they postponed your chemo again. I was glad to hear that they let you go ahead with the Herceptin. I hope they are able to keep this darned infection clear so that you can get moving again.
Cloud - Regarding the port. Mine never really bothers me except when I've slept on it. I tend to sleep on my right side (that's my good side) because my left side is where they took all the nodes. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning it is sore for a little while.
Cheryl - I guess there are always women out there sniffing around for our husbands. I'm glad that you have a strong marriage. There is a woman who's son is in my son's scout troop. She is recently divorced and since I haven't been to many scout functions lately, she seems to have decided to shadow my hubby wherever he goes. She's even gone so far as to call him and ask him to give her and her son a ride to one of the scout campouts that was 150 miles away. Of course my hubby said he wouldn't be able to help her out. My husband is uncomfortable with her constantly after him. I'm hoping that she will move on once she realizes that I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. One thing that I have noticed is that my marriage has been made much stronger by this cancer fight. My husband has become focused on doing whatever we need to do in order to get our lives back to normal. When he arrived home yesterday, the boys were playing "Godzilla" vs. teddy bears in the family room and dinner was on the stove....I could see he was relieved that I was doing well after the herceptin treatment. I think that sometimes we forget how hard this is on our husbands/significant others.
I went for my herceptin treatment yesterday and it went very smoothly. No reaction other than being very tired for the rest of the day. My doctor says I am progressing along nicely and she hopes that I will continue this way. My MUGA scan was slightly better than the last one, so that is good news.
My arm is still slightly swollen. I have been going to physical therapy and wearing the compression sleeve for a few hours each day. The lymphedema specialist told me to stop stressing out about this because if it turns out to be lymphedema there is nothing that I can do to stop it. It is what it is and all that I can do is continue with my lymph massages (these are very easy to do and they feel great). She made me promise to relax because she is not convinced that this is a lymphedema and if it turns out to be, then we will do what we need to do in order to manage it. I have decided to turn this one over to God.
Have a lovely day.
Anne
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Hello Pond People:I too have a pond, remember? It is more of a Buddha waterfall pond. Very lush. I too had bought expensive koi. We were thrilled as they can live for a 100 years. We named them serenity and bliss. They lived for about a month before the raccoons got them. I remember in the middle of the night I heard splashing I got up and say a family of bandits. I put the house on jet and they all just turn there backs and finished there dinner. I got rid of all the other fish as the smell was bringing them back and they were destroying my plants. So now in the summer I put battery operated fish in the pond and turtles too. Its a riot to watch people try to figure it out.
GEEEEES Cupecake: Your a heck of a friend and a hell of an enemy. I will try to stay on your good side? Which one is that?
Went for nurlasta and hydration on #5 today. Bronchitis is getting better. I am already having bone pain. (that was quick usually takes longer). (living Claritian Clear). All in all I got my game back. Only one more to go!!!!! Have a boat load of appointment to set up for post chemo care. I found out that there is no celebration no anything at chemo center for reaching the finishing line. No worries I will make my own.
Thank you all for your encouragement when I was so physically spent it was hard to see past. I really feel like I am going to beat this cancer. Everyday I am grateful for herceptin. And for you newbies there are no real bad SE from our miracle drug. It gives us such hope. I heard today that they are starting to use it for other types of cancer as well. BRING IT!
Mason: It is a little bit flattering that your husband is so wanted. And even better that he only wants you. I hope you turned adversity in to opportunity to further your love and commitment.
What wonderful weather we are having it was 81 degrees today I drove to the oncs with the top down smelling the flowers in the air. (and the smog) feeling the wind blow through my wig. (grrrr) all in all wonderful. Still have not slept tonight should be a crash.
Do you all feel frustrated watching all the work you should be doing piling up. Especially yard work. (ugg) vacuuming and scrubbing floors and bathrooms. I lost my good week last treatment and boy are thing falling behind. Oh well first thing first.
CCBABY:Your pic is gorgeous. You have such great hair. I just thought I would tell you that it will come back. It is hard nut. I miss mine something fierce. But soon I will not look like DR. EVIL and look like the sexy mama I was born to be. I just can not rock the bald look that well.
Danali.I with you snakes suck! We have rattlesnakes and Gardner snakes. But none in the yard. Thank God!
Love to all
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WOW Bold you gave me a lot of hope today by the beat of your post. Thank you!!
We don't have a celebration either but I have a special shirt planned. Now I just need to make it
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Thanks all - I thought I'd share that tidbit. Hubby took me out for coffee yesterday afternoon and we enjoyed some time together alone.
Cupcake7: You're a hoot! Your sense of humour is right up my alley. My husband and I had a good laugh about it. He seems very surprised that anyone would even be remotely interested in him - what a sweetie. She's also a piece of work and he certainly doesn't want to go there! I just had coffee with a girlfriend this morning and found out that another friend of ours was trying to hit on her husband. I think you're right, cancer or no, there are women out there that just want to hit on men.
ccbaby: I always find the first infusion to be the roughest anyway. The body's just had a huge shock. I also had an allergic reaction to taxotere and I find it took me betwen 7-10 days just to resume any kind of normal activity. For me, around day 5, is when my blood counts tank - that's when I started to really feel the fatigue. When do you go for bloodwork follow-up? Do you think neupogen or neulasta is in order? If your counts are low, you may not want to go back to work so soon. Hang in there. I always found the second treatment a little easier.
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Hi Rebecca, Paula and Linda. I am in the Denver area as well actually SE Aurora. I am going to the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center for my treatment and so far I like my onc. I should start my 4 treatments of TC the 2nd or 3rd week of April. Little scary but I will make it like we all will. Any ideas on how to prepare for the treatments or having a port installed in your arm? I hate needles!! Boy did I get the wrong disease!
Pam
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Cupcake I love you more and more everyday your wit is beautifu!! You always know just what to say. Rebecca I live in Wray a small town near Ks & Ne.I do chemo in Sterling, I have a brother who lives in Denver. Mason Sounds like you got a good man Dear, No worries for you!! Bold Hang in there Baby! each day is closer to the final TX I have 5 on April 6th I am right behind you holding on for dear life. I have an appointment tomorrow to figure out if I get 3 or 5 weeks of rads hope its 3 I will have to go to Greeley I can't afford to miss 5 weeks of work plus cost of staying there but I am going to do whatever it takes and work out the details later!! Helen How are you feeling? 0 -
Pam Welcome wow kinda crazy now with 4 Coloradans for awhile it was only me.Look out Floriadians??? Is that what you are called???Florites??? LOL!! I had a port it is in my chest above my left boob, I have good veins but also wanted good veins when I 'm done,it has been easy blood draws and chemo without an IV, I am happy with mine I got it because of Herceptin for a year every 3 weeks. CCBaby Welcome to you!! 0
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Hi , I just started my TCH two days ago, I have been fine so far, but after reading your messages I may still get sick, I guess I have to wait and see. I will be getting it every 3 weeks for 6 rounds. I am also dreading losing my hair. Do any of you take any over the counter nausea medication or do you get a prescription? I want to be prepared>
Wendy
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Rockstar: Good to hear from you. You sound good. Or maybe I sounded good reading your post. HMMMMM. I am hanging in there. Can not wait till the day after Easter. That is the day of my final Round. All the Hallelujah choruses will be for MEEEE. (maybe a little over the top with that one) We can do this. I just want to do it with grace and that when it gets a bit ifie. Been making all the appointments to day for rads, BS follow-ups scans, etc.. lovin it. Get thee behind me SATAN.
Cakelady:You will have an introduction to chemo class that should fill you in on the meds that your onc will prescribe. They really have this down to a science. Have no fear. Somewhere there is a list in this thread too. I just do not know where it is. Cupcakeis senior camp counselor maybe she knows.
Pam: Idid not go for the port but have had IVs every three weeks. I have had no problem and am happy with my decision. I just wanted you to know. I noticed that you are not Her2 positive. So you will not be having herceptin every three weeks for a year. So really you are only going to have to be stuck 4 times. Not that big of deal huh? It really does'nt hurt that bad. We are warriors after all. This thread was created for her2 gals. But we would be glad to help anyway we can.
take care all
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I had chemo today! Yea! Only 10 days off of schedule. The ps and onco both feel that I am having a reaction to the tissue expanders, not an infection (no other symptons, blood counts normal...). Finally, I can say #2 down, 4 to go! Now, I have to remember what I did the first time to have had so little side effects. It seems like it was so long ago (2/20).
We went a couple weeks without new campers, but there seems to be an increase in the last few days. Welcome to you all. You will be led by some pretty incredible ladies here. They have seen and heard it all. I'm just a sophomore, still learning, but the support has made me stronger. We'll get through this together!
Maggie
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Sorry about the <address> in my post. Don't know why it's doing that and can't edit it out...
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Paula: Thanks for asking about me--I am doing fine other than still having a head cold. I've had it for a week now, so hopefully it's about run it's course. My brother and sister-in-law are due in tonight for about 24 hours--looking forward to seeing them--wish the weather were going to be better. Cakelady: I hope that you have gotten your nausea prescription, because if and when you need it--don't wait. The day I have felt most nauseated is day 3, but take an Ativan and go to sleep--it has been manageable for me, but I am ready to get the last 3 TX over. Have a good night.0
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Jaimeih: I just noticed on the Exchange City forum that we are scheduled for implants on the same day--I just had my last fill yesterday.0
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Lisa: what is tamoxifen?? When do you start that??
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I guess my response to Mason's problem wasn't very Christian like. Sorry Lord. That is just a very touchy subject with me living 26 years with a chippie chaser. For you younger girls it is an old term for a skirt chaser. He always had women after him, and he obliged them with a smile. After raising my children I went to college to get my degree, got my divorce, and had every intention of living single the rest of my life. For me the good ones like you have Cheryl and Anne are far in between, but God had a special plan for me in that while I was training to help people with head injuries He had a special person just going through therapy for a head injury when he had a racing accident. Five years later we met at our High School reunion, fell in love and he was the perfect soul mate for me and I was his counselor in helping him to recover when everyone threw him away. ps to this story...I had a crush on him in High School but didn't know where he hung out...(at a race track) . Today he is not only my husband of 21 years, but my very best friend. He has been right beside me every step of the way and I thank God for him everyday.
wendy: Cakelady I feel a kindred spirit with you already being a cupcake myself. :You should of had an orientation on what meds to take before your first TCH. Whats the deal with that as it sounds like you didn't. You should have Amodium AD for the diarrhea, and Senna/Collace for the constipation at home to take when you need it. You should also have a thermometer and if you ever have a fever over 100 immediately call your onc or the hospital if after hours. And for goodness sake your onc should have ordered for you nausea meds. You don't take over the counter as this is chemically induced and is much worse. I had Zofran in the beginning and switched to Emend which worked much better for me. They will tweak your first chemo to make it more easy on you. Eat a light meal before your treatment, but remember your intestines are going to take a hit so easy on the food the next few days, do not eat a big meal. Nothing sweet, greasy, or spicy. Drink lots of liquids to flush out your kidneys and have a good bm to clear your liver. There is so much for you dear. Please go back to some of the post in here to acquaint yourself with what everyone did and if you have questions please ask.
I guess if frogs had wings they wouldn't bump their butts when they jump. What is wrong with Wendy's treatment plan???
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Does anyone know if they up the "cocktails" they give you each time? I go for treatment #2 next week, will it be the same as the 1st? And were most of the SE the same as the first time?
Karen
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As far as I know they are the same...that is a good question..I will ask my nurse tomorrow. I was alot more fatigued the second time...but better prepared for the bones hurting (claritin really works).
Shari
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Its Insomnia night for me...so here I go
I too once believed in love and marriage..but my ex cheated on my twice...once when I was 7 months pregnant and the other when our children were 2 and 3 years old. I stayed under the pressure of his parents. We hardly ever took vacations together...I pretty much raised our kids alone. So..at the age of 39 (after 24 years of being together and 18 married) I called it quits...dont get me wrong, I tried the whole talking and letting him know I how felt...but never got through. After the divorce, he changed ( I waited and waited) to see if he would change back to the old self....he would not even speak to me on the phone or in person (Hell on our teenage kids) But I missed him terribly! So Easter weekend 2007 I emailed asking to meet with him in person and we have been back together ever since. I truly believe he is my soul mate...he just needed a wake up call!
Hope all you are sleeping well.....
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SMILE Tomoxifen is the hormone therapy for youngsters like me and you. When you have breast cancer and are pre-menapause they put you on 5 years of this stuff. You start it about 3 weeks after chemo. But I see you are Er/Pr-, so I don't know if you will get it or not. I hope you got some sleep last night.
Cupcake: I didn't think your comment to Mason was un-Christian, I thought it was funny as hell!!
What is wrong with Wendy's plan? She needs real nausa meds! Welcome Wendy. Sorry you are here, but you have found the right group.
Well I am off to host another group of riders at the beach - Today the weather seems to be cooperating.
Have a great day all!
Lisa
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I don't think there's anything wrong with Wendy's treatment plan. I got the chemo info and prescriptions on the day of my first treatment. BUT BE SURE TO READ THE MESSAGE AT THE TOP OF THE CHEMO BOARD:
More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through ChemoIt helps immensely!
Also, I think the only difference in the first treatment and successive ones is that the IVs are given slower (to watch for reactions) and I was give Benedryl, which made me very sleepy. I tried to take Benedryl for sleep at home and it didn't do a thing. The nurses told me taken by IV your body has a completely different reaction.
Welcome Pam!! Another Coloradan! I'll send you a private message. I had a port put in, and I LOVE it! No pain on chemo day! I wished they'd just leave it in me for all future blood draws!
Today is chemo #3 day and we're getting a snowstorm! It's typical Colorado weather--in the 70s and 80s last week to a huge storm today. I just hope they don't cancel my chemo. My SUV will make it to the dr's office. Hopefully, if they have to close, they'll just send me to the hospital's infusion center closeby.
Cupcake: you aren't bad at all! We loved your response. And what a beautifuly love story!
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Duneoaks~ Are you excited for your exchange ?? Yup I have a hot date with my PS already set. The hospital called me yesterday to confirm everything which is just one more thing to look forward to. NEW soft boobies
I have been getting fills while going thru Chemo which has been making things even more hellish BUT I want to keep going and I will suck up the pain I have been in. So the day after Chemo #3 I got to my stopping point in my fills and now they will sit for 3 months until the exchange. I had bilaterial because of my age so I am ready to ditch the softballs on the fron of me. I get to go to the kidney doctor this afternoon to see what the plan is for my kidney that has fluid. I just hope something that isn't painful. I have gotten to the point to where anytime a doctor touches me I tense up and pretty much prepare for the pain or I just cry (which I wasn't a crier before all of this).
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Good morning campers. Denali, I was thinking along similar lines - a link between HER2+ and ponds?
It is surprising how many of us have ponds. Lisa, I don't know if I'd want a pond if I was in an area where it would attract water moccasins! We only have rattlesnakes or hamrless garter snakes. They aren't water snakes and usually try to stay away from people. Bold, if you don't have fish, how do you keep mosquitos from breeding in the pond? There are little inconspicuous mosquitofish that some people use. Welcome Wendy, I'm shocked too that they gave you TCH without giving you the prescriptions for nausea medication and instructions on when to use them. I was suppose to take the first pill an hour before chemo. The medications they usually use are Zophran, Compazine or Emend. Zophran was the one that I was suppose to take on chemo day and the two days after. I had a prescription for Compazine to use if the Zophran wasn't working and I could take both as needed for nausea later in chemo. They didn't always work for the nausea that I had later in the chemo cycle so Ativan was prescribed - it works differently and helped when the other two didn't. A whole Ativan would knock me out but I found I could take a half one during the day to stop nausea and still function.
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bluedasher, I took the Emend the day of chemo and then for two days after. I took the Zophran and compazine as needed. The Emend helped me the most.
On the issue of increasing dosage as you continue chemo no, the dosage does not go up. Your dose is actually based on your weight for some of these drugs. I know that some women have had their dosages reduced if they had a reaction. I never had a reaction.
Lisa, how is the Tamox going? So far I am doing pretty good. I have been taking it about 10 days?? I still have not gotten my results back for the metabolism 2d6 test. I figure since I am hoping for good results I would go ahead and start. I have noticed that I don't sleep as well. I took a phenergan last night and slept like a log. Ya know the Tamox may be making me bitchy. I have had no tolerance for crap this week. ??? Maybe I am just in a funk. I think I am. I am making a decision right now...I am going to St Augustine in May! It is just what I need.
Foe everyone going thru chemo this week may your se be few! Magnolia I know you are happy to be back on track. I hope you are feeling okay.
Wendy, I would discuss medications with your oncologist. It is good to have a plan ahead of time. I took aloxi in my IV before each of my treatments . I then took emend for three days and Compazine and Zophran as need. I also took Kytril. It helped before I found out about Emend. Of all of my meds I would say that Emend was the most important. I hope you are doing well.
Traci 0 -
Hi, just had my foiurth treatment yesterday, just wondering what to expect, do yu get the same side of effect, different for everybody I am sure, or does it get worse with every treatment. Thanks Katherine
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On the dosage question, as Traci said, the dosage is calculated on weight. My onc said there is a range partly because there is some debate on whether it should be based on your actual weight or ideal weight. My carboplatin dose was adjusted down for the last couple of treatments because my platelet counts were low and creatine was high.
Katherine, my side effects got worse on the 4th, 5th and 6th treatments. It didn't help that I had a cold during my 5th treatment, but the recovery of my blood cells got worse each time and my creatine was going up.
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Karen: You will always get the same Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin (TCH) but after the first one they may change it some for your tolerance. I never had any problem but with the nausea meds and when they figured out what was best for me didn't have that problem either. Your side effects (S.E.'s) can change. My first one I got mouth sores then didn't the rest of the time. On my second to last I got the bloody nose and teary eyes but didn't at the first. For sure the more treatments (tx) you have and the more poison that builds in your body it may become worse in the fatigue area. My #5 was the worst for me...#6 I knew it was the last and I could make it. Sounds like you and Katherine are starting the same time and you can be bunked in the same cabin here at camp chemo.
Thanks guys on the ok on the comment for Cheryl. I love my Lord and wouldn't want anyone to think I didn't. I guess to think about it He gave me this witty sense of humor and it is a part of me, and I know He loves me how I am and accepts me. For sure I do appreciate all the more the man I am married to now having the other one before. Shari I'm glad your husband wised up before it was to late and maybe that experience will be the catalyst to never have it happen again if he knows you will walk. Make that a line never to cross again and if he does...you are done...let him know this as he may think you will come around again. The old saying is everyone can make a mistake once and shame on them, but if they do it twice then shame on you .
I'm going to try and go on the Arimidex again. Maybe with the cold weather over now that my Arthritis won't be so bothersome and I can handle the Arimidex pain. For sure if that pinky finger starts to go numb again, cause it is better now I will quit. I wanted to post that yesterday was the first day since tx of this awful disease that I stayed outside and did a project fixing my flower boxes and didn't feel the need to collapse after an hour back to the couch. So April 11 will be going on the fifth month out of chemo and my strength is coming back. 3 months the hair and 5 months for the strength. Maybe it will help others behind me to know you will get normal again after all this. I have a few battle scars from the cancer journey like the Mastectomy scar and tattoo's from the radiation, but the cancer is gone and that I am grateful for even with the scars.
You all have a wonderful day, and for those of you struggling know I care and am praying for each of you....
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