Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
-
Smile-
For me, Emend ROCKS! I am not exaggerating when I describe the nausea despair I was in last week. I am truly a different person. You may want to talk to your Onc. BEFORE your next tx as you must take one the day of. I'd call soon. I pray it works as well for you.
Ellen
0 -
Lisa: I have already adopted you my love.
Ellen: So happy the Emend is making the awful nausea go away. I know exactly what you are saying about it being so wonderful not having to deal with it anymore. The fatigue or anything else, but not that. Shari you make sure to ask for it. You take one pill the day before and two after but it keeps on working for 5 days, enough to get you past the nausea. Ellen is another testimony that it works for us when Zofran doesn't. Don't want you to go suffer like you are.
Ipohgirl: I did pm your friend, but she didn't respond yet. Maybe she will when she accepts where she is. I am afraid to tell you that stage 4 there is no cure , but the treatments will give her more time. If she messes around with alternative meds she is just waisting the time she does have, but you need to give her that hope if that is what she is seeking. Just be there when she needs you because she will. If I was a 4 I would take the tx because we are so close to a cure that any length of time and with the continue of new tx coming out that one might be the one. I was a stage 111a because the cancer was so aggressive and had spread to my Lymph Nodes so was right at the door of going either way, but thanks to God the Herceptin did its job and pulled me back. Again because of todays new tx I had a chance. If I would have had this cancer 10 years ago I wouldn't be here typing this to you. I would of had 4 months to live. So many women before Herceptin had no chance, but today we do. Hopefully your friend will be one at the breaking edge of a break through like us, but if she doesn't get in tx she won't. Again that has to be her decision. Yes I take 1500 mg of Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D a day. I also have Osteopenia and with all the assault on my body I want to protect my bones. My onc is on board with that for sure. Yes on the adoption also. You are all my kids you know.
0 -
Cupcake: Well "mom", I must have inherited my hair growth from dad, cause I sure didn't get your miraculous growth! Today is 7 weeks out from my last tx and I still don't have enough hair to show up in a picture. And..... my eyebrows are falling out!
0 -
Lisa~ How long did it take you after your last treatment to semi- feel normal again ?? I have been told that each one will take longer to recover from and I was wondering if you found it to be true (I have been told by others with different Chemo.'s).
0 -
Jaimieh: I just started to feel normal last week - so about 6 1/2 wks out. But I still don't have my stamina back, but I can tell I more "me". I can really tell in the classroom, I have more energy and more zip with my students. They have noticed too. The whole stamina thing will just take time and exercise.
0 -
I am taking compazine during the day and Zofran at night....NOT helping! Think Im going to call my ONC now! This has got to stop!
0 -
Denali Congrats on the halfway mark!!! Doesn't it feel so good? I tried to brave the storm to go to Greeley for a consult on how many rads I have to do , ended up having to turn and come home It got nasty fast So glad you made it To your TX.Bold So sorry about your nephew, My thoughts & prayers are with you!! Happy Birthday to you !! [[[ BIG HUGS]]] Lisa Love your pics your horses are beautiful !! I can tell they are part of your family our horses are too, I will get my boys to help me get some pics!! I second Traci's words you have honored your mom with grace,dignity & love you are a kind spirit You should be proud!! I am curious how many weeks of rads has everyone had??? Kinda trying to figure out what I might get ??? Thank You!! 0 -
Rockstar, I had 7 weeks but I was staged III. I think most get around 5 weeks.
Happy Birthday BOLD!
0 -
Paula: I had 6 weeks Monday-Friday (30 tx) It went by really fast though. It takes longer to get there than the tx. Once you get your set up which takes a little while they just line your tattoo's up with the laser beam and a 15 second zap for 3 in three different area's and your done.
Lisa: Your body has had a significant insult, more than most of us, and healing is directed to the vital body functions before full attention is directed at hair growth. Your only one and a half months out from chemo. I was three months out before I could really tell so you are half way. I lost my eye lashes when I finished. Strange it hit then, but they came back pretty quickly. I think I drown them with the teary eyes.
0 -
THANKS FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES!!!!!
I have no voice. The bronchitis has taken its toll. So there goes my singing career. I also have the worst taste bud situation since I started TX. YUCK. I only have 2 weeks till last TX and it can not come soon enough. Seriously. I have not been myself since I got sick. I have been running a low grade fever for 2 weeks and coughing and coughing. Still I know that I am getting better and that there is light at the end aof this tunnel.
MyRockstar: I believe the standard is 5 and1/2 weeks. I am surprised with all the small tumors on this board that no one has opted for mamosite radiation. That is were they implant this seeds instead of regular rads. I was not a candidate because the tumor has to be smaller that 2cm. Anyway just sounds interesting. Not having to drive everyday sound wonderful.
Sweet Lisa:Your energy is defiantly coming back you can hear it in your posts. I think when we get past this we quickly forget how pooped we are (or were). I would love to post some pics (as I am photographer but I can not seem to find the how) Do you have to have them on a URL? That totally bogus about your hair. It should be a dark halo at least. Maybe its just coming back blond and you cn see it. LOL or gray NOOOOO! Keep us posted.
Smile: That so suck about the nausea. I hope that you are drinking water as I noticed I start to get queasy when I do not. Although It tastes like crap! I still do it. UGGGGGG Sometimes you just want to scream enough!!!! but then little improvements rejuvenate the soul. ONward and UPward!
Traci: Where are you at in treatment now? How are you feeling? Any hair? Did you ever get feeling back under your arm? So many questions huh?
Cupcake: Any update on hair and stamina?
I am going to wait till the weekend to go out for my Birthday so that I can get my voice and taste buds back. Besides I want Sushi and Saki and Beer and loud talking and laughter. Otherwise is just is not as fun. But I am OK with presents and Chinese food tonight.
OH MY GOD I'M 55 TODAY!!!!!! YIPPIE (I'll Take iT)
Love to all
0 -
Thanks ladies My Onc said 5 for sure but maybe 3 depending on my pathology I hope its only 3 ,I would have to go to Greeley its 2 1/2 hours from home so I will have to stay a week at a time,Thankfully you can rent a room at the hospital for 15 $ a night it will just be lonely that far from home.But you gotta do what you gotta do Huh?? I hope you are right Cupcake and it goes fast!! 0
-
OMG Bold You look amazing I thought you were much younger!! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other Better Days Are Coming Baby!!! I Promise!! Hope you get lots of presents!!! 0
-
Wow! Lots of activity on this board now. I'm sorry so many need it, but it's the best place for those of us undergoing treatment. I know all the new ones have already heard it, but the best advice I can give is to drink lots of water and eat as healthfully as possible (sometimes that's just not possible). I have my last tx this Thursday and will be so thankful to be finished. I actually believe my 1st and 2nd treatments were the worst. With subsequent treatments, I seem to have gotten better at handling side effects (proper meds for constipation and nauseau, lots of fluids). I hope that holds true through the last one! I can remember thinking I would never finish and here I am almost at the end. There is light at the end of the tunnel. My best to everyone!
0 -
Happy Birthday Bold! 55 and still HOT- remember that even though you don't feel it. One more tx to go...almost there. You've been so inspirational here so as sick as you are, know that you have touched many.
Lisa- You sound wonderful girlfriend and your animals are gorgeous.Congrats on being DONE! Oh, the elation I expect to feel! I am soooo envious of your lifestyle! As a 53 year old Northerner with an office job, I just have to ask. Is it too late to live like you? It truly does seem like a dream. Anyone who can live a life doing what they are passionate about are blessed beyond. You, my dear have the gift of riding those horses you love surrounded by the beauty of nature and the wind on your face. Such food for the soul!
Smile- my heart bleeds for you. I was the most miserable I have EVER been in my life the past couple of weeks. I only wish I had gotten the Emend sooner. Chances are your next treatment will almost seem like a picnic with that drug. I surely hope so. For now, if you can take something to make you sleep, do it and sleep your way right out of that nausea nightmare.
0 -
Bold: Forgot to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I think 55 is young; I'll be 61 next month.0
-
BOLD: Happy Birthday!! I would have never guessed!!! Hope you get to feeling better soon....here I am complaining about a little naseau!
The nurse is calling me in a new med to take in the morning...its a one a day pill....is that emend?? My guy is picking it up for me on his way home. I have found that I can choke down G2 gatoraide. I am getting tired of the sweet taste, but I am getting fluids.0 -
Okay one more pinning ?'s on Lisa did you have to do Rads ??
Shari~ I was hoping you were not using compazine yet. I hope they call something good in for you. I was naseau the last treatment and I was MISERABLE.
As for me I had to go to the kidney Dr. today and they are going to monitor me at least until the end of my treatment unless I get lower back pain. I have an artery that is causing my kidney to not empty properly and if it continues or gets any worse I will be in the OR getting my ureter re-routed
I am a little sad about the news but I am trying to put a positive spin on it (it isn't cancer 
). 0 -
Happy Birthday Bold--you do look fantastic. I am ready to have my 4th TX on Wednesday, so hopefully 6 weeks from Wed I will get my final TX. I'm still blowing my nose with this cold that won't go away, but I don't feel bad. Jaimieh--I am sorry to hear that you are having kidney problems--I hope you do not have to have surgery. Shari--I hope that the Emend or whatever med you got has stopped the nausea--I don't look forward to that. Ativan has worked for me when I have been really sick. Have a good night.0
-
JKCRML...., thanks for the tip on Press and Seal, I have some, will try it. I got a prescription for Compazine today. Didnt need it for my first chemo, but I want to have it for the 2nd. I asked the onc about Zofran and Emend like you ladies use, and he said that was not for me... that is for people who have cancer like Leukemia. How can I believe that if you guys are taking it and you have similar diagnosis to me. That doesnt make sense, but if Compazine doesn't work when I need it to, then I will really try to get something better.. right now I am fine but you all say it gets a lot worse as you go along...........
0 -
Happy birthday Bold. My HMO considers Mammosite to be still experimental. My HMO is in on a trial of it, but not near my location. Not that it matters for me - my tumor was small enough but it was too close to the skin. Apparently there needs to be something like a cm between the cavity and the skin to do Mammosite. I guess someone could also have a small IDC but a too large cavity because of DCIS that was removed.
Radiation twice a day for a week instead of 6 weeks sounded attractive but I'm not sure if I would have done it even if it had been available and suitable for me. On the Mammosite website they have results from a study but it was only with less than 50 women. I think the larger trials don't have 5 year results yet. They said that about 80% had good or excellent cosmetic results. 20% with less than good cosmetic results sounds kind of high to me. Also the infection rate in trials is about 6 or 7%.
There are also 3-week rads trials underway. Three week whole breast radiation is standard in Canada I think but still considered experimental here. The Canadian trial had a cut-off for breast size because of concerns that it doesn't produce a good cosmetic outcome for large breasts. My rad onc also was concerned about doing 3 week for HER2+ because 3 week uses a larger dose per treatment. He felt there is more risk that it will impact the heart and he doesn't want to combine that risk with Herceptin.
There are also trials on three week partial breast which targets the tumor area instead of the whole breast.
I was a bit disappointed that I'll have rads for 6-weeks but so far it isn't too bad. I feel so normal compared to chemo. And I comfort myself that at least I'm using the tried and true rads method.
Jaimieh, I hope you had good news from the kidney doc today.
It did take a bit longer to recover on the later chemo cycles. I think that was partly because my red blood cells were going farther down. On chemo 5, I felt rocky until about day 15. On chemo 6, I felt bad for about 3 weeks. Then on day 22 my RBC was low enough that they gave me a transfusion and I felt much better. Four weeks after my last chemo treatment, I went to a business meeting and a lot of people commented on it being good to see me back to my normal self. I felt pretty normal that week too so I was pretty much recovered at that point. I was still careful to eat properly and get a good night's sleep every night but I was able to function from morning meetings at 9 AM through evening ones to around 10 PM.
I'm still working on getting physical strength back but recovery has been pleasingly fast.
Shari, Ativan worked for nausea late in the cycle for me. That is when I had nausea that Zophran and Compazine didn't help. If you have a lot of vomiting, you might want them to check your magnesium. Mine was low. It can be depleted by vomiting.
Lisa sorry about the eyebrows. So far mine are hanging in there. My hair growth may finally be getting a bit of color.
0 -
I was prescribed 10 mg. anzemet.....my insurance will only cover five pills a month....and wow is it expsensive even with insurance. But at this point I dont care...just make this feeling stop!!
Has anyone taken this???? They said since I have taken the Zofran that I needed to wait until tomorrow to take the one pill.
duneoaks: I had that my first and second go around...it does go away..eventually..but it does
0 -
Gosh you girls keep this sight busy!
bold! You look fabulous and your voice will come back with everything else! You are almost done! You can do it, do it , do it!As for posting pics, some one told me and it is easy. Put the pic in Photobucket or something similar, hit the tree to the left of the smiley in the tool bar and then paste the img code from photobucket and voila!
Smile - girl! Sick ain't acceptable! Stay on those docs until they fix it! I spent my first tx miserable because I did not enough to bitch
Rockstar: My horses are my babies and my passion (as if you could not tell) and like I said, my mom was my biggest fan and a very strong, loving courageous lady.
Rayhope - You do actually start to "figure out" how to handle the s/e's as you go. But keep in mind, there is a curve ball behind every tx. Keep going!
Jaimieh - No rads for me. I had the bi-lateral mastectomy to avoid that with my diagnoses
REKoz - I worked hard to create my world and I love it! I did not get my first horse until I was 32 y/o. Even the day I got my first horse my hubby said to my dad "if you had done this 30 years agom I would not be doing it today". Wrong! I wanted a horse since I was an itty bitty child. Not long after I got my first boy (J.R.) we were able to buy a large tract of land and from there my horse world evolved. I ended up in the boarding business and my horse world has just exploded over the years. I actually still live in the city. We had planned on building a home on our ranch, but local property tax raises have postponed that. Since the loss of my mom, my dad has built a home on our ranch and my brother lives on the neighboring acreage. I would not trade my world and life for a million dollars. I have a fabulous family of friends that have taken care of my horses and me thru this whole ordeal, I get to spend all of my free time roaming thru-out God's country.
I lost my first horse J.R. (Johnny Rebel) on March 02, 2007 to a freak pasture accident. I loved that horse, he taught me everything I know about loving a horse. My ranch is named for him Johnny Rebel Acres. 2 weeks after I lost him, I found Johnnie Reb, my current trail horse and J.R.'s half brother! Found him in Texas on the internet!
Here is my J.R. about 6 months before I lost him to an inoperable broken leg.
" mce_src="
" alt="" border="" hspace="" vspace="" width="" height="" align="" />Please visit my website www.JohnnyRebelAcres.com and check out the photo page and just ride ride page for pics!
0 -
Bold, Happy Birthday girlfriend! I hope your presents and Chinese food were wonderful. I sympathize with the taste buds as mine are in the toilet. Everything tastes like a sewer.
I keep telling myself every day it will get better.
I am so glad to hear that the Emend is working for you all.Smile, I have been nauseous since last Monday but have been taking the ativan which works for me better than anything else. I talked to my onc about Emend but we decided not to change since it was my lat tx. Now I'm not so sure.....I don't know anything about the anzemet but I sure hope it works for you.
Anyway, feeling much better today than yesterday and hope it stays that way every day. Since I have had some problems with the nurses drawing blood from my port they did an x-ray last week and cleared me for tx, my onc has called and scheduled me for a venagram. She said it was nothing alarming but they just wanted to see what was going on. Has anyone else had one?
Lisa and bluedasher, I am so glad to hear of your progress toward normalcy. We are right behind you and it gives us all hope.
There are so many posts I would like to reply to but I am too tired right now. just know that I am thinking of all of you and sending my thoughts, prayers and love
maja0 -
Cupcake I know I need to more patient about the hair thing - but..... I TEACH in the COSMETOLGY dept of our local college. And I am vain.
Blue - I have read somehwere on this sight that eyebrow loss after the fact is not uncommon. But dang! You would think that if you made it thru 5 months of chemo and kept them, that would be the end - what a tease!
Smile I hope the new drug works
0 -
Mommy Cupcake,
I cried when I read your post. I never thought cyber angels were possible, let alone a mommy to agonise to. FYI, i have not told my parents(who are overseas) yet tho my in-laws know.
About my friend, I am getting worried about her since she did not seem interested in getting her path reports even. I think she is already giving up on chemo and rads, and leaning towards the alternative meds. i will call her again this week when i feel better.
Yippee no joint/muscle pain for five days since the second shot - i definitely think it is the zometa. i will heed your advice and take vitamin D and calcium. Do we take it everyday even if we are on chemo? i've stopped taking my vitamin supplements (centrum) since I started except for vit. E prescribed by the hospital.
Also, the bruises have subsided but the vein where they gave the infusion is still swollen.
About hair, i have lots and this is day 6 of cycle 2 and I still have about 20 percent left. Will shave it this weekend. I hope to look like my mommy when the chemo is off. I am learning how to post my pics on this site.
Hugs,
Ipohgirl
0 -
Smile-(Shari)- I have been given anzemet with chemo and sometimes Kytril. I don't know why they switch it up. Anyway, I have never had it in pill form. I PRAY it works for you...I sooo understand that "make it stop" despair! Not sure how much that cost, but the Emend is ridiculously expensive. Though I only had a $20 co-pay, the pharmacy charge was $823.00 for 6...yes six pills!! For me, they ended up being worth a million.
I pray for your relief today!
Lisa- I checked out your website. So awesome! I want to be you in my next life!
Blue- Curious about your Herceptin comment. When I finish up in 28 days, 4 hours and 10 minutes (who's counting- LOL). I will be going from weekly Herceptin (with chemo) to every 3 Herceptin alone. Therefore, I will be getting larger doses then I am used to. Since chemo seemed like it would never end, I hadn't thought that far ahead. I wonder if I will experience any issues with that dosage? Hummm, another question for the Onc.
Well, I am going to try to go back to sleep. I've been doing a lot of sleeping during the day so I got up at 3:15am as if it were the real start of the day. Ugh...I can't wait to get back to "normal"- or at least the new normal whatever that turns out to be.
Cheers all-
xoEllen
0 -
Some were talking about radiation and I had 7 weeks and 1 day. I am not sure why the 1 day but that is what they told me I would have and I did. I am a little large in the breast size and the onc said that is why I had more of a burn because they had to use enough to get through the entire breast and they also did the chest and up around my neck. I had a burn on my neck that looked like a hicky. Imagine me an old woman and people thinking I had a hicky! Anyway I just broke it down to 2 months in my mind because it sounded less to me than 7 weeks and 1 day. I go for a check up on Friday but I am all healed up now. It really does heal fast once it is finished. I am really dark on the one side.
As for the Herceptin every 3rd week and the 3 tx in one it is really not much different even in time. I have always felt bad the day I take it like I am getting the flu but by the next day I am better but still weak and then the next day I am better. I am still fighting getting my strength back. I am working every day Mon - Fri half a day and sometimes on Sat. I refuse to work more than 2 Sat. a month. I did work 3 out of 4 Sat. and I said no more. I want a life outside the bank! I know some never have any problems with Herceptin so knowing me it is just me with se.
Ipohgirl, you are right about the one with stage 4. She does need to at least come to grips with it. If she does not want to fight it it is her decision but she needs to at least admit it and live her life as full as she can with what she has left. Who knows, God may have a plan to keep her alive. I can't say what I would do if I knew I might not have much time but I hope I would make every day count. I do wish you could tell your mother about your problem too. Of course you know them better than anyone but think how hurt she will be when she finds out others knew about your problem and she did not. Just a thought!
My hair is getting thick but not a lot of length. At least it is dark and I am almost 62 in August. If it was warmer I would go without a scarf or hat. It is starting to grow over my ears a little. I finished Nov 2008.
I had a lot of nausea and the Ativan helped but put me to sleep. They also gave me stuff with the IV and I don't know what it was. If one thing does not work get something else for nausea. I hate being sick and throwing up but I have done a lot of it in the last year. I am a pro now!
Have a good day everyone.
gramma23
0 -
Smile: I have taken the anzemet for nauseau. Since I have aloxi in the premeds, I don't take the anzemet until the second night (and also the third night). During the day I take phenergan as needed for some queasiness. It took me a couple of treatments to get the timing right, but that's what seems to work best for me. Good luck to you.0
-
Gramma, they should give out degrees for being sick and throwing up.lol. Ativan works and when you're that sick sleep is the magic elixer.
Interesting to hear your reaction to once every 3 week herceptin as I am starting that this month. I wondered how different it would be. I can stand not going to the chemo lab every week. I can go on vacation too!
Ipogirl, I am so sorry about your friend. That is a tough one for everybody. Maybe, she is just taking her time to digest the news. My little sister was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor 7 years ago and her reaction was completely diffferent than mine would have been.It puzzled me then and really upset me that she was so passive. I believed she was in denial and I really wanted her to do something, anything to try and fight. Ever since my diagnosis with BC I have thought about her constantly and what she was going through. She did not fight because she had little hope. She was a realist always, one of the most logical people I have ever known, but it made me so sad to see that she really didn't change a thing about her life. Become a vegetarian, take a trip around the world to see everything she could...whatever. Sadly, I never could talk with her about it. I don't know why. It was too hard? She passed away in 2004..it was the saddest day of my life.
We BC ladies are so lucky to have the chemo, herceptin and rads to fight. We have so much support. I hope that your friend finds support and much love from her family and friends. My sister had that and it meant so much to her and to our family.And gramma is right, who knows gods plan for us? Sorry to be on such a low note friends but this just really struck a chord with me.
On the brighter side, Lisa, I am following your instructions and loading a pic. It is rediculous that I haven't been able to accomplish this yet.
maja0 -
Ellen, I've been getting Herceptin once every three weeks since the beginning and haven't had any problem with it. My place gives the 3 week dose over 90 minutes. Some places push it faster but when I asked they said people get more side effects if it is given faster. I haven't noticed any effects from Herceptin alone except perhaps my taste buds are a bit off for a few days - but that isn't as bad as during chemo. My MUGA results have stayed good.
Maja, I'm sorry about your sister. My sister had lung cancer with brain mets, but so far they seem to have effectively treated it. BC has so much better a prognosis than some of the others.
0
