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Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

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Comments

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited April 2009

    I sure hope she never see a reoccurrence :). 

    Did anyone have hairgrowth on TCH ??  My hair is growing back not enough to ditch the wig but I am noticing that it is starting to grow (not complaining) and was wondering if it's gonna fall out during my next 3 treatments.  I think it's gonna fall out so please tell me the truth :)

  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 350
    edited April 2009

    Jaimeh, all my head hair loss happened toward the end of the first TCH cycle. About 10% stayed on and even grew a little but I didn't notice any new hair growing until treatment was over.

  • my2boys
    my2boys Member Posts: 124
    edited April 2009

    My experience was the same as bluedasher's.  One other thing, my eyebrows and eyelashes didn't begin falling out until treatments were over.

    There is a little bit of new hair growth on my head and I am 7 weeks post treatment.  The hair on my legs is growing back enough where I need to shave every other day.

  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 760
    edited April 2009

    I really hope I don't miss anyone!  When this thread gets over a page long in one day, it is hard to keep up!

    General discussion:  I kept my 90% of my eyebrows and lashes thru-out tx.  At about 6 weeks from the last tx - I started to loose my eyebrows, fast!  I am 7 1/2 weeks out now and my eyebrows continue to fall out.  The hair on my head is coming in, slowly but surely.  The sides and back are thicker than the front/top (damn), but all is growing.  I still have "shiny head" so I am not comfortable going hatless.

    Sweet Jesus!  Hubby has his shorts in a wad and needs me "right now"!

    Back later! Lisa

    Lisa

  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 350
    edited April 2009

    Lisa, My hair looks thicker on the sides than on the top too. Today I decided that that may be an illusion. for some reason the hair on the sides of my head lies down flat against my scalp but the hair on top sticks straight up. I think the hair looks like it is covering better when it is lying down but I can't get the hair on top to do that.

    With the weather getting warmer, I am going commando more. I don't mind being seen shiny head and all but I am finding the sensation of breeze on my scalp and ruffling my little bit of hair rather odd and sometimes distracting. I had the sunroof open on the way home from rads today (when I wasn't on the freeway) and the sun on my scalp felt pretty good.

    Those hubbies can be so needy - we never do that to them, do we?Smile

  • my2boys
    my2boys Member Posts: 124
    edited April 2009

    Lisa and Blue,

    My hair regrowth seems to be right on target with yours.  My sides and back seem to be coming in better, but the front and top of my head are not as good.  I still have the shiny scalp look on the top.  Regarding the sides, I was thinking the same thing as Blue.  Perhaps it is just an illusion since the sides are flattened down more.

  • Majanumba1
    Majanumba1 Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2009

    I finished chemo 10 days ago and I have definite dark stuble in the back and white or translucent baby bird fuzz on the top. I keep running my hand over it like it was a full mane of glorious hair!

    I had to shave my legs yesterday but, like others, eyelashes and eyebrows are still thinning. That sucks!!!!!They better come back lush as they have never been before.



    I went to the rad dr. on Monday and will start the week of the 30th after my return from the Fla. panhandle. Can't wait for the break as this has been a very emotional week for me. I can cry at the drop of a hat.



    Maja

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited April 2009

    Okay I asked my DH yesterday and he said I have less hair now and we bickered over my hair growth (or lack of...lol...).  I still have a forest on my arms and I still have leg hair that I refuse to shave.  Odd I tell you.....  I gotta find something for summer time to cover my head besides the huge hats the I bought.  I will not be in my wig this summer.  I can't stand to wear it now but it is nice when it is cold.  I have a couple of scarfes but they are way to big and I look like a goof in them.  I do at least wear them to chemo.  Any suggestions ??  Do you think a hat with a bandana used as a scarf under it would look odd ???

  • Majanumba1
    Majanumba1 Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2009

    Jaimieh, I intended to buy a wig but never did. I am a bandanna girl as they aren't too hot and easy to tie, so they work for me. If I wear a balll cap I just twist the bandanna like a head band and then put on the cap. Then you can't see the bald head.

    During winter I had a few big beret type hats that I could pull on. I never go out "commando" except in the yard but this summer I hope to have enough hair to look like GI Jane .....fierce!

    Maja

  • RockstarmomPaula
    RockstarmomPaula Member Posts: 124
    edited April 2009
    CoolMaja How many weeks of rads to you have to do?? I am also wearing bandanas and caps I bought a wig but I am content with bandanas, I also have some cowboy straw hats I wear. Hope everyone is good glad to hear the nausea many of you have is getting managed ,I have not had that problem I have my premeds and take Kytil the 2 days after chemo I have compazine I had it filled Tx 1 have never taken any.I have Tx 5 Monday,Next to last how sweet it is!!! Glad for the hair regrowth for you ladies before long you will all need a haircut!! Hooray!! 
  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited April 2009

    Paula Whooo for treatment # 5 I am one Tx behind you.  I am going to try the bandanas I am just stressing because it was almost 70 today and I was hot with my wig on.  My 6yr. old is horrified if I go out without anything on my head so I gotta find something to "Fill in" for summer until I can go out with my GI Jane cut :)  I have already said that after all this time being bald I will never have another "bad hair day" as long as I have hair it's a good day. 

  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 210
    edited April 2009

    Hi TCH Campers!

    If you go back about 50 pages or so, you'll see that I once hung out here. A lot!  I did TCH April - July of 2008, and I just came back to announce that YESTERDAY WAS MY LAST HERCEPTIN! Laughing

    I feel good, my hair is actually kind of cute (think older, fatter, Nice n Easy blond Audrey Hepburn) (the picture is still of my wig - gotta replace that!), my real (lifted) boob and its silicone sister look just fine, and my nurses told me that they never wanted to see me ever again (in a nice way!)

    I just wanted to come back and remind you all of the light at the end of the tunnel. You can do this!!!!

    Wishing you all mild side effects and all the best -

    Love, Sue

  • rayhope
    rayhope Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2009
    Suemed:  Thanks so much for dropping in and letting us see how well you're doing after treatment.  I had my last TCH yesterday and am just starting to feel the side effects.  Of course, I will have the herceptin the rest of the year and will also be starting femara in 3 weeks.  Hopefully, I will have my exchange from TE to silicone implants in June or July.  It helps so much to know that there is light at the end of this tunnel.  Wishing you all the best also!
  • Majanumba1
    Majanumba1 Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2009

    Thanks Sue. It was so kind of you to drop in and give us a ray of sunshine. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! You are officially done! You sound great and you are movin' on....fabulous. Thanks for sharing your victory with us.

    Maja

  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 760
    edited April 2009

    Suemed  Than ks so much for checking in!  We really appreciate it.

    On the subject of hair:  Mine is thicker on the sides and the back than on the top/front - as is everyones.  That is due to blood supply and circulation.  We have less blood circulation on the top and front, thus less hair.  Now that all the science is out of the way THIS STINKS!!!!  I want my hair back!  I put the dreaded wig on today just for grins - THANK THE LORD I never wore that thing!  I looked like a wrinkled kid trying to play dress up.  Our hair will come back, we just need to be....... (that "p" word)......

  • cakelady
    cakelady Member Posts: 176
    edited April 2009

    Hi, everyone...I have not lost my hair yet  and am dreading that, but I am curious about what most of you have found the most comfortable and practical, scarves, or hats, or what.  And are regular bandannas big enough to use as a scarf?  I think a wig would be very uncomfortable but I am going to get one anyway,  just in case, because the American Cancer Society will give me a free one.  But they said I have to wait until my hair falls out so the fit will be correct.  I am all about comfort, but I don't want too many stares when I go out.

    Wendy

  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 210
    edited April 2009

    The chemo mullet is truly an interesting look. My daughters tell me that my hair is "all business on top, but there's a party going on in the back" - (somebody's mullet quote). Thanks for the explanation, Lisa.

  • bethanybeane
    bethanybeane Member Posts: 167
    edited April 2009

    Hi all,

    I'm a TCH July-Oct camper -- rads through mid December. Am loving my cute short hair and feel very well. Have lost the 15 lbs I gained on chemo and hope to lose 10 more by exercising as directed by Onc. Am walking up a steep hill 1/2 mile and down as fast as I can. I like having a goal and getting it done with the easy part at the end. My last Herceptin is June 1 -- 3 to go. Am on Arimidex and doing well. A little stiff and ricketly when I first get up but that kicked in with chemo/menopause. I can LIVE with this. I check on you guys frequently and feel for you but you will also soon be done -- when it's over -- we can have faith that this is really over. Hooray for Herceptin.

    Dear Sue, glad to see you doing so well. My doctor said no question: take out the port this summer. Risk of recurrence in the single digits. We did it.!!!

    All Best, Bethany

  • Smile2006
    Smile2006 Member Posts: 132
    edited April 2009

    I cant get over how one glass of wine makes me feel like I have drank the whole bottel!  What is up with that???  A friend told me of a drink from Germany of where you take a half of glass of club soda on ice and add wine to that...add an orange and you have Sangria : )!  My taste is not back yet, so salt is added in abundance....as is the weight!  I have gained 10 pounds and very stressed about that! 

    Denali:  How are you doing...I know you are on the same week as I am...I am feeling better today, tired but wide awake. 

     Bold:  Sending you Get Well Wishes!!!! 

  • kjbell
    kjbell Member Posts: 454
    edited April 2009

    Bethanybeane-your hair looks short and sassy! Glad you are feeling well and congrats on losing 15 pounds! I have gained about 18 pounds and need to work on getting them off. Easier said then done lol! Take care

  • pamela405
    pamela405 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2009

    Hello everyone!  I just signed up and am very excited to have a place to talk to people going thru the same thing as me.  I was dx with stage II  2>cm node negative her2 pos bc. I had my first treatment on March 27/09.  TCH every 3 wks for 18 wks and herceptin for a full year.  I felt great the first 2 days and on day three was so tired and nauseated. Never threw up.  I have had really bad diarrhea for the past 4 days and was tested for bugs.  All came back negative!  I went for my once a week herceptin and blood work today and when I was through I was starving.  I ate a pretty big lunch with no diarrhea.  I am starting to feel normal again. WBC was too low but I got a shot today and will give myself one tomorrow.  Do you think this will happen every three weeks when I get my tch?  Thanks for listening!

  • vangoghpro
    vangoghpro Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2009

    Hi TCH Ladies,

    I have just recently started chemo and so have been briefly posting on the March 09 chemo post. I do have a Herceptin question though. I am taking Herceptin every week until around March of 2010. I have been told there are no SEs, but I was curious if that was true. Week one I had TCH and got very bad diarrhea; I assumed it was the TC that caused that. Last week I had the Herceptin alone and again got (and am still getting) very bad diarrhea. It has interfered with my ability to be at work and has made me fear eating because of the consequences. Is the Herceptin causing this problem?

    The post above mine was obviously submitted while I was still typing!

     Lisa, Hello to another horse lady.

    Linda

  • pamela405
    pamela405 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2009

    Vangoghpro,  I feel your pain!  Same problem but my diarrhea has not come back since herceptin this morning.(last time was late last night)  I am keeping my fingers crossed!   I had to go in for fluids earlier this week because I could not eat or drink anything without it going straight thru me. 

  • pamela405
    pamela405 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2009

    Good night everyone!  Sweet dreams!

  • REKoz
    REKoz Member Posts: 164
    edited April 2009

    Pam and Linda-

    Welcome! Though arriving here under less than ideal circumstances, I think you will be happy campers here! It's the best camp I've ever been to anyway. What other camp can you go to where EVERY single person is warm, welcoming and SUPPORTIVE?

    I can share my experience with the treatment but as you undoubtedly know, everyone is different and some have worse se's than others. I too had bad "bathroom issues" in the beginning of treatment. My protocol is different then most, every 3 weeks x 4 with one off in between. On Friday, I will start the LAST cycle! After my 1st cycle, I did not experience as much of an issue on that end (pun intended!). Of course, like anything else while in chemo, I wasn't normal but the bathroom visits were far less urgent or frequent. It's pretty much stayed the same with maybe a handful of days requiring extra bathroom attendance! What did take it's place was more nausea. So my advice to you is that if this be your experience, stay on top of it. I waited too long to tell my Onc. thinking it was just part of the cumulative effect. I paid mightly for that before I was given a stronger anti-nausea med.(Emend). For the early on diaherrea, I took over the counter anti- d and gas pills. Just remember to let your Onc. know about EVERY se because there are many meds out there to help with your suffering.

    A quick hello to all...For those of you finished, I hope you are quickly resuming a full life and your new "normals." I can't keep track of who's here anymore but I know Bold will be finishing up shortly like me (Happy, happy ad infititum dance!!!) and some of you others are not far behind. We are getting there ladies, troopers, warriers and beat the crap out of cancer kickers!! Now I hope my 81 yr. old Dad has a shot at doing the same as he was diagnosed with lung cancer yesterday! Jeeze, there is no respite for the weary...Say a prayer for him and my Mom would y'all?

    Good luck to you both and God Bless,

    xoEllen

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited April 2009

    Welcome Pamela & Linda! I am sorry you having to go through this but it will seem like it went fast after it is over but not during the time you are doing it. It becomes your world it seems. You will revolve around doc visits, blood test , TCH and se. Some have different ones than others. I do suggest you get your bowels loose before the TCH with Miralax and then when you start having diarrhea you can take Imodium  or any anti diarrhea med. I had diarrhea a lot but on tx 4 I got constipated for some reason and oh my I was in a world of hurt. throwing up and needing to go to the bathroom and so finally I got the diarrhea and I felt better but then had to take the med to stop that. I got real dehydrated then too. Just remember to drink water even if it tastes like it came out of the toilet. It can hurt your kidneys if you don't. Did either of you go to chemo school? If not find out if they have it where you are going and go. They have a lot of helpful information. Also come here with problems you can't figure out because someone has had it I am certain.

    I am so happy for those who have finished up with TCH and those that are finishing Herceptin. Sue I will be finished with Herceptin in June. I can't wait!

    Bethany my hair is almost as long as yours now. It seems since the rad it took off and grew. I will stop wearing scarfs in warm weather but right now we are warm one day and cold the next.

    Anyone who is in need of something to wear besides a wig I found a place through this website for scarves. I can't remember the site but they are not cheap. It has a little rubber thing covered with matching material so all you have to do is slip it on and go. I will be glad to quit wearing them though.

    I have to go to work so I guess it is time to finish getting ready. I don't like working Sat but I am glad to have a job. I am going to sign up for Social Security but work part time too. I will be 62 in Aug and this way if I get sick or something happens I will have some money coming in.

    Have a good day everyone.

    gramma23

  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 760
    edited April 2009

    Welcome Pam and Linda - You have found a wonderful group of people to hang out with and get support from.  Hey!  Another horse person (these folks probably think I'm nuts!).

    Smile and others concerning weight gain.  I just got off the scales and I have NEVER in my adult life weighed this much - I am a bald whale. I know it is a combination of being more sedentary than I have ever been and the very poor eating habits I established during treatment.  I am sure it has NOTHING to do with the cocktails that once again taste good!  I am going to order a set of scales I found that tells body fat as well as weight and tracks your progress.  I have 41 days to lose some of this blubber before my beach trip.

    Ellen My prayers are going out to you and your family.

    All of you that have your hair back are an inspiration. The lack of hair is bothering more now than it did when it first fell out.

    Have a great day everyone.

    Lisa

  • rayhope
    rayhope Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2009

    Ellen:  So sorry to hear about your dad. Praying that he does well. 

     Pam and Linda:  As the others have said, you will find wonderful support here.  I had my last TCH Thursday.  Of course, I am feeling the side effects this weekend; but it feels wonderful knowing that it is my last time!  Please be sure to drink plenty of water, try to eat and rest.  This chemo is not fun, but it is doable.  We are all here to help you.

  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 760
    edited April 2009

    rayhope Congrats on being done!!  Whoo Hoo!  It is a great feeling!

    I am being so badddddd.  I am sitting in the breezeway of the barn playing on the internet.  I brought the computer so I could work on the website for a new business I am launching - haven't even opened that project.  At the very least, I could be doing some cleaning up around here - it looks like a bomb went off!.  But no, I am enjoying the nice temps a breeze and watching the horses munch hay....... And I wonder why nothing ever gets done around here.....Cool

  • Lisa1964
    Lisa1964 Member Posts: 760
    edited April 2009

    For those of you that have not yet lost your hair, or are just beginning the process.  Go to www.PlanetBuff.com

    I loved these things when my hair was falling out.  They are very soft and seamless so they don't irritate an already angry scalp.  They also work real well to keep you from leaving hair ALL over the house.  I wore then religiously until my hair stopped falling out.  They wash and dry really well too. I even loaned one to a male riding companion one day!  He had been golfing the day before and his neck was sunburned, I whipped out a Buff in camo and show him how to cover his neck with it!  Worked great!

    Lisa

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