Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Denali- I hear you LOUD and clear. I had my second to last tx cancelled due to low platlets! 10 days later, they were good enough to go (that was Mon). I am just like you as far as Miss Chemo cheery and I too could not stop the waterworks from appearing when given the news. My last tx is this Monday and I'm all sorts of nervous about RBC as it was 8.3 on Monday. It just gets lower and lower each time. At this lowest point, I can't see how it will be the required 8 in 4 days. UGH! I MUST have my last chemo this Monday. Surgery scheduled for May 27th and counts have to be good!!
Hang in there and good luck with the transfusion. I so hope NOT to follow your footsteps and miss my last tx!
xoEllen
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The nurses told me there's nothing I can do to raise my blood count. But then one nurse said some people swear by eating lots of green veggies. I've been busy craving protein and haven't watched how many vegetables I eat. Is that what's wrong?? I just wished I could control my RBCs in some way.
I am SOOOO hooked into May 28th being my finish date. But in order to keep my sanity, I just have to let go of that. If it's delayed, it's delayed.
Well, I'm not a bundle of tears (yet) this morning. I think it's a 'Xanex' day, don't you think? I go for my blood transfusion at 1 this afternoon. Wish me luck.
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You should still be able to continue on with your treatments. I completely understand being stuck on a date mine is May 18
I eat greens all the time (that is what I crave) and they haven't helped me. My onc. says it is just what the chemo. picks on, Trust me you will feel better after the infusion, If you cry a bundle of tears do it because someone was kind enough to give you their blood which will help you get well
. (trust me I didn't want it either but I twisted it into something good). ((bighugs))0 -
I was told that the blood cell problem is that your bone marrow production of blood cells has been inhibited by the chemo drugs. Eating to supply the raw materials won't help because the production plant is shut down.
Denali, the blood transfusion should make you feel better pretty quickly. My 5 and 6th chemos came close to being delayed due to low platelets but my platelets came back up pretty rapidly so chemo was able to go forward. My platelet counts were better at recovering than my RBC
Amy, the ice is suppose to be on during the Taxotere transfusion to help fight the taxotere symptoms (mouth sores, neuropathy in the hands and feet or hair loss). I guess the idea is to prevent a high concentration while the drug is getting distrubuted through your body. My chemo nurses told me that there was some clinical evidence for ice chips preventing the mouth sores but not for the others. I did suck on ice chips during my Taxotere infusions and didn't have a problem with mouth sores. Of course I don't know if that was the ice chips or just luck.
I don't think icing now will help. When icing injuries, I've been told to ice for no more than 20 minutes as longer than that may cause damage rather than helping so if you do try it, you might limit the icing to 20 minutes at a time.
My hair started coming out on day 16. I was chairing a meeting on days 16 through 18. So, Tuesday I'm sitting at the front of a room of 30 engineers leading a meeting with my hair shedding. A lot more came out that evening so by Wednesday morning I had some bald spots. For the rest of the week, I wore hats or scarves. My experience was similar to swampy's: My colleagues were very supportive and they accepted that it was still me - hair or no hair. It didn't diminish my authority.
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Bluedasher thank you for the detailed explaination in the Her2 + thread. I haven't seen any additional information about herceptin until you posted that graph. Thank you
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Good morning all. Boy its hard to keep up these days. So much going on.jkcrml: Herceptin has very little SE. Heart injection fraction and headaches are the biggies. Not quite sure what you meant.
I hope that Cupcake is just taking it easy. When she gets back on the board she will have to read a novel to catch up. I hope it does not overwhelm her.
Mason:I know you are on the other board, but wanted you to know that I think about you all the time. Hope your doing OK.
Alaina: Congrats on the Brac. hope you have a easy time of it.Sound like a fun group of gals. Your lucky to have that kind of support.
Denali:I cry all the time. Mostly at the computer. Funny thing while I was in chemo and would cry, my tears would take the furniture polish off the desk. Yikes that some Strong stuff huh? I am glad the nurses where there for you. Remember to laugh too.
I hope all have few SE and lots of laughter.
Cheers
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Strongerwomen - I have to say, I just got my expanders (uncomfortable buggers aren't they) removed in March and the implants in!!! WooHoo!!! I was diagnosed in Feb. 08 and finished 6 rounds of TCH December 3. Will continue Herceptin every three weeks through August. Side effects varied each time. I think that my first time was the hardest due to fear of the unknown. I experienced a few side effects, but the woman that went through treatment with had not one single se except losing her hair!
I have had an incredible support system throughout this journey and my mantra went from 1 down 5 to go, to 6 down - NONE TO GO!!! You will get through this!
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Hi Bold, I seem to be one of the lucky ones who get SE from the herceptin. The last one gave me a horrible headache, couldn't move for 2 days and then ended up with hives, they are trying different drugs to counteract the SE. It could be a long year on the herceptin
But I will take the SE to having to deal with chemo again.Each time I go in they draw blood, do they do this for everyone?
Karen
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Karen, so sorry to hear you have se's from the herceptin. I hope they get you some meds that resolve that issue because most folks say the H is pretty begnign.
As far as blood work, I think it's pretty routine to do it each time. It's the onco's way of keeping track of things and avoiding any bad things that may happen.
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Karen: I get headaches too. Not real bas and only in the last week. Weird huh? I hope that I acclimate and they subside. Like you said it makes for a very long year. Yes every time they draw blood to do your blood counts. It important to know whats going on Chemo effect so much they have to keep an eye on. You can request copies and that way you will know whats going on. I have a flow sheet of my entire journey.
Peace.
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Just got back from #4. I'm a little sleepy, but it went well. Since we're talking Herceptin, I have a question. When they put the Herceptin drip in, the nurses said it would be an hour and a half (I get it with the TC every three weeks). Well, 20 minutes into it, I look up and the bag is empty. Apparently, the nurse was supposed to set it to drip every minute, but ended up doing it much faster. I was truly done and hour and ten minutes early. Will this cause any SE or make this next week more difficult? I have heard if the taxotere or caroplatin are administered too quick, you will take a beating, but I haven't hear about Herceptin. The nurses weren't too concerned.
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Hey, everyone its been awhile since I've posted here-I just had by 3rd TCH treatment Friday, this treatment went pretty good other than I have a bad rash on my face. My 1st 2 treatments I only got a rash on my chest, does anyone else have this issue. I've also had a 2nd consultation with a Rad Onc about whether to do rad with expanders in or not. 1 rad on said no the other said yes, I'm so confused. My Med Onc also gave me prescription for effexor for hot flashes, is anyone on this and what are the side effects?
Simone
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Magnolia, my 1st does on herception was 1 1/2 hrs. now it is on ly 1 hr each time. I'm not sure about any SE.
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Maggie~ I get my herceptin in a half an hour but I can't tell where the side effects are coming from since I am still getting TC part. So I will not know about any of the SE's of the herceptin until June.
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Hi Simone-I started on Effexor for hot flashes right after surgery. I made a WORLD of difference and I haven't had any se's. Some people do though. Flashes have not totally disappeared but are much much less frequent and not nearly as "HOT". I surely would suggest trying it because it was awful for me pre Effexor (75mg extended release.)
Good luck!
Bold- you're sounding good Babe! Amazing how as that poison exits, our spirits suddenly reappear! I too am anxious to hear from Cupcake, I hope she logs on soon!
Lisa- thanks for the tip on Prisms, I will definately get her to use that.
Went to see the surgeon for my Dad today. His surgery is scheduled for May 11th. He's having a lobectomy if anyone is familiar with that. If it's not breast cancer it's lung cancer for my family it seems. Liked the Dr. very much and just pray all goes well.
Have a great weekend ladies. Looks like it's going to be rather rainy and yukky here in NY. At least everything is GREEN..yay!
xoEllen
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Ellen, my prayers are with your family and your dad. May God bless you and keep you safe.
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Thanks so much for the wonderful encouragement from everyone--especially the PMs from Jaimieh! I don't know what I'd do without you all!
My blood transfusion went well today and I feel a lot more pep than I did this morning. The tears stopped last night, thank goodness.
I've had no noticeable SE's from Herceptin. Everytime I think it's caused something --like teary eyes--I'm told Taxotere is the cause. That's good, because Taxotere ends soon. I've just heard (from this board?) that Herceptin makes the hair grow back more slowly.
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Linda~ I am glad I could help. Taxotere is some wicked good stuff (hehehhe....) Just think what it is doing to any lose cancer cells...says the woman with the twitching eyes, numb hand, numb feet, numb teeth and random nerve pains.. Just think we are almost done with the TC
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Hi Ladies,
I'm WIDE AWAKE (thanks Dread-a-Dron!) so I figured I'd pop in here and give you a quick update on my 2nd chemo session yesterday.
Glenda & Cindy are the best BFF's a gal could wish for. Cindy picked me up in the morning and we made our way to the hospital. Glenda met us over there.
Glenda is one of my team members in Mary Kay. She is a Director and her whole unit banded together to get me a gift box chock full of head coverings! Tons of hats and the most GORGEOUS African scarves/headwraps I've ever seen! They are going to come over one day to teach me how to wrap them! I can't wait! She also gave me 2 tubes of Extra Emollient Nightcream to rub on my head to keep my scalp moisturized and shiny! :-)
The treatment itself was uneventful. Lunch was better (salad, tuna sandwich, and ice cream (no more dessert surprise for me) and I managed to wolf it down before the Carboplatin started pumping. I peed 9 times in 5 hours. The gals took turns rolling my IV pole behind me as I rushed to the bathroom.
I was there from 8am until 4pm! That was longer than my 1st treatment by 1 hour! The blood lab was backed up, the pharmacy took their sweet time getting my pre-chemo-meds and my chemo up to my nurse. OHHHH, I got Nurse Joanne again! I was so excited to see her and she greeted me with a big hug and escorted me back to my original chemo "suite" in the corner with the double windows!
I met with my oncologist (who was also running behind time-wise) after my treatment ended and asked him a list of questions. I asked for a copy of my pathology report which he happily provided. I asked him when I would get a scan/MRI to determine if the chemo is working to shrink my tumors...he said probably after Chemo #3 or #4 based on his physical assessment of me after #3. I asked him if I was Stage 3a, b, or c, and he told me 3b. He also said I was T4 (both tumors over 5cm), N1 (one node involved), and M0 (no mets).
He said he would order the enzyme test for me at Chemo #3 to determine if I should be taking Tamoxifen or something else once all treatments are over.
He said the Oncotype testing was not appropriate for my type of cancer. Given the Stage and size of my tumors and the fact that one lymph node was already involved, chemo was going to come first for me no matter what.
He seems to be happy with my progress so far and pleased that I am tolerating chemo so well. He re-stressed the importance of staying hydrated and both he and Nurse Joanne tried to comfort me that I had gained BACK the 5 pounds I'd so happily LOST 2 weeks prior! They told me to keep eating, it's a good thing! My numbers (red and white blood cells and neutrophils) were in a beautiful range pre-chemo today. So the Neulasta shots are working and I'm apparently eating enough.
The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is this weekend and I was told I absolutely could not go by both Nurse & Doc. Crowds and Farm animals are an apparent no-no right after a chemo-treatment. LOL!!! Go figure! So I gave some friends some cash to get me a surprise grab-bag of yarn and kits and notions! Ever the crafter (and shopper), it is breaking my heart to not be able to go this weekend! *sniff*
Well, the Compazine is finally making me drowsy...so I'm going to sign off!
I WILL get out of the house today though....just gonna avoid crowds....*pffft*
Alaina (I won Scrabble! ~ the only dirty word I placed this time was GROPED) LOL!!!
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On the subject of Herceptin only. The only SE I get is some mild fatigue the day of. But I think that is only because the nurses do it so damned slow I am in there for 3 hours!!! By the time I see the doc, they draw the blood and then hook me up - and set the drip to take almost 2 hours!!! Half the day is shot. This monday, if they have that thing set to "slow motion", I will adjust it myself.
Effexor for hot flashes? I need to ask my doc about that. He gave me paxil, which I did not take because I am not depressed - but I am getting irritated!
Blood work: My office draws blood every time and they give me a copy of the results. I could wallpaper a bathroom with my printouts.
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Herceptin! I thought I would be finished in June but the doc said I he was going to overlap the year time line. I asked how much but he went on to something else since he is concerned about my heart and breathing problems. I hope just one month into July. It does give me side effects. I feel like I am getting flu with aches and a little fever but if I can go to sleep and sleep about an hour I feel a little better but I am weak for a few days. I do think part of this is my fibromyalgia but the chemo doc does not know and the rheumy does not know so I just hope for it to be over soon. So far my heart is good except for the not as tight valve but that can be old age
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If it is Herceptin then it might go away but it is nothing to worry about the heart doc said. I go for the results of the stress test on Wed and expect it to be okay and then over to the hospital to get the Herceptin. They do not draw blood every time I do Herceptin but since I have been getting Procrit for RBC they have been drawing it to see if any progress and there is. Not by leaps and bounds but slowly. I wish I knew how to get these old bones to making those cells. I have eaten rare steak, spinach you name it and it does nothing. Exercise does nothing. I am just relying on prayer now and of course the Procrit.gramma23
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Gramma23: Are you taking coQ10? Both my onc and internist have said it is very beneficial. I would give it a shot sure could not hurt.
Danali: WTF! about herceptin and hair growth!!!! Where did you hear that! I hope your wrong.
Jamieh: You have the same SE as I have. I am 20 days out from last TX and still have pain in fingers toes, numbness and shooting pain! Jealous?
Alaina: I am glad that you are doing so well. Hope you get some rest.
Lisa: I was told that I will be out of there in an hour. I go for the first herceptin only on Monday. I'll let you know how it goes.
Rezok: Your family is in my prayers.
SimoneJ: Welcome. It Looks like you have everything under control.
Magnolia:Of all the mistakes that could be made expediting the Herceptin is at least without horrible SE. I hope that you have nooooo problems. Let us know.
Bluedasher: How is your hair doing now?
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
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Lisa-aren't you taking tamox too? Effexor is an anti-depressant but does wonders with hot flashes. It is approved for use with tamox. I don't know if Paxil is. I got on the effexor specifically for the flashes. I've been on tamox. for about 2 weeks and I haven't woke up at night from a hot flash, so far so good. I get warm flashes in the day, but at least I can sleep at night. I started with 37.5, which didn't help, and now take 75. I truly believe effexor also helped me to got thru this whole cancer thing with an upbeat mood. I am thankful for it.
I hope everyone has a nice day.
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Bold you know that I am jealous
I still got one more round to go. Do ya wanna share and you can come and take 1/2 with me...loll..... I hope your taxotere issues go soon because they are not fun for sure. I am hoping that I get some good days inbetween now and my next treatment. I need an emotional lift about now. I go Tuesday to my PS office maybe that will help a little. I am getting plenty of sleep but it still isn't enough my body wants more these days.
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Hi Everybody,
I'm starting Taxol, Carboplatin and Herceptin on Wednesday. Do I fit in here? I know both Taxotere and Taxol are Taxanes, so I thought I might be considered part of this crowd.
I'll be taking Taxol and Herceptin every week for 12 weeks with Carboplatin added in every third week for a total of 4 treatments with Carbo. I'm a little concerned about the weekly schedule since most seem to be on the 3 week schedule. Hmmmm.
I've learned alot reading thru this thread. Thanks so much for the information everyone and I wish you all the very best.
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Shadow- I PM'd you FINALLY...SO sorry!!
she says red faced! 0 -
KJbell, I started tamox in March and have not had a good night's sleep since then.
Bold, yes, herceptin will slow hair growth or cause it to be thin. Ain't that a kick in the ass.
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Hi everyone....ive been busy the last few days....lots of reading to catch up on.
I spent my Friday night taking my daughter to two after hours walk in clinics because of illness. She has been fighting a cold since last Monday. She starting running a fever of 101 off an on starting Thursday and was not any better Friday night. I had to leave a photo shoot to get her to the clinic to find out that they would not see her because they had run out of the influenza quick test. Crazy! But because she had flu like symptons he would not come near her. So we loaded up and drove across town to find another one open. She tested negative for the Swine Flu and the doctor there thought it was just crazy the other doctor would not examine her. If he had of he would have realized that she had Bronchitis and Sinusitis. So...finally she has her meds and I am hoping I dont get the bronchitis...but what is a mother suppose to do??
The story doesnt stop there....while we where in the little room waiting for test results my daughter told me that my feet were swollen...and sure enough from my knees down I was a puff ball. I usually have skinny ankles where my bones stick out....they had dissappeared! I asked the doctor after telling him I was on Chemo and he had no suggestions but to call the onc. When I called my Onc he said that the drugs I was taking could cause blood clots and for me to go to the ER to get my legs scanned. So here it is 11 p.m.....afer a long long day I am heading to the ER....The scans were negative and the ER doc sent me home (around 2 a.m.) and said to follow up Monday with my ONC. My legs and feet are still swollen .....any suggestions????
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Jeeze Smile- Can you NOT catch a break? Hopefully Bold will log on when she wakes up out there on the West Coast. She had tons of swelling issues if I'm not mistaken. You might want to read back a little on the thread.
I hope your daughter recovers soon and that you do not get what she had! You're right though, a mother has to do what a mother has to do.
xoEllen
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Jeez Shari!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My only suggestion is to keep your legs elevated - high and drink a ton of water. I don't know if you can take and OTC diuretic or not. Could you call the onc and ask?
PS I sent you a link to the website for the trip
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