Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Bold - Regarding the nails. Keep them short, short, short. Mine were pulling away and then I started keeping them trimmed short and voila, no more problems. Regarding taste, my last TX was February 11th and my taste is almost completely back, but my mouth is still a bit dry. Give it some time, it will come back. My ankles are still a tiny bit swollen, mostly in the mornings. I spoke to my oncologist and she assured me that all of these side effects will get better with time. The twitching and tearing cleared up about a month ago. I was glad to say goodbye to the eye twitching as that was scary. I still have the drippy nose, but I think that is from the Herceptin.
I hope this helped you. Have a great night.
Anne
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Bold, keep the nails very, very short. Mine are white but they are not pulling off. Buff them and use vitamin e oil. So far this has worked for me. As to taste buds, mine are almost back after 6 weeks. It took about 4 before things started to taste normal. Eyes are better but I have used the Genteal gel every morning which helps to lubricate them. The pollen has been really thick here so allergies are rampant. The moisturizing gel really helps. Now everything seems to be getting better. hang in there.
Alaina, great news!
Everyone seems really excited about the get together. I am. Thanks for the research Lisa 1964.
maja0 -
Bold, taste should be back within a few weeks post tx. If not, you need to contact the doc. That is not normal. Keep us posted. Lisa
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Guys, I just thru St. Augustine out there cause I knew about this awsome house. Just let me know and I will book it. We could really have a great time!
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Paula, thanks for asking about me--I am doing well. My fingernails and toenails are really bad, and my onc started me on an antibiotic because of my big toe. My last TX is this coming Wed the 13th, and I am excited--I am ready to get back to my normal life. I have had a yeast infection after each of the last 3 TX, and it is really bad, but just one more to deal with--YEA!! I am scheduled for my exchange surgery and lift on the left breast on June 17th. Right now I am in SC with my parents for Mother's Day weekend and my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters are due in this afternoon. I have not seen them since Feb, so I am really excited to see them. As far as the reunion, I would have to find out where and when. I haven't posted much over the months, but I read this site at least 3 times a day--it is my support line. It is always so reassuring to find out that others are having the same SE that you have--especially when the onc doesn't think something should be a side effect of TCH. I hope that everyone has a great Mother's Day.
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Alaina: hoping for a better wk for you and congrats on the shrinkage!
Bold: I have the same fears of losing nails! So far I just have the dark lines. But it's not enough we lose our hair, but our NAILS???? AAAACCCCHHH!
Duneoaks: Congrats on your last tx coming up. Happy Days!
Trip: Lisa, I think St Augustine was an excellent suggestion. I looked up airfares from Denver to Jacksonville and they're only $220 !!! Truely, you're the best to choose a place as you know the area. We just want a BEACH and WAVES! I shared the VRBO website only because it's so much fun to look at the photos. I take a mini-vacation everytime I go on that site. Cheap thrills. The house you suggested looks perfect. Now we just have to decide how many and when. Should we do it with a poll? Online or by PM? Suggestions?
Well, if I'd have gotten Chemo #5 last Thursday, I should be crashing soon. But since it was delayed, I'm feeling GREAT! So this is what it's like to not be on chemo. I've never experienced a 4th week before. Usually I just start feeling well and I'm hit with another chemo. Still sad about this 'detour' though and not being able to finish on May 28th as I'd planned.
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Happy Mother's Day to all. Hope you all have a great day tomorrow!
I can't believe how this trip has taken off! So many times, things like this gets mentioned but it just as quickly dies out! I guess when you're dealing with survivors, it's a whole different game. I won't know if I can go until the dates are set. There is a possibility I am going to be a teacher's aide at my daughter's school so days off will be limited. But since I'm in Tampa, St. Augustine is just a couple hours away.
Maggie
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I gotta wait also for details. Having 2 little kids makes everything hard and my poor DH is getting tired of being a single parent.
Linda~ Glad to hear you are feeling great. Think about how much better you will feel going into your next treatment.
Helen~ Whooo on #6
We are scheduled for the same day for surgery. I am still in mouth sore hell. It appears that the 2 on my tongue have started to go away but the 3 on the inside of my lips are huge this morning. I have been swishing with everything under the sun. The good thing is I am still eating trying to gain back the weight I lost so it just makes eating interesting and challenging.
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For our trip! We need to pick a month first and narrow it down from there. Everyone that wants to attend, please pick a month between July and December 2009. Please keep in mind that hurricane season is most active here in September. July or August are good for me.
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I'm in. July or August is good for me too.
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Good morning ladies
I will be jealous of ya'll when you go on your trip (too new to the group, no money, and still in treatment). DH and I are scheduled to go to Las Vegas the first week of Nov. on a Hilton Grand Resorts promo. I've only been in the airport there so it will be fun for me even though I don't gamble or drink. I'm looking into available shows and other things and hopefully by then I can lay by a pool.
Thinking and praying for everyone each and every night.
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I started us a simple website to plan our trip thru.
Go to: http://sites.google.com/site/tchcampersreunion/
Very simple, but it is free and it will get the job done!
Lisa
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Lisa you are most awesome! I tried to leave a comment on the site but duh..don't know how to do that!
Anyways, IF I can do it, July is out for me...I have a wedding you know!
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Lisa, thank you so much! How cool, our very own website!
I can't figure out how to comment either. Help.
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All you have to do is type in the box at the bottom of the page and then click "add comment".
I think this will make it easier to plan things and keep us more organized. It is too hot here today to do anything that does not involve large bodies of water and a drink with an umbrella in it, so I will call the leasing agent to get a feel for how the house is booked right now. September does tend to get a bit cooler if we want to chance the storms. We have been hurricane few for several years now.
Lisa
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Update on reunion site: Anyone can view the site, but in order to participate in the site, you must e-mail me and I have to add you. Just send me your e-mail address at yourhorse@bellsouth.net
Lisa
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Ladies, I received this PM from Cupcake, and, as she requested, I am sharing it with you all:
"Yes for sure hold me prayer I was released too soon and they put me back in, but I am home now, but in a lot of pain and can't take anything or I begin to vomit and that smarts the stitches. I can only take Motrin and that is like having an amputation and only getting baby aspirin for the pain. I take it every four hours. I have a hernia beginning in my lower right stomach area that is extremely painful. Only relief is laying down. So hard to do all day. Please pray for the pain until the 13th when the stitches come out. Praise God what is starting to work does and it will take two weeks for the intestines to realize what they are supposed to do. My faith has not wobbled through this cause I know my God is beside me and won't leave me. Thank you and please let the camp know as I am to weak to stay online to long...love to you all...Brenda"
I know the camp has been sending Cupcake prayers, but for those of you who like to send specific prayers, we definitely know what Cupcake is asking for.
Here's to all the prayers, well wishes, and good vibes this camp can muster for one amazing and truly beautiful woman.
Cheers!
Cloud
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Thanks Cloud. My prayers are going out to Cupcake.
Thanks for the update.
Lisa
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Has anyone experienced low potassium? When I had my last chemo treatment last Monday, the 4th, my potassium level was a little low and the onc said to eat bananas and baked potatoes. I have done that this week, but for the past 3 days I feel really weak, dizzy, lightheaded, almost like I could pass out. And when I use the bathroom, a lot of urine comes out. Has anyone experienced this and what can I do now to help it?
I am going to call the doc first thing in the morning to have bloodwork to find out, but still wanted some advice to see what they will do for me. Thanks!
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When I went for tx2, my potassium was low. My onc prescribed potassium every day for the remainder of TCH.
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Bananas are great for potassium. I've gotten those symptoms you mentioned when I was dehydrated and when my RBCs were down. They gave me an extra 2 bags of saline in the IV for the dehydration--it was easy and helped lots by the next day. The next week I got a blood transfusion of RBCs (not bad) and that perked me up right away. Now my platelets are low and there's nothing I can do. Chemo is delayed until the numbers climb.
Wish you luck in your blood count. Let us know how it goes tomorrow!
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Yes, I had low potassium too. Doc gave me a script to take until it came back up
Lisa
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Lots of prayers going out for Cupcake ((bighugs))
I also had low potassium my last infusion and I was told to eat bananas and baked potatoes. I felt dizzy and lightheaded when my RBC where low. I also had to have a blood transfusion which was not bad just time consuming it was a 4 + hour infusion BUT it made me feel better.
I have one week until I start dreadadron. I am ready to get this done. I have added another mouth sore (7 now) because you know they are soooo much fun..NOT!! I have 7-10lbs to gain and this is not helping me any. I know #6 is going to knock me on my backside but I think that I am ready. My MIL is coming up to take care of my kids so I can just concentrate on recovering.
I hope everyone had a great mother's day.
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Prayers and healing vibes for Cupcake.
FINAL TCH treatment on Wednesday--along with Duneoaks. Tomorrow I start my half gallon of water per day regimen. I have been slipping a bit on that, but it sure makes a difference. Decadron on Tuesday. Echocardiagram on Thursday. First check on the heart since I started chemo. Radiation will begin mid-June, as will 5 (count 'em--FIVE) years of Arimidex. I had convinced myself that it wouldn't start that until Herceptin ends next January, but that was wishful thinking. I am worried about that and my nails, which look like they are heading for trouble. At least the nail trouble won't last five years. And, then there is always the spectre of lymphodema lurking. Am I starting to focus on this stuff because the end of chemo is almost in sight? Hard to gear up for the next round of body assaults.
Potatoes have been a mainstay of my diet (cravings!) during chemo. I never realized that it was likely due to the potassium. This site is always educational! My sodium has been low. They say it is because I am drink too much water and they want me to substitute it with gatorade and fruit juices, but those are pretty unappealing to me. My nurse suggested a mix of gingerale and cranberry juice. Tastes great and is dandy for anyone who wants to gain weight, but is not ideal for the rest of us. Has anyone else's body discovered sugar during chemo? I was never a sweets eater and now I can't get enough.
Reunion sounds wonderful. Dates and location as it affects cost and travel time will be the deal makers or breakers. I can't do it this summer for sure. October is a better bet for me.
All advice on managing nail damage is appreciated. I know the drill on keeping them SHORT. Anything else to avoid pain, infection, and sheer ugliness?
Got a new wig last week--- paid for by insurance. It looks way TOO good. Will never be able to go back to my real hair!!
Hope you all had a lovely day.
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Happy Mother's Day everyone!
First of all I need to thank Shannon56 for the PM. I appreciate it very much. I did try to mention my sister to the Onc but he just talked over me (alot like my lawyer does!). I think by the end of this it will be easier to speak my mind!
I finally got my treatment plan: TCH x 6 + 11 Herceptin only, every three weeks, then Tamoxifen for 5 years. I hope they know what they're doing (fingers crossed). I've been reading the posts for quite a while now and just have a few questions. I should be having my first TCH this week (or next). Damn the waiting! Sorry about that. My first question is - Do I need to have someone with me the first time (or all the time or never)? My second question is - How long does it take? I am trying to arrange for someone to come with me but I have no idea what to tell them. I have to drive quite far (2 hours one way). We live in the middle of no where. My third question - I realize everyone is different but are the SE's the first night pretty much the same for everyone? And what should I expect? My head is swimming and I wish I could turn it off!
I have to go now (little guy needs a bath - school tomorrow). So, I would like to say thanks in advance for any response I get. I'm sure I'll be on here again later (not sleeping too good and it hasn't even started yet!).
I wish I lived closer - a trip would be awesome right about now.
Hope you all have a good night.
Thanks, Anji
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Hi Anji,
I may not be the most informed to answer your questions, but I'll share my experience with you.
Two hour drive? I think you will want to have some one drive you. Personally, I sleep thru most of my infusion because of the benadryl, so I am not able to easily drive after my infusions.
How long does it take? I arrive at 8:45am get blood work done, wait for results, meet with the doc, and then off to the infusion room. I am usually done between 1:30 and 2:00PM; although the first infusion was nearly an hour longer. My nurses took it nice and slow.
Side Effects? Gosh, what I remember most was the horrible taste in my mouth. I should have had my teeth cleaned before I started chemo! I don't remember any real discomfort the first night other than fuzzy teeth, and being very busy with all the water drinking, peeing, and sleeping.
I hope this helps a little.
Here's wishing you a restful night of sleep.
Cheers!
Cloud
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cc Baby,,,I was really dizzy when I woke up on Friday morning, I couldn't even sit up. I took a motion sickness pill and waited, then got up very slowly. I don't know about my Potassium level. but the bananas and potatoes sound like a good idea anyway.
sailor35,, I have a problem drinking juices and gatorade too because they just don't taste good anymore. They don't taste sweet like normal... the only things I think taste good and normal are iced tea, and milk. And as far as the sweets, I was the opposite, I was a sweet -aholic and now things don't taste as good. I really should take this opportunity and lay off the sugar since it is fuel for the cancer, but its hard, cause on my 2 good weeks I still crave it.
anji111... I was told to bring someone with me on my first treatment, mostly for the company, because the first one is longer than the rest. My mom comes with me to every treatment. I have had 3 so far and it tends to be a long day. I didn't get sick the first 2 times, but the 3rd time I got sick the very same night and felt bad for about 5 days. Everyone is different though. So really , you don't need someone with you, usually you are fine the day of chemo and can drive home etc. but there is a lot of waiting time, at least for me, so I am glad to have someone with me. They can be helpful getting things for you , helping you to the bathroom, and keeping you company.
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Anji, I didn't get benidryl with my infusions so I was very alert due to the steroids.I didn't have someone stay with me during the infusion because I took my laptop and used it as a work day.
For the first chemo, I arranged for my husband to drop me off and pick me up because I didn't know how it would effect me. That's a good idea for the first time. Since I felt fine during and after, the other times I drove myself.
Some people have a reaction to taxotere (which is why some oncs give benedryl to everyone, some only give it as needed). They run the first taxotere infusion very slowly so they can see if you have a reaction and make adjustments. My first time took about 5 to 6 hours. The later ones were more like 4 hours. That is just the infusion room time.
I had a pre-chemo blood test 1 or 2 days before chemo on all but the first chemo (when I had had the baseline blood test earlier than that). The first time, I met with the onc on Friday before starting chemo on Monday. The other times, I met with the onc on the day of chemo.
I didn't have any chemo side effects the first night or even the next day. The steroid, decadron, made it difficult to sleep the night before and the night of chemo. My side effects tended to start hitting the 3rd day and be fully in force on day 4.
Many places have a chemo class that you take before your first chemo to explain things to you like what pre-meds to take, what the side effects are and whether you will need a driver. At mine they had a folder for each person with info for their chemo.
May you have an easy time through chemo. If there are rough patches, we will try to help.
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Anji - As you can see from the recent posts there is a variety of answers and many different ways treatment works. Many women have their blood work and doctor visit the same day as chemo treatment. On the other hand I have my blood work done every week and always the day before chemo, I see the doctor approximately a week later (blood done that day). I get an IV of the dreaded decadron (steriod alergy med). I drove myself to my 2nd tx and had the hand tremors so bad when I went to leave that I used all the back roads I could find. For tx 3 DH will drop me off and my parents (who will be back from FL) will pick me and take me to their place and DH will pick me up after work. My treatment time is 9 AM and I haven't been out of there before 1:30 PM. I get a terrible headache from the carboplatin but I bring ibuprofin with me and take that before the carboplatinum.
With a 2 hr drive I agree w/ Cloud have someone take you since you might be completely exhausted when you're done. Good luck on #1.
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Anji, Like you, I have a long drive (2.5 hrs one way) and there is no way (at 67 yrs) I would attempt to go by myself.
Please check with your onco and ask if Neulasta is going to be part of you treatment. This is a drug that is injected 24-48 hours _after_ chemo to help stimulate the bone marrow to generated white blood cells. (Neuopgen is an alternative, but given in several doses over a period of days). The addition of Neulasta really threw a monkey wrench into my travel plans and because of some Medicare rule, requires that I either stay over night after chemo or go home and come back the next day. If you are on private insurance, you may be able to take Neulasta home and self enject, but Medicare doesn't allow me to do that.
My current travel regemine is to hitch a ride to Moffitt on Monday afternoon, get my blood work, spend the night with a sister, do chemo Tuesday, spend another night with my sister, get my Neulasta as soon as possible and have a friend pick me up and bring me home Wed afternoon. It makes for a very long three days.
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