Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Cloud dittos Maja!
I saw the doc today.Gramma, the doc agrees with you--it must have been something I ate--I'm thinking too much ginger ale. I cannot think of anything else I ate with a lot of sodium. Today, I am finally getting rid of the excess water. Thanks for letting me know that kind of weight gain is real and it goes away.
Here's wishing us all a peaceful night's rest that provides us with increased health and vitality tomorrow.
Cheers!
Cloud
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Looks like I am loosing 7 of my nails out of 10...wooohooo! Another one for the road of life. As long as my hair grows back I will be okay! I am in tears every day now in private. I feel like I have to be strong in public. This really sucks! I am leaving for KY tomorrow for some peace and quiet. So...I am wishing everyone a great weekend! Drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest.....we have the rest of our lives to look forward to
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Congratulations Helen!!!
Being finished is a wonderful feeling isn't it!
Cloud, glad you got to the bottom of the swelling.
Smile, have a great trip.
Hope everyone has a great day.
Lisa
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I heard from Cupcake today and she has been to the hospital 3 times so far and it is not easy for her but she thinks it is getting better. I know she is strong and will make it and hopefully it won't take long. she asked for all your prayers and good vibes. When she gets to feeling better she will check in here she said. It was good to hear from her.
Helen I am so happy for you and your last tx. Jamieh it will be your turn next! do ya'll have to have rads? Well it is just all part of getting healthy again.
I had to go to the cardiologist and even though my MUGA was good they put me through a lot of tests because I am having a breathing problem. I also had a stress test with chemical but that was not bad. I think just because I never had one. I have 2 weak valves but not a big problem they said. My red blood cells are up to 12.1 now so I did not have to have a shot yesterday. Yes! I was so glad it finally came up and now I am hoping it will stay up on it's own.I do feel stronger all the time now.
Cloud I hope your swelling goes down because I know it is uncomfortable and a worry for you. With these tx we get thrown a curve ball every time we turn around but it won't be long and we will be back to normal.
Smile, have a good time and relax. I want to go someplace to just sleep. I can not get enough sleep. A lot of women cry and I think the meds can cause this. it does not hurt to cry and get the stress out and the sadness you feel. I know we all feel like our world has been turned upside down.
I have not heard from Ipohgirl. I hope she is okay. there are several missing lately. I hope it is vacations keeping them away. I hope everyone is doing good and not too many side effects.
gramma
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Cingratulations, Duneoaks! We did it!!!
I had my FINAL treatment yesterday!!! All was going as usual and just fine until the last 10 minutes of the last drug (carboplatin). I developed a sneezing fit and itchy palms. They stopped the I.V. and called the onc, who said we were finished and that I should get benadryl IV before leaving. I was not happy because I wanted the full Monty. However, there was only 20 left of the 315 dose for the day, which is around 6% reduction, and is just 1% less than the absolute full course of treament, so I am trying to not be too bothered that I didn't get every last drop. It is great to be done. Benedryl, by the way, sure made me sleepy.
Echocardiagram and hydration today. Hoping for a good result. A 4 week break, instead of 3 before my next herceptin and that's about when my radiation will begin. Onward.
Thanks to everyone for you help and support and for sharing our journeys. You all got me through this far.
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First, congrats to all who have finished or are now finishing your chemo journey. PLEASE keep writing the SEs you all experience afterwards! It sure helps the rest of us and you're our inspiration!
What an eventful day yesterday was! But it was all good. When I went to take the trash out early in the morning, I found a huge snake hanging from my garage door I'd opened. I have a picture of it on the following thread-scroll down:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/727587?page=69#idx_2069
I was more fascinated than scared. But it must have brought me good luck, because they allowed me to have Chemo #5 yesterday! My platelets were AMAZING! After increasing only 16 pts the week before, they went from 55 last week to 224 yesterday!!! HURRAH! Never thought I'd be so happy to get chemo!
While I was on the ‘puter last evening, one of my German Shepherds (the young, mischievous one) put her paws up on the desk so she could see out the window at the dog in the next yard. How cuuuute! THEN she jumped up on the desk! Now I've heard of cats walking around on computer desks, but SHEPHERDS???? I'm cracking up at this point and getting the camera out. Here she is:
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Lexi decided she like it up there from that perspective--she could see what I was up to on that desk and most of all, could see my leftover dinner on the other side of the computer. So she made herself comfy.
What would I ever do without my dogs!??
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Denali: how cute is that! And I love that your computer screen is on this site!
Sailor and Duneoaks: yippee for you! I was on the same schedule as you guys in the beginning but that month set back "set me back". Denali-I'm on your schedule now. #5 on Tuesday. Did they schedule #6 for you yesterday. When's the Big Day? Of course, we don't want to jinx it, so knock on wood!
I know bloody noses are a SE, but mine seems to bleed all the time, sometimes even running down to my chin. Is this normal? I called the chemo lodge nurses today and they suggested Afrin. Has anyone had bad nose bleeds?
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Sailor and Duneoaks: Congratulations on finishing. Sailor, don't worry about losing a little of your last carboplatin dose. It is quite common. My onc had to drop my cabroplatin dose by 10% for the last two treatments because of my bloodwork.
Denali, that was a big one! How startling. So if it was a bull snake that means it isn't poisonous? Still even without poison, a snake bite would be no fun. Glad your platelets came up - they do seem to come up fast once they turn the corner.
Maggie, my nose would leave blood when I blew my nose, but it never dripped blood.
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Mary Ellen--yea, we finished the hard part. Don't have much energy today, but otherwise I am feeling fine. Linda--I can't believe that snake in your garage--he looks too much like a rattlesnake for me.0
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Sailor35~ Congratulation! I can't wait to get to that point.
Shari~ I think it is normal to be weepy I have had my fair share of crying and I normally don't cry much. Sorry to hear about the nails that doesn't sound like any fun Have fun on vacation and make sure you rest.
I called my oncologist yesterday to make sure the mouth sores will not make them postpone my treatment on Monday and they told me no. Now I just need to hope that my counts are up high enough. We are celebrating my babies (he turns 4) birthday this weekend so I can actually taste the food (even if not normal it will have some flavor). He has decided at 4 he would like to go to a Japanese restaurant (Hibachi steakhouse) for his birthday..lol..
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duneoaks & sailor Congrats ladies for making FINAL TREATMENT!!!! How sweet it is!! Denali & Magnola Way to go Hooray for TX 5 Almost Done Hang In there!! Denali What a gorgeous Shepard you have! Bold I have been thinking about you, I am 16 Days out of last TX Things I am very Thankful for.... My energy is returning, food is starting to taste like it use to, My memory is getting clearer, { Side note } still looking forward to the Hair!!! When this journey started I was not sure if I would ever feel like me again, Well ladies Great news I am me again mostly So for all of you starting out One foot in front of the other, You can do it!!! Remember all of us here who have gone before, Cupcake Love Prayers, And ((((((((((Big Hugs)))))))))) 0 -
Hello everyone,
I went to my routine after chemo follow up with the onc yesterday... told him how my week after chemo was, not good. But feeling fine now. Then told him my arm was a little achy on the side where I had my PICC line, and I could see my veins more than before....... and he said OH no... He sent me down to radiology STAT for an ultrasound on my arm and neck. Turns out I had a blood clot along the PICC line. Then he wouldn't let me go home, he had someone take me to the emergency room where they monitored me and took out my PICC line, and admitted me to the hospital. So I spent last night in there and came home today. Got shots of Neupogen for my bood cell counts and Coumadin (blood thinner.) I got shots to give myself at home for 4 days and then I have to take a blood thinner pill for 3 months. SO. my next chemo is now delayed a week. And they have to figure out how and when to give me a new port of some sort before my next TX. This sucks.
Denali... Your dog is gorgeous. What a sweetie. Thesnake would have made me jump!
Magnola...Yes I have had small nosebleeds, and one bigger one...My doctor said to keep it moist by using a saline nasal spray, but I have not done that.
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Denali, we live in NM just south of you, and we have four German shepherds, all rescues... none have ever gotten on the desk, but they do plenty of other goofy stuff.
I'm about to start my TCH in June. I'm not looking forward to this, but it's reassuring to see everyone getting through it and doing fine. Will read through the posts to see how people have responded to the TCH regimen... you ladies are the best!
Laura
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Kaidog Welcome, sorry you are here but you found the right place..
Denali LOVE the doggy pics!!!!! Great!!!
To those that have finished - YESSSS!!!!!! What a feeeling!!!
Gramma - Thanks for the updae on Cupcake!
Love and Hugs to all.
Lisa
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Cakelady: I'm so sorry you had to stay in the hospital! How terribly scary for you! I'd have had one long, marathon meltdown. But I'm glad the dr caught it. I had to delay a chemo too and it sucks, but as someone told me: This is just a small (and necessary) detour in the journey. Keep your chin up. There's others here who have had to delay and we just do what we have to do. They can put a port in the very day they give you chemo--that's what my dr's office says anyway. So good luck with it. I've had no problems at all with mine.
Kaidog: Welcome! You have FOUR German Shepherds! Wow! I hope you post some photos. Sometimes I babysit Lexi's brother who belongs to my son--I have no grandkids, you see, just a grand-dog. So with my 2 then I have 3 shepherds. And they all sleep on the queen-size bed with me. Keeps me warm in the winter. I LOVE GS dogs! But I hate the shedding! I quilt, but I can't place any quilts on the beds because of all the hair. (My dogs are a tad spoiled since it's just me and them--my daughter teases me that my couches are leather dog beds.)
Kaidog, you're going to love this message board. I have learned sooooo much from the others here, who are the bravest, most couregous and inspirational folks you'll ever want to meet! Lisa is helping us plan a get together in Florida at the beach in St Augustine. She has a post telling us how to get on the website she made for that purpose.
I had Chemo #5 yesterday and I'm still on my steroid high but still have lots to do before I crash tomorrow night. Wish me luck. I've bought books and magazines and recorded movies, so I'm set that way. What will I ever do when I'm not on the chemo cycle??
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Denali,
Side effects of round 6 were the same as the previous rounds for me. I felt tired and constipated, taste buds were gone 2nd day, I forced myself to drink lots of water (closed to 4L/day for the 1st 3 days after chemo), it helped me feel better sooner after each round.
I had my last round on 5/4, today is 10 day post-chemo and these are the things that I notice: soft fuzz all over my head
dark spotty nails are growing out, taste buds are coming back completely, the neuropathy (tingling of fingertips) is lessen. I gained 10 pounds since started chemo in January (thanks to the decadron). Things are looking up! although I still have to go in for Herceptin every 3 weeks until Christmas, it is much more tolerable than chemo (I hope).
I wish you and all the ladies STRENGTH to get thru the last round(s), there is LIGHT at the end of the tunnel.
Cil.
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Kaidog, I know you are wondering what is going to happen with chemo and maybe a little nervous. I think we all were. In fact I was scared to pieces but it was not too bad and the nurses are great, well most of them, It is the se that is not fun but some have not have many and do drink plenty of water after tx. I am sure everyone has told you this but it is very important. Have you read the list at the beginning of the chemo site where it tells you what you may need for the SE? I am so sorry you are going through this but as you see many have done it before you and are stronger than ever. Everyone here is very helpful if you have questions or just need to vent. We have all done that! Don't be afraid to ask the chemo nurses questions and call them if you need help. sometimes I wanted and should have let them know what was going on with me. You live and learn and that is why I keep coming here to help if I can.
Denali, we have lots of snakes around here and I really don't want one hanging down in front of me but I think snakes are pretty. they also will clean out mice and unwanted birds that build in places you don't want them. they get birds you want too
Just part of nature I guess. Sailor I am so happy for you having your last tx. I bet you thought it would never come and now here it is.
Cakelady, I am sorry you had to have that problem. I know that is common but it is not fun when it happens. they will get you all fixed up. I have to take blood thinners too but I know some don't. I have a port but anything can happen. I am glad you told the doc about it. some would just let it go until it was worse.
Lisa, how is the hair coming along? Mine is starting to grow more but the eyebrows and lashes are not. I guess it just takes longer. Once I got my rbc up my hair seemed to start growing. Maybe my imagination. Still doing Herceptin but I don't think it is hindering the hair growth. I do think being healthy is the main thing that helps the hair. Isn't hair and nails protein? anyway I don't have any problems with the nails growing but they break easy now. I have to keep them short.
Have a good day everyone.
gramma
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Hi To All! I just had my 1st chemo yesterday of TCH. I was soooo terrified at my lumectomy on 04/06, and for my port placement this past tuesday 05/12, I wasn't so scared of going to for chemo. I felt like "this is it, finally" All the waiting to get to here and the crying and the being sooo afraid! It went well! I got there at 8:40am, they drew bloor, seen the Dr., got me into my room, inserted the iv into my port, That was tender and hurt. Then started my on the anti-nausea, benadryl (whicj made me tired) and something else....Any way's they arted the T, and they said that ifI was goingto have any se, it will be with the T and it will be within 15 minutes....Well, needless to say sat there wathcing my watch click by, I became more tired, sat back and fell asleep, woke up and my Dr. was in the room, said hi to him & he asked how I was feeling, and I said fine, just tired, and he said we are already on to the C, went back to sleep and my wonderful nurse Nancy woke me up and siad, you are ready to go home! After that, me & my mom went and pick up my wig and she drove me home and my DH was there waiting for me with all my new found meds!! Went and laid down, woke up at 6:30 ate, took by dec. ten waiting until 7:15 and took my anti-nausea neds, went to sleep and slept until 2am, got up and took another anit-nausea med and slept great through out the night. Woke up this am, took more neds, at work now, little off kilter, which is to be expected...I think.....
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Lisa, welcome to the TCH club! Sounds like things went pretty well. Keep drinking! Don't get discouraged if some side effects catch up with you in a couple days. Stay strong and keep us posted!
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Lisa1970-once you've had #1, the remaining 5 are much less on the anxiety scale. Keep taking those meds.
Gramma: I went to the Look Good/Feel Better class on Tuesday and the makeup lady said that hair grows when the blood is flowing, so it sounds like your theory about RBC is right on the money. She also said that heat/warmth helps and to wrap a warm towel around your head a couple times a day. Maybe a wives tale, but who knows...
Speaking of the LGFB class, I highly recommend it. They discussed wigs (though I'm a baseball hat girl) and scarves and went over makeup tips. The makeup goody bag is amazing! Clinique, Bobby Brown, Merle Norman...she put a value of $400 on it. What an great program-call the American Cancer Society to sign up!
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Lisa~ I am glad that you got #1 out of the way
. I hope you continue to do well and have SE free treatments. Went to the Oncologist today and the first thing I was told by him was that have Her2 used to be a horrible prognosis but now it's the best one to have according to him. I have read that but it was nice to hear it from him. I am also going to go on the biosphate (sp) trial which I have to start within 8 weeks. He was thrilled that I had an idea about it So besides learning that my Effraction rate is in the toilet (45) but the cardiologist report stated it was low because my heartrate was so darn high. It came down after my blood transfusion but has crept back up again. They will be looking for signs that I need another blood transfusion on Monday so I'm not too concerned. I am just looking forward to healing.
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Any of you go in every week for the H treatment? I have to do that the next two weeks and am wondering what that's like. I asked my nurse if I could driver in and home myself and she said to come in w/someone for the first time to see how you react to the H treatment....Sorry, I am alittle off killter today....Hoping that I crash this weekend so I can come to work next week, too...Nervouse about that to..Also, how long do I keep taking the anti-nausea pills, as long as I want? I am taking what you all said to stay ontop of the pills and you will not get nauseated....
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Jaimieh: you're my hero! The Blood Transfusion Queen! You sure calmed me down when I had to have one. Tell your family they can't upset you all wkend because of your racing heart! Use that chemo card!
Welcome Lisa! You're doing great so far! Many of us have Herceptin every week and chemo every 3rd week. Herceptin is a piece of cake. I never have any side effects from it and usually drive myself for that, but it's a good idea to have a driver for your first time.
When I had chemo on Thursdays, it would hit me Sat night or so and last a couple/few days. Just lots of fatigue so they were stay-in-bed days for me. I just take nausea pills when I feel a little queasy. Hmmmm......maybe I should take them regularly as preventative because I never feel like eating during chemo week.
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Denali, did it hit you because the steriods wore off? Were you still able to work? What did it feel liketo crash?
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I don't work (retired thank goodness), but many folks on this board worked right through chemo. You only take the steroids for 3 days--day before, day of, day after chemo. I don't think you're supposed to take them for longer. I thought steroids were preventative for nausea. It's not for the achiness.
When I crash, I feel flu-ish, achey and tired. It's an effort to walk into the next room. Maybe you could plan it so that you're off on those days or it lands on the wkend.
Did you get a Nuelasta injection the day after your chemo? If so, be sure to take the preventative meds for that (most folks take Claritan and Alleve or somthing similar).
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Well, my second tx isn't going so well. Twelve days after chemo and I still have diarrhea to the point that I get stomach cramps, feel faint and weak. Otherwise I feel pretty good. I can't leave the house!! Imprisoned by my own poop!! LOL.. Last chemo my doc changed my med from the normal over the counter to a script called Lonox. 30 tabs, no refill. Those are now gone. Just called the doc and she said the taxotere is probably the culpret and "we need to fix your gut". Some people are just more susceptible to this problem. She has phoned in a script for Cipro(sp?) so hopefully it will do the job. I've been drinking fluids to stay hydrated. I can't tolerate Gator Aid or other sports drinks, so I've been drinking Pediolite (kids virsion of sports drinks). Even found a MANGO flavored one! :-)
Hugs to all... Hopefully I will be parolled tomorrow and can get some errands run.
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Well, I just had a visit from a home health care nurse who gave me a shot of neupogen, and before that a visit from a lab tech who took my blood so they could test it to see how much blood thinner, coumadin, I need to take tonight, due to my blood clot in my arm where my PICC line was. I have to give myself a shot every night for 4 nights, I did the first one last night. It is a strange feeling to know you have to give yourself a shot. I had never done it before, but once I did the first one it was okay. They are going to come and take blood every day until my blood gets to the level they want. They call me each day after they test my blood to tell me how many coumadin pills to take and whether or not to give myself the shot.. wow I feel special.
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Swampy - I had those symptoms after my first TX. I met with the integrative medicine doc before the 2nd tx and I did the following: 1 oz. aloe juice 2x/day, probiotics and l-glutamine with bfst and dinner. HUGE DIFFERENCE. Still a tiny bit of cramping, but at least 80% better than the first tx. I got everything in the local health food store. Very very encouraged by the results and much less concerned about these issues in upcoming tx. Feel like I have more weapons in my arsenal now, instead of just layering on more and more prescriptions. These supplements help replace the cells in the GI tract which are fast-growing and therefore destroyed by the chemo. Might be worth asking your doc if you can try them. I know for me, they really have made a difference.
I wish you a speedy recovery either way. Diarrhea sucks! And I found the cramps and spasms were even worse.
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CakeLady - I am glad that you are so well taken care of! I give myself Neupogen shots for six days after each chemo treatment. The first time around I got pain in my lower back, but I remember the ladies talking about taking Claritin. I got up took the Claritin and within a few hours I was right as rain and have never again had any pain. By the way, you are right to feel special!
Swampy - Big bummer on the digestive issues. I happily have to manage constipation with each treatment. I cannot handle the cramping. The only time I have ever had diarrhea during chemo was when I had something sugar-free. For me, if it is sweet, it is full of calories!
AmyIsStrong - Thank you for sharing your formula for curbing the digestive issues! I have already written it down for safe keeping!
Cheers!
Cloud
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