Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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Jamieh, Congrats! I know you are so happy to be finished. I hope your counts get up and you are feeling great after surgery. It is still a long road but everyone will get there.
I think after I started taking Procrit my hair started growing a little more but then I had been low on red blood cells so long. I am still taking Herceptin so it may slow things down a little but I am going without a hat or anything and I have some hair sticking out over my ears that I have to keep tucking in and my neck is really growing hair. I am going to have more hair on my neck that on the top. I need a clean up and my grandson's girlfriend said she could do it with his beard trimmer. I hate to ask since she just grad from beauty school and high school so she probably gets lots of favors asked.
Lisa I would be careful with fad diets and just eat healthy. I know you want to get the weight off but health is the best way to go. We have lots of fresh fruits and veg to eat this time of the year and if you are taking the meds for hormones it makes the weight hard to come off no matter what you do. I am losing the weight but slower now that I am feeling better. I think because my husband who has to eat low fat and so I do too. He is not losing though.
Have a good day everyone and I hope all is well and if you are having se just hang in there and it will pass. It is not fun but is better than not having the choice of a tx that can save your life. I choose life! So onward I go for Herceptin. It will be over soon and maybe I can get rid of the port. My friend still has hers but I am not sure how long they will have her keep it. She has non Hodgkin's lymphoma and she had breast cancer too! Her husband died of lymphoma so she knew the first signs and I am so glad she did not wait.
gramma
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Lisa, thanks for the heads up about the Questran.
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I jusy got kicked in the gut again. Went in for #5 and was told my platelets are too low for chemo. The end is so close, I couldn't stop crying. They want to try again on Tuesday, but I begged for another shot on Friday. My nurse didn't think three days would do it, but she scheduled me anyway. I had targeted the first week in June to finish-guess I jinxed myself. After the month delay in between one and two, I was praying for smooth sailing the rest of the way.
Jaimieh: my reds are down also, they said red meat and leafy vegetables. I also got a booster today. But congrats on finishing!
Maggie
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Jaimeh, You are soooo beautiful!! Best of luck w/getting your rbc back up. Now don't forget about us here in the trenches! HAHAHAA!!!
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Magnolia, I'm so sorry for the delay. The same thing happened to me. But they told me not only are my RBCs and platelets down, but I needed a blood transfusion and I burst out crying. Nothing like having a meltdown in the dr's office. The transfusion turned out to be easy. And the delay is just a detour on our journey. I decided to just let go of my original finish date I'd been clinging to and just flow with it.
My platelets went from 55 to 224 in ONE week! So you can do it. But REST lots. Get out all those books you want to read and plant it! I don't know whether that's what did it for me, but it can't hurt, huh? Good luck and let us know.
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Denali: That's very encouraging. They haven't recommended a transfusion yet. Maybe I should ask for one. My platelets are at 57. They said I can resume the chemo when they're around 100. Seriously doubt they get up there by Friday. I will stay calm and rested and keep my fingers crossed!
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Magnola: I agree with Danali you just got to go with the flow. I think staying calm and gentle with yourself is an important part of healing. Your doing so well be nice to yourself.
Peace and healing
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Lisa1964... What kind of port do you have? Have you had it the whole time? and have you had any problems with it? I am not sure what is going to happen with me, because I have to get some sort of new port put in. They took out my PICC line due to a blood clot and now I got chemo delayed a week and am on blood thinner meds.. My veins are small and a little hard to access for IV's. I still have 3 chemo TX to go and then Herceptin only after that. Do you reccommend keeping the port all the way thru Herceptin too?
anyone who has a port let me know how it has worked out for you, maybe I can ask for a specific kind of my choice.
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Hi everyone-
Just have a quick minute...I am supposed to be working
CONGRATS to you Jaimieh. Can you remember the last time you felt so awesome? I am so happy for you!
Cakelady- I have a port that they put in when they did the mx. Many others have it put in before chemo and it doesn't seem to be a big deal. There is a thread about the process of putting in the port here on BCO. I would highly recommend the port, particularly since you need Herceptin. It is really such a breeze to have your meds and for them to take lots of blood. Good luck to you. I am so sorry you've run into this difficulty. Truly stinks...
Will check in later. Bye for now
xoEllen
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Cakelady - I have a PowerPort by Bard. It has worked great the two tx I have had so far. I am very glad I have it for the whole Herceptin process. I can't imagine them trying to get a vein every time - my veins are small and hard to hit, too. I have never had it used for blood draws, though. They just stick me for those! Good luck.
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cakelady: I have a port just below my left collarbone, and I have had NO problems. I had it put in the day I had my mastectomy, but it can be done easily. It was pretty tender for several weeks, but they have had no problems accessing it for bloodwork and TX.0
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I will still be here trying to encourage everyone. I believe in giving back after all that I have advice and encouragement that I have received here from my sister's. Lisa1964~ Thank you for kicking me thru 5 & 6 big smoochies to you. I did it!!! Now I will just have to get out of this last hole and start HEALING. It sounds wonderful and I can't wait.
I have a mini port that I LOVE. My PS wanted to take it out next month and I am going to put a post it on it with please leave me in.
Big hugs to everyone hang in there you will eventually finish and it's worth it once you know you have done it.
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I have a port implanted just below my right collar bone. It's about the size of a nickle. All blood work and infusions are done using it. A blessing to be sure. Mine was implanted when they did my surgical biopsies. No problems. The chemo nurse "flushes" it before blood is drawn to keep it clean. I hate needles so this is the best way to go for me.
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In regards to hair and going bald. It never was a problem for me, but I guess some women can feel less feminine or something by losing their hair. The only time I wear a scarf or ball cap is when it is raining. It seems every time I go out (bald naked), someone, usually another woman, will come over and tell me they went through chemo too, or say, something like "how brave", or "I really admire you". I sometimes think that if more women would wear the "bald badge of courage", it would raise awareness of just how many of us are fighting this battle.
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Amen to that swampy but you know I had a harder time loosing the hair and since august I still dont have a head of it yet August of 08 but its coming in I have now graduated to a ball cap 90% of the time and at home nothing 100% of the time I am single and that might have something to do with it but my hair loss is worst than my boob loose..
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Cakelady, I too have the Power Port, it is just below my right collar bone. I hate it, but I love it. I have really bad veins and when I am having a test done and the port cannot be used it is very frustrating because I have to be stuck multiple times - that is when I love it! I cannot imagine haveing gone thru 6 tx's with my crappy veins with out the port. A freind of mine had a picc line for a brain tumor and it was terrrible - she was constantly on guard about infection and was limited in her activities. I am not limited at all by the port. My only problem is I am active and a bit of a clutz, so I bang my frequently and THAT HURTS!
On the hair issue, everyone I work with AND the students in the cosmetology school where I work have been telling me for weeks to ditch the hat. Some of those kids have been with me thru the entire "cancer thing". They watched when I got it bobbed up to my chin when I was misdiagnosed and thought it was mastectomy only; they watched when I had it cut really short when I found out I had to have chemo, and they were there when I had the last of the straggly hair buzzed off after chemo started. My freinds that I went out of town with this weekend told me to ditch the hat - I did not wear it all this weekend when I was inside, but if I go outside without it, I will get a burned head. My new students this sememster told me today to ditch the hat. Guess I need to ditch the hat. My hair was such a point of pride for me - I had really great hair and I took really good care of it. I never wear the hat at home, but I guess it is time to let it go. I am getting a line across the back of my head where the hat is rubbing the hair off.
Oh well......
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Lisa, I can understand wearing a hat when you are out in the sun. You don't need to add a burned scalp to all the other miseries of chemo. But ditching it for other times is very liberating. LOL
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Oh lisa: It just sucks. I want you to have your hair all thick and flowing. Patience is not my strong suit either. Someday we will look back on this and cringe. Hats off to you!
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This is my first post. I just came across this discussion board today, while doing some research on Herceptin. I've learned so much by reading your comments and suggestions; I wish I had found it sooner!! My 6th and final TCH tx is scheduled for this Thursday! YEA!!! My symptoms following each treatment have gotten progressively worse. I asked my doc if I could skip the last one, and of course she said no, but said that she would leave out the Carboplatin, because she believes that it is what is making me the most sick, and will give me lower does of the the other two. I've been geting the Neulasta injections on the day after chemo, and by a couple of days after I start feeling like crap. Primarily nausea, heartburn, light-headedness, body aches and constipation. I am intrigued about the Claritan, and I'm going to try it this time. My nails are really dark underneath... does that mean that I will lose them? I shaved my head when my hair started coming out, but it is already growing back, although very slow, very gray, and very thin:-(. I will start radiation therapy soon. They are recommending 5x per week for 6 wks. I am really interested in something shorter, even if it is more aggressive. Does anyone have any experience with brachytherapy that they can share? I'm going to ask my doc if I could be a candidate for it. After the radiotherapy, I'm told that I should continue Herceptin for another 8 treatments, once every 3 weeks. Seems like this will never end. I am/was stage 2 and grade 3. I had a lumpectomy in December. I'm so glad I found you:)
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Welcome tennisgirl! I am glad you found us here and sorry you have to meet us this way. Congrats for your last chemo treatment Thursday. I am half-way through and then continuing on with the herceptin. I too get the Neulasta and I take Claritin for about 4 days following and it works great for me. For nausea, I take prescription Emend the day of chemo and the next 2 days. It seems to help a lot. Take care!0
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Hey Tennisgirl: I am the same as you Stage 2 grade 3. I am different than you in the fact that short of being in the hospital I would finish with the recommended dosage. This to shall pass. I have my nails lifting up and I have them glued with crazy glue. It works and they are slowly growing out. WhooooHooo! Do you have any node involvement? How large was your tumor? These questions will help know what type of radiation therapy will be the most effective treatment. Most people have 33 rad sessions. Often times there is a boost at the end in the tumor bed. Kicking cancer ass. Are you ER or PR+? Just curious. The thing is that we only have certain weapons that we can use to cure this cancer. I would hit it with all you have and (God Willing) put this chapter behind us. I just want you to know that this is just my opinion and I support you in whatever you choose. I hope that you get all the love help and support that you need to make this arduous journey doable.
Peace and Health
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Welcome tennisgirl! I'm so glad you found us as well and hope that you've stumbled upon a great way to get you through the rest of your journey. I know it's been a virtual lifeline and incredibly educational.
Just wanted to let you know that I too had carboplatin taken out of my last tx. I surely felt much better without it. Of course there was the joy of knowing it was my last.
But I can honestly say that no carbo elimated the worst of the se's.Bold and Lisa- Hang in there guys, I'm right beside you on the road to wanting my hair...NOW! I am having surgery on the 27th so that seems to be occupying my mind more right now. You realize I still have empty expanders so I am also lacking foobs. I am finding myself sort of in mental limbo. Feeling better each day away from chemo and going back to work daily. One foot in "real" life and one still dug in a b/c. It's very strange trying to process such mixed up feelings.
This does really stay tough. Thanks for being here everybody.
xoEllen
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Jaimieh, very pretty picture and I know how great it feels to come to that very last cycle! Like Bold, I too will be finishing Herceptin in December so it will be great bringing in the New Year. Same here, 5 weeks out since that last cycle and I'm happy that my taste buds have returned. I'm enjoying eating all that I could not taste while spinning through the cycles. My surgery just happened on May 6th... so like I you, I tried to stay healthy and strong for it and so far I'm feeling stronger, doing more each day since my surgery. I'm sure you'll do the same
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Tennisgirl - Welcome to our little family. Glad you found us, but sorry that you needed to. We are all here to help, build up and support each other.
Bold and REKoz - I know that I am at a transition phase and I need to just get over it. Ellen you are so right about being in a "mental limbo". I love that phrase. We are still going every three weeks and being hooked up to the IV pole for the herceptin, we are still bald-ish and some of us are still facing more surgery. "Damn! Does this ever end?" We may occasionally feel this way, but that is not acceptable. Yes, it will end, We just need to stay strong, be practical and deal with it.
So what looks worse in a professional setting? My black Nike Soccer Cap or my very short thin hair? I could never do the wigs and scarves, I tried, just way too exoctic for me.
Lisa
PS Jamieh - glad I helped you!
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Lisa~ any more boat rocking isn't me now
I would just ditch the hat completely. Start slow and do it for a little while and then put your hat back on if you get uncomfortable. Take your hat like a security blank and just start weaning from it. I hear you on the scarves and wigs they are too exoctic for me also. I have some but they got little use. I am more of a hat kinda girl.
I am loosing ground tonight I can feel myself getting weaker but I am determined to get up tomorrow and MOVE, MOVE, MOVE. I want to heal in the worst way. I feel like I have been duct taped together for the past 105 days and it's now coming off and time to be replaced with me again.
My spirits are the best they have been in a long time and I am determined that they are going to go up from here. I even got flowers from a special family member to celebrate which really made my day today. 0 -
Amy, I have the Bard Power Port also! I love it! It has saved my arms and my hands with nurses searching in vain for a vein! I can't imagine having more than one (or any) treatment without a port.
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Jaimieh - Girl I was JUST like you after my last tx! I was determined to go, go go!!! Go ahead and go till you drop!!! It will give you a mental boost!!!! Just run and live!!!!!!! Love ya!!!! Lisa
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I have treatment #3 coming up on Friday. I'm trying really hard to enjoy my last week of "feeling well" for a while.
Welcome Tennisgirl! My hair fell out at Day 14 after chemo #1 and started growing back shortly after Chemo #2. It is like yours, very thin and coming in gray. My hair never grew much before I started chemo (I've had alopecia since I was in 2nd grade), but now that I'm on chemo, it acts like it WANTS to grow! LOL!!! Go figure!
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Just found out yesterday I will be starting TCH on June 4 for six cycles. Not too excited about losing my hair but we gotta do what we gotta do! I appreciate how active this website is. Knowledge is power and I've felt so well informed for all you all share! Anyone know when I should have my acrylic nails removed and how to best do it so I won't wreck my naills too much?
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Hi everyone
,Saw the new Onc today, could barely understand him. He told me that I have a strong/hard treatment?! Really made me feel good......not. He told me that I am going to need the Neulasta or Neupogen sp? He told me I might not be covered for the shot but I'd forgotten to give them my blue cross info. The thought of having to take more pills (or whatever) is kinda scary for me because I forget to take my anti-depressant and I don't need to be forgetting really important meds! I'm not sure what the difference is between Neulasta and Neupogen or exactly what it's for. I know I've read about it here, quite a few times...
I balled when I was there (haven't been sleeping and forgetting the AD) felt like an idiot. I'm trying to be 'positive' and all this emotional crap is coming out of it's own accord. (This is NOT my life!!)
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