Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Hi Ladies. It was a good day. I went in for a follow up on my platelets and they went from 53 on Tues. to 89 today and they agreed to give me treatment! YEA! Number 5 down and #6 scheduled for June 12! So glad to have a final date on the books. (Must not let the platelets fall this time around). If all goes well, my exchange will be scheduled for end of July. Something to look forward to. I'm so happy to have had chemo today, I haven't mentally planned for the next couple of days. Hopefully the SE's will be like the previous 4-mild!
Rekoz: congrats on your daughter's achievements. Enjoy the day.
Maggie
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Rekoz....congratulations!
Lisa... that's cool, you tried it. I'm trying to figure out when that day will be for me.
Aliana... thank you for sharing "Even Me".. beautiful.
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Lisa: what did the plastic surgeon have to say??
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Yep Swampy, I liked that too during chemo. For some reason it works with sewer mouth!
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Hi All
Today was tx #3 and it was much better than #1 or #2. You see I took the advice here and had them run the carboplatinum over 2 hrs instead of 1 hr. No major headache and no significant hand trembling. Aliana we're still on the same schedule and I like the song.
I am a little disappointed with the nurses though. They are very nice and helpful don't get me wrong but they should have called me last week after my blood draw to tell me I was neturopenic. I ate all kinds of bad things last week and wouldn't have if I had known. Also, my blood work yesterday indicated that my RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, and Red blood cell distribution width were all below normal. Netutrophils were back up but not as high as before tx #2. You can be sure I will be discussing all of this with the onc next week. I want explanations about why I wasn't notified.
In the meantime I plan on upping what I can for RBC stuff and going back on the hated neturopenic diet. I love fresh uncocked vegies and fruits and am sad they're off the list for the time being.
I don't remember who but someone was asking about flak seed oil as an Omega-3 supplement. Instead of taking something that is questionable with BC try Fish Oil with Omega-3. I checked this online and then with my onc and all is well with that supplement.
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Thanks Bold! I cannot wait to be done with the chemo. I am actually looking forward to my next treatment so I can be one step closer to beig done, but NOT looking forward to all of the side effects.0
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shannon58 - I am not sure I understand your post. But the way I read it, don't beat up your nurses too bad. The blood work prior to chemo will be drastically different from blood work after chemo. All thru chemo, your blood levels will change.
Lisa
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ccbaby..... I was with you, now hopefully right behind you, on June 1st with TX # 4. Depends on my visit with onc next Friday and no word yet on new port. I was anxious to get #4 over with too. Let me know how you do after your next treatment, side effects etc.
Lorena,
I was told about margins after each surgery, I had a lumpectomy, and then another to take more out because the margins were not all clear, then finally the mastectomy. After each surgery I got the pathology report and it tells about the margins of what they took out. Finally after the mastectomy I had clear margins. I don't think having DCIS on the margins is okay....... my doctor was worried about me having DCIS so we wanted to remove it all. I guess that's why you may get radiation. I don't think I have to have that.
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Welcome to alll new Campers (as we used to call ourselves). Sorry that you must be here but it is the right place for information and support. There are so many new posts that it makes me sad to see how many women continue to be diagnosed with BC. I am so glad that we can help those of you that are just starting or in the midst of chemo and show that "this too shall pass". Like Lisa 1964, Gramma and so many others on this thread that have finished chemo I still check in to offer advice and encouragement to you.
HAIR beautiful HAIR, the ongoing obsession: I am now 8 weeks out from chemo and have about a 1/2 inch of thick salt and pepper Hair. It is very soft. It really started to grow within the last 2 weeks but I still wear a bandanna when out in the world. I can't wait to be liberated from headcoverings as I never even purchased a wig...just felt too ridiculous in one. I have 2 weddings to attend today and now wish I had one just to blend in to the crowd. LOL. It is never going to happen!
I regained my taste buds about 4 weeks after finishing tx but find that for about the first week after the Herceptin only infusion things taste different. Has anyone else experienced that?
Rads. They have been pretty uneventful so far and I feel lucky since I am getting the works due to node involvemnent. I have had 3 weeks so far and have a tissue expander in. I know that a lot of people are concerned when they have an expander and must have rads but my rad onc. has had great success under those circumstances. I can't have exchange till the Fall though to give everything time to settle down. This is a problem since my left "real boob" has settled already (sagged) and my right Foob is standing up at attention. It's really pretty funny and the condition is cured by a good bra. Sadly, with rads, a bra is not that comfortable, Went out yesterday and purchased some cheap cotton sports bras that hike everything up to about the same level.
My advice to those of you just starting chemo. WATER,WATER,Water!!!! Everyone says it and it is true. Staying hydrated makes you feel much better. Second, if you are not getting relief from the se's with the drugs your onc has prescribed ask for something different. Do not suffer. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get it right but 99% of the time they can help you. Don't wait til you next tx to talk to the onc. call the office if you have a question.
Practice the one day at a time rule. Be good to yourself and don't worry about anything but getting through the day at hand with a grateful heart. Some days it is very difficult but it changes your attitude and makes the whole ordeal much more manageable. Remember to laugh. Be around positive people. Don't look in the mirror too often. When someone tells you that you look great..believe them. Go out in the world when you can and participate, Don't let cancer keep you from the things you love to do.
Remember that This too shall pass....
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Maja - Your last paragraph was perfect for the new comers and all of us.
Practice the one day at a time rule. Be good to yourself and don't worry about anything but getting through the day at hand with a grateful heart. Some days it is very difficult but it changes your attitude and makes the whole ordeal much more manageable. Remember to laugh. Be around positive people. Don't look in the mirror too often. When someone tells you that you look great..believe them. Go out in the world when you can and participate, Don't let cancer keep you from the things you love to do.
Perfect wisdom.
Lisa
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Thanks Maja for that last post and thanks Lisa for pointing out the last paragraph....
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People say I was "amazing" for continuing to ride my horse during chemo - no I was not. I was simply trying/wanting/needing to keep some normalcy in my life during a time of utter chaos. And it worked.
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Lisa...people are amazed as well that I am working after my surgery and during my chemo. I am a hairstylist and and on my feet and raising my arms all day. I switched to working half-days, but I am just as busy as before packing a full day of clients into a half-day. It definitely brings back a normal way of life when you are able to continue on with activities that you always did before the cancer. It keeps your mind off of it.0
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Christy~ Good for you keeping up your work schedule.
Lisa~ I know if I had my horse I would have been there daily. Even if I couldn't ride I could at least vent to him and he never questioned my thoughs. I always loved spending time with him just taking care of him or playing with him. He was a goof that I just adored.
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Jaimieh - Trust me, my horse has gotten an earful in the past nine months
And somehow, he is even more spoiled now than he was - not a good thing! My family tells me I have ruined another perfectly trained animal! That's OK, he loves me!Lisa
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Lisa~ I bet he would do anything for you. You didn't ruin him you made him yours forever
I miss my pony he would do anything for me (not kiding either). There is nothing like having a 1200lb animals trust. 0 -
Jaimieh - I highly recommend that you get another pony!!!
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I know how it is to try to maintain a normal life. I still go to work when I can on weeks 2 and 3 after chemo. However since I had a bad time lately after my last chemo, and then the blood clot, I have only worked 2 days in the last 3 weeks. I went in and worked on Thurs and Friday just to see everyone and feel normal again and laugh a lot... we always have fun there. We work in a bakery in the back, on our feet all day too, decorating cakes and joking around. It takes your mind off your troubles for a few hours. When I am feeling normal, I try to do my normal routine, but when I am not well, I can't do the stuff I want to do and it is frustrating and I feel like I waste time, because I am not one to sit around. Except when I am on this board... ha ha ha.
Jaimieh qand Lisa- I love the way you love your horses, I am like that with my animals too, especially my dog. But if I had a horse I'm sure he would be like my big baby too.
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Oh LIsa I wish I could afford another one but I maybe helping a friend with some of hers
. I will be one week out tomorrow and I just wanted to post that I am still up and moving this time. I am determined that I will not fall deep in the hole this time. I went for a 1/2 mile walk today and while it was slow I did it. I can't wait to get back to running. I used to do 1/2 marathons so not having any muscle is driving me crazy. I will just walk until after my exchange surgery but I am looking forward to feeling better. My taste buds are starting to change back so in about 3 more weeks I should actually be able to taste everything again. I would like to gain some weight back but I am scared that I am going to find the 20lbs I lost and then some.
My DH was kind enough to point out today that my eyelashes are falling out. I wonder if he wants to make it thru the evening tonight. I keep trying to take a picture of my duck hair but all I get is crazy looking picture of me....lol....
I have to call my oncologist this week because somethings didn't make sense to me. My ER was 46 the last time that I went but the cardiologist stated he wasn't concerned because my pulse rate was 120+ and wasn't allowing the heart to properly squeeze. Well my onc. has me going in for another echo next week and my pulse rate is still crazy. I don't want to stop herceptin because my rbc are in the tank causing my pulse to be high. They explained things to me at my last chemo but I don't remember even talking to half of the people. My pre-meds where different and I was as goofy as I could be and I slept for almost 3 days afterwards.
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JAIMIEH - You got out and walked!!!! That is all that matters, you did something!
Those half marathons will still be there in a few months when you are ready to go again!!!
Hang in there honey, The end is near!
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Lisa1964 15 weeks out and still wearing a cap I got to find me some more cool bandanas!! Cakelady You have the same as me old man with a bad combover I nerver shaved mine off either also because with my bandana or a cap it looks like I have hair like everyone elses it is very thin and very gray, Who would have thought Gray hair was tough enough to survive chemo! That just isn't right!Bold When do you start rads? I start tomorrow. Keep Hanging in ther Baby I am still right behind you, I got your back I am 5 weeks post and feeling like me again.Maja I had got my taste back and Herceptin has taken it away but good thing it was only a week.Did your urine have a strong smell the first days after H only? I didnt have it with chemo but did after H only.My BFF treated me to a mani and pedi We were in Walmart I went to the rest room when I came out I told her that I thought the ladies in the stalls beside me could smell my pee. LOL!! Denali I emailed you I hope you got it when I send email it always shows an error but it shows up in my outbox so I am assuming it gets sent, Can't wait to meet you Be prepared you will get a Big Hug ! 0
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Paula there is hope for hair. I am 15 weeks today and I think I can handle going hatless. My hair is very very short, but I have a full covering. I went hatless all day yesterday and I think my hair is better with my scalp able to breath. My dad told me I needed a haircut!
. I even got brave enough to go in my local convenience store (where everyone knows me) without a hat. That was progress. So unless I am in the sun, I think I will be OK. Tommorrow is a Herceptin only day and I don't mind going hatless in there at all!0 -
Hey ROCK: Good to hear from you. I have my run through tomorrow. I will start either tomorrow or weds. Not looking forward to it. So many more SE to fear of contend with. I hope that I escape them all. I am on the may rad beard. Love to have you. Another great group of worriers.
I have a question for anyone who has finished. I am really sore. My hips and back and buttock. (Sciatic) It makes it difficult to sleep and I move like I am a hundred and eight. I have been doing allot more physical work but still I believe it hurt before I even started. Anyone else experience this latest treat?
No sign of real hair yet. 6 weeks today. My nails are hanging in there with the help of crazy glue, but growing fast. Taste buds still not a 100%. Still have eye lashes and brows.
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Bold - Yes, I ach all over. Especially my feet. When I get up in the mornings, the bones in my feet feel like they are going to split apart. I have noticed some knee pain too. All of the pains feel like bone pain, not muscle. Is early arthritis one of the SE's?
Lisa
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CCBaby... looks like they have me scheduled for chemo #4 on Friday, they didnt even tell me, they just posted it up on my future appointments section of their website. I better call them to be sure and to find out when I have to do a blood test. I am supposed to go in Tuesday for a blood test for the blood thinner I am on , so I want to work it out so I only have to get blood drawn once this week. So if I do TX on Friday, I am still only 3 days behind you! Still no word on a new port though.
Has anyone here had a mastectomy and NOT had to have radiation?? They told me I would probably not have it. Originally with just the lumpectomy I was going to have it for sure.
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cakelady, I had a double mast. so no radiation for me.
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Cakelady....Well, thats good that you can your next treatment sooner, but they should have called to tell you. What if you hadn't went to their website, then you would have not known. My onco is suggesting that I get radiation, but he is going to wait until chemo is done for me to talk to to the rad onco. I am so hoping that I don't have to get it. I think they also go by how close your margins are too besides just the amount of lymph nodes. My margins are free of carcinoma, so hopefully I won't have to get it. But if I have to, then I will.0
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Cakelady, I too had mastectomy in november and not have to go thru radiation, only chemo 6 rounds TCH & Herceptin for 1 year. I think it depends on how clean the margins of the tumor at time of surgery.
Cil.
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No radiation for me either. I had a mastectomy of right breast (making me a true Amazon Warrior--according to legend) then 6 TCHs with Herceptin to continue for a year.
Do you ever feel paranoid since your diagnosis? I could swear one side of my stomach sticks out just slightly more than the other side. Of course, I've concluded it's due to a huge tumor in my abdomin. Half the time I think it might be true and I shouldn't wait to see the dr (2 wks away), but I should tell the nurses about it when I go in for Herceptin next week. Other times I just think I'm wigging out.
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I had bi-lat. and I do not have to have radiation. So it is possible
Linda~ If you are paranoid then I am right there with you. I'm crazy as can be these days with worry. I hope it will slowly get better as I start to feel better.
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