Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Bring it on girl! We can do this!!!
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Does anyone know why Claritin works for the bone pain from the Neulasta shot? I have to have the shot on June 5 after my first chemo on June 4--TCH.
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Lisa, Linda & Jaimieh....thanks for the input. I definitely think I'll skip the drainage tubes. And Linda....great idea about the warm compresses! I will try that!
Oh....Lisa & Bold....I SO hear you on the weight gain! I've gained 15 lbs so far & am just PISSED about it! Of course I say that as I sit here eating a bag of Honey BBQ Fritos! Honestly, I eat what tastes good right now & that happens to be it! It sucks. There are NO "perks" with this damn disease. I'm still shaving my legs but my eyebrows are almost gone. Chemo better work...that's all I have to say.
ccbaby....thanks! Hope #4 went well for you & you're feeling fairly well. It's so funny how each Plastic Surgeon is different. I have Tissue Expanders & will have rads starting the end of June or beginning of July....my PS wasn't concerned at all about them. Now he did say I'll have to wait probably about six months before my exchange but he said my skin & the TE's should be fine. Weird.
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It has been a long time since I posted, but I have been following you all at least once a day and you have been in my thoughts. The number of posts got overwhelming. In my cognitively impaired, post-chemo haze, I lost track of my intended responses to people. I am sorry to see the number of newbies, but am so glad you all have found this site. This site was my touchstone and source of information and support during the TCH process and the incredible women here got me through.
My sixth and FINAL TCH infusion was two weeks ago. I am feeling great with no symptoms (beyond the miserable lack of hair and fingernails that are starting to look ominous), but I often hit a wall that tells me how little energy I have compared to my pre-chemo life and I can't yet kick into gear to do much about it.
For you new folks, I'm here to tell you that this is DOABLE (my favorite description that one of the more experienced women used that meant a lot to me.). I am phobic about nausea and vomiting. I had absolutely none of either. I had so much good advice from this group--plus good medical care, good alternative care in the form of acupuncture, lots of fluids, and social support-- that this was so very much easier than I feared and so much better than I dared to hope.. That being said, chemo is no fun at all. Please do everything you can to prevent problems before they happen--water (or other fluids like gatorade), baking soda or salt water mouth washes several times a day and magic mouthwash if that doesn't help, carefulness to prevent infection--keeping clean hands with lots of washing and Purell, don't touch face, etc.--, care about what you eat, moisturizing of hands, feet, and lips, and making sure that your medical team provides you with absolutely all the anti-nausea drugs that are the most recommended and considered to be best practice (emend, ativan, decadron, etc.) I also got IV hydration for several hours on the day after my treatment. I do believe that this hydration, drinking 64 ounces of water a day, and the acupuncture I had oncd a week were the two things that did the most helped me get through with a minimum of side effects.
I am one of the folks who never had neulasta or neuprogen. My oncologist does not give it routinely. My blood counts were checked only on the day of infusion. However, a week after treatment 5 (I was on the Herceptin, Taxotere, Carboplatin every 3 weeks regiment), I got the cold/cough that was afflicting many friends and work colleagues and got a fever of 99.5, a sinus infection, and a cough, so they checked my levels mid-cycle. Levels were way down, but they were confident that they would rebound by the 3 week mark--and it happened.
Many people on this site have written about the emotional and psychological difficulties with ending chemo. It has been so helpful to read those posts because I was prepared for the hard parts of what I thought would just be a reason for celebration. I, too, am so grateful to be done and am feeling victorious. However, it takes a long time after that last infusion to have no side effects and a lot longer to regain strength and energy (and the ever important hair and eyebrows). I also feel in limbo since I still have 9 months of herceptin and a long stretch of daily radiation this summer--plus Arimidex for 5 years (big, big yech for this). Because I was so focussed on getting through chem, I was able to avoid really thinking about having cancer and what that means for the future, but it is now looming large.
I am a lumpectomy person, so radiation was never in doubt. Tomorrow is my first meeting with the radiation oncologist. Onward.
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I have been away from the computer for awhile and it feels good to be back catching up with you all. Hello and well wishes to all the newcomers.
I was scheduled for Chemo #5 today, but it was postponed due to low neutrophils. The doc sent me home with instructions for two days of Neupogen and we will try again on Friday.
I am really not sure what happened. After chemo #4 the doc prescribed 50,000 IU of vitamin D once a week, along with my usual six injections of Neupogen. A week later my WBC registered "critically high." The next week, my levels were low again. I was instructed to take an additional three shots. I knew last week that chemo #5 was in jeopardy. Today, my neutrophils were too low for treatment. Bummer.
What amazes me is that I feel so good. I mean, I still get a little winded or tired, but I have felt so much worse with better numbers. Oh well, thanks to you wonderful ladies, I was prepared for today's news.
Here's wishing us all easy treatments, better blood counts, fewer side effects, confidence in a healthy future, and a whole lot more hair!
Cheers!
Cloud
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Sailor35, with radiation be sure and use lots of cream from the get go. If you get a blister don't put cream on that but ask for meds for that. Mine gave me( I sure I paid dearly) the cream. Don't use anything before treatment and use only the soap they recommend. Mine said Leever although I did not like the way it smelled I got used to it and am still using it because I am not going to throw away a new bar of soap. I am cheap! I too had lumpectomy and I had all my lymph nodes that he could find out from under my arm. You have to be careful about using that arm too much they say but so far I am doing okay. I had 36 rad.treatments and it was not fun. I did not do well but then I have very sensitive skin. It healed fast and it is fine now. This too shall pass!
It sounds like everyone is doing okay. I know it is not fun but you can do it. I choose life so I went and took chemo. rad and anything thing else they recommend. I am still doing Herceptin and may have to go past a year on it he said. I guess we will see June 17. Have a good day everyone.
gramma
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Just wanted to remind us that cupcake still needs our prayers and thoughts. Hope she is on the way to a full recovery. Pain sucks!!!!!
I went for Herceptin alone yesterday. I was so tired I had to come home and nap. My WBC is low so I am a bit Leukopenic. Maybe thats why I am tired. Everything else is good. Thank God. I wish I had hair. Nothing of any measure is happening there. I am thinking of shaving off all the duck hair to make way for the real stuff. But then I would have nothing to feel at all. Patience is a virtue. 61/2 weeks out and almost everyone else has a hair line but me!
First Rad today 1 of 33.
I hope that everyone is doing OK. Drink, Drink, Drink. And then when the wine is gone have some water. Just kidding.
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BOLD - you are really moving along! SO happy for you. How was the first rad? Did you get the tattoos I have heard about? I have heard they do hurt/don't hurt from various people. What was it like?
Am wishing for fast hair growth for you. Your hair in your photo is gorgeous. When people see me in my wig (who don't know about my situation) they make a huge fuss about my new hairstyle and how good it looks. I am convinced that my hair looked SO BAD before that the wig is an improvement! That's why I'm not so broken up about losing it. I am BANKING ON a better head of hair when it grows back. That's only fair, right???
Even my DH said maybe I should keep my hair the way the wig looks once it grows back. I was like "Not you TOO!" haha. 0 -
Just got back from my 3rd tx of TCH. I am HALFWAY. It went fine - a little pinchy when she accessed the port, but then ok. Talked to a woman next to me which I have not done before. She was stage 4, and so calm about it, I couldn't believe it.
So now I am ready to work through the SEs over the coming week. The doc wanted to do the Neulasta shot this time but I said no, would take my chances on passing the numbers before the next one since I was borderline in the range where they suggest it. So we shall see.
BUT - I have a question. Has anyone else experienced A HUGE NUMBER of hot flashes as they go through tx and chemopause? I am getting them EVERY TWO HOURS on the dot all night long. Not much during the daytime but they are really interrupting my sleep awfully. Doc didn't have much suggestions (silk pillowcase!) since I can't do hormone stuff or anything estrogen-related b/c of my ER+ status. They suggest Effexor which I want to avoid if I can. Any suggestions? Anyone tried or know if accupuncture helps?
I don't mind the flashes per se, but the repeated waking up is really starting to affect me.
Also, is there a place somewhere else on this board that deals with this topic, does anybody know? I couldn't find one.Thank you in advance. Amy
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Oh Amy, I hear you on the hot flashes!! They are awful!! No suggestions cause I haven't figured out how to get rid of them either....just wanted you to know you are NOT the only one. Whew!
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Hi Amy & All!
Tomorrow marks one week post chemo #3 and I am happy to have reached the halfway mark also! Yahoo!!!
I am getting hot flashes quite often as well, and while they could be what's waking me up at night, I think it's the constant water and subsequent peeing all night that's a culprit too.
I hear Effexor is really good at relieving the hot flashes, but haven't researched the side-effects. I'm not totally miserable with the hot flashes yet, but maybe by July/August I will be. Most of my flashes have been neck-up-flushes. I've only had one or two real "night sweats"and sometimes during the day (not often) I will break out in a sweat on my forehead. None of the flushes last more than a minute or two.
Talk to your doc about acupuncture. People have said it works for the bone pain from the Neulasta, so it may work for the HF's too.
My biggest challenge today was staying close to a bathroom. These are my "rinse cycle" days where everything comes flushing out *ugh* so when you commute on a train, it can make for interesting rides into/from work.
Here's hoping everyone has an energy-filled, restful, and SE-free (as possible) weekend!
Alaina
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Amy: I tend to get hot flashes when on the steriods. They seem to go away a day or so after my last dose. Do yours stay with you throughout the remaining weeks? I have noticed my power bill going up since starting chemo. The air conditioner is running a lot more in the middle of the night than ever before (but that's Florida in summer!).
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Amy. I am just ahead of you goin gfot Tx 5 and the hot flashes are waking me all most of the night. They started out in the beginning with head neck than after #2 when all over I call it my own personaly heat wave all night long. Please let hope some has some advice, my sleep is really terrible at this point.
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Well no real suggestions yet, but comforting to know I have lots of company in this!
I will be discussing with my integrative doctor (alternative) shortly and let you know what he says, I promise. In the meantime - stay cool, ladies!
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Tomorrow is TC(H) #6 of 6 for me!!! Can I get a HALLELUJAH?!?! I know the SE's won't be gone for quite some time & maybe by Christmas I'll have enough hair to feel comfortable not wearing a hat but I'm just so glad to be able to say it's over! God willing....forever! I still have rads to come & Herceptin till next February but at least the nasty drugs will be behind me. Gonna go take my steroids & get my girls in bed. Hopefully I'm not up all night wired with hot flashes! lol
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I have had some sort of hot flashes too, but not bad, just get hot while I'm sleeping, and I only cover up with a sheet, then I uncover completely, then get too cool, then later hot again, etc. all night. Luckily I can still sleep well at night. I have TX # 4 tomorrow,,,,,,, will finally be over the half way hump.......... wish me luck for minimal side effects.....# 3 was bad for me,,, but 1 and 2 were fine.
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HALLELUJAH!!! kmn0701 - You did it!!! Isn't it a wonderful feeling?! God willing, you are done.
Bold - Hang in there with the hair. Mine was slow too, but I now have a full cap of black hair, unfortunately smattered with grey, and the grey seems to grow faster than the rest.
Hot Flash Ladies! My onc told me in the very begining that TCH would put me in chemo-pause and I would have all the symptoms. Then I started tamoxifen 3 weeks after TC. The hot flashes of TCH are NOTHING compared to tamoxifen flashes. I could start a forest fire.
Night!
Lisa
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To all the hot flashers-Hot flashes have been my worst side effect of this whole cancer thing. Mine were literally every few minutes around the clock. I started on Effexor, the 32mg helped a little, the 75 helped more. It turned the flashes into warm flushes. (I must say the Effexor also helped with my mood and dealing with this whole mess). I also did 7 tx of accupuncture. It really knocked them out for awhile. It was wonderful while it lasted. They are slowly creeping back, but it may be due to the tamoxifen. The only thing that totally got rid of them were the birth control pills that I was on for the hot flashes. I can't take those anymore (but I wish I could). I am sick of sweating and my face turns red whenever the flushes come. I hope you ladies find something that works well for you. Post back if you find it!
Lisa_I know what you mean about the grey hairs. Mine are at least 3 inches long while the black hair is a little over 1/2 inch.
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kjbell - What is the thing with the grey hairs? I get up in the mornings and I have greys sticking out every where and my black hair is just laying softly down.
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Hot flashes: Acupuncture really, really worked for me. I first used it when I was going through menopause to avoid hormones and keep from getting breast cancer. Well, that little part of the plan didn't work, but the acupuncture sure helped with hot flashes. So, I started doing acupuncture again right after I was diagnosed. I believe that it was an enormous help with hot flashes and everything else as well. My oncologist also believes it really helps with many side effects. Radiation oncologist also believes in it. I am worried about hot flashes when I go on Arimidex. I am also taking Celexa in a low dose, which is also useful.
Two weeks after Tx 6 and my hair is showing signs of growth. I like my wigs and had accepted the fact that I would have no hair for public viewing until around Christmastime. This proves that it is not a just world. Those of us most eager for hair are not getting it while some of us who are not in a hurry have it growing in sooner. I admire everyone who is able to go out with just a hat or scarf. I can't bring myself to do that--can't deal with my bare neck sticking out.
I learned today that they will be radiating my lymph node area as well as my breast. Sounds like it can get uncomfortable.
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sailer- I said "to hell with it" this past Monday and I have been hat free ever since. Flor the first few days it was hard, really hard. But now it is just me. I am still cognizant of it, but when I think about it, the anxierty fades fast. I HAVE SURVIVED CANCER! . My hair is long enough now that it could be a really bad hair style choice, so I get some looks. I am not above telling anyone that chemo was my stylist.
My hair is about 1/4 inch, but I finally have full coverage with no scalp showing. I promise to get pics up this weekend.
Lisa
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You go Lisa!! I can't wait to say I have that much hair! Can't wait to see pictures.
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Magnola: I sent you a PM0
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HALLELUJAH!!! Kristine!!! Yeah you will still have some SE BUT they are mentally easier IMO to deal with because you know you are not going back for another TC.0
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I met Paula (RockStarMom) last night! She has to spend the whole week in Greely, CO, for her radiation. Greely is closer to where I live so we met in the middle for dinner. I got to meet her brother who is staying with her for the week (what an angel he is!) and I decided to take my dogs for the ride. So she got to meet my pooches.
It was so nice to meet and compare stories and experiences. We both agreed that this board has been our saving grace through this journey. In fact I attend a BC support group once a month, but don't feel close to them like I do all of you! You each have been a godsend to me!
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Kristine - I am so thrilled for you. Even if you do have some SE's, you can tell yourself that this is the final time to go through them. And every day now is a step away from the whole TCH experience and closer to renewed strength and healing. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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Kristine... Good luck today and yay! for it being your last treatment. I have got 2 more rounds and look SO forward to my last one! I probably won't talk with my PS yet about the TE until after I talk to the rad onco after chemo to find out for sure about the radiation. Hopefully he will be ok with it.
Amy...yes, I have been having major hot flashes too, mainly at night in bed. I am freezing one minute and then literally dripping with sweat the next few minutes and them freezing again.
Denali... That is so great that you got to meet someone from here! I got to meet Alyad after my 3rd round of chemo. She lives in my city and we go to the same hospital. She doesn't post on this thread, but she is part of the March warriors thread.
Cakelady... Good luck today as well with #4! My SE's this week have been about the same, just trying to rest more.
Take care everyone!
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Hi everyone! I've been reading but haven't felt much like posting lately. I'm not sure why - I just needed a break I guess.
So many are finishing or past the half way mark. Congratulations to all.
For those who have rads coming up - you might ask them to identify the skin area that the beam will cover. The one place that I burned was under the arm where I wasn't putting on lotion initially. They weren't radiating my nodes but to get all the breast tissue, some of the underarm node area was in the beam and I didn't realize it until it started to redden a couple of weeks in. Other than that, radiation was a walk in the park compared to chemo. I felt pretty normal all through it.
Lisa1964, I hope you are enjoying your hatless state. I like to feel the breeze ruffling my very short hair. And this hair that has never been cut feels so soft.
I think we just have 6 Herceptin treatments left - more than 2/3 of the way through! How's your blood doing. My creatinine is still high - that might be because of the bisposponate I'm taking on the clinical trial. If it doesn't come down, my onc said she may want me to quit the trial so I'm back to drinking extra water. And I'm still anemic though my RBC and hemoglobin is coming up slowly. My onc says it sometimes does that on Herceptin. At least the rest of my blood stuff is back to normal.
I got tired of seeing the little white crack lines along the chemo lines in my finger nails and of feeling how rough the nails were. I bought a bottle of Hard as Nails and put on a couple of coats. I thought I was going to lose a toenail on my big toe. It turned white and was kind of lifted up. Then when I was on a business trip and wearing shoes all day, the toe got inflammed and painful. I soaked the foot. After that some white goop came out. So I put some double antibiotic ointment and hydrocortisone ointment on it. Now the toe and nail are back to normal so it may stay on after all. The nurse said that the white goop might have been dead skin cells and that soaking it was the best thing to do.
Sailor, do you mean that you were already through menopause when you started chemo and you still got hot flashes during chemo? I didn't get any during chemo and thought that was because I was already through menopause.
Warm regards to all.
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Kristine You did it!!!!!!! Congrats!!!
I have hot flashes too. UGGGG! I already went through this years ago and now it is starting all over again. I think that I am going to try the acupuncture.
Keep on keeping on.
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Bluedasher - My bloodwork is almost back to normal. My RBC finally inched over the normal line but my Folic Acid is still really low. The B-12 has gone back to normal levels. I would love to take biotin for my hair, but as high as my B-12 got, I am afraid to. I never lost any nails, but they are very brittle aboe the chemo growth line.
Bold I agree with you on the hot flashes. I am going to go to the accupuncturist. I said this 6 weeks ago and did not follow thru, but this time I am going to do it. I am also asking for a consult with an endocrinologist. Between the hormone positive BC, the chemo, the tamoxifen and soime other health issues, I feel that I need a complete endo workup of my total hormon levels in all areas. My family has a history of thyroid disorders and diabetes.
On a happier note, I have had a wonder 36 hours. I had 7 ladie/riding friends from all over the state camped at my ranch last night with their horses. They all had the nice living quarters trailers and we filled the barn with horses. Last night my hubby treated everyone to a great BBQ and this morning we all pulled out and headed to the beach with the horses. We had a wonderful time! I am exhausted! At the end of the ride I decided to hop down and walk my horse thru the thick sand for the final mile. I have not had that much exercise in 10 months! What was I thinking? One of the ladies just started chemo for the 3rd time for colon cancer. This time it is in her lung, she is only 33 years old and her 6 y/o daughter has lymphoma. By golly, we made sure she had fun!
Lisa
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