Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
-
Welcome to the newcomers. You have found the right place with folks to help you get through. Information is power! And the humor and support make all the difference.
Journey-girl asked a good question about why finishing chemo might feel difficult and Bluedasher gave as good an answer as I could. I can add just a few thoughts. There were two other issues for me. The first was that everyone else in my life saw the last day of chemo as something to celebrate. I was SO happy to be done and not facing another round, but I also felt that my "official" end date was not until it would have been time to have another infusion and not the date of the last one, since I had to still experience the whole cycle of side effects. Today was the day I would have started on decadron if I had another round to go. Believe me, I was super relieved to not be doing that today. I also found that people were pretty much acting like I was finished, while I was still dealing with the effects of chemo. I found that hard because I sure don't want to be complaining.
Now that I am starting to feel much better, I am really disappointed that I am still fatigued, tire easily, have little in the way of muscles, have a new found sweet tooth, no hair, nasty looking fingernails that are threatening to get worse, a messy house, a brain that is still mush, a neglected "to-do" list that stretches from Boston to Missouri, a spouse who is now pushing me to do things that I am not up to doing (including things that would ordinarily be fun), a wig that is looking grungy, a teenager who now feels that it is OK to act his age and be a typical teenaged kid, six and a half weeks of daily radiation, 11 more treatments of herceptin, and 5 years of Arimidex with its attendant hot flashes, joint pain, and bone damage. On the other hand, I made it through chemo feeling OK and with no major problems--including a good heart function result on an echocardiogram. That's all I really hoped for. I was also able to work, do some reasonable parenting, read some good books, see some good movies, hang out with friends and bask in their care and generosity during chemo. I even had some meals I enjoyed and got to have coffee (decaf) every morning without the taste being ruined. That's much more than I hoped for. In addition, I learned that a group of women (this group) I have never met can be a major source of inspiration and support.
Lisa, thanks for giving the link to some of the info on the new research results the interaction of anti-depressants and Tamoxifen. Notice that it is just three of the SSRIs and not all anti-depressants. For example, celexa did not have the effect of interfering with Tamoxifen. Anyway, the data sure looked convincing.
You all gave me enough courage to leave the house with just a scarf on yesterday. The sky did not fall and no one looked at me strangely. It's a start. I will do it again soon, but still prefer the wig.
My doc gave me an extra week break before moving on the Herceptin only, so that happens next week. I am nervous because I have always had it with Decadron, Emend, Ativan, and whatever that IV nausea drug is that I can't name because my memory is shot. Anyway, I am worried about all sorts of bad reactions with no drugs to prevent it.
On to next steps and one day further along in making this treatment a distant memory. I am counting on forgetting most of this now that my memory is worse!! Hope that works for all of us.
0 -
BOLD~ I hope you get some answers for your taste buds soon. That is really not fair after all you have been thru.
I am 2 weeks out today and I am feeling pretty good. I think that mentally I am in a MUCH better place than I was at any other time during treatment. After my last treatment I have been determined that I am going to do as much as possible to get myself moving and it has worked. I have been on my bike, walking, cleaning and just trying to make sure I am moving most of the day and its working for me. I am still stiff and sore but I have been working at moving which I think I neglected for the last 4 months
. So my advice to any newcomers is too keep trying to move as much as possible. I am sure someone told me this but I let chemo. get the best of me and I now have to rebuild my strength. I go to my PS tomorrow because I have a bump on my non-cancer side near my armpit that my PS thinks is my expander. I hope and pray she is right about that. My TE are both different so it's hard to tell. I think it's my expander but I am going in tomorrow for some peace of mind. My exchange is June 17 and I want everything to go smoothly. After I get thru all of that fun I get to have my echo. on Wednesday which I NEED to score more than 50 even with my crazy pulse rate. It has slowed down some but not as much as I would like. I have been below 100 bpm but not too far below
. I hope everyone is having gentle SE's
0 -
Hello Ladies!
I have a few questions, but first congratulations dittos to all those who are just finishing. To those who are just joining us, this topic is blessed with wonderful campers to who help guide us with their knowledge and experience, and share with us their world outside--or should I say alongside their BC journey. I thank you all for your sisterhood.
I have an out-of-town family wedding on the 13th, house guests on the 15th &16th, and chemo #6 scheduled for the 19th. I need a little advice on pacing and nail care.
First question: How much should I be resting? School is out. Mom is here for two months to help me thru chemo 5 & 6. I am so excited about my summer off and getting help with so many totally neglected tasks around the house and garden that I am going pretty much non-stop. I seem to have pretty good stamina, but ocassionally I do feel a bit a winded and need to sit and rest. This afternoon I required a short nap. I am asking for some guidance because I don't want to be foolishly excited about vacation and chemo #6 that I end up with needless troubles.
In fact, between all the deep cleaning housework and major gardening, today the top half of my right thumbnail has turned white and my middle finger nail is tender to the touch. I immediately treated all my nails with tea tree oil and put finger guards on my thumb and middle finger.
Second question: How do I save my nails from falling off? Bold, you wrote that you are using crazy glue. Where do I put the glue? Bluedasher, you posted about soaking the nail. My nails aren't in constant pain, just real white and tender to the touch. What should I soak them in? How do care for the nails after that? I still have one more chemo treatment to go, can I use crazy glue and Hard as Nails now?
Here's wishing us a bright and happy month of June with fewer hot flashes and more peaceful sleep.
Cheers!
Cloud
0 -
Sailor - You just started my day off with a chuckle. Yes, we are still dealing with on-going treatment but the world is moving on. I am 16 weeks out and my house still looks like a bomb blew up in it. Once the "icky" part of treatment was over, I started "burning the candle at both ends" (to quote my dad) in an effort to make up for lost time. I am finally settling down and my goal is to de-clutter one room a week. Hang in there Sailor and cut the teenager some slack, he was probably really scared and is now de-stressing.
Cloud - Please be careful about over doing things leading into tx #6. Make sure you plan some rest time. And when your houseguests arrive, let them wait on themselves. They will understand. I did not have nail issues but I think Hard as Nails is not a good idea. I don't know what the active ingedient in that product is, but the nail hardeners typically contain formaldehyde and that would probably not be a good mix with a nail that is already chemically damaged. Stick with Bold's crazy glue fix.
Have a great day ladies!
Lisa
0 -
Hi, gals!
Tx #3 has been rough on me. My energy level is so low and I've slept a lot since chemo last Tuesday. I've been really nauseated for the first time and the meds (Lorzapam, Immodium etc.) aren't helping much. I have got to get my energy up because I am scheduled to fly to CA next week. Nothing tastes good and I know I've got to eat, but little will stay down. I've managed to eat some mashed potatoes and watermelon and that's about it. Even water tastes moldy. The smell of toast makes me gag.
0 -
Swampy angel!!!! I know it sucks! I would ask for a emend if you can not control your nausea with the drugs that have been prescribed to you. I would suggest ice cream shakes for something to get you energy back. Somehow the frozen part helps with the taste buds. I hope you feel better soon.
California: If your nails are just white but not as yet separated from the quick I would do nothing but keep them short. Mine had the ridges like you described but then they started to separate. yuck! I take a drop of crazy glue and put it between the nail bed and the nail. then squeeze. It help for about 5 to 6 days and then I repeat and plan to do so till the growth repairers the problem. I keep them very short this helps too.
Nicely said sailor. I am 7 weeks out and in week into rads and I am still aching and sore slow, I breath heavy. I am heavy! grrrr My boob is on fire. And it seems like a full time job still. I tell people that chemo was the worst part but I am not done yet. Did I mention that I have a small sampling of hair not human on my head. I feel like I am getting stronger everyday. I am able to walk to diner, garden and houseclean. ( oh boy). I am however getting hot flashes, I call them power surges. I hate them they ruin a night sleep and make me very uncomfortable during the day. I thought I was done with them a few years ago I had them bad. Now there are back with a vengeance. Oh well I am alive!!!!!!!!!
Be nice to yourself
0 -
Cloud, I soaked my foot in warm water. At that point, it wasn't just that the nail was white. My big toe was very red and tender so I figured soaking might get out whatever was irritating it. The nail was also starting to raise up from the nail bed and felt like it might be getting loose. It had been white underneath for quite a while before that. After soaking, I put some double antibiotic ointment on in case the inflamation was due to some infection and I put some hydrocortisone ointment on to reduce the inflammation. The inflamation went away. I guess the nail was pushed away from the bed due to swelling because it went back in place and seems okay now.
I used Hard as Nails on my fingernails because they were getting fine cracks along the chemo lines. The roughness was annoying and I was concerned that they would break. My chemo nurse said to use a nail hardener on them. I read the ingredients on the bottle and I don't recall seeing formaldehyde on it. But the solvent in it is kind of nasty stuff. It's a good thing the weather was nice. We ran the whole house fan to keep the fumes down.
They said that if gardening or doing other heavy tasks during chemo, one should be sure to wear gloves because of lowered immunity. I hope you are being careful about that. Other than that, I think you have to listen to your body on how much you can do and stop to rest if you are tired. On week 3 of chemo cycles, I was able to have close to normal activity levels during the day, but I pooped out at night and had to get a couple of hours extra sleep. That was less true on cycles 5 and 6. It didn't help that I got a cold at the start of cycle 5, but it was also the cummulative effect of chemo. I didn't feel that I could blame the cold on overdoing it or lowered chemo immunity because my husband and DIL got it at the same time.
For me, chemo wouldn't let me overdo. I would get so tired that I would have to stop and rest.
0 -
Bold, thank you for your quick reply. My onco originally prescribed Emend, but that was turned down by my insurance. :-( I'll send my SO out for some ice cream. Right now it sounds too "sticky sweet" to be appitizing. It's strange, I crave "comfort foods", and something like beef stew. I'm a country gal and down home cooked meats and vegies have always been a staple, but for now they sound too "heavy" especially with this terrible yucky taste in my mouth all the time. Even my fall back cottage cheese is failing me. I'm hungry, but nothing sounds good. Hopefully this too shall pass.
0 -
Sailor I had my first Herceptin only totally naked no premeds Just Saline before and after Took 30 minutes was so glad to leave so quickly and not be sleepy or wired up It was a glorious feeling. Like you I have had few SEs and my heart is still strong I am back in Greeley with 5 out of 16 rads down so far so good. You will be great with the Herceptin only, trust me.Cloud I totally agree with Lisa TX 6 kicked my butt hard for the week of ,the next week I was feeling so much better,The upside is that you are done!! Rest when you need to Your Family will understand.Bold I am also still having issues with mouth taste comes and goes I dont know what it is I thought the Herceptin maybe?? also since I started rads my lip is quivering now Kinda like the eye twitching during chemo. Anybody else get that??? 0 -
Good morning (I hope) everyone,
Swampy, I'm sorry you felt so sick and hope you feel better soon (and anyone else having trouble).
My first treatment was 13 days ago and I was really sick on days 5 to 10. And I have had the body aches and bad taste in my mouth. I'm finally able to have a cup of coffee again (probably not a good thing). Also, for the last couple of days I have had a bit of a bloody nose. Yesterday when I was making supper, my nose hurt so bad all of a sudden. Like I had been blowing it a lot. It really stung. Is this a normal side effect? I am soooo not looking forward to #2!
I have a check up with the Dr on Thursday so I am going to ask about what to do for feeling so sick and cramps etc. My local Dr said I should continue taking the Zofran but I have a schedule for those and am only given a certain amount. Also, I will be getting a Picc Line put in. My arm is pretty bruised too.
One of my friends (she drove me to my appts after I had my surgery - so nice) just lost her daughter in a car accident. She was only 25 and has a 3 yr old little boy. I really want to be supportive but it's so hard to know what to do for the best. I really am happy to be alive, sick and all.
Anyway, I'm having a reasonably good day today so I'm going to make the most of it (the sun is shining)
. Sending best wishes to everyone. Anji0 -
Mom2Twins - Welcome.. I'm a newbie also. I've had one chemo treatment (my first was May 21), and one Herceptin only infusion. Due for another Thursday. I'm like ccbaby, I am ER-/PR- and HER2+ . Reading through the various posts/threads has been so helpful to me, I'm sure you'll find the same thing.
I was scheduled to get a port today (which I was SO looking forward to), but it got cancelled because my WBC count is 1.7 and my neutraphil (sp?) is 200... too low, they won't do the placement. We're hoping next Tuesday...
Hopefully everyone is having a stress-free day..
0 -
Mom2Twins - Welcome. You'll find these boards helpful.. I have learned a lot in a short time (I'm pretty much a newbie also).
Sailor - Thanks so much for your info and insight. Very helpful.
Swampy - Oh girl.. I hope you feel better. What about something like a frozen juice thingy..?
Cloud - Get rest, even if it is just 30 mins putting your feet up watching some silly tv show. Your body will let you know (God knows mine does) !
Bold - please keep me up-to-date on your radiation treatments. Honestly, I think I'm more concerned about those. (scared). My onc said my skin will burn/blister etc. : (
Anji - I too have the nose that hurts/tender on the inside. Someone told me to take a q-tip and rub Neopsporin on the inside and sleep with it. I did that two nights ago (it smells funny), but it really helped a lot.. might want to try that.
I posted earlier and then realized I was on the wrong board... jeez chemo brain already !!??
0 -
Lisa, Bold, Bluedasher, and Paula: Thanks for the feed back. Yes, I am very careful with gloves when gardening and cleaning, and my nails are short. I'll plan for rest breaks and, yes, you are right, my guests can pitch in.
I am not a very good patient, but I am so looking forward to posting the end of chemo that it is motivating me to settle down. Thanks again the for the words of wisdom.
Cheers!
Cloud
0 -
Anji: I have had nose bleeds throughout my treatments. I've been told they're associated with my low platelet count. Go buy "Ayr" gel. After just a couple applications, the nose bleeds go away...and I had pretty severe ones lasting a couple days with heavy bleeding. Ayr fixed it right up!
Maggie
0 -
Anji, my onco gave me a script for Deep Spray (by Major). It's a mild saline nasal spray to help keep the nasal tissues from drying out. I still get some bloody "nose blows" but it has helped with the dryness. It may be available over the counter, I can't remember. (Chemo brain, don't ya love it?) I haven't tried the Ayr gel.
Bad taste... I read a post from someone here (long time ago) that a slice of sharp chedder cheese can help mitigate that yucky bad taste. I had forgottn that tip until now. It does help. :-)
Journey Girl: Juice of any kind is not sitting well. About the most I can tolerate is a little lemon in my tea. I tried some of that V8 "V-Fusion" this morning. I cut it with a little water, but it didn't last 10 minutes.
0 -
Swampy call your insurance company and ask them why was emend denied. I would then ask them what they suggest that you take and give them a list of the drugs that you have taken and are not working. Most of the time they will then approve you for the drug and if they still deny you tell them you are going to a lawyer and they will approve you. I has problems with treatment 3 & 4 being nausea and once I took the emend for 5 &6 I felt sooo much better. It really made the last 2 treatments tolerable.
I went to my PS and my lump is my expander. Happy dancing from me today
15 days until squishy boobies again. 0 -
Swampy, I found that with each treatment what I could eat changed. With the first tx, brownies were great, after that, couldn't touch them. The only thing was consistantly edible - and this is so bad - McDonalds Egg, cheese and sausage biscuits. My husband would go and get me two, one to eat and one to micro later. Other than that, I pretty much lived off Egg Beaters omeletes. I would grate a little cheddar cheese and ad fresh bacon bits and a little chopped tomatoe. That is the only thing that NEVER failed me. Oatmeal went ok often too. Just keep trying. If you throw out the food who cares, you have to eat.
Lisa
0 -
Jaimieh: It was Medicare that refused to pay for Emend. I've asked my onco to reapply. Thanks.
Lisa: I'll give the Egg Beater omeletes a try. The McDonalds breakfast sandwich sounds good. You didn't find the sausage to be "too much"? I love oatmeal, but something about the texture now sets off a gag reflex. Same thing for grits and I adore cheese grits. I'm just amazed at how much chemo has affected my palette.The 10-12 days following chemo are the hardest. When my SO cooks something for himself he has to turn on the exhaust fan over the stove and I have to retreat to the bedroom with the door closed and the window open. I guess I can look forward to the weight loss, but if the next 3 txs are like the first 3, I dread the next two months.
I hope everyone else is doing better. I hate to come here and gripe. It's not my intention to drag everyone else down. I do appreciate all of you and your support. I don't know what I would do if it wasn't for this forum and sister campers cheering me on.
Thank you gals!
0 -
Swampy - For some twisted reason fat tastes good on TCH, so no, the sausage did not bother me. However! You need to time it with your constipation/diarrhea cycle. Obvioulsy, you need to avoid too much fat during the "runs" phase. Please try the Egg Beaters omletes. I ate so much of that during treatment, I won't touch it now,
And don't you dare worry about coming here and complaining. We are here to listen and we have all had out moments to bitch and complain.
Lisa
0 -
Yeah for Jaimieh ! That had to be such a relief... I know that is every girl's scare going forward.
We're all doing the happy dance with ya !
0 -
Thanks Journey-Girl
Swampy~ We are here to listen to you and help you thru this. That's what sister's do
I also was on the McD's egg, ham and cheese diet. I also love scrapple which normally is okay but I was craving it and it has to be burnt. 0 -
Let's hear it for avocados! I had to have half an avocado every day.
0 -
It is hard to find something to eat when nothing sounds good. Sometimes when things do sound good or smell good , it is a disappointment when you eat it because it doesn't taste like anything. On my chemo week I have to eat things like scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, noodle soup, and grilled cheese sandwiches....and sometimes pudding or tapioca tastes good. But usually friut and juices don't taste good, so I drink milk, and iced tea. Cereal is pretty good too. I have to eat often, because I get this wierd stomach feeling like I'm hungry, but I'm not sure if I am, or if my stomach is just upset.
When is this darn eye twitching going to stop?????
I sure love having this board to come to, everyone is so nice and understanding. It really has helped me a lot!! I think the information here is even more helpful than the doctor, because who better to talk to than other women in the same exact boat as me. Sometimes when my mom and I are sitting at chemo, I tell her some of the stuff I learn from you all, and some of the funny stuff too. Sometimes you guys have such funny comments I actually laugh out loud in front of my computer.
0 -
You girls are the BEST!
Fat! Yes that is kind of twisted, but maybe that's why corn with lots of butter tastes good!! Sending my SO out for MickieD's breakfast sandwich as I type! The ham option sounds better right now than sausage. LOL
I started packing my suitcase for the California trip this morning. My son's graduation from UCLA Anderson's MBA program is something I've been looking forward to for three years (and I know he has too!) For him it's the culmination of three years of working full time, going to night school, commuting 100 miles a day, getting married, buying a house, and having a baby. He's really been under the gun, but "proud mama" promised she'd be there. Celebrating my grandson's first birthday with them is a bonus!. I also have to say that I look forward to my ex and his lovely "new" wife joining the celebration. They have been a huge supporters on my cancer journey. When I look at the big picture, I am truly blessed!
0 -
Swampy - congratulations on your son's wonderful accomplishment. I wish you a wonderful weekend, filled with family, friends, love and laughter. And feeling good every minute! And that grandbaby - especially being with him!!
My husband and I were invited to participate in a clinical study about support groups for married couples. It is 8 weekly sessions of group counseling and they pay you $440 to attend! How could we say no to that? So last night was the first session - 4 couples and 2 therapists. It was very interesting. Mostly introductory. But the interesting thing (which relates to Swampy's post above) was how much everyone there talked about their children (who were all adults). I could see that when something happens to the mama of the family, it affects everyone, in a ripple effect. They talked about not wanting to worry 'the kids' (some of whom were in their 40's! LOL), and worrying about genetic effects on their daughters, etc. It struck me so strongly that this is such a family event and affects so many people.
One woman said that they were out to dinner to celebrate her son's 45th birthday on the night she started Tamoxifen and she took the pill at dinner. Her son said that he wanted to meet again in that same restaurant when he turns 50 and be there with her when she takes her final pill. And then she cried, telling us the story. It was very emotional.
So Swampy, enjoy EVERY MOMENT and write to us after the weekend and let us share in your joy!
Amy
0 -
Amy, I am now craying my eyes out! What the man said to his mamma was just wonderful.
Swampy, congratulations on having a fine son. I am sure you are very, very proud of him. I hope you have a wonderful time. Be sure and rest. Florida to California is a long day. Drink plenty of water to ward of dehydration. Most of all HAVE FUN!!!!!
0 -
We have not heard from Mason OR Ipogrl. I hope they are both OK.
An update on cupcake would be great too!
0 -
Lisa I agree an update on Cupcake would make me feel lots better. Also Mason & Ipogirl where you ladies at??? Denali When I get home I will email you my email account only works when i am home Its the one from our Provider My brother was suppose to help me set up one on yahoo so I can check it anywhere we didn't get it done. I wiil be 1/2 way done with rads when I get treatment tomorrow Every thing is still all good. Lonely in Greeley without my family I am tired of my own company already Thank God the Hospitality house has an Internet kiosk I can at least keep in touch with my support family here. Dont know what I would do without all of you,and Darn glad I never have to be without you 0
-
Hey Ladies....I have been lost without my lap top!!! So glad it is fixed now. I had alot of reading to catch up....Mcdonalds was the best for me during TCH..seems like the higher in fat and salt the better it tasted.
has anyone experienced facial hairs after TCH??? I have noticed some black hairs growing on my upper cheecks....wishing the hair on my head grew as fast as the ones on my face.
Lisa...how much hair growth do you have now and how many weeks has it been for you?
0 -
Checking in to say hi and welcome to all newcomers! Tomorrow is Day 22 of rads and no major complaints, 11 more days and I am done. For all of you who must do rads after chemo, I have found them to be much, much easier. I had my third MUGA scan today and am anxious to hear the results because during chemo my heart would race. i haven't felt that in a month so want to see if there is a difference, Hair growth is pretty good. It is not long but is coming in as thick as before, At first it was white but now I see a lot of dark too. I am still not going out without a scarf as it is still a complete GI Jane. My eyelashes and eyebrows that started falling out after the last tx are coming in too. Yeah!!!! My onc said herceptin could slow the hair growth process a bit so have patience everyone. It is so hard when you just want your hair back, Hope everyone has few se's and lots of laughs. I loved ice cream when I took chemo, Still do, unfortunately.
maja0
