Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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duneoaks and Maggie Thanks for responding. I am glad you like them! And that the whole procedure was not too bad. When I had the mastectomy I think it was the longest two weeks of my life! Never thought it was going to get better. My husband would have liked me to have a boob job before bc (well, me too) - I was never into self-inflicted pain though! I guess another reason for me wanting to do it is to feel more normal and to have something to look forward to. All this stuff we have to go through is taking it's toll. Even though chemo is half done it still feels like it's never going to end. Although you are both living proof that it does
. I am so happy for you. I can't wait to say I am pfc! Anyways, thanks for that, I guess now I'll just have to start figuring out what kind to get. Decisions, decisions.Take care, Anji x
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kauaicharm wants to know if these blahs are going to be around the entire chemo time...I've gone 4 days without eating. Good news is the Ensure that AmCanSociety gives me...I can make a mean smoothie with banana, strawberries and yogurt. The only way I can get my appetite to work is to drink a glass of wine but is that ok? I live on imodium which I know can't be good but otherwise I'm pretty much housebound.
Much respect to those of you that go to work after treatment. I'm not quite there yet....and has anyone else had the furry black tongue fairy visit? GROSSSSSS
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Charm...You need to eat! That is what helped me the most through chemo. My appetite was always good. I know it is hard when you don't feel good and have no appetite, but you must try whatever tastes best for you. Keep up with the smoothies, and eat a lot of protein and iron to keep your blood counts up. I am not sure about the wine, I don't drink it. eat mashed potatoes or another comfort food. My tongue felt furry on and off throughout and I always had (still do) a weird metal, sweet and salty taste in my mouth.
Good luck!
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Hi Everyone,
New to this board and group but wanted needed help and whre else to go than the ones that have done it before you and/with you. Just getting feedback of what the TCH will do to me. Had my first on the 15th of July, not too bad. How do they know how much to give and is it working if it isn't horrible like everyone thinks. Still have myhair hoping one more week as we go the beach for a vacation before round #2. I have no trouble eating, enjoying my kids and trying to get some sunshine Vitamin D. Still worried I will eat something will interfere with the chemo which drives me crazy. Anyone have food, or vitamin suggestions. I have centrum in the cabinet but afraid something in it may make the chemo less effective, I am drinking Crystal light immunity but concerned the stuff will again make this less effective. Just advice, to vent etc. Appreciate and so happy to see many ladies years out, with or with out hair who cares we are hear!
Faith Over Fear
Kara
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Hi Shelclaire, Hello to all... I jump here every so often since being 15 weeks out since my last cycle. I'm still taking Herceptin and will be doing so until the end of year.
Just wanted to share with you my experiences and advice. I do believe they know how much to give you based on your weight. I had my hair for my first and second cycle. A week after taking my second cycle, it thinned out quickly so I shaved it. Therefore, I was bald for the remaining 4 cycles. I didn't have much trouble with foods until after taking my 2nd cycle. I noticed my appetite and taste did much better a couple of days before the next hit/cycle and then I was back to not enjoying food. Just like they said... you would start feeling well and it was time for the next cycle. I was told by my oncologist to not take any vitamins so to not interfere with the chemo...she asked that I wait until I finished treatment and I did. I responded to TC wonderfully. I did drink the same immunity drinks to help in that area. Overall... like many said to me and now I'm saying it... you'll be looking back before you know it. I actually must say that my memories are fond ones for I found myself connecting closer to so many during my time under chemo. I wouldn't want to do it again and I'm happy that I have good feelings when I think back. Again... I wouldn't want to go there again.
Just enjoy as much of the time you get to spend with loved ones during these times to make this time memorable. 0 -
I have a question to those here who did already go through their surgery with lymph nodes removed. I had my surgery (right mastectomy) on May 6th with 9 lymph nodes removed and I figured that by now any pressure by lifting with my right arm would not cause much but slight soreness. Wrong... I tend to notice when I do lift plenty in the day, my forearm, palm facing up, I feel tightness, pain and some puffiness in that area which I attribute to my lymph nodes???? I haven't asked my doctor as of yet so I'm asking here if anyone has experienced the same...??
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I had my first Herceptin only treatment today. It felt so good not to have to get the TC before! I got out of there 2 hours earlier since I didn't have chemo. No side effects, yet.
Lorena....It sounds like you have some Lymphedema in your arm. You should not lift anything more than 5 lbs with that arm the rest of your life. And when you do carry something with that arm, keep it close to your body. Since you had lymph nodes removed, the lymph fluid can accumulate in that area. I think you should call your doc and tell him about it before it gets any worse and no more lifting with that arm. He will tell you what you need to do. Good luck.
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About that sweet salty taste I still have it I am 13 weeks PFC! It is from the herceptin. GRRR that means I sill have it till november. But hey I am still here!!!!
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Hi Lorena, it's nice to see you again. Too bad about the arm. I hope it gets better for you. I was stretching my arm one day, thinking how good it was and almost back to normal (I had surgery in March), when something pulled. Since then I can feel pain and a pulling sensation from my armpit all the way down to my wrist. Well, when I'm doing certain things ie trying to lift something. It doesn't even have to be heavy. It's just the way I use my arm I guess. I was worried about Lymphedema/cording but haven't been to see anyone yet. I'm just going to baby my arm and hope it doesn't get any worse. Good luck with yours. Have you had any SEs from the Herceptin?
ccbaby I hope you continue to feel good! Do you still have the yucky mouth?
No one (not even the surgeon) told me I couldn't lift anything. I wish they had. The lymphedema and cording sound and look awful and painful. I will not be lifting any heavy with that arm ever again! Thanks for that. Just wish I'd known sooner.
Bold I was so hoping the horrible mouth thing was from the Taxotere. I've tried to blame every bad SE on it. I still have 14 more Herceptin to go before I'm finished. So of course I've been telling myself no SEs from Herceptin. I can live in hope I guess. Stay well!
cakelady Is tomorrow the big day for the port? If it is, hope it goes well for you.
Hi Shelclaire, welcome. The ladies here are wonderful and full of great advice. You can also learn a lot by taking a peek at the old posts on this thread. Good luck with your treatments.
Anji x
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On To Phase 2!!!
Well folks, I (we) made it!!! Chemo is OVER! I had my last Neulasta shot today at 1:30pm and that officially marked the end of the first phase of treatment!As you know, Days 3-5 post-chemo are my roughest days. I'm into Day 3 as I type and I'm starting to feel it. Fatigue, hiccups, hot flashes that cause my glasses to steam up, uncontrollable eye-twitching and eye-tearing (thanks to the Taxotere), and a furry tongue causing everything to taste bad (thanks to the Carboplatin). I let myself get a little too hungry today so I attempted to quell some queasiness with a German Chocolate Cake Ice-Cream Concoction from ColdStone Creamery. It didn't quite work as intended but I'm smiling. LOL!!! I'm taking my LAST STEROID in a few minutes and hopefully in a few days my consumption will resemble that of a normal human being's! *smile* *hiccup*
My Mom returned home safely from her Caribbean cruise last night and reported she had a wonderful, relaxing, and enjoyable time! As with most 1st time cruisers, she's ready and planning her next one!
Although chemo has ended, I will still go in for infusions of Herceptin every 3 weeks until next April. Herceptin can cause heart damage, so tomorrow morning I will go in to get a MUGA scan so that we have a baseline of my heart function prior to this series of Herceptin-only treatments.
I will spend the rest of this week "down in the country" in Virginia relaxing with family and friends!
I have to thank each and every one of you for hanging in for this journey so far! It has been therapeutic and beneficial to know that at 5:15pm on March 20th, 2009 I was not set out on a raft to navigate the Sea of Breast Cancer alone! I could not have made it this far without your prayers, support, acts of kindness, encouragement, and tolerance of my not-so-at-my-best moments.
I don't know what Phase 2 will bring. It's surgery and recovery. From most reports, it's a breeze compared to chemo.
I simply know that I can face the future with confidence and faith in the God we serve, the Ultimate Physician who has already declared my healing and manifested it in Phase 1 with the shrinking of "those tumors who no longer need a name!"
Amen!!!
Alaina
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Congratulations on finsihing. Sorry the ice cream didn't work out the way you planned.
Any other advice thanks so much from Lorena.
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Chelee, we need to stay in contact!! My daughter is starting Chapman and I'll pay you to spy!!
I live in Kauai now, will be moving to Solvang or somewhere close when this house sells. I feel that this cancer thing has been a wakeup call that life is too short. While Kauai is beautiful it's not paying my bills. I can't struggle like this, I'm too old to worry and too young to waste time.
There was a bet on the island that I could not stay here with Chelsea in Cali. It's not really that but how could we ever visit with the Pacific Ocean between us??? I lived in Salinas for 50 years, here 6, time for another change!
I'll be in touch. I've only done 1 chemo, feeling good so the next one must be coming soon.....
charm
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Hi Everyone....got my port today,,, it is a Power Port by Bard, thats what you have right Christy? The surgery went fine, the hardest part is all the waiting and getting the IV and blood taken. I had sedation but not general anesthesia, so recovery was minutes instead of hours. I got home about an hour ago and there has been no pain, but now the drugs they used are wearing off and I feel a little soreness. They gave me a prescription for Vicodin. My first Herceptin only is on Monday... still following ya Christy...
Lorena.. and Anji,,,.. My lymph node surgery was back in December 18 nodes removed, and I still have some pain, soreness and numbness on the back of my arm and some under my arm, it has gotten better over the months. I was told not to lift anything heavy with that side ever again, and to be very careful not to injure that arm, no needle sticks, blood pressure, no sunburn, no hot tub, etc. I was told it takes a long time to get better , and may never be.
okay,,,, I gotta go take a pain pill...
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Wendy...yes, that is what I have the power port. That will be much better for you instead of getting poked every time. It will be sore there for awhile. So far, I haven't noticed any side effects from the Herceptin, just a little dizzy. It will be a breeze for you on Monday.
Alaina...Congrats on your last chemo! It is a great feeling.
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ccbaby... thank you for the feedback.
Anjii111, thank you too. As for any SE's from the Herceptin, no.. I can't say I have. At times but only a few I found the taste of certain foods bring back that nasty taste I had while under chemo and I tell myself it's only memory and dismiss it. I don't want to revist that taste again.
Aliana... congratulations and hearing you brought tears remembering the feeling and knowing exactly what you're feeling.
Cakelady... thank you and it's sad to hear that maybe never for my favorite class at the gym for the past 4 years and I haven't taken since my 2nd cycle of chemo back in February is my "weight training class". I can't imagine I won't be able to lift weight like I did before. I'll definitely be talking to my doctor.
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cakelady Glad to hear it went well!
Sorry, I'm too tired to talk right now - hope you all have a good night.
Anji x
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Get some rest Anjii... good night.
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DONE!!!
Had my last TCH Tuesday! Neulasta on Wednesday and I'm home drinking and peeing! :-)
I start on the Herceptin (3 week cycles) until April. MUGA results were very good. I only dropped 2 points which is well within range at age 67. Also had a contrast MRI done Wednesday afternoon and will consult with my surgeon after my first Herceptin only tx.
When first diagnosed, my left breast was so swollen and dense they could not even measure a lump. After 1 TCH the swelling was reduced enough that they got a measurement (5+cm). The lump is no under 2cm! and I may be elligible for a lumpectomy instead of mastectomy. Decisions! But I will rely heavily on my surgeon's suggestion.
I'm rather pissed with my oncologist. I saw her once at dx (my surgeon was my first contact and he ran all the tests. The onco took the test and set up the chemo plan and I saw her again at tx #3. I have not seen her since. I know she was at the chemo center Tuesday because I saw her leaving by the back door. I had questions to ask and only got to see her nurse PA. My onco was the one that originally suggested that if the chemo did its job I might be elligible for a lumpectomy. You'd think she's want to examine my breast and let me know if that is still a possibility before I have my first surgical consult.
Has anyone used a physical therapist for post op care?
hugs to all...
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Swampy, that seems strange that you've hardly seen your oncologist. I saw mine every 3 wks, the day I recieved my TCH infusion. Ask the nurse what the standard procedure is.
I'm 7wks PFC and doing the Herceptin-only thing.
QUESTION: Is there anyone past TCH chemo whose hips are sore? Mine don't hurt or ache, they're just sore when I press on them. Anyone else out there with the same thing? PLEEEEEEZE?? Of course, I'm thinking it's the beginning of bone mets. Hoping to get reassured---I don't see the oncologist for another 2 wks.
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Good for you, Swampy! Just like Denali, I saw my onc every time before my TCH.
Denali...Is it your hips or your thighs that are sore? My thighs are very sore especially when I push on them, and when I asked the onc about it, he said it is just another side effect of the chemo, muscle soreness.
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Linda~ all of my joints are sore including my hips. My fingers are also sore and I figured I haven't heard anyone with mets to the fingers, yet(sure hope I don't). I get my herceptin in a 30 min drip and I am going to ask them to slow it down next time to see if that helps.
Has anyone heard from Lisa1964 ?? Or Bold ??? I was just wondering how they are doing
Swampy~ Congratulations on being done!!
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I also saw my onc on chemo days and 10 days after too, to see how things were going. Then after the first 3 treatments I saw him only on chemo day every 3 weeks. However he said I could see him any time as needed, or email him and he would respond the same day if early enough., I never needed to do that though.
When we get Herceptin only is it the same amount we were getting in the TCH? I wonder why we would have any new side effects at all if it is the same stuff we have been getting all along. Christy how long do you have the Herceptin drip for, an hour or a half hour? And they don't need blood before every Herceptin? I still need to do blood tests for the Coumadin I am on , so if they need it for Herceptin, I want to do it all at the same time, Can they use the power port to take blood from now on? My veins are tired of getting poked!
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Congratulations to all who have finished TCH. I've been feeling quiet and haven't commented much lately on this thread, but I do keep up reading.
Jaimeh, maybe Bold and Lisa1964 are taking a break for a bit.
Cakelady, I think normally on TCH my onc would have seen me every 4 Herceptin treatments (every 12 weeks) and I would only get blood tests before those visits. I see her more often than that now and get more blood tests because of the requirements for the bisphosponate study. I think it has to be a nurse that accesses your chemo port, not a phlebotomist. I've gotten most of my blood tests at the regular lab because they needed to be taken so that the results were available for my onc appointment. That means my veins get poked. The people are really good there and it normally doesn't hurt any more than getting my port accessed so I haven't tried to make other arrangements. But sometimes I'm getting a blood test without an onc appointment and when I do that they can draw the blood when they access my port for chemo.
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Jamieh: I am here. I finished up radiation and am trying to get moving. I am pretty deconditioned from all the treatments. I have had 5 Hercerptin alone infusions. It does make your hips ache. Bone pain is one of the side effects. I had a bone density test last treatment and I am not osteopenic, maybe a little in the lower spine but nothing to be concerned with. My echo went from 72 to 55 for ejection fraction. Still within range. I do get taste changes from the herceptin. The onc I saw on my last visit said " Your taste has changed? You mean you like modern art now?" I get pretty tired the day of and the day after infusions. The standard treatment is 17, I have had 11. It is amazing to think that I have only 6 to go. I still have neropathy in my hands and feet, but it is not painful just numb. Oh and some good news I have hair not a lot but you can no longer see my scalp. I have a little boy do. It is very soft and came in every color of the rainbow from blond to gray black and clear. Weird huh? For those that are going on to Rads. I tolerated it very well. It is a cake walk compared to chemo. I got red and sore but my skin did not blister. I used pure aloe and aquafor. I even went swimming against Dr. orders.
Some girls on my may rad group did have some breakdown of there skin but it was very rare. Everyone is doing great now and getting on with there lives. That is a bit of a challenge to quite your mind at night, to not fear progression and to believe that you are cured and will have a long and wonderful life. We are so lucky to have herceptin to thwart this aggressive form of cancer. The new statistics are very encouraging. Thank God for that!Congrats to all that have made it to the other side and for those still in treatment you will make it and move passed chemo. We will all have hair and eyelashes and brows (and pesky chin hairs) in a short time. We will have a huge victory and an appreciation for life that only a few could every have. Colors are more beautiful laughter more sincere love more real and treasured than any of our earthly gifts. You are each in my prayers everyday.
Swampy it is not OK that your DR has not seen you!!!!! Demand to see him or find a new DR. You should be seen each treatment or at least every other. I am sorry that you have not had the attention that you deserve.
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Thanks Blue that's what I thought.
Bold~ Great seeing and hearing from you. I couldn't agree more with your statement about enjoying things more
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Congratulations, Swampy! It does seem strange that you're not seeing your onc more frequently. Let us know what happens as far as her recommendation and your surgeon's.
I had Tx #3 yesterday. Half way there!
Becky
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Ladies - I DID IT. FINAL TCH was today. (Of course I have 8 more months of Herceptin, and radiation starts in 3 weeks, and Tamoxifen after that.) BUT the hardest part is OVER!!!!!
It was not without some last minute drama. The port wire (catheter) has been protruding through my skin more and more the past few weeks and making me uncomfortable AND concerned that it had gotten disconnected or something was wrong. So at my pre-meeting with onco doc yesterday (in which I passed my blood tests), he wanted them to flush the port to make sure it was working. If not, they would have to take it out and replace it - possibly IMMEDIATELY (like that same day!). It was pretty tense and I didn't have my numbing cream so it HURT when they stuck me. I have to admit I really melted down from all the pressure, was so scared of having surgery, or possibly missing chemo or who knows what else. Just sat in the seat and cried and cried and I even needed a stranger (the adult daughter of another patient) who was there to hold my hand to get me through it. It was very emotional and draining. BUT the port worked fine and I was all approved for chemo, which made me so happy. Never thought Id' say that!
So now I'm home and resting and waiting for the LAST set of SEs to show up. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that as I start to get better this time, it is FOR GOOD.
Thank you all for all your support. I guess you can say that I am PFC now!
Amy
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Cakelady.....yes, my drip was an hour and a half and they gave me benadryl and pepcid in my pre-meds. I did have bloodwork first only to see what effects my last chemo did on me, and my WBC was very low. That was the first time that happened after getting the Neulasta shot. My onc said that is why a person can only have 6 rounds of chemo, your body can only take so much. He wants bloodwork again before my next treatment, but only because of the WBC. From then on, I won't get bloodwork, I wont even see him again only for scan results. I am getting a MUGA scan on Aug 13. I haven't had much side effects form the Herceptin only. Just a little dizziness and slight heartburn. NOTHING like with the chemo.
Amy...Congrats on your last chemo!! WOOO HOOO! It is such a great feeling to be PFC!!!
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I posted part of this on how long for chemo to get out of your system thread, but wanted to also share it with those here who are just finishing:
A couple of weeks ago (5 months post chemo), I was on a business trip - a meeting with a lot of people, technical discussions, debates, long days - I went to some of these while I was on chemo but had to cut my days short by getting room service or other quick dinner and going to bed early. During chemo I couldn't do the evening meetings at all. Two weeks ago I was back to normal. One day was 14 hours, about 8 of it I was chairing my group, a working lunch with my co-workers to hash out our concerns on an issue, a working dinner with two sides on another issue to resolve that.
Chairing the meetings takes an incredible amount of mental energy because I have to:
- keep track of the technical subject being discussed and occasionally put in my technical input;
- keep control of the meeting watching the politics, pointing out when the debate points are getting repetitive "any new issues?", running the queue, controlling the louder more assertive speakers (some aren't really aggressive but their natural personality is kind of dominating) to give the more timid ones a comfortable chance to speak;
- keep an eye on the logistics so that we get breaks when the break food is out, stay roughly on schedule, arrange for a room swap with another group when it turns out our room is too small
- keep track of what I need to generate my status report and motions for the larger group
- and last but not least, try to remember peoples name's - always been a weak point for me and in times of stress I can forget the names of folks I've known well for years
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Swampy and Amy - Congrats to you both
. Swampy - you're not really 67 are you? Was that a typo or something? You look great.I was going to type 'I hope I look half as good as you when I'm 67'. But then I remembered the Dr. only gave me ten years! The b###d. Gosh this so so sucks. Oh well, I'll just have to make the most of however long I've got. And it does make you appreciate things that much more!
I had #4 today. The treatment room is usually really busy. Not today though. I guess they never did get a replacement Dr. for the ones that went on holiday. So there were just a few of us. I'm kind of wondering why I got so lucky and got to go. I was thinking maybe because I don't usually have any problems. But there was another lady there not doing so well. And then my sick mind was thinking maybe I was there because they think it's serious and I better not miss a treatment! The first version is better - I think I'll stick with that. I don't want to do crazy tonight.
I'm starting to feel really sick right now. I kind of don't even mind because I know that I only have two left and I can see the light! I am going to be so happy when I reach the end of it like you ladies.
Take care everyone.
Anji x
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