Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Hi All - I am 7 weeks PFC after 6 rounds of carbo/taxotere (still doing herceptin until July)- I promised myself I wouldn't stress about my hair growing back but... there is no sign of life on the planet and I'm starting to get concerned. Anybody else have this problem? My eyes are still tearing quite a bit as well.
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Cloud thank you for asking I finally got the all clear yesterday afternoon even though my Oncologist told me it would be ready the next day. My oncologist's office gets confused pretty easily. Enjoy your holiday break, I bet you are excited.
backagain~ Hang in there it will come. If you think about it you have only missed one dose of chemo so far (I hope that makes sense).
Has Bold checked in lately. Think of you and I hope your nephew is doing better.
Off to process more orders....nothing like waiting until a week before Christmas....
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Christy is doing well. She posted on Facebook yesterday that the surgery went well, she is resting and her family is site-seeing in New Orleans.
Backagain - don't freak out yet over the hair. I really did not see much life for 7 to 8 weeks PFC.
Lisa
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Blessed4
I also lost eyebrows after chemo and they said its because of the chemo but my eyebrows never came back in completly but QVC sells a brow liner that is like a majic marker for about 22.00 and it last a very long time if you would like the item # I can send it to you.
Maura
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I am 10 wks PFC and my hair and eyebrows are starting to grow back but my eyelashes are just now falling out. It's hard when you think you're past everything and you get reminders of what you've been through. I just try not to look at them and remind myself that they'll be back one day!
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Twinmom77: I am 9 weeks past the end of chemo and just noticed yesterday when I went to put on my mascara, that I have no eyelashes. What the heck is this??? I still don't understand the delay in them now just falling out!! They were there recently. My hair is coming in black and gray (I was dark brown and some gray). My eyebrows have always been light so I can't say for sure I have lost much on them but yes, you said it...another reminder of what has happened this past year!0
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Thank you to everyone who offered support and made suggestions. I really appreciate it. I'm having the PET Scan tomorrow afternoon so I guess I'll know soon enough. I'm not handling this well at all. I'm angry as hell and scared to death. You know that sick feeling you have when you're first diagnosed? I have it again with a vengence. In the beginning, I was told that my cancer was "just a cyst" and nothing to be concerned about. That cyst turned out to have a 2cm tumor smack in the middle. I feel like history is repeating itself after only 10 months.
suepen,
Great point! That was my first thought as well. Maybe the Radioactive tracer just pooled in the node. My Onc is not agreeing or disagreeing. I also can't get a straight answer as to whether the node appeared enlarged on the MUGA. Its not enlarged to the touch and the US done 2 days before the MUGA showed nothing. I was unaware that the PET used a glucose rather than a dye!! Thank you for that information!! Now it makes sense that they want the more detailed PET!!
Cloud,
I've tried searches until the cows come home to no avail and at this point I've done myself more harm than good. So far I've given myself every metastisis there is and a few cancers that have nothing to do with BC.
I'm making myself totally neurotic. I've decided to just freak out quietly and not search anymore. blessedby4,
My lashes and brows also fell out after Chemo, but they grew back really quickly!! I finished Chemo in late July and they fell out in late August. They were starting to grow back in early September and one they started growing, they came back quick and thick.
I also continued to lose hair after Chemo. I never lost all my hair during though. I thinned out like crazy and I had what looked like male pattern baldness. The back hung in there but it receded in the front just the way a man goes bald. It was pretty weird looking. By October I had about an inch of growth all over my head and now I have a fringe!
I've heard the Herceptin slows things down as well. That wasn't the case with my eyebrows and lashes though. With my hair, its hard for me to judge. I didn't lose it the way most do and I don't think its growing back the way most people's grow back either.
gramma,
Thank you for your advice and info. I'm trying not to stress, but....well....it's not working.
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I know it is hard not to get stressed. I know we all go through it some more than others. Like I have said before I just did what I was told until I finished chemo and now I question everything that seems not right. I have a lymph node in my jaw line like if I had a sore throat but I don't. After I had that mamo on the one side the thing is swollen like crazy. it never goes away even with antibiotics so it is not an infection. I think it is inflammation but why. My brother got an enlarged sore lymph node after his radiation and that eventually grew out of control so that is one thing that worries me but I am trying not to think too much of it. Hard to do!
My hair seems to have started to grow more since I started taking vitamins. they have biotin which is what a beauty operator told me to take but my onc said no. I want hair he does not care if I have hair. I know he must have a good reason but it is not just the hair it is also the blood I want. I want to quit having to take Procrit and get my blood back to normal whatever that is for me. My eyebrows was always thick and I used to wish I didn't have them but you need to be careful what to wish for I guess because I don't have them now and my eyelashes are growing but very slow. I lost my eyelashes in the 5th grade and they never came back in as thick as they were but I can live with it and I can't live with cancer so I will take this over cancer. it is only hair!
Stress kills too so try not to stress. I know easier said than done.
Carolyn
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On the topic of eyelashes and brows. I know it stinks, but they continue to come and go for up to a year after TCH. My brows never did come back to their former glory and neither did my lashes. My last TCH was Feb.9,2009, last H only was Oct, 09. I had the brows tatooed, I highly recommend that. Personally, I would not pop the $$ for Lattisse for the lashes until at least 12 months PFC.
Shadow, I am so sorry about what you are going thru. You are in my prayers. Keep us posted.
Lisa
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I got the all clear from my brain MRI
Whoooo!!! Shadow I hope all goes well with your Pet Scan.
Cloud~ Enjoy your holiday break, my kids go thru next Wednesday...
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Thanks so much everyone..I made it through surgery just great and have been taking it easy ever since. My pain has been very manageable. One of my nurses calls me her 'star patient' because I have done so well. This hospital in NOLA is just wonderful! they make you feel so special. They have a chef that prepares 3 great meals a day, the staff is so great. I should be released today or tomorrow and will go back over to the Hope Lodge and then have a follow up on Monday. Then we will head back home. I am missing my cats...lol If you are on my Facebook, you can see the pics I have taken since I got here.(if not, PM me and we can be friends on there) A couple of the nurses are friends on my facebook page now. Like I said, they are wonderful here. I met up with another member of these boards, MelanieW yesterday. We both knew we would be here at the same time. I walked over to her room and we had a great talk. She is here for her stage 2. Take care everyone and I will keep u updated.
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Christy you sound great. I hope your recovery will continue to go well. Sending you a PM about facebook.
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SHADOW- hang in there. I am just as bad as you when it comes to the freaking out and searching the net and scaring myself even worse. I had to finally stop. It seems you can find whatever answer and diagnosis you want or dont want on the web. The anxiety is running high for sure. Ask for doc for something if you need it. i have a trusty bottle of ativan for my anxiety attacks. I am going on regular anti-depressants next month after my last surgery. It just isnt worth it to stress this hard over stuff we have no control over. or at least that is waht i keep telling myself. The thoughts are still there, but the racing pulse and stomach rock is lessened alot by the meds! Every horror story i hear i end up CONVINCED it is going to happen to me too. I have a few freinds who are a few years post treatment and they all tell me that the first year after is the hardest emotionally. I think it is totally normal. My prayers are with you that they will figure out what is going on with you in the PET scan.
YAY CHRISTY!!! you did it! Sounds like you found an awesome place there! So glad you are doing well and not in too much pain. I think you made the right choice with our surgery, my DIEP flap definately was not as easy to recover from, sounds like you were up an at 'em fast! Good for you!!!!
Anyone who would like to be freinds on Facebook just PM me and we can add each other, it is so much easier to keep in touch that way!
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Got the all clear on my CT scan and brain scan. My PET scan showed a lymph node by my collar bone as a "hot spot". Nothing the chemo wont take care of. Just super happy that it has not spread to other organs/bones.
I do have hives by my port and up my neck. Seems I am allergic to the tape....I am pretty miserable but taking steroids, benedryl and hydrocortizone cream!
Start TCH on Monday....getting nervous. Picked out my wig today to have that ready when it starts to fall out.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Allison
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Shadow - I know exactly what you are talking about. I had to stop my search when I realized I was starting to plan my funeral! Keep us posted on your results. In the meantime, I will send you prayers for peace and health.
Trish - Thank you so much for posting that your friends say the first year of recovery is emotionally the hardest. I will remember that next time.
Backagain - Same with me, not much happened until about 8 weeks out. I used to take photos of my head and then zoom in as tight I could so see if I had any sprouting hair follicles. I could see the little, bitty hair follicles, but no hair of color. My last chemo was June 18 and had my first trim around the edges in early October. My hair was still very thin, but I wanted the edges cleaned up.
Jaimieh and Christy - I am so glad that you are both doing well.
Here's wishing us all the best.
Cheers!
Cloud
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Allison - No need to be worried. Just be sure that you are well hydrated and your bowels are moving properly before chemo. I never had any problem with nausea but I remember reading that nausea should be handled with the many available drugs, so be sure to report nausea to your oncologist so he/she can offer you another medication.
Cheers!
Cloud
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dear enjoylife: sorry for sticking my nose in where it wasn't invited, I usually just log on to the reconstruction sites, but tonight was just wondering what my sisters in this cancer society were up to. I read your post, and where you said you were taking, or going to take Flaxseed jumped out at me. Please do not take it. I have 2 or 3 different papers given to me by different nutritionists at my hospital that say do not take flax. It is really bad for breast cancer. I also have a list from someone on one of the sites here with gobs of stuff we are not supposed to eat. Just about every thing is off limits, I know, and I surely don't stick to it all the time, but for some reason, your post just jumped out at me. Again, I apologize for butting in. Good luck, I finished Taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin, the chemo in Feb of this year and the Her. this Nov. My hair is all back better than ever, but I've found my nails are really bad. They never were during treatment. They break down to the quick, don't know why. Never had any other side effects to speak of, now the chemo brain is getting worse every day. Good news, huh? hugs
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Good morning to all. I hope everyone is having a great time getting ready for the holiday season.
Lisa
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I have not posted for some time. I was overwhelmed getting caught up on everyone. There are a lot of new faces too. ( I am sad to say). Well this is the place to be for comfort and support. I loved the obesity news. YIKEES!!!!! I have been fighting my wights for some time now. I lost about 27 pounds after chemo but December is a gaining month. January is statistically a good losing month. Now that it is a matter of life and death perhaps I will win this time.
Lisa you sound good. I hope this season brings you great happiness.
nlortiz I took flax seed all during chemo. It helped tremendously with the digestive system. I worked with one of the premier MD nutritionist and holistic doctors in Beverly Hills. She had no problem with it and made sure I used the type that was alive and needed to be refrigerated. So so much of the information that is out there on this type of subject is non conclusive. No real studies have been done to confirm or discredit nutritional or supplementation therapy. We just have to do what feels right to each of us. But never apologize for caring. You reaching out is really sweet.
Cloud: You too sound good and look good too. Hope this year is a peaceful one for you.
Congrats Paula on being deported!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for your prayers for my favorite nephew! He is still not doing great but we have hope.
I have a quick question if I could please. I had a lumpectomy a year ago. I have my last Herceptin this next Tuesday!!!!!!!! Hard to believe huh? But my question in that6 my breast is so sore! kinda hard in non scar areas. I was wondering has anyone else experienced this? My ribs under my breast hurt as well. Is this from radiation? I have heard it can take up to 2 years for the effects to diminish. If I could get some feed back I would so appreciate it.
Much love healing and solidarity to the sistahs.
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Bold - funny you should post this today as I was going to ask the same thing! I had my lumpectomy in March and chemo through the summer and rads in the fall. (What a year!) The breast seemed healed and didn't really bother me but about TWO WEEKS ago, I started feeling tenderness, like the feeling from a bruise, under my arm, in the breast and the scar area. Also sometimes feel twinges of pain throughout the day, even when not pressing on it.
I had read on one of these boards (maybe my rad board) that a while after rads is when the nerves start to regenerate and that is why the feelings come back so much later. I saw my BS last week for a check up and asked her about it and she concurred. So I dont' think it is anything to worry about. Mine doesn't hurt enough to be truly painful, but definitely noticeable.Also re flax - I take flax seed ground into meal. It is VERY helpful for digestion, and since it is mostly fiber, it passes through you (mostly) unabsorbed. I think that is different from flax oil. My doctors have no problem with it either.
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Thank you sweet amyisstrong! I have had a mam. and was checked my my BS last month. It just started hurting 2 weeks ago. I can feel hardness in the effected areas as well. Oh ain'nt that special. Your pic looks great. Heres hoping for a peaceful healthy year!!!!!!
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bold and the other lady who was having the same problem it is probaly from the radiation my sister only had the lump. thiing and has had the same thing going on with hers and I had the mast. and at times my breast which I have had recontruction on has been sore really alot when I had the expander in it but now I am suppose to massage it at least 20 minutes a day and I find it hard to find the time to do this its not like I can sit at my desk at work and do this and I forget when I am home but I try to do it there isnt much feeling there its pretty numb for sure I dont think it will ever feel like a breast again. Well I hope this helps you.
Maura
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Bold - It is great to hear from you. I logged in just now for the sole purpose of sending you a PM and asking "What's Up?".
Lisa
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Actress Alaina Reed Hall ~ Dead @ 63
My heart is breaking at this news. Some of you may remember her best as Rose from the sitcom "227"
Mrs. Hall battled breast cancer for several years and even appeared in the TVOne special done on Breast Cancer in the African-American community.
Article @ her can be found HERE
I always considered her my "nametwin" because it's so rare to see our name spelled exactly that way. She will be missed.
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Alaina - I did not immediatly know who Alaina Hall was (I am not a TV watcher) but when I went to the link you posted, I knew immediately. A very talented lady.
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Hello all.
I've posted elsewhere on this site, though it's been a while, but not on this thread.
I finished chemo at the end of Oct and I will be on herceptin until July, I hope. The last time I saw my oncologist she mentioned that there was an ongoing study that is testing the efficacy of a two year regimen of herceptin instead of one year. She said she was expecting to hear about the results soon and was considering putting me on the herceptin for two years. UGH!! I don't think I am going do that. My heart is doing pretty well so far, but I just can't see doing this for more than a year. Has anyone else out there heard anything about this?
I was also wondering if anyone is experiencing an increased amount of irritability? I suppose that may be a stupid question, but I did alright, for the most part, through the end of chemo, but now I am having a really difficult time with moods. Maybe it's a delayed reaction to the stress...I don't know, but it's starting to get a little debilitating and friends and family are starting to look at me like I'm crazy......because the worst is over and everything is supposed to be all better now
right? rrrrrrrrrrrrrr!Diagnosis 3/13/09: Extensive, grade 3 DCISM tumor, 4cm+, 2/21 lymph nodes, ER/PR-, Her2+++, Ki-67:40-50%, Stage IIB
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In regard to your moods.... I think that you can chalk that up to the radical changes in your hormones. It may very well be the new you. If that is the case then we have to think before we react. I know that I am shorter tempered now. I have had to work hard to change the outcome of the physical reaction to stress. But what do I know. It could be just stress, but I don't think so .
What ever it is be nice to yourself. Happiness is the goal so find all the beauty we can! Forgive fast. Laugh hard. Love it all!!!!!!
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wlprocter dont feel bad its normal I got wippy I cried alot after it was all over even after herceptin its normal let your friends know let them have something go into thier bodies and destroy good cells and bad ones and it is bound to do a job on you plus radiation and I am on Armedex and it tends to make you moody so far so good with that. Dont feel bad at all your doing great...
Merry Christmas to all of you
Maura
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I've noticed I've been crying a lot since my first herceptin treatment. It could be a delayed reaction to the whole diagnosis, surgery etc but....
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Dont be so hard on your self suepen this time of the year is emotional and most women are over loaded with stuff to do just go with the flow and cry if you want the day after Thanksgiving I cried all day until I gave myself a headache over nothing but we are entiled that is why there is so much breast cancer women have so much stress not any longer I dont do stress if I can avoid it 90%of the time so just know your worth it and no one will take care of us if we dont take care of ourselfs my son who is now 25 was 23 living with me told me to bit the bullet and get on with it when I was on chemo he moved out a month later and we get along fine now ha ...
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Maura
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