Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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I had a port and it was very convenient. It gives you a lot more freedom to use your arms/hands when sitting in a chemo chair for 4-5 hours. They can also draw blood from it for labs and it's great for gals who have weak veins and keep getting stabbed when they are setting up an IV. It's minor surgery (my surgeon knocked me out) to put it in and remove it. I HATE needles, but the port made things a lot easier for me.
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Everyone has said the important things for the Newbies but I would not do without my port. I had to have 9 units of blood and they did it through the port. Not easy if you do it in the arm. I would always recommend one but some would rather not have it and there can be problems with them but it is rare. I lost weight but I have gained a few lbs lately. I want to keep it off but I have been taking vit and I think that is what is making me gain. My blood count is still down and I have to take a shot every 3 weeks to keep me from getting too low.
Also it is very important to drink water or decaffeinated liquids. Drink anything you can get down but tea can make you have low iron so be careful with that. Chemo can hurt your kidneys if you don't wash that stuff on through. I also got dehydrated because of diarrhea & vomiting so get some good meds. I have heard Emend is the best. do what you can.
Get some hats, wig or scarves whatever you decide to use but even if you use a wig it is nice to have a hat or scarf for times the wig just feels bad to you. You head will hurt when you start losing hair for a while. I just buzzed mine off when I started losing it and it helped the soreness some but it will still be sore. You might not want to shave the head because some have had sores form that. You will know what you need to do.
Good Luck with this and you will get better. I finished TC a year ago in Nov and H in July this year. there is life after chemo. Rad was hard on me because of a autoimmune problem so just wait to get through chemo to worry about that.
Carolyn
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Writer,
Everyone so far has given you excellent advice. I didn't get a port--I had a PICC line. It has been a nuisance, but after a few months it did get a little easier. You can't take normal showers without covering it all up (it can't get wet) but there were a few nice things about it. No pricks on chemo day--it just gets hooked up directly to the IV line. With long sleeves on, it isn't visible. Ports can be conveniently placed too, but I noticed a lot of women over the warm months had theirs visible in lower cut shirts (like v-necks). Another thing I liked about the PICC is that it did not require any surgery. I hate surgery! Ports have their own list of advantages, too. Just throwing in an alternative! (But I would not recommend just going without either---WAY too many pricks and with BC we only have one good arm to get the drugs into. I saw a lady next to me last time that they must have tried 3-4 places on her hand and wrist before they finally had to use a vein in her finger.)
As for the weight issue, I am one who gained on chemo. I gained 10 pounds, but I think it was mostly due to eating comfort foods (aka fatty, starchy, full of carbs or dairy foods) that seemed to be easier on a yucky stomach. I usually eat a much healthier diet, so that was part of it. The other part was that I usually am quite a water drinker--I rarely have actual drinks with meals or snacks--and on chemo water tasted so bad that I started drinking a lot of juice and hot chocolate and anything else besides water. I'm sure that added quite a few calories to my day.
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Wow, it's like peeling an onion, entering this world and learning all this stuff I have to deal with. Getting a port didn't occur to me, but of course it makes perfect sense. I guess that's what I'll be doing.
weety, at least you enjoyed your weight gain with some chocolate milk! I would do the same.
You guys are an awesome resource. THANK YOU!
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Hi everyone, I was curious when you all started to lose your hair. I am on day 12 after my first chemo treatment. I am doing TCH x6 every 3 weeks, then H every 3 weeks for a year.
I am 37 years old and my son was 7 weeks old when I was diagnosed. He is 10 1/2 weeks now! So this has been a challange. I go back to work from my maternity leave on Monday 1/4.
thanks everyone!
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Allison,
Your hair is supposed to fall out over 3 days 14 days after the 1st treatment. Mine started falling out after 12 days so I got it buzzed. Then it stopped falling out and after the 2nd treatment it started growing. It's thinned a lot but I can't believe it's growing. Everyone is different so I'm finding out. I haven't lost any arm/facial/leg hair that I can see but the pubic area has lost a lot but not all.
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suepen - thanks for sharing. that is interesting about your hair growth...
I am just waiting for it to start. I feel some tingling now but nothing really coming out more than usual.
I feel really good except being tired which not sure if that is treatment or newborn! I pushed my treatment out to the 13th so I can go on Wednesday and then feel crappy over the weekend rather than missing work.
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Hello everybody:
I have been reading your post but this is my 1st posting....I am sooo with you all about leaving 2009 behind, what a HORRIBLE YEAR!!!! I was diag in sept, 4 days after my mom had a successful whipple....yes she was diag with pancreatic cancer in april, so i am soooo happy to leave 2009 behind!! this year has to be better for all of us, it HAS to be!! i had 2 tx of tch so far and the SE have been the diarrhea and lost taste buds anf the tierdness really kicks my bitt by the 3 and 4th day...which i will deal with, just was nervous about the nausea but it really has been controlled! I was told that my periods would probably stop while doing the tch and i missed my dec period and just today I spotted half a day? Normal? i go in for my 3rd tx on wed so i guess ill ask my onc then. I also been having headaches, not real bad ones, just annoying headaches that linger and it happens a wk after tx, can it be from the herceptin?
best to everyone and lets have a HEALTHY, JOYOUS 2010!!!
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Hi Writer - Congratulations on the previous weight loss and I am sorry that you too have joined our TCH group. I, too, was shocked to learn about the possibility of gaining weight with cancer therapy; I was even more shocked when it became a reality for me! Initially, I lost weight during the first week of my chemo-cycle and then caught back up by the end of the cycle. However, toward the end of my chemotherapy I had major water retention issues and tipped the scales at 20 pounds over my normal weight. At six months post-chemo I still have a few more pounds to go before I am back to my normal weight.
My advice would be to stay as active as you can while you feel good. Try to make smart choices about what you eat, but realize that your taste buds may not support you with low-fat foods. (Creamy clam chowder with extra butter was my food of choice.) Ultimately your focus will be on finding things that you are willing to eat, getting proper rest, and most important of all maintaining proper hydration.
On the subject of Ports: I am very glad to have my port. I don't know the brand of my port but I know that I never have to have it flushed and I was given a child's size so it is circumference is smaller than a quarter. My port was inserted during a light general anesthesia--like they use for tooth extractions. I do not use it for blood drawing; I did it once and I didn't like the feel of it.
Allison - I had my chemo on Wednesdays because it was the easiest on my work schedule, in hindsight, I think Tuesday would have been a better day because Mondays were really tough on me. Please make sure that you have PLENTY of help from your family and friends. Managing a household and job while going through chemotherapy is challenging enough, but caring for a newborn as well is an extraordinary undertaking. Also, consider a meeting with your employer to see what kind of accommodations can be made for you; chemotherapy is covered under the Americans with Disability Act (so is Chemo-Brain). My regular lunch period was 40 minutes, but my employer gave me an additional 20 minutes so I could nap during lunch.
Nanadada - I sincerely hope that 2010 will be a better year for you and your family. Best wishes to your mom. I cannot respond to any of your questions because I was post-menopausal when I started chemo and I don't recall ever having headaches. I hope some of the other ladies can help you out.
Cheers!
Cloud
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Nanadada: I have headaches too - seems to be most of the time. Very slight ones but enough to be annoying. I had them after my first tx when I wasn't given herceptin. Also after the 2nd when I was given herceptin.
On the subject of ports - I too am glad to have one but it's really annoying at times - it doesn't hurt but makes it's presence known. Last treatment they couldn't draw blood from it which worried me. Apparently that's a common problem. Seeing we are having herceptin for 12 months imagine what our hands/arms would be like. A port is the only solution.
I think I may have gained back some of the weight I lost post dx - I had to dig out old smaller clothes as all my current ones were too big. Some of them still fit so I probably haven't put it all back on. We can't help it if only fattening food tastes good
Seeing we are all going through a tough time who cares if we put on a little weight, we can get rid of it later. I believe in spoiling me!!!0 -
Allison...I started losing my hair exactly 16 days after my first chemo treatment. I had had a few stray hairs fall out in the days prior, but on the 16th day, I washed my hair and when I tried to pick through it, it was matted up and came out in large clumps. I had long hair and it took 20 minutes to pick through it. A few days later, I shaved it down with a #4 guard myself. I am a hairstylist, so it was easy for me to do it at home.0
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Good luck to all you new ladies, You have lots of great helpers of wonderful advice here. I will be taking bc discussion board off my email list as there is soooooooooo many new posts,,,,,,,,,hard to catch up and read it all. If anyone is interested in contacting me,,,,,,,,,,you can do so thru a private message. And again,,,,,,,,,,,,good luck to you all. You can and will do this. Just keep your eye on the prize.
Cindy
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CHRISTY... how do you like the results of your surgery? How are you doing? Your hair looks cute. I go in 2 weeks for my expanders.... eeek.
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Ok ladies - I have a problem/question and need some advice. For about the past 2 weeks, I have been feeling this on/off again feeling of the beginning of a UTI. You know that awful feeling when it sort of hurts when you pee? (Sorry for the TMI) I have been taking cranberry pills and drinking LOTS of water. It only hurts in the late afternoon/evenings and then feels fine in the mornings again so I have been sort of ignoring it, hoping for the best.
But last night it bothered me enough that I feel like I can't ignore it anymore. (Although this morning, as usual - it is gone.)
So I am wondering - could the Tamoxifen be causing an irritation? Could one of the supplements I am taking be doing it? Could it be for some other random reason? (I have NEVER had one of these since childhood.)
I don't even know which doctor to call and ask - the onc, the family doc, the natural doctor that handles my supplements? I really feel at a loss.My plan for today is to stop all supplements, be very regular with the cranberry pills and water and see if I start to feel better today/tomorrow. Then if so, gradually introduce supplements over time and see what happens. But if I DON"T feel better, what direction should I go?
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE SO MUCH FOR YOUR ADVICE. On all the various threads I go to on this site, this one feels the most like 'home' to me.Thanks again,
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Amy,
I had the exact symptoms a couple of times during the last year. Both times, I was certain I had a bladder infection; however, urinalysis was negative. I finally changed soaps (from Dial to Ivory), and the problem resolved. However, the first thing you should do is go to the doctor for a lab test. An untreated UTI can be very serious.
I haven't posted here in ages, but do check in to see how everyone is doing. I hope you all have a great 2010--that the "oldies" can enjoy a normal life and the "newbies" have uneventful treatment with minimal side effects.
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Wendy...I am doing great! I am still taking it easy because I don't want the flap to mess up, but I feel like I can do just about everything as normal. So far, I am happy with my results, but I will love them more when I go in for the second stage in March. You will do great with your expander surgery!! No worries.
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Amy - get some AZO Standard. It is OTC at the pharmacy or grocery. I think it is a herceptin thing.. I have had UTI's on and off thru-out herceptin
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Was it my last act of 2009, or was it my first accomplishment of 2010? Not sure, but I've got shingles.
I know shingles can be stressed related, and even before I had any symptoms I had decided to start seeing a counselor for my post-chemo "wobbles." So this morning I scheduled my first counseling appointment for the 6th of January and this afternoon the nurse practitioner confirmed my suspicion of shingles.
My cancer therapy is schedule to conclude the first week of March 2010 and by golly, I want to be as emotionally and physically fit as possible; so while the shingles thing is a bummer, I am very proud of myself for recognizing, and acting on, my need to seek outside help with the bits of sadness and worries I can't seem to shake.
Cheers!
Cloud
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Cloud - yuck! Shingles can be very painful..Sorry. Your post-chemo wobbles are very normal. We have been thru a lot both physically and emotionally, we are entitled to wobble for a while. Otherwise, we would not be human. Good luck. God Bless.
Lisa
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Ladies - just when I thought all this stuff was behind me - I have most likely got a UTI and...I have all this bleeding down there - doc that saw me today said the 'area' is raw from being all dried out from Tamox plus all the wiping from all the peeing I was doing from drinking water trying to flush out the infection. What a mess. The blood really freaked me out - it was REALLY RED which is very disconcerting. Sorry for all the TMI in this message but I hope you understand, I just need to get it out. I have an antibiotic for the UTI and am trying to 'baby' myself down there to let things heal. But it sucks and I feel shaky and unsettled tonight, like I am back in the 'patient role' all over again. I HATE that role.
Also , the nurse practioner I saw today was the same one who I asked about the lump last year right at this time, which led to the BC dx. BEing back there in that room and seeing her brought it all rushing back to me and was pretty upsetting as well, but I just tried to put it out of my mind and focus on the problem at hand (which was upsetting enough in its own right).
What a day.BUT she did say that she will order a TVUS (trans vaginal ultrasound) every year to check on what my organs look like in there. My onc said he would not do that, as it 'isn't the standard of care' but she said she will, and I am glad about that. She is wonderful and an awesome care provider. I just wish this didn't happen. I feel run down and not like myself.
At least I can sleep well tonight knowing that the bleeding isn't anything serious. She said it was vulvar lacerations or something like that.
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Sweet Amy! I am so sorry that you had to go through that. It just SUCKS. You are run down from fighting the infection. Be good to yourself. You know we are still going to get sick once in a while. It has nothing to do with breast cancer. Its just so hard when you need a break. You never give tmi thats what we are here for. I know that I had bladder changes from the taxotere. My stream was not straight rather spayed allover. This made it very hard in public restrooms that you did not want to sit down in. I had to like it or not. I was so germaphobic. Now I am sooooooo dry. It is hard to have sex. Things feel so different. I miss the way way I use to be. But I embrace that I am.
This is a long recovery. I am 2 weeks out of last herceptin. I am still very fatigued. I think that I am still deconditioned too. Well I have to work harder physically and rest more, if that makes any sense.
One other thing. I have noticed that my DH is going through a little post traumatic stress syndrome. He seems depressed and fragile. I think he feels that he has burdened so much. Like he was protecting me from his fears and stresses over the past year and now they are all coming to the surface. YIKEES huh? Now I have to step up to the plate and take some of that stress away. Make the house a more happy house. I will try to be more active when he gets home. As normally I am pooped by 7:00 at night. I make dinner clean up and I'm done for the day. That has to change. We have to go for a walk or do projects or something I'm not even sure yet. All I know is that he need some happiness now and I want to give it to him (A little sex drive would probably help too.)
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AMY- I know the symptoms well. I was wondering the same thing this week but realized it is just irritation. I know this is TOO MUCH INFO, but i find that Aquafor is helping with the irritiation. I am sure there is a more appropriate medication for the situation, but i have found that Aquafor is one of those items that is helpful with so much! My wounds, scars, dry skin, etc! My PS has me use it for my surgical areas, but i even use it under my eyes to keep the skin from getting raw from all my eye tearing! Tamox sucks. I am not a big fan of this drug but i guess we are stuck with it right? It gave me a panic attack the other day when i had sorness in my arm the day after my surgery and i was SURE i was having a blood clot! It was a pinched nearve from sleeping on my moms couch and went away the next day. I am tired of jumping at each little twinge and symptom and worrying about the side effects of all these drugs.
ALLISON-My hair fell out on the 15th day. And it was like Christy's story, it was fine the night before then in the shower the next morning just was coming out in huge clumps. So i just buzzed it right then. Then My boyfriend and i took pictures with bandandas tied in the front and made goofy faces like we were Hip Hop rappers. It kept me laughing instead of crying. Just remember it is only temporary. It may feel like forever, but now i can look back and see that it really was just a few months. I am 4 months since my last chemo and i have over 1 inch of hair and can style it and go out looking like a normal short haired chick!
CLOUD- Sorry to hear about the shingles! But at least they have got it diagnosed. I have a girlfriend here at work who had that last year. Good for you for geting to the bottom of it and listening to yourself! And the counseling is so helpful! The anxiety and emotion of going through this is intense! I have been like many others on here who had my emotional response after treatment. I seemed to really get depressed once i tried to figure out where and how to get back to "normal" life and realized that my old Normal was no longer in existance. I find that going to my group therapy is so helpful and lets me speak my deepest fears without worrying that i am freaking out somone i love. Hang in there girl, you are doing all the right things!
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BOLD- yes the sex probably would help A LOT! My poor guy! I know this is persononal for all of us, but I am assuming that i am not alone in being self concious of my "new body". My guy is all loving and sweet but i fear the rejection if he isnt attracted to me anymore. I have scars on both breasts and across my stomach. Lets not mention the fact that i have not seen the sun in over a year and am as pasty as ghost!
Are any of you dealing with this same kind of self conciousness? I am not sure how to just jump back into a normal sex life after this. It has been a looooon time. Sorry if this was too personal for some of you! But i have no clue who else to ask about this!
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Hi Everyone--
I just started on TCH on 12/31/09--Happy New Year to me! I am self employed, live alone and am 41. I'm really, really fatigued--hard, since I am such an active person normally. I am starting to think hard about how to handle my business as a self employed individual. I delayed decisions re: moving home to St. Louis where I have family, whether to scale back on work for 6 months during treatment, etc. I also don't know if I can leave my apt in a timely manner either.
Just posing random thoughts as I work through the fog of my first treatment. Thanks all!
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First of all, to all of you who keep apologizing for TMI (too much information)-- THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE!! We're here to share information, and as one preparing to start on the TCH/radiation journey, I want all the information I can get. You cannot possibly get too personal. This is the only place we can learn about this stuff.
Second of all, to Jenmoire, I'm in the same boat as you, workwise-- I have my own business, just one freelance, part-time employee-- thank god for her, but if I can't keep the business going enough to pay her, I'll be in trouble. That's now my biggest worry about chemo-- I'm making my peace with the baldness and eyebrow loss and sickness, but I don't know how my business can survive without my usual high-energy work. Fortunately, I have a great family and large community of friends, some of whom are professional colleagues, and I am practicing saying "yes" to their offers of help. Jen, are there colleagues or friends who can do some of your work for you if you're not feeling well?
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Jenmoire: I am self employed as well. I put as much as I could afford to on hold. I too had extreme fatigue. I am older than you 55 to be exact. But I was still able to do some things. I am a photographer so my job is rather physical. Maybe it would be good for you to have a plan B encase you need it. The times flys. It is one season of American Idol. Less for you. LOL. I am sorry about the lack of support where you live. We are hear for you. You can get free house cleaning. And you can join Chemo Angels. Its fun they send you cards and gifts every week. A friend hooked me up. It made getting the mail fun. Anyway.........Sorry that you have to go through this. I pray for no SE. Drink your water. Be nice to yourself.
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Hi All,
I'm about to do my second TCH tomorrow, Jan 7. Allison & Christy - it is amazing how the hair suddenly comes out - mine started on the 18th day after first tx, like someone flipped a switch and there it goes. Traumatic, but I try not to lose sight of the big goal, beating the cancer.
Bold your words about your DH are so touching. You two must have a wonderful relationship. I am sure your sex life will slowly but surely come back to normal. It is tough! My DH has been a rock and so encouraging and positive with every step.
Writer I know what you mean about practicing saying "yes" to offers of help. I finally consented to two friends who wanted to help by bringing over dinners after my 2nd tx. I can probably cook, but hey, they want to help and a break would be nice for both me and DH.
Good luck to all of you still in tx and congrats to those of you that are finished. TrishK, your hair looks terrific!
Best,
Sue
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Gosh, Trishk and Bold, I hear you about the whole sex thing. I am painfully dry down there, too, and I haven't even started the tamoxifen yet. I hope it doesn't continue to get worse! I have been just relenting to having sex, and at first I don't think my husband minded too much (to men, sex is sex most of the time!) but I think now he's starting to feel bad about the whole thing, too. He told me the last time he could even tell by my face that it was painful. Yeah, it was! We've tried astroglide, and that helps somewhat, but still painful. Trish, I worry about the attraction part, too! I'm still uncomfortable with him touching my chest (even the good boob!) and we've been married for 14 years. Someone please tell us it gets better and easier!
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I hear you and I am single and cant imagine getting involved with anyone especially naked it would have t be in the dark and I am sorry its just how i feel with the lack of hair everywhere and the boob with no nipple OK that is enough I am very self conscious of this for sure. I know someone will come along on the site and have it made with her significant other but I think most of us is in the same boat for sure maybe time will change I had my surgery April 08 so time is passing .....
Maura
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I hear you and I am single and cant imagine getting involved with anyone especially naked it would have t be in the dark and I am sorry its just how i feel with the lack of hair everywhere and the boob with no nipple OK that is enough I am very self conscious of this for sure. I know someone will come along on the site and have it made with her significant other but I think most of us is in the same boat for sure maybe time will change I had my surgery April 08 so time is passing .....
Maura
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