Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
-
Christy.. I'm doing okay, I can get up and down without hangin on to stuff, and am just hanging around the house doing craft stuff, no lifting or reaching above my shoulder level, no chores at all, oh darn! I took off my On Q pain ball as instructed by the doctor, now just have the 2 drains. I go in on Tuesday for the post op and then Thurs and Fri for onc and Herceptin. No I can't take a shower until the drains come out on Tuesday... I hate that. Didn't sleep much last night, just couldn't get comfortable. My stomach is bugging me, making alot of noise lately, and bloaty feeling.
The rain has been coming down here in CA.. yesterday the thunder shook my house like an earthquake.
0 -
Ladies something I can share with all of you after several TX I couldnt stand to drink water I tried with all my mighty so I got to the point I drank allot slushes and then I added lemon real lemon to water and it helped and I cannot remeber but only one brand of bottled water tasted ok sorry I cannot remeber, but it was not fun for sure but now its great you will get your taste back the weight isnt that easy either and I never ate allot on chemo it was hot summer but there was wieght gain and I have always have been skinny billney as my friends would say ha but this spring I am going to give it hell walking and stuff I have a 40th class reunion all the way in Boston Ma and I want hair and skinny jeans again ...I was also told by the onc. to alway flush twice when you go its better for the chemicals to get out of the air I guess ....All heck broke in my life on Sunday of the supper bowl of 08 and from there you know where it went plus my team the Pattiots didnt loose all season and the last 5 minutes of the game they lost I knew I was in for a ride as they called it a bumpy road..
Maura
0 -
Hi ladies...
Hope everyone is doing as well as can be....I have posted before, but always read the logs and find them very helpful. I am going in for my 4th tx next wk, have benn tolerating the tx ok, the fatigue is the WORSE!!! Literally!!
I havent touched a drink, wine or anything else since i was diagnosed in sept. havent even asked the onc if Its ok to have a glass of wine every now and then...Its not a big deal just inquiring..
Just wanted to know the feelings on the subject.
0 -
Nanadada: I was really really tired after the 3rd too but feeling good this week. Not looking forward to Wednesday at all. You and I and Lisa are all on the same day.
On the subject of drinking, I have been, but only after I start feeling better. I'd better ask the doctor next week if it's ok.
Sue
0 -
My Herceptin infusions are always 30 minutes. I have never had any problems, but with only two left, I will definitely keep these symptoms in mind.
Trish, excellent follow through! Imagine if you had said nothing and you had a profound allergic reaction with your next infusion, too scary.
To the Newbies: Please take care to voice any concerns you have, at any time during your therapy, no matter what the concern. And, if you find that you are the type who is not comfortable speaking up, then bring a family member or friend who will be your voice. Our medical team cannot help us if we don't tell them what's going on.
Tonite I am lighting a candle for abundant and potent good vibes for us all.
Cheers!
0 -
Wendy....You know what is weird about the drain thing and showering is that when I had my mastectomy last year, my PS here told me I couldn't get the drain site wet with shower water until after the drain was out and then when I went to NOLA for my flap surgery, they had me in the shower 2 days after surgery and I had 2 drains and the On-Q pain ball and they said I could shower it all. They thought it was silly that my PS here didn't want me to shower. I guess that is just a difference of opinion in surgeons. (btw, I had no problems whatsoever from showering over the drains, but you need to do what your PS says)0
-
Wendy~ My local PS also had me shower. She came to visit me in the hospital on the second day and took my bandages off and said no go get a shower... It seems like most PS have their own rules and restrictions.
I do not think I am ready for drains again....I understand the purpose but boy are they a pain and make me one nasty person. Hopefully they finish their job quickly...
0 -
Ya I think its a dumb rule about the showers too, but my instructions were very clear. I am also not to remove any bandages until Tuesday on my post op visit.. I know when I had the other surgeries I was allowed to remove them after 2 days... I think its because they want to keep some pressure on the incisions. Oh well, I am getting better each day. Only one pain pill a day, not bad, and I probably don't even have to have that.. I'm just sore. You know whats funny... the expanders I got were made in the city where I lived as a little girl, Goleta, Calif, in Santa Barbara .
Has anyone had metal detectors go off because of their expanders?? there was a statement about that on my expander ID card.
0 -
Wendy....I didn't have that problem with metal detectors the whole time I had my expander, but then again, I didn't fly anywhere either!
Jamie...I had 2 drains (One under breast and the other from the hip) right after surgery and the On-Q pain ball, but they removed the one drain from my breast the day I was released from the hospital and then removed the pain ball during follow-up the next week. Then, I had the drain from the hip for 3 weeks. Most likely, it will be the same for you, although I know you are having both breasts done so you will have more drains, but I don't think it will be that bad for you. It will all be worth it in the end, trust me...you will be in great hands in NOLA.
0 -
Christy it makes me so happy that you think your results are worth it. I am at the point that I just want to get it done and get started with the healing.
0 -
Thanks for the welcome! I am on my 2nd day after my 1st chemo treatment, and right now I am doing pretty good. A bit tired and drained, but nothing unbearable. I did receive my first Neulesta injection yesterday and experienced some joint pain last night, but nothing I couldn't tolerate. I'm praying this is the worst of it! Only 5 more treatments!
0 -
PoliceWife84~ I have learned that taking plain claritin helps a lot of ladies on the board. Keep drinking your water.
0 -
policewife - Brandi - My world is also consumed by law enforcement. My brother has been a deputy for 20 years, my dad was a corrections officer, my husband is the Director of Finance and Technology for our local Sheriffs office, my best girlfriend is a Sargent in the Sheriffs office, and many, many, many other friends are officers or support staff.
I could not have asked for a better bunch of friends, people and aquantenances to get me thru treatment. Accept all they have to give - and that is a LOT!
Welcome to our sisterhood. Us oldtimers are here to make your treatment as easy as we can. We have been there and we love you.
Lisa
0 -
Hey guys! I was sent a really fun picture this evening!
Me on the left, GEORGE STRAIT in the middle, and a great friend in the rigth.
Circa 1996 - Jacksonville, FL
" mce_src="
" alt="" border="" hspace="" vspace="" width="" height="" align="" />0 -
Hi everyone, I'm recently post op and will start TCH on Feb 16. I was wondering whether anyone might help me out with the decision to start out using peripheral veins and using a port only if needed, or whether I should go ahead with the port from the beginning. Has anyone had complications from their port?
I don't know how much information everyone would want but I'm 34, had a double mastectomy, and am 2 weeks post op and my drains were removed two days ago.
0 -
kamitell- GET A PORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will make your life so much easier! Yes, there will be an insicion, but it is small and it will fade in time. Chemo is rougth on the veins. Get the port and save yourself some grief.
Good luck on your treatments. We are all here to help you. May God bless you.
Lisa
0 -
Just remember because of the Her2+ you will be given IV herceptin treatments for an entire year. I would definately recommend looking into a port (or at least a PICC line.)
0 -
Kamitell.....GET A PORT.... I have done all 3.......got a PICC line first which was a real inconvenience and I had it only 2 months and got a blood clot in my arm... then I had to go thru 3 treatments with just using my veins, not good, my veins were small and hard to access and I would be bruised for weeks... then I got the Power Port and it is great and I wish I was given that in the first place... I say for sure, get the port.
0 -
kamitell - I agree, get a port. I was not even given the option to not have one. I had an 8 week old baby at the time. I had my port put in at 2 in the afternoon was home by 530 and was fine. I was sore dont get me wrong but I did my "night" duty with the baby ok. Scar is super small. It is so nice to not have to have IV's put in all the time. Plus like above poster said, you will have herceptin for a year.
Lisa1964 - I LOVE the picture...OMG that is great. Gotta love the hair and high waisted jeans. You look alot like me...well back in the day that is!
Good luck to all!
0 -
Lisa, I love the picture! I wish I had my long thick hair back
but I don't think I would ever be able to deal with that hair again. Also George is looking good too but not so young now!Kamitell, get the port. I have my port still and have used it for blood transfusions of which I had several and it is so much easier. You may have to have blood tests from your arm but everyone does this different. I have to have my arm for blood tests. I was told I had to have my port indefinitely since I have anemia problems but a lot have gotten theirs out. I had one friend have a problem with her first port but the next one they put in works fine and she has to have hers in indef too since she has non Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cakelady has been through this and she knows what each one is like.
Carolyn
0 -
allisontom911: I cant even imagine having a 8 week old baby and doing this I sure hope you have a lot of help you will be wiped out that is amazing and this place just shows me every day someone else is so much stroger women are very strong ....
Maura
0 -
Hi, Kamitell. Go with the port from day 1. You're going to be doing chemo for a year and it just makes life a lot simpler. It gives you more freedom of movement while in the chair because you won't have an IV sticking out of your arm every time you lift it. The chemo nurses will have intstant access and not have to poke around looking for a vein if you develop or have vein that are difficult to access.
0 -
Kamitell...Just as the other girls have said, go with a port from the beginning. You will be very glad you did since you will be on Herceptin for a year. It is better for the nurses too when they access it. The surgeon put mine in during my mastectomy and I have not had any trouble with it and I have had it close to a year now. (2 treatments left) Good luck!0
-
Kamitell - Another vote for PORT, although I can't believe I am writing this. I was TOTALLY FREAKED OUT by the idea of the port and it upset me more than the cancer in the beginning! And it did hurt a bit for a few days after they installed it and take a few months to get used to. BUT it really pays off on chemo/herceptin days, as they hook you up in no time, and there are no scars, bruising, hunting for veins. I have sat next to women (twice) who were SOBBING as the nurses tried and tried to get the IV going in veins in their arm or hand. One woman had them sticking both arms at once. And I sat there with my IV flowing easily into the port the whole time. (I felt kind of guilty just sitting there as she was crying so much.)
I have only 4 more Herceptins to go and then the port will come out. And it will be one of the happiest days since this whole thing started. BUT I wouldn't trade the port for anything. Am so glad I got it.
Also - feel free to ask any/all other questions. The ladies on this thread were lifesavers to me when I started this. Hard to believe it is almost a year ago! You will be saying the same thing before you know it!
We are here for you!
Amy
0 -
I will also say GET THE PORT!
i have had the same experiance as Amy and have had to watch other women cry as the nurses have tried to acess veins. My good girlfriend did not get the port and says that chemo destroyed her veins and now she has the hardest time ever getting blood drawn.
I didnt like getting the port, it was summer time and i didnt want to not be able to wear my spagetti straps and strappless summer dresses, but it has all been worth it. It bothered me with some pain for about a week, but in a couple months i dont even notice it, (other than it itches me from the cold spray they put on it when they acess it for treatment!)0 -
Definitely GET THE PORT. It is so worth it. Get it as soon as you can.
0 -
Yet another vote for the port! It has saved my veins! (and thus my sanity!)
Like Amy, I only have 4 Herceptin-only treatments left. I will have my last one on 4/2/10.
I asked my surgeon when I could be "deported." LOL!!!
She said it was up to my oncologist. I will have my 3rd Zometa infusion coming up in Sept/Oct...so I may keep the port over the summer and get it out after that infusion.
Depending on when I decide to do reconstruction, they said they could take it out then as well.
But the ports really are a time-sanity-saver! Yes, some people have complications with them, but they are not the majority.
Good Luck with whatever you decide!
Alaina
0 -
ALAINA - I was just thinking of you the other day. How are you making out? Everything going ok? Hard to believe we are coming down to the end of Herceptin in just a few months. In a weird way, didn't this year go fast? (sort of?)
Glad to see you!
Amy
0 -
Hi Ladies, has anyone had a fluid build up in the area that the cancer was?? Yesterday I had the lump drained and it has fluid there again today. No one seems to know why. Any help out there? I was so excited to be coming to the end of the herceptin and now this. I would appreciate any info or where to look. The oncologist says it's not lymphoma.
thanks!
Karen
0 -
Karen - soon after surgery I had a lump under my arm which showed up on my ct scan - it was fluid and I think the surgeon drained it when he put in the port. I haven't had anymore fluid build up though. It's very common.
Kamitell - Get the port!!
I am interested to know if you all over there get the blood taken from your port or from your arm.
Here in Australia, they use the port which is great. Once they had to use my arm as the port wouldn't give any up but it was ok the next time.
Sue
0
