Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Lots of celebrating here!
Congrats on being done Alaina, Amy, swamplady and Cakelady. what a year it has been for you guys. I can't wait to be where you are!! Enjoy your accomplishments!
Allison, that is great that you are done with the "nasty chemo".
stlcardsfan, that is wonderful that they can't see the mass anymore. Here is to hoping you don't have to do the rads!!
Great for us relatively new folks to see that you guys have made it through!
Verene
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Gramma - I started going through menopause right before I was diagnosed and was having horrible hot flashes which continued through mid way of my chemo treatments. Now only being on Herceptin am I always cold, so I'm thinking it must be the Herceptin. To be honest, I prefer being cold than having those horrible hot flashes. I don't know what my blood levels are...I would always have blood drawn the day before chemo and then see the Onc who always said my levels were good enough to continue with my treatments. Now that I am only getting the Herceptin, he has me getting blood drawn every 6 weeks instead of every 3 weeks. My next appt. with him is in 3 weeks I will ask him about it then.
Blessedby4 - I, too, have no regrets, nor do I feel guilty taking a leave from work...and for the first time in my life am taking care of myself and putting my needs first. I feel so blessed because my family, friends and co-workers have all been so supportive...so I try not to complain or vent with them. I'm sorry to say, I do that on this thread...but it is so easy to spill my guts out with all of you ladies cause I know so many are going through the same thing and when I read all the posts it is comforting to know that my feelings and SE's are not just in my head nor am I being a big crybaby (maybe just a little crybaby
). So I really want to THANK all of you gals for the tremendous support and advise...it helps when there are so many ladies that you can relate to. I look forward, everyday, to reading all of your posts! 0 -
Finished Herceptin today! Kind of can't believe it. What a year this has been. And it is so comforting to come here and know you ladies TRULY understand.
For the first and ONLY time, the port gave a little bit of trouble, but they finally got it working. The nurse cried in my arms when we said goodbye. I promised to come back and see her. there is a stage IV lady there that is on my same schedule and we have sat together every 3 weeks. She will be on Herceptin forever. So we didnt' make too big a fuss about it being my last time in front of her, but rather out in the hall, to spare her feelings. It was a sobering reminder of how serious this all is.
BUT what a happy day for me! Port comes out 4/26 - can't wait! I feel very emotional today - not really happy or sad, more just emotional and relieved.
I would never have believed I could do this - BUT I DID. And I did it mostly with courage.
Thank you all for being there.
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Has anyone heard the results of Lisa's bone biopsy? Hopefully, no news is good news. Still praying for the best, Lisa!
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Lisa "just" broke her rib
Which is the happiest that I have ever been for someone just having a broken bone. She is I believe out Riding her pony having a blast. Amy~ WHOOOO!!! I am so happy for you!!
So my port got flushed for the last time. I go back to NOLA at the end of the month for stage 2 and it is going to be removed then. I honestly can say that I loved the function that my port provided but I will be happy that it is gone.
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Allison...Congrats on being PFC!!
Alaina...Congrats on being PFH!!
Amy and Swampy...Congrats to both of you again!
Cake Lady...I'm sorry you have to work 2 jobs...us bc survivors shouldn't have to work at all with everything we have been through, but life does go on and those darn bills keep coming in...
I had my port removed last month during my surgery in NOLA (like Jamie is getting ready to do) and I have had a bruise there where the port was since then. I asked the hospital for my port after it went through pathology and I think they thought I was crazy, but since it was in me for 13 months, I felt like I needed to keep it.
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Onc said today that if my counts stay up, he will put me on low dose taxol with my herceptin on my next visit in 3 weeks. Will be glad to finally see an end to chemo coming!
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Christy.... thanks, I know it sounds bad but its 2 part time jobs, and I don't HAVE to do it, but if I don't we will have to pinch every penny and pick and choose what bills to pay. I am never able to save anything so hopefully this will help. I can hopefully work it out so I don't over do it. I haven't started the 2nd one yet anyway... and I do have surgery coming up, so we'll see what happens.
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Congratulations to EVERYONE who is finishing tx and getting DEPORTED!!!!
I am sorry to report that the only cure for the fatigue and achy joints is time.....
And yes, got my biopsy results and it was just a broken rib. All that fuss of something so silly. I have had my horse out on 4 long rides this week getting us both in shape for our trip to the Smokey Mountains then end of this month. Can't wait!!
Have a great day everyone!
Lisa
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Great news Lisa!!!!
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So happy for you, Lisa!!!
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I am happy for all of you getting to each place of healing in your treatments. Hang in there and you will be finished before you know it. then it is a matter of convincing yourself you are well. I think that has been the hardest thing I have had to face. I would worry about it but I went through a lot of tests for a study drug and everything was good except now I have a place that has to be removed on my face. Not a big deal but we want to get this done before Thursday. I just hope I can stand to take the medicine if I ever get to that point. Last week my blood count finally got up to normal. I was so happy about that. finally. I just hope it is still up Thursday when I have another blood test.
Carolyn
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Congrats gramma23 on finally getting the blood work in the normal zone! I see you joined this group in May of 2008. Did it take you 2 years to get it back to normal? I"m not looking forward to having to wait that long! What was usually low--the WBC's, RBC's or platelets?
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Weety911, Yes my blood count was down from the time I started chemo in July 2008. Mostly it was the Hemoglobin but during chemo I was low in everything but after I finished it was the Hg. they gave me 9 units of blood during chemo and then they finally got it okay-ed through FDA to let me take Procrit. I did take Aranesp at first before the blood transfusions but the FDA said a person could not take it unless they were terminal and so I had to start the whole blood and every time I got a transfusion my platelets would drop to nearly the bottom. My onc thinks it had something to do with my autoimmune problem and maybe it was because I got a steroid shot the other day and that may have made it climb. I don't mind steroids because it helps my pain but it can make your bones brittle so I don't do it often but then again I was taking steroids during chemo and it didn't help then. I guess it is just came up but then I was eating cranberry raisin and some raisin too. Maybe something in my diet?
You will do fine, I am the exception not the rule so don't worry. Most have good counts after the TC is over. Is yours doing okay?
Carolyn
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gramma,
My hemoglobin has been fine and is still steadily climbing (I think last check it was at 13.1 and over 12 is normal) but my WBC's and platelets have been in the toilet. Right before my last herceptin treatment (I'm finished chemo at Christmas time and now just doing the herceptin only treatments) my WBC's were only 2.4! My onc said "Wow--these are like chemo readings!" but then by the next treatment they were back to 4.1 It will be interesting to see what happens at my next blood draw. They seem to be bouncing around from very low to low normal. My onc said that maybe my bone marrow is just "tired" and "hopefully"(yes, she really used this word) will figure out how to produce the right amount soon. Boy, I sure hope so! Of course all the chemo-induced leukemia thoughts start racing through my mind!
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Weety911, I guess that is true. the bone morrow just needs to figure out what it needs to do for our body. Hopefully you won't get an infection because of it. Do you eat foods with antioxidants in them? I am not sure what all that could be but I would do a search for it. I know my onc told me to eat good food but then my stomach was not great at handling them. I guess your body has to take what it needs.I hope things get going better for you soon. I am hoping my hemoglobin's are still up by the next blood draw. I think we all worry about what is next but try to stay positive.
Carolyn
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Hi Ladies, Just checking in! I keep up with reading the posts but havnt had much to report. I am done with Herceptin the first week of June! Doc gave me the ok for deportation! I also had an "excellent" check up with the onc last week. Always a nice relief when that happens! Whew!!!
CONGRATS to all of you ladies who are done with Treatment, Herceptin etc. I remember all to clear that feeling of no more chemo. My best advise for those who are wiped out is to just push yourself physically a little more each day, For me that meant walking for 5 minutes at first then upping it every few days even if my muscles were screaming at me and heart beating out of my throat. It worked, in 5 weeks after chemo i was back to about 75%. It was hard. Pushing through that feeling was conflicting for me but the doc told me to do it and i am glad i did. I am now 8 months PFC and am working out 6 days a week, hiking, riding my horse, and just my old goofy self, just with shorter hair!
Glad to see that everyone is doing so well. Keep up the good work!
Trish
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Good to hear from you Trish! Happy to hear you are your old self again...even before finishing with Herceptin! There is hope:)
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Trish~ You sound awesome!!! Glad to hear that you got the deportation blessing....lol...
I came back to report for the first time in who knows how many months that my blood work was in the normal range......yea-ha!!! So all systems clear for stage 2 at the end of the month. In 2 weeks I will be on an airplane getting ready to land in Louisiana
I think I am almost ready......0 -
Sounds like everyone is coming along good. Jaimieh so glad things are good for you. Trish you are right about pushing yourself. going back to work was hard at first but I am doing good now and the brain is almost back to what it was. It may be part old age though :} I wish all of you the best. don't forget those who are still enduring the chemo! Hang in there and it will be over soon and you will be getting back to normal.
Carolyn
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Good news Jaimieh....sending you well wishes on your trip to stage 2.
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Hello ladies -- I'm on day 6 of my 2nd round and the stomach pains have started again. Have any of you had trouble with this SE and did you find anything that helped with it? Thanks
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Carolsue - I had really sharp stomach pains after each tx. Some cycles were better than others but sometimes it was pretty bad. I did the following - took probiotics and digestive enzymes before each meal - these helped my body digest my food more thoroughly with the idea that it would ease the burden on my lower intestines. Also took magnesium sometimes which is supposed to relax smooth muscle tissue and help the spasms. BUT as much as I hated doing more rx meds, when it got really bad, I called the onc and they called in an rx for a drug called Bentyl which relaxes abdominal cramping/spasms (it is sometimes used for women w IBS) and it DID THE TRICK within 15 min. Only took it a few times but it REALLY helped. Don't be afraid to ask for it if it does not go away. That was the worst SE for me and not one you read much about. PM me if you have any more questions about this.
OH I also took an ounce of pure aloe juice before each meal which is supposed to be very gentle and healing to your stomach. But it was gross and you might not want to do that!
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Thanks girls! I am really feeling good. I am looking forward to the summer because i missed last summer cooped up in my house during tx. That was sad for me, I am an outdoor beach girl and missing out on surfing and sun was really depressing. This is a whole new year!
Jamieh awesome news on the blood work! We are in sync. Mine just came back for the first time with all normal levels! i had low hemogloben and now it is well within normal range! No wonder i feel better.
Sorry Carolsue! The stomach takes a big hit with chemo. I cannot take any stool softeners so i was really uncomfortable for days after tx. Amy has some great advice!
My anniversary of my diagnosis is friday, today is the anniversary of my first mammogram that came up "highly suspicious". So my boyfriend and I decided to go to dinner friday night and create a more positive memory for April 16th by celebrating being cancer free a year later.
It is amazing how much changes in a year. Those of you who are in treatment, you will be here too before you know it. The time really does fly!Take care of yourselves!!
Trish
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Hey all! Round 3 today (out of 6, then Herception for 1 year). My onc nurse suggested aloe vera gel instead of the juice. She said the brand name is Lily of the Desert and it is kept refrigerated. She recommended it to my friend who went with me today and was having bad stomach issues. She also told me to try it instead of prilosec. Might be worth a try. I usually get the cramps starting on day 4 and they last through day 7.
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Carolsue, I had really bad gut/intestinal pain/discomfort days 2-10 of my first round of TCH, and as I think I've posted before, I went to an oncology nutritionist, and I got through tx 2 and 3 much better (had #4 yesterday). Here's what I do:
-- Benefiber, 3 morning and night with lots of water.
-- lots of hydration: water, ginger tea, gatorade, etc. DO NOT drink or eat anything with sugar alcohols, like Vitamin Water 10s or some of those foods for diabetics. I didn't know this and was swilling Vitamin Water 10s. Those sugar alcohols can cause a lot of intestinal trouble and pain if you're compromised like we are.
-- A very bland white diet, with emphasis on protein. Small portions, and make yourself eat even if you're not hungry (I have no appetite during the bad time). NO fiber except from oatmeal, so no vegetables, salad, beans, whole wheat-- the things we normally eat (I return to those in the latter half of the cycle). Chicken soup, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, protein-powder chocolate smoothies with ice and yogurt, graham crackers, bananas, peaches, pasta with a little butter and cheese, chicken, ginger snaps. No fruit with seeds (berries) and nothing too acidic (tomatoes) or spicy. Active yogurt is good, like the Greek yogurt. Wished I liked it more.
-- Don't go more than 4 hours in the day without something in your stomach, but don't ever have a full-size meal like in the old days. Your stomach will hate you.
-- I start stool softeners a day or two before I start the steroids, and stop the day after steroids unless I'm constipated. I get fairly mild diarrhea around day 4-5 and will take an immodium if it seems needed.
It's been much better for me now. Much less discomfort, better energy, and weight has stayed off but not dropping too rapidly, which wasn't good.
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Hi all, I'm wondering about any sugeries you all had while on herceptin only and whether or not your bloodcounts were okay. My blood counts are still running low after finishing chemo in Dec. I'm still on herceptin, which is probably the reason, but I'm scheduled for a hysterectomy surgery next week and just got my bloodwork results from my pre-op appt. They are as follows: WBC-3.7 (normal is 4.0-11) and RBC 3.9 (normal is 4.2-5.4). My hemoglobin is right at the cut-off--12.0 (normal is 12-16). Will they allow me to go through with the surgery since my results aren't in the normal range?
My counts seem to jump around on herceptin--2 weeks ago they were all low-normal (WBC-4.2, RBC-4.2 HGB-13.1), but 3 weeks before that they were pretty low--my WBC's were ONLY 2.6--my onc said, "Wow--that's like chemo-lows!"
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Fellower TCH's
Had my 3 month MUGA scan.
Baseline was over 80%
Three month was down to 71% ejection fraction. Cardio guy told me still in acceptable range.
Question is did others see this much of a drop after 3 months?
I did get the ok to do moderate exercise - I mainly walk about 30 minutes a day at a good pace. After each Chemo I don't start again until at least day 10 of the cycle. I was nervous about doing to much with the heart-herceptin thing and the value issue that I have.
Thanks for any input.
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I am TOTALLY confused about the whole ejection/fraction thing. They swear a higher number isn't better, but it sure seems to me that it is. Mine was 55 or 56 and fluctuated between those 2 numbers the entire time of treatment. But they say that 50 is the cut off. So am I only 5 points away from being in heart failure? How can 55 be as normal as 75? Can anyone explain it?
And to answer your question, Stlcardsfan, even though your number dropped some, you still have a long way to go to get to where I was before I STARTED! I don't know what that means, but it seems to me you will be ok.
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Mine went from 63 to 59, but I'm worried it might have been even lower because it was tested after being off herceptin for 6 weeks of radiation.
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