Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Wow! The news on this thread is Fantastic!!! Oh my stars, I could hardly believe all the wonderful posts. Congratulations to everyone!
Cheers!
Cloud
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Weety...I had 2 surgeries while still on Herceptin only and my wbc was low...the number for each surgery (3 months apart) was between 2.7 and 2.9 But the onc gave me the ok and I was fine for both surgeries.0
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Thanks ccbaby, my surgery is a TAH/BSO with a gyn-onc, so I'm assuming that it will be a go. I just got worried when I clicked on my blood results and saw that they were once again, below normal (sigh. . .)
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Amy, mine was 58 after 6 rounds of TCH. 50 is the lower-threshold before they will consider stopping Herceptin for heart failure.
I was told that anything in the 50 range is normal for the average person. 60-75 is star-athlete range (so I was told).
Alaina
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Regarding MUGA's. Apparently there are two scales used to acquire MUGA scan results. One is a computer model and the other is a compilation done by a specialist by way of physical observation. Some oncologists go by one score, others go by the other score. I ran into this at MUGA scan #3. I ended up having to get two scans done. They were done on different machines within a week of each other because my oncologist had a preference for the score she preferred and it was not listed on the first 3rd scan. ( scans #1 and #2 included both results). The analogy would be reading a thermometer in either centigrade or ferinhite. Same temperature, different terms.
On the subject of MUGAs... Let's just say it's an in-exact science. The same machine can give different results on the same patitient even when done on the same day. Stress can cause differences as well as the precise angle of the camera lens. My heart leans at a strange angle and getting the camera positioned was always a problem for my technicians. Sometimes she would do a second scan immediately because she wasn't happy with the first camera angle.
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HI All,
Is MUGA scan the same as an Echo scan?
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No, an Echo scan is similar to an unltra sound. A MUGA is an actual video scan of your heart pumping.
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Thank you for all the great advice. They called in a Rx for Donnatal for me -- I think it does about the same thing as Bentyl. Next cycle I'll be sure to try some of the dietary suggestions, take Phenergan and Donnatal around the clock and hopefully just sleep through days 5-8.
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I'm not getting MUGA scans, just echocardiograms.... should I be? Just had an echo last week and all was well, although I don't know details. Not scheduled for another until I'm done with the first 6 rounds.
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Carolsue: Don't sleep through. At least set an alarm clock to wake you up so you can drink. I made the mistake at #3 of sleeping through all day of day 3 and most of day 4 and didn't drink anything. Day 4 I ended up in the hospital overnight with dehydradtion.
Writer: Echo or MUGA will provide your doctor with the necessary information. Just be consistent and don't switch from one to the other in the middle of your treatment.
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I get a NVG which is the same as a MUGA and the guy that did it last told me he did not like the way the computer figures you score so he does it manually. He was quite proud of himself. anyway mine has come up since I finished H in July. I was in the 50s and now it is 67 so you can recover from the H over time.
Carolyn
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I started with a MUGA, but refused to ever have another unmarked vial of blood rejected into my body ever again. (That's how they do the test where I am sent.) I have had two echocardiograms and am scheduled for my third echo in May. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound--no radiation. My oncologist was perfectly fine with letting me switch to an echo.
By the way, I know that my heart is in great shape because I had a complete cardio evaluation in February.
Cheers!
Cloud
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I also only do Echo's because I am a big sissy and I hate IV's so no MUGA for me
carolsue63~ If you can demand Emmend, it is worth every single penny. I thought that I would not make it thru TCH 4 but I had emmend with 5&6 and while it still was not fun I was not sick to my stomach. I rebounded quicker and felt stronger than I had in a long time.
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Thanks Swampy -- I'll make sure I stay hydrated. I ended up dehydrated in the ER after a stomach bug once, and it was the most miserable I've ever been. That's the LAST thing I'd ever want to repeat!
Jamieh: I get Emmend on treatment day and the 2 following days. I find the nausea isn't that bad at all, and I feel pretty good for the first few days after treatment. It's the stomach pains/cramping that kick in around days 5,6,7 that do me in.
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CarolSue,
My onc prescribed Somac for me for the stomach cramps - it worked a treat. I don't know if that's the name of it over there though.
Sue
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Carolsue~ I did prilosec and it worked wonders for the belly cramps. It was so bad that I knew where every public bathroom was on the road to and from my kids school. It was horrible but it does end. Hang in there!!
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Okay Ladies! This is our song. I found it on Facebook. Pleasae listen to the whole thing and remember we are strong, we are special, and we know how to fight like a girl, like know else can fight and we WILL win. Love ya Sistas!!!!
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Carolsue -- I also had wicked stomach cramps/pain and the onc told me to start Prilosec. It made a big difference, though this last round (#3) I had some cramps. It wasn't near as bad as the last round. I found getting a hot pad and laying on my back helped -- and the gas passing! Oh my goodness. Enough to scare the birds.
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I had all my final blood tests and they all came back good..... I am having my surgery on Monday to replace my leaking expander and get de-ported!!! wow.
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Cakelady - Congratulations on deportation...Woohoo! Sending you good vibes for a speedy recovery after surgery.
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Cakelady, I am happy for you. As for being deported I have mixed emotions about that because I am taking the study med and got dehydrated and was sure glad I had my port for them to give me fluids. Of course I have been told I must keep mine indefinitely so I will. Keep us posted. I don't write often but I do keep up with ya'll.0
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I went on Prilosec for this last round (#4) because I got hit with pretty bad heartburn after #3. The Prilosec worked like a charm for the heartburn, but it didn't help the cramping, which was worse this time. (I got hit hard after #1, then talked to a nutritionist and went on a very bland, low-fiber diet for days 1-10 of each cycle, which worked really well for #2 and 3, less well for #4-- but because this chemo s*** is cumulative, that's probably normal.)
Anyway, I'm through all that now, in the last half of the cycle and pretty much past the gut discomfort. Although nothing's really quite right in the intestines, and I'm sure it won't be until those good little bacteria get a chance to grow back!
My mouth/taste buds are worse, too. Kind of a problem for a food writer. I'm salting the bejesus out of everything.
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Writer: You can help replace the healthy intestinal bacteria by taking something like "Kyo-Dophilus" (get it at a health food store) or other good probiotic. My onco didn't want me taking any other vitamines or supplements, but she said okay to the probiotic. I chose the Kyo-Dophilus (1.5 billion cells) brand because it did not need refrigeration and I had to travel and spend 2 nights when I got my TCH treatments. I could easily add it to my weekly pill dispenser and be on my way. Kyo-Dophilus contains Lacidophilus,B bifidum and B longum. Take one capsul twice a day with meals. About $20 per bottle of 90. Along with imodium, it sure helped with my gut problems.
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Writer, for me it took a while to get my guts back to normal and once I did I started this trial med and they are all messed up again. I always took Miralax just before the chemo so my bowels we loose enough when the diarrhea hit it would be easier. I have not found anything for the cramping but the new immondium I found had med for gas and bloating. It helps a lot for stomach problems but nothing for heartburn. I found I could not taste salt but I enjoyed sugar. I am not sure why some tastes are there and some aren't. I lived on Boost and now I can't even think of drinking something like that. Hang in there you are almost finished!
Carolyn
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Writer - I know how you feel on the stomach cramping, gas and bloating. I seem to have it much worse after #3. Usually I am fine by day 7 or 8. Here it is day 12 and I'm still having slight cramps and gas. Ugghh. I'm so ready to be done. 3 more!!
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Jumping in to join you ladies in this fight.
I was diagnosed on 4/15 with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. It's Her2+, but I don't know about other receptors. I have a 5+cm tumor in my breast. I thought I had 2 smaller ones, but evidently it's one lobular tumor. I also have a lymph node involved. It was swollen, so they biopsied it.
I started TCH Monday, the 19th. I am so happy to be getting this stuff into me to kill this thing! I had a talk with my cancer last week. I told it if it didn't let go, it would be the end for both of us. I told it I knew it didn't mean to be destructive, and it needed to do the noble thing and let one of us win. Then I introduced it to the herceptin.
I am going to beat this thing. There is no other option. I have tons of support, and lots of prayers going up for me. Thank God I don't have to face it alone.
Keep up the fight, y'all!
Dawn
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Cake Lady...Good luck with your surgery and deportation tomorrow!!
My step-nephew is having surgery tomorrow to remove a cancerous tumor from his brain, then he will do chemo and radiation. He is only 9 years old. Please keep him in your prayers.
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Hey mtndawn,
I finished TC 4 weeks ago, will continue H for the year.
Keep up the fight!
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CCbaby- I am so sorry for your nephew and had to write. I read you all everyday and say a prayer for you all. Love all the good news and that lat year at this time we were scared and unsure and now the picture is becoming more clear and our view of life and ourselves is so different.
I just wanted to say that I started a non-profit after treatment and would love to see if we can help you nephew. Visit our site at www.cleaningwithameaning.org Just because there is not a provider listed we find one as fast as we can. We just work off requests. We have loads of providers to add as well. If you have a cleaning company ask them to join if you know a family tell them we want to help and Request Service. Please pass this along. it is all volunteer based and no money involved so the more we can spread the word the more providers we can get to join. Blessings and Hugs to all of you!!
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cakelady: Congratulations on getting deported! So glad for you! Hope your recovery is quick with the upcoming surgery!
mtndawn: Welcome, yet so sorry that you have to be here! Hope your feeling okay from your first treatment and so glad to hear you have lots of support! Did you have surgery already to remove the tumor? We are all here to help each other in any way we can!
ccbaby: Will keep your nephew in my prayers!
Ang7: Congratulations to you on finishing chemo! I am rounding the corner on finishing my Herceptin treatments...end of June I will be done! Time seems to go by quickly when you live on appointments every 3 weeks!
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