Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Hello Sue:
I have 4 more tx of rads left, yeah my skin under my arm is real bad, real raw, ouccchhh! the aches are bad, i do take advil @ times for relief. my hair is growing in its about 1 inch or so. It came in salt/pepper, great! I feel like im 80 with the aches and pain and NOW i look like an 80 year old with the hair color. I plan on getting rid of the wig by the end of june, cant take it anymore! I am although concerned about hair coloring. Any Suggestions anybody?
My onc said it was ok to go ahead and color.
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Hello Sue:
I have 4 more tx of rads left, yeah my skin under my arm is real bad, real raw, ouccchhh! the aches are bad, i do take advil @ times for relief. my hair is growing in its about 1 inch or so. It came in salt/pepper, great! I feel like im 80 with the aches and pain and NOW i look like an 80 year old with the hair color. I plan on getting rid of the wig by the end of june, cant take it anymore! I am although concerned about hair coloring. Any Suggestions anybody?
My onc said it was ok to go ahead and color.
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V: I had lost the middle of the eyebrows - really weird, but on taking a look at them just now, only the inside bits are left. Just checked my lashes too. Looks like I've lost the bottom ones and hadn't even noticed eek!! The top ones seem to be there but not as thick.
Rose: Sorry you are suffering with the rads like me. I couldn't believe I got nearly to the end and then all this skin started coming off under the boob. Sounds like your hair is growing well. Mine isn't an inch long but it is filling in all over and is salt and pepper too. Can't wait to go back to blonde.
Sue
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I am so sorry for everyone having rads problems. It nearly killed me and I think it was worse than chemo. I lost my eyelashes and eyebrows after herceptin finished but maybe I was just not looking very close while I was sick. My finger nails grew on chemo but then they started having problems afterward. they just got brittle and a couple of toenails turned white and one black but never came off like some did. I decided to tell myself it was because the chemo stuff was still killing the cancer. I have played a lot of mind games to be able to get through this stuff over the last 2 years and so far nothing else has shown up.
If anyone has not gone to the makeup classes for chemo women it might be a good thing to do. I don't wear makeup but probably should but they did tell me how to fix my eyebrows to look normal. I do that some but not very often. I used to wish I didn't have so many eyebrows but now look I wish I had them back. Oh well I guess I will be happy the cancer is gone. My hair is straight and limp. I am happy I have hair though. As for coloring, talk to the hair pro before you color because even medications you take on a regular basis can make it turn out different than you think. Mine is mostly brown with some gray but I don't care. I may get a perm eventually but my hair is still so fine like baby hair I am afraid to right now. I do need to trim mine again to get a better shape. I have had to do that a couple of times because it is growing faster in some areas than others. It has always done that though.
I would like to quit taking the shots to make the red blood cells come up and if I am @ 10.5 or above I am going to say no to it next month. My onc and I discussed this and decided I could try before my trial med so now that I am not on it I am going try it. I was at 11 the last week and I have 3 weeks to go to see how low it can go. it makes me have bone pain but not as bad as the Neulasta did. I did not like that stuff but of course I had to have it since I was losing WBC after every treatment. At least I did not have to have it during Herceptin but had to have blood transfusions and also during rad.
Carolyn
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Hi Everyone! Is there an echo in here?! You have another Melanie already! With an almost exact dx...hmm, what's in the water? Allow me to introduce myself...I'm a 39 year old married mom of four- yes 4- boys (that's where my user name comes from- "Lady Madonna, children at your feet, wonder how you manage to make ends meet.") Beatles fan
(You knew that already!) HUGE music fan. Oh wait, this isn't a dating site...! Well, I'm trying to keep my sense of humor in the midst of all the medical appoinments, side effects, and constant reading (in case I discover something important that my onc has missed.) I'm so glad I found this topic...I've been on this site before, but this is the first time I found the TCH specific board. I have had four TCH treatments, two to go then herceptin only, given every three weeks for the rest of the year. Today I had labs and I'm slightly anemic (no surprise, I'm very weak) but not enough to warrant any treatment. From what I've read I can probably expect this to be progressive. Thanks for the info, it was very helpful!
My picture was taken on my 39th birthday, the day I shaved my head (had to!) 18 days after my first chemo.
Chemo was pretty much a breeze for me until after my third treatment. I was doing everything I had been before, at full speed. Then it finally caught up with me and I developed orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure drops dramatically when you stand up.) I also started to feel tired and weak. One day I fell down the stairs and tore a ligament and ended up in a cast. It was horrible to lug around the extra weight when I already felt weak. I just got the cast off a couple days ago and I'm in an ankle brace now (whew!!)
Other comments/responses to posts: I've taken Emend since my first Chemo and I haven't had any nausea/vomitting- it's fantastic! Nosebleed: I've had a slight problem with this since my first TCH, like a runny nose but it's blood (and I'm not on the Avastin- I must say I'm jealous- I feel like I'm missing out!!) Only noticed a little pain in my thigh area after fourth chemo- not sure if it was from Neulasta-? Still have brows/lashes- no shaving though! Everything tastes funny. Can't sleep well at all, was pre-menopausal before chemo and now have miserable hot flashes all night!
I'm glad this board is...well- I started to say I was glad it was still carrying on for the newbies- but NO!! I wish there were no newbies!! I'm fighting breast cancer with everything in me because I want to be around to see the CURE! So in the meantime, I'm thankful for this place to come together as sisters in support and encouragment.
And by the time I finish typing this-with chemobrain- I'm sure I'll remember the questions I had when I started!!
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Lady_Madonna: How odd that our diagnoses are so similar and our names are the same! I too have 4 children (2 boys, 2 girls). They are 22, 21, 20, and 19. Our youngest girl had a baby on Sunday, so I am a new grandmother to boot. I am also a HUGE music fan, so I gotta wonder what else we have in common!?!
I am thrilled to have found this board, especially since I am just getting started. Thanks to all you ladies who are sharing your most personal and painful details for the rest of us!
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Lady_Madonna, I am sorry for all your problems. My brother torn a ligament too when he was in treatment but they said his was from antibiotics. I took the same antibiotics but then I was not able to do much and did not fall at least. I kept dreaming I was falling down our front steps though. That was so crazy. I am sorry you have to be here too but so much information is here for everyone. Experience from so many that have gone on to live their lives after chemo. If you go to the top of the page just above the "jump to a forum" and do a search for anything you are concerned or curious about you will get a lot of the older posts. I wish you the best and please take care of yourself. No more falling! I am sorry so many have to be here but I am glad we have this great forum to help each other.
Carolyn
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MelMel10, nice to "meet" you too! I'm glad to be among friends! How funny, our similarities!
Gramma23, all the information here is great and I wasn't trying to complain- I feel like I've been pretty lucky with chemo! Very minimal side effects, just caught up with me after that third treatment. Think I was going full speed for too long, needed a little more rest. Yes, no more falling!
Thanks so much to all the wonderful survivors here giving advice and encouragement!
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Mobay, I've been enrolled in an Avastin trial also. I'm going to continued reading and hope you've posted more about your experience with it.
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Melanie-
I was pre-menopausal before TCH last year too (age 45). Finished TC in May '09, finished Herceptin in Dec. Had hot flashes all last summer until I stopped Tamoxifen temporarily (Onco said I didn't need it if my periods had stopped) but took progesterone cream and that helped hot flashes to stop as well. Periods began back again March, April and May so am back on Tamoxifen, especially since my remaining breast was so tender I could't stand the pain. No more hot flashes now and haven't notcied any S.Es either this go around with the tamox (but I am still doing the progesterone cream so maybe that is off setting any potential hot flashes). I continued with the drippy nose until I was off Herceptin completely for about 6 weeks. I also noticed my hair really took off growing after I finished Herceptin, even though they SAY that has nothing to do with it. For me it seemed to signal my body that it was time to really heal and regenerate. So good news there will come a day when you actually have too much hair and bed head in the mornings! Yeah for bed head!
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KorynH - I never thought I would be jealous of someone having "bedhead" HAHA! Gives us all something to look forward to! Thanks for that. 0
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Nanadada- I colored my grey hair back to my blond after finishing radiation in mid February. I am now finally needing to color the roots again. It is growing very slow. I just did it myself and because of the grey, it looks like I have highlights.My Oncologist said no problem with using hair dye. I have been trying to experiment with spiking my hair, but I probably need to have it cut. I just don't want to cut any of it off now that I finally have it back. Coloring it gave me the courage to quit wearing my wig.
Lady Madonna- I was doing great with TCH until my 4th round and then it got ugly for me- transfusions, hospitalization, shingles. You name it, I got it. I think I was trying to do too much and it ended up catching up with me. The accumulated effects caught up with me and I only ended up making it through 5 rounds. Just make sure to take it easy.
I have 1 more Herceptin treatment left on the 27th and I will finally be done-knock on wood.
I just got the results of my last heart test and it was great so I get to finish the rest of the Herceptin. So, great, they took me off one of my heart meds. Yeahh!! Next step deportation.
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So, I had my first Herceptin only on 5/19. I went with just Tylenol before hand, but they had benedryl available too.
My blood was checked before hand, and I also saw the Dr. I have "officially" become anemic, but the Dr wasn't to concerned. Recommended that I eat red meat and dark green vegetables and the levels would go back up on there own. Good thing my surgery isn't until 6/21 as hopefully they will be back up by then.
Question - with Herceptin only, I have been reading about all the side effects that have been happening. When would they start after each treatment? I am 4 days past my first H only, and so far just a slight runny nose. Have also been reading about the body aches and sore muscles, when does that start? I know when I was on TCH, by day 4 I was miserable with sore muscles, and didn't start to feel better until the 8th or 9th day after each Chemo cycle. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
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Hi stlcardsfan,
I have one more Herceptin only treatment to go. Honestly, I don't think I have had any side effects from it alone. I certainly did with the TCH treatments! I'm just ready now to get my port out and be done with it!
Good luck with yours!
Becky
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Stlcardsfan: for the red blood cells, among the red meat, the best is to eat liver if you can. I used to find a nice lamb liver at our local butcher's store; fried tiny slices of it with lots of onion. Olso, the absorbtion of iron can be improved with vitamin C, so you can have orange juice or similar with the meal.
Regarding Herceptin side effects, I have achy joints (chemopause?) and some fatigue - love to have a short nap during the day. This lasts continously ever since I started it in Dec 09 and exercise doesn't seem to help.
Jenna
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I had my first treatment from this regemen on Thursday, so today is day 5 for me. I had some aches for the next few nights and some diahareah and nausea. Overall I'm doing OK I guess. I feel my scalp tingling. I'm dreading losing my hair.
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Hi, daisylego! Welcome to the "sister's club". You'll find much love and comfort here.
Losing your hair poses a problem for many gals here. I took a defiant attitude, met it head on and had mine shaved off. Damnit, this cancer wasn't going to control me in things I could still control. I'd take charge and decide when I was going to go bald. At first I wore bandanas, but even that was a form of defeat to me. I'll walk around bald and proud. Yes, proud that I was fighting this insidious disease with everything I had even throwing vanity out the window. The only time I had to see myself was if I looked in the mirror. If other people had a problem with my baldness it was THEIR PROBLEM!! I did wear a fleece skull cap in the winter or at night when the AC was too cold on my head, but it was MY CHOICE!
I'm 2 months PFC and my hair is about 1 1/2 inches long. It's just growing slowly, but I had it trimmed last week and wear it in a spike do. It may be outrageous for a 68 year old grandma, but it is kind of fun.
Here's wishing you a safe journey and at the end may your last steps be into a world of joy and happiness and a CURE.
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EngTchr - thanks for the feed back - I appreciate it. Congrats on almost being done!!!
Jenna1961 - thanks for the tips on liver and orange juice. I just happen to be allergic to onions if you can believe that, and Orange Juice has been a no no because of chemo induced heartburn. I am 24 days past last Chemo and have started to re-introduce myself to the "trigger" foods and drinks. Orange Juice will be next on my list to try and see if my stomach can tolerate it again!
Welcome daisylego - sorry you had to find us, but this thread has been very helpful to me and I am sure will be to you as well. Anytime I have a question regarding this "cocktail", I come here and ask away. Lots of people waiting to help
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Daisy, welcome, and I also dreaded losing my hair, I think almost more than I dreaded the surgery! And I was freaked out about the eyebrows/eyelashes thing. It's weird that I'd be so upset about that, because I've always been a natural girl, rarely wear any makeup and forget to look in the mirror.
Anyway, it hasn't been nearly as bad as I thought. You get used to it fast, and yes, I shaved it off. I'm having my last round of TCHA (then just HA) tomorrow, and I still have brows and lashes-- thinner, yes, but still there, and with a little mascara and the magic brow powder/brush, you'd never know. And I said no to the wig and wear baseball caps or other caps, and go free in the car, at home and in my office (which is mine).
So hang in there, the time flies by more than you can imagine, and you will get through it, hair or no hair. And unlike for all those poor bald men, our hair will come back all by itself!
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Daisy, I think all of us have dreaded the hair loss. It is not as bad as it seems but then you are fighting for your life so that becomes not so important. I do say to drink Water. A lot of water to get the poison out of your body. I am sure they tell you that at the chemo lab too but it is really important. I had a friend who went to Veterans and they never told him to drink liquids as much as he could and now one of his kidneys is not working like it should. He went to MD Anderson and they told him this. I got dehydrated even with drinking all I thought I could but I was throwing up and having diarrhea. Some people get extra saline when they go back for the Neulasta shot. Do whatever you need to to get that liquid. It is so important. If you do a search on any subject you want you will find a lot of info. At the top of the page just above "jump to a forum" you will see search. Just have to know what you are asking not the name of a person. Good luck with this and I do hope things go well for you.I wroke yesterday and for some reason I lost it.
I am so happy for those finishing. things will start looking up. I know this will sound silly but you will miss the going and seeing everyone at the chemo lab. You will get used to it fast though. I still go but now I am on a month at a time. My blood is still having problems. I have my mamo to do in June too. Yuck but it is necessary. I don't think I will ever get used to it. I would rather have a needle stuck in me than my boob smashed.
Carolyn
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stlcardsfan -- I am trying to get my numbers up as well and one thing I read is that if you take prilosec or other heartburn medication, it hampers your bodies ability to absorb iron. So not only are we getting hit with the chemo that brings our counts down, but dealing with heartburn so taking meds that cut the ability to absorb iron. Go figure. My onc today said just keep eating healthy, take a multi-vitamin, but don't do any iron supplements.
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Frosty1 - thanks for the info, I am actually on Prilosec, and have been since 2/14 for chemo induced heartburn. It was so bad, I ended up in the ER one evening thinking I was having a heart attack! I have two days left, and then I get to stop. Today is 4 weeks PFC for me, and so far the old triggers haven't caused a problem. But I also haven't tried to many either.
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Hi All,
I just had my port put in a couple of days ago and it is REALLY getting on my very last raw nerve. How long did it take some of you guys to get used to a foreign body being under your skin? For whatever reason this has been far worse for me than my lumpectomy, somehow just wasn't mentally prepared for it. Go figure...
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Hey MelMel10 ~
I was totally bothered by mine for at least a month. It was painful when they first put it in and just moving my arm would make it feel like it was moving also. Now, many months later, I forget that it is even there. I don't know if your body gets used to it or your mind gets used to it...
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Writer: I'm exactly the same way about my eyebrows and about prefering to be low maintentance.
I'm planning on wigs at work and hats/scarves most of the time. We'll see how I feel when the hair actually comes out though.
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Mel - It definitely was much worse for me than the lumpectomy, too. It took me a month or two and each day I would have longer and longer stretches of time when I forgot about it until I was used to it. For me, the port itself didnt' bother me as much as the catheter - the tube that comes out from the port. It would bulge out when I was in certain positions, like lying on my side in bed, and I hated it.
My timeline was - first two months - awful. Next 10 months - fine. Final month - it drove me crazy. I don't know if it was because I knew I was almost done, or what. But I could not WAIT to get it out. And now that it is out, it is AWESOME.
But don't worry - you WILL get used to it. And it is a great thing to have during treatment. I could not imagine having all those infusions into my veins.
Good luck.
A.
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MelMel10, I told the surgeon that the port was far worse for me than the lumpectomy- it was much more painful and bothersome. They had told me to take Tylenol (what a joke) but I used the pain meds from my lumpectomy. It slowly subsided and although it's still not pleasant it makes chemo a breeze. I've also had to have fluid infusions, and they used the port.
I'm not sure whether I'd do it again, but I was never given a choice at the beginning- they just scheduled the surgery. My skin is very thin and I basically don't have any fat so it just sits there on top of the muscle, popping out like a huge button. If I bump it it hurts and it still looks slightly bruised. I had a HUGE bruise, almost eight inched vertically on my chest and about six inches wide, after my surgery. It was ugly.
The good news is I haven't had any problem using it- it works perfectly. I don't feel anything at all anymore. Most of my blouses cover it. And best of all, some of the research I've read indicates that your chemo is more effective going into a major vein like the jugular than into a peripheral vein, like in your arm or hand. So try to relax- it's done and it will get better!
~Melanie
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For those yet to get a port...There are ports and then there are ports. My surgeon uses pediatric ports. Much smaller of course, but they accomplishe the same purpose.
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Mine is a smaller port, so I believe if I ever have to have a blood transfusion it can't be used. Also my onc won't use it for blood draws, we only use it for chemo and I've used it for fluid infusion. They showed me the larger port before surgery and it was about the size of a quarter, mine is about the size of a nickel... the visible part is maybe the size of a dime. Who knew there was so much to know about ports! I didn't know how much I didn't know before I had my surgery
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I have to say - I love my port! They use it for EVERYTHING! So much easier with my sucky veins. When I was in the hospital for a week with acute renal failure they used it the whole time for fluids and meds. Was so much easier on me. I would wholeheartedly recommend a port to anyone going thru this stuff! Yea it bugs me sometimes...but beats the heck out of being stuck so many times, blowing veins, bruises, etc....
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