Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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TonLee, muscle has memory, so don't worry about deterioration at this point. Focus on getting better
Once treatment is done you can go back to your normal routines and you will bounce right back and in no time be where you were. I still have 2 TCH's to go and then just H till Oct. I used to lift heavy weights and during this I am allowing myself to step back and lift very light and not injure myself. I also need to work on my pecs, the BMX w/ reconstruction has left my pecs very very weak so even if I wanted to lift heavy I wouldn't be able to. Hot flashes are killing me! My onc gave me a rx for it, worked for about a week and now its like I am not taking anything for it. Waiting for him to call me back with something new to take for it. CAll your onc and have him give you something for it.
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Basia - I agree the hot flashes are tough - for me especially at night. I love my remote controlled fan but sometimes they come one right after the other. I get so discouraged I just want to get up and start my new day - and it's only 2am! I miss my old sleep!0
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lago my fingernail beds were really sore after the 4th TCH. Im done now but they still are dark brown about 1/2 way up. Tomorrow is 4 weeks post chemo. The soreness is minimal, but no prying with nails (ouch) The middle finger and toenail is really dark. I think they'll stay on,just look gross. Beth
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Libraylil, did they start to get better? I've done 4 but have 2 more tx to go. This is a really tough SE for me. I like to do stuff with my hands. You know artist/designer person. I could care less about the strange coloring, that doesn't stop me from doing stuff.0
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My nails were fine thru TCH, I did put them on ice during each taxotere cycle.
When I got to Herceptin only, I figured I was in the clear. Not so, they are still very dry looking and the thumbnails keep splitting in layers. I keep them very short. I also tried the hard as nails nailpolish but that didn't help either. Now that I am done with Herceptin, we shall see what happens.
As a side note, once I was done with TCH, the night sweats went away.
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stlcarsfan - How long till the night sweats went away? That would be so nice.0
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@ Lago..that's odd about the sweating..I tend to sweat right between my breasts, or my um one breast and expander...lol.
Basia, I worry about losing so much muscle that it gets amnesia.
The ice thing sounds like a good idea, but there is no way I could pull that off in my chemo center. We're too crowded.
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TonLee I'm bringing in a bag of frozen peas to stick my fingers in at my next treatment. If my fingers nails hurt anymore than they do now I won't be typing anymore! Taxotere infusion is only 1 hour. Our treatment center is busy/crowded too but it's not like we're bringing in a huge cooler. Couple of packages of frozen peas and some ice to suck on isn't going to require that big of a cooler.
I also stopped worring about muscle. It took me 6 months to build up last time so I know I can do it again. My goal is just to finish up this chemo. 4 down, 2 more to go.
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Lago - we did bring in the 'huge cooler' because of the caps and trying to keep them cold! I purchased insulated lunch sacks from Target to put the peas in, that helped keep them cold. I also did my toes as well. Its frustrating because I have read that about 30% or so of women get the nail trouble so even though everything came out fine for me so far I could have been one of the lucky ones anyway! We thought about only doing one hand or one foot - and having the other as a control but decided not to.0
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Omaz, good idea regarding lunch sacs. It can be 2+ hour after I arrive before I actually get infused. First is the blood test and that can take 1/2-1 hour to get the results back. Then see the onc. Once she give the OK then it's 1 hour to mix the cocktail.
Guess I need to get to Target before Tuesday. Granted I could always leave the stuff in the car and send my husband out to get it when it's time. ;-)
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Lago - Tuesday is number 5 - whoo hoo, good for you!!
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Yes but this time I still feel kinda crap. Usually I feel great by now.
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TonLee, do not worry about muscle amnesia LOL. I stopped olympic lifting for 10 years and once I started up again, it took me about a month to get the muscle back to where it used to be. Don't stress over this.
Question on hair growth. Has anyone experienced hair growth while on TCH? I thought that my stubble was what was left of my hair, but in looking at a picture my husband took after #3 I see that I have more hair now after #4, am I just imagining hair growth?
Stlcarsfan, how soon after TCH does the night sweats stop? Does it continue at all during just herceptin?
Gotta go and start getting things ready for the weekend. Having about 20 people over tomorrow for Christmas eve and then another 25 or so on Christmas day which also is my little girls 4th birthday and then another 10 people or so over on Sunday. I think after this weekend I will lock up my house and not let anyone in for a very long time.
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@ Lago, I like your pea idea, and I have tons of insulated lunch boxes...I'm going to try it. I go for my #2 the same day you go for your #5. I have heard the 4th is the hardest to recover from, so I hope you are feeling much better after the 5th. Will you put a towel between you and the peas? Or do you just hold the bag?
@Omaz....had to laugh at your experiment idea...that is so something I'd do, if I wanted to know bad enough, which I don't...lol.
@Basia...wow, no rest for you the next couple days!! I hope you're right about the muscles...I've read we lose 10 years worth of muscle in 6 treatments, so I anticipate getting it back to be more difficult than when I've taken off before.
My hair is really really coming out now. I want to buzz cut it, but on the other hand, a few strands here and there popping out of hats seems like a good idea.
I bought the best hat hair EVER. Just can't remember where I got it right off...fits nice, is longer but similiar to my own...I think I will be a hat hair kinda girl for the duration..trying it for the first time Sunday....
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tonlee - I used those cotton gloves from the drugstore and cotton socks.0
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Omaz, good idea. I think Old Navy might sell those cheap gloves too.
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regarding night sweats - about 4 weeks after my last TCH cycle they were gone. I never came out of chemo pause (42 at time of diagnosis), and I am now in permanent menopause (ooph on 6/21). I no longer have night sweats, and just the occasional hot flash. I was offered Effoxer for the hot flashes and chose not to take it after researching it. Instead I am taking something over the counter which is working really well. I still get the occasional hot flash - but they are more like mini flashes - don't last any longer than about 20 to 30 seconds.
I never brought the ice chips to treatment, my place had it available and the nurses actually brought it to me in ziploc baggies before each taxotere treatment.
My hair, what was left of it, did grow while on TCH, it got about 2 inches long. It was not healthy looking and as soon as the real hair popped thru, I had my DH cut off the long stuff.
My eyebrows and eye lashes hung on until # 5, and then they were gone. By the time I went in for surgery, they were back. I am 8 1/2 months PFC and eyebrows and eye lashes are back.
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lago woo hoo. Isn't it great to be over 1/2 way? You are on the flip side. My nail soreness is a lot better. Not back to normal. I make jewelry and noticed after no 5 the wire wraps and using the computer were uncomfortable. Normally, I seemed to feel pretty good after day 5 or so. TX 5 and 6 kicked me. The fatigue, taste weirdness, chemo brain and queasiness seemed to linger on. 4 weeks after the last one I feel good. The taste buds seem pretty normal, (I may never be able to eat peanut butter again)
Omaz; wish I had tried the frozen peas. I totally love the fact that you wanted to have a control group.
Basia my night sweats seem to have disappeared. I am off Herceptin until after my January Surgery. The occasional flash, but nothing like before.
library lil
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@ Omaz, thanks...will just use socks I think...lol...
@Cardsfan...really dread the eyebrow loss....hair is easy enough to cover, but no matter how great a person may be with eyebrow pencil/stencil/etc...still looks not quite right....Dread it!!
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My hair is still coming out...no bald patches yet, but very thin in spots....the crown of my head is very very sore to the touch. At least its not the back so doesn't interfere with sleeping.
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Has anyone experienced foot,leg swelling due to taxotere? What did you do for it?
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kaloamom - I have read that some women have this. My swelling from the tax is more in my arms. I have heard that sometimes women get a diuretic but that it doesn't always help, but sometimes does. Did you call your oncologist office?0
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kalaoamom everything is swelling on me. My stomach, legs, arms even fingers (no feet). Yes my face too but that actually looks good on me. I have put on 9lbs since my last chemo (almost 3 weeks ago). I also have lymphedema in one arm. Once I take the steroids when chemo time comes again I drop a lot of water gain. Problem is I'm only on the steroids the night before chemo and the day of chemo. The gain starts right up again after the steroids wear off. I was told diuretics don't help but drinking fluids do.
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So anyone who has experienced the sore nails, did your finger tips start to swell up too? The top of my left thumb is swollen for sure and maybe the other thumb and index fingers too.
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libraylil After this Tuesday I will only have one left. To be honest I'm not having "fun" anymore. The finger thing and lymphedema this round really got to me. It's challenging to do things like pull up my socks, button, zipper, even wipe my (_!_). I now uses a pliers to help me open zip lock bags. This is ridiculous. The didn't warn me about losing my finger dexterity. What scares me is I have 2 more tx left. I really hope this finger thing doesn't get worseI've been so upbeat till this past week. Guess we all have to crash sometime. TonLee I too worry that the eyebrows will be next. I don't think there are to many other things left to fall off. I am still shedding hair if you can believe that.
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Lago - I hope your fingers get some relief! I wish I had a suggestion for you.0
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Thanks. I'll be fine. It was about time I started bitching and moaning ;-)
I have chemo on Tuesday with Nurse Ratched so we'll see. I just hope they are not infected. I know my toenail had some fungus because of chemo and the podiatrist cut it off. She said that when your nail beds lift water can get under there and cause infection. Granted standing in (dirty) shower water, more likely to happen to toes nails than fingers. I just don't want my chemo delayed. I want to feel better by Feb 7th… it's my 50th birthday.
BTW what are you doing up so early?
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lago - With the hot flashes sometimes its just easier to get up and start the day!0
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Yes I understand. That's why I get up around 5-5:30am. I just don't understand. I never get flashes when I'm awake… just when I'm asleep. Weird.
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@ Lago,
You've been quite an inspiration to me!! I know that doesn't mean much when your fingers are sore and your arm hurts. I went back to the October chemo post and read ALL your entries, took several hours...but wow, I think you've really handled chemo well so far.
I have read after #4 most women on TCH feel the absolute worst, that 5 & 6 are actually better. Let's hope that is true for you.
My hair doesn't come out on my pillow, but when I brush it in the morning...WHOA. Still hair everywhere else,..GRRRR.
Oh well....maybe I'll find a looks good thingy
Today is my first day going out with fake hair. It's just hat hair, but its nice and long...lol. Going to a family dinner and I expect some really unpleasant comments about it...that's just how they are....oh well.
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TonLee I think the other issue this round is I didn't work out as much. I have just started up again. I am going to walk every day if I don't make it to the club except maybe the day of chemo, the day after nuelasta and the day after that. If I go to the club and do the 70+ minute workout then I will skip a day.
So lets hope 5&6 are better. Wow 5 on Tuesday… the finish line is getting so close.
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On hair loss - an advisor from the American Cancer Society suggested that I not shave my head. As it turns out, I still have side burns and hair at the base of my neck, so I'm glad I did not shave my head. The fluff that's left seems to help protect my scalp also. I bought a wig from TLC for $40 or so and I receive tons of compliments on "my hair." Comments like you look great, love your hair from people who do not know it's a wig. No need to buy expensive wigs or natural hair wigs. I also bought a sleep cap from that catalog and a hat and liner.
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