Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
-
TonLee - drink, drink, drink!! Even when you don't want to.0
-
hi all, my wife had her second TCH this past wednesday followed by Neulasta on Thursday. So far the SEs haven't been that bad and she's getting around pretty well. She had some heartburn from the dexamethasone the day before and day of treatment as well as day after. She was very tired last night and had some hot flashes overnight. She's had some mild nausea which she's been able to manage with the anti-nausea drugs they gave her, fortunately no vomiting nor constipation. She was also pretty achey last night but Aleve was again a big help. She is losing her hair but it has been gradual and now 3 1/2 weeks from her first treatment she still has most of it though it has thinned. She is drinking a lot of fluids and trying to stay as active as possible.
0 -
imatthew - Good to hear you are both doing OK! My second round was the 'best' one as far as SE's. I hope your wife has a light SE cycle. I bought a stand fan from Walmart that has a remote control and placed it at the foot of the bed. When I have hot flashes at night (I often have about 8) I turn it on for a few minutes and it REALLY helps. If you don't have one it might be a nice post-holiday gift for your wife!0
-
TonLee When your temp reaches to 101 you should call/page your onc. Just because you reached 101 doesn't mean they will send you to the emergency room.
As far as UTI I hear many women are experiencing them. Mostly due to being thrown into chemopause. Women do experience more UTI after menopause. You might not be able to solve this issue homeopathic since you are on chemo. Contact your onc before it gets out of hand .I too recommend drinking lots, especially cranberry juice. I used to get UTIs all the time when I was in my early 20's. (You don't want to know what they did to solve that but I haven't had once since then).
… and as I mentioned I have to do several things to keep the constipation at bay. It's not just the metaucil. The dried apricots and probiotic (stool softener) are also key.
imatthew I don't know what I would do without Aleve! I'm on day 6 and finally feel great. Granted I think my taste buds will start to go now but my energy and achy-ness is now gone.
0 -
Tonlee I definitely think you should call onco..they told me if temp reaches 100.5 also the shivering is not good. Are you home alone?
Constipation I was able to keep this under control with miralax until the last two TX. Tried some of lago's dried apricots. This was after a prune juice/miralax cocktail failed me. Also tried to drink as much water as possible. If your nausea is under control....salads worked wonders also.
Hope you are feeling better by this time. Think about how much moola you are paying the oncologist and don't mind calling them.
Libraylil
0 -
libraylil - Which day is your surgery?0
-
Omaz Day after tomorrow Jan 4th. I have been cleaning like a maniac today. Keeping my mind off of everything. Painting furniture pulls, picture frames, etc. Anything.The BS told me I would spend the night because of the drain and to make sure my pain was controlled. I kept thinking "pain" wait a minute...I never thought of that. I'm trying to find someone that had to come home with a drain so I know what to take to wear home. Do you need a bra, etc. How loose , etc. I hate for Dr. Cute to see me without my Joan Crawford penciled in eyebrows. Or any hot doctors for that matter. Also I am in pre surgery whine mode. Libray Lil0
-
Just a quick update.
I woke this morning and the fever was gone. It worried us more than a little bit that even with Tylenol the fever was present. But by this morning it was gone..whew.
I'm drinking enough water and other fluids to float away on....I've always been an 8 glass a dayer and now its way more....but I moderate with water and caloric drinks to keep the electrolytes balanced.
My back hurts today, from all the muscle spasms. And I'm really tired. But I'm hoping the Neulasta shot did its job and my body is fighting any potential infection.
Lago...I READ what happened to stop your UTIs. I'd suffer through that once if it really worked...and was my problem. Why does chemopause cause UTIs?
I'll see how things er, move tomorrow, today was a dud. lol Though according to the scale I lost 5 pounds in 24 hours....is that even possible? I didn't actually "do" that much...but losing means it put me back to my "normal" non-steroid weight....
Tuesday Herceptin......that might well....TMI I know....
0 -
TonLee Yes you can lose 5 lbs in 24 hours. I do it from fluid after I'm back on the steroids every cycle. If you lose 5 lbs in 24 hours and it's from diarrhea then it could lead to a more serious problem (dehydrated).
UTI's more common (menopause) because of the hormone changes:
"Menopause. The risk for UTIs, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, is highest in women after menopause. This is primarily due to estrogen loss, which thins the walls of the urinary tract and reduces its ability to resist bacteria. Estrogen loss can also reduce certain immune factors in the vagina that help block E. coli from adhering to vaginal cells."
source: http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_risk_factors_urinary_tract_infections__000036_4.htmlibraylil I have to laugh. We all cleaned like crazy before surgery. Totally glad I did too. I also clean before my chemo too because I know I will be kind of zombie like for a few days after. I was given a "bra" at the hospital to wear. I recommend a loose shirt with front closer to hide the drains. Ideally a shirt where the arm holes/sleeves are loose too. Easier to get in an out of. Maybe consider an over-sized front zip hoodie.
0 -
Libra,
If you take a few diaper pins (big ones) you can attach the drains to any of the shirts you wear. I wore a camisol with a a shelf bra, and a long sleeve button up over that on chilly days..I just fastened the drain inside the camisol/tank top with pins.
0 -
Thanks Lago...good info!!
0 -
TonLee - The onc nurse coordinator said I could drink up to 1 gallon without worrying about electrolytes.0
-
lago and tonlee thanks for tips on what to wear.
tonlee glad your temp is down and you are feeling better. Stay well.
libary lil
0 -
libraylil I just wore a hoodie and stuck the drain bulb in the pocket. Be careful though, every once in a while the drain tubing would get caught on a doorknob or something and yank the heck out of it, hurts real bad. Never yanked it out though, but seems a miracle as hard as I puleed it a few times. Once I put the bulb in pocket of shorts, but again a massive pull when I forgot it was there and went to pee, decided the top is a better place to keep the thing. If you pin it in just remember to unpin before pulling off your top or you will be stuck in pain while you try and get that shirt back on to un-pin
good luck, I did not need any pain pills other than advil once I left the hospital so you may be ok0 -
I too did not need any pain meds, not even tylenol, not even meds in the hospital but of course everyone is different. Funny but I didn't take my first Ibuprofen/Aleve till they hit me with that Nuelasta shot after chemo.
0 -
Omaz...I think the cracked ribs are a result of radiation. I finished rads exactly 1 year ago. I have one craked rib that looks like an "older" event, but did not show up on any xrays since 2009. The other is a newer crack, but again I don't know how it happened. I am lining up physical therapy txs, (3 a week for 4 weeks). My theropist does kenesio taping and says that will really help stabalize the rib cage.
Iowa Sue...Please be careful about sitting in the strong sun after rads. Your skin is supersensitive to UV rays and the sun can damage exposed radiated areas. You might want to read this....
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/578284?page=284
Libraylil...Ask your surgeon for a script for a "surgical camisol" (if he doesn't provide one). These are availble at most medical supply stores or online. My surgeon gave me a Softee. It has a muffler style pocket built into the bottom hem to hold the drain bulbs (no pins etc) and it comes with soft polyester breast forms for a little shape at the top. I still wear mine around the house or a quick trip to the store all the time and I plan to get a couple more in colors. They tend to run large and I wore a small even though I was 140lbs and 44" bra size. Check out Softees at:
0 -
Omaz...I think the cracked ribs are a result of radiation. I finished rads exactly 1 year ago. I have one craked rib that looks like an "older" event, but did not show up on any xrays since 2009. The other is a newer crack, but again I don't know how it happened. I am lining up physical therapy txs, (3 a week for 4 weeks). My theropist does kenesio taping and says that will really help stabalize the rib cage.
Iowa Sue...Please be careful about sitting in the strong sun after rads. Your skin is supersensitive to UV rays and the sun can damage exposed radiated areas. You might want to read this....
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/578284?page=284
Libraylil...Ask your surgeon for a script for a "surgical camisol" (if he doesn't provide one). These are availble at most medical supply stores or online. My surgeon gave me a Softee. It has a muffler style pocket built into the bottom hem to hold the drain bulbs (no pins etc) and it comes with soft polyester breast forms for a little shape at the top. I still wear mine around the house or a quick trip to the store all the time and I plan to get a couple more in colors. They tend to run large and I wore a small even though I was 140lbs and 44" bra size. Check out Softees at:
0 -
Thanks I will be careful. I think the rad. area will be covered for the most part. I jokingly asked the Ro about tanning in a tanning bed and covering my chest with a towel and he said he would rather see me do that than get a sun burn, but I won't tan, I don't have time. I will use a good tanning lotion to keep from burning and I'll keep the rad. area covered.
BTW I love Fl. and I am so excited to be visiting again, my 7th time, really wish I could move there but cannot talk hubby into it yet.
Take care, Sue
Diagnosis: 6/18/2010, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/7 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+0 -
#5 is done, thank God!!! Definitely the worst, as far as SE's go. I could do nothing from Friday till last night exept sit-and-stare. It would take all the energy I had just to walk from one room of the house to another. Felt like a horrible case of the flu (complete with respiritory issues and chills and fever). I had similar symptoms after #4, but not as intense. Today, though, exept for a slight stuffy nose, I feel pretty okay. Only one more to go! Then we can get on to the easier stuff.
As for hair...eyelashes are almost gone. Think I'm going to get some fake ones today and try them out. Eyebrows are quite thin - I use a pencil to darken them, and that seems to work pretty well. Hair on my head has continued to grow slowly after the initial fall-out. It's super thin, but growing. I have had to shave my legs throughout - one of the great ironies of life, I suppose...
BUT...ONLY ONE MORE TO GO!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How are you other #5 girls doing?
0 -
bbryant04 sorry you are having it so tough.
I'm actually doing great. I was a zombie Wed- Saturday but I think that's from the support meds. Been great ever since. My taste buds just changed a little and my tongue is not sore (both are usually an issue by now). I also don't seem to have any nosebleeds and that usually starts by Sunday. I also lost 6 lbs of fluid overnight so I don't feel all bloated either.
The only issue I have now is my thumb that was killing me and was swollen is now oozing a little and smells like my sister's feet.. It doesn't hurt anymore nor is it swollen. I emailed my onc yesterday afternoon but no response. Resent this morning… still waiting. I'm concerned that this could become infected.
0 -
my wife had her first rough night last night (2nd TCH was on 12/29), weird dreams, dizziness, headache). She's doing ok this morning, hoping it gets better tonight.
0 -
Wow you girls are tough that give your own shots! I cant even look when a needle goes into me. I am doing my 3rd round of TCH on Friday. Half way done with TC after that round yeahhhhhhh!
The one thing that is driving me nuts is that for the past 4 mornings I've been waking up with a bad headache. This morning was no exception, it woke me up at 4am and though I wanted to just lay in bed and sleep I knew if I didn't wake up and take something it would only get worse. Headaches are not the norm for me.
Speaking of sleep I found out what my problem was a couple of weeks ago. I misunderstood my directions on the my pills after chemo (I blame it on chemo!!) and had been taking my dexamethosone too often and not as prescribled. Once I figured it out, my sleep improved. I felt a bit silly!
0 -
Nora I had two weeks of bad headaches, and the last three days of it my blood pressure went sky high. It resolved on its own...they did blood work and everything was normal. (I actually have to walk in CARRYING my head before they'd actually scan/test for anything else.)
I have read headaches can be a side effect of Herceptin.
Just took a Herceptin today and it makes me feel icky. Not bad like the TCH, but just not "right." And the taste....yuk.
0 -
TonLee...
I was wondering myself if it was high blood pressure. I can feel my heartbeat really strong and something I'm not used to.
My blood work has been normal too....let's hope for all of us it continues!
0 -
I had herceptin only today and am running a slightly elevated temp, 99.7, anyone else get this with herceptin only?
0 -
Nora, I hope it resolves...it took mine almost 2 weeks...was in agony.
Omaz, my normal temp is 97 (hypothyroid)...it only goes up when I'm sick...I didn't realize we take treatment on the same day..Tuesday!!
0 -
Nora - I have just finished all 6 treatments of TCH and I remember after my 4th that everytime I moved my pulse would start racing. It was really unsettling. Also my legs felt heavy like lead. Then when I went back in to get #5 my Onc looked at my bloods and it turned out I was anaemic and needed a blood transfusion. I did feel better after having that. But then you say your bloods have been normal. Well halfway for you - YAH!
0 -
Hi Everyone! Just wanted to wish all a Happy New Year! I was very happy to leave 2010 in a box packed safely away in the past.
In that one year, I lost 7 people I cared about, 3 to breast cancer, and 4 under the age of 50 (29, 36, 42, and 47) who were seemingly basically healthy who just died unexpectedly. To say that 2010 was a hard year for me is an understatement. I think 2009, the year I was diagnosed and had chemo, surgery, and radiation was easier!
I'm praying the Grim Reaper takes a vacation far far away from my friends and family in 2011.
The holidays were low key and quiet (for the most part), just the way I like them. We were supposed to travel to Norfolk, VA to visit family over Christmas, but I was worried about the weather and cancelled the trip and stayed local in Maryland. Glad I did, Norfolk got 14 inches of snow! *eek!*
I had a follow-up with my Onc in December. We discussed the new Zometa findings and decided together to pull it from my treatment plan. So now I'm just on Tamoxifen through 2014.
I have a follow-up with my plastic surgeon on Friday. I have my revision to the DIEP coming up on Feb 17, 2011. Nip, tuck, lipo, and reducing/lifting my right side to match my left.
I got a new pedometer today to start my 10,000 steps per day walking plan.
Anywhoo, that's really all that's new in my world. I added a new pic. I'm wearing a wig for the winter because my hair is growing but not evenly and its wholly uncooperative right now and I don't have the energy to fight it. I'm getting it all shaved off again and will give it another go, later.
My theme for 2011...Begin Again.
0 -
Alaina - I wish you a happy and healthy New Year!!! I am looking forward to working back up to 10,000 steps, thanks for reminding me of my pedometer, I am going to fish it out of the box!.0
-
I need to start doing something about my exercise regime too. Before I found out I had BC I was walk/running on the treadmill at the gym 2 miles per day and also doing rebound classes 2 days per week. I had DIEP and now chemo and I'm using it for an excuse these days why I don't have to do anything. I need to move my butt!
0
