Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Nora I hear you. I had been keeping up with aerobic exercise till tx4. I just started again with the aerobic but can't really do much those 4-5 days after chemo. Today I started my lower body strength training again. Not as bad as I thought just my legs are stiffer than ever before from chemo. Makes lunges challenging although the squats weren't too bad. The stretching of my legs was limited due to the stiffness.
I'll be out power walking again today. Who knows maybe back on the elliptical at the gym tomorrow. I have to admit I do feel pretty good after that strength training I did a little while ago. Gets the blood pumping.
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lago,
Do you worry about using the gym while on chemo? My husband got it in my head that it may not be a good place to be while I'm on chemo because of what I can catch there ie: staph infections etc (and the flu is running rampant in AZ the past week or two)
I "parked" my membership till June and figured I'd just do daily walks which of course I haven't been doing.
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I was concerned but at chemo training they said I could even eat sushi as well as go to the gym. Granted I do get the Nuelasta shot and they also gave me a flu shot at my 2nd chemo. I just use the elliptical and treadmill. I stay away from the machines/weights because you really would have to wipe those off. I do wipe off the handles controls of the elliptical and treadmill both before and after I start.
But I was not brave enough to eat the cookie dough when I made cookies several times. I didn't want to push it.
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I get the Nuelasta shot too. I hear that's supposed to help a lot but I really don't know much about it. I have heard other's complain that they dont like it but I haven't noticed a thing when I get mine. Both times I got it the nurse took it out of the fridge, handed it to my husband and told him roll it with his hands to warm it up for me. She comes back in about 3 minutes and gives it to me. I can barely feel it. (and I am a self proclaimed BIG whimp)
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I have SE from Nuelasta but nothing that Aleve can't take the edge off of. I rather have it then worry about what I can eat and where I can go.
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Do you have problems with very loose stools? It's so bad for me that sometimes I'm afraid to leave the house for fear I wont get to a bathroom in time (hasnt happened yet thank goodness!) Anything I eat goes through me within 45 minutes for the first 1 1/2 weeks.
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Nora, diarrhea is a very typical SE. Most people take Imodium (over the counter) for that. Be sure you don't get dehydrated. If you lose more than 5lbs, can't pee or can't drink liquids call you onc. Avoid milk products. Eat foods high in potassium and stay away from high fiber foods. Also avoid caffeine, carbonated drinks, greasy foods, spicy foods. Eat several small meals instead of a few big ones.
In my case I had the opposite problem which is not the norm but happens. I know what day I start to get constipated so I start the Metamucil the night before. Funny but before I started chemo a purchased all the drugs they recommended. I have never used the Immodium or any of the nausea drugs to date.
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Nora, I am on the constipated side as well. I thought I would rather have your issue, until you put it that way. At least I have forever to find a bathroom.
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- Hi everyone-Just wondering if anyone lives near me on Long Island and happens to have an oncologist in this area that you really like? The two centers really close to me are the Sloan Kettering Center in Commack (satellite of NYC) and the Stonybrook Medical Center Breast Care Center...anyone familiar with either one or have any opinions or specific oncologists names? I know that after my surgery on Friday I'll need to meet with an oncologist soon. Just trying to gather some info at this point in preparation...
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Tonlee I agree the Herceptin "stinks". I've been on a vacation from it until after my lumpectomy (yesterday). It was definitely better when I drank lots of water, but it was a weird metallic smell and taste. libraylil0
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When I was on Herceptin, I really hated the way it would smell when I peed. I could smell the drug for a day or two. But I have to say - the stuff that is such a big thing now will really fade in your memory as the experience becomes part of your history. Not to downplay how much it sucks NOW, but keep in mind it is only temporary and soon you will be saying "I remember when" just like I do.
But WHAT is up with cookie dough? Is that a health risk? If so, I should probably be dead by now. So someone let me know please.....
Re the gym - I did stay away during the low immune system periods. Plus I didn't like going when I was bald. I walked and ran a lot outside - but it was summer when I was going through it. I am careful now to use the antiseptic wipes on the machines but who knows.........
Stay strong ladies. Every day that passes is a day you are closer to being DONE.
(And being done is AWESOME!!!!!)
Love to you all
Amy
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Amy - how was the DIEP recovery? Did you have bi lat mx? I did, I go for my reconstruction appointment Fri. at the Mayo clinic in Rochester MN, I don't even know what to ask, except how soon can I do it. Are you satisfied with the out come? I really like the tummy tuck idea. I really need it after gaining 15 pound since diagnosed. I never had a weight issue now I'm at 150 . i didn't even weight that pregnant with any of my 3 girls.Frustrating.
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AmyIsStrong the issue with cookie dough is the raw egg. Raw egg can have salmonella although it's not from the inside of the egg its the shell that's the issue. I've never had a problem either but I just wanted to be safe. This is not the time for that odd chance that I might get sick from it.
from: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/focus_on_shell_eggs/index.asp#3
"How Does Salmonella Infect Eggs?
Bacteria can be on the outside of a shell egg. That's because the egg exits the hen's body through the same passageway as feces is excreted. That's why eggs are washed and sanitized at the processing plant. Bacteria can be inside an uncracked, whole egg. Contamination of eggs may be due to bacteria within the hen's ovary or oviduct before the shell forms around the yolk and white. SE doesn't make the hen sick. It is also possible for eggs to become infected by Salmonella Enteritidis fecal contamination through the pores of the shells after they're laid. "0 -
While we are on the subject of food....I was told to avoid fresh fruits and veggies during days 7-14. During my first round, I could not stand the thought of them any way. But, this time around as I edge closer to my 3rd round I have actually craved salad. I want a big, crunchy, veggie filled salad! I think my body is trying to tell me something. Are we really expected to not eat things that are good for you? What do you ladies do? What if I wash it really well?
It's the herceptin that makes our pee stink? I thought it was just me, sigh of relief!
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sunflower - I ate salads throughout chemo. The only thing I didn't eat/drink at times was citrus, tomato and spicy. I figured the neulasta was doing it's job and felt comfortable. I did get a lot of gas from beans, more than normal, and had bloating which I attributed to the steroids/taxotere. The bloating could have been from something in my diet combined with the chemo though, I don't know.0
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I think my onco is a bit of an alarmist. She has also told me to quit work (apparently I am independently wealthy) and she freaked when I told her I am running a 1/2 marathon on Saturday. I have complete faith in her, but there are somethings I choose to ignore. We still have to live. Omaz, you are right. The neulasta will do it's job. Yum, salad!
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I was not told to avoid any food during chemo.
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Sunflower~ My onc. said that I could have salad but I couldn't get it from the salad bar and I had to make it. I craved greek salad for 3 treatments and now I don't want to look at them...lol...
Alaina~ You look awesome. I do have to ask why are you shaving your hair rather than just cutting it even ??
As for me I passed two years since my diagnosis and I only have 50+ to go
. I am still getting myself back together after chemo. and all of the surgeries. Most days I feel fantastic but there are days to where I still just want to go back to bed. Today is one of them but I have WAY, WAY too much to do. I still have not started back exercising and I think that is a large part of my problem. I used to love to run and go to the gym but I have not seen the inside of my gym in 2 years. My hair is about to the top of my shoulder but I keep getting it cut to even it out and get rid of the chemo fuzz. I am FINALLY done with my reconstruction after 8 surgeries and I love my results. So now to get off of here and get my backside moving. Hang in there ladies, it does get better.
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sunflower71 during one chemo when my wbc was really, really low I was told to not eat any fruits/vegs that could not be peeled. Don't eat from salad bar. After my wbc's went up I went back to salads and fresh fruits. My oncologist told me it was my decision to work or not. I continued to work, taking the chemo day off. I think what we need to do for our mental well being is very important. libray lil0
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Hey Jamieh,
Cutting it all off WOULD be making it even since I have 3 spots that stubbornly refuse to grow.
Hopefully we'll all be getting together soon, it's been too long.
Alaina
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Dragonfly1 best of luck with your surgery tomorrow. What time is it?
Sunflower71, I read the same as others have mentioned, not from the salad bar, but ok to have veggies. I assumed it is bacause you don't know how the salad bar is being handled, rehandled and if it is kept at correct temp etc. My oncologist didn't actually say not to eat anything. I agree, with Neulasta it is not much of a concern. Which treatment are you on? I couldn't run a half marathon as I am not trained up for it but my normal level of activity didn't seem to be too compromised until afte #4 so good luck! I have worked the whole time as well (so far, 2 more to go) and also pull my hair off in the car on the way home daily lol.
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I was told not to eat any uncooked fruits/vegs that could not be washed/scrubbed. Examples are strawberries, blueberries, lettuce. It is not the item itself but any bacteria that could have attached to it (perhaps in the field or through pickers' unwashed hands). Items that can be washed well were fine. I stayed away from salads and those types of items in the low-immune period after chemo (which, if I remember correctly, was days 8-12 or something like that). I didn't get the Neulasta/Neupogen shot. So I just stayed away from those items for that short period and then went back to eating normally - or whatever was normal for chemo, anyway.
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I was told I could eat anything I can handle. As mentioned I'm on nuelasta. My white counts have been normal. Yes I actually do eat sushi and losts of spicy food as long as my mouth isn't sore. I eat salads all the time both home made & restaurant. I haven't eaten salad at a salad bar since the late 80's when I got food poisoning .
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sunflower71 I was also told that women who work tend to do better while doing chemo at chemo training. It was one of the reasons why I used to call my chemo nurse practitioner Nurse Ratched… she mentioned that after I told her I had been laid off several months before.
Also exercise was encouraged. If I hadn't kept up at least some of my exercising I would be feeling crappy. Last round I didn't exercise as much and I think that's why I felt worse. Bottom line is do what you can but don't overdue. Listen to your body.
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Lago - Haven't you had nosebleeds? After #4 I had a sinus infection...not sure if it was a sinus infection or SE, but ended up with antibiotics. Same thing happened after #5 - tx was Monday, Neulasta Tuesday, by Friday night I was super congested, flu-like, fevery, etc., so we called it a SE from Neulasta, most likely. ANYWAY, nosebleeds started about the same time - every time I blow my nose it bleeds, and I blow out raisin-sized clots frequently (I know this is gross, but not sure if I should call dr.). Haven't had any spontaneous bleeding, and actually feel better today than I have since #5. THEN a little while ago, I was sitting at my desk at work and my nose started running...but it was the first spontaneous nosebleed. Didn't last long, but kinda weirds me out a little. Whatdya think?
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Yup that's Herceptin causing those nosebleeds and bleeding when you blow your nose. Happens to me 1 week after each tx. I though I got out of it this time but it started a day later than normal. When I mentioned it to my onc she said Herceptin does that but they don't know why.
It should stop in about a week. I find keeping my inner nose moist with Vaseline really helps a lot and minimizes the spontaneous bleeds. Be sure to gently blow your nose.
This round was the first time I got a little stuffy but I'm better now.
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Glad there's only one more to go!!! Oh wait, Herceptin....Just kidding. But I'll go to every 3rd week with it (right now I'm doing it every week, not sure if everyone has the same schedule). I think I have had every SE there is (except vomiting...I have not done that any, thank God).
I'm beginning to feel like my parents...had to get a daily pill reminder because I now have to take potassium twice a day, magnesium once a day, and iron three times a day thanks to the depletion of all the good stuff...the days following tx when I take the anti-nausea meds, I feel like all I do is take medicine! But, taking iron orally certainly is more palatable to me than getting a blood transfusion!
Sorry to sound so negative - I'm really not... Just soooooo ready for this to be over, or at least to move past the TCH stage of things... I choose to believe that the rest of the treatment will be a piece of cake compared to this part!
And in a few weeks my hair will be allowed to start growing back healthily!!!! To have hair by summer...maybe that's not too much to hope for...
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The only thing I was told not to eat is sushi. That was it. I never thought about the raw cookie dough till lago said something but it makes sense. I should avoid raw egg products as well.
I was also told to have someone else clean the cat litter and to not let my cat bite or scratch me. My doctor said they'd dealt with infections on 3 patients in one week from cat bites/scratches. My cat is very playful and he's not understanding "mom" not playing with like I used to.
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No one ever told me about cookie dough I just know it makes sense.
bbryant04 I hear you about all the drugs. Iwas at the dermatologist today and had to list all the drugs I had been on in the last 4 weeks. Shocked I remembered.
I got a new one today. My thumb under the nail is infected (smells really bad). Dermatologist prescribed a double dose of antibiotic. Hope the it gets the smell to go away. I now eat popcorn with my left hand. ;-)
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Ohhhh Lago I am so sorry to hear that. I am so thankful I dont have problems with my nails. After my 1st round my nail beds were a bit sore but that went away and thankfully never returned. 3rd round tomorrow.
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