Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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About food...my onc. said to eat whatever sounded good to me, didn't give me ANY restrictions, other than not to drink alcohol because even a relatively small amount (can't remember exactly - seems like 1 drink a day, or maybe one drink a week) exponentially raises the potential for recurrence in HER2+ folks. Not a problem for me because I'm not a drinker (I think the last time I had a drink was 2 years ago when DH and I went to Savannah...) And he told me specifically that green tea was a good thing and would help with fatigue. I have also found that those days after tx when everything tastes nasty, hot green tea with a touch of honey and milk seems to consistantly taste pretty good.
About having every SE - I lied. I have not had any nail issues other than them being a little more brittle. As long as I keep them cut, they look great. And neuropathy has been minimal and sporadic. Lago, I hope your thumb heals quickly...I know how bad my son's feet smell (I think you said it smells like your sister's feet), and I can't imagine eating popcorn (or anything else!!!) that's been exposed to them :)
That's got to be frustrating!!!! 0 -
Well all my finger nails look like crap now it's just the thumb that stinks. I'm sure they will look better come July. ;-)
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July?
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my oncologist told me to enjoy a glass of wine on occasion. What Bryant said makes me wonder now! I have never been a heavy drinker but the past 2 years I have enjoyed a glass of wine every night. That stopped once I had surgery and then chemo. I didnt want to drink after surgery because of the pain meds.....then during chemo because it tastes horrible now.
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Sunflower: I have to be a the hospital at 6:30 am for the surgery tomorrow-I'm grateful it's early since I can't eat or drink after midnight and then there's the wire localization, etc so I don't how long I'll be there before the actual surgery happens. I'm really grouchy today
because I threw away the birth control pills at the time of my diagnosis and I had taken them for 20+ years to control miserable, painful periods. Well, of course, it figures that today I started my period and it's awful just like the old days and I can't take anything (except Tylenol which is useless) because of the surgery tomorrow-ARGHHH! Sorry to whine and I know this will soon be the least of my worries but I'm at work with cramps until 8:30 pm tonight and want to scream...On a positive note, I'm actually looking forward to surgery as the first step in being cancer free
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Dragonfly, Chemo will take care of those periods. I haven't had one since chemo started… but anyone with menstrual cramps is allowed to bitch. Before ibuprofen I used to pass out with pain. Yes I remember when the came out with it in the 80's. It changed my life.
bbryant04 July seem long enough for the nails to grow out… and I'm hoping my hair looks good enough not to wear scarves by then.
I have never been much of a drinker. Granted I think I've had maybe 2-3 glasses since chemo started Oct 5th. I did give up Diet Dr. Pepper. Used to have one every morning since 1983. I've had one since chemo started. Don't want to upset the stomach. I'm already taking 2 prescription drugs for heartburn and I still have some issues during the first few days after chemo.
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Lago...
My period is GONE now. Dang I had just bought a jumbo box of tampons 1 1/2 months ago too! I guess I'll give them to my sister. Either that or keep them in the powder room so my guests who are desperate can look in the cabinet breath a sigh of relief when they need one.
It's not going down without a count however, I still spot on occasion, not too often anymore though.
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Nora you're going love my story. I was told on chemo not to use tampons so before surgery and chemo I went to buys some pads. Well I've never worn them let alone purchased them. I'm in Walgreens staring at all these difference brands, absorbencies, lengths… some even fly (wings).
So I end up having to ask this other women looking at them what I should buy. Keep in mind I'm 49 yo! Oh and I haven't opened the package either.
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Lago: Yes, I would give anything for some Ibuprofen right now! Instead I'm drinking lots of fluids as instructed prior to the surgery which is only compounding how awful I feel. Good news that these periods will soon be a thing of the past...0
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Dragonfly do you have a hot water bottle thingy you can fill with warm water? If not send someone to the drug store to get you one. Or maybe those hot things they use for the back.0
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Lago: Yes, I have both at home...but I'm at work for 2 more hours so I have to hang in there a bit longer and then I can go home and cuddle up with the hot water bottle and heating pad:) DH is busy fixing a nice dinner before I'm cut off from food and water at midnight too!0
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Lago....
That is too funny! I have to admit I wouldn't know what to get either. I'd look funny asking strangers too since I'm 47!
Good story!
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Dragonfly.....I hear your pain! I used to get cramps so bad before I had my first born. I used to have to spend one day in the fetal postion in bed.
I hope you get some sort of relief tonight XXX Good Luck with the surgery
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Herceptin #14 done today!!! Three more to go, last one scheduled for March 10. CT scans and brain MRI scheduled for next month, final surgery for reconstruction in March. It's been almost a year since this nightmare started and I still have so much more to do!!! If I could have an entire month with no doctor visits I wouldn't know what to do with all my free time. Wishing everyone a happy and SE free weekend!
Jennifer
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Jennifer...
You finish Herceptin the day before I finish TC treatments.
Fingers and toes crossed for a clear MRI!
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all when I was getting ready for the wire localization the rad nurse told me my fingernails didn't look too bad and asked if I iced them. Well, that was not one of the side effects mentioned to me in BC training and I heard first on this board after I was well into TCH. She said "I wish they would tell patients about this.". My soreness has gone away and the black stripes are growing out. libraylil0
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Icing helps during the taxotere infusion. My place offered it automatically - came in with ziploc baggies full of ice chips before the T was started. It sure did help.
Although - on Herceptin only - my nails are still weak. Thumbs the worst. Curious to see if this resolves since Herceptin is done now. Toe nails were never a problem.
So, I met with oncologist on Wednesday to go over next steps since the treatment part is done. Follow ups every 4 months with him for 5 years. Also following up with BS for next 5 years as well. No tests planned, other than bloodwork, at my followups.
Curious to see if my joints get better the farther out from Herceptin I get. Sure hope so.
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All I can say is ice your fingers during taxotere… you don't want to happen to you what happened to my fingers/nails. I know that most people don't have it happen as bad as I did but you never know if you will be the one. Had I know I would have done this. Just the smell alone from my thumb would motivate you if you could smell it.
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Hi everyone, I'm 31 diagnosed in September of 2010. Had mx on the left side . I'm stage 1 with no lymph nodes and 0.6 cm of IDC. I have 6 cycles of TCH . Just completed number 4 couple days ago and noticed a new wonderful side effect- my fingers are numb. Is this normal does it the feeling come back after chemo? I have sleeping issues so I take Ambien that helps but still wake up in the middle of the night and can't sleep, stomach issues, headaches and now the yips of my fingers... ugh..hate this whole thing. Thank God I still have hair due to cold caps but shedding a lot lately. Ladies all of you who finised chemo but are still on herceptin how are the side effects from Herceptin alone? Did you keep your ports or are you using your veins?
Thank you
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WHOO HOO!!! Today is the 1 year anniversary of my diagnosis, and also my final herceptin treatment! I never thought this day would come!!! So, for all of you who are going down this road, it really did go by very fast. You will be done before you know it.
Thanks everyone for all your help. This board has been such an amazing form of support for me.
V
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Congratulations, Vmarie. This board is the best, isn't it? I often say I would not have made it through without all these wonderful ladies.
Zlota - I kept my port until Herceptin was done. I think most women do. It makes the infusions so much easier. The Herceptin-only was SO much easier. I would drive myself over (I declined the benadryl, because I hated being sleepy) and then just go back to work. I felt a little funny the day after, and my pee smelled like the medicine. But that's about it. It is NOTHING like chemo. You are making good progress through the hard part (only 2 more to go!) - and then it really gets easier.
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zlota if the fingers are numb that could be neuropathy. You need to let you onc know about this. I have a numb heel and did have some numbness in my left hand. I started taking Acetyl-L-Carnitine 500mg once a day for this and only have some numbness in my left heel. I've been told that most of the time it goes away but if you are having a serious issue they might need to lower your dosage… so be sure to tell your onc.
You should also discuss what you should take for your stomach issues. I assume heartburn? Initally I was on Prilosec but that didn't work. I was then put on Protonix and that did help until my 4th tx. I am now taking something else with Protonix that I took years ago but not typical for most people.
BTW TX 4 has been my worst. I am 11 days post tx 5.
------------------------------Way to go V !!! No more Herceptin for you. When are you getting your port removed?
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VMarie - Congrats on completing Herceptin!! It is a great feeling isn't it!!! Happy deporting!
zlota - As Amy mentioned, Herceptin only not so bad. I also refused the benadryl, but did take the tylenol. I would do the infusion, about 1 1/4 hours with the Port accessing figured into that and waiting for the drugs to get mixed, then go into work. Aside from an occasional upset stomach about the third day after, and the stiff joints in the morning, Herceptin was easy when compared to Chemo.
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Hi - new to this post - starting Monday with TCH. Congrats to all the wonderful women that are on the other side.....
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Welcome Annemomofthree!0
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Hi Ladies,I think the chemo causes the nose bleeds, my last TCH was Dec. 6th and I haven't had any nose bleeds just doing hecp. and I still have hercptin weekly. I don't think I have any se just doing herceptin, except diarrhea the 3rd & 4th day after. I started doing rad. Dec.27th and that causes some fatigue, not enough to keep me from doing anything.
I had my PS appointment at Mayo in Rochester, Mn today, 3 1/2 hr. from home. Lady PS she is nice and YOUNG she looked only 30-35 a Canadian. I was hoping to get started this spring maybe 2 months after radiation but, my port is kinda low and a little in the way so she thought it would be better to wait until I am done with herceptin in Aug. plus the recovery time for DIEP is a good 2 months and I don't want to be recovering in the summer, I have a date of Oct. 18th. I'm a little sad about waiting that long, but I know it is for the best plus it will give my skin time to heal from rad. I was also glad to be a perfect candidate for this surgery and she told me not to lose any weight, or I wouldn't have enough fat to form breast.
I hope everyone has a good weekend! SE free
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Sue - are they going to switch you to herceptin every 3 weeks now that you are done with chemo? I also haven't had any nosebleeds on just herceptin (have had 2 heceptin only 3 weeks apart) but did during chemo.0
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I thought I was going to be doing herceptin every three wks after chemo, until I got to that point then Onc. says no we do it weekly til your done with rad. so three more wk. herc. then every three wks. YAYfor less appointments.
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Hooray! I had the lumpectomy/SNB yesterday and all went well. The surgeon is telling me that the margins are clear and the SNB looks good (still have to wait for the final pathology just in case but still sounds great!) It was quite a day because I had a horrific migraine and even though they let me take imitrex I couldn't get rid of it. I think the migraine was worse than anything else (well, it's a close tie with the wire localization because my tumor was close to the chest wall and 8 cm in so the wire placement really hurt in spite of the lidocaine). In recovery, I laughed and told the nurse that I had smurf urine from the blue dye and got a blank stare because she didn't know what a smurf is...ha! ha! I'm feeling old at 41:) I'm obviously not sleeping (it's 3:30 am) but I'm feeling fine, using lots of ice and only taking Tylenol. So glad to be moving forward...
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Great news Dragonfly!!!0
