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Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

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Comments

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2011

    Yay Betty… I'm right behind you. I've been getting my herceptin every 3 weeks along with my chemo. I have assumed most of my SE except for the nose bleeds are from chemo. BTW Happy hair growing to you.

    Dragonfly: "In stage IA, the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and has not spread outside the breast." source: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/breast/Patient/page2#Keypoint12

    I assume your HER2+ test was the FISH test. 7.1 refers the ratio of copiesof the HER-2/neu gene to the contromeric probe for chromosone 17. Anything above 2.2 is amplified. BTW mine was 15. Not sure if I'm all that happy about having such a high number. Undecided

  • IowaSue45
    IowaSue45 Member Posts: 422
    edited January 2011

    bbryant- Congrats !! hope it is soon a past memory.

  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 1,589
    edited January 2011

    Good luck tomorrow Lago!! LAST ONE  ~ WOO HOO!!!

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited January 2011
    TonLee - How are you doing?
  • IowaSue45
    IowaSue45 Member Posts: 422
    edited January 2011
    Lago- we are both crossing a milestone tomorrow, I hope you have very little se and get back to feeling good soon !!! My last Rad. and this means my apppointments will be down to 1 every 3 weeks  Laughing
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2011
    Whoo Hoo Sue. We are getting there. Are those apointments for Herceptin? I too will have to continue every 3 weeks for the Herceptin. Not sure when the will start the arimidex. You get a pass on that stuff.
  • elaineg
    elaineg Member Posts: 85
    edited January 2011

    Sue and Lago congrats on last chemo today! 

  • PGK
    PGK Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2011

    Hi all.  I have my last TCH this Friday and I am so excited.  My onc reduced my steroids for #5 because she thought it was causing some of my more severe side effects.  Unfortunately, I appears that I have a new problem -- feet and ankle swelling.  Is this normal and does it go away?  I didn't notice this at all with #1- #4.  Other that elevating your legs, does anyone have tips for reducing the swelling?  They would be much appreciated !

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited January 2011
    GK1 - I think the swelling is from the taxotere mostly.  Some have gotten relief using a diuretic but this is not true for all.  Some onc will prescribe one, some won't.  Definitely show your onc!  Hey - Congrats on the final one - yay!!!
  • PGK
    PGK Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2011

    Thanks, Omaz!  We have very similar diagnoses.  Are you finished with TCH already?  I'm wondering because my onc wants to talk with me about Tamox at our next appointment.  Just curious about your next steps.  I have 12 more sessions Herceptin after this Friday.  I thought that the tamox discussion would not come up until after they were over, but I guess I was wrong?

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited January 2011
    GK - We do have a very similar diagnosis!  You do not need radiation?  I am doing radiation now and continuing with the herceptin until Aug.  I think my onc is going to do the tamoxifen after rads. I was tossed into menopause by chemo and am now 52 so it will probably be permanent (I was having regular periods before).  I am not sure how they decide when to do what!
  • libraylil
    libraylil Member Posts: 325
    edited January 2011

    gkh1  another triple positive in our group.  Congrats on last tch.

    lago  Congrats.  Just think everyday that you feel better.....no chemo looming

    all finally got my appt confirmed for the re excision which I call the re exorcism.  This Friday afternoon.  I'll meet the rad onco on Thursday.  Just a few funnies for your enjoyment.  I called to have my drain removed. I've had less that 30 for 2 days.  The nurses questioned me so much about when am or pm I emptied it I didn't know when or where.  They kept looking at the drain and telling me it already had 20 in it today.  Well the drain bulb is CC"S and the measuring cup is Ml.  I gave up and left with it still attached.  I'm going tomorrow for arm measurements as part of a clinical study on neoadjuvant chemo and lymph node dissection.  Wendy (my research nurse)  told me she would take care of the drain.

       I haven't slept well in days. Now that the appt is set and rads are looming I feel in control again. 

       Received a phone call yesterday.  Another librarian that was in my national boards study group has just been diagnosed with BC.  I called her.  Like me she is triple post, already started chemo. It is just everywhere.

       Party hardy tonight as you finish rads and chemo. Libray lil

  • dragonfly1
    dragonfly1 Member Posts: 516
    edited January 2011

    Congrats to all who are finishing TCH! I've been following your posts recently and you are a real inspiration to those of us who are just beginning the triple positive journey. You give me such hope that I'll get through it too...

  • PGK
    PGK Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2011

    Omaz,

    They said I didn't need rads because I chose the BMX and had clear margins.  I hope they are right!  I am 38 and I'm struggling with the idea of being permanently menopausal already.  My understanding is that tamoxifen will likely do this.  One day at a time, I guess.  At there's Friday to celebrate :)

    Dragonfly,

    Thank you!  Good luck to you on your journey!

    GK1

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited January 2011
    GK - I don't know if tam makes you menopausal - I am not sure about that, does anyone else know?  I think it may not since it is used in pre-menopausal women.
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2011

    GK1 I'm not doing rads but I was in a grey area. It's not unusual for someone with tumors 5cm or larger to have rads with BMX. My rad onc felt I my current treatment was enough. Yes I have swelling all over. My legs are shiny stumps. My upper arms are swollen… and it's not the lymphedema on my right side because I don't have it there. I've told my onc each time so she knows. My binder specifically says that diuretic won't help with taxotere swell. The best you can do is actually drink a lot and stay away from salty foods.

    OMG my onc huged me today and gave me the beautiful swarovski pink & clear crystal beaded bracelet with sliver ribbon charm made by the nurse practioner.  love it!

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited January 2011
    lago - Congrats on being done with chemo!!!
  • PGK
    PGK Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2011

    Lago - Thanks for the info!  I didn't have any swelling until after #5.  I think it started because my steroids were reduced.  My onc thought that the decadron was causing my more challenging SEs so she changed my dosage from 5 doses of 2 pills each to one IV dose just before the TCH.   I hope the shiny stumps go away ... for both of us!  Congrats to you about finishing chemo!  I can't wait to join you in having that experience on Friday!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited January 2011

    Congrats GK1. We can both do the happy dance on Friday.

    BTW I always had fluid retention the first 3-5 days after chemo but after TX4 it never really went away unless I was on steroids. This time it didn't go away at all. I was told it could take 2 months for the chemo induced swelling to subside so be patient.

  • PGK
    PGK Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2011
    Lago - Oh my!  Two months!  Okay, I will try to be patient.  Happy dance will definitely be happening on Friday!  So glad that you get to start yours today! 
  • IowaSue45
    IowaSue45 Member Posts: 422
    edited January 2011

    My legs and feet swelled a lot after my last TCH they were huge, I took a pic. they looked nothing like my feet. I did get a water pill for 15 days and it helped after 2. They hurt to walk on them.

  • PGK
    PGK Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2011
    Iowa Sue - Thanks.  I'm hoping that the swelling doesn't last too long.  I have no idea what shoes I will wear to work tomorrow!  Surprised
  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 1,589
    edited January 2011

    #3 down today...I talked them into forgoing the Benadryl, and wow, I felt better all day!!  That stuff really sucks the energy out of me.

    So far so good...I noticed a little swelling in my legs...but nothing too serious yet....

    3 more to go!

  • PGK
    PGK Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2011

    Tonlee -

    Congrats on making it to the halfway mark!  They only gave me benadryl the first time.  It knocked me out completely and I slept though the entire 5+ hours of treatment #1.  They stopped giving it to me after that and there have been no problems.

  • writer
    writer Member Posts: 72
    edited January 2011

    I've been gone for too long. Vmarie, woot-woot about you finishing! It's been a long, strange trip for us, eh?

    Last Herceptin/Avastin for me TOMORROW! Going out for a very expensive cocktail at a swank hotel with a bunch of friends afterward to celebrate. I am disappointed that I have to wait a whole month to get my port out, but Avastin causes bleeding issues, so no outpatient surgery until it's out of my system.

    You all are amazing and strong and getting through it! 

  • writer
    writer Member Posts: 72
    edited January 2011

    And congrats to Betty, too!

    A friend of mine has a new book out, The Good Neighbor Cookbook, and she interviewed me for the book, for feedback on how to help feed a family who has someone going through chemo. She did a blog post about the interview with me, if you're interested:

    http://thegoodneighborcookbook.com/?p=355 

  • libraylil
    libraylil Member Posts: 325
    edited January 2011

    Tonlee   congrats on number 3.  No 4 you will REALLY feel powerful  because you are over 1/2 way.

    Funny how the treatments all differ.  I have seen ladies getting Benadryl that are on other chemos at the infusion center.  I did not get Benadryl nor Neulasta routinely.  Twice my WBC was really low and they gave me Neopogen right after Herceptin so I'd be ready for my next chemo.  The WBC cooperated.

  • IowaSue45
    IowaSue45 Member Posts: 422
    edited January 2011

    writer- no herceptin for you?

  • allisontom911
    allisontom911 Member Posts: 99
    edited January 2011

    GK1 - and anyone else that is not hormone positive, I was 37 when diagnosed and started chemo. Also had just had a baby. I got one period a week after my first TCH then they stopped. My last TCH was April 7th and I got my period back the end of October! No more chemopause for me. I know that the hormonals will work different but just wanted you to know my experience.

    I also had rads. I had breast tumor that was 4.6 and one of my lymph nodes was 6cm and I had a node up by my supraclavicle that was positive. I had a single mx, back surgery, rads and just had my other side done for mx and placed tissue expanders on both sides with a lat dorsi flap...ugh.....I sure hope 2011 is better than 2010!

    oh yes on swelling, my onc did give me a diuretic, started with a "T" I believe. It helped sooooo much! Also they told me during rads that Aleve can cause swelling in the lower extremeties! I never ever had heard that!

    Hope everyone is doing well and congrats to those that are finish TC or TCH!

  • Anniemomofthree
    Anniemomofthree Member Posts: 370
    edited January 2011

    Your baby us so beautiful...Bless you and that little bundle of love!!!

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