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Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

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Comments

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited February 2011
    Lago - Absolutely right!  I am sure the chia pet look looks great on you!  I don't think I get benadryl with my herceptin.  I read the bag and it didn't say anything about it, but then maybe it wouldn't.  I asked my onc about the last H making my numbness worse and he assurred me that it doesn't affect nerves.  He even said 'cross my heart'.  So I guess the problem I had was just coincidence.
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited February 2011
    Chia face doesn't look good on anyone  but if it falls out and means I will have my hair on my head back I can deal with it for a little while ( or find a way to remove it Tongue out)
  • Anniemomofthree
    Anniemomofthree Member Posts: 370
    edited February 2011

    I am sure you are a beautiful chia pet!!!  I can not wait til my chin hairs come back....love them!  :)

  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 345
    edited February 2011

    Is my infusion center the only one that doesn't give benadryl? I only received benadryl with my first TCH and that was it, all other infusions were without it and I was able to drive myself.  

  • elaineg
    elaineg Member Posts: 85
    edited February 2011

    Chia Lago lol, i have had random gray hairs sprouting the whole time but i keep shaving them off they are super spaced out so not like re-growth, not sure how close together your are?  Anyway those don't just pull out so maybe they would be real if I left them alone...  I am sure it means you will have hair soon!  Can't wait for an update!

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

    I have about an inch of hair all over my head between #3 and #4..will this come out?  I lost most all of my hair after the first TX, eventually shaved my head, and now I have this growth..and HAIR ON MY FACE!  Did anyone have this during treatment?

    Basia, I don't take Benadryl at all, with any of my treatments.  I drive to and from, no problems.  They wanted to give it to me (standard care) but I declined and my Onc said, no problem. 

  • tracie23
    tracie23 Member Posts: 214
    edited February 2011

    tonlee, I started growing hair back on my first taxotere I am now on my 3rd with one more to go.. I have not lost any more hair on my head but my eyebrows and eyelashes are gone . I have not got the hair on my face?

  • imatthew
    imatthew Member Posts: 69
    edited February 2011

    FWIW, my wife didn't get benadryl with her first TCH.  They administered the herceptin last and very slowly to monitor for side-effects.  Their protocol is to only give benadryl if necessary.  her first TCH infusion to over 5 hours, subsequent ones are now down to around 3 or so.

     They also now give her herceptin first (after anti-nausea meds) to give the anti-nausea meds time to kick in before T & C.

  • libraylil
    libraylil Member Posts: 325
    edited February 2011

    I did not receive benadryl with TCH either.  I know some patients on a different chemo tx did. libraylil

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

    I took my Emend as soon as I got the all clear from my onc. It took them 1 hour to mix the chemo so it worked out perfectly.

  • allisontom911
    allisontom911 Member Posts: 99
    edited February 2011

    I had someone drive me per doctors orders for my first treatment only. After we saw how I did, I drove myself to each and every TC and H only appts. Some people react differently to the benadryl. I made me a little drowsy but not terrible. I was totally fine to drive.

  • motherofpatient
    motherofpatient Member Posts: 124
    edited February 2011

    Just a comment on driving while using certain meds- we were told that police "could' charge you with driving under the influence if you have an accident - even if it isn't your fault. And who needs that hassle with everything else?

  • spitnspunk
    spitnspunk Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2011

    I just got back from my LAST TCH, YEAH!!! Now only 8 more months of H which I'm hoping/ expecting to be a piece of cake after the TC treatments. For everyone that's done with this TC dance with the devil, sing it with me:  

    "~ ~ I'm a SURVIVOR ~ ~ " !!

    For those still in this fight, you'll get there too, hang on!! :))  

    (not to mean I'm done with my fight in any way, just done with the TC dance with the devil fight!)

  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 102
    edited February 2011

    Congrats spitnspunk!!  Celebration Time.  For me, herceptin was a piece of cake-hoping the same for you! 

    V

  • Ang7
    Ang7 Member Posts: 568
    edited February 2011

    spitnspunk~

    My 5 year old daughter and I just did the HAPPY DANCE for you...Smile

  • libraylil
    libraylil Member Posts: 325
    edited February 2011
    spitnspunk   The sound you hear is me tapdancing.  Congratulations.  I had my first solo herceptin happy hour two weeks ago.  Uneventful would describe it except the smell and taste brought back precious memories of chemo.  No SE's.  libray lil
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited February 2011

    Happy Dance for spitnspunk.

    HAPPY DANCE  

    Spitnspunk you were a survivor Long before this.

  • spitnspunk
    spitnspunk Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2011

    Thanks everyone! Lago, you always crack me up..you come up with some of the best stuff!! Thanks!!

  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 426
    edited February 2011

    Ladies - I am cheering all of you on as you come to the end of the TCH and move into the H only part (which is so much easier).  I am coming up on my 2 year anniv of dx at the end of this month. I have my mammogram in a few weeks. It is definitely on my mind moreas it gets closer.

    I have to tell you, it feels wonderful to have all those never-ending medical appointments over with and only have to go occasionally. You will love it when you get there - and you WILL get there.

    Keep on trucking. Congratulations, spitnspunk. Big big accomplishment.

    Amy

  • IowaSue45
    IowaSue45 Member Posts: 422
    edited February 2011

    Awesome !!!! One more lady done with TCH, its a great day!!!

  • stlcardsfan
    stlcardsfan Member Posts: 227
    edited February 2011

    Yahoo for Spitnspunk!!! Congrats on finishing the TC and best of luck with the remaining H's!

  • motherofpatient
    motherofpatient Member Posts: 124
    edited February 2011

    I am looking for anyone who used the elasto gel caps for hair loss. My daughter is using the peguin caps but when I saw the elasto "Helmet" it looked so easy to use, but does it get to -30C? So far I heard from one person on the cold caps thread. Anyone else?

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited February 2011
    motherofpatient - I used them.  I will PM you if that is ok.
  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 1,589
    edited February 2011

    The cold caps are banned in my chemo clinic.  I asked about them yesterday at treatment #4 and was told that even though there is the whole brain barrier thing, the skin becomes a refuge sight for cancer trying to avoid chemo. 

    The nurse pulled out studes (done in 1999) that proved they were detrimental to treatment.

    I told her about these boards and how much people seemed to like them.  She said she'd do some research (more updated) by hospital policy still banned them.

    I'll let you know what she finds out.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited February 2011

    Presumably the scalp cells only avoid the very highest dose levels during the actual infusion.  As we all know the stuff hangs around for quite a while so they are going to get exposure to chemo.

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited February 2011
    TonLee That was my concern as well. It may not be true but I'm OK with the pass on cold caps even if my hair doesn't come back. Right now I  just want my fingers/toe to get better, get rid of the stiffness and the fluid retention and most importantly be sure the cancer is dead and gone. The hair seems so secondary compared to those SE. But I know the hair thing has been really hard for some women.
  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    edited February 2011
    eyes - I am 11 weeks out now and the twitching and watering has gone away 95%.  Also, the  pain that comes when I try to stretch has gotten better.  It doesn't hurt as much.  It will be a while before I get back flexibility though!  Still very creaky when changing position, especially after sitting for a while.
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited February 2011

    Good to hear Omaz. I'm so scared my stiffness and aches is not going to go away. You'd think I would be worried about my hair but nope it's the stuff that hurts that's driving me nuts.

    The word flexibility is now MIA in my body. Frown

  • cowgirl13
    cowgirl13 Member Posts: 782
    edited February 2011

    lago,  and other ladies experiencing stiffness and aches...i don't feel any of the stiffness and aches anymore, but it has taken a long time for me.  I just didn't think if would get better and it has.  My last herceptin was in July 2010--i guess that makes me about 6 months out from treatment, althought I have been on Arimidex for a year. I just want to post this to give you hope that its possible for the aches and pains to go away--this is hope for the ones who may have these lingering SEs longer than those whose SE's moved away quickly.

    I love this TCH thread--check it always.  You gals are a wonderful group.

    So, it your stiffness, aches, pain take a while longer to go away, they went away for me so that's possible for you. 

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653
    edited February 2011
    Thanks cowgirl. It's still early for me. I am now 3 weeks and 2 days from my last chemo. I know I need to wait at least 6-8 weeks. I'm still getting SE. Another fingernail lifted… but that has to end soon because I'm running out of finger nails to lift. Only 3 left and I doubt the pinkies are going to lift.

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