Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Nora, HER2+, grade 3 are fast growing tumors. 4 years ago they thought there was something suspicious but everyone dismissed it. 4 years later 5.5cm (about 6.5cm if you include the DCIS). and if you have dense tissue as well as a posterior position even harder to spot as was my case.
But I hear you about thinking it's nothing. The mammo before my last mammo the tech had to take another image because of that very small slightly misshapen of my breast that she didn't get. I just thought it was another one of the many changes my body was going through in my late 40's. They teach us to look at lumps but not misshapen breasts. Not sure why my former gyno didn't spot it but then a year later she didn't feel the large hard mass nor notice one breast was slightly larger than the other 5 weeks before my mammo when I started to notice discharge.
Yes even when you do the right things you still can't win.
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lago - When I found my lump (didn't show clearly on mammo previous year) I went around and had anyone who would agree to it see and feel the lump. The nurses at my work were enthusiastic to check it out, the office women less so and one woman high tailed it out of the room. I also asked my gyno if she had any office staff that wanted to check it out and 1 nurse came in to see. I figured it was a learning opportunity for others.0
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Omaz,
I did the exact same thing!! lol Once I knew it was cancer, I made all my female friends and relatives feel it. They THANKED me because while doing monthly checks is pushed, most women don't know what they're feeling for....
I went a year with that lump (partly due to hospital malfunction and partly because I was busy). By the end total strangers in Taco Bell were feeling it. (Ok that happened once when my son was talking about it to me, one of the female employees wiping off the next table asked about it, struck up conversation, and it ended up with her hand in my shirt.)lol
The same thing for the skin sparing mastectomy. All the women I meet (who know) want to see it, but are too polite to ask. So I show them. My son's teacher, family, friends, even the lady at Taco Bell who asked how I was doing last time I was in there....
My cousin's wife almost passed out, but she was the only one. She's diabetic and insists it wasn't the mastectomy but low blood sugar....heh.
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My favorite story was about a month after my BMX I was in this store looking at hats. It was just me and the owner. I explained that I was going to lose my hair do to chemo. Well ends up we had been getting our mammos at the same place… bothof us pissed at the care and how we were handled AND switched to the same treatment center with the same BS (different PS)! We were flashing our foobs right in the store. Way too funny.
I have connected up with her on facebook too. Back in December I stopped by and she didn't recognized me at first. She new me with my hair. I was wearing a scarf.
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Nora Thank goodness you listened to your gut and your "mama". libraylil0
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I had my lump since at least 07. At that time a sonogram was done and I was told it was a lymph node. So I put it out of my mind other than I mentioned it at every mammogram and was told To mark it with a sticker. I would forget about it in between hearings even though to me it felt just like the lumps in the fake boob they have at the drs office so u know what to look for. Anyway last year after my yearly pap something made me worry about it again so I went back in even though I was just there a month prior and showed the dr and asked if I should wait for mammo in a month or go now. Her response was since this keeps worrying you let's do a biopsy. I had to go for mamo prior to biopsy and they told me right at my appoint ment where I had all the previous scans just to watch it for a year. I told them I was supposed to do a biopsy and had family history, both which were in my chart. Next day the head
If the imaging place called to say they had another person look at it and they agreed I needed biopsy. The only thing I don't get is why it remained the same size over the years when it was grade 3 and her +++ like lago sAid that should be more aggressive and fast growing. When I asked oncologist she said many it changed to that over time
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elaing - Glad you were persistent!0
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how funny........I was letting everyone feel my lump who wanted to as well so they knew what a breast cancer lump felt like
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Got my first mammogram at age 40. They said all was clear. I had life going on with kids etc. and did not go for another mammo till age 43. Went to a different place and they found cancer. Went back and looked at the films from the first mammogram and the breast surgeon said "Oh, I see the beginning of it right there, same spot." I said they told me I was clear. Tried to trace back to where I got the first mammogram and that site is now closed.
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Hi everyone-
I am FINALLY good! Still have mouth sores (about 7 or so- but healing) and slightly sore GI system. Walk like a 90 year old- sometimes one of my legs or hips just doesn't want to move in sync w/ the rest of the body?!
I guess this is day11 ending- so I know the hair is next big hurdle. I am starting to 'dread' treatment #2. Guess that's normal?
I don't mind the Herceptin treatment- it seems fine (comparatively speaking!)
I sat in the sunshine today- had a big outing to the grocery store. I worked a full day at the office friday. It was tiring- but good. I am working all next week-
Had my TE filled w/ 40 ccs each side on Thurs. Two days of having to sleep on my back (AGAIN after finally being able to sleep on my side again- simple pleasures??!)
Planning on an outing w/ the family tomorrow- they'll be hiking in parks, etc. I'll be taking it easy mostly in the car or venturing on a very short walk at best.
Those of you with more experience- how was treatment #2? Better, worse, or the same? I know I have my pharmacy complete this time w/ all types ot tx for side effects.
I'd like to hear those who have done that 2nd treatment..... (and of course think at least one of my chemo triplets on here will go a day before me I think-?? my 2nd tx will be 3/9)
Hope you all are having a great weekend.
Lisa
Dx 1/2011- Bil Mx w/ TE; ER+/PR+/HER2+; Stage 1, IDC, 2cm, SNB -
1st chemo- TCH 2/16 (one down five to go); Weekly H
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tx2 and tx 3 were much easier than tx1 for me because I knew what was coming. I medicated before the SE happened.
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tx2 was better for me as well.
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Thanks Lago & Omaz!
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tx 2 was easier for me also. No fear of the unknown and less nausea. libraylil
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2 & 3 are much easier....4 isn't bad either, but I do notice the third week (this week) that I am more fatigued...which is new because my third week I'm usually back to "normal."
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Hi All,
LisaGH - I go day after you 3/10. I am trying not to think of #2 just yet - I will begin psyching up closer to it! I am more focused right now on enjoying every minute with my hair - its days are numbered! Did your onc give you anything for the mouth sores? When I went for my blood draw they gave me a case of Caphosol samples - seems to be helping. I have about half a dozen sores too but even though I am prone to them these don't seem to hurt that much, they are just annoying.
lago - my DH will be flying through Chicago tomorrow afternoon, I will think of you!
Does anyone have an opinion about this - my tongue feels like I burned it, is that part of the mouth sores or neuropathy? I don't have any other signs of neuropathy. My teeth were bothering me the other day but are fine now. I got the tongue thing before the canker type sores and some of those are on the underside of my tongue. Also, for those of you who do L-Glutamine/Acetyl Carnitine/B6 do you take it daily or for a limited number of days following tx? I struggled with the Glutamine (powder) in particular because I tried it in applesauce to try to put something in my stomach and kill two birds but at that point I couldn't even handle applesauce! Maybe I should just drink it instead?
Thanks, Kathie
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Special K I had the burning tongue and a couple of tongue sores. I finally told my onc about it and she suggested sucking on ice during taxotere. Doesn't work for everyone but it worked for me. No sores or burning tongue. I'm still taking Acetyl L Carnitine. My left heels is still numb. I took/take it daily. 500mg.
Hope your husband enjoys Chicago. Not the best time of year to be here but it could be worse.
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Can't help thinking ahead to TCH #2- mine will be on 3/8 but still hoping it will be better than #1 since we are better prepared this time!
Special K: My tongue sort of split in places on the end first and got sore and then I got the sores elsewhere in my mouth. I'm like you, they are more annoying than anything in light of everything else. I've been using the Biotene mouthwash since the beginning and that seems to be helping. They are gradually healing.
I take Acetyl L Carnitine 500 daily to prevent the neuropathy. I plan to take it ongoing in an effort to prevent the neuropathy from happening-so far so good. I got permission from the oncologist to take it and I buy it at the Vitamin Shop.
My DH has been gone for 10 days and is finally coming home tonight-I'm so relieved! He's a pilot so he will be gone a lot during my treatment but I'm so happy when he's here
Glad he's home at a time when I feel halfway decent!SpecialK and LisaGH: Any news on the hair? Nothing significant has happened here yet but I expect that it will very soon as I'm on day 12...
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L-glutamine powder from GNC works alright in water with a little lemon juice or in mango juice. I took it daily throughout chemo and still now. 20-30g.
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My hair started slowly on day 13, by day 14 it was coming out by the brushful. My wonderful husband gave me a buzz cut. Now my reaction is "who is that person looking back at me in the mirror"? Also, I have colored my hair for so long I didn't realize that all the roots were white!! It will be interesting to see how it grows back in. Thursday is #2 for me. The weekly Herceptin has been a breeze.
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lago - my husband is ultimately bound for San Diego so will only see the inside of the airport! I did suck on ice during the Taxotere but I think because I am prone to mouth sores anyway it got the better of me. Also, I drank a bunch of lemony stuff so I probably didn't help myself!
dragonfly - hair is still good, I am day 11. Just played with my wig a few minutes ago - I hate it. It looks kind of like my hair used to but since I cut it short in prep now I want a short wig! Maybe I just need to take it to my hairdresser and modify it a little. My husband has been traveling a lot lately. I am happy for him because I think he needs the diversion! The good thing is that he just goes for a few days. He retired from the Air Force a little less then 18 months ago but still works in the exact same job as he did before. They civilianized his position coincident with his retirement. Because I spent 26 years as a military wife I am used to the coming and going. Is your DH a commercial pilot? We have a good friend here, retired AF also, who flies for Southwest Airlines. His wife has been really supportive and a wonderful friend during all of this BC stuff. We were stationed with them years ago in Virginia and our grown kids are all still best of friends!
Kathie
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specialK: No, my DH is a charter pilot flying a Legacy and a Lear Jet so his trips vary from a few days to a few weeks. I'm used to him being gone a lot as well and I'm working anyway. Where were you stationed in VA? That's my home state-I'm from the Shenandoah Valley! I miss the mountains (and the milder winter weather) terribly...
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specialK stay away from acidity stuff like lemon or tomatoes when your tongue is sore. I learned that the hard way the 1st treatment! 2nd treatment not so bad because I behaved. Started icing on the 3rd treatment.0
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The acidity stuff was awful on my stomach too during treatment!!
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dragonfly - we were stationed in Hampton at Langley AFB (lived in Newport News) from '94-'96, then at the Pentagon from '96-'06. I miss the change of seasons and my DS lives in Sterling, out by Dulles Airport. It has been hard for him to be so far away during all this mess but he is in school up there so nothing I can do. My DH will be doing a briefing at the Pentagon in a few weeks so he will check on him then. I worry about how he is dealing - hard to guage because of distance and he happens to be pretty stoic. We have skyped and that is nice because I can actually see him. He is also a firefighter so he has seen a lot and doesn't really show emotion easily.
omaz and lago - I def didn't eat tomatoes right after tx even though I love them, my poor tummy would have rebelled, but for some reason italian lemon soda tasted fabulous. I will not make that mistake next time even though it was delicious! I was trying so hard to get my liquids in and I felt so crummy that I was drinking more of it mixed with fruit juice than I should have, but the mouth sores didn't show up until the end of the week. I need to figure out something new to drink for next time.
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It does get better! And I am happy to say I am DONE! Last Herceptin last Wednesday ... that was a long year. And was deported this past Friday. Yippee!
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frosty - FANTASTIC!! Congratulations!! How did the deportment go? I am looking forward to getting mine out but it won't be until August.0
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You all are great! I had a day out here in Georgia. I sat in the car alot during the day but enjoyed being outside! Loved it.
My tongue has felt at first after tx- dulled- then numb- then sore- then thrush- then mouth sores. Now the thrush is gone- the mouth sores are still there. I did do ice but didn't prevent me from the mouth troubles - though I iced my fingernails and toenails and there are no problems there (but i did cut my nails very short & plan to keep them that way not to tempt fate!).
I am hoping to do better symptom management- thanks for the tips there from the experienced folks. I do expect to be more tired (and dread that) as we go along.
I just hope I can sleep more, but truly I don't think I took things to help me sleep as much as I can.
I sort of feel the only symptoms I did NOT get were hand/nail troubles (but I know that could come later) and nausea. Everything else seemed to pop up on me during the first week.
I did get gatorade late- and watered it down- I think that might be my main drink for next round. I love citrus- but know better- and hated drinking stuff because the taste is just so dull w/ the chemo- like I'd burned my tongue then eaten mud or clay or something- I don't know. And no appetite at all- that's a scary thought. I do like carnation instant breakfast and forced myself to drink small amounts of that- and banana popsicles. That was my usual 3am get up go downstairs and drink them while the rest of the house was asleep.
Another week and two days before....
I too am waiting for my hair to start falling out- I guess it's getting close. I am watching for it. I am scared about it- I work all week this week and am glad for that. I don't want to be at work and then my hair start falling out- that's a tough thing to think about... hope it gives me some signs like you all have mentioned so I can get it buzzed and then use my wigs.
Lisa
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Congrats Frosty...a year is a long time. Celebrate!
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Congrats to Frosty!
Another one finishing the H train!!!
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