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Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

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Comments

  • pianopeace1
    pianopeace1 Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2008

    Wendy:

    I waas happy to read your report of TCH treatment. I start July 8 and feel apprehensive about all side-effects, but I will hope that my experience will be similar to yours.

    Sandra

  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited July 2008

    SuzinLA,

    I get one dumb question a day. What is "Probiotics"?

    A product? Are there brand names? What do I look for?

    Walked through a GNC once and it was a daunting experience.

    Decided this was one arena where you had better KNOW what you're doing.

    Nico

  • lynnmom1968
    lynnmom1968 Member Posts: 19
    edited July 2008

    Wow!  I don't have long, because we've got company in for the Fourth, but Aly I had to reply to your story.

    Your story really has inspired me.  It just goes to show us that we meet people every day and we often never know what they are facing or have faced in their lives.

    I have a 5 month old baby girl right now, and I cried when I read your story and thought of how difficult it would be to be away from her for months right now.  You faced up to and lived through a very difficult time and I'm sure it helped make you stronger for this battle.

    I wish you all a wonderful Fourth of July.

    Lynn

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2008
    Nico...At risk of giving you more an answer than you would ever want or need..."Probiotics" is another word for Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Saccharomyces boulardi. These are not spells from Hogwarts, but "friendly" bacteria that live in our intestinal tracts that help maintain healthy digestion, reduce the production of carcinogens in the gut, and maintain our immune function. Probiotics have been shown to be useful in regulating bowel function, which is useful for chemo patients who tend to have either constipation or diarrhea as side effects. Also, because our immune systems become compromised due to the chemo, we are more susceptible to opportunistic infections from the outside. Keeping a good supply of "friendly" bacteria in the colon helps to ward off these invaders, one of the most common of which is yeast, which causes thrush and vaginal yeast infections. Also, anyone who ever takes systemic steroids, like we take around the time of our chemo treatments, should also supplement with probiotics, because these drugs upset our intestinal flora.

    This is why many women eat yogurt daily while on chemo, because fermented foods contain these live bacterial cultures. There are also many good supplements out there--Suz from LA mentioned one. There is one I have found particularly useful called VSL which comes in little packets that you dissolve in water. These, however, you have to get from a health professional. The best over-the-counter one I've found in health food stores (in tablet form-easy to take) is called Primal Defense by Garden of Life. You can get it at Whole Foods. It's a tad pricey, but it comes highly recommended by my osteopath.
  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2008

    Oh yeah. Have a wonderful fourth everyone! I need to work on the bridge to the Camp Chemo song, which I hope to be able to post in its entirety early next week. Maybe even a photo in my rubber floral swim cap. Make sure to laugh today!

  • cupcake7
    cupcake7 Member Posts: 321
    edited July 2008

    Aly thanks for sharing and you don't need at all to be a professor, just an open heart which sounds like you have. 

    Thanks Shell for the probiotics advice and I will go out and get some.  Greek Yogurt?  ummm being diabetic I might look for it.  Can't wait to hear the song...

    Today I am in the eye of the storm and Tuesday will enter it with my first Chemo, but all your help in here has helped me so much I so thank each of you.  I didn't stay long in the stage III posting sight.  I ran back home (here)

    Lynn you sound so much better so glad you are in the eye of the storm.  Makes me have hope that if I have a bad reaction I can know I will enter the eye in a few days.  You all know me by now I still am a pessimist can't help it.  But will still reach out for the gold ring (no illness) .

    Carolyn what stage are you in? 

    Everyone have a wonderful 4th today, relax, laugh, and step away from the cancer if not for a day....hugs

  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 131
    edited July 2008

    Cupcake,

    Wishing you good luck and many prayers as you start chemo- "try" not to be possimistic and you may be surprised- I am another one with VERY manageable side effects.I can tell the chemo is reacting because I have some and my blood counts definitely show it- but it has been really manageable and most doctors are very helpful in dealing with what does happen- so please remember to talk to them- calling between visits if you get a side effect that you dont have something for- they can and will help you!!

    Where do you get Greek yogurt? Lower sugar and carbs would be of interest to me- I have some of the Activia - we can find that locally but I am headed to Dallas tomorrow - thinking I might find Greek there and not in rural East Texas.

    I am canning marinara today- from my garden tomatoes and basil, green peppers and onions- hoping to make salsa and can it when the next round of tomatoes comes in and there are some jalapenos ripe at the same time. I lOVE to can things and make jelly too! Im also making eggplant parmesan to try - Ive had it before just not made it and someone gave me a homemade eggplant!

    Off to a cookout and fireworks at a local Christian camp tonight- my daughter is a day camp counselor there and is getting us in- that will be nice and relaxing and I dont have to cook or clean up afterwards!

    Happy 4th of July

    Kristy 

  • cupcake7
    cupcake7 Member Posts: 321
    edited July 2008

    Kristy I'm not sure where to get it, but going to try Trader Joes a place here that has stuff from all over the world.  Salsa?  Did I read something about not spicy food???  Hope you have fun at the cookout today.  Hey I'm into no clean up....

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited July 2008

    Aly, you wrote a beautiful story and I think you should write a book. I am not kidding. It might help a lot of people with a lot of problems not just bc. If not a book maybe a short story for a magazine like readers digest. what could it hurt to try? there are other magazines to send it to also.

    I appreciate all of your input. It does help me. I ordered a couple of scruchies from a cancer website and I also thought of a beautiful scarf my daughter got me back in the 80s which I wore then with blouses etc. It is not the style now but I love the colors and so I drag it out from time to time. I tied it around my head like the pictures showed on the website where I found the scarfs and it works perfectly. Now I will have 4 scarfs and 2 hats to protect what brain I have left from the hot Oklahoma sun.

    Happy 4th to all! I think we are making hot dogs and not really getting to crazy with food since I do not have a good appetite. I am wondering how it will be once I start chemo. I do not get a good appetite from prednizone and I lose weight on it instead of gaining so I guess we will see!

    Carolyn

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited July 2008

    cupcake7,

    I am stage 3 clean margins 4 lymph nodes with cancer so they removed 22 under my armpit. I have a port now and will start chemo next week. lets keep in touch! hope you do well.

    Carolyn

  • AlyMarie
    AlyMarie Member Posts: 192
    edited July 2008

    Lynn, Shel, Cupcake, Gramma....you are all so nice.  I'm not sure why I felt so inspired to write that yesterday but for some reason I did.  :o)

    I hope you're all having a wonderful 4th!

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2008
    OK. Here it comes, in its unexpurgated entirety. The Camp Chemo song. (for those of you in on the work in progress, I have improved some of the verses.)

    Sing this to the tune of "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah" by Allen Sherman.

    Aunt Begonia, Uncle Nemo,
    I'm writing you from Camp Chemo.
    I'm on steroids--they think I'm witty.
    It's just too bad they cut off my right titty.

    The infusion--it was nasty.
    Gave me too much Carbo-plasty.
    The Herceptin makes me snotty,
    But I don't know why I can't go to the potty.

    I am losing all my hair-a.
    That is thanks to Taxo-tera.
    Don't know which end needs unloading.
    After several days, my bowels are now exploding.

    Can't make white cells any fasta.
    This is why I'm on Neulasta.
    Lips are one big, ugly blister--
    Double dare ya to fix this one, Dr. Lister!

    (bridge)

    Make it end! Dear Uncle, Auntie,
    It's so bad! I'm on a rant-y.
    Don't let them stick me again
    In the arm, or worse, in my rear end.
    Make it end! I promise I will be so good,
    A pillar in my neighborhood.
    Life used to be so sweet
    Before the tumor in my teat.

    If this cup could pass from my lips,
    I'd give every waitress high tips.
    Let it end now, oh God my Savior,
    And I'll clean up all my horrible behavior.

    Wait a minute, looked in the mirr-a.
    Face has never looked any clear-a!
    I can work out. I feel much stronger.
    Guess I'll put up with this crap a little longer.

    copyright Michele R. Marzoni 7.4.08


  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,152
    edited July 2008

    Shelbaroni,

    Thanks so much for the post. You're the best!

    Nico

  • TF80209
    TF80209 Member Posts: 83
    edited July 2008

    Shel: That is a great song! I'm glad you were able to finish it.

    This morning I went to the park to help out with an event that our neighborhood association puts on with the one on the other side of the park. The municipal band brass quintet played, there was a bicyle parade for the kids, mounted police, fire truck from the fire house at one end of the park. There was one girl with a vintage tricycle (there was a sign on it saying 1908) that was all decorated and she had a tiny wagon attached to the back with a tiny live dog in it. The dog sat there the whole time, wearing a hat and glasses.

    This afternoon I played it forward and visited a friend who had her gall bladder out on Wed. I got her set up with an LCD TV that I had given her and she is now even more immersed in the tons of DVDs I've dropped off.

    Now it's nap time and then I'll go back to the park for tonight's municipal band concert. 16 days from my cancerversary and it can kiss my butt!

    Terri.

  • cupcake7
    cupcake7 Member Posts: 321
    edited July 2008

    ROTFL  I mean just pick me up and sit me in a chair I am laughing so hard.  Shel you are just awesome....what a song!  That is the funniest thing I ever heard.  Now that is talent!  That has to be our theme song in here for sure.  I plan on memorizing it to sing when I get to know my new nurses at the Chemo place.  I want them to focus first on me as a whole person and not a NUT!  lol

    I went to Trader Joes and yep they had the Greek Yogurt, but looking at the label outside of being healthy it wasn't that much different so I just picked up some Dannon Activia, and some Yoplait YO plus digestive health.  I think those will do just as well won't they? 

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited July 2008

    Shel, I like the song and I hope I can learn it. well at lest first couple of verses maybe? I worked today,Sat., with a girl I have never worked with and she knows so much more than me since she is 29 and I am a old lady. Not exactly her same words but something like it. she did help me though. I asked if she could lift my money drawer since it was so heavy and she didn't mind. she also helped me get my money straighten up and counted since I am the commercial teller again. I was out of balance but somehow it all worked out! amazing! i think she thought I should count it again to be sure but I told her I would aduited myself again Monday and hope for the best.I did not think we would be so busy but I was exhausted when I got home and so we ate some left overs from the 4th and I went to bed and slept 2 hours.

    I eat yogurt all the time and it helps my constipation. I hope I can keep my bowels under control either way it goes. also my tummy. my son's friend is a home care nurse and she told me most of the people she has to send back to the hospital with dehydration from chemo it is on the third day so don't get to vomiting if I can help it. Believe you me I will not vomit if I can help it. I have been drinking a lot of liquids to get used to drinking more than I normally do and I drink a lot. Did they say 3 quarts a day for any one? that is really a lot of liquid!

    Carolyn

    Carolyn

  • cupcake7
    cupcake7 Member Posts: 321
    edited July 2008

    Carolyn your just gonna half to let go as hard as it is going to be. You have got to rest and take care of yourself and not feel guilty about it.   We don't think so but they will make it just fine without you for awhile. Yesterday was my first lay down in the middle of the day while my husband did all the dishes etc. and I felt really awful.  Lazy, deadbeat, is some names that came to mind.  I have to let go of that thinking, I just have to.   Not surprising you were some out of balance, not like you haven't had a lot on your mind or anything. I drink a lot of liquid a day because of my diabetes so going to try and continue.  8-10 glass a day.  I read some where that older women don't get as sick as the younger ones do with vomiting, anyone heard that?  Boy that is when I would love to say I am old for once if that was a benefit.   

  • pianopeace1
    pianopeace1 Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2008

    Michelle:

    I love, love, love that Camp Chemo song!!!! I am going to print and sing it. I'm starting my Taxotere-Carboplatin-Herceptin on Tuesday. Thank you for your wonderful sense of humor.that will help get us all through this!@!

    Sandra in Jupiter, Fl 

  • AlyMarie
    AlyMarie Member Posts: 192
    edited July 2008

    Ok, prepare for a big whine.  WHHHHHAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!  SOMEBODY SHOOOOOT MEEEEEEEE!!!!

    I spent all day in the ER today.  I've been telling my Onc about how my throat and neck/shoulder have been hurting ever since the puke fest of 11 or so days ago.  Thought maybe I strained something.  Oh don't I just wish!!!  Yesteray my throat was a little puffy and VERY tender to the touch.  This morning it was worse so I jumped in the truck and headed to the ER.  Turns out I have a blood clot where my jugular vein and my sub clavian vein meet (thanks to my chemo port).  Now I'm on blood thinners and have to give myself shots twice a day for probably two weeks.  Doctor Happy in the ER was was kind enough to let me know that I'll probably be in some pretty major pain until my body absorbs the clot.  Probably 3 weeks.

    Ok, someone keep me from throwing my hands in the air and GIVING THE HECK UP!!! 

    Aly.

  • cupcake7
    cupcake7 Member Posts: 321
    edited July 2008

    Oh my gosh Aly I am soooo sorry and scared for you and me.  I just got my port put in on Wednesday.  I thought the pain in the neck was just the odd feeling of having a tube stuck in it..now I'm scared hearing your horror story.  How in the world would you know?  Heck I don't even know when I can take a shower and not get it wet???  I am so thankful you whinnied and got to the ER.  Thank GOD you did.  Are you going to be ok?  How in the world did that happen?  Did they tell you?  Throwing up caused it? 

    Sandra in FL I am starting on Tuesday also...Brenda in California...I will be thinking of you

    and Aly I will be praying for you....a big hug baby girl

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2008
    Aly; you've had much, much more than your share of horrible luck. I'm sending prayers of healing your way. It's time for you to have some rest, peace, and quiet time.

    I'm happy that some of you girls are enjoying the song. If I can pull someone out of a rip current once in a while, that's great. May everyone enjoy the sweet sunsets between sets! 

    Sandra; good luck to you! Don't let our wipeouts scare you. Ask tons of questions, and NEVER suffer in silence!
  • lg123
    lg123 Member Posts: 24
    edited July 2008

    Gramma and Cupcake...I am/was???? stage 3A and I started TCH  exactly one year ago today, July 5. Don't get freaked out by the staging thing.  I am doing great.  I think being a 3A helped me  to hang in with the treatments...cause they sure do suck.

    Each day brings you closer to the end of the treatments and then you get your life back. YEA!!!

    You are all in my prayers.

    Leslie2.

  • CaseyDoodle
    CaseyDoodle Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2008

    Oh Aly, sometimes life just stinks!!!  You have had more than your share of trials and tribulations with this entire process.  I will continue to pray for your healing and that this last "lapse" will heal quickly.  I'm so sorry.

  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 210
    edited July 2008

    Aly: I have been out of it since tx#5 last Tuesday (just tired and not hungry - stayed in bed a lot), so I wanted to thank you for your INCREDIBLY inspirational story - then I read your most recent post and I feel so bad for you! You really have had so much more than your share of these bizarre side effects - you are in my prayers (along with others) - you know you have your own little band of cyber-warriors behind you supporting you as best we can.

    Sounds like a lot of you are going to Camp Chemo for the first time this week - best wishes to you all! My side effects have been minimal and easy to manage, and I'm up at almost 100% by day 6. Everybody's different, and I hope you all cruise through (sory for the "metaphor salad' as shelbaroni once called her writing.)

    Sue

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2008
    I hope you all are having a healthy and relaxing conclusion to the holiday weekend. I went with my friends on a 7-8 mile training walk for the San Diego edition of the Susan G. Komen 3Day. It was hot--glad to be hairless.

    I've got a question for you all. I was thinking about how some of the goofy stuff I put up here might not be so fun to read when you're feeling lousy. If there are some who would rather I start a new cyber "insane asylum" for the wacky stuff, please let me know. I would hang out here when I feel like being serious, but I don't know. I certainly don't want to offend anyone with my quirky sense of humor. 
  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 131
    edited July 2008

    I like the quirky stuff so I hope you keep it here!

    Kristy 

  • Poppy_Spruce
    Poppy_Spruce Member Posts: 85
    edited July 2008

    Empress: Don't you dare take your sense of humor anywhere else! In case you didn't notice, us TCH Sisters are pretty territorial- we don't like going to other threads and we certainly don't like the life of the party checking out! How bland would this place be if we didn't have your color?

    Aly: Oh, my god, Girl - I am so sorry that you are having all this trouble, but I am so proud of you. You don't take anything from any doctor and that is just awesome. Hang in there - we are covering you with love and prayers!

     Cupcake: You are getting a lot of prayers, too! I am so glad that you come to us and I hope that you feel our support. There is a risk of clots with port placement - any time they are inside our bodies, we have a risk of developing blood clots. Make sure your surgeon knows that you have that concern and ask if you should be on low. maintenence doses of Coumadin. The common practice if you know that you are prone to clotting or if you have a family history should be to go with a low dose for awhile - and from what I read, Coumadin should not interfere with your diabetes. But like I said, if you have that concern, call the doc who did the port and talk to them about it. You deserve peace of mind!

     Piano/Grandma: Welcome, Ladies - someone else said it well - we never like to see another member join our club - but we are glad that you found us.

    Thoughts and prayers to everyone who is just starting Camp Chemo!

  • cookie1956
    cookie1956 Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2008

    Cupcake

    I justt wanted to add my two cents, that my first treatment on June 24 went well too, very, very minimal side effects.  I am on taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin.  Prior to the treatment, they gave me anti nausea med, and also benedryl.  I have anti nausea tablets at home, which I took the first evening and next morning as precautionary, and have not needed any since.  None of my side effects kept me in bed, although I do lay down and rest or nap whenever I feel the need.  I am also drinking lots and lots and lots of water....maybe that is helping too. I also had my herceptin only last Tuesday, and again, very minimal and occasional side effects.  If it is like this all the way through, I'll be one of  the luckiest!!!! Good luck on Tuesday!!!!

  • cupcake7
    cupcake7 Member Posts: 321
    edited July 2008

    Shel you are one that makes this place seem like home.  Your wit and sense of humor brings light into this dark situation.  Please do not leave.  I'm sure word will get out that this spot is the fun place to be, that us gals really know how to kick up the heals.  I feel the bond here and this is my home. 

    Aly hope you are better today.  You bet nanegee I will e-mail the Dr.  Seems so strange in all the counsel no one mentioned this little tid bit of information. 

    We should get some sort of badge when we graduate from Camp Chemo.  We sure go through some ruff incitations and should get a pin or badge or something don't ya think?  Wonder if I can design up a logo for us???  ummm will keep me busy and something to do in the chair.

    I never got any cream or anything so when they go in for the port on Tuesday do they go in where the cut is?  That seems freaky.  I have a small cut in my neck, guess that is the tube and then the bump of the port with a slice over it.  Sure sticks out. Is that normal?  Hey this looks like I am going to give birth to the Alien or something.....Surprised 

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited July 2008

    Cupcake,I think the bump is normal and the slice. My friend I go to church with got hers first and it looked like that and mine too. I had to laugh at the little girl I have in my Sunday school class. She noticed the bump and of course I am still bruised a little. she wanted to know about it and so I had been telling her that I had cancer and I would take some medicine to help that and my hair will come out. She does not want my hair to come out. I have been telling her so she won't be scared. Anyway when she seen the bump I had to tell her they put the needle there to give me my medicine and she looked horrified and said" Don't let them stick a needle in that!" I tried to tell her it would not hurt but she was not having it so I am going to try to keep it covered better. She is 5 and she has been through some rough times. Her mother is bipolary and on herion and her Dad is on herion too but they have been in rehab. I do not think they are ready to come out yet but money is the problem. I think with in 2 weeks they will be right back where they were. they have a baby boy too and he is 8 months now. they never once tried to see these kids in 3 months time. the grandfather has custody of them and he is a windower. The church members help him and he has a woman that he plans to marry that helps him some too. I just love those little chilren to pieces and now I can't hold the baby but my dughter is helping out with his class. she is 44 so not a kid.

    Ali, I am so sorry about the clot. My port where it goes up the neck really hurt at first and I was getting concerned but it is better but it is still not great. the radiation doc told me it was normal for a while but to keep and eye on it. they put me on bloodthinner right away though so it would not clot. it is low dose though.I sure hope you feel better soon.

    Empress don't you leave! We need a little fun. I would not be happy if we were all gloom and doom. keep us on our toes. I do feel more at home on this site and have felt more welcome here than the others. This will be where I come for interaction and information and some jokes.

    Best of luck to all and I am not sure I will be back on here until after the treatments but I will be back for sure.

    Carolyn

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