Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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Pollygain--I'm of the same mind re: icing. I didn't bother during the first TX. I decided that it couldn't hurt so I've iced since the 2nd TX. I'm not convinced that it really makes any difference--since I don't appear to have that SE to start with--but there's no downside to doing it. I've never bothered with my toes and they're fine. Actually, my nails--fingers and toes--have never looked so good, but I wonder if it's more due to the nail hardener rather than the icing.
I don't quite get using bags of peas, to be honest. Wouldn't it be easier to use a freeze pack with the blue goo in it? The ones that come in heavy plastic bags rather than the hard plastic containers get mushy so you can grab them around your nails. My chemo centre has them in a freezer and will wrap them into an envelope for me. I usually just take it in a ziploc bag and skip the wrapping. I don't find them that cold when they're wrapped.0 -
I had #5 TCH Friday. Very surprised. My 2 best days are tusually the ones right after chemo from the steroid buzz. Not this time. I have been fighting nausea and fatigue since then. My previous 4 tx were like scripted-no SEs til day 8/9 then Big D and needing lots of naps. Most of the rest of the 21 days i felt perfecly fine.
I know they say they can change from tx to tx but found this a little disturbing. I am by no means down for the count but not being normal is pissing me off!!
I now have my surgery date-bilateral MX on Aug 8. Scans on Aug 18 , liver guy on Aug 22 and lung lady on Aug 25. If the lung/liver thing doesn't happen it is on to Rads.
Lili2-on the sports bra thing. I usually pull my arm out thru the strap and let it ride under my armpit. I could never keep it off to the side. I didn't like it anywhere around where my IV was going in. I too prefer to wear something that zips or buttons or even v-neck.just makes it easier.it is always cold at our place so I wear the yoga pants and bring a jacket. Pants also help from sticking to the vinyl recliner. They are always coming around offering the heated blankets but I have never gotten that cold. I didn't see anbody mention anything like Pepcid or Prilosec. I think the carboplatin is what gives me the heatburn. It is in my pre-meds now but it seems to start up right away. They give me tylenol pills beforehand. I refuse the benadryl because it knocks me out. For me it is just that the day is so looooong!!! I have driven myself to every tx with no problem also.
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lilylady - tx#5 was my worst by far, and remember there is a cumulative effect from the previous 4 tx you have had - SE's evolve because of the cumulative deal. That being said - #6 was strangely OK, was the first tx without days and days of the Big D, and other than fatigue, not much else to speak of. I was very surprised! And happy to be done and that it was nowhere as bad as #5! The Se's I did have were really bad water retention and swelling for #5 & #6, my CBC's were in the basement for RBC and hemoglobin, WBC was OK due to Neulasta, but it is now slipping, and bottoms of both feet are now painful and numb.
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lilylady--I get the heartburn too. It's been getting worse as I go along. I've had xantac in the IV before taxotere all through. It didn't help much this round.
SpecialK--I can't say I've seen a cumulative effect, other than the heartburn is getting worse. It isn't even that much of a problem and there seems to be more of a tolerance developing.
No rules when it comes to chemo!
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pasmith - what # tx are you on?
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SpecialK-- I just did #5 this past Wednesday. This should be the day from hell, but it's ok. I don't feel much like eating 'coz of Big D, but so far even that isn't as bad as it has been.
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pasmith - so you only have one more? if so, yay! I hope it all stays good for you.
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SpecialK--Fingers are crossed, but it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings! I'm not going to assume that I'm out of the hole just yet and I won't assume #6 will be easy.
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Pasmith - congrats on being almost done. I know for me, also, the 5th was the worst. I really do believe that the mind/body connection really kicks in when you have the last one and you are SO happy that it isn't as bad as the others. I mean, for me, to know that i wasn't just getting better only to have to do it all over again, but that once I got better/stronger, i would STAY that way...well, it made a WORLD of difference. My 5th one was pretty difficult, and I was really nervous about #6. I had my mom come down for a week to take care of me, and then....there was no need. So we spent the week enjoying one another and going shopping! I hope it does for you as well.
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Hi everyone,
I just had my 5th TCH this past Friday. I gather the SE's are probably cumulative but also that everyone is different . This one was the worst in terms of side effects, more fatigue and very flushed red face and have had hot flashes. I thought I was having a drug reaction but doctor said it might just be the steroids I take the day before and after chemo. Do others experience the red face, and flushing? I still got out, took my son to a Pirate Fair on the waterfront in Vallejo (near San Francisco). The costumes were amazing. One wannabee pirate looked just like Johnny Dep. I think it helps to push a little and get myself out of the house . Clairitin continues to help with the drippy eyes and avoiding bone pain from Neulasta. Good luck to everyone
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serenity - I had steroid red face and red neck. It lasted a couple days.0
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serenitywisdom--I also have the red face from steroids. Given how fair I am, I look like a clown. But it passes. Sometimes the steroids muck up my sleep, but sometimes they don't. I usually get three good three days at the gym thanks to the steroids, but I won't miss them!
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I'm starting to pack my bag of entertainment....thanks for all the advice! I'm fasting to try to curb SE, so all the treats and lunch sound super duper yummy right now!!
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Glad to hear about the #5 jinx. I just took some Zophran to see if it helps. This would be the first anti-nausea med i have taken since starting. I have not been a total washout-I did two graduation parties and fixed a big fathers day party over the weekend. So sad not to be able to eat any lf that good food.
How long before your tastebuds returned to normal. the only things that taste right to me is chicken and citrus falvored things. salt and sugar are really messed up. Wierd though that I had watermelon last week that was so ggod I couldn;t quit eating it=and it was really sweet.
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lilylady--I find my taste gets back to normal by around day 12-15. I hate everything tasting weird. I lose orange juice the day after chemo. Coffee follows by day 4. Anything that has a bitter component can end up tasting mainly bitter which is nasty; cannot eat salads because greens are too bitter. Salty is ok which is weird since I'm not normally a big salt person. Sweet is ok, but can be too sweet since other flavours are muted.
Watermelon is delish! Someone said to sprinkle a little salt on it to replace the electrolytes and it's not bad at all. I've had an appetizer before that mixes watermelon, feta, and olive oil, so I do know salt and watermelon work well together.
Today was a bad day as far as finding something to eat. I'm hungry but afraid to eat anything. I did up some brown rice in chicken stock and then added a little bit of cooked chicken and a sprinkle of old cheddar. Oh, and I mixed in a small glop of Greek yoghurt. Sounds weird but I felt like I'd eaten and it didn't trigger any big D. It's only for 3-5 days, so whatever works!0 -
Hi everyone!
Well, I survived
I followed most all of your tips and tricks, so THANK YOU!!!!! xoxoxoxoxHere's the best part: Didn't feel a thing, actually! A little stick for the CBC, and when they put the needle in the port, but my pain threshold is very high and I'm not sensitive with that stuff anyway, so it wasn't too bad.
Had breakfast in the morning with coffee - I decided it was better not to change anything and let the body feel normal and get it's normal nutrition (and all the meds as scheduled - 2 x Decadrone, 1 x Pepcid 20 mg, and my supplements).
Here's my chemo run down: saline in the port, then 1 x claritine, 2 x tylenol before Herceptin. Then Herceptin - 90 min. Then IV cocktail, about 30 min: Kytril (anti nausea), Decadron (steroid, prevents bloating, aids anti nausea meds), Zantac (protects tummy, histamine blocker).Then Taxotere 1 hr, then Carboplatin 1 hr.
So I followed your advice, drank water throughout the whole treatment (must have been to the bathroom at least once an hour), I snacked on and off the whold treatment - which the nurses loved! They say to snack small throughout the day, never leave the tummy empty, in order to prevent nausea. Didn't need any ice for fingers and toes, and I'm starting the Glutamine tomorrow in massive doses, so that should def help with any neuropathy that dares to rear its uggly head!!
Clothing wise, I dressed comfortably, and had a boat neck sweater on that made for easy access to the port. I followed lilylady's advice and just pulled the left bra strap off and tucked it under my arm - worked like a charm!
The only thing I feel so far must be the "steroid-high" - I feel like I could go run 5 miles, no problem! But hey, I'll take it. It beats feeling sick! My face is definitely a bit flushed, but not too bad.
Now - home made chicken soup for din (courtesy of my AWESOME hubby!!!), lot's of water again. Zofran for nausea, more Decadron, organic ginger candy for desert, and a quiet night for me. I am so relieved, and it feels soooo good to have started on this second part of my cancer journey... I know the SE's will come, but I feel ready to take them on. Only 5 more to go - yay!!!
Nicolgirl - best of luck to you tomorrow!!! Trust me, you will do GREAT! Don't be scared, just take it all in stride, and focus on the fact that this will, in the end, get you well. I'll be thinking of you and sending you tons of strength and positive thoughts!! Please check in when you get a chance and tell us how it went...
xoxoxoxoxo to all of you, and thank you for your amazing support!!
Lili
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lili2--I never feel the port being accessed either. Well, a couple of the newbies can be a bit enthusiastic and I get a good jolt as they punch the needle in. But even that lasts but a second. They access the port and then use it to draw blood so I don't even suffer the usual digging around looking for a vein.
Try to enjoy the steroid high while it lasts. I get a lot done the 2 days after chemo. The crash usually hits for me midway through the 3rd day.
It sounds like you're set up for success. Tell yourself that there won't be any stinkin' SEs but don't let anything go too long before dealing with it. It gets harder to sort out constipation or diarrhea after it's set in. I'd add to start rinsing with salt/baking soda and/or Biotene right away to ward off mouth SEs. It's bad enough if your taste goes off, but it's worse to have an inflamed mouth on top of it.
The first one is in the bag and the last one will be here in no time.0 -
Yay-normal is back. After 4 days of gross tomach stuff i am myself again. It was just such a shock as I have had little or no problems from the beginning. Feeling a little raggy from not eating but snacking on some crackers and juice to get me started again.
Lili2-you sound like a veteran already. The uknown is always the worst part. Hope you have mild SEs-
Nicholgirl-thinking of you today.
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Lili2 - ask for a prescription for emla cream. You put this on the Port area at least one hour before access and it numbs the area. Make sure to get a good layer, and then cover with saran wrap so it doesn't mess with your clothes. I never felt a thing. Also, you comment about not needing ice for finger or toes caught my eye. The icing is done to prevent nail issues from occurring later. Taxotere can cause really bad nail issues for a certain percent of people who get this. I would highly recommend icing during the Taxotere infusion. The icing is not related to neuropathy.
And congrats on finishing #1!
For me, today is my one year cancerversay!
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stlcardsfan - Congrats on the cancerversary - Tell me what event you are counting from?? Today is my 1 year since 'I got the call'.0
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Hi!
I just wanted to say hello and let you know I have lurked here for about 3 months. I just finished my 5tx and WOW, the 4th and 5th one was a bugger. You all have helped me sooooooooo much with SE's and inspiration that I am hoping to help others now.
I am week into treatment so I go for CBC today. I am down about a week with severe leg fatique and just plain ol fatique.
My last tx is in 2 weeks then it is on to a surgery, rads, and, a year of Herceptin.
Thank you all!!!!!
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ps....my hubby and I share this account so don't be surprised if you see a post from him under tiger_blood. hahaha
getting ready to enjoy my first cup of joe in a week while watching a hazy cincinnati sunrise
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Lili2 Definitely consider icing your nails during the Tax infusion to prevent nail problems. I used ice and still had problems. I finished TCH x6 on 5/31 and my nails are "lifting" from the nail bed but it looks like they have only separated at the end of each nail (i.e. less than 1/3 of each nail) so I'm being very careful not to catch them on anything until they grow out. I believe they would have been much worse if I had not used the ice. By the third TCH my nails became very sore and I couldn't stand to touch anything, button clothing, etc but the ice helped and it was better by the 4th one...I'd hate to think what would have happened without the ice...
Tiger_Blood I agree-TCH 4 and 5 were terrible for me too! Congrats on being so close to the end-you have the psychological edge now and it's so much better from here on out. Hang in there!
Omaz and Stlcardsfan Congrats on your 1 year cancerversary!!!
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dragonfly - I think stlcardsfan is ahead of me, I am still doing herceptin until the end of august.0
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Omaz I'm totally confused-I always thought we counted from diagnosis but then I don't know what Stlcardsfan is counting from to get a year-maybe end of treatment? In any event, congrats to you for the one year from diagnosis and we'll celebrate the end of Herceptin in Aug when you get there too. I say celebrate as much as possible!
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I have no clue either, so I guess I will be celebrating two anniversaries.
Given the HER2, and the fact that I did chemo first. My official NED is 6/21/10. (surgery date with path confirming no more cancer!)
My last Herceptin was 12/15/10. So this December will be my 1 year cancerversary,
I have been on several threads and from what I gather, the official start for HER is after the last treatment (Herceptin). I could be completely wrong, but that is what I chose to go with.
I will ask my oncologist when I see him again in August. I am on every 4 month followups with him for at least the next two years.
I celebrate everyday that I am still here!!!!
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Me Too!!!!!
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Dragonfly,
My nails are also lifting from ends. Mine don't look too bad though, kind of like a french manicure. I also keep them very short so I don't catch them on anything....
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My BS counts from the date of my surgery which was my first treatment (followed by chemo, herceptin Anastrozole). I makes sense. I mean he says I probably had my cancer for 4 years prior to being diagnosed (fast growing sucker). So what's the difference between being diagnosed at year 2 or year 4? I'm going with the NED date.
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Lili2-Good job girl! Sounds like you did great. I ended up getting the numbing cream to put on my port an hour before. It was worth it to not have to feel the poke, especially with blood draws every week.
Just a tip from my experience. I thought I would stay ahead of the nausea by taking my nausea pills on top of the iv nausea meds (which last 5-7 days). I overmedicated myself and got so I couldn't sit down, lie down, or hold still. At first thought it was steroids, but called the triage nurse, who told me to stop taking the nausea pills and drink drink drink. Within 12 hours it was flushed out of my system and I felt NORMAL again. Good luck with your journey. We are here for you!
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