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Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

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Comments

  • fltbanjo39
    fltbanjo39 Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2008

    Thanks for the info Shel.  Guess I'll plan for the cut sooner.  I too normally wear short hair.  Have a good day and keep strong.

  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 131
    edited July 2008

    Punita,

    My drowsiness is short- I go home and sleep a couple of hours and am fine after the herceptin only. They give me benadryl as a premed for herceptin and that causes the frowsiness.

    I never lost all my hair on TCH- thinned way down to less than half after second treatment, started growing again around the 4th treatment- so now I have longer hairs that never fell out and a whole new crop of fuzzies where it fell out and has started coming back - I dont think this is typical with taxotere but it does happen according to the nurses!

    Kristy 

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited July 2008

    I am back! I had my first Herceptin on Wed. and it was a loading dose so took a while pulse had to do the blood work and see the doc before selecting my chair but then I went to work afterward. I just noticed being a little dizzy when I bent over at work and of course they gave me the benadryal which I take at night anyway to help me sleep. I have arthritis and fibromyalgia and so when they went to give me the tylenol I would only take one since my pain meds have Tylenol and I don't want to damage my liver anymore than it might be.

    Second day (Thursday) My husband took me and I took my laptop and we watched movies since it was going to be so long. We watch "Bucket List" which is about 2 men with cancer and it was sad but funny too. People could not believe we were going to watch that during chemo. No one else except nurses were close to us anyway. I can get on the internet there where I have been sitting. So I am hoping to get that chair everytime. I have been awake since 3 AM my back is hurting but it is from sitting so long yesterday and my feet are swollen form the steroids. I have the cute rosey cheeks (On my face).

    Oh by the way has anyone had their bresat turn red where the cancer was taken from? I noticed it yesterday after I woke but no one at the doctor office thought anything about it. It is not hot to touch and I do not have a fever. Port is on the other side. My port sticks out a lot and the doc said it may sink back in but I think because I am bony up there ( only place besides wrists) that may be the way it will look. I will have to keep it covered I guess. It looks all blue today since it bled on the way home. We have a little ways to drive. I wish I could take myself but my husband insists he go. It is downtown Oklahoma City and he knows I get a little nervous in the rush hour traffic and my blood pressure has been up a little but not a real biggy.

    How are ya'll drinking that much water with such a nasty taste in your mouth? I tried juice last night and it was not good either and I can't drink carbonated soda because I get kidney stones, I had one just after breast surgery because I drank Sprite. It was small though so it passed in a couple of days and now I am peeing like a race horse or any horse. Maybe that gives me my merit badge for horsemanship at the camp! Surprised

    I am doing my grandsons laundry today and I am going to work this evening and I sure hope I will hold up since this will be a busy day and I work on Sat. too. I am the commercial teller and I have to work with this big fat tall woman that thinks she needs to sit all the time so I am putting her in the last window and I don't have to keep running around her. she is nice other wise except she tells me how much younger she is than me. It very evident I am sure since I am almost 61 and she is 29 and I have a few miles on me from the cancer now. I have brown hair with some gray highlights God gave me. I am wondering what my hair will look like when it comes back it.

    Cupcake, I just meant the 2 treatments and I would be back. I was hoping away. I have to much on my plate right now with work and treatments but I am glad it is chemo only every 3 weeks and not everyweek like they said at first and then after I finish these I get to go to radiation everyday for who knows how long.

    Carolyn

  • lynnmom1968
    lynnmom1968 Member Posts: 19
    edited July 2008

    Hello All,

    I haven't been here much lately, but not because I'm suffering horrible side effects.  I'm just so busy and the days are flying by.  I had to post and say that my hair starting coming out on day 14 like clockwork.  My scalp started hurting on day 13, and the next day the hair was coming out in the shower.  I went to my hairdresser and she was so nice.  She put me in a chair where not everyone in the mall could see me.  Some of the people in the salon were staring, but when they heard what was going on they were very supportive.  She gave me a buzz with a #1 blade, so now I just have tiny hairs falling out.  Let me tell you, it's impossible to hide the gray when your hair is 1/8 inch long.  I've been coloring my hair for 6 or 7 years now, so I didn't know exactly how gray it was.  I've still got some brown on top, but the sides are completely gray.  Whatever.

    I live in Florida, and it is about 90,000 degrees here with 250% humidity, so a wig is out of the question.  My first trip out sans hair was to Target yesterday.  I wore my pink Nike dri-weave ball cap which is supposed to be cool and comfortable.  Even inside the store, the hat was unbearable hot.  I've already been for walks around the neighborhood with nothing on my head.  I think pretty soon I'll be going commando everywhere.

    My TCH #2 is on Tuesday.  I have to say my worst days were days 3-4.  Days 5-10 were progressively better and I've been almost back to normal since then.  Only 3 treatments to go.

    I hope you all are doing well.  Cupcake, sounds like you are doing good.  Hang in there.

    I agree with the comment about water tasting horrible.  I was pushing it until I couldn't stand to drink it anymore.  Fat free milk is my beverage of choice these days.

    Take care everyone,

    Lynn

  • punita
    punita Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2008

    hi all,

     my mother had breast cancer in 2003.  she had surgery  and 8  cycles of chemotheraphy and 25 cycles of radiation. that time her ER NEGATIVE AND PR POSITIVE.    so she was on tamoxifen. again in feb 08, we have undertaken pet scan that shows lytic lesions in multiple pelvic bones and  multiple mediastenal lymph nodes also shows increased . she has undertaken 6 cycles of chemotheraphy of TCH and now herception will going to start in month of august. we are in confusion right now about the cycles of herception. please let us knows your experiences of herception and how many cycles you have to undergo with ?

    thanks

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited July 2008

    I do like milk but they said not to eat/drink what you like. I drink 1% or use it on my cereal. I got up so early this morning and I had some Activia which was okay but seemed slimy at 3 in the morning. i love my water but not right now.

    I hope all is well with everyone. I am dreading work this evening but maybe the customers will be kind. It is payday so we will be busy I am sure.

    Carolyn

  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 131
    edited July 2008

    Gramma,

    I have tried a couple of things with the water - I steeped hot water with several sprigs of lemon balm and then diluted it- the lemon flavor seemed to cut through the sewer mouth taste quite a bit and I was able to keep drinking water, also found a product called True Lemon which is little packets of crystallized lemon and I add that to water and of course, squeezing fresh lemon into the water. Lemon seems to cut the bad taste for me. A woman from the American Cancer Society suggested swishing with root beer- you dont have to swallow it- to clear the mouth temporarily and then you could drink the water without the bad taste. I havent tried that one since I dont keep carbonated in the house.

    I also keep lemon drops and Brachs cinnamon disks- I can eat one of those and then drink water without having that horrible taste.

    I usually have the sewer mouth for about a week to 10 days after TCH- absolutely hate it. Mexican food is what I like best which surprised me since most people say they cant eat Mexican food on chemo- I eat it more often that before bc during days 1-10 of my cycle- family joke is to not ask me what I want because the answer will be a tamale and salsa.

    Wishing everyone a restful weekend!

    Kristy

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2008

    Hey Carolyn: I'm usually a huge water drinker, but that first week after a treatment especially, I need to doctor it up. I make huge things of sun tea (usually with green tea laced with some kind of berry....chock full of antioxidants!) and sweeten with liquid stevia. It's yummy, and helps me pound down the fluids. I also like to mix Pelegrino bubbly water with whole juices. That works, too. And I do think that peeing like a race horse qualifies one for the Equestrienne Badge at Camp Chemo! Definitely!

  • TF80209
    TF80209 Member Posts: 83
    edited July 2008

    For those of you struggling to get the water down (boy do I remember those days), you might want to mix up a batch of jello. It's considered a clear liquid so is a water substitute.

    Punita: I'm sorry to hear about your mother's additional lesions. I will be getting Herceptin for a year total. I have been getting it once every three weeks and will have it for a total of 18 times. I started Herceptin with my chemo in Sept. 2007 and will finish up in Sept. 2008.

    Some people on these boards are only getting Herceptin for six months. I think I recall one woman saying she would be getting Herceptin for much longer than a year since she had bone mets (lesions on her bones).

    It's important to remember that treatments may vary based on the kind of cancer a person has, the stage of the cancer and even the oncologist and regional practices.

    Terri.

  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 211
    edited July 2008

    Punita,,,,,,,,,,,,,I also did a year of herceptin.  I think that that is a typical treatment,,,,,,,one year of herceptin.  I had no side effects at all with the herceptin.  Sorry to hear about your mom,,,,,,,we are all sending her good vibes ok?

    I'm proud of you gals,,,,,,,,,,you are all doing a wonderful job.  Keep up the good work.

    Have a good weekend

    Cindy

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited July 2008

    thanks everyone for the ti-bits on water tastes. I have some lemon drops and they do help and I love lemon. I slept real good last night. We were so busy at work and I work today. I almost wet my bed last night because I had a hard time waking up but luckily I made it. the radiologist told me I would probably take the Hercertin for longer but the chemo doc did not but my breast has been red since the first time I took it and I am going to ask the doc Wed. why. It does not hurt just looks really sunburned but is not. I am too old and have young men living at my house so they do not need a nude granny laying around! Cool I am going to take some applesauce to work for a snack and I have animal crackers and vanilla wafers there and of course take my jug of water. I am using the biotene tootpaste and the mouthwash recipe with salt and soda and it does help some.

    Anyone heard from cupcake? I hope all is well. I will check back in probably Monday. I suspect tomorrow will be my worse day. I have a Sunday school class to teach too so I am hoping I will be okay.

    Carolyn

  • punita
    punita Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2008

    hi all,

     whether the doctor has given you steroid before the herception cycle ? we have heard that the treatment of herception had very bad effect on heart. is it true?

    punita

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2008

    Punita; In a very small percentage of patients, Herceptin can cause a decrease of cardiac function. This is why they do a base-line echocardiogram or MUGA scan before treatment and follow up scans every 3 months while on Herceptin. If something looks funky, they skip a dose, and usually function returns to baseline. If one does have that side effect, it's almost always reversible. That's what I have read and heard, anyway.

  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 131
    edited July 2008

    Punita,

    I dont get steroids with my herceptin only infusions. I have been on Herceptin right around 3 months and my follow up MUGA is Monday- I will let you know if I have any change in the heart function. I have been walking extensively since my surgery in an effort to mitigate the possible heart effects of the Herceptin so I might not be a perfect example of a person on Herceptin. I have not felt any side effects from it- dont have shortness of breath or get overly tired at least at the 3 month spot.

    Kristy 

  • TF80209
    TF80209 Member Posts: 83
    edited July 2008

    Punita: I don't get steroids with my Herceptin treatments, either. I have had three echocardiograms so far; my fourth one is on Monday. I have had no negative impact on my heart by taking Herceptin. My EVF values have all been within the normal range of 60 - 70%.

    My doctor told me the same thing that KristyAnn mentioned. If there was a negative impact on heart function, they would temporarily stop the Herceptin until your heart recovered. Problems are usually reversible with Herceptin.

    Terri.

  • punita
    punita Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2008

    wish u all the best kristy ann for your MUGA ON MONDAY

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2008
    Aly--We're missing you out at the campfire. I'm hoping and praying you're not in the sick tent again. I'd rather you were out there short-sheeting and putting India ink on the toilet seats in the counselors' latrine! I'm sending good vibes your way.

    Donalee--What kind of antics are you up to these days? I hope all you campers who aren't posting so much are doing well.

    How about you, Cupcake? Are you keeping those side effects under control? You know, when I first started this, I compared it a lot to labor contractions and surfing, in that you ride it when it comes. But in my VAST EXPERIENCE (LOL) of two treatments, I've decided to take a different tactic--control the side effects at least a day before they're scheduled to arrive. When it's your 1st treatment, it's hard to do that, because you don't know how your body will react. But if you keep a calendar of what happens on what day this time, you'll be ready next time. Line up your arsenal and know what weapon to use for what enemy--and shoot BEFORE you see the whites of their eyes!
  • Donalee
    Donalee Member Posts: 106
    edited July 2008

    Shel,

    Hi!!I've been great! Did a spin class yesterday. It felt wonderful to be able to work out that hard again!! (This is the week before my next chemo!) I feel like wonder woman. I'm "going away" next week though. That's my new analogy for my chemo week. Wish me luck. It's #3, so I'll be half way done after Tuesday!!!Yeah!

    Aly,

    Hope all is well for you. Please let us know soon!! We miss you.

    Cupcake,

    Hope your doing well also, we miss you too!

    Everyone,

    Hang in there guys! Hope all is well with everyone. Wishing everyone subtle SE's, if not NO SE"s!!!Laughing

    Donalee

  • AlyMarie
    AlyMarie Member Posts: 192
    edited July 2008

    Thanks everyone for thinking of me.  Unfortunately yes, I'm in the sick tent still.  SO weak and SO tired it's unbelievable.  And, my husband and daughter managed to catch a cold at the hospital last week and promptly gave it to me so today I'm suffering under that as well.  Not sure where the chemo effects end and the cold starts.  I just don't understand why I'm so weak.  I mean, weak like I can't stand up long enough to heat up a can of ravioli and I have to rest several times when trying to get showered and dressed in the morning.  Anybody have any ideas at all what can be done about this particular side effect? 

    Love to you all,

    Aly.

  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 131
    edited July 2008

    Aly,

    I would call the doctor- the only time I had that kind of fatigue and weakness was when my hemoglobin and potassium levels tanked and it took IV fluids to get my body back to normal- then I was amazed at how much better I felt.

    Donalee, we are on similar schedules- I have treatment this Thursday- will be number 5 of 6!

    Kristy 

  • AlyMarie
    AlyMarie Member Posts: 192
    edited July 2008

    You know it's funny because when I was in hospital they gave me potassium because it was low.  I see her tomorrow I'll ask her again.  This really sucks!  Kristy, I'm so happy you're almost through your treatments. That's so great.  I still have 4 to go.  Ugh!

  • pianopeace1
    pianopeace1 Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2008

    A few suggestions  that have seemed to help with my first week of TCH (I had my first treatment on Tuesday, July8)

    I am adding something called " Glaceau Vitamin Water -Lemonade Flavor" to my regular water - it makes it much easier to drink (works better than pieces of lemon).

     I am also drinking a glass of carrot-beet-cucumber-spinach jiuce every day (I know it sounds awful, but I think it's helping my energy levels)

    Have any of you experienced  "the runs" - I thought it might be one of the chemo drugs??

    Hope all of you ladies who had their first TCH last week will be feeling more "Back to normal" this coming week. I just get herceptin this week, so I guess that's easier than the chemo weeks.

    Aly, I hope they'll help you tomorrow, so you can feel stronger. 

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2008
    Aly! It sucks heinie that you're tanked again! Yeah, I'd call the doctor, if it were me. You really shouldn't have to go that low. Obviously, you're getting hit a lot harder than most people. My prayer is that they find a way to treat you without beating you up so badly. 

    Donalee--I'm glad that you're feeling so well. Thanks for checking in. Either people don't post because they're feeling really horribly or because they're feeling so well that they're just out there kicking butt. I've been kicking some rump myself, going to the gym, yoga, running (but slower than usual due to some anemia). I get poisoned again on Thursday. I'm going to take them a copy of the song. I've been working on a painting of my view of the infusion pump with the bag hanging. Took photos of the doc. I'm going to paint a likeness of his face on the pump with crossbones under it. Hopefully it will turn out as creepy and surreal as it is in my head!
  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 211
    edited July 2008

    Aly,,,,,,,,,,,I too had extreme fatigue,,,,,but the week before I would get my next chemo it seemed to be a little better.  When I would make my bed,,,,,,,I would have to take breaks cause it just exhausted me.  Going up the stairs was exhausting too.  It will get better for you,,,,,,,hang in there girl.

    And to all the others,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,man you guys are doing a great job.  Big kudos to all you ladies.

    Punita,,,,,,,,,,,I never had steroids during my herceptin only.  I was supposed to take benadryl and tylenol the morning of ,,,,,,,,,and I forgot lots of times and I was fine.  I also had an echocardiogram every 3 months,,,,,,and there was no change in my heart.   whoo hoo!

    And the taste buds ladies,,,,,,,,,,,,yikes, hated that.  Everything tasted horrible.  I tried lemon drops and to me they were awful.  I did ok with milk though.  That actually tasted ok to me.  Go figure since I was never a milk drinker.

    Have a good week all.............and Shel is right when she says that you will find a routine to the side effects after treatment,,,,,,,,,then its much easier to manage them.

    Take care ladies,,,,,,,,,and good job all.

    Cindy

  • bethanybeane
    bethanybeane Member Posts: 167
    edited July 2008

    Hi all, I've been "hangin' out" a bit on the "ANYONE STARTING TCH IN JULY".    As a former camp couselor, I have chuckled through your posts, Shelbaroni. My Girl Scout camp name was Twiggy --- and now I have my hair cut kinda like she did in 1968.  

    My first TCH treatment was July 2 and I feel good -- have had some energy in the morning for the last few days. Definitely agree with being proactive on the side effects: plan on starting Prilosec 3-4 days ahead as well as Miramax.....I wrote down the Power Pudding recipe -- thank you, CUPCAKE. Hope you're getting past the first few days ok.

     This is a picture of Darcy the Dawg wearing her LIVESTRONG bracelet. Cheers, Bethany

  • Donalee
    Donalee Member Posts: 106
    edited July 2008

    I recently updated my avatar to include my DH. Hope ya like! I wish it wasn't so far away looking!

    Aly-glad to hear from you! I'm sorry you've been soo sick! That sucks.

    I had to take my daughter to an urgent care place this week. She broke her foot playing volleyball! She was a gymnast fro 10 years and never broke a thing, go figure. I was worried because the kid next to us had swollen glands and had to have a throat culture done! I never even gave it a thought until I was there! Thank God I didn't have to got to the ER!

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2008
    Donalee...excuse my profound lack of abbreviative savvy, but back in my day, a DH was a "designated hitter". I've been straining my white matter trying to imagine what you meant. Is it "Divine Husband"? Or perhaps "Deranged Humanoid"? Please enlighten me. I know what you mean about the urgent care. I've been taking care of my 19 year old daughter who has mono, as it turns out, for the last week or so. I've been concerned that the infectious load of her effluents and those of the occupants of the physicians' offices we've been in maybe a bit much for the five or six white cells I have left in my body. Then my nine year old has had a GI virus. 

    But maybe I can work that to my advantage. Maybe I'll get diarrhea just in time for the "plug up the dam" period I experience right after a treatment. I called my onco nurse about that, and she actually scolded me for "letting myself" be constipated for 5 days. I told her I wouldn't actually consider my approach a passive one, since I was taking stool softener (maximum dose), Senna tea, and Miralax DAILY, and it took 5 days for it to work. The only thing I can think to do differently is to induce full-on diarrhea the day before I start the decadron and hope that all the nasty crap they give me will just titrate it out. Anyone have any suggestions? My third poisoning is slated for Thursday.
  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 131
    edited July 2008

    Shelbaroni,

    I will be with you on Thursday, except its #5 for me - I can hardly stand the thought of going back there on Thursday!

    Kristy

  • Donalee
    Donalee Member Posts: 106
    edited July 2008

    Dh is dear husband. Saw it on some other threads. There was a whole list of abbrev. but I don't remember where it is.

  • Gina_M
    Gina_M Member Posts: 108
    edited July 2008

    Hi all,

    Shelbaroni - I also was constipated for 5 days, called the emergency onc line and the onc on call this weekend told me to immediately purchase and give myself a Fleet enema before the white cells came down.  She said next time around, I should use stool softeners (like Colace) for 2 days before treatment and maybe cut down on the amount of Zofran I took (since I really didn't have any nausea, and I already didn't take the last one prescribed bacuase of the constipation).  I was happy to have the Fleet in my arsenal, as it worked quickly.  The onc. indicated that as long as my WBCs weren't down yet, I could also have done a glyverin suppository on day 2 or 3 (rather than wait the five days and take out the dynamite!).  I also had tried Senecal, tons of fiber, prunes, etc. etc.

    Good luck on Thursday.

    Gina_M.

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