Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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ana - I hope you feel better soon!0
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anafoefana - Sorry you have to have another transfusion. Are they planning blood, or blood and platelets (2 different kinds of transfusions) or will they just watch your platelets for now? Platelets fluctuate quite a bit. They can be quite low one day and back up the next, but they can't be low prior to surgery because you won't clot properly. When you went for the last transfusions did they pre-med you with Tylenol and Benadryl? If not, you may want to ask about it. It can help keep you from a mild transfusion reaction the same way it does with a chemo tx. Whichever doc is ordering the transfusion can order the meds or you can take them at home before is you get the OK to do so.
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How are you doing SpeicalK? You are so knowledgeable!!0
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Special K is a vampire in real life. That's why she knows so much about bloooood.....
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Sewingnut is bringing the comedy!!! That made me laugh! Actually I am not a vampire in real life but it would save on the halloween costume, wouldn't it? I am a blood banker - and yes, we do get a lot of vampire jokes there too! I am always happy to share blood banking knowledge with anyone who needs to have a transfusion because it is scary as hell.
omaz - I am doing ok - frustrated with sleeves/guantlets (I am on my second set because the first set turned my hands purple!) but new ones seem to fit better - same measurements, different fabric. I have arm pain because I have graduated from PT but apparently I am not as good with the self-massage, my LE arm is having some firmness and swelling, and I have not been able to exercise without the dang sleeves! Seems to be a vicious circle of sorts. I have to leave for Herceptin shortly and I am feeling a little cranky - probably not enough sleep! Other than that, the weather is beautiful and today is DH's birthday, so I need to bake a cake!
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SpecialK,
Thanks, they will only do a blood transfusion, the platelets should be okay. Last time they gave me benadryl before the transfusion and I imagine it will be the same.
I do have concerns. It is kind of scary to anticipate problems, but I will trust the doctors and nurses will take care of me. If I was not having surgery in a few weeks, I may have opted to ride it out. I know they screen donations and will make every effort to make it safe.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us! It really helps!
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SpecialK - When I had trouble with cording and LE during and after rads I found that swimming realy helped. Just gentle movements in the water for 30 minutes or so. Something about the water moving against the skin and the water pressure seemed to help. Also, Kira who is one of the LE specialists here with Binney said that the pressure during self-massage is like petting a kitty. Also my LE therapist said to do it slow and use as much of my fingers flat as I could and release from the skin after each circle if that makes sense.0
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anaforfana - I am sure you will be just fine too! I am sorry you have to go through the worry though right before surgery, but it is best that you are completely ready. I will be thinking of you.
omaz - I had read about the water thing too - I may have to get in the pool tomorrow - I have noticeable swelling and pain in the underside of the forearm this afternoon. Too late to put in an emergency call to the PT. I will do it in the morning - this is a little scary. I noticed it right before getting my H, (ha, sounds like heroin!) I don't know if I should put on my sleeve tonight for a little while. I really enjoyed the massage from the PT but I always feel like I am doing it wrong at home. I will take an anti-inflammatory and sleep with it elevated I guess...
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omaz - I just noticed that the member kira posted on another thread so I sent her a PM. I am sure she will answer me, but in the meantime I will look at that thread. I wandered around on the LE area earlier trying to find some advice but then left to make b-day dinner for DH! Thanks for the help!0
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SpecialK - my link didn't work, this is the name of the thread
GRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE..........
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omaz - I tried the link, thanks for coming back with the name!
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Link should work now SpecialK! What kind of cake did you make?0
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omaz - DH voted for a cake delay until Saturday night (DD had school last night), but I will either make his favorite which is carrot with cream cheese icing or a chocolate with chocolate - my favorite. I did make a spectacularly unhealthy (but also one of his favorites!) dinner of chicken breast stuffed with cream cheese and scallion that is then wrapped in bacon and baked. I also made rice pilaf and redeemed with some steamed broccoli. I checked out that link and have talked with my PT this morning. I have sleeve/guantlet on right now, took some Advil, keeping it elevated and waiting for a call from the MO. Fun times...
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SpecialK Hope things rapidly improve with the lymphedema and you get some relief.
If I'm honest, I'm a little bit frustrated by the "collateral damage" caused by all of this treatment. I am so grateful for the availability of the treatment for early stage but I guess I'm struggling because I was just starting to really feel better and then here comes another painful problem i.e. the frozen shoulder. It's also been a terrible week. A friend and colleague who has been an incredible support to me throughout this year (in fact, she buzzed my hair when DH could not because he was out of town) was diagnosed with BC this week:( I'm watching her go through the familiar shock and anguish. She's a 40 year old single mom of 2 teenagers and lost her own mother to leukemia at a young age. I hate BC...
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dragonfly - ah yes, collateral damage, it is frustrating, isn't it? How is your shoulder doing? You received an injection didn't you, and did it help? Have you started PT? My PT was the first call this morning - she was very nice and called me right back. Also frustrating - because I had been "discharged" from PT now I need a new prescription for more if I need it - even though I still have visits available on the referral. Bad enough the physical problem - but then the paperwork stuff. Salt in the wound, so to speak!
I am sorry about your friend - it is so hard because you know exactly the headspace they must be in. I have a good friend, one of my husband's old commander's wife, who I have known for at least 25 years. She had BC 10 years ago, had quite a struggle but had been cancer free since. She was diagnosed with uterine CA in '09, was NED for a year, then during my treatment, during which she was so supportive and encouraging, went to stage IV. So upsetting, and her gyn-onc thinks it was due to her BC treatment. Just crappy.
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SpecialK-No, the Ortho decided to hold off on the injection and stick with the anti-inflammatories only until I start PT today. If I can't tolerate the pain, he'll give me the cortisone injection. I'm ok with that plan for now. My shoulder is tolerable during the day but hurts terribly at night. Can't wait to get going with the PT and find some relief. I know what you mean about the paperwork-just one more headache. I got the prescription but then it took me almost a week to find an "in-network" provider and an appt that would fit around my job hours. Just what I wanted right now-more appointments!!!
Sorry about your friend too-I can't even imagine ending up with another cancer caused by the treatment from BC although I know it's a real possibility:(
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what is the BC tx that can cause other cancers? Is there never an end to this? Sorry, feeling a bit bummed today, woke up with a bad headache/migraine type that requires Demerol to get it under control. Went to the Urgent Care to be told sorry there has been so much abuse of Demerol they no longer carry it!! So, I had to have Morphine which causes me to itch horribly, but better than the pain and vomiting otherwise. Then, last night I had a piece, almost half, of a tooth just come away in my mouth, So now I have to juggle the dentist and onco while they discuss how to treat this.
Sorry, just whining because I feel sorry for myself today. However, nothing compared to your friends guys, sorry to hear about the new dx's. But thanks to all you wonderful ladies for being there and listening to all this moaning!!
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Grimbol Although the risk is extremely low compared to the benefit I've been warned about other cancers several times-first there was the warning about getting some sort of leukemia from chemo (I looked at my MO with horror), skin cancer from radiation (RO said "well the risk is very minimal and it would likely occur 20+ years from now" What?!?) and of course the risk of uterine cancer from Tamoxifen. I try not to think too much about it. I'm so sorry about your migraine. I've suffered with them my whole life (up to 12 per month since my early 20's) unbelievable pain. I hope they get the pain under control. You can always whine here...feel better.
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so sorry about the migraine and your tooth, grimbol. i can't imagine having to deal with anything else on top of the chemo s/e's. you can vent here all you want. personally, i think you're very strong and i admire that a lot.0
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Hello ladies,
Grimbol, sorry about your migraine. I used to suffer from them as well so I know how miserable you can be. Hope you feel better soon.
Dragonfly, hope you get some relief for your shoulder. About those second cancers caused by treatments, correct me if I am wrong but I thought the leukemia risk was for those on Adriamycin (spelling?), not TCH. Am I mistaken in believing that?
Special K, hope your arm gets better fast and you get those PT appointments without too much trouble.
Ana, so sorry you have to have another transfusion. Please let us know how you are doing.
Yaya, how are you doing on tx#5? I am worried about it since I heard it was the worst. I got the green light today to go ahead with #5 on Monday. My counts have sufficiently rebounded to put me in the safe zone.
Have a good weekend everyone,
Amelie
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I am very sorry to hear of all the troubles. I am sending hugs to all. I hope things ease soon.
I am officially 2 days PFC. SE starting to hit but still happy to be on this side of things.
Also, I thought I remember hearing that the Neupogen/neulasta injections can cause leukemia?? Maybe remembered incorrectly. The tamoxifen/uterine ca issues has me a bit bothered. I have been a bit worried about that drug from the beginning. I am only mildly ER + so it may take a bit of convincing to get me to take it
As far as whining goes, a friend of mine has a psych degree. She was very worried until one day when I was feeling a bit sorry for my self.... She said " thank God, I was beginning to worry about you". Even if you handle things very well, you still are going through a lot. Releasing is healthy and to be expected. And you know you have a group here at all hours of the day to listen.
Amelie, As far as #5 tx being worse... I didn't find that to be true if that reassures you at all. One day at a time and you will be on the other side. Good luck!0 -
amelie, this is day 5 of #5 and i haven't had any problems. i'm extremely tired and somewhat weak, but nothing really bad. i think this is about as bad as it's going to get. good luck on monday. keep us posted, ok?0
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I will, Yaya. How wonderful that you haven't had any problems so far. Keep it up. You are an inspiration to the rest of us.
Izzy and everyone else, thank you for the encouragement. I am glad to be moving forward.
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amelie, i live alone and i don't work full-time out of my home. it's much easier for me than many of the others on these pages. also, i'm almost 66 and have been through menopause already, so hot flashes are nothing new. it's the other younger women who struggle with family and work and early menopause who are inspirations to me. i'm so grateful my kids are grown and i don't have to worry about them and can take care of myself. thank you for your kind words, though. i honestly don't think you'll have a hard time with #5. i think just knowing what to expect makes it all easier.0
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Thanks for the words of encouragement,
I am feeling better from my headache, just woozy now from all the drugs. Fortunately my tooth is not hurting and I am seeing a dentist on Monday. They will then have to talk with my onco to discuss treatment. They asked initially if they could get a waiver to release them from liability while treating me!!! Depends what has happened, myabe if I'm careful it can wait until after.......hmmm, the end of chemo, the end of rads, or the end of Herceptin, could be a while, maybe I should just get it treated!!Hope you all have a great weekend, stay out of the snow if you live in that area.
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Amelie_Rose Taxotere can cause acute myeloid leukemia but it's rare and I think it only occurs when Tax is used in combination with specific drugs (not CH). I feel like the risk of serious side effects is minimal compared to my risk of recurrance so I have to take the chance. Izzy325 I hadn't heard anything about the neulasta being linked to leukemia but nothing surprises me at this point. As far as the Tamoxifen, I find it worrisome too but my Gyn is planning to monitor more closely for uterine changes so I'm hoping there is more benefit than harm.0
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Izzy - I think adriamycin has been linked to leukemia and in the BCIRG006 study where they compared TCH and AC-TH to AC-T there were 8 cases of leukemia in the 3000+ participants and they were all related to adriamycin (doxorubicin) use. I haven't read about neulasta and leukemia.0
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SpecialK - How is your arm doing?0
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grimbol - sorry about the tooth and headache - I think there were a couple of people in my chemo group (feb gals) that had dental problems. Maybe on your break between chemo and rads you could get it fixed, as long as your white count is good. For my friend I think it was the Taxomifen that caused her problems - don't know how closely they monitored her. She is a nurse practioner, in women's health - so I am sure she was aware, but I was kind of surprised she did not have a hysterectomy. She is a couple of years older than I am, through menopause for sure.
yaya - glad you are hanging in!
izzy - yay for PFC!
amelie - don't worry too much about #5 - we all had bad times at different points. Having that extra week may give you an advantage too, hope so.
dragonfly - hope the PT gives you some relief. I found that doing some of the stretching exercises in the shower (crazy mental picture, I know!) helped because of the warm water. I feel you on the appointment hassle - when I talked to the PT secretary today she said they were booking out at 3 weeks already. I still need a new prescription for more PT which I wouldn't be able to get until next week so I wouldn't be seen for about a month. Ridiculous.
omaz - the arm seems better this evening, thanks for asking. I did talk to my PT and the onc nurse. Of course, MO said if fever, redness, more pain, etc. go to the ER. I was like, duh! I got in the tub and filled it way up and kind of "swam" around, and I took some Advil, elevated the arm and then and put my sleeve/guantlet on. Putting on the sleeve hurt as it was going over the area, which was kind of inside the bicep just above the elbow, so I was pulling on the sleeve pretty hard to get it all the way up, but once I had it on and wore it for a little while I noticed that my arm hurt less. When I took it off the swollen area was not as firm to the touch, so some progress. I really need to stretch it out and wear the sleeve more. I just got new sleeves this week - had issues with the first set, so it may have just been too long without compression. Never a dull moment!
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