Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
-
Linda,
I'm always proactive on my nausea drugs, and I plan to do the same with my diarrhea medications this time also, at the advice of my ONC. He said when you let these SEs get fully started, it's much harder to control and stop. My taste buds always improve during the 3rd week.
My latest treatment was only delayed four days (Friday instead of Tuesday), and I didn't question it. If you get a chance to ask your ONC about the delay, let me know, please. I'll need to reschedule my February treatment for a few days due to an big upcoming family trip to Las Vegas.
I pray your halfway treatment goes well for you this round.
0 -
Happy New Year everyone - mine has not started out so well, have a cold and fever, got up to 101 about 2 hrs ago. I am supposed to have a Herceptin tx on Tuesday - anyone know the chances of it being postponed cause of my cold? Thanks!
0 -
Just curious if any of the people ont this list have had their oncologist discuss with them what they think the lenghth of treatment for herceptin should be. I completed 6 TCH treatments in July, and started having herceptin only every 3 weeks. In November they stopped it due to heart problems, which may be caused by herceptin. I had almost no symptoms of heart problems but problems showed up on MUGA and EKG's, echo's etc. They are planning to restart the herceptin next week. I feel like I have to choose between chance of cancer reoccuring vs.more heart damage. If anyone has had their onc address the length of time for treatment of herceptin please share. It is suppose to be a year but why??
Many of the miserable SE's I had from getting TCH have disappeared. Taste buds back to normal and the constant tearing in eyes has lessened. I still have numbness in bottom of my feet. Onc said it might take 18 months to disappear.
Happy New Year everyone.
0 -
Racerdeb ~ My treatment has been delayed by 6 days. My MO actually wanted me to have it rescheduled to last Thursday or Friday, but both infusion centers were booked solid so it couldn't be done. I am thinking that I may e-mail my MO as he is very good about answering questions that way. In fact, he even encouraged me to e-mail him if I am wondering about something. I am sure it is a very efficient way for information to get to patients with a lot less effort on both sides. I will be sure and let you know if he gives me any useful information.
I honestly thought I was being proactive with my anti-nausea meds after my last treatment. I even set my alarm and took the Zofran every 4 hours. I will be adding the Ativan along with that and the Compazine if needed as well. I checked with the pharmacist and was told it's OK to use them all if necessary and I am going to be much more proactive this time. Why be miserable if we don't have to be? Not! I agree that taste is better the 3rd week and I have to tell you it was way, way better this 4th week and I have actually enjoyed eating the past few days. Probably too much...I think I ate 3 cookies today as well as a delicious hamburger. My husband said to enjoy it while I can, so I did! So happy you will be having a fun trip to Las Vegas. I told my husband that once the chemo is over I am all about a vacation!
Reida ~ Sorry you aren't feeling well. Hope your symptoms don't delay your treatment on Tuesday.
Serenitywisdom ~ My onc said that Herceptin should be a year long treatment (every 3 weeks). I have read posts on some of the topics here that say there is research that suggests 6 months may be long enough, but I have not heard if this is actually recommended at this time. Anyone have any info about a shorter course of Herceptin? I am sincerely hoping my heart function stays high enough so I can get the necessary course of treatment. And I hope the same for everyone else who needs it. I am glad to know the taste buds do really recover. I am also hoping my drippy nose resolves itself once my hair comes back! One of my nieces is planning an October wedding so I am hoping that I have hair on my head by that time, too!
Take care and have a great week. As for me, I am hoping for mild SE's! 0 -
My ONC did talk in details about the proposed Herceptin plan for a year. He said it may be just as effective in as few as six months, but it has not been fully trialed and proven yet. So, until then, he plans to stick with the yearly treatments.
However, even though it's a bit more hassle, I've been getting weekly Herceptin treatments in between the TCH (three week treatments). In that way, they use lower doses of Herceptin (with the exception of the first time) between the tougher TCH treatments, hopefully causing less stress on my heart. Since I live fairly close to the treatment center and it only takes a couple of hours, it's just like running another household errand. Another advantage is that I get to meet with my ONC on a weekly basis to discuss SEs, get the blood tests and have my vitals checked.
Once I've completed my TCH treatments (hopefully around mid-March), he will change my Herceptin treatment to the higher dose on a three-week basis until November (a year from the start). Like I said, I'm hoping his plan will cause less stress on my heart, and it makes a lot of sense to me.
I will be getting my three-month heart Echo test soon, and I'm hoping that everything is going according to plan so far. We'll see.
0 -
racerdeb - there are a number of ladies who have had Herceptin weekly and then changed to the every three week - some continue weekly all the way through. I am pretty sure dragonfly did the weekly and then made the switch. One thing that I have learned with having echos - ask them to go back and look at your previous one when they do your current one, so they are consistently measuring. Turns out that when the supervisor looked at my second one, while doing my third, he felt that the tech innaccurately measured and gave me an artificially high EJ number so it looked like I dropped on the third one, but I really didn't. My second one was done with my left TE out and the tech was having a really hard time placing the transducer correctly because he kept getting stuck on the chest bones. Echos have a human error aspect that I had not realized - they are only as accurate as the operator.
0 -
SpecialK - I think that's true because my first echo EJ before starting chemo was 73% and after that ranged from 55-60%. Onc PA thought that the 73% was probably too high to begin with.0
-
Thanks so much for the advice, SpecialK. You're so knowledgeable about this stuff!0
-
omaz - I think mine was artificially high as well, due to the errors made. When it appeared to have dropped between echo 2 and 3 I panicked a little until the supervisor went back and looked at the previous exams. It was 55 on the last echo and when I mentioned the false high to MO he nodded, like he was familiar with this happening. I am glad I asked while I was having the exam (and that a supervisor was doing the exam), otherwise I would have freaked! I only have one more Herceptin (yay! kind of!) so hopefully all will remain well. Hard to believe this year is done!
0 -
SpecialK - Hard to believe the year is done for sure, I remember when you started chemo! It's a little weird being done with the herceptin. It felt like a security blanket to me.0
-
Herceptin was a HUGE security blanket for me, too. I never would have thought I would be scared to end it, but I was. I even almost signed up for a clinical trial (which wasn't even totally appropriate for me) just to keep the drugs coming! And that is from someone who never even took tylenol before all this!
BUT after a few months of being done Herceptin, and starting to REALLY FEEL BETTER, I got used to it and put the fear behind me and fell in love with being DONE and being healthy again. It's just another bump in the road to get past (being done with H) and then you are on your way. I am LOVING life now and feeling totally strong, fit and healthy. It has been almost 3 years since dx, and about 18 mo, since I finished Herceptin. When the subject comes up, people are always shocked to hear it and say how great and healthy I look. (And I have to say I LOVE hearing that.)
You will get there. Be patient with yourself, feel your feelings and let them pass along, and you will get to the other side.Love
Amy
0 -
specialK, i can't BELIEVE you have only one more herceptin. how awesome! do you think you'll get your port out soon?0
-
Happy New Year everyone! May 2012 be a healthy year for all of us.
Special K, Congratulations on having one more herceptin left! You did it! I can't remember exactly, but do you have your exchange surgery planned for this month? I am probably completely off on the timing, but it's nice to reach these milestones and look back to see how far we've come.
Linnyhop, my treatment was delayed twice and I remember asking my onc whether that would impact the effectiveness of the chemo. She said no. I was worried but she was very reassuring and helped put my mind at ease.
GrandmaV, I am sorry you are having such a hard time. I hope you find something to help with the ringing in the ears soon. What difficult SE to deal with! Let us know when you get some relief.
Yaya, how is radiation going? I'd appreciate any advice/reassurance you might have at this point. How far along are you? Ana, I believe you start radiation this week, just like me. What have you done to prepare so far. I can't believe your hair is growing already. NO sign of hair growth here. My last TCH was 11/30.
0 -
amelie, radiation is going ok. i have 8 more with full breast and then 5 more just at the site of the lumpectomy. be sure to keep the radiated area moisturized. i bought an expensive cream at first, but honestly, i think aquaphor might do just as well. the only problem with it is that it's very greasy. i have a rash on the burned area which is usual for me ... it's like a sun rash. i keep hydrocortizone on the rash on top of the aquaphor. also, keep the area under your breast and under your arm dry so that skin doesn't rub on skin. i'm using corn starch. bought a big container of it that has a screw-off lid and i put it on with a large make-up brush. good luck! please let us know how it goes.0
-
Well, I am officially at the half-way mark of the TCH! I am excited to think that in another 2 1/2 months or so I will be done with the TC and will only have the Herceptin to deal with until November. I keep telling myself that despite the SE's I can do this! Actually I feel like I would not want to take a chance on not doing it, but that is my personal choice and I know others have the right to do whatever is best for them. I am wondering how soon after the chemo part is completed that I will start radiation. YaYa I will keep your advice in mind when it does start. I have heard from others that Aquaphor is a good product for radiation.
Amelia Rose & Racerdeb ~ I did e-mail my MO to ask about the delay in chemo affecting the treatment outcome, but the medical offices were closed today due to the holiday, so I will let you know what he tells me in his reply. However, I asked the chemo nurse today and she said the same thing your onc did Amelia Rose. So I am sure that is the right information and we are good despite a delay in a treatment. The RN said the most important thing is to try and make sure to have the number of treatments recommended. That's my goal for sure!
Special K ~ So excited to hear you are ending the Herceptin part of your treatment. Can't wait to be at that place, but can really imagine that being at the end of an actual treatment schedule will be a bit scary. As Amy said, we will get to the point where we are just excited to feel good again...oh what a happy time that will be for all of us!
GrandmaV make sure you keep us posted on the tinnitus. The nurse asked me about it today and when I told her I have had that annoying symptom for over 20 years she kind of chuckled and said she thought I must be used to it by now...you think? I heard her ask the man next to me mention that he had developed tinnitus since his last chemo...I really didn't know it was a common one. I truly hope yours goes away and soon!
Well, as for me, I am going to be taking those anti-nausea drugs on a regular schedule and hope for the best. Dreading the next few days, but this too shall pass...except for that metallic taste...yuck! But in less than 3 months that part will be gone, too and as I keep saying onward and upward! Take care and have a peaceful evening.
0 -
Ladies, please help with suggestions. I am so tearful all the time. Every time I look at my two children I just cry. My mo suggested Effexor so my primary started me on that two weeks ago. I was already on lexzpro for depression before that. I know part of this is hormonal changes from chemo. Have any of you dealt with this? If so, when does it get better? What can I do to help it besides meds?
0 -
LotsofFaith ~ Speaking from personal experience, I feel that a good therapist can be an invaluable tool in making your life better. You just have to make sure you find someone with whom you can have a trusting and honest relationship when going through the experience. I have seen a therapist for other issues in my life and feel that working through my fears and anxieties in the past has helped me to deal with other issues that have developed, including the BC diagnosis and treatment. In fact, I have surprised myself with how much I have been able to deal with. I can honestly tell you that therapy was an emotional life-saver for me. Wishing you good luck with the meds...I started taking a low dose of Lexapro again when I was diagnosed with BC at the advice of my doctor, but truly feel that working with the therapist in the past was really the magic bullet that has allowed me to not fall apart this time. I wish you the very best and if you do decide to see someone make sure that person is the right one for you and don't be afraid to change doctors if need be. It's your life and you need to make it the best you can for you and your family! Hugs to you. Linda0
-
Linny- thank you. Another friend suggested a therapist and I am definetly going to find one and make an appt. I can't do this without some help.
0 -
Thank you, everyone, for your concern. It really is appreciated.
Starting yesterday morning, the ringing sounds in my head have lessened some. I was able to get about 12 hours straight of sleep and feel so much better. I may call my onc today to see what they say about it, but since it's getting better, I may wait until I meet with him Monday. When I call, I never get passed the nurse and I would rather discuss this with him. I'm going to ask about an alternative to carboplatin, as I can't take the chance on making this worse. From my research on carbo, (thank you Omaz) the tinnitus happens in about 20% of those who take it, and it's likely permanent. As intense as the noises were last week, I can't imagine trying live with that and getting any enjoyment out of life. The sounds were excruciating. Today they're tolerable and I'm hoping they continue to lessen and go away. Of course, it may have been the steroids, like my primary doc. thought. She said it would go away in couple of weeks. I hope she is right. So I also need to talk to him about that.
0 -
grandmaV, even though you didn't ask, i'd like to encourage you to call your onco today. maybe he can suggest something that will make you feel better at least emotionally. maybe he can tell you different options for your next tx. maybe you can get some hope from him.0
-
omaz - yes, it is hard to believe I only have one more Herceptin to go - I am getting 17, I know some of my Feb. sisters are getting 18, so they have 2 left. I had a PS appt. this morning, for my next to last fill, and actually used that phrase "security blanket" but he also said I should be celebrating the end of it, and not to look back, what the future holds none of us can control.
Amy - I am looking forward to feeling better - I think some of my body aching is from Herceptin, some from Femara, and some from being 55! Strangely, I had almost no aching from Taxotere, just muscle burning from anemia. My first H only infusion I had a lot of leg and hip pain. I slowed the drip from 30 min to 90 min (thanks, omaz!!!) and that really helped.
yaya - I don't know about the port yet. I need to ask my PS if he can take it out during exchange, or if the BS has to do it. I also need to ask my MO his philosophy on ports and triple pos ladies. I will know on Jan. 19th. During one of my H only infusions there was a young lady who was so upset, she had received chemo for colon cancer, still had her port and was having it flushed in the chair next to me. She had just found a lump and was about to go have her biopsy - I was trying to calm her down. I never found out what happened but I also have not seen her since so I think it all worked out. She actually said "well, at least I already have my port" - but I thought, geesh it would be so awful to do chemo again.
linny - yes, it is a double edged sword - happy and scary! I think it is important to go forward from this point and try not to live in fear - the reason we all have endured these treatments is so we can love our families, have adventures, travel, do things that make us glad to be alive! To be afraid is to give BC power - that has to be denied, it has taken enough from me! I know that has to happen day by day, and some days may be easier than others, but I am trying!
lotsof faith - I echo what linnyhopp said - if you are struggling, do talk to someone. The best would be someone who deals with cancer patients specifically. I think our dark thoughts are different, and require special expertise. It is hard to grapple with your emotions when you are feeling ill from treatment too. I was fortunate because chemo did not cause "chemopause" for me, I already had surgical menopause 10 years ago, so I didn't have too much in the way of emotional swings, but I know it is real and hard to deal with. If you are taking steroids they may be making your ups and downs more pronounced as well.
amelie - I have one more fill, then I marinate for a month or so before exchange. At this point I feel like with another fill I may not be able to see my feet - these are seriously large! I have reached the point where sleeping on my side is awkward, they are just in the way! I expect to go to exchange surgery probably in late Feb/early Mar - so you are right on in your timing guesstimate!
0 -
Good Afternoon Everyone,
Congrats to SpecialK on one more Herceptin! High Five.
Amy I am glad you are doing great. You give me hope. Imagine people being surprised you survived cancer? Are you also doing a special diet and including exercise? What are your secrets?
GrandmaV keep asking questions and seeing what else they can do for you. Only you know what it is like to experience certain side effects and the ringing sounds aweful but I am glad at the moment it is a little better.
Thanks to all for the echo infomation. I will keep it in mind becasue my first after chemo echo is coming up.
Linnyhop it feels great to be half way. Congrats! You are doing great and the end of the tunnel is a bit more in view.
Lotsof faith...curious about your name. Are you a Christian? If so you may get some added support from your church family. Mine helped a lot. I also think the suggestion about finding a good therapist is great. We have a couple cancer centers that actually have people who are especially trained to treat those going through cancer treatment. I also found that some of the drugs I took like sleeping med ambien may have made me depressed.
Hugs!!!0 -
musicalmom - thanks! How are you feeling lately? I know you had a tough time.
0 -
Musicalmom - I take a lot of supplements to strengthen my immune system and try to stay anti-inflammatory (PM me for a list if you would like). I work out daily - either weight work, an hour on the treadmill or stairclimber or a vigorous long hike or walk outside (or running sometimes). I get a lot of sleep, have made steps to keep stress to a minimum, and eat well. No alcohol and TRY for no/low sugar.
It has been almost 3 years since dx, so I didn't feel better right away. But time has passed. You WILL get there too. I felt a lot better after Herceptin was over. On your schedule, I would anticipate feeling MUCH more like your regular self by Christmas. And you know how fast a year goes - it will be here before you know it. You will have lots of hair by then too!
0 -
Hello ladies! Hope everyone is doing well. I had no fever this morning and my congestion was much better today so we went ahead with my Herceptin tx. Time to test out my 2 week old port. Big mistake. Huge. Two techs, four ridiculously painful tries later = one unaccessed port. They have no idea what is wrong. Still too swollen? Tipped back? Tipped forward? Flipped? No clue. I am seeing my onc at 2 tomorrow but it is still so sore from the implantation and the botched access attempts from today that if he moves it around too much I may have to slug him
I made an appt with my surgeon on Thursday so he can have a look. We did todays Herceptin via my arm and it went fine so at least that went well. I swear by the time they tried to access it that 4th attempt I was about ready to puke it hurt so much. Good times 
0 -
Gosh Relda - I hope your port thing gets resolved! That sounds awful.0
-
Thanks musicalmom. Now that u mention it, I did start feeling worse after taking ambien. I am a Christian, although I have not been going to church regularly over the last year.
Relda- I hope things resolve with your port. That is one more thing u don't need to worry about now.0 -
I'm day 14 after 1st tx and expecting to lose hair anyday now. Chemo nurse said it's usually day 16. Weird because my head feels completely normal. Got a great new short haircut and I love it so now I'm really sad about losing it. Almost wished I had tried the cold caps. Also had about 10 days of not-so-fun SE's before somewhat normalizing. Glad to have one tx down, wish I was done.
0 -
relda, i'm so sorry about your port. i had that problem with my port only it was drawing blood from it, not using it for chemo, thank goodness. i cringed just reading about your experience. i hope you get it resolved without any problems.0
-
Hi GFs
SpecialK...thanks for asking...I am improving. Still regaining my taste, a little sensitive to foods, very tired but the worst of it is behind me for sure. Working on gaining strength and getting good food in me. (So many foods were repulsive or irritating during chemo).
Amy sounds like a good plan and wow you are doing a lot of exercising. I think I have a list of anti-inflammatory foods. There are several books I hope to read. Again thanks for inspiring us and I hope this treatment goes by quickly.
Hugs Relda...I can't imagine how painful that was...I appreciated your honesty about wanting to slug someone who enflicts more pain on you.
Judy...I lost hair day 19 but my scalp got very sore a week before...even painful to shampoo.
Hope you all sleep well tonight.0
