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Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

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Comments

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited August 2008

    I am jealous about you last tx Shel. I too am a longs ways , from the finish line on chemo and for ever on Herceptin. 1 year! I really dread the radiation too since it is everyday and I have to drive into the city. I told my husband I should just get an apartment there but of course I would hate it in the city.

    My hair is hanging in there but coming out in little bits. It is hard to manage right now. I don't wash my hair but every other day since it is so dry and when I do wash that is when it really comes out. I just can't bare the idea of buzzing it off. My grandsons wanted me to leave it as long as I can so I will I guess. I have hats and scarfs so I will not look too bad. some of the ladies at church are wearing hats for me and another lady who is going through treatment but they have really nice hats. I am not a hat person but I guess I will become one.

    Shel , I hope your water weigh goes away pretty fast after you last tx, I know how miserable that can be. I can just eat a little salt and swell 5 pounds so I live with this daily. I guess that is why my steroids I take for arthritis makes me loss weight it gets rid of some of the swelling.

    Cinrae, we will do a hair dance for you at the camp grounds and maybe it will start growing! Laughing

    I always heard your hair grows faster on hot summer nights. Must not be true because it is sure hot here in Oklahoma.

    Carolyn

  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 131
    edited August 2008

    Hi Everyone,

    I am in the hospital with a staph infection in my PICC line- well what used to be the PICC line since it has been removed. Felt great last weekend, arm started to hurt Sat night- I thought I had bumped it and then on Sunday had a swollen and hot arm and a fever so we headed to the ER. Sun-Tues were fevers of 101-103, right arm looked like a football. They pulled the PICC line and the vein is infected as well as the staph being in the bloodstream. I have garden variety staph and not MRSA and never thought I would be thankful to have regular staph. I am in here until at least Monday or Tuesday- I have to have a negative blood culture and then get a mediport put in to be able to finish 14 days of IV antibiotics for the staph. Hemoglobin dropped to 7.2 but I feel OK- they have done 2 small procrit injections and once I was able to eat (Wednesday) I started ordering all the iron rich things on the menu- hoping to get off the procrit but my only option was to get blood and I really didnt want that either.

    They did my herceptin treatment in here this week- next Thursday was due to be the last TCH and I dont know whether that will stay on schedule or not.I have blood clots in the PICC vein and I think some of the decision depends on whether we get those clots to start dissolving.My onc called in an infectious disease doctor to take over on the staph treatment and he seems really good- we are seeing good response from the antibiotic- just takes longer to get to the clotted area so I dont have a negative culture yet.

    Kristy

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited August 2008

    OMG Kristy! I will certainly be thinking about you. Those infections are not fun. Did they have you on antibiotics after the chemos anyway? I take a 7 day round 1 week after chemo but I have not heard anyone else doing this. My red blood count was low last 2 times so last week they gave me a shot for that and the white is down too. I had lost weight so they had to lower my doses and it went better this time. I hate having so much meds to take but I guess if I can ward off the bad stuff it will be worth it. I hope all goes well with you and you will be out of the hopital soon. Just try to keep a positive outlook. I know easier said than done.

    Carolyn

  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 210
    edited August 2008

    Kristy: So sorry to hear about your arm! Over a week in the hospital is NOT a good time, but I'm glad that they seem to have the infection under control. Is your "mediport" the same as the ports that many of us get our chemo through? Will you get the rest of your tx's through it as well as the IV antibiotics?

    Thoughts and prayers going out to you!

    Sue

  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2008

    Gramma,,,,,,,thanx for the hair dance,,,,,,,,,,it is muchly appreciated.  lol

    Kristy.,.,.........omg I am so sorry to hear that.  Those staph infections can be bad.  I had a nasty MRSA staph infection in my nose and into my upper lip around the 5th treatment of chemo.  And it was not fun at all.  But once I got on the right antibiotics for that it cleared up.  My nose, under the left eye and my lip were sooooooo swollen I looked like CindyLouWhoo  from Whooville in The Grinch movie.  lol  Was nasty.  Bummer to have to be in the hopsital but you will be well taken care of there.

    Was a sad day today,,,,,,,we had to put our black lab to sleep.  Pets become our children.  Its a terrible feeling to have to play God for them.  She was such a great pet to have. She was loved immensely.  She will be missed terribly.  So here I sit and cry. Deep down inside I know it was the best thing for her as she couldnt even walk anymore,,,,,,,,,,,,,but still hard to cope with, you know?

    Have a great weekend all,

    Cindy

  • TF80209
    TF80209 Member Posts: 83
    edited August 2008

    Cindy: I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. It is a hard decision to make and it's hard to cope after. I wish you fond memories of your lab.



    Kristy: You've had quite an ordeal. I'm glad you were able to get the necessary care and will be able to complete your treatment soon.



    A lot of you are having very significant challenges and I'm glad you are all able to persevere. We are a strong bunch, aren't we?



    Terri.

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited August 2008
    Kristy;

    You're in my prayers. It really hurts when you become sick or injured from something they do to you to treat you or make your treatment easier. May you become stronger as I send this message and may your marrow pump out those red cells like crazy.

    I should be grateful that all I have to deal with, really, is depression. But sometimes depression gets in the way of being grateful. I just survived a difficult wedding. I'm relieved. Sorry for being such a whiner when many of you have more cause than I do.
  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited August 2008

    Cindy, I am sorry about your dog also. It is hard to lose one. I kept my son's cat while he was away at college and I did not even like cats but I really got attached to him. when he got home he and his girlfriend took him back and it was not long before he was dead. I know he was a fat cat but it was really hard for me to bury him. I am not sure if it was his heart or what but my son was out of town and so this fell on me to do. the girlfriend is no longer with him and I don't miss her. he has a beautiful lab/Australian mix that is high wired. I like to keep her some but they told me no pets or aquariums nothing so my son had to take his fish tank home too. Darn the bad luck! I do love animals and had one old girl that was born here on our property, had lots of puppies and died at age 18. It was so hard to lose her too. I know she always knew how I was feeling and if I was down she stayed right with me. That was a long time ago but I still miss her.

    It has been a long evening for me. It seems like I have been home by myself all day and I am not really. My husband & son did some lawn work at our church building and my youngest grandson got up around noon and left (we won't see him until morning,he's 18) the other one had to run down to where he goes to college to rent an apartment so he can get back in school soon. The apartments were open to rent Aug1 and his roommate was supposed to take care of it but didn't so they went this morning. Talk about some hustling to get the last one. Small town!.When he got home he had to run out to his parents house to start gathering his junk because it is not all at my house. they stay with me so it will be closer to work and the 18 yr old school. I love having them around when I do see them. Anyway I am all TVed out today and really can't do much, it is way too hot outside. I am weak but if I could get started walking or something I would feel better I think. We went to eat last night and buy the college boy some new jeans & shirts. His was really worn out from working in them. I was tired when we got home but it was good to get out.

    KristyAnn, I hope you are doing a lot better and hope you can finish you tx without anymore problems. I am afraid something will happen to me at times and it will be longer to get this done. I was so afraid to start it to began with too. My mouth being sore has been the worse I guess except for some nausea at first. I just pray I don't get those mouth sores again! It hurts so bad. I know how fever makes you feel too so take care of yourself.

    Carolyn

  • bethanybeane
    bethanybeane Member Posts: 167
    edited August 2008

    Cindy, I am so sorry that it was time -- I love my own dog so much (the first one I've ever had) -- I have to say one really irrational thought I had when I first heard my diagnosis -- was, well, at least I won't be here when Darcy goes. Crazy wild thought b/c it leaves out my family's feelings -- but this animal "saved" my broken heart after my previous husband died 7 year ago from lung cancer. Dogs provide the kind of love we wish we could give our loved ones and others -- completely pure. I hope you find some peace and consolation in the joy she brought you. She loved you too.

    Kristy, My prayers are with you for a speedy recovery.

    All of you are real troopers.....good strong campers.  B 

  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2008

    Thanx ladies,,,,,,,I really appreciate it.  You know its weird,,,,,,people who do not have pets just dont understand, so its nice to hear from those of you who have pets and know how they are so much a part of your family.   She lived with our family when my daugther was still home,,,,,but then my daughter got married and took her with her.  My daughter and her hubby and my grandson live right behind us so we saw Jasmine (the doggy) every day.  It was like she never moved away since they live so close

    Terri, Sue, Gramma, Kristy?   Where are your pictures here?  It would be nice to put a face to such great ladies.

    Bethany and Shel,,,,,,,,,you are two very beautiful ladies.  You both look so natural with no hair.  Its like it totally suits you. . 

    Nan, Katy, Leslie 1 and 2 (lol), Janet, Chumfry, Carolina59 and any of the oldies that started here in 2007.   Where are you all?  I am hoping that the reason no one posts here anymore is because everyone is doing very well and moving on with life after treatment.  Maybe just a lil post ,,,,,,,,so I know you are all ok.  Maybe I shouldn't be coming here anymore either,,,,,,,but I feel a connection with this thread,,,,,,,call me silly I guess. 

    I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend and take good care of yourselves. 

    Cindy

  • janet11
    janet11 Member Posts: 36
    edited August 2008

    I had TCH with the TC ending January 2007, and yes, I only rarely come here because I'm DONE.  A month ago I even got the confirmation that my heart heart is finally back to normal after the damage done by the Herceptin.

    Wish I had my hair back, but I have NO regrets on the treatment used.  In 2 weeks, I'll have my 2-year "cancer-free-versary".  Yippee.  Good luck to all of you.

  • bethanybeane
    bethanybeane Member Posts: 167
    edited August 2008

    Dear Janet,

    Congratulations on your successful treatment. Would you mind sharing what the heart damage was and how it was detected? and, has your hair not grown back? If not, I am very sorry that you had that happen. Thank you for visiting the site and for any encouragement you can offer. Bethany

  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2008

    Wow Janet,,,,,,,,so glad u posted.  And I am so glad all is going well for you.  Take care and God bless you.

    Cindy

  • Donalee
    Donalee Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2008

    SealedHi all! Just checking in. I could hardly find this thread!!! We need to "bump" it up.

    Getting my poisoning tomorrow! Has anyone experienced eye problems? After my third treatment my eyes would swell big time in the morning then tear all day. the skin got so sore after wiping them all day! It lasted about two weeks. They told me to take an over the counter allergy med. it helped with the swelling but not the tearing. It totally cleared up today. Still a little swelling though. Great timing because here I go again tomorrow.

    Hope everyone is doing wellLaughing.

    Hugs to everyone!

    Donalee

  • bethanybeane
    bethanybeane Member Posts: 167
    edited August 2008

    Donalee, My eyes are driving me crazy. They burn when any air stirs around them. They look puffy like I've been crying really hard all night. A friend said today == well, don't wear any eye make-up and I just sighed.....is there nothing left to do regarding appearance.....to feel and look like myself. :-( I'm wearing sunglasses where ever I can b/c they are sensitive to light.....I guess I need to get some bifocal sunglasses so I can read with them......My doctor recommended Refresh eyedrops -- tears...And, I've tried using the eye ointment at night which helps a bit but then I can't read in bed...wah wah wah....Are you sorry you asked? Thanks for listening.. b

  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 210
    edited August 2008

    Hi guys -

    I missed out on most of the eye problems, but I did develop lovely little fluid-filled bags that popped up on top of my dark under-eye circles the days after #5 and #6. They were quite striking against my glowing magenta face. I bought some BIG sunglasses for those days, and NOT for light sensitivity.

    Teachers went back to work today, and I am so tired. Fell asleep last night, but woke up and tossed and turned. Going to bed early tonight.

    Brenda and Christy, I hope you're doing better. We've had some nasty side effects here in our TCH club - I hope everybody is feeling better and stays out of the hospital!

    Cindy and Janet, thanks for adding your support! It's good to see light at the end of the tunnel.

    Everybody have a good week -

    Sue

  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 131
    edited August 2008
    I am home everyone- got home around 8 PM tonight with another 8 days of do it yourself antibiotic infusions to get through- BUT AT HOME!!!!!


    Kristy
  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 210
    edited August 2008

    Kristy - Sorry I misspelled your name - I have a 21 yr old daughter named Christy. Glad you're home! "Do it yourself antibiotic infusions'. . . Do you have to access your port???? How does that work???

    Best wishes - Sue

  • TF80209
    TF80209 Member Posts: 83
    edited August 2008

    Kristy: Congratulations on getting home. I hope your infusions go well and you can finish up your treatment quickly.

    Donalee and Bethany: I had blocked tear ducts from Taxotere. Started after my third treatment but didn't become bothersome until after #4. I'd go outside in the cold and would just spend the whole time with tears running down my face. Sunglasses were my friend. I tried eye drops but they didn't help so I just kept tissues with me at all times. I remember not wanting to go out in public where people would see the constant drips. The blockage cleared up over the course of three months after treatment ended. I now have very dry eyes and my eyes to tear when the wind blows on them. My eye doctor agreed to let me see if drops help. He wanted to put in a shunt. I said no to that.

    Today I had my Herceptin treatment. Two more to go! I took a box of Larabars into the infusion room and they were a big hit. I would have liked to have those to snack on when I was getting chemo. I agreed with my oncologist that I don't need to have any more echocardiograms. The four I've had have all been normal so no need to have another round 3 weeks after I finish Herceptin.

    Terri.

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited August 2008
    Donalee and Bethany;

    I'm a member of the taxo-TEAR club as well. Eyes mostly run in the morning, more likely if I'm running or cycling against the wind. It came in handy at a wedding on Saturday. lol I've also stopped wearing eye makeup for the duration--I scarcely have anything to put mascara on anyway. It does make me a bit extraterrestrial appearing...that and my pointed right ear. Now my nails are getting...well, tender. Like if I press lightly on the tops of my nails, it hurts, like they're bruised underneath. I wonder if this is the beginning of leprous nail syndrome. Yuk. 

    Well, tomorrow is two days before my poisoning. Time to get out the herbal laxatives and stool softeners again. My best success involves chemically giving myself the runs before a treatment, supplemented with heavy-duty levels of probiotics. That way, the resulting paralysis just brings me back to normal.

    Here's to managing those side effects before they manage us!
  • Gina_M
    Gina_M Member Posts: 108
    edited August 2008

    shelbaroni - Good luck with your next treatment!  I avoided the constipation this time around (tx2) by being on antibiotics that caused serious diarrhea until the day of my treatment.  So the decadron and taxotere just resolved the diarrhea! Not a recommended strategy however.  Tx2, day 8 for me today - still having neulasta sternum pains (like serious pulsating pains) periodically.  Taking tylenol for it, not the codeine I was given for pain (REALLY trying to avoid constipaiton).  otherwise, so far so good!

    Gina_M.

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited August 2008

    Hi! I guess I am not the norm because I have had diarrhea since Sunday. I felt good Friday and Sat. but Sunday night  was so nauseous and have been every since. I am so weak it is hard to do anything. My grandson who is 12 came to stay with me this week and I am no fun I am afraid. My son said he could help me and it is true if I was doing much. I got some laundry done yesterday but was awake all night. Upset tummy & diarrhea.

    I need to go get my med and my hair is so ragged but I am not sure what to do with it except put a rag on it. I have not even tried to put a pic here but maybe soon I will feel good enough to.

    Carolyn

  • lg123
    lg123 Member Posts: 24
    edited August 2008

    Hi everyone,

    OMG. I just logged in to post  and I could see the new pics. Fantastic to put names with faces.

    Cindy: I hope time makes the loss of your dog less painful.  It's never easy to let them go even when it is the only humane choice. We had 19 former feral cats when I started this journey.  We have 14 now.  Most are geriatric so it's inevitable to lose the older ones, but it still hurts.

    Janet 11: Congrats on your upcoming anniversary and I'm glad your heart is back to normal.

    Shelbaroni: I got a burst of energy a week after I finished my last TCH and took a long walk.  I damaged the toenails on both big toes by wearing walking shoes that didn't fit too well.  Chemo makes your nails soft.  The damage has almost grown out.... 9 months later.......but my fingernails are still weak and chip easliy . Use lots of nail polish!

    Yesterday, I had my first mammo since 4/07. All is clear. I made the decision to keep my port for another year...just in case. This is only  because I had 7 positive nodes.

    I had such a hard time with the chemo and radiation. I won't repeat the horror stories because you are all dealing with your own problems right now...but I have to tell you that I feel great AND  I don't look like a cancer patient anymore. Except for some minor complaints , LIFE IS GOOD. You'll get there too and sooner than you think.

    Leslie2

  • Donalee
    Donalee Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2008

    hi guys!

    Just had treatment #4 today. Only 2 more to go! Yea!!!!Laughing Everything went well. I even drove myself home this time. (I feel so independent now!hahah). I am really tired though, had to take my son to Basketball camp at 8:00am then went to our business to help my husband. Then went to chemo at 10:30, just got homeat 5:00! I feel like I put in an entire work day! BLAH!!!

    Hope everyone is doing ok!

    Hugs,

    Donalee

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited August 2008
    Donalee;

    Sounds like you're handling things well. It's funny--I would totally drive myself this time, too, but I don't think my husband would want me to go by myself. He gets nervous about these things. Besides, we take the opportunity to go to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, which are up close to the medical center but not down here in the ghetto where we live. A couple times, we've gone to lunch afterwards or to the Museum of Contemporary Art. This time, since it's the last, and I'm so sick of this that I could puke (and probably will), I don't want to make a frickin' event of it but just git 'er done!

    This time I'm going to show the onc the picture I painted of my view of the infusion pump from the chair with his portrait on the front of the pump. I had wanted to put crossbones under his face, but I decided it was too much and whited them out. I thought about showing up for my treatment in my Avatar costume, but he might refer me to a psychiatrist. While I probably need to be on psych treatments of some sort, I really don't want to medicate that part of myself, because I'm afraid my creativity will go away.

    So this is my last day of feeling "normal" for awhile, without steroids and worse. May all your side effects be untimately manageable this time. Sending you energy and health!
  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2008

    shel,,,,,,,,,,,way to go,  Last one.  How exciting huh?

  • Gina_M
    Gina_M Member Posts: 108
    edited August 2008

    Good luck shel - I'll be thinking of you!  I absolutely can't wait to be done with this - I know there is still radiation for me.  Then of course Herceptin for a year.  But when you're 60, a year is only 1/60 of your life and time goes too quickly as it is as we get older.

    You have such an upbeat take on things - I'm sure they will miss you at the medical center!

    Gina_M.

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited August 2008
    Gina;

    Thanks for the vote of encouragement. It's interesting that I come off as being upbeat. Last week I wanted to kill myself every single minute. But I'm better now.:) 

    Sometimes I just get overwhelmed with the hopelessness of the passage of time, my lost and misspent youth, and the fact that the time I have left to develop my untapped potential is very finite. It's very difficult to reroute my brain when it gets on this path. I'm wondering if just the chemical tampering of chemotherapy puts people like myself who are more prone toward depression in more jeopardy. I'm wondering if anyone has any information about this. I think I'll ask the doctor tomorrow.
  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 210
    edited August 2008

    Shel: My husband was just like yours - he insisted on driving me to chemo. He couldn't do it the last time, so he made sure one of my daughters had it covered - it cracked me up. I must say that this whole f*&#ing ordeal has actually brought us closer together.

    LAST ONE TOMORROW! Way to go - hang in there, Shel, this portion is almost over. When do you have your exchange surgery? My PS says only a few more fills, then we'll "discuss" surgery, so I must be getting fairly close.

    Sue

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited August 2008
    Sue;

    I don't know when he's going to do the "exchange". I can't wait cuz I can't stand the blasted "knob" sticking out of my ribs. It's tender quite often. I haven't even had a fill yet. Before I started chemo, I elected to not have any fills, because my two "breasts" are fairly equal in size just with the tissue expander he put in the right side. I really hope I can get by without having to be made much bigger. I'm just an A cup type of person. I don't want to bother with a lot of "phoophy stuff" up front. I like run and wear little tank tops and all that. He said he's going to have to do something to the left side to make them "match". I have an appointment at the end of August to decide when to do it. I'm hoping he can fix my herniated belly button (courtesy of baby #5) at the same time. Why not be efficient and have the entire front of my torso in pain at the same time, right? Also, it makes sense insurance-wise, etc. But before I started chemo, he said I'd probably have to wait three months before surgery. I hope I don't have to wait that long--I have to be in shape for ski season!

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