Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
-
ana - I couldn't see my cords early on either. They didn't appear until about 6 weeks after the pain started I think. I don't remember exactly but it took a while for them to be visible. I think the therapy helped a lot.0
-
Omaz,
Maybe I should request therapy then? My range is really limited and I have a lot of pain. It feels much like it did right after surgery when I did have cords. When did you start therapy?
0 -
ana-my pain in my arm started about the 4th week of rads and I started therapy the next week. I went for about 3 or 4 months. funny, at the time I thought I would never forget when things happened but now I can't remember the finer details. Have you seen an LE specialist? That is who I saw since my arm had mild LE starting too.0
-
Thanks, Ana and Omaz. Interesting about the cord. I had one under my breast after surgery. My BS told me not to worry about it. It's much better now but I can still feel it if I press down. The one under my arm started a couple of days after my last radiation tx (about 2 weeks ago). My range of motion is fine; I just have a bit of soreness around the cord. The soreness is lessening but the cord is still prominent. I thought about calling, but quite frankly, I wanted to take a break from doctors and hospitals... Oh well, I guess I need to let them know.
0 -
slgarcia - How is your arm today?0
-
I had cording on my 4 node arm. (Note I didn't have rads). They did eventually go away but I did got for PT and stretched. (LE is in the other arm with 10 nodes removed).
0 -
Omaz, my arm still hurts and the redness has gotten bigger. I think I will try to get in with my doctor tomorrow. I had my husband draw a line around it to see if it is bigger in the morning. Thanks for asking. Hugs to you.
0 -
slgarcia, I sure hope the levaquin takes care of it soon. Did they say anything about putting cold or warm compresses on it?
0 -
Thank you GrandmaV. They put an icepack on it in the er, but it only made it cold. They didn't tell me to continue it. The pressure on it hurts too. Hugs.
0 -
Let us know how it goes with the doctor tomorrow and try to get a good nights sleep.
0 -
Hi Ladies. I went to the doctor...my pcp. She said it is cellulitis, not an abcess. She did a wbc check and my count was back to normal, so she said the antibiotics are working. I am to keep a close eye on it and call her if it changes for the worse. So, that is where I am. Happy Birthday to me!
0 -
slgarcia - glad you got a definitive answer and that your antibiotics are working! And happy birthday to you!
0 -
Happy Birthday!!
0 -
Thank you! This is one of the most painful things I have experienced. It has gotten a little bigger since this afternoon, but I have taken another dose of the antibiotic, so hopefully tomorrow it will go down. I go in for herceptin tomorrow, so I will have them look at it there too. Have a good night. Hugs!
0 -
SLGarcia - I had cellulitis on my leg this summer from infected poison ivy. (You don't even want to KNOW the details.) But I did learn something that might help you. The doc measured the area with a little tape measure. I didn't know why. I started taking the antibiotic and over the next few days, the area looked REDDER and more 'angry.' I was pretty much freaking out at that point, thinking it was getting worse, but when I went back for a re-check, he said that the redness was a good sign. He said that when the area was more swollen, it was very tight under the skin and more 'white' from the pressure. When the swellling started to go down (as he could tell when he re-measured and saw it was a smaller area), it looked more red. I am probably not explaning this very well, but it was very surprising to me that the more redness showed it was healing, not getting worse, as I feared.
Don't know if this helped you at all. But the antibiotic DID knock out the cellulitis. And then....I had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic and became covered with hives. I was quite the charming sight to behold until it went away. (and very itchy)
I hope you feel better very soon.
And just a hint to everyone - if you're hiking, don't go off the trail to pee in the woods. That's what did me in!
0 -
AmylsStrong....THANK YOU!!!!! It does help, b/c mine is getting redder, and the red area is growing. I don't know what caused mine as there is no visible break in the skin. The doctor did not measure it, but told me to call her if it got redder, bigger, hotter, or if I developed a fever. I have not had any fever. But my husband and I traced around the red area last night to see if it got bigger today, and it is now outside that line. I am still worried, but I am glad you shared your story with me. I am also using an icepack, as she said it would help with the swelling and pain. It is so very painful as I am sure you know. Again, thank you!
0 -
good luck, slgarcla. i hope you get relief soon. it sounds awful, especially on top of everything else.0
-
Thanks YaYa5. I am just thankful it is not on my lymphedema side.
How are you doing? 0 -
i'm doing well, slgarcia. i'm getting my energy back and it feels great! i know it sounds impossible for you at this point, but you'll get there sooner than you think. just keep keepin' on!0
-
I am glad to hear you are doing well. Gives me hope! I take it one day at a time....seems that is all I can manage for now. I cherish the good days. I have my last hard treatment next Tuesday...#6, then on to Herceptin every 3 weeks. It feels amazing to almost be done. I just pray the last one doesn't kick my butt like #4 and #5! But, if it does, at least I will know it will be the last time. Hugs to you my dear!
0 -
Sigarcia ~ I am scheduled for my last TCH this Friday (praying my platelet count is good this time). #5 was a doozy for me - really kicked my butt, too. But...it only has one more chance to do that and like you, I am so happy to know it's the last time. I have to agree that it is amazing to know we are almost to the end of this part of the treatment. It seems like a few days ago that I was whining to my DH that I didn't know how I would make it through 5 more and now it's only one! Hooray for us! Hoping we, and everyone else, only experience mild SEs. Take care...Linda
0 -
linny - congrats on the last one! Don't know if I will be on to post, going out of town, so I will say it now!
0 -
SpecialK ~ Thanks so much. I am so looking forward to actually having accomplished the end of TCH. What I am really excited about is the hope that the metallic taste will fade...whoopee if I can taste something after almost 6 months! I hope you are doing well and going out of town for a fun time. I so appreciate your ongoing support. And by the way, I showed my BFF, who is one of my co-workers, your picture and she was amazed at how much you looked like our former principal (if you remember I mentioned that quite awhile ago). She said you could be her twin and I told her that was true in more ways than looks...you are smart and always so upbeat.just like our former bossl I also told my friend that you are an unbelievable resource for all of us on these boards...and I truly mean it. Have a great weekend. Linda
0 -
linny - thank you! You will soon be able to taste everything and you will be pretty excited! I do remember you mentioning the principal!
I wish I was going out of town for fun but I am attending a funeral - one of my oldest friends, had BC 12 years ago and did great after that, then 2 years ago developed aggressive uterine CA.
0 -
Lago...
For you and all the lymphoedema ladies..Finally some progress..
"
At Last - Possible Therapy for Lymphedema
Lymphedema may have new treatment in Lymfactin
About one in five women has painful swelling following breast cancer surgery. There are currently only limited options for dealing with this condition - lymphedema - but that may be about to change.
A new medication - Lymfactin - is currently being tested to treat breast cancer related lymphedema. The drug will be used in combination with surgery.
“Currently there is no advanced pharmacologically-based therapeutic for lymphedema,” said principal investigator of the upcoming "first in human" trial for Lymfactin, Stanley G. Rockson, M.D., director of the Center for Lymphatic and Venous Disorders at Stanford University School of Medicine.
“Although the research Is still early, the preliminary data show a remarkable improvement in the ability to successfully conduct lymph node transplant surgery with the benefit of Lymfactin.”
Lymphedema occurs from damage or trauma to the lymph nodes that can cause blockages in the lymphatic system and result in fluid build-up. About 20 percent of patients with breast cancer suffer from the condition that can cause painful inflammation and swelling in the limbs - usually the arm closest to the breast that was treated for cancer.
The therapy with this medication involves removing a lymph node flap from the patient's lower abdomen. The lymph node is injected with Lymfactin and placed into the axillary (underarm) region. "
http://www.dailyrx.com/news-article/lymphedema-may-have-new-treatment-lymfactin-17928.html
0 -
My LE is not bad enough to warrant node transfer. Even still I woudn't do it. I fear they would take a node or 2 from my groin area and then I'd end up with LE in my leg. My mom had LE in her legs and never had any nodes removed. I just think I'm at high risk anyway.
This surgery is controversial to begin with. My LE PT doesn't support it. Not sure about the medication but as we know all meds have some kind of SE. I rather not take any unless I really need it. I'm having enough "fun" with the Anastrozole
0 -
Good morning ladies! I lurk on this thread alot but post mostly on the others. I just finished TCH #5 last week and it really kicked my ass, too. I am not looking forward to #6 on the 22nd but at least I will be done with the hard stuff...then just Herceptin for the year, rads and Tamoxifen. I can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for all the insightful posts and wisdom. No matter how bad I feel I always find some solace here.
0 -
Lao..
So true...you might create a problem in your legs. I guess if it's really debillitating it might help.
Question for you lago...
Do you do self exams of your nodes etc on a regular basis? I'm still at the point where I don't even want to look at myself in the mirror much less poke around.0 -
About LE....I just met with my new LE PT yesterday. I asked her about reflexology. She is on board with it. The web space between your thumb and index finger is your lymphatic system. A week ago, I couldn't touch that area but I kept massaging that area and my swelling has went down considerably and I gained 10 degrees in range of motion. Just thought I would share my experience so that it might help the others with LE.
I am headed for what seems like the dreaded 5th tx this morning. I am going to set an alarm to go off every hour when I get home to remind me to drink. I think that is 1/2 my problem, I pet myself get dehydrated. Here is to minimal side effects for all!!!!0 -
Good luck today with #5 Lori....drink drink drink drink!
0
