Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

1…4142444647…627

Comments

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

    I did it! I took a 2 mile walk yesterday and came home and actually ate some goat yogurt and berries! I didn't even go through the "all I can stomach is crap like Jello pudding" stage! On day 4. Of course, then I pretty much collapsed and was in bed about 8:30. But here I am up on Day 5, when I usually can't get out of bed AT ALL, transporting kids places and cleaning up the kitchen. I'm going to take a big walk after the last kid is dispatched, and I think I'll tackle that mucus cell painting today. But I do have a couple netflix movies in case I need to dissolve onto the sofa. 

    I think I've finally learned how to handle my body through these treatments. But I don't think it's a shame that it's my last one. I just hope that some of the people who read this thread can learn vicariously from some of my trial-and-error. Like, I finally know a little bit about raising kids after 5 of them. But I really don't want to have 5 more. Know what I mean?
  • lynnmom1968
    lynnmom1968 Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2008

    Hi all,

    I haven't posted lately, but I try to read the thread every couple of days.

    Cupcake, it's good to hear from you again.  I am still praying for you.

    I hope you are all hanging in there.  I had my 3rd TCH last Tuesday.  Only one more to go.  I went to the YMCA today and worked out.  It felt great!

    We will all get through this together.  I get so much strength from this group.  Thank you for being there.

    Lynn

  • Donalee
    Donalee Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2008

    Shel,

    Way to go!! I think, no matter how hard, exercise is so important to getting rid of the SE's faster. (Even though the first week you have to lay on the couch all day afterwords! I know I did!!) I went 2 miles yesterday run/walk and was sweating soo much, more than ever in my life. I think it was the drugs sweating out of my skin! I really have more energy this time around. I only have 2 more to go and can only hope they're this easy now. I contribute a lot to knowlege of how to handle the SE's before they crop up. Thanks to this web-site, everyone's input is so valuable!!!!

    Hugs to all!

    Donalee

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited August 2008

    I am glad to hear from you Brenda. I know you are going through some rough times. My son in law had colon cancer 18 years ago and he still has the colostomy since his was in his rectum too but he has adjusted really well. He was 27 and 1 son and another just new born. it was a rough time for him with chemo but he did t. I am not sure what dose of what he took but it was pretty soon after the surgery. He also had radiation which was harder on him since it was in a very sensitive area.

    They lower my dose of the posion after the first round and i am not having problems with WBC and RBC. I got 5 shots for WBC and then when I went on Monday to see how they were doing I was low on red. I was begging them to let me wait until Wed. since the doc was not in and I have been eating as much red meat as I can. At least the diarrhea has not started for a day. I felt good yesterday though and so my grandson and I went shopping for his college apartment stuff. Well his half of the furniture. they have to buy a refrigerator now and I think we are going to pay half of it at least. It is one of the least expensive ones but new. We found some used ones but they did not have a warranty except 30 days so I think a new one will do better and he can use it when he gets out of college too maybe. Or someone in the family can!

    My shoulders and back are killing me too. I guess from those shots because I have not done anything to cause the inflammation. I am ready for the steroids believe it of not. I usually take them for arthritis but they would not let me take my usual dose since I will be taking them when I do the TCH but that is another week. I dread the tx though. I dread the se of it. Well I have this week and Mon & Tues to feel better. i still have not lost all my hair! I know I have a lot of it but I chopped it off short myself and can't get anyone to help me trim the neck a little. My husband is a coward about that.

    Does the pain in the shoulders and back get any better with movement for any of you? I just can't seem to move enough to get the soreness out of them and I have tried. Even driving the car hurts but I do a little. I drove a lot yesterday since my grandson did not know where to go to find the bargains.

    I have been trying to visualize the red blood cells but I don't paint so I will have to use the computer for the image. I don't want that shot it stings. I am whining now! I have already had one a few weeks ago.

    Have a good day everyone. I hope all goes well with you and any tx that are due.

    Carolyn

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

    Yeah, I was so happy. Yesterday was day 5 when I'm usually in bed moaning, and I took a 3 mile walk! Of course, I was toast by 8:00 pm, but I was strong much of the day. Has anybody found that they really have times of craving really junky foods after a treatment? Like I was eating Fritos and pizza yesterday, which normally I would never eat at all! But it's all that tastes good sometimes. Anyway, I'm going on a bigger walk today. I'm getting ready for the San Diego 3-Day in November. Somehow, I'll have to sandwich my surgery in so that I'll be all recovered from the chemo and still have time to recover from the surgery to do the walk. 

    Carolyn;

    I'm not sure that eating red meat's going to help the red cells. My nurse told me that you really can't do anything about anemia with diet or supplements right now, because the deficiency is at the level of the bone marrow. But definitely eat the meat. You probably need the protein after not being able to eat well for a while. I never had any pain in my shoulders and back, so I can't help you there. I had a little bit in my sternum and pelvic bone after tx #1 from the Neulasta, but only after that tx. Have you tried Aleve for the pain? That's what the nurse recommended to me. It's safe, gentle on the tum-tum, and seems to be really effective for that sort of pain. 
  • Donalee
    Donalee Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2008

    I was never a fan of chocolate but now I can't seem to get enough. My daughter made a pan of brownies the other day and I ate half of them! Then someone brought me a Texas Sheet cake and that's all I can think about!! (had 3 cookies already today!) I usually drink black coffee but I actually went to the store and bought hazelnut creamer for it! I used to love salty chips for snacking, now I'm into baked goods! Must be the chemopause symptons because I'm getting hot flashes too!

  • Donalee
    Donalee Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2008

    Carolyn,

    I had injured my shoulder slightly a few years ago. Now it is so painful I actually had it x-rayed. Any little injury or arthritic pain is definitely intensified from the chemo and neulasta shots. When I start to feel good around day 10 after treatment (stomache wise), is when the pain gets so bad in my shoulder. I have to take oxycontin with aleve. It's the only way I can sleep at night.

  • Gina_M
    Gina_M Member Posts: 108
    edited August 2008

    Carolyn - if the shot is given in the abdomen, it doesn't sting (I know, as I have to give myself the injection the day after treatment!).

    Gina

  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2008

    Hi girls.  Wow I am so impressed with you gals running and walking.  Wayyyyyy to go.  You gals are almost done.  Whooo hoooooooooooooooo

    Carolyn,,,,,,,,,,,,I dont know which shots you mean but I had neulasta every time after chemo and she gave it to me in my belly.  And once I had the shot for low platelets,,,,,which was also givien in the tummy.  If thats what the shots are that you are getting,,,,,,,,,maybe try the tummy area.

    .Just out of curiosity,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,is anyone taking Neurontin for hot flashes?  I was taking Effexor but that hasnt helped one bit.........still have major flashing goin on.  So went to the Dr. today and she said lets try Neurontin.

    Have a great week all,,,,,,,,

    Cindy

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

    Good to hear that someone else is craving junk. I'm just trying to get out of this thing without my body resembling the Hindenburg! All this talk about shots in the belly--I just get my Neulasta in the back of the arm and it really doesn't hurt more than a second. Why do they give it in the belly?
  • TF80209
    TF80209 Member Posts: 83
    edited August 2008

    Cindy: I am taking Neurotin (generic form gabapentin) for hot flashes. The onc first put me on 10 mg. of Lexapro. That reduced the frequency of the hot flashes by half, but I was still waking up a couple of times a night. So she added 300mg of gabapentin. It's supposed to help you sleep but I don't find it doing that. I wake up maybe once a night feeling sweaty but fall right back asleep so I think it's working. The day time hot flashes are few and don't last long. The interruption in my sleep is what finally made me complain about them last December.

    Terri.

  • bethanybeane
    bethanybeane Member Posts: 167
    edited August 2008

    Just made a bunch of toll house cookies and luckily I'd have to get up and go downstairs to get a third one.  I really don't want to be bald and fat(ter). Hopefully, as soon as this is over in Mid-October I'll have my new walking habit in full gear. Uh oh, the dryer buzzer just went off and guess where I need to go to hang up some clothes...... downstairs.....;-) Bethany

  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 210
    edited August 2008

    I haven't posted in awhile - went back to work last week and the kids came back yesterday, plus my son got his braces, my dh has to go to physical therapy 3x a week for shoulder problems....ok, enough whining. I'm starving now - toll house cookies, Texas sheet cake (I LOVE that frosting) - you guys are brutal!

    I went for my first Herceptin only tx today after school. Took longer than they said it would, but they spent a long time on my blood work. My hemoglobin is 8.4, so they're running more tests this week and I have to go back next Thursday. I have 3 options: transfusion, Aransept (sp?), or "watch you like a hawk." I chose #3.

    Brenda, so glad to hear you're healing, although not fast enough for you. I've read the same thing as Terri - the Herceptin works most efficiently when given with chemo, so the protocol is to begin them together. Keep healing!

    Keep working out, everybody, and hang in there, those of you still going through chemo.

    Sue

  • lwy
    lwy Member Posts: 116
    edited August 2008

    Hi ladies

    just checking in because it's been awhile and i saw Cindy's post wondering what we're all up to. When I was going through therapy, this thread really helped me.  hard to believe that in 1 week it will be 1 year since my last chemotherapy.

    i'm doing well, my hair is finally at a length that it looks intentional. i've had to trim it a couple of times to keep it from looking too gross.

    Back at work and working hard. Things are getting back to normal and the main reminders I have of cancer is everytime something hurts, instead of ignoring it, i kind of freak out that it might be the cancer coming back. Also, right before my follow up appointments, i get a bit nervous. Also, all my friends are having kids, either their first or second and I still have no kids and will have to wait for a total of 5 years before I can start trying. even though it sounds like i am complaining, I'm happy to be alive and moving on from cancer.

    Leslie 

  • shelbaroni
    shelbaroni Member Posts: 350
    edited August 2008
    I'm noticing a chocolate theme in several of the recent entries. I just made rice krispie treats with chocolate marshmallows. They were quite a hit. I've only had one...so far. Tomorrow I'm making brownies from scratch for our Project Runway viewing party. Is there some weird chocolate receptor in our brains that gets turned on by Taxotere or something? I'd better go walk a few more miles tomorrow morning. 

    Leslie:  It's fun hearing from the "other side"!
  • MaryAnn-CA
    MaryAnn-CA Member Posts: 7
    edited August 2008

    Hi Everyone,

    Just wanted to add that I am 3 1/2 months out from the TC portion of TCH and I feel great.  The only "leftover" I have from TC is a couple numb toes and some ugly looking toenails!  I did not expect to feel this good so quickly.  So hang in there, your body is resilient and can handle alot!

  • jap
    jap Member Posts: 43
    edited August 2008

    Anyone use proselic or any antacids for treatment symptoms?

    Jo Anne

  • AlyMarie
    AlyMarie Member Posts: 192
    edited August 2008

    Jo Anne, I use prescription Protonix for the MAJOR heartburn I got after treatment.  I think a lot of ladies here use it too.  Works like a charm.

    Ok, anyone out there got time to calm down a neurotic woman in a blind panic? :o)  So, before my diagnosis I was always told by doctors that I wasn't at any higher risk for BC just because my Mom had it which was complete BS of course, but what it did was cause me to give it little thought and I admit I was never very good at remembering to do self exams.

    So, now of course I want to be diligent and do everything right but I honestly have no idea what these two large entities hanging from my chest are supposed to feel like!  No idea of what is "normal" since I couldn't even feel the thickening I was told was from the tumour when I was first diagnosed.  To me, everything feels thick, and there seem to be lumps and bumps EVERYWHERE and I don't know what to do. My right breast where I had the lumpectomy is strangely sore the last few days and my underarm too and it seems like 4 months out from surgery that is a little weird.

    Did anybody else go through this and what did you do?  Or were you all so completely diligent with self exams that you all know exactly what things are supposed to feel like and I'm the only bonehead out here who doesn't?? <lol>

     Aly.

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited August 2008

    Hi! I had heartburn more than nausea and was taking Pepcid but it was not helping enough so I am taking Protonix now and it is great but if I still get a little heartburn I can take Pepcid they said. I haven't in a while. I had my Herceptin today and I feel tired but other wise okay. I asked about my shoulder and knee pain and they said it was a combo of arthritis and the Neupogen (WBC) I get them all in my tummy since it is a bigger area to chose a spot. I was afraid to get them in my arms since I have so much arthritis pain anyway and I didn't want a sore arm. I keep trying to move them as much as possible but I get stuck at times. I am ready for the steroids next week but not the poison. I had to have another Aranesp shot today since the steak didn't work. She must have been trying to give me some hope and I couldn't get it that day anyway since the doc was not in. I got it today! I guess I am just going to have these problems until I am finished and I will just have to adjust my life I guess when I take them. I take pain meds all the time for my arthritis and fibro so I do have plenty of pain meds and I have some oxycodone just in case I need stronger but I don't like the way it makes me feel. I do like to get out and walk though and I know it is good for a person to get the exercise.My blood pressure has been really weird lately. Some days it is really low and others it is slightly high but not too high. The day I had the fainting problem and had the 2 IVs my blood pressure was way low. My doc just told me on the phone if you are dehydrated your BP will be high. I am learning a lot but still not the reason my symptoms are so radical. The ONC thinks it is because of the Fibromyalgia but who knows.I think the fibro is a dumping ground for things they don't know either.

    I ate some chocolate today and it was good! The thing I am liking that I have never liked much before is root beer. Everyone that knows me is shocked.Well I was too! I think the reason I don't have hot flashes is because I had a hysterectomy way back in 1979 and i guess I got that over with then. I do get really cold though and I guess it is because of the low RBC. I sleep with a blanket on at night and everyone else in this house don't use much cover unless it is a sheet just to cover themselves.

    I turned 61 yesterday. I guess I am just glad I am still having birthdays, just wish I felt better. I do feel better than last week so all is good.

    I was given the herceptin by its self the first time to see how I was going to handle it It did take a while because it was a loading dose they said and I went to work after I had that. I just felt a little dizzy when I would bend over but now I don't do that and then the next day I got the TC and was sicker than a dog. I also take the Herceptin 2 weeks in a row by it's self and then all of them on the third week. I think it is strange how so many docs do this different.

    Enjoy that chocolate everyone. I have heard it has antioxidents so it must be good for you! Smile

    Carolyn

  • gramma23
    gramma23 Member Posts: 482
    edited August 2008

    aly, I was like you about the lumps and bumps and thickening when I was younger. I had fibrocystic breasts they said. I don't now and in fact all my lumps and bumps had disappeared for the last 10 years so I could feel this thing really good. I think when you are younger you have denser breasts so I would not feel bad about not knowing it. I am just glad they found it. I do have pain in my breast from the operation but it may be phantom pain. I think I read about that especially of the whole breast is removed. Mine was not but you know it is still healing and it will get better i am sure. I used to have pain even before I had  lumps so I would ask they they would say it is nothing. I have heard others say the same thing.

    Carolyn

  • cupcake7
    cupcake7 Member Posts: 321
    edited August 2008
    I'M ALIVE!!!Surprised  Oh my gosh this is day 2 and no pain on that nerve.  I just can't believe how wonderful it feels.Thank all of you that kept holding me up in prayer.  The wound is healing well,and another herceptin treatment last night.  Next week is the decision of whether to get back on track with the Tax/Carbo, but Sue and Terri both read it works best with it and Gina you saying by cutting it some made a difference in your side effects I think has convienced me to go for it next tuesday.  They are not going to be able to give me Zofran so hopefully the nausea won't be bad with a lower dose..  My onc thinks the Zofran bound me up to much.  I forgot the calendar again on the adverage of side effects.??  Meaning what is the adverage day of going in and coming out for most of you?  I couldn't gage from my first one cause I went in with the surgery attached.  I know I was feeling good up until day 2.  For me Ally even the mamogram and sonogram missed it.  Only the needle bio picked it up cause the lump in my armpit.  I don't hold much with those other test now.  I am going to insist on an MRI from now on.  I was wondering why they call this cancer routine as a treatment????  Doesn't seem to be much treat in it anywhere I can find.  Well I'm like a half dazed tigger the tiger in a big WHOO HOO today feeling so much better, but not jumping to high. Would really like to stay here for a few more days before I am smacked back down....... 
  • Gina_M
    Gina_M Member Posts: 108
    edited August 2008

    I'm also on for next Tuesday, Cupcake.  The lowered dose made Tx2 almost side effect-free.  Keep us posted on how you're doing and I'll cross my fingers and send a prayer your way next Tuesday.

    Gina

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

    Thank God you're feeling better. Yes. Zofran binds you up. After my experience with TX 1, I will never take that again. And it doesn't even work that well. Ask your doctor if you can get Emend.

    Aly;

    I can't help you much on the lumpy breast issue, since I was always one of those that did the self breast exam very religiously, and I also have always had very smooth breast tissue, and not much of it--hence the ease in finding my tumor. All I can offer is this--you know that you're doing all you can medically to kill anything that might be lurking in your breasts and the rest of your body right now. So let the present be your time to LEARN your breasts. Make the time to examine them once a month. Learn what's normal. If you do, you'll notice changes. Trust me. I'm sure the doctors will have you on a regular schedule of mammograms or MRI's as well. If you're not sure HOW to do BSE, ask the nurse at your doctor's office to walk you through it. As far as the pain, it's not unusual to feel pain around the surgical site for months. Lumpiness too, from the scar tissue. Do you have follow-ups at your surgeon's office? That would be a good question to ask. Meanwhile, try not to freak out. There's no way all that lumpiness could be bad stuff, after all that poison you've been hit with, right?
  • Donalee
    Donalee Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2008

    Alright, ENOUGH with the chocolate! I've put on 5 pounds in one week!! uuuuugh! Definitly having fish for dinner tonight!!!Frown

  • mobay1020
    mobay1020 Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2008

    Hi Aly,

    I can totally relate to what you're feeling.  I had my bilateral on 5/30 and was surprised at how good I felt only 2 weeks later.  However, a couple of weeks after my first tch (7/8) I started feeling pains on both sides, under my arms and on the skin that was left over.  I thought it was really strange to suddenly start feeling pain.  I made an appt. with my surgeon to ease my mind and everything is "normal"  These toxins that we're putting in our body can have some very weird unnerving side effects.  I would suggest that you go see your surgeon and he can assess what's normal and not.  Like you, I was not very good about self exams.  My lump was actually painful which I heard is unusual! 

  • katymom
    katymom Member Posts: 73
    edited August 2008

    Hi Ladies!

    It has been a while since I posted.  I miss hearing from everyone.  This site has helped me through so much in the past year.  I am almost one year to my "end of chemo" anniversary!  Leslie and Cindy:  YEAH  we're about one year out.  Thank you both for being there for me....We really went through a lot together.  I am so thankful we found each other here.  I am moving along.  Just finished all my exit tests.....everything looks pretty good. 

     My pet scan still shows a spot in the hilar region.  Basically, the report said it is probably not a tumor but some kind of inflammation.  It was smaller this time (which was scary because it changed) and the radiologist said it was possible that was because of femara (which didn't sound good to me), but at least it was smaller.  My onc said he wasn't worried.  Anyway,  if anyone else had similar things....let me know.  Otherwise, I'm doing well. 

     Good luck to everyone else......

    Katymom

  • Gina_M
    Gina_M Member Posts: 108
    edited August 2008

    Michele - I found a lump on self examination one month after a normal mammogram.  My lump (which everyone from family doc to those who did the mammogram and first ultrasound assured me was negative for any malignancy) caused severe shooting pains radiating from that breast down my side while I was on a business trip 5 months after all that reassurance.  I was taking 2 Advil every 4 hours for the pain until I returned home.  Went to my family doctor again (by this time the pain subsided) and she sent me for a second ultrasound, which came back suspicious.  Then came the biopsy and the rest is history (that led to my being here).  So yeah, I think pain is sometimes an indicator.

    Gina

  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 210
    edited August 2008

    FYI Everybody - If you want to get involved in Stand Up 2 Cancer (big educational fundraiser being aired on all 3 major networks on Sept. 5), there is a BC.org team on the Walks, Runs, Fundraisers forum - the thread title is Stand Up 2 Cancer and our team is The Cancer Sucks Team. Check it out if you're interested.

    I had my first Herceptin-only tx on Tuesday and no se's - I feel really good.

    Sue

  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2008

    Leslie and Katy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,soooooo good to hear from you gals.  And I am soo glad things are going well with you two.  And I want to thank you both also for giving me support during my journey.  It was so helpful to be able to relate to others going thru the same thing.  And we are proof positive that there is life after bc, right, ladies?   How long is you gals hair now?  If you get a pic,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,put it here so I can see ok?  My avatar is still with my wig on,,,,,,,but one day I will get a pic and put it here.  I've only been going a few weeks now without my wig.  Not used to hair quite this short.  My hair has always been like to the chin,,,,,,,,but never this short.  Still trying to figure out how to style this head.  lol

    Take care gals,,,,,,,,,,,,and again,,,,,,,,,,,,nice to hear from you.

    Cindy

    And Gramma,,,,,,,,,,,,,happy belated birthday to u.

  • bethanybeane
    bethanybeane Member Posts: 167
    edited August 2008

    Dear Carolyn,

    Happy Birthday! I hope you made the most of your day and that others gave you lots of love and attention of the kind you need.

    In age, I'm just 6 months behind you -- and, am also a grandmother. So far one little girl named Hazel who will be one on 9/16 --- she lives in Seattle -- a long way from Austin.  Here's a short video of Hazel the Ham-ette: Ok I realize that this is shameless but here it 'tis == hopefully will make you guys smile.

    http://www.youtube.com/v/JrdUl7IwikA

    I'm on day 4 and still feeling so much better than during TXs 1 and 2. May hearing that be encouraging to all. ~ Bethany (marmie to Hazel)

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.