Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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I'm going to tell the doc when he goes in to re attach the bowel to make sure he cuts those little buggers off. I always had a problem with them. That makes sense Shell about the membranes. Never thought of that.
Hi Mary Jo. I know just how you feel with being scared of being sick. That was my first ,and still is ,worst fear. I have just finished number 2 treatment and coming out of it. I also have every 3 weeks the full three TCH and then the Hercepton by itself every week. One thing I will remember is to have a light meal before treatment. Make sure they give you a bag of IV, I'm sure they will but last time they didn't give me the whole bag cause they wanted to get out and go home, but I'm gonna insist this time. Everyone is different, but for me the first day I was fine, the second I was just ok and the third day it hit me. You will see a pattern for you as you go along. This helps me to know what to expect. I thought right off the bat they would be caring me out on a stretcher. I didn't know what to expect, but always vision the worst. I just woke up on day three with feeling achy all over and nauseas. It lasted a couple of days, then today I am very tired, no energy. The blisters on my lip is beginning, but they have a magic mouth wash that is very helpful in healing them. Someone told me once that if you get sick they are not doing there job as they have so many meds to keep you half way feeling good today. They are just going to have to tweek mine some this time as it wasn't enough. My first treatment I had constipation, and this treatment I have diarrhea. My hair started coming out on the first treatment and just bout gone this time. To prepare get yourself some scarfs and a hat or two. If you have time get a wig, although I bought mine haven't really used it that much. The hair WILL grow back, so don't stress. Its just a short time. Your life will change forever on this journey, but you , as so many others in here including myself, will make it through as so many has before us has. Ask anything and there is someone on the other end to answer your questions. Stay close as we will with you during this walk...
Feeling better this evening, the worst of this treatment I think is over...whew...2 down 4 to go
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Hi Guys,
I have a few questions for those of you that are ahead of me. I'm on day
12 of my first tx. I'm totally exhausted more now than week one. Also today
my face and head feel really hot. Not like fever hot, but like a burning feeling.My side effects have been pretty mild except for these.
Laurie
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Laurie;
I don't know about the hot-head thing. Many ladies who weren't menopausal before chemo start having hot flashes during, and many who are post-menopausal have more. I don't know your hormonal status, so that's a possibility. Many women also get flushed from steroids, but you haven't had those in about a week, I presume. I would ask the office about that one. Oh--another thing that happened to me on my first tx that might explain the burn-y feeling is that sometimes your face will go through this thing like a chemical peel from the inside out. My face got irritated, splotchy, red, and very sensitive for awhile after the first TX and actually peeled around my nose and upper lip. The good part is that I had some actinic keratoses (precancerous skin damage) on my nose, which peeled off! This thing didn't happen on subsequent tx's, probably because they reduced my dose after that. (I also had huge lip blisters and mouth blisters.)
The exhaustion is possibly from anemia. It's not pretty to think about, but you've also been systemically poisoned, in the language of my onco nurse, and you have 3 weeks to recover before they hit you again. It's very common to be tired during chemo. Make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids, and take a break when you need to. Your body's working hard to heal itself up from the assault.
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I wrote TWO long posts last night watching the men's marathon, and lost them both. Each was worthy of at least a Nobel Prize, so it was quite annoying.
Welcome to Mary Jo and Maryanne. Sorry you have to join the club, but it's a good place for support and information and advice about how to manage your nether regions.
Since all the really exciting leadership positions in the Pile Party have been taken, I'll just remain a delegate-at-large in the red toilet paper branch of the party. Seriously, the first time I saw the infamous red t.p., I ran to my GP, knowing that I had colon cancer. I was quite relieved when she broke my actual diagnosis to me. Bethany - you had 9 1/2 pound babies??? And chemo gave you problems????
My chemo nurses and own dd (RN) all wanted me to have a transfusion or Aransept (sp?) when my hemoglobin was down to 8.4 3 weeks after chemo (when I began Herceptin-only), but I wanted to give my poor old body a try on its own and it did it - I went back for blood work Thursday, and I was up to a 10. I just got back from the Y and I was able to burn 400 calories in 45 minutes on the elliptical, which I have NOT been able to do in quite a while.
Brenda, so glad you're feeling better! Now try to eat something more than one french fry and get your strength back. Carolyn - I wish a more peaceful week for you and that you can get some food down too.
Okay - gotta get ready for the closing ceremonies. I'm going to suffer from Olympic withdrawal this next week.
Sue
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Sue;
The "Red Toilet Paper" branch. Too funny. We don't have a Secretary yet...you know, someone to make sure we follow Robert's Stools of Order at our Board Meetings. After all, every MOVEMENT must be seconded and brought up for a vote.
I too had a babe-zilla (my last one was 9 pounds 12 ounces). It was number 4, however, my most petite one, that contributed to an olive-sized thrombosed roid that had to be lanced a few days before her due date. Good thing I had to have a Csection that time!!!!
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Hey everyone! The exhaustion isn't just from anemia. I go through the same thing. Tired, weak, no energy, but apparrently my blood counts have been absoultely perfect the whole way through. I get the hot head/face thing too. Not sure what it's about but it's really annoying. This time (tx #4) I've just been one big hot flash. Thought I was going to entirely pass out in a store yesterday and it was only in the low 70's outside.
Brenda, Sue is right that you've got to try and eat if you can. Not eating just makes the exhaustion and the nausea ten times worse. Fluids as well. Gotta get 'em down. I've found that homemade iced tea sweetened with Equal (or hot tea done the same way) is the only thing that tastes close to normal with this nasty "sewer mouth" so maybe you can give that a try if you like tea. I have to tell you that what's pissing me off the most these days is that the sewer mouth seems to be lasting just a day or two longer each time. I hate that!!!
Laurie, my first treatment was really bad as well and I had complete and total "can barely make it to the bathroom" exhaustion for a long time out. It's been better with each subsequent treatment so I hope it will be for you too. Did you have Neulasta? That just about did me in the first time and I hear a lot of folks have stronger reactions than normal their first time out with it. That could be part of the exhaustion problem as well.
Ok, since we're talking about bum related issues (lol) I have to ask kind of a gross question. Anybody have their poo turn a strange colour and stay that way after they started chemo? I've been tested for all kinds of bacteria, etc. and all is normal. Anybody on the Bum Brigade experiencing this?
Aly.
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Hey Aly,
I did have neulasta , but it didn't seem to bother me to much.
Just achey for a couple days. Hopefully next tx will be better.I also
get herceptin every week. So I'm hoping it's not that, because I don't
want to have to stop taking it.Laurie
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Aly, Blue, green, purple, orange....I dunno but I think as long as it's not black everything's ok.
Shel, How're your eyes -- any better with the new drops? I had to wipe the smile off my face reading your puns. Maybe we need a Chap-lain.
Wowzers! Closing ceremony~OMG. must sleep now. ~Bethany, S of A.
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To all of you in the Pile Party: I am a former member. One of these days you too will no longer belong. At my fourth treatment that was on my list of complaints and the nurse gave me a prescription fo Anusol suppositories. They are highlly recommended. and helped keep the irritation to a minimum.
Terri.
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Welcome MaryAnne and MaryJo. I am sorry you have to be here but I will certainly try to give you my experiences. Seems mine change after every treatment though. I am having a hard time with my red blood cells and white blood cells. I hope ya'll do better with that than I have. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis so I am thinking that does not help. I have finished the 3rd poison and the next bad one is Sept 10. It is getting closer though. I was assigned 6 and I am afraid they will decide to give me more at the last. I am paranoid I guess.
Next Wed. will be Herceptin and by the next week I will start to taste stuff again and then back to the TCH posion. You can do it! I am not sure I can but you can. there is a lot of good advice here and encouragement too. I feel bad for my husband because he is having to do all the work around here. His allergies from mowing is giving him fits.He is used to be the one getting the TLC. I did eat some watermelon someone had told my husband they were able to eat that and sure enough it did well with me and tasted good too! Water does not taste good but that did with a little salt on it.
Carolyn
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Sue, I feel for you. I too lost a long text and it is really taxing for me to try and spell anything these day which really bothers me because I used to be able to spell really well! REALLY!hahaha
So this morning I pour the last of my fav. cereal into a bowl. I get the milk and orange juice out of the fridge. Then I proceed to pour the orange juice into the cereal! REALLY! Oh the chemo-brain is really working it's magic!!! hahahahaha (just one of many SE's MaryAnne & MaryJo!)
Love you guys!
Donalee
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Ah, newbies, see all the fun activities Camp Chemo has to offer? Rainbow poop, red tp, really creative head coverings (or prosthetic scalp device as my insurance calls my wig), and orange juice in your cereal!
Everybody have a colorful Monday,
Sue
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Hello everyone! I haven't been on this site for quite a while...just wanted to try to get through my last couple of chemo's.
I am happy to say, my last chemo treatment was August 13th!! Now I am on Herceptin once every 3 weeks for one year! I knew I would make it, but it seemed like forever!! My #5 and #6 (last) chemo's were really bad, though! It took me a lot longer to bouce back, I was feeling extra sick and extra tired...Also, I began having the same problem with my eyes watering (especially my left eye) right after my 5th chemo! My eyes watered for about a week and 1/2 after the treatments. In fact, right now my eyes ae watering, and it has been 12 days since my last, #6 chemo!! I know it will go away, but it is really annoying!! I am finally feeling better..again..but it has taken me much, much longer to bounce back after #6 chemo!! I see my plastic surgeon today at 2:15 to set up my last breast reconstruction surgery. I am hoping it will be around the last week of Sept. ASAP!! I am SOO ready to begin to feel "normal" again, and taking these expanders out and putting the implants in will be nice!!
I used to run 2-3 miles-4 days a week, row 5,000 meters 2-3 times a week, etc.etc.. Now, I can barely speed walk 2 miles twice a week..I have gained weight through all of this, too, which really bothers me..but..I am determined to feel better, and to get back into shape!! This feeling of weakness will go away in time, also. LIFE IS GOOD!!
Take care all, and know that there IS light at the end of the tunnel!!
Kris
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Carolyn;
I think you might be getting a little paranoid. Six is definitely enough. They're not going to give you more. Six is what most of the clinical trials have been done with. There was one done with a slightly different combo with four treatments, which is why my onc has stopped at four. So I think you can take that to the bank--you'll be done at six. I know you LOVE IT SO MUCH, but they won't give you any more. Sorry-cut off! (hope you don't mind, just having a little fun with you!)
Donalee:
I have done the orange juice thing WITHOUT benefit of chemo--mostly as an over-tired nursing mom trying to get the older kids off to school. Those were some days, I'll tell you what! These days, I can still spell and stuff, but I'm not good with time. Like I LEAVE for appointments at the time I'm supposed to be there. Stuff like that. Seems like not a day goes by that I'm not profusely apologizing to the world!
Kris;
Me too, me too, me too! My fourth and final hemlock was quaffed on August 7. My eyes are still twitching like one who is satanically possessed and running...though I think the steroid eye drops are helping a little. I still get leg edema in the afternoon. I would love to stop taking Lasix. I am a runner/bicyclist/yoga person myself. I now trudge along at a 12 min. mile for a max. of 3 miles, huffing "I think I can, I think I can" like a middle-aged Little Engine that Could. The triathlon/duathlon that the bike course runs past our house was yesterday morning. I heard the racing bikes whizz by my bedroom window as I was getting ready for church. I was a little sad, since I did the duathlon last year and the year before. (I was going to make myself do it this year, but my husband wouldn't let me register). The hard part is having everyone say, "You're done, you're done, yay!" But in a way you're not. Because IT'S not done with you yet. So that's what I tell people. "I'm done with it, but it's not quite done with me." I have my appointment with the plastic surgeon tomorrow. I already saw my general surgeon for a follow-up last Thursday. Granted, this team tends to be conservative, but they said by no means would they even consider doing my surgery any sooner than 3 months after the last chemo. So I wouldn't be surprised if yours was a little later than September. I'm going to have to wait until after the first of the year, it turns out, because I'm doing the San Diego 3Day in November and my annual ski trip in January (and I'm doing an umbilical hernia repair at the same time). So if I want to do my fun stuff, I have to put off the surgery. Oh, the trade offs! By the way: the weight thing. I've been researching that, because even though I am compulsive about my weight and work with a nutritionist, etc., I have these four pounds that I really don't know where they came from. My research revealed that the average woman who has adjuvant therapy for breast cancer gains 5-8 pounds...and this includes the ones who LOSE weight on one extreme, and those that gain 25 or more on the other extreme. And the weird thing about this weight gain is that while normal people when they gain weight gain both muscle and fat, this chemo weight gain is JUST FAT! So they've been trying to figure out why this happens. I really resent the fact that they never warned me about that. I know it's petty to kvetch about 4 pounds, but it's like extra icing on the cake that I don't exactly deserve. Oh well, just to let you know it's par for the course. Let us know how you do getting back into shape. At least we're not going to get any worse off than we are now, and it's all up from here!
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Shelbaroni: It sounds like we have had many similar side effects!! The eye twitching and watering is really annoying, and these side effects didn't appear until after chemo #5!! Other side effects..water retention, bloated stomach, bloated/red face...and those are/were not the worst, but are/were very annoying!!
Ditto...my family and friends keep saying, "Yea!! you are done", and I am feeling great that I don't have to go in for any more chemo's, but I am not done, as my body is still weak, I am still bloated, and I still don't feel "normal"..I wonder how long it will take to feel "normal energy levels'?
I have gained about 15 plus pounds..YUCK!! and I did not over eat at all...in fact, I have eaten less these past months..so..I don't have an answer to the weight gain problem!! I want to fit into my regular clothes, but I can't right now..so I am thinking it may be a slow, gradual process to getting back to normal. What do you think?
I guess I will have to have the final surgery later down the road..oh well..who said this would be a quick ordeal to go through??!! One baby step at a time, and the worst part is over!!! I'll find out this afternoon! I'm looking forward to having my 'gummy bear" implants instead of these hard as rock water bottles (smile).
Have a great day!!!!
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This just in...I just took a run through the estuary between my house and the beach. I usually run with my iPod, but today I didn't because it was raining when I started out. Toward the end of my run, I started hearing this sloshing noise. I swear, it's the saline water in my tissue expander. If that isn't the grossest thing! I can't wait to tell my plastic surgeon tomorrow. Hopefully, my final foobs will be sloshless!
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Kris, I'm doing #5 on Wednesday. I am exercising less and less these days. I did get in one spin class last week though. Thought I was going to die! I was doing pretty good about getting to the gym until this last week. I don't know if I'm just getting depressed or I'm just to dog-ass tired to drag my xtra 5 pounds of pure chemo FAT to the gym!!!!! Oh well only 2 more to go-plus as you say, a month at least after to get some energy back. Oh wait I have radiation I hear that makes you tired? Horray!!
Anyone taking Tamoxifen later? I hear the biggest SE with that is depression! BLAGHHH!!!
Let's just keep smilin!!!!Donalee
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Shel, That's funny about the sloshiness and kind of ew. I don't have foobs but I have 1.5 boobs. Haha (Partial mastectomy) whew that was hard for me to spell. hahahhaha
Donalee
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I've gained about 5 pounds, but I sure know where it came from! Mostly from drinking juices, etc. (which I never used to drink, but rather eat the fruit), constantly in the lookout and trying all sorts of food and drink to find something that tastes good, trying to get this bad taste from my mouth, etc. I never used to eat puddings, frozen yogurt, macaroni and cheese and other "comfort food", which I seem to crave these days. I'm trying not to get too down on myself - my first priority is getting through this. As long as I can keep tthe weight within 10% of my normal weight, I'm going to try not to worry. I'll work on getting in better shape after treatment.
Gina
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Donalee;
About what you said about tamoxifen. Sheesh. With the depression I've had just with the chemo, I'm not sure what would happen to me on tamox. I'm having a good day today, but most days lately, I make Sylvia Plath look like Bozo the Clown!
Hey you guys. I would like to propose, in the spirit of the Olympics, we have the Camp Chemo games! This is inspired by the fact that despite the 2-3 foot sets in my foob this morning, I had the best run I've had since maybe my second tx. Which means that maybe this @#%*! isn't going to kill me after all! So I would like to invite everyone to post things that you do that you couldn't do yesterday or last week that will demonstrate to those who are just starting that, yes, the body does recover. Did you walk around the block, swim 15 minutes, do your routine at the gym without feeling like you were going to die, clean your house, walk the dog (or your grandbaby), load your own groceries into the car? These are all accomplishments worthy of praise and gold medals. Let the games begin!
Aly, I've been thinking about your kaleidoscopic ka-ka. Unless you're doing probiotics (which is between you and your doctor--we've talked a lot about this before, so I won't beat a dead horse with his own road apples--haha), it could be that your bacterial balance is out of whack. Also, if your transit time (that is the time between when you eat something and it comes out again) is a little fast because of diarrhea, some foods can color your stool because the natural colors don't completely digest. I'm thinking about times I've been on cleanses and have seen shredded carrots with their original color, too many blueberries can turn it green, and eating beets (or drinking beet juice) can turn it red (which is scary). If you're a fan of drinks containing artificial coloring, those can go through also, if you've been loose as a goose. The other thing is, especially if you take Ambien at night, you might want to check your daughter's crayon box. Sleep eating is common. I remember once when I was a kid, my dog got hold of my crayons and "redecorated" our back yard with some colorful mixed media lawn figurines!
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Shel - Great idea about the Camp Chemo games!! Though it is unlikely any gold medal is forthcoming, I did walk about 5 miles yesterday in the national park nearby with my DH. Hardly saw the time pass! I'm trying for a work out in my home gym tomorrow. I've been going a little easy, as I'm day 7 Tx3 and still have some Neulasta pains. I think it will be very uplifting for the newbies and the lurkers to realize that we don't just whine, but also whoppee quite a bit on these boards!
Gina
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I already burned my big Camp Chemo event (400 calories on the elliptical yesterday), so I guess I have to top it this week. Synchronized paper copying (two copiers at once!)? Rhythmic plant watering (twirling the hose while I water!)? It's hard for me to get too physical during the work week, so I'll just have to be creative.
Shel: We've all dealt with sewer mouth in our own way, but I seriously doubt that Aly is eating her kid's crayons! Although this does open the door to a new Camp Chemo event. . .
Gotta go to Open House and be teacherly.
Sue
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RE: Tamoxifen. I have not heard that it can cause depression. I was concerned about joint pain and am happy to report that I have minimal side effects. When I get up in the morning I'm a little stiff but that quickly goes away and I'm fine the rest of the day.
Terri.
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Neulasta? how long will it hurt? I hurt all night and all day since Thursday last week. My back is hurting me like crazy and when I was taking the Neupogen it was my shoulders and I always take them in my tummy. I could barely dress myself. I guess I could be in the artistic dancing when my back and shoulders are hurting. I am dancing around trying to deal with the pain.This paper they gave me says that 10-29% that receive Neulasta have bone pain. So why do I have 100% bone pain in 100% of my body? Actually it has been mostly in my spine. It also says just because you have side effects does not mean it is helping. That is just not fair! If I am having pain I want good results! True I am paranoid Shel. They decreased my dose of poison after the first one because it was killing me. He said he can't decrease it anymore which I never asked him to and then his PA said the same thing that they could not decrease it anymore. I really just want to get this done and would not care if they increased it so I would have 1 less.
I am wondering if crayolas would have a laxative effect? Maybe work like Imodium AD! I know when I was throwing up Sat.it was bright orange. I guess that could be like our medals! Gold,Silver and Bronze.
Carolyn
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OMG!! You guys are so funny this morning!! I love the Chemo Olympic idea! I have had terrible shoulder pain lately but when it comes time for the steroids it goes away! This morning I think I could've got the bronze medal for getting my clothes on with one arm. Hmmmm, gymnastic dressing maybe?
Donalee
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I am a contender for that too. The steroids did help the shoulder pain but now I need some more for my spine pain. he said you can't get a shot at your Rheumy. I know that he has told me enough. Do I just look dumb or is there people out there that would do that? Well you would not know how I look since I have not put my pic there. I still have hair but looks like Jack Nicholson! Just enough to be too warm with a scarf on.
Let's see what other sports could we have? Seems like they had more things in the Olympics that I had never seen before, like rope throwing. and ribbon swirling. I am sure we can come up with something. Maybe toilet swirling or food tossing.How about unusual smells or tastes?
Carolyn
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Carolyn I think maybe because we are older with Arthritis it seems to hit us more. I know it does me. Although I can't sleep at night from the pain when I am up and moving around it isn't as bad. I do take Tylenol extra strength to help though. I love reading everyones post, it just lifts my day. I admire everyone getting out and exercising too, but it depresses me some to think I am barely able to lift my head off the pillow. I am in day 6 from TCH and going in today for the H and just whipped. Not nausea , thank God , but just so tired it makes the day miserable. I do what I have to do then go lay down. What is this study on 4 TCH instead of 6? If I see my onc today I will ask her as from the first treatment my lump went down so dramatically that maybe I could be a candidate. How do they know 4 was good for you shell?
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I think you are in the same place I was a few weeks ago Brenda, I was so dehydrated. have you been checking your blood pressure? Real low means you are dehydrated and also make sure you heart rate is not too high. Mine is today but I think it is from pain and not sleeping well. I will be taking a nap after errands and laundry!
Carolyn
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My youngest grandson with a new puppy. I kind of look like the puppy right now...
Carolyn
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Brenda;
The decision to do four on me (and I also had a second opinion) was based on the smallness of my tumor, the clean margins, and the fact that my sentinel node was negative. My doctor was drawing on a combination of two different studies, and often does a regimen of four treatments with patients in my situation. Day 6 was always a real honey for me, too. Just couldn't stay vertical too long. My test was always if I could stand up long enough to brush my teeth, I might make it downstairs. God bless you!
It's fun to hear how many are participating in the games. Do we have a projectile puking team yet? I never really let it get that far myself. How about a typing speed championship for your three days on steroids? That might be a good one, too.
All I've done today so far is see the plastic surgeon. Fortunately, he didn't give me a "fill". Since I need to wait until January at least for my surgery, I didn't want to spend my entire fall and winter season asymmetrical. So I'll do my walk and ski like a madwoman before I have my front torso overhaul.
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