Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Good Morning Ladies,
Anyone experience shortness of breath with herceptin tx? My doctor
says it will just take some time for my body to adjust, and to take xanax.It's not really bad just a little uncomfortable for a day or two. I don't
want to take xanax any more than nessesary. Hate the way I feel on it.Laurie
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Hi everyone,
After my third treatment I have become VERY tired. Come to find out I am anemic but the authorities do not wnat to give me medication because it has thought to be dangerous (Aranesp and Procrit) to cancer patients. Are there any other ways to increase red blood cells -- over the ounter vitamins with iron, diet? Please let me know what you find out from your doctors. I don;t think I can do three more treatments.
Jo Anne
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So happy Shell you are having such a good time.
Cindy I am from California. State Capital Sacramento, well outside in Carmichael. I have Zofran for the nausea, but it says to take it for 2 days afterward, not 8 days. I was wondering, and I guess I will have to call the onc, if you can take it longer. I know it has a SE of constipation. You will not believe this, but last night I woke up in the worst sweats, just drenched! I had this happen in the hospital too after the first chemo. Then this morning I woke up and the nausea is completely gone. Could there be a connection the sweat just pushed out the poison and brought me to the end? Will be interesting to see if it happens next time. I never had night sweats with menopause and only had this when I began chemo. I sure hope it is the sign and it stays.
Leaving tomorrow for the big racing event and so happy the SE seems to be gone, outside of tiredness, which is a on going thing. I so want to enjoy the event. I will rest and not push though. So for all of you I do hope you enjoy this holiday whatever you are doing.
Carolyn do you get sick on just Herceptin? So sorry it has hit you so hard. I never vomited, but thought I probably would feel better if I did. Yes on the BRAT diet, raised a lot of kids on it through out the years. I think next big TCH I am going to eat light the day of and then pump in the fluids. Then let the digestive track rest for a few days with crackers, toast, bananas, broth. I messed up this time not remembering that which I think it made it so bad. Herceptin doesn't seem to bother me, its the big 3 that kicks my toohootie. Looks like my routine may be day 2-3 the worst, days 3 through 4 just punk and come out of it on day 9. Those first 3 days though I just would watch the clock to hope it would hurry and end to bed time so I could just go to sleep and escape it for awhile. I can handle the mouth sores, the tiredness, the diarrhea, but just can't handle the nausea. One person told me Carolyn in the beginning that if your nausea is not under control that the onc is not doing there job cause there is so many combinations to try. What has your onc done to help you? Seems like you have had it just to bad and to long. I would certainly press to get more help on that end. I know we will have discomfort, for the majority of us, that is just the part of chemo, but sounds like you need a little more TLC than most of us at this point. A person told me yesterday that he just could not understand how we could take the treatments time after time knowing it was going to make us so sick. He just ask how can you do it? My reply was if you want to live you will. Bottom line it won't be forever, if we can just get through these 6 treatments it will be past us and like child birth that we seem to forget this too will be.
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Laurie: I don't know where you're at in your treatments, but anemia can cause some shortness of breath. I had it just when I would work out or run. If your blood doesn't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen, it stands to reason that you're going to want to breathe faster. Have you ever gone to the mountains? When you're used to sea level and you go to, say, 8000 feet, you're going to huff and puff a bit. Or if your shortness of breath is at rest, it COULD be anxiety. Xanax is a great drug, if you don't have to function and can be a vegetable. But slow, deep breathing, yoga, and visualization are better tools for relaxation if the problem is actually anxiety. If you don't think that anxiety is the real issue, tell your doctor. I think some of them put us on Xanax because they think it's all in our pretty little bald heads and want us to stop complaining....
Jo Anne: I got hit really bad with anemia after tx 2, tired, pasty white skin, the woiks. I wasn't quite low enough for the insurance to cover the shot, though. They told me diet and supplements wouldn't help, because the problem isn't iron. The problem is that your bone marrow, which is making the red blood cells, is actually being suppressed by the chemo. What I did was make a painting of huge red blood corpuscles and look at it every day. I don't know if it did anything, but my hemoglobin was UP by tx 3! If visualization isn't your bag, you probably just need to ride the storm and rest when your body says rest. Know that IT WILL BE OVER WITH AND IT WILL GET BETTER. I promise.
Brenda: Somebody said Compazine. I second the motion. It's good stuff. It can make you sleepy, so I wouldn't take it right before driving a formula 1 time trial or anything like that. But it gets 'er done. Another thing that I found actually the most helpful was over-the-counter Bonine. It's chewable, doesn't make you crazy drowsy,and you can just get it at the drug store without prescription. It's for motion sickness. People take it before cruises and stuff.
Cin: I don't know about the camera thing. I have to be in just the right mood for cameras these days. As I said earlier, I avoid mirrors like a vampire, because I actually look pretty cute in my own mind. I was at a wedding recently, and my husband had the bad judgment to seat our family in the first row. I had to give the photographer several menacing looks before he got the idea that I absolutely DID NOT want photographic evidence of my physical existence. My usual solution to this problem is to be the one with the camera. That way I have photos of everyone else:) So I'd better get my workout done so I can go take pictures!
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Brenda I am having more problems with being sick this time because my husband was pushing me to eat real food because to men food is life and you will feel better eating ( and having sex). anyway he bought some nice looking tomatoes and a watermelon for me to try so I did. it is not a good idea right after TCH but I will stay on my Brat from now on after that and will eat after the Herceptin. This is the first time I have been sick to my stomach there but I was dehydrated the first time after the TCH when I went for Herceptin and they gave me 2 bags of IV. I was still having a hard time being tired until the next herceptina and I could taste stuff and I gained 2 pounds that week before the TCH. I have lsot 5 now! I guess it is going to be up and down for a while. I had the blood transfusion on Thursday after TCH and every one said I looked good so I guess I got some color back.
My brother in law needed someone to to go into the city to get his wife out of the hospital. I can't believe they called me but I was willing to try. I go in the city every day it seems anyway. they found someone though to take him up there to get her and his oldest daughter is going to pick up the adopted daughter which surprised me since they haven't spoken in 10 or more years. I was afraid I was going to have to drive one and half hours to go get him and then back to city and then to take him back. I didn't think I could do that. they act like they are country bumbkims. they will not even come up here to see us. I guess if you are not used to driving and don't have a good car it can be scary.I do try not to drive in rush hour but if I have to I will.I just go with the flo.
Shel, I am like you about cameras but not just since the cancer. I have always been like that. As long as I don't look at myself I look pretty good. I don't look at any pics people have been able to get of me but then I thought when I got cancer what if my family never get any of me? I still didn't take them. they can remember how pretty I was in their minds
Carolyn
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Carolyn, I'm just curious. Do they give you anti-emetics with your chemo treatments? Like Emend, or Aloxi and Decadron? I get all 3 with mine and then take the Emend and Decadron for 2 days afterwards, then continue with the nausea meds as needed and that really takes care of anything except the occasional queasiness. I'm worried that you seem so sick with this and was just wondering if they're giving you all the good stuff!!
Aly.
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Dang shell I forgot all about the sea sick pills. DAH! I have meclizine in the med cabinet for when we go on cruises. Never thought about that thanks. All day today since the water works eposide last night no nausea at all today so I think what ever happened in my body last night signaled the end of this session. I am soooooo thrilled. Back to the semi land of living. Tired, but can live with that.
Aly I also take Decadron one day before treatment 2x a day and then one day after 2x a day. After I also take zofran for 2 days after treatment so Carolyn question is are they giving you this too? It is said to help on the SE.
JoAnne I am also anemic, but that is why they gave me the Neuestlasta shot.
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Hi Cupcake - I think anemia refers to the red cells and their diminished capacity to carry enough oxygen (for a variety of reasons, though in our case it is general bone marrow suppression from the chemo). There are other types of anemia, like iron-deficiency and Vitamin B12 deficiency, and a whole bunch of others. Treatment depends on the type of anemia.
But Neulasta is a white cell stimulator and does not work on red cells. There are some drugs that work to stimulate red cell production, but there is some evidence that they can aggravate problems for those on chemo. Some people get these drugs though, and some actually get blood transfusions if their hemoglobin goes too low.
Gina
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Jo Anne: I'm chiming in on the anemia question. Gina gave a really good explanation of why diet and iron pills don't usually help us. My hemoglobin dropped to 8.4 and they wanted to do the Aranesp or a transfusion. I didn't want either, and a week ago I was up to 10. But I finished chemo July 22, so my body's had a chance to recover on its own; maybe the transfusion is the answer to help you get through chemo.
Good luck to you!
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Shel: Hope you are having a wonderful time!!!
Brenda: Have a great time at the event this weekend. My brother has a restored vintage car and he goes to a lot of cruise-ins in the Midwest. No racing, but they have a good time.
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Good explanation Gina. I guess cause the Dr. said I was anemic and then mentioned the Neulasta shot so I just assumed it was for that.
I was feeling so excited about the trip and the SE was away, which they are, but that dang burning pain from the colostomy surgery has raised its ugly head again and going to make the weekend pretty miserable. When I get back I am going to be like a dog on a bone with the surgery dept wanting an answer to this and I am not going to be brushed off like they are the higher power and I being a patient is stupid. There IS something wrong with this and it keeps occurring just when I think it is well. Yes I am no Doctor, but common sense tells me this is not normal. It is a burning pain (nerve?) right in the area they did the separation of the colon. It was really bad at first and went away 3 times and now when I want to go and have a wonderful weekend have to contend with the pain again. The area is irritated somehow and pushing on that nerve when I move a certain way like bending. Before it hurt non stop all day and night, today just when I bend or pinch it somehow, but I don't want to go and just sit. Oh well going to push past the pain and go anyway. Chat with ya all later....cyper hugs to you
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Brenda: I'm thinking back 11 yrs to when my husband had a colostomy (his was subsequently reversed). He never complained of any pain like that. I remember a lot of other things, like his habit of eating dinner and then retiring to the family room, pulling up his shirt and watching his last meal come out like he was watching the evening news. To this day, I can't eat Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice, because I saw too much of it "remixed", so to speak, back in the day. Sorry, I digress. Anyway--if I were you, I would holler too. Burning pain in the abdomen doesn't quite sound normal. And it's hard going away for the weekend with nagging worries. God bless you to be able to get the attention that it needs. When are you taking off, tomorrow?
I'm having a wonderful time with my husband and my oldest son and daughter. So often, I'm busy with the littler kids--Sponge Bob, Little League, and day camps. It's fun to hang with the kids for awhile who have problems with roommates, bridesmaids' getaway weekends, and discuss postmodern literary criticism. We saw the latest Woody Allen last night. Fabulous!
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Shel, I am glad you are having a good time. It is fun being with the adult kids even if the grandkids are the adults. I really miss my oldest grandson who is in college again for his Jr year.
Aly, I think the diarrhea is what gets me down. I have made my decision , my husband is not going to make me eat anything on the week after the poison (TCH) I do okay after herceptin. when they give me TCH they give me a big vile of anti nausea med in my IV and then I take Antivan the evening of the tx and as needed for nausea and I have phenegran for light nausea and also 2 kinds of pills for indigestion. Protonix for everyday and pecid for just in case. I do not know what happened to me when I went for tx last Wed because I felt pretty good that morning and did errands but got sick as a dog when I got ready for the Herceptin. I have stayed on the BRAT diet now so I don't get the diarrhea. They gave me the Neulasta the day I got my TCH and the next day I got a blood transfusion and felt pretty good but I also ate regular food instead of the BRAT like I should have. It has been hard stopping the diarrhea since but keeping fingers crossed it is stopped until the next poison. I don't know if I would rather deal with constipation or diarrhea! I may figure this all out by the time I finish my last 3 treatments. I also had very bad back spasms with the Neulasta so they said I would not get that again. I am still having a few but not every time I sat down or went to the bathroom. I don't know what they will do to me now. the doc said with me having fibromyalgia so long could have a part in my problems.
they gave me 2 shots of the Aranesp for red blood cells but my arms broke out in red patches like measles but then would turn to scabs like chicken pox so that is why they gave me the whole blood. Everything was back up last time and I hope it stays that way for a while.
My heart rate has really been high too and I know if i don't control my pain it gets like that but it was down this morning.
I guess everyone has something fun to do this weekend. I just hope to get some sun and not do a lot. Hopefully I will feel good for a while now. I am really hoping to teach my Sunday school class too. I usually only have 1 or 2 but with it being a holiday I may need an extra person help me. they are 4 thru 6 and can get out of hand easy. sometimes I end up with all the classes when it is a holiday and the others are out of town. that is not fun! I guess we will prepare and see what happens.
Brenda, my son's little town had their car show and all the other stuff they do last weekend. I think people just bring the vintage cars and others pay to look at them. he owns a inflatable and the kids pay to bounce. I guess nice family fun and it helps the local Chamber of Commerce and they have really gotten some things fixed up in that old town since they have people working on it.
Carolyn
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Hi everyone. EEP!! My nails are peeling away from the nail bed in some places. I have big white patches where it separated. Anybody know anything that can be done for this?
Aly
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Aly, my chemo book they gave me said chemo can cause minor skin changes such as dryness, redness, itching, peeling,acne and sun sensitivity. Some chemo can cause discoloration of the nail beds.
Management is: Use mild soap non perfumed. Min. hot showers and baths. I would guess if you wash dishes also by hand) I don't unless I have too!
Use moisturizers regularly & sunscreen
Protect skin from harsh detergents, chemicals,alcohol and deodorant found in household cleaning products & lawn care products.
Drink plenty of fluids to keep well hydrated. 2-3 quarts of nonalcoholic, decaffeinated liquid daily unless instructed to restrict fluid intake
Keep nails trimmed and clean. Wear gloves for house cleaning and gardening.
I noticed that when I use the Purell hand sanitizer it makes my thumb nails sore so I just use hand soap or dish liquid at the sink for washing my hands constantly. I am sure you wash as much too. Do you use lotion? I would check to see if that may be hurting you. My doc gave me a list of lotions to use but the ones I normally use are not on it. I am not a big lotion user though.Do you use nail polish or remover? The remover is very harsh but in this book they never discourage getting your nails done but do say to take your own implements. I am not big on getting my nails done either. I hope some of this has helped.
Carolyn
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Thanks Carolyn. I just painted my nails for the first time in years on Monday. I had two little spots of white discolouration but I didn't know what they were. Now I can see under my polish (I did French manicure) that my middle finger on my right hand has a BIG white patch on it and I can see it's where it's peeled away. I notice two other small new places on other nails as well but I'm *really* worried about the big one. My nails have been growing normally, in fact I quit biting them a couple of months ago and they have grown out beautifully. Now this.
I do use lotion - Lubriderm. I've been using cuticle oil lately as well, do you think that could hurt?
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For nail changes, I was told use tea tree oil on my nails (including toe nails). Even with the tea tree oil use dialy, I ended up getting red "bulls eye" type spots on a couple of nails. As they grew out, the nails split. My nails continue to be brittle. I've never had brittle nails before so this is a disappointing long term side effect. I should probably keep using tea tree oil.
I was also told to use Udderly Smooth hand lotion.
Terri.
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Aly,
I use a product called Nail Envy- I get it at the JC Penney hair salon- it makes an extremely hard coating on the nails and I have kept it on all through chemo and now during herceptin only- it has really helped my nails from all the splitting and peeling off at the ends.
Kristy
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Hi gals,
I'm a real newbie to all of this (even message boards), so please bear with me until I catch on to the lingo, etc., etc.
I am 65 years old and I had a lumpectomy and removal of the sentinel node (I believe is called axillary dissection) on July 10th, 2008. Went home the same day as the surgery with a drain attached for 8 days. I had ductal carcinoma , Stage II - tumor size 3.2cm, margin around tumor was clear and 12 lymph nodes that were removed were all cancer free!!!!!!!! Thank you, God!!
Now the treatment: My oncologist told me (didn't give me a choice as to the type of chemo - but of course, did give me the option to accept or refuse the treatments). Obviously, I opted to take treatment - hey....whatever works, right??? I am scheduled for 6 treatments of TCH 3 weeks apart of each other - Herceptin weekly for one year. I opted against a port - I just get the regular infusion via IV every time. When chemo is done, then radiation will begin for 30 treatments.
Cycle One took place on Thursday, August 21st. Taxotere, Carboplatin & Herceptin (which I've already learned from this board is referred to as: TCH - see, I'm already learning!) and an injection of Neulasta 24 hours later. Day 3 was the whopper!!! I was zapped with flu-like symptoms, tingling in hands and feet and I just hurt all over and very weak - no nausea, no vomiting - but washed out just the same. Day 4 brought me terrible digestive problems - severe heartburn, bloatiness up to my throat, stomach pain, constipation - you name it - but thank God, still no vomiting or nausea. I called the onc's office and the nurse told me to take suppositories - never had to do this in my life, mind you - try some TUMS, and also to drink flat ginger ale, plenty of fluids, etc. The suppository worked within minutes - I did go to the bathroom. Day 5 wasn't much better - and added to it all was the bone pain as a result of the Neulasta injection - terrible lower back pain!!! Day 6 was my Herceptin day - my onc nurse told me this is all a part of the SE - she told me to try Zantac, Pepcid or any of those OTC antacids - I chose Zantac, for no particular reason, and it seemed to help the heartburn tremendously!!!! Day 7 was a little better and here I am into Day 8 and I am feeling fine. I do notice a few BM's every day, not diarehea, but soft movement - sorry, hate to be so gross - but since I was diagnosed, I feel a sisterhood now, and shouldn't be ashamed of natural happenings to our bodies, but I still am at times - some things are just gross!!! LOL Does anyone else here have that happening?
I read that alot of you gals experience bad taste or no taste, etc. That hasn't happened to me so far! Appetite is so-so - trying to eat smaller portions at least.
As for hair loss - that upsets me - I haven't experienced it YET - onc told me it will happen. That's gonna be a tough one for me!!! I get very upset when I think of it. Although, I did buy a wig already and have been wearing it just to get used to it, etc. I just have to keep reminding myself - it will grow back - and the cancer is gone!!!!!!! I guess it's still a little early for some of the SE's that I've heard/read about to happen yet (like nails turning black, etc,). But of course all SE's are different for everyone.
Sleepless nights, anyone? I've had a sleeping or I should say NON-sleeping problem before all this - but now it seems worse - I have no trouble falling asleep - but staying asleep is a problem - comes daylight, I could sleep for a week!!! WTF????
So, that's my story - if anyone here can give me some advice, or just share their feelings, SE, etc., that would be great!!!
Thank you - and good luck to all of us!!! God bless!!!!
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Aly, the Lubriderm is on the good list of light creams or lotions. It has Bag Balm & udderly smooth for heavier things. I am not sure about the cuticle oil but you might see what is in the ingredients to make sure but I would think it would be oil. I knew some that used tea tree oil and had some allergic reactions but everyone is different.
Welcome Maggie63. sorry you are having to join our little group. I hate to tell you but you will find the SE change with the wind. The Neulasta is what caused the pain and flu like symptoms. they had given me Neupogen before but I guess they decided they were not getting the good results. the Neulasta nearly killed me along with stomach problems. You are braver than I am because I would never try this six TCH without a port. Did he discuss Port vs vein? I have seen some getting it that way but mine insisted I get a port but I have little veins and they would not hold up I am afraid. Even my port gives me problems being sore and tender afterward. You might ask your doc first but if you could take Benadryal at night it could help you sleep and also if you did have any flares they always give you that during tx. You may need to force yourself to stay awake during the day so you can get it all back like it is supposed to be unless you don't need to stay awake during the day. I know if I nap I wake up very early like 3 AM. My alarm goes off at 4:30 anyway so I can get my husband and grandson up for work. does your tx called for steroids before and after. I think a lot of us take steroids the night before and the day of and the next day until the next TCH. That is where I get the bad taste and smells but I am not sure if it is the steroids or the TC because with just the Herceptin my taste buds are better. I guess you will find out if you are not. I had the stomach acid, heartburn etc. which I have meds for and then this last time I got more nausea and I had a blood transfussion plus the neulasta and everything was compounded it seems. I have a plan for the next TCH. I will not eat anything that is not on the BRAT diet (no bananas though for me) for 1 week until time for Herceptin. I do not care who begs me or tries to make me eat stuff I love. We will see if this works! I keep thinking I will have constipation instead of the diarrhea for a change. I have had my gallbladder out and have been wondering if this could be part of my problem.
Carolyn
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Hi Maggie, Sounds like you're up to speed on many fronts. I have a similar situation to yours -- and many of us do. At first I was upset about the HER+ personality of the cancer but now feel that having a factor that can be targeted for treatment is a "positive" ;-) thing. Welcome to this group.
I have been taking benadryl and one .5 mg. of xanax for sleeping. Ambien was also prescribed and I use it only when I don't want to be groggy the next morning --....but it is something to be careful about....sleep walking..........and some people apparently even eat crayons in the middle of the night and poop rainbow colors (just kidding - don't know if that previous fun conversation happened here on this thread or the other one called ANYONE STARTING TCH IN JULY.) Both, and others here, are filled with wonderful women who fill my heart and to whom I run everyday for companionship and comfort. Cheers, Bethany
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Maggie: I would have trouble sleeping the first night after treatment because of the steroids they gave me in my drip. I found taking an Ativan (generic form Lorzepam (sp)?) would do the trick. It was an antinausea med that they gave me that worked wonders on helping you get to and stay asleep.
I am now almost 9 months out from my last treatment and am having troulble getting to sleep. My onc just gave me a prescription for Lunesta. I've only used it twice so far and it does knock you and keep you asleep. One side effect is a nasty taste in the mouth; it's kind of like a mild form of sewer mouth but at least you know it will go away the next day.
I'm also undergoing some acupuncture treatments. The woman who needles me says she's treating some patients currently undergoing chemo. Maybe something to consider as a complementary therapy.
Good luck with your treatments.
Terri.
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Welcome, Maggie. Your first experience with TCH sounds a lot like mine. A few poopy (or non-poopy in my case) days, then I felt pretty good until the next chemo. Don't ever worry about grossing us out on this thread! We're a tough group with many "colorful" SE's (Yes, Bethany, that was us.) I didn't have any nail problems or really major SE's - I hope things go uneventfully for you, too. As Bethany said, we really are a sisterhood.
Hope everybody has a good Labor Day weekend. Brenda, I hope your event goes well and you have a wonderful time. You deserve it!
Sue
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Hi girls,
Gramma23, bethanybean, tf80209 & suemed8749 - thank you so much for your warm welcome to this thread.
It's good to be able to hear others re-assure each other and give advice to each other and just plain old being there for each other - I love it - thanks so much!!!!
So, it seems like what I've been experiencing is quite the "norm" - norm, what the hell is that anymore???? LOL
Good to be a part of such a great group - I'm sure I'll think of many more "issues" to talk about but for now - everyone have a great Labor Day weekend - I myself will be a a BBQ tomorrow - I guess it will have to be alcohol free - but they'll be time for that down the road!!! Wouldn't mind a nice cold beer or two though!!!!
ENJOY!!!
Thanks again, Maggie
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Happy weekend ladies. Hope everyone is doing good and keeping those nasty side effects at bay. I have to say,,,,,,,,,,,,you ladies are doing such a good job. I am soooooooo proud of you all.
Cupcake,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I am in southern California. So we are a lil distance away. I have a friend who lives in Ukiah and a friend who lives in Alameda. Thought if we were neighbors we could meet for coffee..........but tooo far away to do that huh? lol
Maggie........welcome to this group. I am sorry you have to be here,,,,,,,,,,,but this is such a wonderful place to share, make new friends, and compare. You sound just like me when I was doing chemo. I finished chemo in Aug 2007 and herceptin in May 2008. Started radiation in Sept 2008 and finished that around the beginning of Decl 2008. You know,,,,,,,at the time when I was going thru treatment,,,,,,,,,,I thought,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,omg,,,,,,,,,I cannot continue,,,,,,,,I felt as though I was never going to feel good again. But here I am a year out of chemo,,,,,,,and I feel great. Trust me,,,,,,,,,,there is light at the end of the tunnel. I know I say that a lot,,,,,,,,,but it is true, very true. Once you get passed all of this,,,,,,,,,,,,,,what you went thru will be a distant memory. The hair loss for me was the absolute worst. I just couldnt bear it at first. But you know,,,,,,,,,,,I loved my wig. I wasnt a scarf or hat person because I have a lil head, so it looked funky to me. I wore my wig in public,,,,,,,,and I got so many compliments on it that people I knew that it was my own hair. Those silly people. lol This pic is my hair a year after chemo. I too thought it was never going to grow back,,,,,,,,,,but it does. I just learned a lottttttttttttttttttttt of patience. lol I took Protonix for indigestion and I still take it. Chemo did wonders on my digestive track. I had an EGD and the dreaded colonoscopy a few months ago because I still continued to have very bad indigestion. He said that the chemo may have screwed up my esophogus,,,,,,,,,,,so its Protonix for life. Works wonders though. I took Ambien for sleep,,,,,,,,,,,man loved that stuff. I didnt walk or eat in my sleep,,,,,,,thank God, lol..........but I sure got a good nights sleep.
Everybody is so different in regards to their side effects. But one thing I wish to tell you,,,,,,,is that,,,,,,,,,,,,keep your Dr. informed of everything ok? For every side effect there is something to keep it at bay. Dont be afraid of your Dr. and the staff. They are there to make things comfortable for you.
Sorry I typed forever here. But I just want to say that this board helped me out greatly during my treatment time. Family understands,,,,,,,but no one understands better than someone who is going thru treatment or have been there.
OK,,,,,,,,,,,I'm done for now. lol
Have a super holiday weekend ladies,,,,,,,,,,,and take care of yourself ok?
Cindy
ps,,,,,,,,the bad taste in mouth? omg that sucked big time. But that will go away after done with treatments. Funny cause,,,,,,,,,,,I would never eat meat before chemo,,,,,,,,,,,I only ate fish and chicken and turkey,,,,,,,,,,but something happened during chemo that made me looooooooooove meat. Weird huh? Big juicy steak sounds real good about now. lo
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Hey guys! Welcome, Maggie, to Camp Chemo! I'm sincerely sorry you had cause to find your way here, but I hope this thread will be a sanctuary to you during the bad times and a place to rejoice during your days of healing and restoration!
Yeah, Cindy, I've been compelled to eat all sorts of things since being treated with chemo that I didn't eat before. I don't understand it, either. Today I had pistachio soft serve at Coney Island! (That was AFTER going on the Cyclone, the park's 90 year old roller coaster-which was a gas!) I took photos with my daughter head commando in the photo booth. I'll post one once I get home and can get them scanned in. The cool thing today is that I wore eye makeup for the first time in about a month, because my leaky tear ducts pretty much behaved themselves all day.
Tomorrow we're taking a long walk in Central Park. It's good to be getting my energy back again. (For those of you new to the thread, I'm 3 weeks out from my 4th and last treatment). I'll be having my first Herceptin only next Thursday. Hopefully, it will be without incident!
Part of me hesitates in chronicling my rapid recovery from the scourge of chemo, because I don't want any of you to feel bad. So if anyone wants me to shut up, please tell me. On the other hand, I want you all to see that your bodies WILL spring back--everyone at her own speed, granted--but as some of the other ladies can testify, there is a whole 'nother life on the other side!
By the way, for those of you who would like some inspirational reading, I just read All I Want for Christmas is My Two Tattoos by Patricia Beth Rodgers, a wonderful lady I've been corresponding with. Get it on Amazon. It's great!
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Shel, it sounds like you are really having a good time. I am glad but just thinking about the roller coaster sent me running for phenagren. I don't think you will have any problems with Herceptin. it seems to help me recope from the TCH. I am looking forward to getting the next 3 over with. I have a plan for the next big one. I hope it works.As for strange tastes I have taken a liking for root beer. I normally can't stand it.
Carolyn
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Hey everyone,
Just want to thank all of you ladies for the warm welcome you all gave me in joining this group!!! (Chemo Camp - too funny!!!!) I have already felt the comraderie and do appreciate it - have a great night!!!
Have a great time in New York, Shel - my hometown!!!! Born and raised in New York City, not far from Central Park at all!!!!!!!
Maggie
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Shel,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,omg it sounds as though u are having a wonderful time. I went to New York a couple of years ago and had a blast. Went there for my nephews graduation from law school,,,,,,,,,and for 8 days did everything I wanted to do. Absolutely loved it.
I hope you all dont mind that I chime in from time to time. Sometimes I feel as though I may be intruding. But for me when I was going thru chemo,,,,,,,,,I found strength from those who were on the other end of treatment. Plus I feel a lil connection to this thread,,,,,,,since I am the granny that started it. lol Hopefully I can send positive thoughts and hugs to you all going thru it,,,,,,,,and dont forget about that light at the end of the tunnel. (My favorite thing to say here if you havent noticed yet ... lol)
Herceptin for me was a piece of cake. Hopefully it will be the same for those of you having to do a years worth. Only thing was ,,,,,,,it was just a pain in da azz having to do that for a whole year. But we just do what we have to do u know?
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee again
Enjoy the weekend
Cindy
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Shel - I'm glad you're letting us know about life on the other side of chemo! It makes me feel that I have something to look forward to and that it REALLY will happen! I would love to hear about what bounces back first, etc. for you - how long it takes before different aspects of your life come back to normal. I forgot if you have to have radiation, or if it's only Hercpetin for you from now on.?. I will have my last TCH on Sept. 9th, my radiaiton simulation visit on Sept. 12th. I think radiaiton will start the first or secind week of October and continue for 20 business days (4 weeks). I'll have Herceptin during radiation and onwards for a year (once every three weeks) since it started on August 19th. I'm looking forward to getting my body back in shape when this is all,over!
Gina
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