Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Thanks, you guys. Yes, Steiner, I was a "big" girl. Now I am a lopsided girl. I took care of everything on my own after surgey, so he never really saw it then. He did take a peek down my shirt at my request, but it looks a lot different from the top down than it does full frontal. I think I'll try the shirt thing. Thanks for the suggestion.
And lago, yes, I want the surgery for myself (and any insight on that would be a great help!) because I have learned that I have been reflecting the way I feel about myself onto him, and not giving him what he needs. He didn't stray, physically, but visually. I'd like to know about the procedure.
We are talking ALOT now, and I think maybe it took this unsettling event to make us realize what we were or were not doing for each other. But it was a big blow. Fingers crossed and thanks for the hugs !!!!!!!
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rickysgirl he was checking out other women… men are visual. It's OK for them to look but they shouldn't make it that obvious! So I understand totally why you were upset. So glad you two are talking. That is going to make a huge difference. I'm sure he really does love you and so glad your "back" at least talking again.
I had my Tissue expanders put in at BMX. PM me if you want details. If you want to chat on the phone PM me your number and a few good times to call. I'm on central time. I'm glad I did reconstruction. I'm bigger than I was. Still getting used to that
I now have middle aged boob size instead of teen boob size.0 -
Rickysgirl - Regarding intimacy and "giving him what he needs". Here is how I manage my intermittant libido and make sure my DH knows I still find him desirable and needed. I bought a book called How to Be a Great Lover: Girlfriend-to-Girlfriend Totally Explicit Techniques that Will Blow His Mind by Lou Paget. I told me DH I had plenty of time to read so might as well read something he can enjoy later. He was intrigued to say the least! I've tried a few techniques so far and use Astroglide for the dryness. Foreplay is longer and he feels loved. When we do end in full on lovemaking the closeness and intimacy is there and we both feel connected to each other. Its definitely not as frequent as before but that doesn't weigh on either of us because we are both closer to each other. Talking is important! I flirt with him all the time too.
You will find what is confortable for you. The one concession I have to him is that I'd like to walk around bald as it doesn't bother me but it bothers him. So I wear the long wig he picked out for me. If he's busy elsewhere I take it off. Its a small price to pay if he would rather see me with hair considering all that he does for me while I am going through this.
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volley - platelets regenerate every 5 days so your platelet count can vary rather dramatically at each blood draw. Platelets are fragile and have a short lifespan in the body. It is not unusual for a steady decline over the course of chemo because the platelets are mercurial, but a sudden drop is another matter. During the time I was in chemo I did see a couple of patients who were denied infusion because their platelets were low - they were delayed until the following week, and I believe one did get an infusion of platelets. You may be a person whose blood cells production is particularly affected by chemo - red cells, white cells and platelets. I believe that you previously mentioned receiving a couple of blood transfusions and your hemoglobin not really improving much. Are you done with chemo now?
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For those who took/take Vitamin B, did you start before chemo or during chemo? And is a B-Complex ok or is B-6 or B-12 better?
How about the Biotin? After chemo?0 -
speedy - I took B-6, L-Glutamine and Acetyl L-Carnitine during chemo - I did not start before. If you are taking this for avoidance of neuropathy I believe that it is specifically B-6. Check the link below. My hairdresser said there was no point in taking Biotin until 3 weeks after the last chemo, but I know others have started earlier than that.
http://www.dana-farber.org/Health-Library/Alleviating-Peripheral-Neuropathy-Symptoms.aspx
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I've been taking biotin throughout chemo and I have hairs around my ears that are about 3.5 inches long. I never shaved my entire head but I think what I left has continued growing.
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Thanks for the info!
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Hi Ladies,
I'm new to this forum. I found out last Tuesday that the pathology from my surgery showed that my tumor is now HER2 +. I was HER2 - in August 2012 when I had a biopsy for my recurrence.
I'm starting the Herceptin infusions next Tuesday. My port was taken out when I had my surgery 3 weeks ago. I am going to use my veins until I have no other options. My port also caused me to have a blood clot, so I really don't want to have another port put in.
Any words of advice on the infusions? I've heard that it is a cakewalk compared to chemo.
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Speedy4 I was on biotin before chemo so I kept taking it. The only thing I stopped was minoxidil. It would have been a waste of money. My nails still got messed up.
florbo yes it is a cakewalk compared to chemo. Most of us do fine and have very minimal SE. You might have slower hair growth, maybe some stiffness in the thighs but not like chemo, and bloody nose. Those seem to be the most common. They should be monitoring your heart. I got a MUGA before chemo to see if it was healthy enough for Herceptin. Most people get MUGA every 3 months to monitor. I did not.
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Vballmom, I had a lot of the issues you are dealing with. PM me if you want. Maybe I could be of help?
Rickysgirl, I am glad you guys are talking. But reconstruction for yourself us ok, whenever you want. Men look, its just what they do. But you are extremely sensitive right now, and who wouldn't be? It's a big change. At least he said he was glad you are still here. That makes.up for a lot. For you and whoever else is struggling with intimacy issues, did you check out the thread "yippee, the answer to painful intercourse"? I can't link on my phone, but search and you should find it. Lots if help there.
Flourbo, welcome. Just make sure they monitor you for heart problems with Herceptin. Doesn't happen to most people but a few do have issues. Mine Do not seem to be permanent though, sometimes it can cause that. They will probably schedule your MUGA every 3 months to check.
Much love to all.0 -
Specialk I am waiting and resting, I have developed and antibody in my blood my last transfusion took 7 hours for them to find a match, My blood transfusion bag said A+ with e negative antigens and Ka positive what ever that means. Next blood draw and chemo which is my last of Taxotere and Carboplatin yeah plus I will get 20 percent less since its hitting me so hard. To be honest I am scared. Maybe you will have some positive insight.
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volley - it is not uncommon for people who have either an inherited anitbody, or one that results from previous transfusion or some drug administration (Rhogam received after pregnancy/delivery for a negative blood type - I have this too) and it does slow down the cross-match, but don't be alarmed. For whatever reason you have a Kell and e antibody, so they just need to screen units that are compatible. In the future if you need a transfusion they should do your draw in advance (the day before) of your transfusion appointment so they have time to find appropriate units among their inventory and you are not waiting around. It takes longer to obtain units of blood for an antibody patient because the cross-match cannot be done electronically, each potential unit of blood must be hand cross-matched and screened for the antibodies you have. Also, because they have done your antibody workup, they already know the type of units you need - they should be able to screen and have some of these available for you. Here is a brief description of what it means t have an antibody:
http://mytransfusion.com.au/node/antibodies
I know that you were concerned about your platelets too. For your info - platelet transfusions should not contain red cells, so the antibody situation does not usually become a factor should you need a platelet transfusion. Also, those are very quick - usually about 20 minutes and don't require a blood cross-match, just a known type if you go to the same hospital or facility. I am hopeful that you are just particularly sensitive and your counts are low due to this being a strong SE for you as an individual. For most of us, our blood cells take a hit, then recover the further we get from that last tx. It took me about 6 months before my counts were normal, but I had a recovering trend that whole time. Is your MO feeling confident about whether a reduced dosing on this last tx will be less damaging?
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I hope so, I keep asking if I could just be done and rest up for surgery, we will see on Friday but if I feel weak again before Friday I am calling her. My energy level is decreasing again so time will tell. Thanks for the info.
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volley - you are welcome and I will keep my fingers crossed that you get this last one done without too much trouble, and feel better asap!
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Vballmom, I had to have my TCH altered by 25% as of tx 3. I ended up in renal failure after tx 2. I also ended up with two tx of blood two units each time. I also had two infusions of potassium and magnesium I forget how many. I just had one Two weeks ago and I am 6 months PFC. But it has gotten so much better, and I feel better. Hang in there. Much love.
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Hello triple positive team! Had my last TCH Friday, so done with the heavy-duty stuff.
Anyone have any pros or cons as to whether I should completely shave my head? It's buzzed, about 3/8" long. Thinking that starting with a "clean slate" would let me see the growth progress, but don't want to make a hasty decision then regret it.0 -
I never buzzed mine. Got it trimmed and colored at 13 weeks when I went topless. Hair isn't going to give a damn about what you do above the scalp. I won't bother buzzing again.
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Thanks, Lago.
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i never buzzed. In my chemo group (the women that started the same month as me), I had a 'head start' (haha) and had significant regrowth when some of them were posting that they were still watching for the first signs. I would definitely not buzz. BUT as it starts to grow in (unevenly), go to your hairdresser and have her make it even, buzz off the longer hairs. That will make it neater. She should do that for free (IMO). Mine did.
Good luck - this is the GOOD part!
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powermom, congratulations on being finished with the TCH part!
I had one dose of Herceptin alone before starting the full TCH regimen and everything went fine. I plan on asking them to run it an hour and a half the first time on its own (I already have them running it at an hour now).
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Amy, thanks for that. Think I will take your advice. I am ready for the good part!
Lee, I had them slow the H to one hour already, so will probably stick to that if no problems.0 -
Congrats powermom!
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Congrats Powermom! I'll hit the 1/2 way mark on April 4th. So ready to get to the other side of this! Buzzed right before chemo #2 and it REALLY starting falling out this week in large amounts. Almost smooth as a baby's bottom after this morning's shower. When it grows back I'll leave it as it grows in and my hairdresser said she would trim for free like others mentioned.
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Hi - Congratulations to everyone for getting done and getting on with "it". I'm wondering about what to do with my hair - at this point it's about 2" but unruly and ughhhhh - I want to get it cut and shaped - but it's so scary to do anything to it - cutting it seems counterintuitive after not having hair for so long.... btw my LC was 10/31. I had basically no hair January 1 - so it's come in pretty fast - I've been taking Biotin the lst 3 weeks after my MO gave her blessing. My nails are still flaky
oh well.... today I have my Herceptin - P drug (on a clinical trial) then only 5 more! I can't believe how fast it all seems like it's gone - in some weird way it's getting like it was a dream. I am so grateful for this site and sharing and relating from all of you.Hugs and blessings -
Marilyn
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powermom - yay!
My hairdresser said I would need to cut my hair more than I wanted to, partly to trim off hair that had grown during chemo because it would be damaged, and also to try to give it some sort of style instead of looking like a Chia Pet. She was right, and my hair is now down to my shoulders and I am about 22 months PFC. I have probably cut off at least 3 inches in the process, but it did look decent when it was short because she shaped it into what looked like an intentional hair style.
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Cvm, I had to have my hair cut now three times. I am 8 months PFC. It came baCk curly and u always site my hair short, so I try to keep it short. It's still not as filled in, but not too bad. Much love.
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Powermom--Congrats! You did it!
I did my first Herceptin infusion today via my veins. The nurse got it on the first try. I had the loading dose and they ran it over 90 minutes. I had a headache during the infusion even with Tylenol and Benadryl. Then I came home and slept 3 hours. I think that was more of the Benadryl. I did have a cardiac echo when I finished chemo 10 weeks ago and will be getting another echo in 3 months. Did ya'll go back to exercising with Herceptin unless cardiac symptoms develop? I forgot to ask that question today.
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Congrats to Powermom!!! Oh I can not wait to be there!!
I went for labs yesterday and the doc. Put me on a low dose Doxycycline Hyclate because I once again got underarm folliculitis. It first happened after the dbl mastectomy.
My hair is all patchy, about one inch long. I feel so ugly!!! I hate wearing my wig but I have to at work. Don't want to scare my clients!0 -
florbo - great that they accessed your veins with no problem - I had no exercise restrictions. I think it is beneficial as long as you tolerate it.
adavisart - I was at home one day and forgot that I didn't have anything on my head and answered the door - scared the guy and he bolted out of there. It was funny when I realized why he looked so freaked out - we cancer patients have to take our comedy where we can, right?
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