Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
Comments
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jenkay - I am actually talking about the time it takes to do the test - I worked in Compatability Testing/Transfusion Services. The reason it takes more time is that they don't process the batch of CBC until they fill the machine, which holds many specimens. They are having you come the day before for their convenience, not yours.
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Right, that's what I meant when I said that my hospital is a very busy facility. I don't expect them to change procedure just for me. I imagine it's more cost-effective and practical to do it that way, especially in a facility where they service hundreds of people a day, if not more. I get that, and I'm ok with it. It's not all about my convenience when there's at least three different departments with a bazillion other folks to worry about besides me working to get my stuff done.
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Just wondering did anyone locate where to buy Goshajinkogan. Just had my 7th taxol & starting did get neural pain. Would like to nip it in the bud.0 -
I went to a very small office for my medical oncologist and chemo, even though my BS and RO are with a very big university hospital. It was definitely nice to go in, have them draw blood, and wait 5 minutes for CBC results which they ran right there in the lab room. Any other tests, like liver enzymes (full panel stuff) had to be sent out, though, and took 24 hours for results. So when I need bloodwork other than CBC I always go in for that the day before my MO appt so I only have to wait for the MO one time. He is great and spends tons of time with his patients, so I try to remember that when I sometimes have to wait 2 hours past my appt time to see him...he never rushes through my appt.
My BS is harder to get a quick response from (although I still love her), but the RO who is also with the same big university hospital is remarkably available to me. Tuesday night I emailed her about some new lumps I found. She replied personally to me by early Wednesday morning, and by Wednesday night I was scheduled for a follow-up US next week. I was amazed at her repsonsiveness and how quickly they got me scheduled, given it is such a big university hospital with a very busy mammo dept. I just love my RO! (I digress, just thinking about how much I appreciate her and my entire care team today!)
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My center is very busy. They did it all in one day but it made for a very long day. It could take 30-60 just to get the blood test back. My onc wouldn't see me till she got those numbers. Then she would give the OK and it would take another hour (or more) for the pharmacy to mix the stuff. They were usually the hold up. It was a 4-5 hour day.
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I too went ahead on Monday for blood tests. I waited an hour for the results & then saw my onc. Didn't have infusions until Wednesday. The one time I didn't it was an hour before the tests came back and then another hour for the pharmacy. And since I had 4 infusions, it was usually an 7 hour day w/o the delays.
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The center I went to also did everything the same day. I would have my blood drawn first then I would see the doctor, who would have the results, then I would go to the infusion area and wait until they were ready with a chair. Pre meds, C,T then H and a flush. I was never out of there in less than 7 hours, usually it was more like 8 or 9. It was always a long day.
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hi ladies!
Just wanted to let you know, I'm seeing huge improvements in the numbness and neuropathy I was having with my feet! I'm 6 weeks Pfc and I'd guess there has been a good 90% improvement for me
I was numb in all my toes, and my thumbs and pointer fingers. I had pain in the balls of my feet and heels. No pain anymore, and the numbness is only the big toes now, and nothing in the fingers.
I'll take it! Woohoo!
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I had mentioned early that your body seems to start to recover at week 5. Then all uphill from there. wyomama I bet you never though it would get better? Doesn't it feel great?!
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My center was also self contained - did on-site CBC, but did my other testing as send outs. I was always there for 7-8 hours also on chemo days, usually about 2-3 for Herceptin only, depending on how busy they were. For my appointments now I have my labs drawn a couple of weeks in advance of my MO appt (I now go every 6 months). My center has online charting so I can see my labs online, in advance of my appt., after my MO has reviewed them. I like this because if I have any questions I can formulate them before I see him. I no longer see my BS, and I didn't have rads so I have no RO - but I see way too much of my PS, lol! That doesn't seem like it is going to change much either - I am currently looking at multiple surgeries to fat graft in advance of the expander placement, then exchange again. It is a good thing that I like him!
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Try 12 to 14 hour days at MD Anderson. My 3rd infusion, hubby and I didn't get out of there until almost 1am. They start shuffling patients around to different infusion rooms as it gets later and some of the nursing staff go home. Last infusion my sister and I didn't get back to the car until 9:30 p.m. (my first appt was at 8:00 a.m.) I'm just saying......
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Wow blownaway - that is a VERY long day. I have my CBC the same day as treatment - they seem to have those results about 10 minutes after they take the blood - see the doc then go to the chair where I wait for treatment. Usually about 30 minutes. When I have the CMP bloodwork it takes a day or so to get those results so I wait for them to get posted online and then if I have concerns I call or if they have concerns they call me. This is the process for herceptin only. When I was having chemo - I had the CMP and CBC a week before treatment so that the MO could review those results and only had a CBC the day off.
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blownaway - that is ridiculous!!!
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Special - you are sure right - not fair. I have several friends who have gone through MD Anderson and it's always the same story. Lines & more lines. Hurry up & wait. That's why I was happy to believe my BS when she recommended I would probably be happier w/my medical center docs (Methodist & Baylor). She'd done a fellowship at MDA and said she would be the first person to send me directly there if I came up with some rare or complicated cancer issues. But most people can't believe I live in Houston and did not go to MDA.
BlownAway - you will continue to be in my thoughts & I know you're getting great care. We'll all look forward to your report after they slow down the infusion. Don't we just wish all the darn Houston & hospital construction would end!!
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Dang! I guess it's a *good* thing that I go in the day before for oncology and blood tests. I'm only there for maybe an hour and a half on Tuesday, and when I come back 24 hours later everything's been reviewed and ordered and I can just go right into the chair. Of course I'm just a few minutes away from the hospital, if I had to drive several hours each way or something I might opt for the long days instead.
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I had my blood drawn at a walk in lab 2 days prior to my MO appt. My MO appointment was scheduled either one hour before infusion, or the day before, whatever was more convienient for me. TCH infusion took less than 3 hours. MO was going to keep the H only at 30 minutes,.but thinking I may ask him to extend that based on what I've read on these boards. I won't be taking steroids or benedryl, so hoping to reduce risk of reaction.
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BTW when I as doing chemo I tried to get the earliest appointment. As the day went on they got backed up, especially the pharmacy. I think that's why I could get out in 5 hours at times. Nice to be less than 5 miles from your treatment center
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Absolutely agree with Lago. If I left my house at before 6am it was only a 40 minute drive, I had time to grab a quick breakfast taco at the med center and I was always the first one on the schedule. It does make a difference to get started before any other issues add to their day.
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I have a 25 minute drive to my cancer center, which is convenient but also had its drawbacks. The center is located on a main road I use all the time, which is a constant reminder of the situation. I get the heebeegeebees just driving past it anymore.
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debiann in time it will pass. All my MDs are in this building. Tomorrow makes 4 years ago to the day I had my first infusion (and much longer hair). Seems like a decade ago. So much has changed. For one thing no more fear that I'm going to die or be in chronic pain.
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I have a good friend who was diagnosed last year at the holidays - I ended up going to her infusions with her (she did AC-T, she was TN) and sat in the infusion room with her - I was surprised that it didn't phase me, but that may be because the nursing staff, and her MO, are so awesome. They go out of their way to be warm, supportive, and friendly and they are really interested in the patients lives independent of their cancer experience.
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pangtidor-
Yes, Herceptin alone is TONS easier! I have been done with "big" chemo since May 28th and have been receiving Herceptin alone every 3 weeks since. The only complaint I have is a constant runny nose. I am fatigued but hard to say if it's from the Herceptin or finishing radiation(last one Sept 10th) or the gallbladder removal surgery I just had. My 4th TCHP treatment was great but the 5th one hit me hard. I started to lose my fingernails after my 6th treatment and yes they all lifted but thanks to getting gel nails put on I didn't have to go with no fingernails!
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kthielen..
The bottom of my thumbs nail beds are darkened since 3 weeks ago and the darkened spots are bigger now. I can see the nails lifted up in the near future. I couldn't do the nail icing, I can't stand the cold. I always use 2-3 blankets during infusion time. Lol.Thank you for the tip!!! Gel nails are the one you use to glue the fake nails right? Will hunt for that.
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5 weeks post last TCH infusion and ankles still swelling daily. Is anyone else having edema problems?
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blownaway - I can't remember, did you ask about a diuretic or are you already on one? I had it too, had to be on one for quite a while, but the problem did eventually go away.
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I take a 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide everyday but it doesnt seem to faze it. The docs just say keep taking it...
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Blownaway I had edema. My MO eventually put me on a very small (I mean I cut the pill in half) amount of diuretic. It never did go away fully and I'm still on a small amount but I think my problem persisted not because of chemo but due to surgery. The same thing happened to my mom. They just fill us up with too much saline and our vessels swell and won't go back down. I had not only cankles but tummy bloat too. If I don't take the diuretic my legs seem to swell and my tummy bloats to t this day.
Do note though that 5 weeks PFC is when my SE's really just started to go away. So I wouldn't panic yet but mention it to your MO or PCP.
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lago -you are right on about the 5 weeks, suddenly I just began to feel better and have more interest in getting out and doing things besides sitting in my nest and knitting.
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blownaway - more exercise may help too - I seemed to turn the corner in the 6-8 week PFC point. I took the diuretic for about a year though, then weaned off.
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Blownaway, after my first round of chemo, I noticed swolen lumps where my shoulder meets my neck. I did x-rays and CT scans, which showed nothing. The swelling remained throughout my treatment even until now, 9 weeks PFC and 4 weeks post-BMX. Nobody seems to know what it is.
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