Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Hey Sue...
I got the Big H today, too. That quote, the source notwithstanding, is inspirational and encouraging! Are you going to watch the Lifetime movie Saturday night, "Living Proof" about Dennis Slamon, the researcher who discovered Herceptin? I was asking the Royal High Poisoner about it today, and I guess he knew Dennis Slamon. He said that the big H started out as a targeted therapy for ovarian cancer but didn't work. I'm really thankful that they didn't give up on it! My husband said that's a common story in pharma research...they discover something, it fails clinical trials for the thing they think it's going to treat, so they play around until they find a good use for it.
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Wow. Sue, thank you. That is so good to hear!!! Ditto on the Woo hoo.~!!!
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Sue, That made my day too!!! Thanks!!!!
Donalee
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Hi Everyone,
Congrats to all the finishers, HANG IN THERE to those still in chemo and rads and WELCOME to the newbies.
I am 2/3 of the way through radiation! I see the surgeon next Friday to get the details on the oophorectomy and then Im on to the 5 year pills - I guess they have run out of things to do to me!
Have a great weekend everyone- were going to the Yamboree in a nearby small East Texas town!
Kristy
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I feel so thankful every day for Dr Slamon and his amazing work. I am liking this USA Today quote very much!
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Hello to everyone and welcome Carol. It has been a rough week for me but on Wed. I got another blood transfusion. I felt better instantly. It is amazing it can make so much difference. I was really dreading getting the transfusion but now I am glad I did. We were at the hospital from 8 AM to 3:30 PM and it was a very long day. We had some other errands to do after that but I had to finish up the next day on a couple of them. I have an extra week from the BIG ONE because of the doc being gone but I am going to see a woman the next time. I dread that because I don't like getting used to someone else but of course if I did not like my doc I would change in a heart beat. My friend I go to church with does not like hers and I asked her why she did not change. she is like me about that I guess so she is staying with her onc. She was not happy with our surgeon either but I liked him. she does have a different circumstance though. I just wish they could find a reason why people get cancer and be able to to prevent all of it.
I was so cranky yesterday and I don't know why. I noticed I was getting that way after I left the hospital and was snapping at my dh. I continued the next morning and we had a fight before he left for work. I felt so bad. I had to run some errands and I went to Office Depot for ink and the woman marked all over the bills with the pen that was supposed to check for counterfeits. I am a teller at a bank when I work so I know these things don't always work. It has to do with the ph in the paper of the bill and can be changed even if you accidentally wash one in the laundry. Anyway I told her that and she argued with me. her second mistake! haha I tried to explained the other things she could do to make sure by looking at the bill it was real instead of marking all over it. We have to mutilate them when we get them like that. It is a hassle and you can also call the Secret Service if you suspect one and find out if it is by using the serial number on the bill. If we catch a counterfeit we have to keep it and send it in so the customer is out of luck. Stores just give them back to the ones they have marked up. What good is that doing? I will never use cash again if I can keep from it. It just seemed easier that day. As I walked out the door they were talking about me. I thought I had better go home before I get arrested. I think I need to be busier when I feel better. Before that I had gone to pick up an order of printed material and the woman motioned me to come behind the counter which seemed strange to me because I have used this printing company for 3 years now and they never acted like that before. She pointed up to a box on a cabinet and said those are yours. these are not light but I could manage with some effort. I looked at the owner and he asked me if I needed some help and I told him I had them. This is the worse service I have ever had at a business. What is this world coming too? See I am still at it but I am working on my attitude. I don't know if I was being discriminated against because I had a scarf on or what. I thought about that because it was white and a little bigger than I normally wear.the owner is from another country though. I told my dh that I wondered if she had bought the place or was working there. Before his mother in law and daughter helped me and were so nice. Anyway my dh and me were speaking when he went to work today.
I hope you all have a good day. I will be staying home and keeping my mouth shut!
Carolyn
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OH Carolyn I know what you're going through! We own our own business and I do the bookeeping. I will never understand people and how ignorant they can be. People seem to go out of their way to ignore us at times then some just open right up and talk to you. (I wear a bandana or baseball cap I don't know if that makes any difference!)
Good story;
I was at the gym today in the locker room and a lady I only met once in a spin class came up to me and asked me how treatment was going. (Of course i was standing in my "granny panties" as my daughter calls my undies!) She told me all about the cancer in her family and how her mother died last year of breast cancer that had spread to her liver. I felt so bad for her and surprised at how open she was being. Then she told me she was having something made for me! She gave me a hug and said she'd see me later. That was so special today I just wanted to share it with you.
HUGS!!
Donalee
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Carolyn: Sorry you had a bad day! I think this is one of the reasons I wear a wig - I don't want to deal with other people's reactions. Of course, I think most of the time it's very positive, like Donalee's experience. I did the Race for the Cure on Sunday morning, and only wore the pink survivor hat on my fuzz head, and I stopped for gas on the way home. A young man came over and asked me if I'd done the race and told me that his sister-in-law had been there too . . . People really are mostly going to be very friendly and open, I think.
Had the grand unveiling this morning! I'm very happy with the results of my reconstruction. The lift side is amazing - that boob hasn't been up there like that in about 25 years! The implant is a little higher and smaller, but the PS said it will drop. The nipple looks way better than I imagined it would. I'm still a little sore when I stretch, but mostly just itchy. I'm just wearing the surgical camisole and a T-shirt (no bra for a few weeks) and I'd feel comfortable going out in public.
Bethany, I hope you're up and around by now and the best thing is YOU'RE DONE! Carolyn, glad the transfusion helped so much, and I hope you have a better day. Brenda, hope you're doing well.
Looking forward to the movie tomorrow night - everybody have a great weekend.
Love, Sue
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Sue:
I am so happy for you! My recon isn't until January, but I'm looking forward to having it all done, so I don't have knobs sticking out of my ribs and a foob like some kind of patched together space alien! What kind of hat do they give you for that run? I'm curious, cuz I'll get one too!
Carolyn;
I know the space you're in, and I'm sending you the love and grace to come out of it. It's not fun! It's funny, because I'm thinking about being in that mental state, and even if people are totally sweet to you like the lady in Donalee's story, you can't even receive it. Like I was so snarky when I was feeling like that, that I probably would have told that woman in the locker room to mind her own business, especially if she's going to tell me about the people in her family who died of cancer. But I guess I'm kind of snarky anyway:) I think all we want, at the end of the day, is for someone to just treat us like a regular person. And I guess I take offense a little bit at people assuming that they can just open up a conversation with me about my medical status. Like if someone who hardly talks to me on a regular basis asks me "How's the treatment?", I feel like hauling off and saying, "Great! By the way, is that Cialis working out for your hubby? Getting a little more rhumba between the sheets?" Generally, when people exchange information, they seek for equality in the level of intimacy they share. Bottom line: if you expect me to talk about highly personal things, I'm going to demand it of you, too. It's like people touching your belly in the check-out lane when you're pregnant. It's an invasion of privacy. Sorry...this whole thing set me off again. I'll shut up.
Have a great weekend, all.
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Shelby, I think we may be a little alike. I have had a few people talk to me about cancer but not too invasive.I would not like anyone to touch my pregnant tummy and really no one ever did that to me. I am not a touchy feely person as it is. I don't mind if people ask how I am feeling if they don't mind the answer. Most just want you to say fine and go on with it. I am just as bad about that because we will say " How are you today? and then we want them to say fine" I dread it when they start to tell you their whole terrible week! Of course that is working with the public too. I try to just say " Hi! How can I help you?' I did have a server at a restaurant tell me he had cancer and he wanted me to know he knew how I felt but didn't linger on it. I would however have like for the woman at the print shop to have gotten the box and brought it to me like a normal customer. I have never had anyone tell me to come behind the counter and get it myself. Sick or not that is not good customer service. My opinion only!
Sue I am glad your recon went well. I hope everyone who is having it does well.
Donalee. I like granny panties too! I am not sure I would have liked the woman to tell me about her mother and all the details but at least I think her heart was in the right place wanting to do something for you. I would not have liked her coming up to me while I was undressed though. I guess I am weird like that. I have had a lot of people who are my customers say they will pray for me and I just say thank you. We can use all the help we can get right now just to stay sane and functioning.
I hope everyone's weekend is great. We have beautiful weather here this weekend hope yours is too!
Carolyn
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Hi Carol. Sounds like you are going to be one of the lucky ones without much SE. Glad your with us.
Donalee thanks. I think this new onc is going to be a good one. His bio is awesome and he took a good amount of time to get to know me. He isn't a huggy, kissie type Dr., but thats ok as long as he is on his game. I have heard he is extremely smart and takes on the hard dx cases. At least I feel like I finally got off that conveyor belt that just moved you along the system. I go in for Number 5 on Tuesday. I ask him to keep the same regime as this one has been tweaked for my body and does well.
Thanks Sue for the uplift. That is what I heard once. "Bad news is you have HER2 positive. Good news is you have HER2 positive". Herceptin is the answer to make it on level playing field.
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Hi everyone!
Our exchange student from France, Valentin arrived yesterday for a stay of two weeks. He plays guitar and so does my 11 yr old son. He sat down and actually played and sang a song he wrote! It was beautiful. He's just adorable!! It's official I'm moving to France!!! (My husband doesn't know that yet! hahaha)
My sister-in-law just found out her Golden retreiver has liver cancer! He's 8 years old. She's taking him to Cleveland for chemo treatments. It's kind of stange, we are comparing SE's, but he is like her child! Very surreal!!!
I recorded the Lifetime movie and am going to watch in a min. I've heard good things this morning already about it. I guess I had better get a box of kleenex ready.
Hope everyone has a good day!
Donalee
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Hi everyone,
I am having my LAST treatment tomorrow (#6). I would like to know if any of you had are having a last treatment received nuelasta (sp?) shot after the last chemo.
Thanks,
Jo Anne
P.S. Has anyone heard that it is good to fast before chemotherapy?
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I am declaring it Hats Off to Dennis Slamon Day. I'm going commando to church!
The movie was a little upsetting to me, surprisingly. I think it's because everything was dramatized and because the women in the story were quite a bit worse off than I am, as far as their prognosis. A lot of mixed emotions.
Donalee;
When my oldest son and daughter were in Paris with me a couple years ago, we went to this little cafe on my birthday. Our server was this dreamy little French boy who my daughter spent the rest of the night fantasizing about how she was going to sneak him home to be her prom date!
Jo Anne;
I got neulasta after all 4 treatments. I was one of the lucky ones who first, got to have it right there after the infusion and didn't have to make a return trip for it and, secondly, didn't have any problems with it. And I've never heard anything about fasting before chemo treatments. In fact, I found it most useful to really load up on high fiber foods the few days before chemo. To use a ballistics analogy, I'd load both the ammo AND the gunpowder, so that when it was time to eliminate the waste products of the poisoning, I would be able to launch a good barrage. (Sorry...that is one of the grossest things I have ever written, but I'm not going to edit it.) Seriously, I think you're better off keeping your nutrition up, because with fasting, you have a greater chance of going into the thing dehydrated. And then if you get nauseated, you'll feel even worse, right? But if you read anything to the contrary, let us know. I'm open to new ideas.
Have a great Sunday, girls. I'll let you know how it goes at church with my Barack Obama hairdo!
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I am declaring it Hats Off to Dennis Slamon Day. I'm going commando to church!
The movie was a little upsetting to me, surprisingly. I think it's because everything was dramatized and because the women in the story were quite a bit worse off than I am, as far as their prognosis. A lot of mixed emotions.
Donalee;
When my oldest son and daughter were in Paris with me a couple years ago, we went to this little cafe on my birthday. Our server was this dreamy little French boy who my daughter spent the rest of the night fantasizing about how she was going to sneak him home to be her prom date!
Jo Anne;
I got neulasta after all 4 treatments. I was one of the lucky ones who first, got to have it right there after the infusion and didn't have to make a return trip for it and, secondly, didn't have any problems with it. And I've never heard anything about fasting before chemo treatments. In fact, I found it most useful to really load up on high fiber foods the few days before chemo. To use a ballistics analogy, I'd load both the ammo AND the gunpowder, so that when it was time to eliminate the waste products of the poisoning, I would be able to launch a good barrage. (Sorry...that is one of the grossest things I have ever written, but I'm not going to edit it.) Seriously, I think you're better off keeping your nutrition up, because with fasting, you have a greater chance of going into the thing dehydrated. And then if you get nauseated, you'll feel even worse, right? But if you read anything to the contrary, let us know. I'm open to new ideas.
Have a great Sunday, girls. I'll let you know how it goes at church with my Barack Obama hairdo!
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Jo Anne,
I had Newnasty(Neulasta) after every chemo and last one. Congratulations on your last!!!!yayayayayay!!! I was soo excited to be done! But on the down side, it seemed like the SE's hung around a wee bit longer. (or it was just in my chemo-brain head!!!) I don't know about fasting, I know some ate kind of light. I just ate normal and made sure I had my miralax the day before!!!
Have a great nasty lasty!!! (sorry, just in a silly mood!)
Hugs!
Donalee
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WOW! How about all those exclamation marks! haha I need to lay off the cafeine!
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Hi all,
thank you for your well wishes for my week one of THE END OF CHEMO. I feel better this time in terms of GI stuff -- maybe psychological or maybe now that I'm done I've figured how to eat and how much medicine to take and when....no matter. I've been drinking more fluids this time and walking 30 mins/day. Both of course I should have done all along. I am so anxious to get my weight back down but will take it slow and will wait to hear what Radiologist has to say about that.
I haven't seen the Living Proof movie yet b/c not only was the Boston/Rays play-off game on but it was on opposite UT vs. Missou and Texas is #1 this year. Can't dis the institution that provides the insurance that makes this treatment possible.
The show is on again tonight and tomorrow night -- and I really want to watch it with Richard so if I have to wait one more night that's fine. Guess I'll have the tissues handy. I
It's a beautiful day here -- no longer hot and I'm so grateful to have the windows open.
With love,
Bethany
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Jo Anne, I had Neulasta after my last chemo and I have heard about fasting before chemo- but with the caveat of staying hydrated so plenty of water. I never fasted before chemo but I ate so little all the way through those months....
Shelb- I went commando to church today too and my comment was I have as much hair as Barack and more than McCain so I shouldnt have to wear a hat!
'Kristy
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Bless all of you without anxiety disorders that can watch movies about breast cancer and not get terrified!!
) I just saw a preview for "Breast Cancer Diaries" on I think it was the Nat. Geo. channel and I got worried just watching THAT. I think I should change my user ID to "CompleteNutJob". )I had the choice on the Neupogen after my last chemo (had Neulasta the first time, reacted badly and have had Neupogen ever since). My Onc said that because we weren't trying to build my white cell count back up for the next chemo assault, it was up to me whether I wanted to do it or not. I did it. Believe me, I didn't want to risk coming down with anything nasty because of a low white cell count, that would have made recovery from chemo #6 even harder than it has been.
Shel, you're a bit ahead of me in being done with chemo. Do you have your taste buds back yet? How long did it take? I have a bad cold right now and I'm not sure if any of it is related to that but everything still tastes like cardboard and I'm 3 weeks out from my final chemo.
Aly.
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Bless all of you without anxiety disorders that can watch movies about breast cancer and not get terrified!!
) I just saw a preview for "Breast Cancer Diaries" on I think it was the Nat. Geo. channel and I got worried just watching THAT. I think I should change my user ID to "CompleteNutJob". )I had the choice on the Neupogen after my last chemo (had Neulasta the first time, reacted badly and have had Neupogen ever since). My Onc said that because we weren't trying to build my white cell count back up for the next chemo assault, it was up to me whether I wanted to do it or not. I did it. Believe me, I didn't want to risk coming down with anything nasty because of a low white cell count, that would have made recovery from chemo #6 even harder than it has been.
Shel, you're a bit ahead of me in being done with chemo. Do you have your taste buds back yet? How long did it take? I have a bad cold right now and I'm not sure if any of it is related to that but everything still tastes like cardboard and I'm 3 weeks out from my final chemo.
Aly.
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Aly:
It's good hearing from you. I ALWAYS had taste buds. It's just that when I was on my treatments, everything tasted BAD! I'm trying to think when things actually seemed like I hadn't been drinking out of the toilet. Maybe a month after treatments ended. The thing you have to realize is that the more treatments you have, since it's cumulative toxin, it takes longer to bounce back. I still have a little of the mucus/tear crud and I still tend to need my water pills in the morning if I've been to a really long worship service or have had a dinner party or something and have had long hours standing in one place in the kitchen. Being patient is HARD. I wonder if you don't have another sinus infection. That will wipe out your ability to taste things like crazy!
It would be interesting to hear what people thought of "Living Proof". I feel really thankful that it was approved BEFORE I was diagnosed so that I could take advantage of it. There were portions of the movie that were over-dramatized, of course, and they did say that it was BASED on a true story. But all in all, I was inspired by it. And I really hope that the women who didn't qualify for the study did get Compassionate Access. It was inferred that they did, but not stated explicitly. What did you all think?
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Oh so congrats on finishing! I am just dreading this Tuesday and TX #5. I was so much braver in the beginning. The new onc said that this chemo does have a cumulative effect so each time it gets harder. I think my body is at the end and don't want to do anymore. I will do it, but I sure dread it this time. I am feeling so good today and to know I go back in that chair to make me feel that chemo down time just makes me not want to do it anymore. I get the nasty shot each time and I don't have any effects of it. This time I got horrible nose bleed. Not expelling blood but all clogged up inside and blow out blood. Anyone have this before or am I just blaming it on Taxotere like I do everything else. I do my blood work tomorrow for Tuesdays poison. I will begin to eat lighter (it does help me), but Shell I do see why you would want a full load to expel. Good point. I just eat to much of those sugar free candies and they do the trick; better than any laxative. Well guess I will put one foot infront of the other and march into the storm one more time. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel , just a glimmer, but I can see it
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Oh so congrats on finishing! I am just dreading this Tuesday and TX #5. I was so much braver in the beginning. The new onc said that this chemo does have a cumulative effect so each time it gets harder. I think my body is at the end and don't want to do anymore. I will do it, but I sure dread it this time. I am feeling so good today and to know I go back in that chair to make me feel that chemo down time just makes me not want to do it anymore. I get the nasty shot each time and I don't have any effects of it. This time I got horrible nose bleed. Not expelling blood but all clogged up inside and blow out blood. Anyone have this before or am I just blaming it on Taxotere like I do everything else. I do my blood work tomorrow for Tuesdays poison. I will begin to eat lighter (it does help me), but Shell I do see why you would want a full load to expel. Good point. I just eat to much of those sugar free candies and they do the trick; better than any laxative. Well guess I will put one foot infront of the other and march into the storm one more time. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel , just a glimmer, but I can see it...
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Oh cupcake (such a cute user name!) you sound just like me. By the time I got to tx #6 I was pretty upset about having to go. I just didn't want to be sick any more. I don't know if I could have taken it if the doc. told me I needed more than 6 treatments. I know just how you feel. You have been through a LOT and have been SO very brave! I'm very proud of you!!!
Shell, thanks for the smart alec comment about the taste buds, it made me laugh. Yeah, I still have mine too, but apparently the only taste they recognize is cardboard.
) I do have a cold right now and yesterday thought it might be bronchitis, so I'm sure that's not helping things any either. I did see the ENT about a week ago because I thought I had a sinus infection but nope, I'm all clear. Saw her again on Friday because I thought for sure this was strep throat. She put me on antibiotics just to be sure. I guess we'll see what happens when this clears up but gosh darn it I want my sense of taste back again!!! Oh how hard it sucks when you put something up to your mouth and your nose says "oh this is going to taste so good" and that first bite is just awful. What a mind job!! )Aly.
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Shel, I watched the movie last night. It was very sad. I don't understand why in this country it is so dificult to get medicine that works to people who have no hope and are dying. So what if it hasn't gone through all the testing. The person has no hope I think that they should have anything and everything! That really pissed me off about the pharm. field! On the other hand, I thought the movie was really informative about breast cancer treatments and the SE's that go along with it. My mom, who always complains to me that I need to wear more make-up because I look pail,watched the movie and I think has a little more understanding now that, ya I was REALLY sick not just skimping on the blush!! Harry Conick did a great job. He made me cry. After the movie I went on-line and googled Dr. Slamon and read a interview about Herceptin with him and Dr. Love. It was sooo informative, more than the movie.
Aly, things still don't taste great to me. I never loved chocolate and now can't get enough. Strangely all that tastes great is chocolate! My last chemo was Sept.17th. Now I'm doing rads. it's my new job. Every morning at 8:30.
Brenda, you go girl you got it in you I know you do! I didn't want to do it anymore at all but we are much stronger than we give ourselves credit for! It's the Highway to Hell for sure, but a much bigger highway coming out!!! Keeping you in my prayers. Keep posting and let us know how this one went! (Remember only ONE MORE after this! yayayayayayay!!!!!)
Have a great day everyone!
Donalee
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hahahah! I meant pale not pail! (Chemo-brain bad on Mondays!)
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I had nose bleeds all through chemo- only once got an actual mouth sore but I had that mucosal stuff other places instead.
Im in SINGLE DIGITS on the rads- 9 to go, 4 regular and then 5 boosts- this is my celebration for Monday!
Cupcake, My "dread" chemo was #4 (out of 6) - I hadf celebrated #3 as halfway, I knew #5 would be only one more- but I was despondent the 4 days before #4- the nurse even offerred me antidepressants she was so concerned- I mean I really lost it that week! Hang in there- everyone has different low points on the journey but you will get through it!
Kristy
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Ah Donalee I see you have that lovely chemo dain bramage as well, huh?
) I can't focus worth you know what any more.Well, I had my first Herceptin only treatment today (yaay!) followed by my first radiation treatment. I had this weird emotional reaction to the whole radiation process and ended up crying on the nurse's shoulder after it was finished. I told her I felt like it was just enough already. That's kind of how it feels. Enough already!! I'll get through this stage as well and I'm sure it'll be a snap compared to chemo but today was just one of those days. I guess that's what I get for telling my hubby to go to work, that he didn't need to come with me, that I'd be perfectly fine on my own. Hardy-har-har!
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Thank you for letting me know you also felt this way nearing the end. I thought I was loosing it. That is what is so good about this sight when you get the support of those that walked it right before you and really do understand.
Kristy thank you for letting me know you had the nose bleeds. The ONC tryed to tell me it was something else and he would recommend a nose dr. to cauterize it. I was sure it had to do with Taxotere or something cause I have never had this before. Just like the Vagina being so dry and hurt. The teary eyes. I think those ONC's should check out these sights of patients of what SE they are having or at least start a chart of their own patients and see if there is a connection. Geesh!
I just got to see "Living Proof" on Lifetime. What a great story...I cryed too. I think my cosmetic days are now with Revlon. I never knew that either. HER (HER) (CEPTIN) (to intercept) I never knew the name either. I never realized either that without this treatment I could die. I do know the feeling of them being told their dx and how they felt...that made me have a huge flash back. I learned a lot and my husband watched it with me. I too think it helped him to understand better too. I think I am going to look to buy the film cause I can see a need to share it.
Today was a nightmare at the blood draw. Once again after begging them to hand me over to a senior draw they didn't and after 2 stabs and two cotton balls on each arm she turned me over to the second nurse. Ok now she had to go to the hand, which really hurts. After digging around she missed and yet another cotton ball. She then ripped off cotton ball number one and was going to try there again. No luck and put a new cotton ball on and I drew back...you are done. I went out to the receptionist passing patients and when they saw me with cotton balls everywhere and tears streaming down my face I know it must have put panic in them thinking that is what they were going to get on their turn inside. I held up my arms and hand with the numerous cotton balls taped to them and gave her a look of thanks a lot. The next receptionist told me she could get it for me. I told her that I only had one vein left or I couldn't get my chemo tomorrow. She assured me she draws infants, and trauma patients so I went back in with her. ONE STICK my friends. ONE STICK! She got it. Why in the world won't they listen to me in the beginning that I am a hard draw and need a more experienced person. I was so stressed out and then went to the pharmacy to get the Newlesta shot and Emend and they had neither so I had to sit and wait for them to call around and see which Pharmacy had them. Oh yeah the lab slip only had WBC on it...thats all I ask" Usually the blood panel has a list of things to check on. So I had them to draw an extra vile just in case. When I got home I called the new onc and left a message if he wanted more and they made a mistake that I had them draw an extra for him. It just was not going to be my day. Tomorrow is treatment and I hope the heck it goes better. Will check in later. I'm exhausted. Cyber hugs to all you my friends.
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