Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Welcome Genia and Traci1970. I hope we can help you through this short time. I know it does not seem short but compared with your life after cancer I am sure it will seem just a short time later. I am nearing my #6 and am dreading the sewr mouth and stomach upset. I did find though that I must keep the bowels moving before chemo and just do the liquids during the sick time. it is easier to throw up for one thing. I ate hamburgar meat one time and when that came up I was in very bad pain. My throat hurt for weeks.I usually drink Boost or something that is healthy but still liquid. It has some fiber. Yogurt or pudding, jello is all good choices too.Even choc. pudding. I am having Herceptin every 3 weeks after chemo and also radiation. I was stage 3 and I had 22 lymph nodes removed but only 4 were cancer. I had clean margins and that is a relief. My friend does not have clean margins and I think she is going to have a double mast. She is 70 and a widow. I feel for her since she depends on her friends for help getting to treatment. She has gone with me a couple of times since we go to the same place for treatment. She is talking about changing surgeons though.
I do not feel bad after Herceptin but maybe just a little tired. Right now my arthritis and fibromyalgia are really bothering me. I am not sure if it is the weather or because the steroids are wearing off. My knees are so stiff I can barely walk. I am ready for the sun to shine so I can feel better. I hope I will anyway. I have really low platelets and I had a blood transfusion last Wed. the last time I had a blood transfusion I got really low platelets too. I am wondering if there is a connection. I am hoping that is my last blood trans. I felt a lot better but I would rather not have them. I have an extra week before the next poisoning and so I should have my platelets back up by then. I will see a different doc since mine will be gone and I dread that too. I am whinning now!
I hope you all have a good day and Cupcake I hope you SE are easier this time. Shelby I have hair now too but it is not growing a lot. I really never lost all of it but I had it buzzed after it started coming out. It seems to be coming in thicker right now but it is cold here now so I wore a hat to bed last night. I want my hair back! I didn't think it was going to bother me and it didn't at first but now I am tired of this and I want my hair back. I am cold and sick of hats and scarfs.
I went to the bank where I am supposed to work and my friend told me about someone that had cancer and is not suposed to live and had one tx and had mouth sores so he is not going to take anymore tx. I wanted to scream " don't tell me this stuff" Why do they think I want to hear that. I don't know him. I did tell her to tell him to go for a trial someplace. I have a friend that was given 3 months and he went to Houston for a trial and he is now cancer free and had stem cell tx and is looking good and feeling good. We don't know how long this will work but we are hopeful. We can't give up even though I have thought it myself a few sick days. let's see at least 5 now, I have had 5 tx so every time I am sick I say I am not doing any more. But I do and I will if I must. Just be prepared is my motto now. #4 was my hardest I think. the NeuNasty shot is hard for me but the first one was the worse and they got easier each time or I got tougher.
Later,
Carolyn
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Hello everyone,
My name is Susan, I'm 41 yrs. old and just finished 6 rounds of Carbo, taxotere, and am doing weekly herceptin. I will have a bi-lateral mast. on Nov. 13th with expanders placed. I am so glad to have the chemo out of the way and moving on to the next phase. I did pretty well with my chemo....definatly had my good and bad days. Now I am just very tired all the time. It has been 9 days since the last chemo, so I hope to be feeling stronger and stronger everyday. I have been reading this thread for a while....just thought it was time to join in. For those of you finishing up with chemo I was wondering if you had the same mixed emotions about ending chemo that I have. Believe me I HATED chemo and what it did to me, but now that it is ending I am a little scared. It was like a security blanket for me. I felt while I was on it I was safe, and now I am getting terrified. It could be because I still have surgery ahead and I am scared they will find it did not work as well as they thought. I don't know.....am I crazy? Thanks for letting me join you ladies. I pray for the people on this board everyday and I will continue to.
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Hi and welcome, Susan. I know that your feeling about ending is chemo is true for me as well, and for others also. It's good to be doing as much as possible to fight this thing, and when that stage (chemo, rads, surgery, and for us, Herceptin) is over, it leaves us with a feeling of being powerless which is SCARY! Since you've been reading this thread for awhile, you know that many (if not all) of us have our moments of sheer panic and terror, often caused by internet information (our fellow camper Shelbaroni calls this "cyber-soiling" ourselves, a phrase I love.)
Best wishes for your upcoming surgery. I just had exchange surgery last week - expander replaced with an implant, nipple (fake nipple = fipple) and a lift on the remaining boob. It really went well, although I am smaller than before and than I thought I would be - I should've asked for the Pam Anderson specials!
Hi to all - Gotta go - I am at work, and although the counselors are teaching my senior classes today, the little darlings need my special attention also.
Sue
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Susan;
Your reaction to finishing up chemo is very common. I reacted that way, and the counselor I was seeing at the time who works in a hospital with cancer patients told me that it's classic. You've been putting your faith in something, and even though it was awful, you believed it was working. Now it's time to believe it's WORKED!
Donalee;
I just posted a very long note to you and the dumb system flushed it. I am so mad!'
Anyway, your question about antioxidants. An antioxidant is a nutrient that helps rid the body of harmful free radicals, thus protecting the tissues and the immune system. The following are antioxidants: vitamins C, E, beta carotene, selenium, lipoic acid, lycopene, tocotrienols, glutathione, quercetin, coenzyme Q, curcumin (the spice tumeric), ginkgo biloba, and green tea. Broccoli sprouts also are very rich in antioxidants, as well as dark chocolate and acai juice. The thing is, a lot of this stuff is in the foods we eat, so you can't eliminate it all.
It's weird how doctors vary widely in how they feel about antioxidants during treatment. I think they just don't get a lot of training in medical school about nutrition. While many doctors feel that whatever is nourishing the body must be nourishing the tumor, some doctors feel differently. Here is a quote from Patrick Quillin, Ph.D. from his book, Beating Cancer with Nutrition:
"A strategic blend of antioxidants can provide broad-spectrum protection against damage from chemotherapy and radiation therapy, protecting the immune cells from their own poisons and improving vigor in the cancer patient undergoing treatment." (p. 42)
My doctor allowed me to take many of these during treatment, except coenzyme Q. I was able to resume the Q after chemo, which I chose to do because it is cardioprotective--important when you're doing the Big H. If I were you, I would ask the doctor if I could take a multivitamin. He may not extend his definition of "antioxidant" to cover what's in the average multi. That way you could get a lot of them. Then make sure you're getting your essential fatty acids--eat nuts and fish often, use olive oil! Eat broccoli, drink green tea, and don't forget the dark chocolate!
The only thing you talked about that concerned me is the iron. Iron is mostly for kids, young women, pregnant women, and ladies having heavy periods. Many people get too much iron. If you're not having heavy periods and you're not a vegan, you probably get enough from the foods you eat. I would nix the iron, since both Dr. Quillin and my clinical nutritionist state that excess dietary iron stimulates tumor growth. My nutritionist took me off of it years ago. Remember: the kind of anemia you get with chemo does not get better with iron. It gets better as your bone marrow is allowed to start making red cells again. A month out from treatments, your red counts are probably normal or nearly normal! So that's my take on it, for what it's worth.
About my book. It hasn't been published yet, because a year ago, when I was diagnosed and the fecal matter collided with the oscillating blade, so to speak, I LOST MY MOJO! I had received the first draft back from the editor and was beginning to do a radiator cap overhaul on it. (That's where every part needs replacement EXCEPT the radiator cap!) Well, it seems my mojo has returned, and I'm into chapter 7 of my revision. And one of my main characters this time around is going to deal with breast cancer.
Well, ladies, speaking of chapter, I'd better get something written today before the Huns, Visigoths, and Tartars get home from school and disturb my karma. ciou.
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HAHAHAHAHAH!
Shel, Could I have permission to use the phrase "fecal matter collided with the oscillating blade"? Or is it patented! Love it. Thanks for the info about the iron. My husband insisted that I take it because they kept telling me I was anemic! The doc said I could take a multi. Oh, I love the names you use for your kids!
Sue, welcome. I finished my chemo Sept.17th. It was definitely the hardest one for me. I was so depressed before it I just had to drag my sick 'ass' there and do it. I slept through almost the whole thing. I had never done that before. It def. took me the longest to get over. I am still anemic a month later. I was always borderline anemic anyway. It is scary doing only herceptin now. I used to go in every single week and now I get worried about my port closing up. Which they assure me it won't. I even had nightmares on how I pulled it out of my chest! uuuugh! Good luck on your surgery! Keep us posted.
Hug's to all SE recipients (hope there's not too many) and everyone else!!!
Donalee
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Donalee, of course you can use my pompous euphemism for the sh*t hitting the fan. It's a good thing to say when you're around people who don't like potty talk. I also think my phrase is a little grosser. Since you've always been borderline anemic, it would be optimal if you could find out what your levels are and just take iron until you're into the normal range. Maybe what's in the multi would be enough?
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I have been going through all of this alone and I am sooo happy I found this little twisted group of cheerleaders. Shelbaroni, you are the team captain. Your humor makes me laugh when I want to cry. I am so grateful for all of you for sharing your stories and advice. Thank you
I had my fourth treatment today and I get Satans' Serum (Neulasta) tomorrow. BUT then I off to Tampa to see the one and only Neil Diamond! I am so excited because....well...I am a nerd I guess! I am going to try taking the claritin for 3 days and see if it helps with the Neulasta. I am also taking the Emend so wish me luck. Any other pointers would be welcome and appreciated. I am praying for each of you. I will let you know how my weekend with Neil Diamond goes!! 0 -
Traci;
Satan's Serum, eh? Maybe that's why I never had a reaction from it...it was too close to my natural make up. Maybe the nicest people have the most profound reactions from Neulasta. I know Carolyn's a sweety and it blasts her good! Eureka! Maybe I'm on the precipice of a new discovery. Thanks, Traci, for your inspiration! By the way, Neil rocks! I recently rented The Jazz Singer. Classic.
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A new term for our camp chemo glossary.
NewNasty shot: Synonym: = Satan's Serum
And, I'm so happy to say that I will never ever have another one ever again. Eleven days out from the last chemo -- Today it finally clicked way down deep inside that the chemo is really all done.
I like my Radiologist so much -- feeling so sick for so long -- I think I had myself convinced that my identity was being an ill cancer patient --- but, I'm not ill. And, radiation sounds like it is very very doable. Today I grokked that the worst is really over and although I get winded walking from one room to the other -- I'm well and I did this really difficult thing and I'm going to be fine.
Hallelujah. God is good.
And so is Neil Diamond. Whatever happened to Luci Arnaz? She was great in that movie.
Found this: http://www.luciearnaz.com/biography.html
Filled today with lots of love and hope for all,
Bethany
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Hi! Susan. I know how you feel about finishing the chemo. My sister asked me if they have checked to make sure the cancer is gone and I asked her how they do that. she said her friend did some kind of test and told her no more cancer. Have any of the rest of you heard of this? I know they are testing some blood tests to see if tumors are growing or not but as I understood it they are just working on this and they are not doing it on a reg. basis. I am sorry you still have the surgery but really that was the easiest thing for me to get over. the chemo is definately my hardest. one more and I am hoping no more. Just Herceptin and that is not bad.
Traci I am sorry you are having to do this alone but even though it is not like having someone there with you we are with you in heart and you just come here to cry, rant or whatever. I know it is not like having someone hold your head when you are sick. I love Neil too.I hope you have great fun.
Donalee, I have dreamed I pulled the port out too but I think I see those who have it through their arm and I feel so bad for them. I dreamed I gave my port to them to use. I guess we were going to share!
thanks Shelby for the nice comment about me but I can be a little hateful at times. Maybe I need to go in with one of my attitudes when I get that. although I hope I don't have to have one after my last tx. If I can I am going to refuse it after this last tx. My platelets are really low right now. I had low platelets after my first blood transfusion and now again so I am wondering if it has something to do with that. Again I don't plan on having another transfusion but then you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men. I hope I can stick to this.
Bethany, you have the right idea of telling yourself you are not ill. I think a lot of people who are not ill tell themselves they are and so they are. I try to do as much as I can so I can keep my strenght up. I can't run but then I couldn't run before cancer so that is why. I just want to get strong enough to work again. I wanted to not work and now I am so tired of staying home I want to work. Maybe this is a lesson for me. I like seeing people and so many have asked about me. I went to the bank the other day and a woman who owns a resturant came in, She is always hugging me anyway and is so sweet. I thought she was going to squeeze me to death. they all say they miss me and they don't get good service now that I am not there. makes me feel good!
well I hope everyone who has had a tx like Cupcake is doing okay. have a good weekend and I hope everyone has good weather. We are supposed to be in the 70s. I dread the cold but maybe I will get back to being hot natured after all this stuff.
Carolyn
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Bethany, today is the end of my first week of radiation and I just wanted to tell you that you are correct, it is very doable. Takes about 15 minutes in my case. The biggest pain in the butt is having to drive to the hospital every day. I'll take this over chemotherapy any day of the week. It is such a joy to know I won't be chemo sick any more. I'm sure you'll feel the same way once you get started.
)Aly.
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Aly, I am glad you are finding the radiation okay. I am like you about having to drive for 30 min to do a short treatment but so much better than the chemo. I can't wait to finish chemo!
Carolyn
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I don't think I've introduced myself on this thread though I've been posting in the HER2+ area and the October 2008 chemo thread. I had a routine mammogram in August, followed by ultrasound and biopsy. Cancer diagnosis on September 2, found out the rest of the pathology resuls a week later, then lumpectomy. I had my power port placed yesterday. I posted about that lovely experience on the Oct 2008 thread. First TCH session is Monday. Rads will be after 6 cycles of TCH. I'm doing Herceptin once every three weeks, not weekly.
For those who have traveled with ports, do you find it sets off the metal detctors? They told me that the power port didn't have that much metal and probably wouldn't. "If the snaps on your jeans aren't setting it off than this won't either."
In chemo class yesterday, I was told that we could take a regular multivitamin - just don't take mega doses or herbal remedies without checking with the oncologist. I haven't been taking a multivitamin - I did a long time ago but didn't like that the taste would linger - are there some that don't leave one with vitamin mouth on top of sewer mouth?
I see my onc for my pre-chemo visit today and I'm going to ask about chemo and condoms. I'm 56 and had a tubal ligation that has done the job for 26 years so I don't need it to prevent pregnancy. But I think I read that there is some issue of transferring the chemo drugs that will require condoms? My husband and I have never used them and I'm not looking forward to that aspect of chemo.
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blue....they told me I just had to use condoms for the first 48 hours after chemo....until the initial drug gets out of your system. They also told me to double flush the toilet for the 48 hours too.....because of splashback if someone else used it after me.
Makes ya feel like toxic playground......lolol
Sex is not high on my list anyway.......so the condom thing hasn't become an issue with me! *sigh*
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Hey, anybody get hyper-pigmentation (brown patches, freckling) on your face due to chemo? If so, what did you do about it? Anybody try any cosmetic lighteners or anything? I need my porcelain skin back!! (lol!).
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AlyMarie
Please leave your hyperpigmentation alone for now. I am a licensed esthetician and I teach the licensing course at my local college.
Your pigmentation problem will get worse during treatment. You can use GOOD high quality lightening agents during your treatments but STAY AWAY from chemical peels and laser treatments. A professional will refuse these treatments while you are on chemo, but there is a quack on every corner.
By GOOD I mean, go to a lisenced salon or center and ask for an over the counter hyper-pigmentation topical. Follow up with a good sunscreen and use it like a holy cloak!! Every day, every minute!
Once you are thru chemo and your cells are coming back to normal - there are hundreds of great treatments available. I guess this another chemo suck it up moment. Lisa
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bluedasher
We have a lot in commom. We are both HER2+ and we both start chemo with TCH on Monday 27th and we both just got our port!
I read about your PORT HORROR this morning on the Oct 2008 thread. I made a promise to myself, after reading your port horror story, that I would NOT complain about my port AT ALL today. Mine was placed last Friday and is still very uncomfortable - but! I was knocked out cold and I NEVER saw any blood. Sorry you went thru such a horrible ordeal - I cannot imagine how terrifying that was.
So! Want to be my chemo buddy? I am sure all of us facing this coming Monday are having the same fears and feelings.
I am sure I am not the only one who JUST WANTS TO GET IT GOING!!
Sorry for the shouts. I just need to get started and get it done.
Lisa
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Hello Chemo Campers!
I have been lurking and enjoying your posts for a few weeks. My 6th and last TCH is October 30th and then i continue with Herceptin every 3 weeks until July 9. By Thanksgiving I should be feeling better and have my leash off. Question...if you've had your last poisoning, when and how did you celebrate? I will be happy (an understatement) that it is the last, but I know I will have a good 10-12 days of queasiness, or worse to deal with afterwards.Anyone have any suggesions how to what to do for the oncology nursing staff?
Hopefully, except for the herceptin, this is it for me. I'm sure I will be on an aromatese inhibitor for 5 years or more. This is my second time around and I am counting on herceptin to make that a reality for me. Did everyone see the Lifetime movie? How come the Bernadette Peters character didn't loser her hair? Still, I watched it and it resonated with me.
Have a good weekend! Gail
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Dear Gail,
What a relief it must be for you to be able to have the Herceptin this time. I can't imagine how upsetting it must have been to have this recur. Is this the first time you've had the chemo too?
Although I thought the Living Proof movie was a well done docudrama, I was a little disappointed that the hair thing wasn't more realistic. We know that although we learn to put it in perspective, it's still a huge deal.More importantly though, I imagine that lots of women may go back to the doctor to get tested for HER2+ b/c of having seen the movie and I hope that makes a big difference.
I hope you can celebrate however you feel like it. I'm 12 days out and thinking I'll be feeling pretty good by Thanksgiving too. I do feel relieved but still crampy, bloated, exhausted and short of breath. This may take awhile.
Hope everyone is going to enjoy the weekend and rest. Bethany
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Yeah, Gail, I second what Bethany said about the movie. For example, my husband (who's spent a career in the pharma industry) watched it with me and said that you would NEVER have women all sitting together in a huge infusion room during a clinical trial. And I'm sure Bernadette just wouldn't lose her hair for the role....NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO HANG ONTO HAIR LIKE THAT IN REALITY!!! But as far as making people aware of a drug that could make a major difference to thousands of lives, it did its job. And it was a landmark, too, in the sense that it really was the first TARGETED therapy that really, really works!
Have a relaxing weekend, all! The best of health to everyone.
By the way, check out my new signature line. I wonder if Nietzche thought of chemo when he wrote this!
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Hi Camp Chemo Roomies -
It's all so surreal!!! This morning I was sitting in a room discussing my remaining nipple's size with my PS - as I was driving back to work, I felt like a character in a Kurt Vonnegut novel, being bounced from planet to planet and never knowing what's coming next. On what planet does a 55-yr-old woman have conversations like this with relative strangers???? (Although I do see him on a pretty regular basis, I guess.)
What a long, strange trip it's been, indeed!
Sue
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Sue...I know. In the earlier stages of my descent into the abyss (I will not call it a journey--I abhor cliches!), there were times I had to sit on a table and flash my chest to 3 men in one week. Jeez. And I'm the type who changes in the shower stall in the locker room!
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My onc was fine with the multivitamin and calcium during treatments but asked me to not take anything else. Same with the rads onc. I DO take a multivitamin with iron BUT I have also had a lapband so I dont eat much and I tend to eat raw or vegan several meals a week.
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Lisa, THANK YOU for the excellent advice. I am done with chemo as of 9/29 (except for 8 more months of Herceptin). How long should I wait before working on the brown patches?
Thanks!
Alyson
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Shel - great signature line - it should be our mantra! I used it as my weight watchers sig line back in the days! hey, WW calls weight loss a journey too...unfortunately that's another "journey" I'll have to go on again after this is over.
Bethany - I had radiation in 2005 and it wasn't fun, but after having had chemo, you will sail through your radiation. Your radiation team owns you for the next several weeks. When radiation is the only "show" i.e. when you "only" have a lumpectomy and radiation and no chemo like I did in '05, it's miserable, but we've now been through hell and back!
With my last TCH in minus 6 days, herceptin will be a breeze. It's really the most important part of my treatment, so I am feeling optimistic. Three years ago it was used only for metastatic cancers. Hopefully it will protect all of us from having to go through this again.
Here on the East coast we are expecting rain this weekend...it's a good weekend to make a trek to visit my 85 year old mother...the way I feel (appetite, body aches, chemo fog, neuropathy) she and I have so much in common these days! G'night all. Gail
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AlyMarie,
Give your skin a good 6 months to heal before doing anything strong like chem peels or laser. Just stick to your good OTC lightener for now. You can ask a derm or plastic surg. about a script for hydroquinone - but be careful. This is a very good topical for breaking up melanocytes that cause the brown patches, but it has a tendancy to turn really fair skin blue. The blue will go away when you stop using it. Good luck and congrats on being done with poison!!!!
Lisa
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Aly, I saw a man on TV from this area who skin was blue permanately. He used something from derm. for a skin condition. he had white hair and blue skin. He was really odd to see. Just be careful and maybe the spots will go away if you are patient. I do have some from lack of estrogen I guess because I got some before I had cancer several years ago and some went away on their own and some more came back in other areas. Unless they are real bad all over I would not worry about it too much.
I have a spot on my lip that looks like a burn or something I just noticed a couple of days ago. It does not hurt except I can feel it with my tongue and I looked at it and it does show up but only if you are looking for it. I guess if I still have it by the time I go to the onc I will ask about it. Maybe too much sun? Or could be my lipstick since I had not been using this for a while.
Welcome to all who are just now posting on this site. I hope it is a big help to get you through this. I hope I never have to go through this again. I am dreading the rad. but I understand it is much better than chemo so I am sure I can do it. As far as celebrating I can't until I am through with all of it and they tell me I can go back to my normal routine. Maybe then, but I am afraid I will always be worried about a return. My son in law has been cancer free for 18 years so I know it is possible.
Lisa, I have a wart on my face and the onc said the chemo would take care of that. Well it does for about a week and then it starts coming back. I am wondering what a derm. does to rid a person of these? the onc said I may have to see one to get rid of it but it will be a while I guess before I will be able to get this done.
Gail, I hope you enjoy your visit with your mother. I no longer have a mother or mother in law even. I really miss them even though it has been a long time. 1977 and 1980 when they passed.
Blue, your port is titanium so it should not set off any metal detector. My husband has a hip replacement that is made of this and I was worried about that plus I have a dental implant also. I asked about this just in case and they told me it would not. Watch now and it will but since I don't expect to travel by plane anytime soon I guess it is not going to be at the top of my concerns. I don't even like to travel by car right now. I have to go far enough for tx and that is not too far just don't like to ride. I am sore all over from fibromyalgia and anything that bumps or vibrates kills me.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Carolyn
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gramma23
A wart is a"cells gone wild" thing. That is why the chemo took it away at the surface but then it came back. Since it is on your face, see a PS about having it removed. God luck with the rads!
Lisa
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Hey All.
Today I had no stomach cramps!!!! The first wave of of a new phase: no chemotherapathic GI distress. I'm psyched. I walked 2 miles -- there's a tiny tiny hill that takes it all out of me -- like doing reps and the last one you just can't finish. But, the more often I do it, the sooner it will be a piece of cake.....ummmm, cake.
Happy Saturday. Bethany
p.s. Shelby......I've been wondering if you've read or like Annie Lamott. It's just that sometimes your sense of humor and style of expressing yourself reminds me a bit of her. I really love her books -- the first one I read was Operating Instructions: A Journal Of My Son's First Year and I love Traveling Mercies.
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Hey Bethany;
No, I haven't read Annie Lamott, but I'll definitely check her out. I'm always looking for new authors. Right now I'm reading the book on which "Living Proof" was based. Very interesting. It's got a lot more of the science behind the discovery of HER-2/neu and the politics within Genentec which impeded the testing of Herceptin. Not exactly a fun read, but very informative.
Well, have a great rest-of-the-weekend, ladies. It would be interesting to hear how many of you are taking advantage of your relatively hairless status to trick-or-treat as relatively hairless characters. I think I'm going to do a reprise of my Comic Con Avatar character for actual trick-or-treating with the kids, because of high level of kid recognition and appreciation (also I spent a lot of time on the costume!) But for the party we're going to next Saturday, at which no one but my kids will probably know who Avatar is, I think I'm going to wear a hot pink mini-dress, some white go-go boots and my auburn "afro" wig. I don't really count that as selling out to the wig scene, since it's just for a costume party:"}
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