Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Hi Everyone,
I am back home after the hysterectomy- doing OK, taking it easy and will be home for 6 weeks.
JoAnne, I had terrible fatigue during radiation, folliculitis that itched like crazy - was SO glad when I finished that- I worked 8-2:30 each day and then went for treatments. Lots of rest, eat good food and just give yourself a break on everything and you will make it through.
Bethany, I just discovered an old college friend who is a radiologist in Austin!
Kristy
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Thanks Sue. I do celebrate, but then the emotional thing of all these months accepting cancer and the possible chance of losing my life from it and now this complete turn around is hard to grasp. It's hard to explain. I know the cancer is lurking and always will be, but the reprieve right now is like turning a light on and off. I know most of everyone in here had their surgery first then the chemo and then you wait to see afterwords and with me having chemo first and then the surgry maybe they can see inside what the results are instead of relying on blood test and e-rays or however they find out your cancer is gone. Whatever the one day thinking the cancer is there and the next it is all gone is difficult for me to absorb. Does this make sense?
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Well, I'm sitting in the airport at the beginning of week 3 feeling okay but not great. The blah days of chemo last a bit longer for me each time. I was on the edge of nausea so I took a half an Ativan - I hope my stomach behaves for the plane flights. This is the first cycle that I've used Ativan for Nausea and it seems to be working for me - at least I haven't lived up to my award yet this cycle.
I think and hope that this is the last of the blahs for this cycle and I'll feel fine for the meetings this week. At least they are a great distraction. I'll be chairing Tuesday through Thursday.
They didn't say anything about my scarf going through airport security - not that I would mind having to whip it off, but in principle I think they should allow the scarves through since others are more sensitive about their hair loss (and others cover their heads for religious reasons. And I put a package of flushable moist wipes in my suitcase - I wasn't sure if those would get questioned. I'm never sure about liquid solid combos like that with the rules about taking liquids and gels through. Are they classed with the liquids or solids? They don't have that much liquid in them. And I really hate checking luggage.
But my chemo tender bottom really benfits from them and I didn't want to have to track down a drug store to get them after I arrive. Well the suitcase made it through the scanner with no questions so I'm set.
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Hey blue hope you have a great distracting time where your going. You deserve it. I was waiting to be ask at Washington Mutual to remove my cap, but never was. I guess they know me there well enough. Beings they had so many robberies there with the culprits wearing baseball caps to help mask there face from cameras they put on a caboose to wearing caps in the bank. I just felt if they wanted a flash back glare from the bald head go for it. Yeah the chemo as it builds in your body it kina works that way in overload. I forgot what tx are you on now? Almost done arn't you?
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How long does the TCH take to "get" out of your system after the last treatment? I just had 3 out of 6 and actually felt the effects of it this round, I guess from the build up. The whole thing is frightening.
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cupcake, I can understand how your feelings would feel like a roller coaster ride right now. that makes perfect sence. Just try to concentrate on the good reports.
kjbell, I am 2 weeks out from tx and 4 and I don't think I have gotten my energy back with this one as I have from the first 3. I find myself doing a lot more "sitting around". I have also noticed that each and every treatment is a little different. Hang in there. You are half way thru.
Lisa
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Hi Kjbell I can tell you it is about 2 months to see the difference, or was for me after chemo. I say this as by the first month I saw a little bit of fuzz coming back on the head and by two months you can see by my picture it is now beginning to cover the head. I also have noticed because of my colostomy bag and changing it. While on Chemo the smell was so awful smelling like chemicals it would drop flies in mid air flying over the smell. It was terrible. Now there is no smell what so ever so that means the chemicals have cleared the liver. You will be tired for up to 6 months I have been told. Not chemo tired, but not a lot of energy to go full bore like you did before dx. The worst is what you are in right now. You are half way and just hang in there and use me as an example that the chemo is killing those cancer cells. After my 6 rounds they did the surgery and there is no sign of cancer. A lot of dead cells where it used to be so focus on the chemo doing that for you. Yes you feel bad now, but you are going to walk out of this clear from cancer and that is worth all you are going through right now.
Thanks Lisa I know what you are saying. Just a weird response from me on my emotions. I didn't expect it.
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Hey Kristy,
Did you have to have an incision for the hysterectomy? If so, please be careful about hurting your back by using the wrong muscles while you favor the incision -- try to gradually use your belly even it burns. I have some experience with this.
Who is the radiologist and where did you go to school?
It's a beautiful day in Austin today. I took down the Christmas tree -- I have so much more energy than a I did a week ago -- 2-1/2 months out from Chemo and finished radiation 12/18....I'm starting to feel more like myself everyday. Have lost 13# since last chemo and working on the next few one day at a time.
~Bethany
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Gosh, this is really gross, but cupcake brought it up and she is right, it is a good gauge that the chemo is out of your body. Poo really stinks!!!! I am glad I am not the only one! Cupcake would know more because of the colostomy bag, but chemo poo is the most vile thing I have ever smelled! Gag, gag, gag!
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I'm tellin ya mine was so bad that I would go out in the garage to empty the bag...true story. It would linger and take forever to get out of the bathroom even with the best bathroom spray you could buy. For us with our first colostomy bag we have to burp them from time to time as they build up with gas. One day in the car before we got to our destination I told hubby to roll down all the windows and I would open the bag and let the gas out (burp the bag) as we drove along. He did and it was ok until we came up to a red light...I said, "oh no!". With other people with windows down I could see they were looking around like a dead animal was hit or something...I just looked dum like I didn't smell anything. lol Couldn't get out of that area fast enough. I could tell the other people were talking and probably was commenting on how rotten that decaying animal was...lol Today I have a disposable bag and don't have that problem. There is a built in filter with charcoal that takes care of the smell until you change it. But with no chemo there is no smell at all....NIIIIIICEEE
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Cupcake - That is so funny!!!!!! The other motorists must have thought they ran over something dead!!!
I was a very small child when I had a colostomy, so I guess I need to thank my mom!!! I did not have bags. Back in the mid-60's my mom had to make her own vaseline soaked guaze bandages for my colostomy. Time marches on!
Lisa
But that chemo smell - oohh baaddd!!!!!!]
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kjbell, it takes some longer than others to get over the effects. I get really tired at times and I remember it was like the chemo tired but each day it does get better. I worked 3 days last week and I was doing better by day 3 so I do think part of it is I let my muscles get weak. it is not that I did nothing but just didn't do what I had normally been doing. It does seem to build up in your body and yes the chemo smells as it is expelled from your body even in urine. Do try to drink as much non caffeine liquids as you can so you don't damage your kidneys.
Blue did the Antivan make you sleepy? It would knock me out when I took it. I guess it would work as a sleeping pill for me since the sleeping pills keep me awake. Just kidding. It made my mouth seem so dry but then I had thrown up so much I guess I was tired and dehydrated. They always had me take it the night of the tx and any time after that I needed it. I took Phenagran if I just needed a milder pill and it made me a little sleepy but I could keep going. I am glad you are able to do your job and not be stuck at home like I was. My counts were always so messed up I would have been afraid to go too far from the doc.
Well, I am off to my first radiation tx. I am sure it will be uneventful. the drive down there is the hardest but we are going 3 days a week for hubby anyway so what is 2 more?
Carolyn
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Carolyn, my reaction to the Neupogen already makes me tired in addition to making me nauseous. The first two evenings when I took a whole Ativan pill, it really knocked me out. It seems like I can take a half pill and still be functional - actually less tired then I was when I was so nauseous every afternoon and evening. But it still meant that I had to cut back on working last week.
This week I seem to be over it. I took a half Ativan for the first flight but didn't for the rest of the day and was okay. I did check the seat back on each plane to make sure there was an airsick bag just in case and grabbed a couple from the supply in the plane restroom for the taxi ride but fortunately didn't need them.
Today I'm really into week 3 normal - just tire easily if I exert myself - I guess my red cells are still a little low despite the transfusion. I'll get a couple of extra days before they hit me again because my next treatment would have fallen on MLK day so it is postponed until Wednesday. My reaction to the Neupogen seems worse each time. I hope the onc lets me try Neulasta next time.
Good luck on the first radiation treatment.
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Oh to be going to first rad. I will not be there till APRIL!!!! Yikees! But the point is to get there. Congrats on that. (just jealous
)I cut about 12 inches off my hair yesterday now it short and really cute maybe I should of done it years ago. I will be able to enjoy it for about 4 or 5 days. My DH cut it and I saw that he had tears in his eyes, even though he did not want me to see. What a world. It makes me sad too. I guess there is no turning back only forward to health and happiness.
I have gained weight which is just horrible. I am going to try this week to lose a little before the my treatment on Monday. More Steroids more chubby! yipee
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Bold don't worry about your weight now. Your main thing is you getting through your cancer tx. Trust me there will be days you won't want to eat and the weight will come off anyway. I am diabetic and had way to much stuff on my plate with the cancer so put diabetes on the back burner and even though I ate high caloric foods inbetween treatment the weight and BG numbers stayed the same...no change. I bet your hair cut is cute. Your right it is just forward to health and happiness from here on.
Carolyn let us know how you are doing on your rads. I'm not sure if I will have them now...will know on Thursday. Good luck on yours.
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Bold, cupcake is right. DO NOT worry about your weight right now, you need every ounce. I lose about 8 to 10 pounds with each tx and the put back on 6 to 8 during my "good" 3rd week. Dieting IS NOT a good thing to try right now. You will have plenty of time to diet once the treatments are over. If you have the energy, work out from home or go to the gym - that will make you feel better. Depending on the steroids in your pre-treatment, your body will undergo changes that you cannot control, Excercise if/when you can and don't worry about the scales.
The hair loss stinks. Just focus on the fact that it is temporary!!! I was a long hair person too. I just keep reminding myself that hair grows and this is just a bump in my life. I hate being bald, but, beleive it or not, you do actually get used to it. Hang in there. Just try to live life as best as you can while going thru treatment.
Cupcake and Carolyn: You two are my inspiration and I hope you two continue to do well, Good luck Carolyn in the rads. Cupcake, have you talked to the docs yet about the newest patholgy?
Blue: Another business trip! You Go Girl!!!!!!!!
Shelby: Where is she? Are you OK?
Lisa
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Lisa thank you gal. What a nice thing to say. Us ol granny's rock! I go in to see the onc on Thursday and have a whole bunch of questions written out. In our HMO we can e-mail our doctors and this is the reply I got yesterday from my onc. "Dear Brenda, The fact that your pathology did not show any cancer is fantastic. You are cancer free and yes the chemotherapy and herceptin can do that. All is good. I need to think a bit about the radiation and we can talk about that at your appointment on Thursday. Everything is looking very positive though. See you soon, Julie Hersch." Isn't that something? WOW.
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Cupcake!!!!!!! That is Fantastic!!!!!! The Doc put it in writing!!!!!! She is confident that you are clear!!!! Yooo Whooo!!!!! Skippidy Doo Daa YES!!!!!! God Bless you!! And He has!!!!
I can not think of the words right now to express your results - Just WOW!!!
Yes!!!!!
Lisa!
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Yes and not only for me to say hee ha, yipee, but also you in here that are on the same regiment. Herceptin is a mircle drug. There was days in the chemo I just didn't think I could make one more day of it. I know exactly what each are you are feeling and the awfulness of it, but this is the end of the tunnel...the results. Keep in mind someday you too will be here and saying yippee, skippie do dah the wicked ol witch is dead. So follow that yellow brick road gals you will make it.
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Yes. Herceptin is our miracle drug.
We have to keep pluggin on. We can make it one more day and Cupcake is proof!
Skippidee Doo Daa!!!!!!
Lisa!!!
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Bold, I had long hair too and I cut it short and donated it just before I found my lump. It had grown a lot when I finally went to had mamo. and I really knew I had cancer then but I went through the tests trying to be brave. I wish now I had not waited because it was a fast mover. I did not have it in Nov and then I found it in Dec but I did not go to have mamo until May. So much was going on and I didn't want to mess up the family's graduations and other celebrations. Anyway by the time I got the path and saw I could have had a really bad out come if I had not gone when I did I was not too upset about the hair. It is kinda of nice not having to fuss over it or wait a long time to get it dry. I would not use a blow dryer when I was growing it out to donate. I wanted it to be in really good shape. I do get colder with it so short now and I mean short to where you can see a shine on the scalp but it is growing again but so slow it seems. Cupcake's is growing faster than mine. I have salt and pepper color now but I don't care as long as I get hair. It is a loss but a lot of the women here have lost more than I have. I had a Lumpectomy and others have lost both breast and even Kristy had a hysterectomy. Cupcake had to have the colostomy. I am very lucky and blessed. I am sorry you are just starting down this road but it will be over and you will be where we are encouraging someone else. I wish we could not have anyone else to have to encourage but I am afraid as long as the world is here we will have to. As far a weight gain it may be something they are giving you to decrease the hormones level. My friend I go to church with gained a lot but she was not taking the same stuff I was and she took what we call the "Red Devil" because even though she is 71 she never had her ovaries removed so she had hormones. She looks like the weight is starting to come off now but since she had mast just on one side she wears lose fitting clothes. I know she is feeling self conscious about it.
I appreciate everyone's encouragement on the rads. I have a real one today. they did another tattoo yesterday and it bled pretty good and when I got home I looked and could see she hit a vein. It is bruised and sore but it will be okay in a few days.
Lisa, I am glad Cupcake and I can be an inspiration for you and hopefully others. I did not think I was going to make it a few times but I did. If God brings you to it he will bring you through it. I just kept that in mind and took one day at a time. I just wish now I had done more to keep my muscles stronger. some days I could just barely make it to the bathroom but I kept the ole barf bag close just in case. They are stashed all over the place, at the bed, in my car etc. It would sneak up on me at times.
I am wondering too about Shelby. I know she was supposed to have her foob surgery but I am wondering about her leg too.
Well, I had better get myself downtown and then I will work this evening. Going to put a roast in crock pot for supper. I will be tired and I hate to come home and cook when I am tired. I was like that before cancer though. this fibro is hard on me at times when the weather is changing. I hope everyone has a good day.
Carolyn
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I had a funny dream last night. I went into a book store and noticed that everyone was wearing hats - many of them fancy or exotic period ones. A book signing was underway for a book on hats. For once instead of being the only one with a hat, mine looked very plain and simple.
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Cupcake, your colostomy story made me laugh. Thanks for brightening my day and congrats on the good findings. I feel "normal" today, this beast is a b_tch! I have had 3 treatments, have some sparse hair on my head still, but arms and legs still full of hair! Will they fall out or am I past that? I thought by now I would be hairless, suprised I am not. Does anyone else get the eye lid twitching? It drives me nuts!
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Yes! My eyes twitched all the time. I looked so weird walking around twitching. I am 6 weeks out from my last treatment and it finally stopped. My eyes were watery all the time too. I did not get actual "tattoos" I was just marked up with a marker that does not wash off. They darken it if if lightens at all. Did everyone else get real tattoos??
Shelby, I am praying that you are recovering well. We hope to hear from you soon
Traci 0 -
Shelby: We are all getting worried about you, check in when you can.
Kjbell: Glad you had a laugh, when I think about it I do too. I'd rather have this than Carolyn's nausea she had to deal with. Maybe those hairs are stronger, but they will go as you go along. I heard a lot of others esp Shell had the eye twitching, but I never did. Strange on these symptoms..different ones for different people. The hair loss is pretty much the norm for us though.
Blue: Hope your having a good time. Remember to give me a call when you get home, would love to meet you in person. Or at least chat on the phone.
Does anyone know what Foci of Fibrosis or Hemosiderin-Laden Macrophages mean? Or anywhere I can look up the terminology?
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Oh CupcakeI can not stop smiling. What glorious news. I am sooooooo happy for you. And proud of the grace under fire that you have shown us. This is the place where we vent and expose our weaknesses and strengths and you have proved your medal
Thank you Gramma23: You taking the time to encourage me has been worth it. I will apply your wisdom and some day pass it forward.
Sweet Lisa:I wish I could go riding with you. I think my breast might be a little sore for it right now. But a girl can dream can't she? Thanks for always being there for me. I look forward to celebrating with you on our clean bill of health.
Blue:Ativan has been a good friend this first round. It helped with the steriod high and the nausea too. I have not taken any for about 6 days. But like knowing that their there. I am sorry your having a ruff time. This too shall pass. (like gas)
Kbell: I wonder also if it accumulative. I would suspect that it is. I wish it would mirror the first treatment and we would know just how to combat all the SE. BUTTTT it seems that with each TX there are new hurdles. Thank God we have each other for info and encouragement. Your right it is scary.
Tracei1970: My eyes do not twitch right now but my hands shake.grrrrrrr I feel like a nervous Nelly all the time. (maybe I am)
Shelly:I too am thinking about you. Hope your doing OK.
It is about 85 Degrees here today in sunny California and the Santa Anna have been blowing. Plays havoc on your sinuses and we all know that ours are fragile from treatment. So have been sneezing a lot and using saline. But I feel sooo great in general. Monday is D day. Then here we go again. But today loving life!!!!!!
Hope everyone is OK today.
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Hello everyone. I am one week away from tx #5 and finally starting to perk up a bit. tX #4 has been a tough one to rebound from. I think that the after-holiday blues were starting to settle in for a bit, but I fought like crazy to keep them at bay. My plastic surgeon did a fill on my expanders today and I am officially half full! Now I just need to finish this darn chemo and set up the surgery for my implants.
Cupcake, I am thrilled to hear your marvelous news. It looks like you got your miracle after all.....how wonderful! Keep the faith everyone.
Anne
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Anne: Glad to hear from you. I just talked to my plastic surgeon and although I possiably won't have rads he still wants me to heal for 3 or 4 months before expander...rats I was hoping to get that working. Did you have your expander put in at mastectomy? How long does it take to fill? I don't know why he won't put them in now and they can be filling while I go in for the colostomy re attach. You would think beings it is just a month of healing it would be easier to open up rather than let it heal then open it up. Yes for sure on the Miracle. There is a five month waiting list so I told him to put me on it. I am awfully tired after this surgery so maybe that is why. I go out for just a little bit and it kicks my tahottie. Even more tired than chemo. Guess it finally caught up with me. I feel for your 5th one coming up cause that was my hardest one. The sixth is easy cause you know this is it ...it is over. But that 5th. Different story. Enough of the poison built up to make you really feel it and its not the last. You WILL make it though and after number five you are leaving third base and heading for the home run.
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Well ladies,
I'm back! I'm happy to hear you're all in good spirits and apparently doing well. Cupcake, I'm so stoked that everything's clear! That's such a good feeling!
Well, I sat in the house for the last couple days of my vacation, elevating, icing and compressing my leg. We drove straight home Saturday (about 12 hours) which wasn't fun, especially since I'd caught a cold. Sunday, I did and put away about 8-10 loads of laundry. And then yesterday, the Santa Ana caught up with my sinuses and put me in bed with the worst sinus/migraine/whatever I've had since chemo. Then today I saw the plastic surgeon for what I thought was going to be a pre-op, when he informed me that he and the surgeon want to put me off until February because of the cold and mostly because of the swelling in my right leg, because they don't want to risk a deep vein thrombosis.
The only bit of good news is that the PS has decided to take my skin graft for the fipple from my old Caesarean scar, which will essentially pull out some "extra skin" on my abdomen...essentially a mini-tummy tuck. Now I just have to get the damn leg unswollen!
Shelby
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Hi there Cupcake. Yes, I did have the expanders put in at mastectomy last September. My plastic surgeon has been filling them very slowly only 30cc's per fill as opposed to the 60ccs he wants to do. I go once every three weeks, on the week before chemo. I was in a great deal of discomfort when he filled them up quicker, so I asked him to slow down a bit. Now I hardly notice any discomfort at all.....just a bit tight for a few days after. My advice to you is not to let your surgeon rush you when you are doing the fills. Remember.....slow and steady wins the race, right? By the way, your hair looks GREAT! That is so encouraging to see.
Hoping and praying for the best with this 5th tx. I'm having blood pressure issues and my blood counts are starting to be an issue each time, so I'm anxious to just get this over with already! I go for my MUGA on Friday, so I'm hoping for a good report with that.....trying to take it one day at a time here.
Shelby, I'm sorry about your delay with surgery, but I think that the surgeon is right. You really should wait until your cold clears up and your leg is all healed. I will be praying for you.
Feel better everyone.
Anne
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