Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
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Oh kat! So sorry to hear your last tx is delayed! What a downer. I was very happy to be done. It wasn't an easy one, though. Five vein sticks before they found a good one! I am bruised and sore today, but....done. Hopefully your liver cooperates for next week and you can prop yourself up for the grad festivities. This time of year is really not convenient for getting chemo for those of us with kids!
a heads up for ALL - based on recent studies and research presented at the 2008 ASCO meeting in Chicago last week, many of us will be offered the drug Zometa which apparently significantly decreases recurrence rates in BC. It is a bone drug, like Boniva (that Sally Field hawks on TV). My onc jumped on it immediately and when I go back to get my Neulasta shot today, I will also be in the infusion chair again to get the Zometa - it's a short 20 min. infusion.
Apparently any side effects are insignificant unless you get mega doses for long periods of time. I say, bring it on! The more daggers I can throw at this thing the better!
Amy
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Hi all - going for #10 rad today, so far ok
Nurse Lisa - my consult he talked about what was going to happen...I went for my simulation the next day...cat scan, etc...then he was on vacation...and he did all the computer stuff when he got back....then we did the run through...no radiation 2 weeks later and I started the next day
Julie - I had to teach tennis outside for 3 weeks so was concerned about the sun...my onc said just to wear sun screen, stay hydrated...and I did just fine...
Lenny- thanks for the song lines....oh so true....I took emend and really never had any bm problems....everyone is different...I went every morning just like usual
Revkat - HOORAY for you...hope the se are minimal
Tigwin - Wt Watchers is basically just safe, healthy eating....and the fruits and veggies can't be bad for you. I tried to eat healthy during chemo, but gained about 15....I have lost 5 so far since starting rads...then the rad onc tells me not to lose too much b/c it might mess up my set up if my breast changes a lot....so heck we can't win...
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Hey everybody..oldies and newbies....Just sticking my head in to say HI! I am pretty much feeling normal, four weeks from last chemo. Rads so far are a piece of cake.My apt. is every day at 8 a.m,and I'm out by 8:10. so far no redness or pain. They say it may happen after 3 weeks of rads. When I do stretches my muscles hurt temporarily, and I'm thinking that's chemo left over.
I was told to slather on the sun screen when in the sun because chemo can cause a burn. And of course you'd want to wear a hat if you have no hair. I continue to do that even though chemo is over. The stuff can stay with you for a year they said.
I'm hanging out in the June and July rads, so we'll see some of you there shortly. Tootles....Evie
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Went to the oncologist today who was not as concerned with the redness as the ps. Hopefully she is right! I am still continuing on the antibiotics, no work and just babying myself. Tomorrow I am going with a girlfriend to see Sex in the City.
ggrose - my hair is shedding also. Tomorrow morning I am going to the place where I bought my wig and they will shave me and see if the wig needs any adjustments. They already cut it to my hairstyle. I thought that would be easier to be able to put it right on. My girls want to go with me. hmm do they want to go to support me or go because it's located in a good shopping area? LOL They are 18 and 22 so I think they can handle seeing me get shaved.
Other then this weeks redness problem I am having the hardest time with losing my hair. I love my hair. It makes everything seem so real.
I was told to stay out of the sun this summer. I guess I will go in the pool at night.
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Amy, My onc started me on Aredia (zometa or similar) in May before I started chemo. I have osteoporosis (4 yr.). My onc said Aredia + Femara + TC will drop my chances of recurrance in the range of someone who has never had cancer. Also, it will decrease my risk of bone fractures 10 times better than the Actonel I was taking. Got my 2nd infusion of Aredia today. Quick! No SE's!
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Had my third tx today and it was the easiest by far. Since I had an allergic reaction last time, they gave me iv benadryl so I was very mellow needless to say.
The pic line was wonderful because they just drew out blood and then gave the chemo through it. don't think I realized what a stress getting stuck had been.
I know this one will be a little tougher than the first two, but just glad to get today over with. Beachmom and sandy m - hope you had the same experience. Praying for a great week for everybody.
Karen0 -
Good evening ! I'm in a much better frame of mind tonight. My blood work was very good, except for slight anemia. Onoc refilled my ativan, so I'll sleep like a baby. DH says he's well. Found a new computer for my mother. My sister and I play "good daughter/bad daughter" with my mom, I told her it was time for her to be good daughter so I didn't have to listen to the negativity. (If you're bad daughter, she ignores you.) Decided I just need to get over the sunburn thing. I've ramped up the sunscreen, and bought a light weight pair of pants that the legs zip off to make shorts and light weight long sleeve shirt. Both of these also have sunscreen in them. I've done all that I can, so the powers that be will have to take care of me.
I will have a rads appointment before my next tx.to plan. I told the onoc that I had to have me flex benefits set up by the end of June. Then I asked him about his plans for me for the next year. His reply was that we would discuss it after we got through rads. Hello, didn't I just say I had to set up flex benefits for next year? I don't need exact details, just generalization. He folded.
Kfalls, how did you make out today? I've heard that 3 is the worst. That's mine to, but I'm hoping that you and I will be different and this will be our easiest.
Otter - I"m so jealous. Hope all went well for you today.
Dinner's ready and I have to eat now while I can still taste.
Have a good night to all, with no or few se.
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Hi everyone, yes, I'm finishing up tomorrow - hope it's no worse than any other. Eager to get it done with. No big words of wisdom to impart except drink water and hang out with friends.
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Hi everyone,
Well, today was the hair day. it is day 16 after tx 1 and my hair was really starting to go . I went to the place where I was to pick up my wig. They buzzed my head and the truth is that it didn't look as bad as I had anticipated. My dh came with me and swears I look OK. The wig looks very good. Somehow, losing all the hair, which I had really been dreading, makes me feel like I am on the way back ----the worst is over.....Treatment 2 on Monday.
Hang in there. We will make it through.0 -
Hi everyone,
Well, today was the hair day. it is day 16 after tx 1 and my hair was really starting to go . I went to the place where I was to pick up my wig. They buzzed my head and the truth is that it didn't look as bad as I had anticipated. My dh came with me and swears I look OK. The wig looks very good. Somehow, losing all the hair, which I had really been dreading, makes me feel like I am on the way back ----the worst is over.....Treatment 2 on Monday.
Hang in there. We will make it through.0 -
Hi to all my TC buddies--
Yes, I'm back from tx #4, and it went very well. It was anticlimactic except for some interesting things unrelated to my actual chemo infusion that I'll tell y'all about tomorrow. I am beginning to drag, despite the Decadron; so I'm gonna call it a night. I've caught up with reading all the posts, but I'm fuzzy-headed so I can't remember them! I promise to post a longer note tomorrow, even if I have my usual chemo hangover.
To all of you headed for chemo camp tomorrow--kick butt! And to all of you facing the after-effects of chemo in the next few days--take it easy, and be good to yourselves! (Some day I want to compare notes on the "comfort foods" we've discovered on this journey--things like banana popsicles, and not-from-concentrate lemonade, and tapioca pudding, etc.)
Hugs to everybody--
otter
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Hello Ladies, How are you all doing. Feel like posting because I am on DECADRON !! LOL. Head to chemo camp tomorrow for tx #4 or # 6. YEAH 2/3 of the way through. Got to see my grand nephew who is 3 and grand niece who is 9 months...oh how they make you forget that you have chemo the next day. What a joyful day of fun and laughs...I did not know I could love so deeply !!!
Aglw..going to have to read up on the new drug...yeah
SharonS...way long ago you gave me the tip of turning my pillow over when I get a hot flash. I need to thank you because that works sooooo well. I think of you every night at least three to four times and smile for the good tip. I wish I had a cold pillow with me all day !!! LOL Thanks for sharing.
Artsee !!! so good to hear you are doing so well. 19 years ago when I went through radiation for a different cancer I had no side effects. Because I was radiated down the middle of my chest the sternum they thought I would become anorexic since that is right where the esophogis is ...no problems the entire time. They weighed me every day to make sure i was okay...never lost a pound. No sunburn nothing..I had a song I use to sing in my head during each radiation tx...It went like this...."Good cells strong Bad cells gone" !!! I will you and all the others headed into radiation. I also made my Rad Techs learn the song and sing it with me before I started..I think it worked very well.
Debbie...sorry about the hair we all have those feeling but it will grow back and you will love your hair when it does. I drove bald tonight from San Diego to Orange County...I knew no one could see in the dark in the car...It was soooo liberating !!!! I felt like me again!!!!
Kfalls...Glad you are feeling great my third tx was the easiest so far..hope it is for you too.
Beachmom...I would ask again and explain why you need to know..you onc may not know what flex benefits are. If not go to the nurse or billing to have them help you estimate. Good Luck...good saying I live by right now...."Cancer Survivors do not Go with the flow"!!!
Trii....good luck tomorrow I will be at chemo camp as well !!!
susand ...good for you feeling good about yourself...my entire family keeps telling what a nice shaped head I have...I take it with a smile and know they love me. Good for you.
OTTER YEAH FOR YOU !!!! YOU ARE DONE!!!! GLAD TO HEAR IT !!!!
to all that are going to be a chemo camp with me tomorrow...here is to no side effects and a wonderful day !!!!
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I know what Tigwin means about feeling like posting when you are on decadron! Just wish I could sleep.
Tigwin - I am so glad to hear you say that 3 was the easiest. I am right there with beachmom worrying about 3 because everyone, including my onc. nurse said it will be the worst. I know that I lot of you had longer side effects with 3.
So beachmom - let's just use the power of positive thinking and hope we are like tigwin.
keep me posted.
Karen0 -
Otter - hoorah for you....you have done so much for us all....hope you feel ok when you wake up this morning.
Tigwin - Glad the pillow works for you, I am still using the trick....but unfortunately still not sleeping.....I hope this effexor kicks in soon....I have only taken it one week....
Have a great day....going to walk the dog, then off to my last LT appt unless I have problems...I have my sleeve and glove now.
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Something I keep meaning to ask and forget. Does anyone else have the nasal mucus junk about a week after their TC treatment? Mine started after #2, and each time, at the same time, it comes. Its gross and causes me to gag all the time and clear my throat. Please, tell me I'm not alone in this disgusting se.
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Yes, the nasal stuff is a pain. It comes on stronger at times and my nose is like a faucet when it starts to run. I now have boxes of tissue sitting in every room and in the car and in my purse and am contemplating keeping some up my sleeve like the nuns did at my grade school. How bad is that!
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Ladybug - Yes I had that problem the first three and it is definitely the cytoxan that causes it....my last chemo....they started the cytoxan and I fell asleep, I woke up an hour later and the bag was still almost full...I called the nurse and the drip was too slow....anyway after that chemo...I had no nose problems....guess the slow drip rate fixed it.
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Thanks Sharon, I was hoping it wasn't just me. I've had the "burning" during each infusion of cytoxan, and then about 6 days later, my sinus' get all hosed up and my nose starts drying out and hurting. Then I have the phlem, ugh... its disgusting and annoying!
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Someone mentioned the drug Zometa and here is a very interesting article about it. It sounds very promising. Hope everyone has energy and is SE....FREEEEEEE
Bone drug Zometa helps fight breast cancer
spread(AP) --A drug to prevent bone loss during breast cancer treatment also substantially cut the risk
that the cancer would return, results that left doctors excited about a possible new way to fight the
disease.It is the first large study to affirm wider anti-cancer hopes for Zometa and other bone-building drugs called
bisphosphonates. Zometa, made by Novartis AG, is used now for cancers that have already spread to the
bone.The new study involved 1,800 premenopausal women taking hormone treatments for early-stage breast
cancer. Zometa cut by one-third the chances that cancer would recur - in their bones or anywhere else."This is an important finding. It may well change practice," said Dr. Claudine Isaacs, director of the clinical
breast cancer program at Georgetown University's Lombardi Cancer Center.About three-fourths of breast cancers occur in women after menopause. Zometa may help them, too, but it
hasn't been tested yet in that age group.The study was led by Dr. Michael Gnant of the Medical University of Vienna and reported Saturday at an
American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago.If a second, ongoing study also finds a benefit, doctors predict that Zometa will quickly be tested against
other cancers that tend to spread, or metastasize, to bones, such as prostate and kidney cancer."Hugely important is whether this has to do with the fact that it just makes the bone hostile, somehow, to
metastasis or if there is a more global anti-metastasis effect," said the oncology group's president, Dr.
Nancy Davidson of Johns Hopkins University."Either of those would be good and would teach us a lot about what to do next."
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. About 184,450 cases and 40,930 deaths from the
disease are expected in the United States this year.Standard treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone-blocking drugs if the tumors are
like those in the study - helped to grow by estrogen or progesterone.The hormone-blockers often weaken bones, so bisphosphonates like the osteoporosis pill Fosamax have
become increasingly popular to treat this side effect. However, using them to treat the cancer itself is a very
different approach.Lab studies hinted it would work, and Gnant's is the first to test it in a large group of breast cancer patients.
All had surgery to remove their tumors and were taking hormone-blocking drugs - goserelin plus either
tamoxifen or anastrozole - treatments that made them menopausal. Half also were given infusions of
Zometa once every six months.The women were treated for three years and studied for two more. By then, only 6 percent of those given
Zometa had suffered a relapse or died, compared to 9 percent of the others. That translated to a 36 percent
decline in risk.Original story at www.physorg.com/news131467247.html Page 1/3
Sixteen women given Zometa died versus 26 of the others - a difference that could have occurred by chance
alone but an encouraging trend that doctors hope will mean better survival as the groups are followed for a
longer time.There were no big differences in serious side effects, though minor ones like fever and bone and joint pain
were more common among women given Zometa. Two percent of all study participants developed a rapid
heartbeat, but only three were hospitalized - two on Zometa and one of the others.The study was sponsored by Zometa's maker, Swiss-based Novartis, and British-based AstraZeneca PLC,
which makes Arimidex, the brand name of anastrozole. Gnant consults for the companies and several other
breast cancer drugmakers.With doctor fees for the infusion, a Zometa treatment can run more than $1,200. The other large study is
testing it in 3,360 pre- and postmenopausal women with cancer that has spread but not extensively.Experts stressed that the results so far are only in women who were made menopausal by hormone-blocking
treatments - not women who develop breast cancer after natural menopause.For now, using Zometa to prevent breast cancer recurrence should be confined to those who develop breast
cancer before menopause, said Dr. Eric Winer of Dana-Farber Cancer Center in Boston."This is a treatment that doctors should talk to a patient about" because of these encouraging new results,
Winer said.In other news at the conference, women with advanced breast cancers who were given Avastin plus
Taxotere were a little less likely to have their cancers progress than women given Taxotere alone. However,
side effects including high blood pressure were more common for those taking both drugs. Taxotere
treatment is more common in Europe and Asia; in the United States, doctors are more likely to use Taxol.In the study of 736 women, 44 percent of those given just Taxotere had their tumors shrink versus 55
percent of those also given a lower dose of Avastin and 63 percent of those given a higher dose.Avastin, marketed by California-based Genentech and Swiss-based Roche Holding AG, recently won
federal approval for breast cancer - against the recommendations of outside advisers. The approval was
based on measurements like those in this study - cancer progression, rather than overall survival. The new
study was too short to show any differences in survival.On the Net:
Cancer conference: http://www.asco.org
Patient information: http://www.cancer.net
American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org
National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/lung
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,
rewritten or redistributed.This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, no part
Original story at www.physorg.com/news131467247.html Page 2/3
may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.Original story at www.physorg.com/news131467247.html Page 3/3
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Hi, everyone,
Thanks for the info on sunburn. I'll just find a sunscreen to put on after my shower every day and have another bottle for the swim bag. That way I'm covered. I appreciate all of the helpful hints.
Otter - congrats! Let us know how it feels to be finished. Yes, my next tx is confirmed for 6/17. Thanks for all of the work you've put into that schedule.
Thanks,
Julie
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It's day 2 of tx3 and I feel great. Ths is my eat every 2 hours day, and I'm taking ful advantage of it. Went out for breakfast with dh, then got the neuasta shot, then had lunch with a girlfriend, then shopped then stopped my parents and had afternoon snack with my dad. It's about time for something else.
I'm a firm believer in massage therapy. I get migranes and used to take meds for them 3-4 times a week. I began going to my mt,who is medically endorsed, so she knows what can and can't be done after surgery, during chemo, rad, etc. Now I may need to take migrane meds once every 3-4 months. I gave her a shot after tx2 and other than the crappy mouth, and no taste, I really believe my se were minimal. I had some flu-like aches on days 5-7, but they didn't hit until around 6 each of those nights, so my days were good. I had lots more energy on those days and from day 8 on, I felt almost like the old me. Got lots done around here. Emotionally, as I think I might have stated on another thread, I just felt ticked off about all of this. Alas, I digress, I had another massage the day before tx3, so I'm hoping I"m as lucky as 2. If it works out for me, I will whole hardily endorse massage therapy for all, just be sure you have someone who is certified medically. In some states, not VA, the insurance will even pay for it.
Otter- are you visiting Chesapeake today? We were at Target and there was your car, with your license plate - otter - why didn't you stop by?
I wish everyone an uneventful night, and good luck to those of you off to the pool, or island, or wherever your dream place is tomorrow
Lee
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I wanted to thank all of you for your comments and participation here. I just started my TC treatments on 6/3 and your comments have helped me to be prepared for what to expect. I hope all are doing well.
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Tigwig...Thanks for the jingle. "Good cells strong, bad cells gone!"
I will sing it at every rads. I think it's cool.
Tomorrow # 8, still good..no heat.
Hugs, Artsee
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Sandym, #3 was my easiest. #4 on the other hand has kicked my butt. I have not been able to get out of the fatigue slump. I have spent more time on the sofa or in bed this time than all other rounds combined!
I had a cold and ear infection before chemo - seemed like it was getting better than I started getting sick again. Saw onco today and have bronchitis and low wbc. So am on another antibiotic and was told to stay away from anyone with germs!!! She said the fatigue could last for months - of course now I start rads and the primary se is fatigue. Looks like I am in for some real fun!
Eyebrows and eyelashes - my brows started to thin a little before #3 - and thinned a lot more after #4.They are thick from nose to mid eye and then are so thin you can't see them - looks pretty scary. So far lashes are hanging in there.
Congrats to this weeks graduates. Wishing minimal ses to all.
Deb
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Yeah, I still have eyebrows and eyelashes after 3. Just had 4 today, so I'll see if I can keep them for another few weeks - then it is time to start growing everything back!
My least favorite SE has been anemia - not low enough for my insurance to cover Procrit, but definately a bother for me.
Had chemo this AM and went to a yoga class this evening - a little challenged, but I feel good.
Hope to have a low SE weekend - and I extend that wish to all. G'night.
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Home from tx. #4 and so far soooo good. se's not here yet and hoping they forget me some how !!! Hope you are all se free. Have a great night.
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Hi all - Tigwin thanks for the info on the new drug...hope you stay symptom free......
I bought the nioxin yesterday and used it this morning. artsee weren't you the one who told us about it...I used the shampoo and conditioner...didn't know about the thing you rub in and leave on????
Have a good day...number 12 rad for me today...starting to get a tad tender
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Hi All,
Thanks so much for all your insights. I have stocked up on many of the things you all of suggested for before,during and after. I took the step of cutting my hair short yesterday as I get ready for my first treatment next Wednesday.
Through all this treatment I have been strong but since the chemo announcement I cry all the time, not sure if it is that I am facing chemo or the fact that my ovaries came out when I had my bilat. I guess it is emotional overload of dealing with so many things all at the same time.
My DH thinks these message boards are making me crazy as I worry about all the SEs but I tell him that they are a lifeline of wonderful women who totally get where I am coming from! I do not know what I would do without all the great support and info on these boards.
Valerie
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I'm back from my summer nap. Seriously, I slept almost all day yesterday (day 2 of tx #4). First time that's happened. I hope it's not an omen.
I have to go all the way back to June 3 to pick up on some posts.
Amy (algw), you were wondering where we go when we graduate from here. Literally I will be going on to the Hormone topic, since I'll be starting Arimidex in about 2 weeks. I hope to not hang out on that topic very much, though, because there is a lot of gloom-and-doom and I don't do well in that environment. Well see--maybe if my SE's from Arimidex are awful, I'll eat those words. I won't be getting rads, because I had a mast with good margins and no positive nodes. So I get to bypass that stage, forever I hope. But I'll hang around here for awhile, as well as on the April and May 2008 chemo threads.
Lenny, the recipe I've been using for the mouth rinse is 1/2 tsp salt plus 1/2 tsp baking soda in a tall glass of lukewarm water. That's a little bit stronger than some places I've read, which would use that same amount of salt and soda in a pint of water. My chemo orientation book said to put 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp baking soda in a quart of water, use it every few hours for a day, and then make fresh the next day. I like mine a bit warm, so I make it fresh each time.
Debbim425, within a few days after every TC tx, my mast incision gets angry purplish-red. It's just the incision that gets red, though--not the skin around it. The skin and tissue all over that part of my chest are more sensitive to pressure at those same times, too. Then the redness and sensitivity go away. I'm assuming it's the Taxotere. (I'm blaming everything on the Taxotere.)
Amy, your onco really moved fast on that Zometa news. Mine was pretty excited about the idea, even before the Clinical Oncology meeting and the report from Austria. I opted out of the bisphosphonate clinical trial, though, and she hasn't mentioned just giving me Zometa. The Austrian study was only using it twice a year, which was way less than the bisphosphonate clinical trial I was invited to join. I don't know how it would work anyway, since my insurance will not pay costs associated with "investigational" treatments.
Lee (beachmom13), no I wasn't visiting Chesapeake yesterday--I was home in bed! I do wish I had an "otter" vanity tag, though. That would be a nice one for our "wild/natural" (whatever) state tag series. Actually, just being on Chesapeake Bay would be really nice right now...
pmwelser, I've added you to our list. Are you on a 3-wk schedule x 4 treatments, or something else?
Trii, I'm anemic too. My wbc are great (from the Neulasta), but when they checked my rbc/Hgb on Wednesay, my hematocrit was 32 and my hemoglobin was 11.1 (it was 12.1 last time). No Procrit for me, though--it's still above 10 and it's my last tx, so I'm just gonna be lazy and try to eat a lot of lean red meat for the next few weeks.
Valerie (VBG), I know what you mean about these boards. I am less addicted to them than I was when all this started, but it still feels weird to be away for a day or two. I suppose at some point, life has to get back to normal and we have to put this BC stuff in the background. It's too soon for me yet, though.
Hi, Evie!
Hugs to all, and have a pleasant weekend--stay cool!
otter
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Otter,
I am on a 3 wk 4x schedule. Did rads first, so have that finished now. Thanks for the recipe on the mouth rinse. Hope everyone is well.
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