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Stage II w/Lymph Node Involvement

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  • Glenna56
    Glenna56 Member Posts: 22
    edited September 2011

    SpecialK----No they are not giving me benadryl. I will ask them to add that. If I'm having all these issues with the Taxol , I don't know what's going to happen with FEC. I'm so sensitive to meds.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,260
    edited September 2011

    I was also somewhat sensitive to Taxotere  - I had a UTI after tx#2 and went on an antibiotic, developed a rash but the MO was not sure if it was from the antibiotic or the chemo.  They had always added the Benadryl in the IV pre-meds but they also increased my steroids to cover before, during and after tx.  I did not have another rash for the remaining 4 tx, but did have a lot of fluid retention, both from the steroids and Taxotere.  Had to have a diuretic starting with tx#5 and it took a while to drop all the accumulated fluid.  I have another UTI right now that is resistant to the antibiotic they gave me three days ago, I appear to be allergic to all the others they can give - except for a couple that are by IV and they have some pretty scary SE's, so not sure what I am going to do.  I feel you on the sensitivity to drugs...

  • sundermom
    sundermom Member Posts: 98
    edited September 2011

    Proud_Mom,



    I will say the revision surgery has caused more discomfort that the original exchange surgery. I've missed 4 days of work and I didn't miss that much through all of chemo! Possible complications for me were infection and development of another capsular contracture. Like I said in an earlier post the results for me were immediate and I'm so happy. The radiated side now matches the other side in size, position and feel. I would totally do a revision again. My self esteem got a huge boost from starting the nip reconstruction as well. Of course, they more like teets at this point, but I'm told that they shrink down with time. LOL

  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 43
    edited September 2011

    MUTT1963:

    I'm glad you found my post about the allergic reaction to Taxotere. Seems, though -- I had a reaction after my first round of Adriamycin yesterday Frown  As soon as I got the push of it in my IV I tasted the meds and then we left to eat lunch at the hospital cafe. My legs immediately started tingling and my right leg started to mildy itch. So, back upstairs to the breast center.  We waited almost an hour or so to see the doc and he was even baffled. He told me to watch it and take Benadryl or the Hydrozyzine they had prescribed for the break-out of the Taxotere rash.

    I arrived home and I get a little hive on my right leg and my mouth is tingling. This is just awful. I slept all night and took my anti-itch meds, but todayI feel off, a bit queasie and I'm scared that I'll break out again -- especially since my Neulasta shot is this afternoon. It seems my body just doesn't tolerate this stuff all too well and I only have one more to go. Prayers please.....

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,260
    edited September 2011

    chrys23 - sorry you are still having trouble!  It makes it harder to keep marching through treatment when you keep getting roadblocks.  Thinking of you and hoping things settle down.

  • proudmom_wife
    proudmom_wife Member Posts: 176
    edited September 2011
    Chrys23 - prayers and {{{HUGS}}} coming your way.  
  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited September 2011

    Crystal... do they give you benedryl as part of your infusion?? I always got it in my IV...

  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 359
    edited September 2011

    Chrys23 - sorry to hear you had so many reactions.  However, on the plus side you still have additional treatment options for hormone positive type.  Some studies have shown it does respond better to Tamox or AIs than chemo.  So do not be discouraged and better to avoid worsen reaction.  Again, Adriamycin was a really tough drug for many of us.  Hugs Joann

  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 43
    edited September 2011

    Bdavis: I was on Taxotere first if you recall and I ALWAYS had Benedryl in my IV first. However, they don't do it always with Adriamycin because it supposedly doesn't give you the same potential for allergic reactions as the Taxane family of drugs. So - I had NO Benadryl with the Red Devil, only steroids, Zofran, and Emend and then the red devil and last cytoxan.



    Seems I got a reaction anyway - they are baffled: even the on-call Onc told me today that my reaction is very strange indeed. Who knows; they may cancel my last treatment in 2weeks due to this ongoing issue.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,260
    edited September 2011

    Chrys23 - Have they considered that you are allergic to one of your pre-meds, and not the chemo at all?

  • Warrior517
    Warrior517 Member Posts: 240
    edited September 2011

    I used to have to take  Benadryl before the Herceptin infusions. During my second tx, I broke out in hives all over my face and arms. For me,the benadryl did the trick if taken 20 minutes before the tx. The advantage was I did sleep through most of the treatment which was over 5 hrs long. lol

    I just want my fellow warriors to know that I am still reading all your posts because I know have it linked to my email....so even though I started this post and I am not posting as much...I AM HERE! :) 3 years and counting....Feelling good. I am scheduled to have a hysterectomy in November but keeping my ovaries. I am still premenopausal. My cycles came back almost one year to the day I started tx. ( I was 39 at dx) My cycles are pretty regular but quite light. Lately, I have been having hot flashes but I think stress makes them worse. lol

    For my warrior sisters that are going thru treatment, and even those that have it behind them, just know my thoughts and prayers are with you!!! xoxo

  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 43
    edited September 2011

    Special K -- I don't know if that's it; but you never know......

    During TX#1 (for Taxotere & Cytoxan): I had Benadryl, Zantac, Zofran and oral steriods. NO REACTION

    TX#2 (21 days later with Taxotere & Cytoxan): I had the same as above, but HAD A REACTION on day 16, which started last week and lasted for 5days!

    TX#3 (This Friday-- Change to Adriamycin & Cytoxan): I had NO Benadryl, but just oral steroids, Emend, and Zofran ---- Reaction happened just almost 30-40mins after the infusion.

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 5,273
    edited September 2011

    Hi all, just found out yesterday that I will need chemo. It will be TC. Why do some women get 6 cycles and others 4? Caryn

  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 158
    edited September 2011

    My understanding 6 means lymph node involvement, 4 doesn't. I think there were studies showing 4 worked as well as 6. Good question to ask your MO. May just be his/her preference. I didn't do chemo, & can't remember all that I've read

  • etherize
    etherize Member Posts: 43
    edited September 2011

    Caryn, I don't know the difference but just wanted to say I'm sorry you have to do chemo, and I hope you get the short cycle, with no s/e's. :-)

  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 43
    edited September 2011

    Coraleitz -- Not to try and correct you, but, I only am having 4 treatments and I DO have lymph node involvment.

    Sorry etherize that you have to do chemo, but if so -- think of it as an extra investment to help rid your body of any cancer! 

  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748
    edited September 2011

    Warrior517-Great to hear from you and that you are doing so well!

    God speed!

    Tori 

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited September 2011

    Caryn... I think it comes down to the MO... I had 6 tx and I asked why 6 and not 4 and he said it was because I had a micromet in my SN... so even the slightest node involvement and he bumped me to 6 tx...He said that without the nodes, he would have given me 4 tx... but initially I thought if my nodes were clean I wouldn't get any... my tumor was 1.9cm. But I think my MO felt that any IDC was outside the ducts and possibly could have spread, so chemo was in the plan... Other MOs have a different plan.... not sure if there is a standard here.

    Crystal.. You are baffling... I agree, that if you had reactions on Taxotere and Adriamycin, then it sounds like its neither... maybe its the Cytoxin.

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,260
    edited September 2011

    chrys23 - I am wondering if it is the Zofran, rash, hives and itching are all listed as allergic reactions to it.  That along with the Cytoxan and the steroids are the three constants in your tx.  Zofran did not work for me and I did get the nasty headache, which is another SE from it.

  • proudmom_wife
    proudmom_wife Member Posts: 176
    edited September 2011

    Warrior517 - Good luck with your hysterectomy.  If you don't mind me asking, why are you keeping your ovaries?  I am asking because it is one of those items on my list that my doctors' and I have discussed as a future consideration and I have gotten differring opinions on it.  I am 46 now, done with kids, but one doctor thinks after tamoxifen I should have a total hysterectomy, another says only if my ovaries start producing more estrogen (I am still in 'chemo-pause') after I am done with tamoxifen.  Then again this could all change since some studies show tamoxifen can be taken by some patients 10 years.

    exbrnxgrl - Sorry you have to do chemo, I hate this word, but chemo is 'doable'.  

    Chrys23 - I hope they figure out what is causing your reactions soon and can minimize them.  Hang in there. 

  • cricketdevine
    cricketdevine Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2011

    Hi my name is Jamie , I live in Wichita, Ks .. I was diagnosed in July with stage 2 breast cancer . I start twelve weeks of chemo every week next week.. Can anybody give me advice on how to make it through..

  • proudmom_wife
    proudmom_wife Member Posts: 176
    edited September 2011

    cricketdevine - sorry you are joining the group Jamie, lots of good information on these boards.  What type of chemo has been recommended for you?  

    Check out the chemotherapy threads, usually there is a group created for folks starting chemo in the same month/year.  It helps to converse with folks going through treatment at the same time. Also, check out the forums of those who have gone before, they are ahead of you and have posted things which have helped.  

    Everyone responds differently to chemo, it is 'doable', and there are ways to manage the side effects.  

    Good luck and let us know if you have any questions. 

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited September 2011

    Welcome Jamie.. Chemo isn't what is used to be... I had 6 tx once every three weeks.. I worked the whole time and had few "down" days.. all chemo is different, so I agree, find a thread that is pertinent to your chemo and I am sure people can give specific advice.

  • mutt1963
    mutt1963 Member Posts: 91
    edited September 2011

    Chrys23- I start the same stuff they changed you to tomorrow, sorry I hadn't been able to check here for a few days. I am still periodically breaking out slightly when I get tired and benadryl has been able to take care of it. The docs are confused about my continued reaction also but don't think its environmental.

  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,423
    edited September 2011

    It's 3 am and I need some help getting through.  I had a mastectomy exactly 2 months ago.  They told me I was node negative and had no vascularzation in the breast, all great signs.  Estrogen receptor positive, 2.4 cm.  All I would need would be Arrimidex. 

     I went on the Arrimedex and then travelled to Memorial Sloan Kettering for a second opinion, just to confirm the treatment plan.  What a shock!  Sloan found 100 cancer cells in a lymph node slide and vascularzation in the breast, both missed by my team.  Chemo was suggested to add 3% advantage.  

    My bp has been quite high but my onco denies the Arrimedex is the cause.  The Sloan dr. suggested going off of it for a week to see what happens because it is possible that the drug could be causing the reaction.  Now it's almost a week later, the pressure is down, and I'm wondering how to handle this.  

     I will go back on the arrimiedex and see what happens but in the meantime time is wasting and i should be on chemo.

    I just want to warn everyone to get a second opinion.  The drs. can't do better than the pathologists.  I have no faith in my drs anymore.  

    Has anyone had micromatastes like mine?  100 cells apparently does not count as a positive node.  But from what I have read it does increase recurrence 4 fold.  I don't understand all of this and it scares me.  Any ideas?  I think chemo is supposed to begin within 6 weeks of surgery.  

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited September 2011

    I had a micromet... It is definitely not as worrisome as a full fledge node... I had 6 tx of chemo.

  • Beaglesgirl
    Beaglesgirl Member Posts: 25
    edited September 2011

    timbuktu

    I had two micromets and was given the whole fledged treatment for triple neg with node involvement. DD AC. 12 weekly taxol and am heading to rads next month. 

    I took it hard, every bit of the way but with every percentage point the doctors could offer i have snatched it up

    Love and Peace to you..  

  • specialk
    specialk Member Posts: 9,260
    edited September 2011

    timbuktu - your stats are not in your signature line so I want to ask whether you had additional nodes taken, or have radiation?  I had a 20 cell micromet in the sentibel node, but a much larger node further up in the axilla that was removed in a separate surgery, I had no radiation.  I did not start chemo until 12 weeks after my BMX because I had 5 additional unplanned surgeries, so don't fret.

  • Kasi
    Kasi Member Posts: 34
    edited September 2011

    I had a macromet in one node and a micromet in one node and I am also being given the same treatment as some woment who are triple negative with node involvement. If I didn't have node involvement, I would have had just the 4 rounds of AC. Lucky me, I got to add on an additional 4 rounds of Taxol. It's always interesting to see those who have somewhat similiar stats get different treatment regimens.

  • etherize
    etherize Member Posts: 43
    edited September 2011

    How is a macromet defined?  I have a positive lymph node plus "extracapsular tumor invasion into the perinodal tissue" ... which means, as I understand it, that the cancer is breaking out of the node. 

    I just had a clear bone scan and CT scan (YAY!!) but the node stuff is quite worrisome, especially with it breaking out .... 

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