Chemotherapy for Stage IV
Comments
-
So very true Glenna that we are lucky that we have many options. The epirubicin..is also called the red devil..they picked FEC because of node positive and larger lung mets.
0 -
Brown/scaly spots.... yea, I have a couple on my head too. Haven't worried about them, they kind of look like small moles, but they aren't. If it's larger, just try some hydrocortisone cream; may make them go away? The larger brown one, maybe try one of those 'fade creams' for age spots to lighten it? I wouldn't worry too much. Most bald men have much uglier heads than I've EVER seen on a bald woman going through chemo !!!! Freckles, age spots, scars, etc. UGH. (LOL... speaking from experience, my ex is one)
0 -
Hi! I've taken a bit of a break from the boards, popping by once in a while to skulk about in the background. Will be starting abraxane next week and see that some of us have had fingernail issues. Any tips to avoid them or to treat the problem once it starts? Supplements? Vitamins? Soaks? Should I make sure that the doctor gives me a script for nausea? Thanks for your tips!
0 -
33skidoo - I have not had Abraxane, but my cocktail did make my fingernails lift and look like they all had the fungus. But, I kept OPI, Nail Envy Original, on them, they never fell off. Now very close to normal. Never did soaks. Did and still do lots of supplements n vitamins, but none were specifically for the nails...so can't say what helped, if any. YES, get a scrip FOR nausea. I tried to stay away, but they helped when things were really bad....otherwise, I drank (room temp and left open, no fizz) ginger ale, ginger tea, and ate ginger snaps. Always had the snaps and open bottle of ginger ale by my bed. Hope this helps! Will keep you in my prayers!
The head issue, can't remember who posted that, but if they itch...be careful. I had same, itched, then got infected. It was ugly....Had to get on antibiotics, then reacted to them, face swollen. Then diff antibiotic...finally cleared up. But boy...UGLY! I was doin workouts in the pool tho, and all the docs think cuz I had scratched one open, the clorine infected it. So, just beware and watch it.
0 -
Just finished 5 months of Abraxane and never had nail issues or nausea. But, I wear false nails all the time (nail biter and only way to prevent me from chewing on myself!!) so I wonder if that helped?? I'm having worse nausea on Halaven now than Abraxane. But, I lost my taste buds on Abraxane bad too... food just wasn't tasty or was nasty tasting, especially meat. You find what you can eat and tolerate. Ginger is great for nausea.... boil about a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger root in 3 cups of water, strain the ginger out, and you have 3 cups of ginger tea. If too 'potent', add another cup or two of water. Ginger can have a 'bite' to it.
0 -
Taxotere did a job on my nails but after 5 months they all look nearly normal. There were lots of ridges and they did loosen from the nail beds. Only one actually came off. Just another of the little inconveniences of treatment! Well, earlier I reported a good ct scan at the ER. Unfortunately, I was misinformed at the hospital. I picked up my records today and the CT scan report said that the tumor in my lung that was 2.0 cm in May of 2008 was now 3.2 cm. This after the Oct 2011 CT scan showed it wasn't even measurable and reported as NED. I immediately called my ONC but he's on vacation this week. Fortunately I have an appt with him on Monday. I'm thinking gemzar isn't working and I need to move on to something else. It's going to be a long week of sleepless nights ...... Uurrrrrgggggghhhhhhh! Will be researching my options so I go prepared on Monday!
0 -
Aw Glenna,
Sorry about the scan, especially after the happy dance with NED. Keep breathing 'til Monday and get those questions written down in prep for your meeting!
Hugs
Laurie x
0 -
33Skidoo
I had 16 weeks of Abraxane and Herceptin, and it was really only in the last few weeks that my fingernails really started to hurt, and go black. I could hardly move myself in those last few weeks either. I had nausea, and most things tasted awful to me, especially tap water, bottled water was ok. I wonder why that is? I am now NED, so Abraxane and Herceptin were obviously fantastic for me!
Good luck
Dawn
0 -
Glenna, my buddy: Just picked up your post re: new CT scan results - rats and double rats! I feel absolutely certain that you will slam that booger back until it's gone and stays gone, and you are back to your sweetheart, NED. Just an issue of finding the next good weapon. Your strength, your brains and your determination to beat the beast will see you through - with you all the way! - SUE
0 -
Glenna,
I'm so sorry to hear that your scans weren't as you had original thought. I know having that NED rug pulled out from under you is tough. My continued prayers that your doctor will find a new tmt that will get you right back to NED.
Hugs
Kimber0 -
Im so sorry that your scan results arent what they told you Glenna. Im really hoping that your next treatment regimen gets you back to stable quickly. Much love steph xx
0 -
Just popped in here to see what's going on with everyone's chemo. Glenna I am so sorry about the latest report and know from experience waiting to here what the onco has to say, is a loooooooog wait, but at least it is still smaller than what it was in 2008. Sometimes a lot has to do with whom is reading the scan....one may have said too small to measure, but where do they make the cut off?...maybe something did show up and that particular doc considered it too small and that was just his point of view. I am in the habit of always picking up my own scan results and sometimes flip out over something that the onco thinks is no big deal.....so there are pros and cons to this, but I always want to see the reports myself so continue to do this. When I got the last MRI and it said mulitple tumors in the liver, too numerous to count, I panicked, but when I asked my onco he said Oh, they have been there, they just show up more in a MRI than the CAT scan.....news to me. But I know you must be upset and am saying my prayers for you.
Karen are they giving you enough anti-nausea meds in the pre-meds before you get the halaven? The only SE I had with it at all was hair loss and I think maybe some foot neuropathy.
33, I always hesitate to tell anyone this just starting on it, but Abraxane was the very worst chemo I did....got it weekly and only lasted 22 weeks. However, it worked( took tumor markers way down and shrunk the tumors themselves) and since all the treatments I have done since have failed, if I find out with my next scan that the Adriamycin is not working, I am seriously asking if I can go back on Abraxane.....never ever thought I would do that, swore I would never do it or any taxol family drugs again, but when it comes right down to it, I am going to do whatever I can to shrink these tumors. I made it though the SEs once, I can do it again.
I have lost my hair twice, did not have any brown or scaly areas and according to my father "have a lovely shaped head, can't even see the suture line", but that's a father's point of view. I am getting the adriamycin weekly and have had 7 treatments so far and hair is really thinning out, but I still have a lot of it....it's starting to look like one of those pixie cuts. I am going to have scans at the end of the month so will find out if this is working or not.
I don't think any of us would call chemo a walk in the park, but face it, if we don't do anything looking at that alternative is a lot more grim. I am just thankful there are lots of treatment options out there. Saying prayers for all of us. Marybe
0 -
Hi all. Been a while since I posted on this thread. Marybe - I hope the Adria works for you so you don't have to go back to Abraxane. However, to let you off the hook a little - I did 6 rounds of Abraxane (weekly 3 weeks on 1 one off) and had no outward SE. I even drove straight to work from infusion and stopped to get lunch on the way - no pre or post meds either.
The only SE I had was to my counts - depressed RBC and WBC but not enough to do anything. Low platlets that kept me from chemo twice but had dose lowered a little and they never dropped below treatment level again (82000). Oh and my hair grew back on Abraxane (lost it on AC). We're all so different.
It seems to have done the job with the 4 rounds of AC I did first because my scans in May were good. Haven't had scans again yet because of all the other stuff (pin surgery, BMX, and Rads). Will get them again after Rads are done in March.
Glenna, hope your Onc is able to help you with the scan issue.0 -
Thanks for the responses! I know by now that each person's response to a given treatment is unique. I did so well on CMF I'm kind of expecting Abraxane to be worse. Just want to make sure that I'm proactive on the side effect front. Guess I'll stock up on the hand cream and slather up well. My onc insists that I won't lose my hair. We'll see about that! Thanks again.
0 -
Someone had also told me to suck on lemon drops before eating and food would taste better. I took to drinking lemonade some as well. The lemon drops really made a difference. MaryBe, the latest scan showed 3.2 cm. The scan in 2008 was 2.0. The size has fluctuated quite a bit over the last 3 1/2 years depending on the treatment. Taxotere put me in NED and I'm wondering if I can go back on it. 33, will look forward to hearing how abraxane is for you. MaryBe, I can't believe you are still working. You are amazing!! Love the encouragement you all give!!
0 -
MARYBE N REESIE - Sooo glad to hear from you. Reesie, hope your scans, in fact, will be positive n say ur scans WILL b good in March.
MaryBe - Yes....to anything out there, even if we can repeat it...to help us....U R and inspiration to us all....keep fighting! I will too and I'll keep praying!
0 -
Well, it won't be abraxane again for me......at least not for awhile. After calling several times yesterday to get my results of the CA 27.29 and being in the process of calling again, my cell phone rang and it was the onco's office. My numbers went down.....WAY DOWN.....this is the first real drop in over two years since they have done nothing but climb since I quit abraxane in July of 2009. Last time they were 7,668 and this time they are 6,178.7 that is drop of almost 1,500 and I am elated. I was going to be happy if they had just stayed the same since the last time they at least showed signs of slowing down, but they actually dropped and even though I have not seen my onco to go over this, I am taking this as a sign the adriamycin is working!! So Hope springs eternal and I am hoping I get to stay on this chemo for awhile and that the scan Jan 30, confirms my thought that it is working. As much as I hate chemo, I love it when it does what it is supposed to do.
0 -
Oh my, Marybe! That is great news!!! Talk about being chemosensitive.
0 -
Marybe that is awesome news..I pray it continues to drop and you have good scans the end of the month.
0 -
FANTASTIC! I'm doing snow angels for you!!!! .....at least in my mind!!!!
0 -
CONGRATS! MaryB....about time something gave you some positive results. I have a MUGA on the 30th, so I won't forget...will be praying for more fabulous news...((HUGZ))
0 -
Marybe...I am so happy to hear your good news. You remain in my thoughts and prayers daily and I'm elated to have you get good news from the onc.
Take care my friend,
Nancy
0 -
What great news Marybe! Wishing you continued success with adriamycin, lets keep those numbers dropping!!!
Woo hoo!
0 -
Wow Marybe, such good news. I am delighted for you - onward and upward! SUE
0 -
Good morning
Just thought I would ask has anyone experienced your checks going numb off and on it travels down to the chin area. The skin gets cold feeling after 20-30 mins when it wears off. This chemo is so weird. Or maybe it is me..lol I have had SE after SE so I hate to call the onc. Thanks
I'm on FEC!0 -
Hi Kimber
Didn't have any numbness that I can remember. Main SE was throwing up despite mega anti-sickness stuff and chemo mouth. I hated FEC too but saw it in a better light after I'd experienced Taxotere...
How are you doing otherwise?
laurie x
0 -
DOIN' THE HAPPY DANCE FOR MARYBE !!!! Congrats !!
Kimber: I have facial numbness all the time, but I have cancer in my lower left jaw bone, it's not from chemo. It is affecting the maxilofacial nerve that runs up the side of your head. I feel like I have a constant 'novocaine' shot on my left side in my lips, cheek, eyebrow and even up into my skull sometimes. It's really a bother... who like novocaine!? LOL It 'moves around' so some days I can feel my teeth and lips, and other days, I have no nose, etc. All these SE's of our disease and treatment are so bizarre !!! But, there are worse things.... !
0 -
Saw my onc today for my regular post-chemo check up. We discussed the CT scan I had taken at the ER last week. He has scheduled me for another scan next Tuesday at the diagnostic center where I've been having scans for the last 3 1/2 years. He wants it done on the same machine so he can compare with the October scan done on that machine. He said to keep my chemo schedule the same until he sees the new scans. I will see him the next day for results and chemo. So, another week of waiting but I can handle that. This will be a good week as my son and DIL will be bringing a baby girl into the world. They are inducing her on Wednesday if she hasn't gone into labor by then. I remember praying that i would get to see this son turn 16 and now he's 35. Have I been lucky or what????
Onc thinks my chest pain might have been indigestion and has given me a prescription for that. I don't think I've ever had indigestion before but there's always a first time.
I have never experienced the facial numbness. Have been lucky with SE's so far. The main SE with gemzar is fatigue and constipation. Taxotere: fatigue, neuropathy, constipatiaon, nails turning yucky, and food tasting yucky.0 -
Glenna, That does make sense having it done on the same machine....I forgot how that can make a difference and my onco once told me if was best if I always go to the same facility. I have been on acid reflux medicines for a long time now....lst protonics and then I moved on to nexium. Before chemo I had a cast iron stomach and could eat anything. I was thinking I was having little heart attacks and found out acid reflux can give you that feeling. I am sure you are looking forward to the baby.....now your goal can be seeing her reach 16.
I have had numbness from chemo in my extremitites, but never my face. Karen, is it osteonecrosis or actual cancer in your jaw? I am sure that is annoying.
Thanks for all your congrats, ladies. I am seeing the onco on Wed. and will see what he has to say. He is always saying how I should not base too much on the numbers, yet he continues to do the test and I am sure he will be happy they are going down also.
0 -
Glenna
Hope all goes well for your son and DIL on Wednesday. What a great occasion to look forward to! Sorry you have to wait for scans (sigh). Is your son local to you?
Laurie x
0
