Chemotherapy for Stage IV
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Jib, yes I did faint. Dizzy, woozy and it got worse as my TCH tx progressed. I was told it is all cumulative, you may kno this already. But I didn't in the beginning, I thot I wud breeze thru it but after like the 3rd dose, all bets were off. I was alone when I passed out. I came to on my own, didn't hurt myself in the fall, was more like I sunk. Anyway, after that, my husband n kids made sure I was not alone for at least 10 days after a tx. So, if you are not on your 3rd or 4th treatment, then YES, call it in to your docs. Stay strong, you can get thru this...sending love, healing positive thoughts and tons of prayers your way!
Sue
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Jlb,
Scary stuff .... I never had that wooziness from taxotere but we're all different. I was only on for 6 months when my Onc took me off because of severe neuropathy and foot pain (which is better now). You should definitely call about this. And make sure you're not alone!!0 -
I slept all day hoping things would return to normal... No dice. Just ventured 20 ft and wooziness returned. Cancer clinic closed on weekends so now my best (ugh) option is to schlep to emerg and sit around there all day to be seen tomorrow. Just had my second Taxotere july 25.
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jibb, How is your BP....low BP can cause you to get dizzy and faint.
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Any ER+ PR+ HER- girls take FEC-100 Chemo and have been successful?
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Hello Ladies, I haven't been on here in quite some time but, have done a bit of reading to catch up. There are so many different meds and treatments it gets confusing sometimes. Five years ago I did AC and then Taxol/Herceptin. In March when they found it mets on my ovary/bladder and acities fluid in the abdomen/lungs, it was Taxol/herceptin/cobalplatin. Just finished that 2 weeks ago and now it will be Herceptin/Zomeda X3 weeks and my onc is trying to get the Perjeta approved also. I read that bone mets is controled pretty well..............how about internal organs?
@Lilylady, the problems you seem to describe makes me wonder if Perjeta will be approved for me. Guess i'll have to wait and see.
Bone scan and CT scheduled for the 10th so we'll see how much "the mass" has shrunk. I do know that my CA level was 30.
@Marybe, you've mentioned different # when it comes to your ECHOS. Can you explain those to me please. I am due to have another one soon and just wonder what I should be looking for.
Thank you all for the info you share
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Lori, What they have been checking on my is my EF....ejection fraction....when I started out it was 70...then it dropped to 60 and this last time we checked it, they said between 45 - 50. I don't think I am in any real danger yet...think if it goes below 45, they are going to be more worried than they are now and will say quit the adriamycin. What it is showing is that the chemo has done some damage to my heart....the muscle that pumps I believe, but don't quote me on that.
Re the Adriamycin.....I got the results of my scans on Friday....the tumors have shrunk and I hate to sound ungrateful, but I was really disappointed that they did not shrink more given the huge drops my tumor markers had made. The tumor that used to be 7.9 X 5.7cm is now 6.5 X 4.2cm and another one which was 2.1 X 2.0 is now 1.5 X 1.6 cm and it said there are other perviously seen low attenuation lesions which show similar reduction in size. There are no new hepatic lesions. I know this is all good, but I guess I was expecting too much....like a miracle perhaps...wanted them to tell me that most of the tumors were gone, and that the ones left were so small I could go have RFA or chemo embolization or something to blast them out of there. I know I should be grateful and I am, but I am also disappointed.
BP is running closer to normal now...100/59 tonight.....so I am hoping that after doing the two coreg a day for another week, we might be able to add the lisinopril without it going super low again. I am not sure what onco will say tomorrow....if we stay on the Adriamycin or move on to doxil.
GP gave me something for the sore throat, Nycin, which has helped a lot and I am now done with the Cipro for the UTI so hopefully both throat and yeast infection will clear up. Mouth is full of canker sores today which is really odd since I never even got those from any of the chemos I did. Also my ears are both clogged up....don't know what is going on there. Maybe I am just falling apart at the seams.
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Hey all-just spent 3 1/2 days in the hospital for unexplained low BP and high fevers. They ran every kind of test possible-no infections-so they finally decided chemo was making me sick( imagine that). That means I have been sick for almost 12 days after the treatment. So Jib I think my Taxotere was making me messed up
Today I feel totally normal. How can you deal with crap that always leaves you guessing?
Marybe-what was your activity levels on your tumors? My guys says that is way more important than the size? Did they give you that?
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It's been six weeks since I last got chemo. Went to a wedding and got sick. Did bactrim, then cipro but am still congested and coughing. I'm starting to get nervous about this. Is there anything else I can do toget better?
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Doesn't that just tick you? I mean its great that nothing came up seriously wrong, but im sure you would have rather been doing somethng else
I decided to avoid the hospital and the battery of tests and just assumed it was the Taxotere. Did a ton of sleeping and generally lolling around. No more fainting at least.
Thought I would suggest something re) canker sores. I have had canker sores off and on my whole life. Then Every treatment of AC I got a canker sore, which would just barely go away before i got another one. I read that toothpaste that has Sodium laurel sulphate in it can cause the sores. It wasn't easy finding one that didn't have it in it, (check out the "natural" ones) but two treatments of Taxotere later and no canker sores. It was sure worth it to switch!0 -
Lily, what do you mean "what were the activity levels of the tumors"? I've never heard of that.
33skidoo along with the antibiotics, have they used prednisone (steroids) to help clear up the congestion or breathing treatments? My brother has COPD and this is what they do for him when he gets an infection. Was this treatment through oncologist or PCP ?
Finished my 9th Abraxane today - scans scheduled for Thurs., the 16th
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Marybe..sorry you're disappointed but so happy you have shrinkage..And I understand about falling apart at the seams..lol..me too!!
Prayers and Hugs!!
Terry
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Marybe, thinking of you and the oncology visit today.. Know you were disappointed and was hoping for better results. Anxious to know what is suggested at today's visit.
Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you - Hugs.
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I am getting another echo and that will determine if I have to stop the Adriamycin and if we do then we move on to Doxil. I felt better after talking to the onco....he was very pleased, said if you look at a graf and figure it %age wise, it is a significant change and this is the lst time we are seeing the corelation with the drop in numbers with the actual visual of the tumors. He said the tumors are spherical and was showing me a circle he made with his fingers and how much the change would have been and then he was figuring in his head and mumbling numbers like three, four and said it was in the 40% , almost a 50% change.....sooooo that made me feel much better. There is even a spring in my normal step today and tomorrow I see the podiatrist so I may even be skipping after that.
Oh when he looked in my mouth, onco said my tongue is starting to coat, so it's most likely thrush....the nyacin is helping a lot and I use kenolog in orabase on canker sores which I used to get all the time....but thanks for the info Jibb. Is the toothpase Thoms?
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Naniam-the activity level comes when you get a PET. Tumors are scored from 1 to 20 based on how bright they are on the scans. 1 being nothing and 20 being you are in deep shit!!! My doc says they are not tumor level unless they read at least 4. So when they say I have a 2.3cm tumor in a lymph node but the activity level is only 3-that means it is probbably cancer but not actively doing anything.
My recent scan in July had some of my activity levels going from 4 or 5 to as high as 13. To him that says everything is blowing up. Most of mine have been humming along at a low level for quite a while til this time. And before it might be just a small uptick in size and activity but this time every single thing grew plus new stuff plus bad activity scores. Every tumor gets graded. My hottest one is on a tracheal lymph node which makes me nuts. He keeps saying the organ tumors are way more to worry about but trachea says to me---talking, eating, breathing ect!!! He is picky about who reads my scans also. it takes many years of experience to distinguish the difference say between a 6 or a 9. They have to be tested yearly against a standard. It takes a long time to be that kind of doctor.
If you have any copies of previous scans you will see those scores listed right along with the sizes. Sorry if I went on too long but you asked...
BooHoo. Hair is definitely going. Guess i will get the clippers out tonight and think about it. I might last another day or so but it is getting kind of gross. Still looks OK but I see it blowing by me as I worked in the garden today.
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Well, I got chemo (Abraxane) today despite continued chest congestion. My fever is gone and the crud I cough up is no longer green. Bloodwork was close to normal. Last week's scans show continued regression of lung mets despite the 6 week hiatus on chemo. Bone mets are stable. Guess it's still working. Feeling better about stuff in general. Hubby was really freaked out about the length and severity of that cold.
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Lily, thank you for explaining that to me - had never heard that. Wasn't to long for me and appreciate your taking the time to explain it to me. Have had only one PET but honestly, I don't think there were activity levels listed. I'll look tomorrow as now I am curious.
Marybe, learned something new in your post too -the way the oncologist explained how they measured the shrinkage. Glad that you are very pleased and have a spring in your step.
33skidoo, glad your counts were good, you got the Abraxane and the scans showed both regression and stable. How long have you been on the Abraxane.
Sorry, I know I ask lots of questions but some of this stuff I've never heard. I appreciate all of you taking time to explain things.
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Lilylady, So sorry to read your post. Sounds like you have a fantastic doc. Hope he comes up with a good chemo for this new development.
Marybe, I'm using that horrible nya something mouthwash right now. Gosh, it is horrible! Doesn't help an upset stomach one little bit
What toothpaste? Is it good for thrush?Naniam, Did you get your scan results? Hope the abraxane did some good for you.
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Soleil, Jibb was taling about toothpastes with no additives and I know Thoms makes one. I can find out others if you want....I am a dental hygienist you know. The Nystatin has helped me a lot....or maybe it was finished the Cipro. The stuff I have doesn't taste bad....it is yellowish color opaque like substance and I just use a capful...swish and swallow....it yours the same? Or are you using that miracle mix the pharmacist makes that sort of numbs the throat?
I don't get Pet scans and don't think they mentioned the tumor activity when I did have one, but will go back and look. I did have a MRI last Dec, but it was of my back....however that was when it mentioned that the liver had tumors too mutiple and I immediately called the onco's office and said I am READY....want to start Adriamycin ASAP.
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Hello every one i use acidophiles 1 cap broken open and put on my tongue for thrush hope this helps i feel weird today started back on x and day after 2 treatments of cyber should i expect less
love and blessings
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Someone else told me eat yogurt....that is because of acidophiles, I'm might try that.
I was sent home today, no chemo, blood counts too low. No wonder I've been feeling so tired!
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Hi my chemo buddies,
I've been away for a few days and have enjoyed catching up with you all. Gosh, I learned a lot. I'm going back over my PET scans and look at those activity levels. Thanks for educating me, Lilylady. Sorry you had to spend time in the hospital. Never pleasant! And Marybe, same goes for the tumor measurements and looking at percentages. That is a much more positive way of looking at things. I feel much better now when I read the CT report I received today! My ejection fraction was 55% when they did an echo before I started doxil a couple months ago. I have another echo tomorrow so am a little nervous about what it will be. Meanwhile, my onc tells me my first echo was fine. He's always a bit optimistic, which I love in him, but I have to be a little more realistic. Lori, good luck with your scans on Friday. Skiddoo, sounds like things are going well for you! Great news. Naniam, scanxiety time begins. I'm sure the 16th won't come soon enough for you. Are you hoping to continue on the abraxane?
I had two really great days before chemo and decadron today (yes, that's why I'm up at 5 in the morning .... no sleep at all last night). Took my grandson to Busch Gardens and Water Country in Williamsburg. He turned 8 on Sunday so the trip was my birthday present to him. We had such a good time. We rode every roller coaster he was tall enough to ride and I was thankful he wasn't tall enough for two of them. LOL. Did get some blisters on my feet from so much walking and onc is concerned about possible infection so I have to watch that carefully. Doxil can do a number on the feet.
Sorry I've rambled on. Hope I didn't miss anyone. Happy Thursday to all!0 -
MaryB - sooooo happy for you....happy dance, even with my bad feets!
LilyLady - Big Hugz (((Lily))) and lots of prayers too!
Glenna - HI!!! good to hear from you again. Glad you are hanging in there. Sounds like a great time with your gson. Mine jes turned 6. I would love to do the rides with him someday...he has such an infectious laugh...hmmm...think I'll put that on my bucket list too.
Soliel - (((Sol))) to you too...hope your counts go up soonliest!!
To all the rest of you beautiful ladies....sending love, healing energy and lots of prayers!!!
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For those of you who haven't heard...it is with heavy heart that I tell you...Reesie (Marie) passed away yesterday.May you rest in peace. Forever an inspiration to me...God Bless!
Sue
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Reesie!!! OMG. I guess I have not been keeping up or missed that she was even doing poorly. I am so so sorry to hear this. I tell you, every time another person passes and it seems to be without a long drawn out period of being in really bad shape, it just scares the shit out of me. I think wow, is this what happens...Here today, gone tomorrow. This is just so so sad. Thank you for posting the news on here.
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I am in absolute, total shock .... Reesie, our Reesie. How can this be? Marybe, I agree, this seems so sudden and is so scary. I keep telling my kids (who worry about this stuff) that they will have plenty of time .... that we will know way ahead of time ..... but will we? I can hardly believe it. Tears tonight for another one who has left us too soon.
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Hello all,
I am new to this msg board. My MIL has stage 4 BR CA mets to liver, lung, and bone. DX was in 10/11. She declined a lot last fall, (was FTT, severe pain from bony METs to bilat hip and spine). She was radiated all last fall and winter and then hospitilzed and then rehab and sent home with a RW, and then rehabbed, started xeloda in Jan '12, until March where she got a porta cath, and had a thoracentesis, and one of the last IV chemos that does not take away your hair (I forget the name). But now, the onco thinks that there is more progression in her liver and has decided to do Docetaxel with deecadron. She is happy that she is doing 1 wk on/and 3 wks off. I just wanted to know if anyone has anything to inform me about this medication. I am just nervous for her bc she had it before in 09 after her mastectomy and i think it knocked her on her butt. This time she is getting care from the best in Boston-Dana Farber, where as before it was a small crappy community hospital...any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Gusty - I wish I could offer some advice but I did not have chemos...Am sure someone who has will respond soon. Will keep you and your MIL in my prayers (((Gusty))).
MaryB n Glenna - Shock..yes that was me. I had jes pm'd her on Fri, got a response on Sat, and she died on Sunday. WTF! She said she was tired after WBR but RO was confident she'd b up and at em another few weeks. If you didn't kno, the RB went to her brain in June I think...Started on the rads...apparently tho, she passed from a heart attack. I will be doing some research about a 'pink rose' for each donation. Heard it was done for AlaskaDeb...so I will post when I have more info. I had my goot drunk and cry last night...got a hold of myself today. Oh and Reeses daughter is doing a Komen 3 day walk in Oct, she started this b4 Sunday, but it is worth the read and donate if you want. Her name is Megan. shoot...I forget spelling of last name...let me research and I'll post properly. Muah!!
Love and prayers to everyone!!!
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Reese's Info:
Viewing will be 7-9pm Friday night and 830-930 Saturday morning at Inglesby Funeral Home on Cove Road in Pennsauken. The funeral will be at 10 am on Saturday morning at Mary Queen of All Saints Church on Camden Ave in Pennsauken, formerly known as St Cecilia's. She will be buried in Arlington Cemetery on Cove and River Road in Pennsauken. Food and drinks will follow at Delaware Gardens Fire Hall on River and Browning Road.
Her DD Megan, wrote a very profound intro on her Komen page. This is part of the link:
Megan Elizabeth Giebel http://www.the 3day.org/site/TR/2012/Philadelphia Event 2012. Anyway, if you can find her it is worth the read...I intend to donate to her team.
Nite Ladies!!
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MemaSue, I did know Reesie had done the WBR but had seen her posting so wasn't really thinking of losing her. I'm still missing Kimber, usafmom, and hate that we just don't know sometimes what happens to our friends. Will look for your post re Reesie's daughter's walk. I don't know about the pink roses thing. AlaskaDeb may have been before I joined BCO.
Gusty, I'm so sorry that your MIL is back to dealing with BC again. I did taxotere (same thing as docetaxol) last year. I was also three weeks on, one week off. I did lose my hair, had problems with lifting of toenails and fingernails, very tired, and neuropathy. All that may sound bad BUT the good news is that it kicked butt! I was NED (no evidence of disease) after just 6 months. Unfortunately, the neuropathy continued to worsen and my oncologist stopped the treatment. I was actually disappointed that he made me stop because I feel I could've tolerateld the neuropathy. He was worried about permanent damage. The SE's were tolerable for me, truthfully. Don't know how old your MIL is but I'm 61. I did end up retiring on disability because I found I was missing too much work. I usually took the week of chemo off. If I had it on Wednesday, I would be off Wed-Friday.
Hope things go well for her.0
