Chemotherapy for Stage IV
Comments
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Terry, I never had a transfusion, but I've received several treatments of Arenesp. It's a drug that helps rebuild your RBC's. Several people have posted that they felt a lot better after getting a transfusion.
I feel sure my RBC's are down, so if I'm not feeling better tomorrow I'm going to call my onc and see about getting some bloodwork done.
I'm glad your grandkids are there with you.
Jan
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Terry,
So glad you have family living with you. I can't imagine going through something like this on your own. hugs to you!0 -
Thanks so much ya'll..Jan, I would def go get some blood work done just to make sure. And I sure hope this helps.. Glenna, I have always loved your saying about birthdays..so very true!! I am so Blessed to have my grandkids with me. I am thinking about going home to Texas but not doing anything def for a few months. I will let you know how the transfusion goes. They said it takes about 5 hours..ugh..glad I have my laptop! Have a beautiful evening!
Terry
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I've never had a transfusion but have heard that it's like an instant fix! Good luck!!
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I've never had a blood transfusion but have been getting treatment with people getting transfusions. The nurses always assure them they will feel a lot less tired after. It is a very slow drip, so it is a long appointment.
There is a lot going on here on this thread and my heart goes out to everyone. I'm trying to get familiar with all of your names and situations, but chemo brain kicks in.
My feet stopped hurting after a week of pain. Had CT scan yesterday of the abdomen and pelvis to make sure there is nothing pressing on a nerve in the spine. I go Monday to onc. Not sure if he will resume the Gemzar which he cancelled this week. Onc also mentioned thyroid problems causing foot pain. I do have hypothyroidism, but have been on the same dose for years and have never had out of range TSH levels. At least checking that is only a blood test.
I hope everyone has a good weekend and the goal to be NED arrives for each of us soon.
Jean
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Jean..My feet do bother me but not too much anymore..I am sure I have neuropothy. Prayers on your scans..Let us know.
Terry
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I'm so happy to report that the scan showed no new issues. I was able to get on with Gemzar yesterday. My veins are becoming "fragile," as the nurse put it. They made an appointment for me to go to the surgeon's office on Thursday to talk about a port. I had a port way back at my first diagnosis, but had it removed not knowing the disease was going to come back after nine years of remission. After four IV sticks yesterday, the nurse felt a port would be much better than going through that. I did learn that I have a spot in my femur that I didn't know about. That was something new for me to know, but not new to onc. All in all, it was a good visit. My feet feel much better too. I am curious to see if the pain in my feet comes back after yesterday's Gemzar. The plan is to do a couple more months of Gemzar and watch the skin mets and tumor marker.
I hope we all have a good week ...... blessings to all.
Jean
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That's great, Jean. I think getting a port is wise. I've had mine since my 2nd Navelbine treatment and don't even notice it's there. Hope the Gemzar continues to work for you.
Jan
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Sorry about the port thing....I put it off so long and I had to, the Gemzar destroyed my veins and now there is virtually no veins in my left arm that are usable, cept for a small one in my hand...
Sandy
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Terry - Just BIG HUGS!! My dh and I will celebrate our 20th this year. Hardest part for me...so far...has been losing my mom on the day I was diagnosed. Her birthday is 1-12. She wud have been 83. She had been living with us for 3+ years prior to her passing. There just are not any words of comfort...so I pray...and like Glenna (HI Glenna)...count every day as a birthday!!
Glenna - you are so very wise...thank you!
For others....I just can't imagine NOT having a port. I still go for Herceptin every 3 weeks...I watch the chemo nurses 'take turns' trying to find an IV vein in other pts. I watch them cry...the pt and the nurses. When I leave...I hug them. And still...it's sooo frustrating...I can't do anything for them...so I sit in my car and say a prayer. Then I thank Him for EVERY minute and every breath!
Love, prayers, & positive healing energy...ALWAYS,
Sue
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Thank you so much Sue..My mom's birthday is 1-22 and she's been gone since 99 and she lived with us the last year of her life. I wouldn't trade that time for anything. I also cannot imagine doing this without a port. I hate needles. I got my platelet transfusion Friday and it raised counts up to 69. So this weekend I ate alot of fruits and vegetables (I hardly ever do that) and it got my counts up to 179 yesterday. So I get to get chemo tomo. What a strange way to live..wanting to get chemo done..lol! Hoping it does not lower my counts again. Praying the chemo works for all of us!!
Hugs!
Terry
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Anticipatory nausea - anyone else heard of it? I have been so sick this past week and the week before wasn't a whole lot better. I lost 5 pounds in the two weeks because nothing tasted good and I've been puking on a regular basis. Now, go figure, I had DD AC/T in the summer of 2011 and never once puked. So this has been no fun. When I met with my PA today and talked about what's going on, he suggested it was anticipatory nausea. I don't care what you call it, I needed relief. I'm doing weekly carbo and I was told it would be easy. Liar, liar pants on fire
They were giving me Zofran and a little decadron as a pre-med, with compazine for breakthrough. And the compazine clearly didn't work. So today I got IV Aloxi, a scopolamine patch, and a little decadron. This better work - I am getting on a jet plane tomorrow at 6 a.m. and I plan to have fun in Florida. Puking is not on the agenda!!!Terry - isn't it amazing how you get to see exactly how diet influences your blood counts? Mine were really good in spite of losing the weight - I guess the couple things that tasted good (a small steak, baked sweet potato, caesar salad, a piece of fried chicken and mashed potatoes, and a couple of Greek yogurt smoothies saved the day.
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Jean - that is good news
. Good Luck today regarding the port issue. ((Jean))Terry - yep....wudn't trade those years either! Glad the fruits and veggies got your counts up. Good luck with the rest of your treatment ((Terry))
Michelle - I had Taxo/Carbo/Herc...it was not easy. I had many of the pre-meds for nausea...and still took compazine pills. The 1st 2 or 3 treatments weren't bad, so I took a trip to OR...big mistake...Later they tell me...it accumulates in my system so the se's get worse and last longer with each tx. UGH! But, I made it thru. I hope the latest meds work so that you can enjoy your time in FL ((Michelle))
Lots of love, prayers, and healing energy to all!
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Hi ,
In my case bc is met to ovary. both surgeries are done and now I am on chemo ( AC) first cycle is over. Any one with similar diagnosys. Let me know pls
thanks
SS
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You are so right Sue..And Luv I hope so much that the new meds work great and I know you will enjoy your trip in spite of everything. Someone told me the juice from canned peaches, but who knows I have never tried it..lol
SS..No mets to the ovaries but I am sure someone will jump in that has them..Hoping it is easy on you!
Hugs
Terry0 -
Thanks tlangston ,
I am new to this ...actually my two tumors from ovary ( left and right )were of considerable size and docs called them as krukenberg tumors. They told it is very rare.
thnks
ss
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Sangeetasahni, my bc mets to my ovary and fussed the bladder to it. The onc and surgeon feel that surgery would be to invasive so I just did chemo to shrink it (it did) and now am on herceptin and perjeta. I have had one stable scan since the chemo ended so that's a plus for me. At this point we're just watching to see if it all holds stable or begins progressing again. ~LORI~
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Hi all,
I'm in Houston this week helping my BFF through a chemo treatment. She was diagnosed last fall with stage III colon cancer. Damn, it's hard watching someone you love go through this crap. I get home Monday and start my 2nd cycle of taxol on Wednesday. Have a lot of friend things going on before Wednesday! Sort of glad DH will be out of town!
@ ss - never heard of krukenberg tumors. Hope that AC kicks 'em to the curb! Hate to welcome you here but I know you'll be glad you found us! I can't imagine why it took me so long to find BCO.
Lori - hurrah for stable! Always good to hear positive news!
Mema Sue - you are an inspiration. You are so faithful in posting!
LuvRVing - any kind of nausea is bad .... Hope they get it under control for you. Knock on wood, I've been very lucky in that area. I go back and forth between the big C and the big D and can't prepare because I never know what it's going to be!
Padiddle - you will love having a port .... I can't imagine having chemo without it! I have never had a problem though I know there are some who have.
Terry, think about you often and hope you are getting along okay.
Hugs to all of my chemo sisters .... We have a common goal .... To keep on living, one day at a time (and they all happen to be birthdays!)0 -
New to this site & so glad to have found you! Padiddle, I had my port taken out 2 years ago...such a happy day. I had diep flap recon in June and have beautiful new breasts..that now share space with a new port. Oh well...I figure it's sort of a lifeline now
I'll be thinking about you & hoping a new port makes txt a bit better.JCB51..I had my first navelbine yesterday, along with herceptin. They're adding perjeta (sp) once insurance approves it..which they've agreed to do. I was supposed to have Xeloda too, but insurance said no, that it's not proven in enough studies to be added to navelbine...that was a hard pill to (not) swallow. But onc is ok with it. I had a reaction to the herceptin, since they didn't give me pre-meds. They said since I'd had a year of it, my body would recognize it - it did, and didn't like it. But it all worked out after benadyl and an even slower drip. Can you tell me what mets you have? I have liver...varying reports say navelbine is the way to go...just wondering.
Blessings to all for sharing...not once in the 3 1/2 years since my first diagnosis did I even consider mets. Wondering what I could have done differently....praying God's plan keeps me here a lot longer!!!
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Glenna - this disease, any C disease is a Rat Bastard!! I am so sorry to hear this about your BFF, but how incredibly sweet of you to go all the way to TX to help her thru it. Talk about inspiration...you Rock!! Praying not too many se's with your 2nd Taxol.
SS - sorry you have to be here, but this is a good site and you may search and find other threads where the ovaries were involved. There is soooo much information and help on BCO. Good news is the docs got the tumors, now chemo. You will get thru it. Feel free, always, to share your experiences as others will with you. ((SS))
Ronnie - Ditto to you for having to be here.
My mets are bone, but I have seen others with liver mets, and again, I think there may be a thread for this also. Made me smile tho...that you got some pretty titties!!Lori - good news on a stable scan. How long before your next one?
Luv - Just read about Apple...I am sooo sorry. She is at peace now and with our other Sister Angels. (((luv)))
Love, Prayers, and Positive Healing energy to all always...and extra for Apple's family and friends,
Sue
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Welcome new ladies and glad you found this thread. Thanks for all the good thoughts on the port. Went to all the preop appointments yesterday and port will go in (bright and early 6:30 a.m.) Monday morning. The general surgeon was very nice and made me feel comfortable.
Glenna: My youngest son was dx with cancer in 2005 and it was harder for me to see him go through treatment than it was for me getting through my first treatment, so I know what you mean about watching someone you love get through. I've been on both sides now.
I've not had ovary mets, so I can't help there.
Ronnie: I don't know if there is anything any of us could have done different. It would be nice if they could actually discover the answer to that.
I wanted to share that in November, I became a grandmother for the first time. Oh how I enjoy holding my grandson and seeing his smile. My husband calls him "our medicine." He is 8 weeks old now. His name is Cooper. Just a peaceful, joyful milestone I wanted to share with all of you.
Enjoy the weekend everyone. Thank you for all the encouragement here. May you be encouraged too. Jean
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Jean - How wonderful about your Cooper. Grandkids are 'super medicine'...Congratulations! So happy to hear the surgeon put your mind at ease about the port. Will be thinking about you early Monday morn...in the meantime...enjoy your weekend and that precious Cooper!
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Oh Jean...Being Grandma is the best job in the world...truly super medicine
I know Cooper is the love of your life. Hoping they live close to you so you get lots of snuggle time! Will be sending hugs & prayers to you Monday...really early PST!!!Glenna...an amazing friend you are! Quite a whirlwind you're on...will think of you Wed at treatment. Hopefully you'll get some rest.
Mema...you made me smile!
Happy Weekend to all!
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Just catching up. I noticed a couple weeks ago my far, left upper chest swelling. Showed onc yesterday and he sent me for immediate CAT scan. Waiting on those results.
Port went in last Monday (right side). It was so nice to not get poked yesterday for chemo. Had the stitches out today and am healing beautiful. The CAT scan dye was injected through the port too which was nice.
I don't know what to think about this swelling, but I do hate waiting for results.
I hope everyone is coping well and hanging in there. Even though I read a lot and not so much posting, I feel the support and love.
Jean
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Praying for you Jean...glad the port went well & that it got right to business with the scan.
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Hi Ladies,
I post mainly over on the Stage 4 Board sometimes forgetting there are other boards of interest too! (Good old chemo brain). in reading through some of the recent posts here I just wanted to tell Terry how very sorry I am that she lost her husband last month. What a terrible shock and just at the most awful time, when she is so ill herself. My DH is also my rock and I swear I don't have a clue what I would do if he were now taken suddenly from me. I am praying for you Terry. That you will be given the strength to carry on as he would want you to be able to do.
Padiddle: As I was reading thru your posts I was thinking, YES! GET THE PORT!! Now see that you did just that. I am so glad you did. they save you so MUCH pain and aggravation. I have had mine for almost three years and it works like a champ. I insist they use it for far more than just chemo too. Like the cat scan dye etc. It is a wonderful invention. god bless whoever came up with it. I have seen so many times when getting chemo people being repeatedly stuck, with both the patient and nurses all upset. And I think WHY? WHY put yourself thru that if you don't have to? I feel so bad for them. I remember once here on the board someone saying that by the time she finally was going to get a port because her veins were so shot, her general health was so poor they could not install one. Very sad.
Sorry to hear about your swelling in left chest area. hope the Cat Scan indicates no serious problem there. Please let us know.
Glenna: What a great friend you are to travel all that way to be there for your friend for her chemo treatment. Now that is love.
LuvRving: Hope you are having a wonderful time in the Sunshine state! I love Florida. hope there is no anticipatory (or otherwise nausea). No nausea is allowed on vacation!
There are many of you who struck me with your stories and all you are going through. this is just a few. What a brave bunch we are!
Just had second treatment of Abraxane yesterday. Still ok as high on the damn Decadron, slept 2 hrs last night, but neither am I sick so I am not complaining. First treatment on 12/26 I got a bad urinary tract infection that hit just when the white blood cells were crashing and I had nothing to fight the infection with. being stupid and stubborn, kept thinking it was just a bad reaction to the drug and I had to just "tough it out". Finally my DH and onc convinced me to go to the E.R. I spent a week in the hospital since white blood cells were at 1 and the infection was BAD. Lots of IV antibiotics later and fluids for dehydration etc I came home. I was really scared to try treatment number two after that first experience but my onc convinced me it was all worse due to the infection and we should give it another go. So here we are. Anyone else here on Abraxane? how is it going for you?
Take care everyone.0 -
A question about what i've just read about the ports. I was told that no one other than the chemo nurses were able to access my port. In the event of an emergency someone may actually have to access it but, for my test/labs those persons would not be allowed. Is this strange to anyone or it it like many other things in the medical field.............subject to everyones own personal preferance?
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Lori, I don't know if it's chemo nurses speficially or nurses in general who have to access ports--because of training or being able to troubleshoot if accessed incorrectly. I've run into that several times when I've needed blood drawn or an injection and I've mentioned I have a port and the techs say they'd have to get a nurse to access it so they'd draw from my arm instead. It makes sense because the port access can be such a production.
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Hey everyone,
Glad to see some activity on this thread. Congrats on the grandson. Love the name cooper. Cuddle time with grand babies is the best. My youngest GD turns a year on the 25th. Would love to be in Houston this week .... It's really frigid in Maryland. BFF called Monday yo tell me she has a 1cm no mass on her left breast. Pet scan two months ago did not pick it up. Falling asleep as I write. Will be ack tomorrow. Chemo day!0 -
Glenna...sending you No SE vibes for chemo today! I'm so sorry to hear of BFF's finding a mass
Sounds like it came quickly...maybe that means it will leave quickly-hope eternal! Our GD turned 5 on the 7th. Her family was here visiting from California (came when I got diagnosed) and I have a little box that says Grandmother, a gift from a friend when she was born. She took it off the shelf and cut little 1/2 x 1 " strips that say Love Josie, and put them in the box. She said when I open it I can think of her. Oh My!!! PS..I love Storypeople too!About ports...my blood draw people (in the lab) are the ones that do my accessing, not my chemo nurses. There's always some sort of blood test beforehand and that's probably why. I would imagine if I was somewhere outside of my treatment facility, they might not use the port. They have to be so careful, germ wise, that I don't think I'd want anyone else to use it. Talking about the "founders" of the ports, Dr. Hickman, founder of the Hickman port, worked at my treatment center. They all talk about his 3-4 retirements. I think the final one was when he was in his late 80s. They loved him. I'm glad to hear your port's doing well 3 years later Judie...guess ours will be in for a good long time & I'm counting on it!
Hope and prayers for all of us, always!
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