Calling all TNs
Comments
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hi simplelife4! What was the outcome of your biopsy? I hope all is well with you.
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Sally, my biopsy confirmed fat necrosis! I was thrilled!
CanuckMom, what was the result of your circulating tumor test? Did your MO order it? I'd be really interested in knowing what mine is (I think).
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Simple, congrats on your biopsy! I was relieved to year it was nothing to worry about! I did the test but have not received the results as it was send to a lab in Germany. This was about a month ago. I will let you know when I find out. I know they had some problems with customs so I think it got delayed.
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Today is my one year Cancerversary. It was one year ago today I was diagnosed with the beast, and thanks to great care by my doctors and prayers from friends and family, I am happy to be NED. Its a great day! love you all Meadow
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Yay, Meadow!!0 -
Congratulations Meadow! I never realized how close our cancerversaries are. I was diagnosed on Aug. 1, 2013. It's been a tough year, but, hopefully things will only get better for both of us.....and everyone else here!
Hugs,
Kay
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My wife's Onc would not prescribe Metformin. He said something about having to respect that it's still in clinical trials (I guess it's an Oncologist thing) but also gave sort of a <wink wink> that he'd be OK with it if her PCP prescribed it. He did, and she has been on 850mg twice a day for a few months now. Her Onc, however, has announced that he is moving out of state, so she will have a new Onc for her next 3 month appointment in September. "Word on the street" has it that the new Onc will prescribe Metformin. We'll see I guess.
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Huge congratulations, Meadow!!! I am so happy to read this! Hope you're doing something to celebrate.
My onc wouldn't prescribe Metformin either. She said there's not enough data and felt it could be detrimental to my insulin levels. I'm going to revisit it with her but will try and get it from my PCP if necessary.
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Congrats, Meadow!!
I will be two years out on August 21...
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I have heard that there is an Oncologist somewhere in the USA who announced that she has never had cancer OR diabetes, but takes Metformin strictly as a preventative measure.
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Thank you thank you all for the support!
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Congrats Meadow and Placid44! Way to go! It's so encouraging to hear good news.
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That article is interesting but I get tired of reading things that always say "patients with this form of disease tend to have worse outcomes". I mean sure we TN girl's know that but for some reason reading it in articles is frustrating to me! I'm not frustrated that you posted it Stupidboob, so please don't think that.
So happy for you Meadow and Placid!!!! WooHoo!!!!
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thanks for the link simple and so happy to know it was fat necrosis.
the link mentions that TNBC and Bladder cancer are biologically similar.. and both have bad prognosis.
Stupid..just saw the video link you sent across. The doc mentions a figure like 12 million people get diagnosed every year with cancer and 8 million die!! is it true..!!!
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Hey gals,
I'm doing chemo now. Did 4 rounds DD A/C and handled it like a champ. I was really looking forward to Taxol b/c I had heard it was much easier....not so for me!
A few ladies in my June chemo group here on bco are having the same issue....so much pain! I feel like I have terrible arthritis when the pain isn't so bad and like I'm giving birth or going through kidney failure (depending on where the pain is at the time) when the pain is bad.
I figured I'd ask for advice here because so many of you have already been through chemo.
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For those who are having trouble with Taxol, my Onc treated me with weekly Abraxane instead of Taxol because it is supposedly easier on the body. It's in the same family as Taxol. It may be worth mentioning to your Onc. I was supposed to have DD Taxol, but I got C Diff after my last A/C treatment which was horrible. I got it from taking Bactrim, so my Onc decided to do the Abraxane instead of Taxol. At first he was going to try weekly Taxol but then decided on the Abraxane. I ended up having a C Diff relapse even though he switched, BUT the side effects from Abraxane were very minor. I was just tired mostly, but that could've been from the toll my body took from the C Diff.
I'm not sure if you can switch from Taxol to Abaxane, just thought I'd mention it. Hang in there!
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Radical, I am going to be doing weekly taxol...the side effects are supposed to be lesser than dd with the same results. If not abraxane, could you ask for the weekly dose?
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Radical I know how you feel taking Taxol. I had an allergic reaction on the very first two minutes of it. With the help of Diazepam they finally managed to get it in to me but oh the problems. Terrible lumps and bumps on my hands and lower arms that itched all day and all night and nothing took the itch away. Along with that I had three numb fingers on that hand (breast cancer side) that I just could not type with and still can't. Horrible feelings in my toes which felt like someone was sticking a pin in me all the time and watery eyes and no taste and smell which still hasn't come back and my left eye waters all the time. As bad as AC was at least I knew I would feel better after four days and had just over two weeks of feeling better. I just could not take Taxol ever again. I only managed 7 out of the 12 infusions. So never again. Hope you feel better soon and manage to get on top of it.
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Radical - I'll write more when I can but wanted to tell you, Taxol created SO much pain for me!!! Ribs, spine, shoulder blades, lower back and ALL joints. My lower back is the worst. I am so stiff. I was thinking the worst until I found that lots of other people get bad pain with Taxol. Hang in there and sending you gentle hugs.
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totally agree that Taxol is terrible - hated every minute of it! It is a nasty drug - I had my dosage reduced significantly because of the horrible side effects! Good luck!
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well, I do feel better knowing I am not the only one to seriously hate this drug! I guess I feel let down because everyone said it would be so much easier than AC...why am I still surprised that nothing goes as planned? Lol
I'm going to send my oncologist an e-mail depicting the entire lovely week that I've had and mention the possibility of a weekly dose or alternate drug...this is not something I want to experience again and this way, he'll have a week to think about what he can do for me.
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Hello all,
I just want to clarify for others who will be starting Taxol soon...... not everyone has the experience that the recent posters have had. I had 12 Taxol treatments (once a week for 12 wks) with NO side effects to speak of! The most difficult part was trying to line up rides to treatment, since they give you Benadryl along with the Taxol, and I didn't want to risk driving home drowsy. The compressed/shorter regimen (higher dose every 2 wks for 4 weeks) is associated with more allergy-related reactions, musculoskeletal pain and neuropathy, according to various articles that you can Google, vs the weekly lower dose for 12 wks. (One article that you can google is titled "Strong Case for Weekly Taxol in Breast Cancer").
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I did get an answer from my oncologist. He assured me the roving body pain usually gets better with each treatment and there were pain meds for that. He was more concerned about the pain in my nail beds. He said we would have to monitor that closely as it could indicate the beginning of neuropathy. He said we'd discuss options at my next appointment.
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Dr. Susan Love's most recent news letter had a really interesting article about what they are discovering about the mutations in breast cancer cells....it's particularly important what is going on in TNBC cells. I thought I would pass along the article.
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thanks kayak
I start taxol in 3 weeks. I was "looking forward to it" but have been terrified lately!
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Any ladies that had lumpectomies and then chemo and rads care to elaborate on if the affected breast is still tender and if so, how far out from rads are you?I will be one year out on Oct 4 and the affected breast is still very tender!
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Hey Island mamma,
I'm still sure those of us you've seen on our chemo thread are in the minority on the Taxol issues! We're the squeaky wheels! If you have no complaints, you don't have as much to write! You'll be fine!
Wishing you an experience like Kayack2 above!
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Simplelife,
I like to be aware of new research, favorable or not. Thanks for sending.
I'm a little concerned because I had a partial response to chemo. It shrank 77 percent and went from a ki67 of 70 to 17. But if the slower growing, better-supported cells metastacize (not just the fast-growing ones), then I am not as well off as I thought.
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I had one taxol - when onc switched me due to severe neuropathy right out of the gate, then three taxotere doses. I suffered greatly through both and hated each of them with a passion. My bone and muscle pain was so severe, I had to be put on pain pills, which I couldn't take as I was still working full time. Just reading your posts on taxol and taxotere takes me right back there to a time I will never forget. God speed, and may your journey be as easy as possible. I did live through it all and now am glad I stuck it out as I so often threatened to quit!
Edited to add to those who have not yet began their taxol or taxotere - please know that it effects everyone differently. I know so many gals that had no trouble with it at all .
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