Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
Comments
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Awwww Schoolcounselor, so sorry it's the big C -- I hope the M of M does the trick for you and gets things moving so you can get a good night's sleep. Prayers and gentle (((hugs))))....
--Kim0 -
Team Kim----"demented monkey"...made me laugh out loud!!!!
Hang in there!0 -
OMG - SC. why on earth did they give you morphine when it is as constipating as anything - surely they could have chosen something less constipating !!! keep taking some colace or something as well as the m of m .....
Team Kim - I had no neulasta the first time and went from 7.2 to 1.1 in nadir ( neutraphils were 0.1) and back to 7.2 (neuts 5.3). at day 21 - good body !!!!
My onc never tested me again at days 8 and 10 just said since my neuts were so low ( and I had a raging toothache) to use neulasta the next times
Second cycle went from 7.2 at start to 6.5 ( neuts 4.7)
Third cycle 6.5 to 4.3 ( neuts 3.1)
One month after final infusion 5.8 (4.3)
I thought the neulasta only works on the neutraphils?? But either way I don't think it did anything for me unless my mid cycle levels avoided the nadir ??? Weird thing was I never noticed any SEs when in nadir and was so surprised at how minimal the neuts and WBCs were and yet I had no physical clue
My onc said she has seen WBCs in the region of 20000. Then the path lab freaks and thinks you have leukemia or something. So neulasta - who knows. Would have liked to have seen a mid cycle blood test WITH neulasta - and I reckon no pain no gain
Since I had minimal SEs from TC I asked onc whether that meant it was less efficient on me and she said that was a fallacy and that severity of reaction or otherwise is no indicator whatsoever that the chemo is more effective in the people who suffer the most SEs. So who knows ????
As we often say. It is all a crap shoot !!!
To give encouragement to those still in chemo. I am 8 weeks out from last treatment and 3 weeks into Tamoxifen and have just dropped my golf handicap by 4 strokes in 4 rounds !! So I am a BAD ass BANDIT and I am BACK on form. Yay !!!!!0 -
NC: Great to hear you are doing so well. We are all so anxious to get there too!!!!!
SC: I sure hope you are feeling better. So far I have avoided the big C. I have oatmeal with blueberries for breakfast everyday, which I think help "keep things moving" for me, and luckily, I have been able to get out and walk each day. I hope you feel better and better each day. Did your MO say anything about 4 vs 6 rounds? I am waiting very impatiently until my next appointment to get my oncotype results to help us decide. I am still planning on 6, so I don't get my hopes up.0 -
I am just amazed by you ladies who keep up some running and walking during chemo. I've become completely sedentary. I have too much muscle fatigue to do much more than fight through my normal day. NC - good to hear that you're back in such good form 8 weeks post-chemo. Can't wait to get to that point!
I'm day 5 of my 6th and last TC. I keep telling myself... It's my final day 5! That's what's getting me through this. I hate day 5.
FYI - I'm supposed to be starting radiation Nov. 18th - my RO is allowing me two weeks after my last chemo before we begin. I'm anxious to get it over with, so I'm happy not to wait 3 weeks or more. I guess ROs have as varied opinions as MOs do.0 -
Dear all, I had my 2nd TC yesterday. Smooth and straight forward. Simple 2 hours. Unlike my 1st, my energy drained. I turned in resting as soon as I was home. Drank so much through the day but nothing much flush out. Turning point came at 1:30a and from then every 90 minutes I woke up and got to tiolets (like clock work!) I feel much better since morning! Keep drinking and just got to flush it out! Energy level is also back. Appetite okay.
A small emotional episode yesterday. Before the tx, I had meeting with my MO. She was also very caring, kind and responsive. My dh was with me. She first asked "How am I feeling?" Opps....I broke down crying! (Now I lost my reputation of being calm and well planned since I knew her! ) I had been writing her emails about my emotional up and downs. I meant physically I am well. Blood counts all good so at least what I had been doing is on the right track. She held my hands and held me close to her and said, "Jen, focus on now. Dont worry about your work or whatever you are going to do after all treatments are over. You must work on your health! Focus on NOW and get through all the treatments" She referred me to connect with a psychiatrist appointment. I don't need any sleeping aid and any anti depressant. I just need someone to listen when I dont have to sugarcoat any of my feeling. She agreed. I love her!
So much before weekend! Hope everyone has a calm weekend! Love, Jen0 -
School: I agree w/nocompromise. Morphine adds to the constipation problem. I took Colace ahead of every surgery & Senokot-S after (laxative + stool softener), and also with some of the chemos. My hospital, infusion center & MO all said MofM was not strong enough to get things moving. That said - I hope it worked for you.0 -
Kbeee, this is one of the answers I got from my doctor friend:
Oncotype DX is a genomic test for early breast cancer in patients who are lymph node negative to see if chemotherapy is beneficial. Mammaprint is a genomic test for breast cancer patients who have up to three positive lymph nodes to see if chemotherapy would be of benefit. For example, if you were not sure you wanted chemotherapy despite the oncologist's recommendation then mammaprint testing could be done. At this point genomic testing is not indicated because the decision was made for you to receive chemotherapy.
There is no statistical information to indicate that 6 TC cycles are better than 4 TC cycles. In the past 6 TC cycles were given to younger patients. There is increased toxicity of neutropenia (low white blood cell count) and neuralgias (numbness and tingling) with 6 cycles. It is a valid question for Dr. S
Did you have a lymph node involved?0 -
running, kbee, jerigrace, THANK YOU!!! It does sound 'do able' but not pleasant. Sounds a lot like pregnancy and childbirth? Everyone reacts differently...interesting. I did buy the book cooking that was recommended, so that is checked off. Going to try to breeze through this and praying for positivity. I actually slept 7 hours last night! That is the LONGEST time since being diagnosed. AND I do have Xanax that was given to me at initial appt...so this anxiety/is even with that! I loved that Kbee said worse before and dreading and wondering about chemo than the actual event...that usually is the case and hoping mine is same.
I do NOT have a port and do NOT want one! Hoping they can get a vein as getting 4 treatments...I will drink like a camel the day before!
Another thought is that I feel as if time has stopped for me and the world keeps going, I notice Christmas things out and I would normally be enjoying that and getting ready and I am just focused on getting through each day without flipping out! I am usually in control of everything and busy and doing for everyone and now it's me 'resting' from the surgeries and now resting and eating to get healthy for chemo....just tired of being the 'patient'...can't wait to be me again...or the new me that will probably be even better
You all are great inspiration and joy and help during this annoying and awful time!0 -
neutropenia is my new word for this day, having spent 5 hours in the ER- i was there two days ago for the big C, which they promptly changed to the big D- anyway, spiked a fever, my MO Ent me over to rule out the flu, pneumonia and to check infection. I came home with antibiotics and the only reason they let me , was because couple with the antibiotics, my neutrophils count was high enough for me to leave.
This is day 11 post tx 1. I'm still going to ask him about 4vs 6.
Anyone having fun yet? Oh and the pregnancy. My 1st child was delivered at 26wks 1lb 9 oz. my 2nd I was on bed rest the full 9 months(39 wks). So while the process was scary it all worked out.
Thanks for the reminder. Say it with me. This too shall pass.,,,,0 -
Headeast, I did not have any lymph node involvement, which is why I asked my oncologist to reevaluate the 6 cycles. He had put me on that before we knew I was node negative. He is old school and wanted to be agressive due to my age, but agreed that if my oncotype is low, 4 might be more appropriate.
Neutropenia is the word of the day for me too. I do not get Neulasta shots (though I hope he will reevaluate this next round). I had to go to the ER last night due to a fever and chills, and my white count and neutrophils were extremely low, so I am in the "severe neutropenia" range, which bought me a room in the hospital for a few days until my counts come up. Boo! My temp is down today and I feel MUCH better than yesterday, but now I need to wait for my counts to come up. They have been giving me IV antibiotics and I will get Neupogen as well. This is definitely different from rounds 1 and 2 when I went for a 3 mile run on day 10! The hospital staff from ER to the floor have all been absolutely wonderful, though, so I really should not complain. I walked into the ER registration desk, and they took my name and date of birth, pulled up my info and took me straight back so I would not be in a waiting room full of sick people. I was thankful and impressed.
I hope everyone is having minimal side effects this weekend. Have a good day!0 -
Trying to catch up with everyone. Since I'm done with chemo and rads now I have been spending my time looking into hormone therapy and diet but want to remind you all it gets better. As school counselor said "this too shall pass". It helped me to realize that cancer and chemo is bigger than me. You don't have to be the person you normally are and you don't have to do this all alone. If that means you can't _______(fill in the blank, clean your house, do Christmas,work,run a mile or all of the above) then accept that.
Mellie I had the same issues with exercise as you. It would physically exhaust me during exercise and I couldn't hardly continue. That did linger about six weeks after chemo but then I started to feel more normal.
Schoolcounselor I'm so sorry you're having so much trouble with chemo. I did not have an easy time either. It would take me the 10 or12 days to get to semi normal too. Just ride it out.0 -
Well, I tried editing my last post to add to it, and it won't work, so I will write a new one.
JenSF, I hope you are feeling a bit better. I was more fatigued after round 2 and my legs felt like lead the second week, but other than that, things were similar.
Mellie, I cannot even imagine how tired I will be when I get through more rounds. I hope you feel better and better each day.
SC, I am sorry that you had to go to the ER again. These things always seem to happen over the weekend, when we can't just go in to the office for labs. I am glad you got to come home, and I hope your fever goes away...and stays away!!!
Audra67, I do not have aport, and am glad. I know it irritates the nurses sometimes, but I do not mind needles or IVs and I have good veins.
Twohobbies, thanks for the update. So glad to hear that you are feeling better!0 -
Hi, all! Well I am back from Philly getting my 2nd opinion in ref to radiation. I went to the Cancer Treatment Center of America..as they do not believe in one specialist making a call. You have a team and I can tell you ..it is amazing what they do there. I had over 6 medical doctors and RN's plus 4 specialist (naturalistic, nutritionist, rehap ..for preventing lymph..etc..) You meed with all of them on the 1-2 days..then 3rd day ..they give you a plan..you can take this as 2nd opinion and go forward..or you can stay with them. They all agreed after...bone scans..lab work..and my prev med records..that NO RADIATION! Yeeaaa..Then they explained why..I already knew I was in the "grey" area of whether or not it would help..but I was on low side of grey area..as 1 of my 2 positive nodes..was micro and the other barely macro. Also, they said that there was only a 1% chance that with rads it would help against recurrence..this 1% chance is for me..and my stats, age, etc. compared to bigger risk of complications in ref to skin (my skin is pale and burns easy, risk of other cancers..no risk to heart as was on the right side.). I was sooo excited. If any of you need even 2nd opinion..its great there. They fly you in free..we stayed at the Radisson --free unless you ge ttreatment then 45 a night!)..your meals are free in the center (meals awesome). I've decided to stay with them and fly (they pay) for my follow ups..for 2 main reasons. ---When I was going through chemo, I complained to my Onc of back /kidney issues...he said he had never heard of that and to just keep drinking water..I had to ask him point blank to please prescribe me muscle relaxer as they were painful!..which he did. The Onc at CTCA SHOWED (something mine never did) my CT that was done a month or so..no cancer..TG!..but she showed where I had 2 small kidney stones (this was my reg Onc scan and one he said "You're fine"./// Also, when I was through with my chemo, I did labs and my ref Onc..said "Well, you red cells are down to 9..you are anemic..but thats probably from the chemo"...and that was it..nothing else. So here we are 3 weeks later, Onc at CTCA says you are anemic your hemoglobin is at 11. You need to be on Iron and prescribes me iron. Also my blood work showed I had big Vitamin D diff...and he never said a word about it..Im now on 5000 mg vitamin D. I am so upset with my onc...I knew that he seemed to just want to order treatment..no cares about side effects etc..unless I pressed for it..I had to even push to get CT. They said that you always should have bone scan at end to make sure cells haven't gotten in there. Anyway, sorry about the rant...If any of you want to cover all your bases check out CTCA. Even if you are not In Network..they will charge as if you are. They do not believe in insurance dictating your care. And if your insurance won't pay for say the dietician...they will write that off for you. As my Mom said on our 2nd day there.."I have never seen so many smart Drs in one place.:
Ok so end of my spill. LOL..I am so thankful and relieved I don't have to do the 30 rad treatments that my 1st rad onc told me "its the standard"..I am not standard..and all I ever wanted to know was it worth the risk..because I know with lumpectomy and other stats it was.
I just got in and have only gotten to read a few posts. SchoolC-Morphine, lortab, percocets..big deal with the big C..not sure why you were given that. You did good by taking the MIlk of Mag..as you very well know now..I got the Big C..once..took Milk of Mag..and went directly into 3 days of the Big D..I never had to take either again. I hope that works for you. Milk of Mag..IS NO JOKE.! lol.
Kbee-I have been so wondering what your Dr would say about the 6 treatments..glad that its going to0 -
For Two Hobbes and anyone else interested.....
This is a list of phytochemicals, food that contains them and how they help us: from the Nutritionist at CTCA
Allylic Sulfide .... Garlic, Onions...Intercepts and detoxifies carcinogens
Betta-Carotene... Carrots, squash, apricots, peaches .. protects the immune system
Capsaicin Chilies, red peppers.. Prevents toxic molecules from invading & damaging cells,
Catechins Green & Black tea.. Inhibits initiation, promotion & progression of cancer:antioxidant
Chlorogenic Acid Strawberries, pineapple Blocks nitrosamines
Flavonoids Fruits & veggies Prevents carcinogenic hormones from attaching to cells
Genistein Tofu, soy milk (don't have soy in concentrated form like powder)..inhibits the formation of blood vessels that assist tumors to grow
Isoflavones Beans, peas, peanuts, tofu, brussel sprouts.. .Interfere w/harmful estrogen action & may reduce risk of breast & ovarian cancer, ..stimulates calcium absorption
Isothiocyanates, Indoles Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale ..Blocks carcinogens from damaging a cell; interferes with the action of a precancerous form of estrogen
Lutein......Spinach, collard greens, kale Reduce incidence of age related macular degeneration
Lignans....Flax seed. .Interferes with estrogen action & may reduce breast, colon, ovarian cancer
Quinines ...Rosemary...antioxidant
Terpenes...citrus fruits...Stimulate enzymes that block tumor growth.0 -
CK I'm glad you got your resolution to your question. I agree it is so much better to go to a big center where everything is coordinated. It always seems so inconvenient but glad to hear that it was such a great place. That's a great list of foods I do well at eating most of these but have been afraid to eat flax and kept forgetting to ask so I'm interested to see it on the list. I'm seriously restricting other carbs based on research I'm doing. Did your nutritionist mention anything about that?0 -
hi ck.
So glad you had such a productive trip
Sounds like they really took care of you and you gave shared some awesome nutritional info with us - I always thought my diet was pretty high in onions, broccoli etc etc
Yes low Vit D seems to be a possible causal factor in BC and anyone should be tested and take that supplement if they are deficient mine was at 50 and should have been over 75
No Rads for you. Yay - it's weird I only had one node involved but was 10mm of encapsulated metastatic .... And you have 2 nodes but micro/macro think I will chase up my BS re my path.
KBee , SC. And everyone one else still on chemo. Keep pushing forwards it will soon be over xx
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ckmoss, that is an amazing list.
Thank you so much for sharing!0 -
ckmoss- Sounds like you found the help and information that you have been wanting. Thanks for sharing the info on what the eating.
To those still in chemoland: Wishing you each the best and hope for minimal side effects for you!! Keep pushing through and before you know it, you will be finished with all of your rounds. Sorry to hear some of you have ended up in the ER but making a trip to the ER is sometimes necessary so you and your doctors can get a handle on whatever is going on. If Neulasta shots are in your future, ask your onco if you can take Claritin to help prevent the possible bone pain from the Neulasta shot. I used to get that shot in my tummy rather than my arm. It is one of the times that I have said...."Thank goodness for tummy fat!" The infusion nurse used to slowly inject the shot rather than do it quickly to help avoid any pain from the shot. My heart goes out to each of you as you get through the first rounds of chemo. A year from now, you will look back at where you have been and will be amazed how far you have come. HUGS!!!!
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Hello everyone, I had fever over 100.5 (up to over 101 at 3a) from 11p last nite. My head and hands were boiling. Really scared cos the whole Fri/Sat were pretty calm and nothing like this happened the 1st round. I had my 2nd TC on Thurs. Went thr the horrifying nite and when my daughter woke up at 7a, my DH and her drove me and dropped me at the ER. Stayed 3 hours. Did all the blood work, chest x ray etc. All good. Temp back to 98.5 and I was released. No area of infection I felt! Really strange. My DH thought I got bacteria from touching the fruits & veggie from farmers' market yesterday. I guess we all have to very very careful about virus and bacteria. I am home now. Fever & ER are scary indeed. Jen0 -
Glad you are okay Jen. I am going to put sanitizer in every room as a reminder to myself and my family.
Ckmoss glad you got the answers you needed. Thanks for the list of foods.
Hope everyone else is having an okay weekend.0 -
Two hobbes- Yes they mentioned the carbs..as I have gained from chemo..and was plump to start with. Since I've been home..I have not had any bread, rice, sugar..anything white. I have had a half of a sweet potato cooked in the onion w/ cinn..when I've craved sweets...so trying to stick with just the healthy carbs. Since my last round of chemo..if you have read my prev posts..I have had bad hot flashes..and still having..although not as bad. They put me on Remifemin..2 caps a day..Is natural (blk cohosh, etc) and has no estrogen at all in it. Also told me to take melatonin at night..as not only helps sleep naturally..but does curb hot flashes. I just picked up some today. I've been taken the other for 3 days and seems to be helping...although, I think my estrogen is starting to come back so could be that. I am going on Tamoxifen Monday..so thats when I guess I'll see. I dropped the prescription for tamoxifen off at pharmacy yesterday..pharmacist asked did I want to wait for it..I was like noooo..I'll pick it up Monday..one more weekend with what little estrogen I have. Did you know that tamoxifen is listed as a chemo drug? I did not.
Jen-I am sorry that you had that awful fever! I am glad that you are doing better now.
I hope everyone is getting a good rest and feeling better today. Wishing ya'll peaceful days0 -
ckmoss, great list. thanks for posting!!!
Jen, So glad to hear that your temp went down.
My temp is down and I am feeling better, but they will not discharge me until my neutrophils come up since I am critically neutropenic, as they put it. I am hoping my bone marrow kicks into high gear now that they gave me Neupogen. I am hoping to be discharged tomorrow...Tuesday at the latest. Think lots of white cells...I'd really like to go home !!!!!! Everyone at the hospital is nice, but I would like to be home in my own bed without vitals being taken every couple hours!0 -
ckmoss- Just wanted to let you know that I have been on Tamox for 14 months. My hot flashes are what I consider "not so hot" hot flashes and have had a few aches and pains and leg/foot cramps. I can't tell you if all of the aches/pains were from the Tamoxifen or just a lingering side effect of the chemo. I did talk to my onco about my leg/foot cramps and she told me. those are just a side effect of the Tamoxifen. I will go through a week of having the cramps and then I won't have them again for several months. I know I can deal with the cramps. Just thought I'd make you aware of that there are drugs that should be avoided if one is taking Tamoxifen. Here is the link to the BCO.org main website that explains how those particular drugs interfere with the Tamoxifen.http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/serms/tamoxifen. For a more extensive list of drugs to avoid :http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/tamoxifen.html. In addition, I am aware of two foods that should also be avoided-- pomegranates and grapefruit.
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KBeee- Wow.... didn't know you were in the hospital because of neutropenia. We need to have a pep talk with your body and tell it needs to get in gear and start making those white blood cells!!! Hope you feel better soon..... Keep us posted!!!
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Melrose-thanks for the link! I did not even think about looking about drugs it might interact with. I did see on most common side effects..hair thinning. Have you noticed this? By the way, Im 5 weeks out from chemo..and can see hair starting to grow (starting key word!) on my head..and have stubble on my legs..the first hair to start coming back..2 on my chin!!!!! Sooooo not fair!! LOL.
Kbee--I'm so sorry!! I totally missed the part about you in the hospital! I guess I saw what I wanted to see about you getting to just have 4! I hope tomorrow finds you home and feeling better! Prayers and hugs sent your way!0 -
ckmoss--- Wow.... your hair follicles have woken up and realized that you are not receiving any more chemo!!! Lucky me had to get my driver's license renewed with a new pic after I had just finished chemo. Yes, I have a driver's license with a pic of me with very little hair and smiling. It is a friendly reminder to me of where I have been and I am not embarassed to show my driver's license to anyone. I call it my diva look since many of my friends told me that I had a beautiful shaped head and looked just fine with minimal hair. I have noticed that my hair is a different texture ( a little wavy) and a little thinner. Fortunately, it has come back evenly and I haven't had to get a hair cut or hair trim at all!!! I use Nioxin cleanser and conditioner that I got from Marshalls/TJMaxx. It is cheaper there than at ULTA. As your hair starts coming back, don't be surpised if you start touching your head more and more. That soft fuzz that comes in at first feels like a stuffed toy Velveteen Rabbit. Sorry about the chin hair.... bummer. You may also notice that your face may feel a little fuzzier too. It happens. It's just another sign that your body is making a comeback.
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Melrose- Thanks for the tips. As for touching my head...I've been doing that since I first buzzed..then lost all of it. Like its some kind of stress ball. LOL..Its just all so weird. I, unfortunately, look like a troll with no hair. No other way around it. I have a wig so can deal with the hair..I kept my eyelashes and eyebrows..till the 3rd one, started getting some thinning...4th really took the toll. I don't use the eyebrow pencil...they aren't all the way gone and I am not a good artist..so it is what it is. Hoping eyebrows will hurry though!0 -
I remember the no brow look made me look like an alien from outer space. I never have been much of a make up kind of girl so when the eyebrows left, I didn't bother to pencil anything in. I had eye brow pencils that came in my ACS Look Good Feel Good make up bag and even went to Sephora to check out the Anastasia eyebrow kit but just didn't want to part with the $$$ to buy the kit. I've read on some other threads here that people get that Brian Joseph's eyelash serum. The only growth serum I bought and used for a short time was this $8 tube of Rimmel eyebrow/eyelash serum that I got at Target. Who knows if any of that stuff really works. Just do yourself a favor and eat healthy. Your body will do the rest if you fuel it with good foods.
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Wow, sorry to hear about all the hospital visits! Honestly that is what gives me the most anxiety, the possibility of infection. Glad everyone is ok.
SC - I get the big C every time. I just start taking stool softeners and laxatives day one and keep them up until everything normalizes. Sucks, but if you know it makes it easier.
I do a neulasta shot too, and I'm really glad of it. Did a half shot last time and my counts were good, so I guess it works ok for me. Everyone is so different, it's strange. You'd think medicine is medicine and it does the same thing for everyone, but not so at all.
Audra67 - I try to take one day at a time, and make no assumptions. I'm grateful for the good days, and just try to get through the bad ones. Exercise helps for me, but I was too tired the first round. This rounds seems much better and I've been to the gym almost every day. But again, no assumptions. I hope the next round is good, but will get through it if not.
Wishing everyone a good day tomorrow!!0
