Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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Arista - Cytoxan works more during the resting phase of the cells. I'm guessing Adriamycin attacks the cells in an active phase (i.e. when they're dividing).
Cajun - She only mentioned the platins. I'm not sure if taxotere was even a part of it. And that there hadn't been enough studies done for her taste to confirm that was the case. You're getting the same treatment I am; and I'm being treated at the #4 Cancer Center in the US. I'm sure your doctor made a great recommendation. As far as some of these treatments are concerned, when my oncologist shared percentages (like the difference between success rates of Tamoxifen vs. Aromatase Inhibitors) there was only a few percentage points difference. None of it was worth worrying about as long as I went through the treatment at all. The odds expressed if I chose NOT to go through surgery, or chemo, or radiation, or skip the pills... well....When was your kid born? Mine was June 6. He's getting a little talkative and parroting more words back - especially animal sounds. Definitely pushing boundaries. And yes, I despised being out of commission post surgeries. I even had to send Michael to stay with Grandma for three days just to make sure I didn't try to pick him up or try to nurse. It was less stressful for my husband too.
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edwsmom I'm getting the same drugs as you TCHP once every 3 weeks for 6 rounds. Until my MO found out that I was HER2+ he was going to do AC + T. There was never a discussion about Taxol vs Taxotere but I'm stage 3 so he wants to hit it hard. The nurse at my chemo teach insisted that my hair would thin but I would not lose all of it, she's right I still have about 50 strands on my head
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The problem I find with settling on a diet is while wanting to avoid estrogen stuff you also have to avoid fructose. Cancer feeds off both heavily. So if you go vegetarian you have to be careful to aoid the fructose and if you go keto you have to eat grass fed organic and avoid the hormones. It's like no matter what you eat or what treatment you get something will be negative.
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8+ years of heart monitoring and yes bone density scans for 10.
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So organic grass fed meat/chicken, wild caught salmon for the protein, veggies, whole grains seems to be the diet? Nothing else except maybe occasional treat of dairy something like non soy containing ice cream and such for ER+ people? I'm not a big fruit eater so cutting a lot of it out due to fructose is not a big issue for me. I just like cantelope, sweet cherries, strawberries, once in awhile a peach or nectarine. Love bananas and would keep that since it is great potassium source.
Thoughts on the "ideal" diet for ER+ high recurrence chances? So confusing.
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annie, i've never heard that fructose feeds cancer cells. I was told by my holistic doctor that whole fruits (no juice) are fine, but all others are to be avoided. I'm really trying to up my veggie and nut intake but I can't see how avoiding fruit could possibly be healthy. But I know what you mean, there are issues and controversy with any diet you choose. I'm working towards a more Asian-inspired diet, with more veggies, healthier oils, and brown rice, but it's a work in progress.
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My surgeon & oncologist said that what they found is that diet is most effective over the course of 10 - 30 years, but in the short term it's a blip; so he/she didn't tell me I should make any dietary changes (at least not JUST for the duration of treatment). I did avoid sugar in the weeks leading up to surgery though - it was a close one too; another half centimeter or even 1 lymph node involved and I probably would have been categorized as stage 3. No juice? I think I'd die if somebody hadn't pointed me toward prune juice for managing side effects. At the chemo teach they did say to minimize certain foods in order to manage side effects (i.e. alcohol for heartburn & dehydration, etc). My mom is on this "no soy" kick for avoiding extra estrogen.
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Yes I was digging through the university papers and there are many studies that show cancer feeds on fructose. I also read that's it's not definitive weather ingested soy gets metabolized as estrogen in the body. Japanese women for example eat tons of soy but have lower bc rates until they move here.
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As to soy, I agree that if you eat non-GMO whole soy (like tofu or edamame), it's not a risk as far as estrogen. It's all the soy by products and the soy that we consume through dairy and meat (what the animals eat), that IMO is problematic. I intend to keep eating whole soy and to some extent, you cannot avoid the oils, because they are in almost everything, so I just try to limit it. I eat no white or wheat flour either and stick to stick to sprouted things, like Ezekial bread.
One tip with bananas is to eat them as green as you possibly can to avoid the sugars.
Of course, then you read the MD Andersons's website saying that all sugar in moderation is fine. There couldn't be more conflicting advice about cancer out there!
I'm still trying to work towards an alkaline diet. My PH was 5.5, too low.
I'm going to retest it soon.0 -
Cajun - This made me think of you....
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Boy howdy it got quiet in here.
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Sure did!
I'm going to join the ranks of you working ladies tomorrow. I'll start working from home every other week. I'd rather just take the time off, because it's gonna suck to use my only "good days" to work, but it'll be nice to not sit around and waste away. I only have 8 weeks of short term disability paid at 100%, so I'm trying to maximize it.
The second round definitely hit me harder than the first. Day 7, and I'm still kinda blah and weak feeling. Hoping it doesn't get worse next round, or my plan for work may not work out. Speaking of next round, ugh! I get sick to my stomach thinking about starting all over again in just a week.
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((((Aggiemegs))))
I'm sorry this round was worse! How frequently are you having your chemo?
Mine is once every three weeks. I usually have one bad week and two ok weeks.
I will say that I was really glad to go into work today. Being home all the time is too isolating for me. I need to interact with people. I want life to feel normal so badly..
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Long nap for me today. Kind of "killing time" until I get the results of the CT scan tomorrow. Then it's wait again until Tues to do echo and bone scan.
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Anyone else watch TV and notice all the wigs people are wearing?
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I love press n seal. It's way better than glad wrap or anything like that. I put it over my crock pot or any pot before I put it in the car to take it to church and no more sloshing over the sides or spilling in sharp curves!
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I was dxd at 56, 57 now. I was given 2 options. The lighter one, sorry I dont know the drugs, but it was once every 3 weeks for 12 weeks. Or HEAVIER GUNS, dose dense, , every 2 weeks for 16 weeks, 4 AC and 4 taxol. I chose dose dense
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I am just starting chemo, but already really questioning if I want to do aromatase inhibitors. I already have fibromyalgia/joint pain. Plus I am ER negative. My PR, one report said 35-40% positive, the other said 34%. I'm just not sure if I get enough benefit to outweigh the SEs
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Talk to your MO and ask why. I don't think it just depends on your ER status. If your post menopausal then I believe that's the med they give if you are to take meds after txs are done, which seems like everyone is taking something.
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edwsmom - I am getting chemo every other week. So far it seems that I have one crappy week, then one good week. I'm planning to work from home because my office is like high school. Sooooo many gossips and everyone is so nosy. If I went to the office, I'd never get anything done. Plus, I'm terrified of getting sick. I swear, chemo is making me agoraphobic!!!
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right AROMATASE Inhibitors are for post-menopausal women, but it is a hormone suppressing drug and would not be given to a triple negative patient. Which I almost am at only 34-40% positive PR and negative E
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thanks, aggie!
Although I shaved my head over a week ago, today my hair jumped ship. And it hurts, ouch.
Lifting you ladies up in sprayer tonight and hope everyone gets some sleep.
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Hey Beautiful ladies!!
Yesterday was my 3rd round of AC and Neulasta today. Because of the steroids I had a very restless night and I was a bit tired today. Although I was feeling ok all day until a bit ago I got nauseous and very emotional
I noticed that the week of treatment is the hardest with SE and the week off i feel "normal" but man! this bites.
Im so glad im here to share and to find answers as well as a little understanding as noone knows what is like to go through this!
I still have a little bit of hair and I'm getting a wig tomorrow so I can shave my head on Friday. I was dreading this day but after reading all of your experiences I feel I ca do it!
Have a beautiful night and an easy day tomorrow!
hugs
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Is there anybody here in their 20's or 30's and on Cytoxan and Taxotere? I see so many on AC+T and it makes me wonder if I made a mistake.
I got my picc placed today. I am kicking myself for trusting the nurse too much. She checked two spots, my inner arm and on top of my bicep. She went for the bicep. It would be better protected inside my arm especially from a toddler. I didn't realize that I would have a 20 lb lifting limitation. It's better than a 10 lb one after surgery but it is going to be interesting with my daughter. I get my second infusion on Friday and I am dreading it. I haven't decided if I should wear my beanie or my wig. I miss my hair but the upside right now is how low maintenance my morning routine is now.
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I will go back and catch up at some point when things settle down, but I need y'all to know that I have NOT been having a good experience through this entire cluster****. It shouldn't take three emergency department visits for severe pain and fever to be admitted. I just 'fired' my doctor and the CMO may be looking after me herself if the other hospitalist is too booked. I'll give you the details later, but it's just been awful.
And unfortunately I had a fever of 102.2 yesterday afternoon that pretty much ruled out me going home tomorrow. And I woke up at midnight with another 102.2 fever... and this is all despite being on industrial antibiotics and (finally) narcotic pain relievers. I've been awake since then (it's now 2:45am) from the discomfort of the fever.
I'm starting to get concerned, honestly concerned. And I just can't get rest. I am getting incredibly discouraged and concerned here.
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What no potassium in cookies and chocolate cake, outrageous !!!!
A lot of talk about fatigue and feeling blah and I hear you because I feel the same...if you can fit in some exercise bit of cardio and some weight work you might find it works. It ddefinately helps me.
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CarolinaAmy- I am so sorry you are going through this struggle. I know how discouraging it can be when people fail you and you have complications. You shouldn't have to be dealing with this on top of everything else. I hope they get something figured out to treat the infection and get you home.
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CarolinaAmy thinking of you. Keep us posted. I'll be praying for swift increase in wbc to knock out invaders and for your meds to work. God will send you a great doctor. Don't lose hope!
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Amy huge hugs to you gal. Hope you can rest easy today. We are all here for you my friend. And we will celebrate your last AC when you are better. And you will be better soon praying for you.
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CarolinaAmy, that really is awful, I am so sorry. You are absolutely right that it shouldn't take three ER visits, especially with a fever that high!
xox
Octogirl
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