Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
Comments
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LindyC- I'll be interested to hear how you're doing on the dose dense Taxol. My MO said that the lower doses might be easier on me because of the neuropathy potential, but I'm also wondering if that's because I seem to be older (66) than most of the people here. I kind of like the idea of smaller doses, even if they are once a week and I'm 40 miles away from the infusion center.
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Interesting...I could have done weekly as my cancer center is a convenient 20 minutes away. I'm 54 so i guess there is a reason. I never thought to ask. Will see how the first taxol infusion goes in a couple of weeks and if its nasty on me, maybe ask to change it to weekly. Thanks for the info. I would never had known it was possible if not for you and this site.
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Thanks Lindy. I think I'm going to try it.
I also think I should have bought the bob-length halo. The regular length halo is just too long for me. My hair has always been chin length so I think I was having a senior moment when I ordered the longer one. If anyone wants it, I'd sell it at a discount. It's really beautiful in Ginger Brown. I've only worn it 2x for a few hours the first time and 1-hour the second time.
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Take the halo to your salon and they can cut it for you. I'm sure you'd love it then. Mine is a bit long too but since it's always under a hat, I push it towards the back and its not a bother.
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I think I've gone overboard on wigs...I already have two and the halo. Though I do want the headband one now.
Then, I also bought the Cameron wig by Rene of Paris in Java Frost. It's really nice but I haven't worn it at all since I received it after I got my first wig cut and highlighted (now I like it much better). If anyone wants the Cameron, let me know.
http://www.wigs.com/cameron-by-rene-of-paris.html
Good idea to just have the halo cut.....
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Thank you everybody who has chimed in about howBC and SEs have taken over a huge chunk of our lives. It helps to know I'm not alone in this.
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@Cajun - Talked to somebody with a better memory than me (Mom!). The platins improved the results in NEO-ADJUVANT chemotherapy (20-30%, especially for BRCA mutations). There is no study available for adjuvant chemotherapy (No tumor to measure. Duh!) And the neuropathy was the worst of the side effects.
If I had done neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, there's a chance I would have landed squarely in stage III (lymph node involvement) because we waited too long to do something; also I wouldn't have had time to save any eggs.
Hope everybody had a decent weekend! I'm coming off of a Dexamethasone withdrawal headache. I wonder if I can just skip straight to the Zofran if I'm having this much of an issue with the steroids. Ripping another week off the countdown!
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I'm doing neo-adjuvent chemo on Carboplatin/Taxotere/Herceptin/Perjeta (TCHP). They will be doing an MRI midway through my 6 treatments to take a look to see if the tumor has shrunk. I'm really hoping it has. One more treatment to go until we can check.
Thankfully I haven't had any neuropathy yet. I hope it stays that way...
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Good Morning,
This is my first time here. My hubby helped me set up my profile. I had a question I am hoping someone can help me with. It has to do with Supplements. Particularly what is recommended and in regards to CoQ10. Is there anyone taking supplements like CoQ10? I hesitate because I've read that it could act like an antioxidant and that could counter act the AC treatments.
tessu - that book looks like an interesting read. I might pick it up Thank you
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luzeelu - I am scheduled to start 12 weeks of Taxol after I complete four more weeks of A/C. (Third A/C round starts tomorrow.) Like you, I'm curious to see how Taxol goes....
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Thank you all for your kind thoughts, wishes and prayers. I'm calming down some and just waiting to see what the bone scan says- hopefully today or max tomorrow when MO calls me. I really like her. I know many docs who don't personally call their pts for anything yet she does. She knows I'm a cash pt so she's going to be contacting me via phone stuff in which I don't have to go in for and therefore pay $120-$140 per visit.
Hope you all have a better week. If I'm to do chemo, it for sure starts next Mon 10/26. You guys will all be done I think, at least the AC folks while I'll just be beginning. Thanks for letting me stay in this group. Much love to you all. xo
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Hi El-Tigre! I don't know anything about CoQ10. My doctors said no to supplements as a whole during chemo so I haven't looked into it.
Artista - My last chemo is 12/31 so I'll be in chemo-mode for a few more months now...though not AC.... I'm eager to hear your results. My doctor calls me with test results too. It doesn't make sense to have to schlep in for them. I think it took 2-3 days for me to get my PET/CT scan results.
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Southern - my doctor told me to tell her if I find myself having shortness of breath. Might have something to do with the Herceptin.....
Weekly labs? I need to ask my doctor why I don't have that. I only get labs drawn on the morning of my chemo day. Not in between. I wonder why?
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Thanks edwsmom!
Artista928 - you are in our thoughts and prayers.
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Just a quick note- I am in the emergency room getting Zofran and fluids. Called the MO's office told me to come here. Feel stupid for being here. May have something wrong with my gallbladder. Just feel stupid wasting time I could be at work.
WBC too low- but not that low. Glad to be going home. I can catch a couple of hours at work if they hurry!
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PS - is anyone else getting a rash?
Both rounds I've gotten it across the bridge of my nose. This time I also got it along my underwire on one side... that one went away in 2 days. The face rash lasts several days...ugh.
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Grey - I had the same thing happen on my first round. I went to the ER at 10 pm at night for dehydration. They gave me fluids and anti-nausea meds. The next day I felt SOOOO much better. It was night and day and totally worth the trip. I hope the same for you!
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Grey- glad you are getting meds so you can get relief.
Octogirl- i hear you. Had my 3rd TC last week and am feeling a liitle emotionally drained too. But we're almost there.
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Not so much a rash as itchy dry skin. One cheek on my face only. Across my shoulders, on my chest just under my collar bones. A spot here, a spot there. It itches so I use Burts Bees on it and it calms it. Truthfully my whole body is dry, my face wrinkles are much deeper than ever before and my skin feels tight. I was just waiting it out for chemo to be over since I'm so thirsty but can't seem to drink anything.
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Artista I don't finish AC until right before thanksgiving.
I get a rash where anything rubs like bra, too tight pants...wherever. it's like my skin is being a bratt.
And I also only get labs the day before or day of chemo.
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I think this cold is breaking up. Just like last time. I'll feel human again for 3 or so days then BAM more chemo on Monday.
My mom took the little one today and I got a really deep nap. It helped so much. I've also had some kind of red meat for the last 4 meals and that's helping too I think. I'm really hoping I've weeded out the timeline n the SE and can really have a good plan for round 3 next week and get in front of everything and have a better month ahead.
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Artista - Ha! If you start chemo Monday, you and I will be in it for the long haul. I have 20+ weeks more of chemo. (With a break after 16 weeks for a mastectomy - fun!) Glad you're hanging in there and have a sympathetic, thoughtful doc - Lisa
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edwsmom - You and I seem to be on nearly identical tracks. I get labs only day-of chemo (bi-weekly during A/C).
(I do get blood-clotting labs more frequently. But that's another topic....)
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Well, I'm definitely glad you weren't having shortness of breath!
It scares me bc the herceptin has heart side effects and that's one of them...0 -
Southern - yes, definitely. Me too. Especially going back to work in the office...
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El_Tigre: Same as what has already been said. No massive amounts of vitamins (i.e. 1000 mg Vitamin C). I was cleared for a Women's one-a-day if I so chose (Anything where the vitamin count is 100% of daily value or less); I haven't really been indulging though.
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DLcygnet - Thanks our Naturopath recommended some supplements, but as we are researching it may be better to hold off. I wish though there is something I can take to protect my heart from the AC. Family history of heart disease is making me nervous.
Southern - Thanks! BTW love that sexy wig you tested in the wind a few pages back
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Southern..I too am having shortness of breath when going up the stairs. I attribute it to being flat on my back for the past week and not getting any exercise. I will keep an eye on it though as I too have a family history of cardiac problems...just what I need.
Radiation will be on my left side and guess where the heart is..yep, left side. It just gets better and better, don't it.
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Ugh...my radiation will be on the left side too.
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Hi LindyC I too am scheduled for radiotherapy on the left side. I was concerned about my heart because of family history. She explained that radiotherapy has come a long way and is quite targeted chances of collateral organ damage is much less nowdays. I left the appointment feeling much better. My eyes suck today they are blurry and sticky. I think we are all tired of this crap.
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