TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP
Comments
-
lago
your an angel 
thank you0 -
LeslieVilla - There are also the elastogel caps. I used them during the taxotere infusions. I still lost hair because of the carboplatin but it came back in quicker than usual and fell out very slowly. I was never completely bald and was able to get by wearing a ball cap during treatment. Also, as I understand it the icing of the fingers and toes is to hopefully prevent fingernail and skin problems from the taxotere. I don't think it has an effect on neuropathy or at least I have not seen any published studies on that. Here is a link to a research paper about icing during taxotere (docetaxel). LINK
0 -
I agree with Omaz regarding the icing and neuropathy - I have tried to find any studies that icing reduced neuropathy but could not. It is clinically established for potentially lessening the nail SEs though.
0 -
Did any of you have swelling in ankles/feet? I have lympedema in my left arm/wrist, but it's been pretty well under control. But last night I noticed my ankles really swollen (like when I was 9 months pregnant). This morning they were back to normal. But now are huge again. I've been busy, cleaning and packing all day. We are moving and getting our house prepared to list. Just wondering what this might be from. I was not on my feet anymore than usual yesterday and it started last night. Sitting around with my feet up isn't going to happen, not this weekend anyhow. I am having an echo on Monday, so if they're still bad, I'll try to get a word with my MO or at least her nurse while I'm there.
0 -
DiZZyM Yup I retained fluid like crazy. I couldn't zip up my boots and my shoes were tighter. As soon as I stop the steroids I would bloat and put on weight. Then the next round of chemo I'd be on the steroids for a few days and deflate. Be sure to mention this to the onc though. Yours ankles sound worse than mine. I have no idea what it's like to be 5 months pregnant. I never had any kids.
0 -
DIZZymom - this sounds like it is a new symptom for you and you have been having your chemo since 02/01 - it could be the steroids/Taxotere but it could also be the effects of the Herceptin. It is good that you are having an echo on Monday and I think you should report the swelling to your MO. Are you having any shortness of breath? When you push on the area of swelling, does it stay indented?
Take care and try to take some rest breaks during your activities this weekend where you can put your feet up.0 -
Thanks ladies. It does not stay indented when I push on it. I don't have general shortness of breath but I do get out of breath with activity. I will definitely bring it up to the doc on Monday. I guess I now look like a freak from head to toe! Thank goodness my hubby loves me because I am one hot mess at this point!
0 -
Dear Miss Dizzy...I think you are just BEAUTIFUL....never forget!
0 -
Fluff, I was a candidate for internal radiation during surgery at Community Health until they found out I was Her2 positive. Then that option was pulled immediately off the table :-(
0 -
Dizzy, I got seriously puffy during chemo. My NP always was checking my ankles. After I had the blood transfusion for low RBCs, I got so puffy I had cankles! And I could only wear sneakers for awhile. It goes away. I'm cankle-free now!
0 -
Leslievilla--the neuropathy is more common and worse on taxol than it is on taxotere. I did 12 weeks of weekly taxol and my neuropathy didn't really start until week 8. After that, they followed me very closely and dose-reduced me each week. Before I could barely feel my feet, now just a few months after ending chemo, I'm back to normal.
You'll get through it. It isn't pleasant, but it isn't that bad either. :-)
0 -
Good to hear PBrain. I was on my feet way more today and they're swollen but not like yesterday. I can still see bone!
Happy Mother's day to all you awesome moms and grandmas whether your kids are the two or four legged variety
0 -
Good night everyone and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL !
0 -
Good morning everyone--I know i don't post much but u are in my thoughts.
Leslie everything is always worse in u'r mind than u think. That forst chemo u expect to be on some type of drug trip and after it's like that's it. Yea it takes up u'r day, but other than that nothig much. And of course u might have SE's but again as we always say everyone is different and some have fewer SE's than others. So u'll see it'll be fine.
PBrain I hope u'r mind is more at ease about tests, u'll still get them but try u'r hardest to think of it as a follow up--not a prediction coming true. We never know what this dumb disease does but to live in fear is to let it control u'r life and I always think that's what it wants. U've been thru so much anddid it well I pray everything is fine for u.
Dizzy tell u'r Onc about u feet, u have been on them alot lately, but they need to know--we've all had it at different times but it's good for them to know.
And Welcme to anyone new--These women can guide u through everything, step by st
ep if u need it so ask away and u'l get answers (not from me) but these ladies are very kind and knowlegeable.
PBrain I have to tell u this story---My dad who I adored--always said he had a premonition that he would die at 33 and told everyone, so whenever it was his birthday all he said was 1 less year. He was so sure and got everything in order. Well he died at 96 but he also predicted I would do great things in my life for people so he was wrong on everything. LOL
0 -
Good morning and Happy Mother's Day to all! IMO..everyone in this forum does alot of mothering whether you have children or not.
Camille...you are just such a joy!0 -
Have my first chemo tomorrow morning. I'm taking in all of the encouraging words you veterans have given and hoping for a good experience. Will have snacks, books, videos, and BFF with me, so should do fine. Thank you, ladies, for helping us newbies not be so nervous, and Happy Mothers Day to you all...
0 -
karen - good luck tomorrow - I found the anticipation worse than the event. Be sure to drink, drink, drink and stay ahead of any nausea with your meds - it is better to prevent it than treat it. You will do just fine, and we are here for you!
0 -
karenrm Good luck tomorrow. I was just thinking today that as you know chemo is cumulative. So you might feel worse at the end… but my last chemo I had to go it alone. My DH started a new job and my other friends couldn't get out of work. I was going to cab it but it was snowing a bit. Cabs were all full by the time they got to my building. So I walked to the bus, 20 minute ride to the red line train. 15 minute ride to the blue line train. Then walked a good 8 minutes from the blue line train to treatment building.
I took a cab home… opened the door of the cab, set both feet on the ground and fell on my ass. The snow had melted during the day then froze to a thin sheet of ice. Got up and walked across the street to my building.
My point is I was still doing normal things. One of those normal things is I fall on my ass at least once every other winter. I was due to fall.
0 -
Good luck Karen....I will be starting chemo in about 1-2 weeks...I find out this Wed for certain......let us know how you are doing!
0 -
Karen, good luck tomorrow. I hope it is completely uneventful!!!
If you are nervous or anxious (and who wouldn't be) take a xanax before you go. My MO encouraged it! In fact, when I told the infusion nurses that I had taken xanax, she said, "I wish every first timer would take something to take the edge off....the thought of chemo is very anxiety ridden, so if ever there was a use for xanax, this is it!!"
Don't forget your icing stuff!
0 -
I had the option of adding IV Ativan to my pre-meds if I felt I needed it - I never did, but that might be an anti-anxiety option as well.
0 -
karenm, the anticipation and fear are pretty intense for most of us, but you will get through your treatments fine. Wishing all the best and sending a hug your way.
Carol
0 -
Karen good Luck tomorrow and they might have a little buffet there and they have juices and coffee and I always went alone--I really preferred it--I told everyone they would bore me to death for all that time and they all understood and we just talked among all the chemo people and laughed alot--so even my first time was fine. I remember the nurse coming over to me trying to explain and calm me down and I said I see cookies here and she asked if I was listening to her and I said nope--just stick the needle in me and go. We got along so well after--they made it fine for everyone so it's one stick and that's it. BTW she brought me a cookie. LOL
0 -
Cami....I'm really glad that you shared that about going to chemo alone I want to go alone and everybody is flipping out
0 -
ChickaD,
I went alone 95 percent of the time and at the beginning I was getting rides back and forth ..didn't see it was necessary to have someone sit with me because some days I was there from 9 to 6 at night long days...0 -
Thanks Sherry...I also see no need to have to entertain others ...lol...there is wi-fi so I can play on my tablet and SLEEP.....
My bladder is the size of a walnut....can you go to the bathroom during chemo?0 -
ps....can all of you +++gals...chime in and tell me...if you don't mind...
1. what chemo type you were prescribed
2. how many cycles, and
3. if it was every week, every other week or every 3 weeks?
Thanks so much!0 -
ChickaD,
Yes you can go to the bathroom..I was in a clinical trial I had Abraxane/Herceptin every week than Carboplatin every three weeks for 18 weeks and than..after surgery I had Cytoxan/ Adrimycin DD x4 every 2 weeks than after that finished the Herceptin...0 -
Hey ChickaD, Yes you can go potty during. You just drag the IV thing in with you. Have the nurse show you how to unplug it if it has a plug. I recommend yoga pants or sweat pants for comfort and if you don't have a port, buttoning/zipping with an IV in your arm is a pain.
I am on TCH every 3 weeks. I don't know why people think you have to have somebody there with you. I've only been one time alone for the whole time and I quite liked it. I loved when my BFF came too, but really either way is fine. Friday is my last round and my husband is coming. He sits and plays games on the iPad or blackberry the whole time.
0 -
My DH came with me, but that was really his choice, not mine. I think he wanted to be present if I had a reaction or anything. He would download a movie and watch with his headphones in - he was also the frozen pea "wrangler", lol! I didn't entertain him and he didn't entertain me, but he felt better being there. I received TCH, 6 cycles, every 3 weeks. Our infusion pumps were battery driven - this came in handy when we had a tornado the morning of one tx and we had no power! You can unplug the pump from the wall and drag it with you to the restroom. I second the easy and comfortable clothes - I wore yoga pants or track pants, and usually a scoop necked t-shirt and zip up jacket or sweater. It was a long day - blood test, appt. with onc, pre-meds, 3 drugs - I was usually there from 8:30 - 4 or so, sometimes longer. By the time I got to Herceptin only, also every 3 weeks, I wore regular clothes, but a scoop necked top for port access.
0
