Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

AmyIsStrong

I was 51 when I started chemo still having regular periods. Had my period on the first day of the first chemo and never had another one.  That was 2 years ago this coming April. I think I am officially done now,  - will confirm with onc when I go in April for check in.

Omaz

Amy - I didn't realize before that our diagnoses were nearly identical, and the same age too. 

IowaSue45

I believe everyone has the right to worry some, it is a natural reaction. I didn't ever think I would get BC because its not the kind my parents had or died from. But I did get it and was very lucky to find it when I did. But we worry because we have all heard stories of women who have had it spread without it being found in the ln, and we have all known woman with recurrence,personally I know 5 women in my small community that have had recurrence. One 53 and has it for the 3 x.  I know personally I did all I could do to try and make sure it is gone for good. Bi mx, TCH, radiation lots of hope and prayers. I hope if I ever get it again they will have new and improved treatment.

I also believe in living a good life everyday nobody knows what the future holds, don't let stress and worry take away take away one good minute of your life. Live, Laugh and Love

nora_az

I am 47. My mom had her period till she was 55. I started the same age she was so I thought I still had a few years left. Actually it's nice to not have a period but the hot flashes are no joke!

Lagos....my eyes are shot now too. I had to wear readers before this all started but now it's far worse than before, and the chemo brain is driving me crazy. I am the type of person who always had a great memory and now I have the short term memory of a goldfish! I am hoping that gets better, My Mom's never did but then again she is 76 now so perhaps that has something to do with it? I'm hoping so!

libraylil

iowasue  I don't think we will ever get the BC thought out of that vault in the back of our mind.  It does help to know we have thrown everything available at it.  libraylil

TonLee

Lago,

How's the swelling?  Please let me know if the diuretics (once done) resolved the problem. 

lago

TonLee I did seem to have a little bit of swelling yesterday but I think that's from the Herceptin. I seem to be fine today. I still have 9 more days on the diuretic. I have a refill but they told me to stop after a month. I think I have a refill because they started me with 1/2 a pill and thought I might have to go to a whole pill a day. I didn't.

I did notice my hot flashes increased a bit last night. Can the Anastrozole work that fast?! I took my 1st one yesterday morning.

TonLee

It may work that fast...I dunno.

I don't take Bendadryl with TCH or just Herceptin alone.  But I notice on the Herceptin days, I need a 30 minute nap in the afternoon.  I am NOT a napper, so not sure what that is all about.

lago

Yes I was a bit tired yesterday too but I assume it was because I only had 5-6 hours of sleep, an early herceptin appointment followed by another appointment on the other side of town.

I don't get any meds with Herceptin.

dragonfly1

Motherofpatient: I'm on day 15 of cycle 1 and just got my period today...was hoping it wouldn't happen since my periods are very painful/heavy. It just happens to coincide with extremely heavy shedding of my hair so I am an emotional wreck today. Doesn't that just figure? I can't even enjoy week three of my TCH cycle with all of this going on:( I'm at work so this is ridiculous! Trying to pull myself together to get through the day...

Can anyone else comment on the periods...if you got them more than once after starting TCH, did they stop relatively soon (PLEASE tell me they did...)

TonLee

Started last period Dec 7th, 2010....the first day of 1st TCH..it lasted 10 long, HEAVY days.  Nothing since.

TonLee

Lago,

Herceptin with TCH, I can come home and workout...Herceptin alone, I come home 30 minute nap, then work out....its weird.

nora_az

I was spotting for a few weeks, like it didnt want to go down without a count

So when you're on herceptin only do you have to have labs drawn before your treatment? I forgot to ask that. I was told I'd have to have a scan of my heart every three months but I am unsure about labs

sewingnut

I only have blood draws with the TCH not the Herceptin. I don't like the fact they don't use the port for the blood draw at the center I go to.  They told me they didn't want to access the port in case the blood count was too low for treatment.

TonLee

That seems odd sewingnut.  They do my bloodwork through my port on Monday...then re-poke me on Tuesday for TCH.  I guess that might make sense if they were leaving in the pic line thing..but they don't do that for me...

nora_az

I go in 8am for my blood draws and they do it through the port. They keep the pic line in me.  I then go in for my onc appointment at 10am. Then off for TCH around noon, sometimes they let me checkin at 11.30. It's all on the same floor and buidling.

My husband and I normally go out for breakfast after labs to pass the time. It makes for a full day but it's clear on the other side of town so I like that it's all done in one day.

sewingnut

I questioned the onc about using the port for blood. She said no. The lab that is in the facility will not access the port. I guess only the nurses can do that and the lab techs can't. I told the surgeon who put in my port that the Hope center does not use it for lab draws.  He just shook his head. I have my draws the same day as chemo and have to wait for the blood results.  At least I don't have to make a trip for the lab, a trip for the chemo and a trip for the Neulast shot :0) Only 2 days instead of 3.

lago

 I do get a blood draw before my herceptin but that's because they are checking my hormones to be sure I stay in chemopause.

sewingnut that's BS. They are just doing what's easy for them. I always had my port accessed and blood drawn by the chemo nurse.

When I wanted them to use my port for my  CT scan they wouldn't access it either but told me to go to the chemo room first and have the nurses access it before my test. Why can't you do that?

TonLee

Same thing when I had my mugga...the Onc nurses put in a line, then the lab tech out in the dye.

Sewingnut, you should see if your Onc nurses can draw the blood.  Mine do a day ahead.  And I give myself Neulasta so only 2 days for me as well.

sewingnut

I asked about giving the Neulasta shot at home myself. The onc told me my insurance wouldnt pay if it wasnt done in the facility. I'm beginning to think its because they want all the money. They wouldn't get to charge for administering the shot.  Funny when I got the EOB for the shot the insurance co. only paid for the shot. Man that thing must be made of gold!! But if it keeps my counts where they should be it is worth every penny. I go to a free standing chemo facility. They pulled out of our local hospital when it went bankrupt. I didn't  have my MUGA done at the hospital. I had it done at a free standing Cleveland Clinic facility. They also do not access the port for CT or MUGA.  At least they put the dye in for the bone scan when they did the CT. One less stick....

lago

My insurance mailed me the Neulasta. My husband gave it to me but if we couldn't do it at home I would have to bring the shot in. I would check with your insurance.

LisaGH

I feel great after just having Herceptin only. Nothing at all bad. I got hair buzzed today. The clumps were getting me- and I figured I had 2 days left w/ it. I didn't want to cry for 2 more days, so it's buzzed- went after my Herceptin Tx today.

Feel so much better. My MD office always draws labs - weekly- (since herceptin is weekly). The lab tech sticks port- and draws labs- then I see the MD or PA- then I have chemo (after they check right away on the counts).

Feeling so good physically this week (speaking of being able to make it 8 hours or so without having to rest). Lovin it. 6 more days til TCH #2 ready to move on! 

SpecialK

LisaGH - Hey my triplet!  Look at you with your cute bald head!  Still feeling good here as well but dragonfly is a bit under today.  I made her laugh with a post earlier I think on Feb Gals so I hope she is doing ok.  My comb this morning had some hair in it - I am surprised DH isn't following me around with the clippers like a vulture.  He soooo wants to shave it.  I figure I won't make it to the weekend without it going.

nora_az

I couldn't believe the charge on the neulasta shot either!  $10.500???  I thought it might have been a typo but it wasn't. I haven't seen what BC/BS of Georgia will pay on that yet. I'm very curious!

LisaGH

Hey SpecialK-

Mine was ok two days ago- a little shedding yesterday- then as the day went on today- it was much more! Hated that feeling. Being at work and then hair all over. I am around lots of people, so I felt sad and awkward too. Then knowing I was going in for treatment- I always dread that- the port stick- the exam- the chemo room.

So the buzz cut was good. 

When's your next tx SpecialK? I know it's w/in days of mine. My Round #2 TCH is 3/9 (one wk).

Neulasta is terribly expensive. I can see that though w/o it- my counts would be bad- they have dropped this wk (2 wks post). Still low normal, but I bet w/o neulasta I'd be in tough shape. I do hate the painful shot and the bone pain bites!!!

Pollyagain

     I'm pretty new at this.  Only had 1 treatment so far and will get the 2nd on March 10.  Had almost no side effects, only a little soreness in my mouth.  Reading about the ports, thought I would offer what little I know, but probably isn't news to most of you. 

     When I got my port, the doctor said, just so you know, your doctor ordered a power port.  That means they can use it for anyhing, even ct scans and nuclear isotopes for the MUGA scans.  There's nothing they can't use a power port for.  Also, when the pharmacy called and said that the Oncologist's officwe had called in my prescriptions, one of them was for a cream with Lidocaine and some other drugs in it.  I spread it over the port about two hours before they access it and it gets totally numb.  Maybe you all have this, but I know my sister had tons of chemo and no doctor ever mentioned it to her. 

SpecialK

LisaGH - my next tx is 3/10 (with pollyagain!)  How has it been with working?  Are you working 8 hrs?  Are you scarfing, hatting or wigging, or going commando?

I go on Fri for my next CBC, will be curious if I have dropped from my surprisingly high WBC last Fri.  If they remain high I can go to my afternoon appt. with the dermatologist to have 3 basal cell carcinomas burned and scraped - sounds like fun, huh?  They were biopsied a week or so before my first tx because I knew they couldn't be treated later during chemo.  The biopsy sites healed well and that is really more invasive than the burning deal.  It was interesting that they delivered my biopsy results by registered letter.  It was weirdly formal! I am guessing that at some point in the past somebody with skin cancer didn't get the message and then sued. They def don't do BC notofication that way!   Now they have to do a registered letter for everybody.  So I have to treat skin cancer and BC simultaneously!  Fun times!  I will probably be shedding hair on the doctor as he works on my legs and back - maybe I should buzz it off before then! 

LisaGH

I enjoy working when I can...just wish my energy level was stronger. I do what I can. And around the chemo days planning to see how it goes.

My next is 3/9 for round #2 TCH. Scared, but so thankful I have several more days before- and really feel good.

Except one of my two TE is so sore! Not sure why- I did have another 40 ml last week- but the right one (where the cancer was) is sore. The TE are always a certain amount of discomfort, but if I turn over near the right side- wake up hurting. UGGH!

Hope everyone has a good day. Off to work!

libraylil

LisaGH  sounds like you are doing great. I worked through chemo only taking of the day of. If you can get yourself up and about for 8 hours you are doing fantastic.  I would come home and hit the couch with the dog and sleep  until DH came home. 

All of you that are contemplating buzzing hair...it was emotional for me but I was over it once I found out how to tie cute scarves.  Now that the hair is 3 months post TX, I love it short.  Positive to all of you that are starting your chemo.  Aim for tx 3 then it is heading into home plate after that.

libraylil

lago

I didn't get a power port. It can be used for blood draws but no dye injections. Since my onc doesn't do any kind of regular scans there didn't seem to be a need… at least that's why I think I didn't get a power port. So eventhough I had them access my port before my CT they still couldn't use it. I had them do it through my foot due to LE in one arm and the other arm at risk. Yes is was a fight but I pretty much let her know that if they wouldn't do it in my foot I was leaving without the test… I did let them know about all this a week before my test.

I did have herceptin after so they needed to access the port anyway that day.