Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

dragonfly1

Omaz Yes, Hubby and I are finally following the logic-the discussion has been much more interesting than the very boring movie we have been watching (tip: skip "Boiler Room") 

sewingnut

My Onc said H for a year. I started Feb 11 so I will go till Feb 11. I got a loading dose of 4mg with 2mg each week. When I went to every 3 weeks it went to 6 mg.  Looks like the total amt you will get is 110mg regardless of if you get it weekly or every 3 weeks.

racerdeb

I went to see my oncologist yesterday, and we're all set to start my chemo treatments next Tuesday.  I'll get my port put in tomorrow morning.  I guess I'm ready as I'll ever be to start this journey with my cancer treatments.

Kelliregi

Good luck with your port, racerdeb. You'll be do happy you have it. 

nmoss1000

Hi ladies in was catching up a few pages back and ironically the topic of sex and other issues came up, I was using replens dor about 2 months but it was not enough. I actually got a yeast infection from It. So I was cruising the web looking for alternatives as KY and Astroglide didn't work either, I came across a product called Multi Gyn, I though what heck and ordered it. Its hormone free and safe for us +++. All I can say is 3 days into it is wow. I have not tried the deed yet, but I am starting to feel like me previous to chemo pause without all the messiness of other products. Itsactually is supposed to help strengthen the walls that lack of estrogen creates. On the UK site there are free sample offers to US and on US site you can order direct, mine came within 4 days. Good luck ladies and DRAGONFLY what is the other thread for 40+ you mentioned.

dragonfly1

Nmoss1000 Thanks for the product suggestion-I'm looking for anything that might work-will check out Multi Gyn. The thread I was referring to for women in their 40's is called "Any 40-ish survivors"

GrandmaV

Hi ladies,

This is my 4th day after treatment and I'm actually feeling pretty ok. Just a little flu like aches and pains and a stuffy head. Nothing a little tylenol can't handle. Not much of an appetite (for me very unusual - I can usually eat no matter what) and can't stand to drink cold drinks, so I'm drinking warm drinks today, mostly tea. If this is as bad as it gets, I'm ok with it.  Thanks to all.

MizMarie

Hi Grandma, glad to hear that your SEs are minor.  Hope they ALL are like that.

SpecialK:  I have completed 4 rounds; #5 is (hopefully) next Thursday.  I spiked a 102 fever yesterday and went in for labs; discovered my hemoglobin was 7.4 - no wonder I've felt like crap since the last treatment!  Luckily, my white count was good, but they gave me IV antibiotics just in case, plus two units of blood.  Still running a slight fever this morning, but I feel better today than I have in two weeks.  I could just choke my MO for presuring me to take that aranesp injection.  It takes 3-4 weeks to become effective, and does nothing in the short term to aleviate acute anemia.

AbqTiger

Loula, (and all)



Thanks for the info on the caps. I too looked into the penguin cold caps, but didn't want to spend that much money. These are much more affordable. I have had one Tch tx so far and am on day 13 expecting my hair to start falling out any day now. I wonder if it is too late or if I could prevent most hair loss by using the caps for my subsequent tx. My 7 yr old daughter is really mad that my hair is going to fall out. Any thoughts anyone?



AbqTiger

dragonfly1

AbqTiger I don't know anything about the cold caps but I do know that my hair began shedding heavily on day 16 i.e. as I washed it in the shower that day it just kept coming out in handfuls. I couldn't stand the mess and buzzed it off one day later. Seems like the cold caps are intended to protect/block the hair follicles from the effects of chemo so it may be too late but I'm sure others will chime in with helpful advice.

SpecialK

Abqtiger - I fear it is too late as the damage is likely to be complete after just one chemo.  I don't think most of us noticed that much additional hair loss after subsequent tx.  You will not save enough hair to be worth the cost or hassle, and definitely not enough to avoid the wig,cap or scarf at this point.  So sorry!

MizMarie - I am glad you got the two units - I didn't even get a chance to give you my transfusion speech about the process and what to look out for!  I worked in Transfusion Services in the hospital where I had my BMX.  It is good that you are feeling stronger - it is almost immediate that you feel relief from anemia symptoms.

grandmav - good for you!  Glad you are feeling ok!

racerdeb - give us a report on how your port placement went when you can.

Omaz

Abqtiger - As I said earlier I did use the caps but still lost hair because I had trouble with the first infusion and didn't use it during the carbo.  My daughter who is now 15 was very upset about my hair loss but I have to say that once it started coming back in and still for the last 10 months she has reveled in petting my head.  She still comes by when I am on the computer and fluffs me.  She has really enjoyed it, maybe your daughter will enjoy petting you too. 

SpecialK

omaz - My MO fluffs my hair too!  Cracked me up - we passed in the hallway at my last H only - and he put his hand on the back of my head and ruffled my hair.  It was actually very sweet because he had a big smile on his face.  He also hugged me when I was done with chemo.

Amelie_Rose

Hi everyone,

Resurfacing after tx#5. I'm still experiencing some SE's but am improving every day.  I wanted to stop by and say hello and welcome to all the newcomers on this thread.  You've come to the right place as the ladies here are all so wonderful.  I don't know how I would have made this journey without their support.

Miz Marie, so sorry you had to have a transfusion.  Hope you are feeling better now. 

Omaz, I smiled at the image of your 15-year old petting your new hair.  I have 16-year old and she's been very supportive of me wearing my wig, even though I still feel so self-conscious with it.  Can't wait to have my hair back.

Laura5133388

AbqTiger, On this website there is a topic called "Cold Cap Users Past and Present" under the Forum "Help Me Get through Treatment". I am sure someone there could advise you.

Omaz

Laura5 - I wish chemo centers would offer patients cold caps.  Those who want to do it should be able to.

Laura5133388

Omaz, Chemo centers do offer them in Europe. There may be a couple of places here that do also. It seems as though hardly any oncologists even know about them. Mine didn't. Why aren't they trying to learn ways to control this side effect?

SpecialK

Laura5 - many oncs are aware of the cold caps but don't endorse them because of the restriction of blood flow to the scalp.  Some centers have the ice mitts for hands and feet, but I think most don't.

TonLee

My Onc poo pooed the caps, said they don't work...

He was backed up by my second and third opinions!!

Laura5133388

SpecialK, and Tonlee,  It is a shame that any oncologist that knew about them would not do their homework.  If they really cared and did a bit of research, they would see that the caps are safe, they do not increase scalp mets. As far as saying they don't work, the caps I am using (Penguin Cold Caps) have a 90% success rate. Before I started, I spoke with a lot of women who had used them. All the women I spoke with still had their hair. I have had 4 out of 6 treatments and have all of my hair (on my head that is, lost it everywhere else). I would like to speak with those 3 oncs who told you they don't work.

SpecialK

Laura5 - if I had wanted to use a cold cap I think my MO would have told me it is my decision, he didn't offer up the info, but he would have respected my wishes.  I think it is incumbent upon the patient to pursue cold caps if they are motivated to save their hair.  I am glad that they are working for you!

Laura5133388

SpecialK, I agree that it is incumbent upon the patient to pursue whatever they feel is needed for their health and well-being. It upsets me that Tonlee apparently asked about cold caps and was told they don't work. Everyone should have the opportunity to keep their hair if they want to. I felt it was one thing I wasn't going to let cancer take away from me, made me feel I had a bit of control.

racerdeb

SpecialK,

My Mediport implant went well yesterday.  They gave me a light sedative and local anethesia, so it was pretty painless.  My neck area is a little sore this morning, but overall it was a fairly easy procedure.  I know it will be so much easier getting my treatments with this port.  I'm getting a little nervous about my first treatment next Tuesday, but I guess I'm about as prepared as I can be. 

I'm going to a free HER2 seminar on Saturday morning, and I hope to get a better understanding of it. 

Omaz

racerdeb - Glad it went well!  My day was Tuesday too.  I had steroids the night before, the morning of and in the infusion for a total amount of 50mg each time.  Gave me a red face and upset digestion.  Will you have steroids and neulasta?  The steroids are to control possible swelling from the taxotere.

racerdeb

Omaz,

Yes, I think I'll be getting the steriods right before the treatments, and I'll be getting the Neulasta on the day after each treatment. I'll know more on Tuesday, I guess.

SpecialK

racerdeb - glad your port placement went well.  You will be so happy to have it.  The nurses at my center are really excellent at placing IV, I have never seen them struggle with a patient trying to get one in, but I am so glad they can just snap mine in so easily.  Have they given you a prescrition for the Emla (lidocaine) cream?  You put it on at home over the port and put a piece of plastic wrap on it an hour before you come for chemo and it helps to numb the area.  They also use a numbing spray at my center.  Be sure to take your Claritin an hour prior to Neulasta, and for several days afterward, if your MO has given you the OK to take it.  Have you gone to the Herceptin website?  There is great information on it in an easy to understand format (unless of course, you look back at our conversation from the other night about dosing!  Ha!) and I believe there are live nurse chats if you have a question.

starella

Hi, I used elasto caps during TC, while I did lose some hair, I was never completely bald.  That being said I finished chemo in Feb., and now have a full head of intensly curly hair! 

racerdeb

SpecialK,

No, they didn't give me a presciption for the cream. I'll have to mention it.  My oncologist recommended the Claritin to me during my first appointment.  He also gave me the okay for the Glutamine powder and B6 vitamins that someone had recommended.

He also gave me a presciption for Emend for nausea.

I've also seen the recommendations for drinking a lot of water before and after the treatments, so I'm planning to do that also.

It seems like reading all of these tips suggested on this forum are almost as important as anything I'm hearing from my doctor.

The Herceptin website is great. I sent a link to it when I informed my family about my treatment plan.

My thanks goes out to you and everyone else for your advice in helping me get ready for my chemo treatments.

lago

I was never impressed with the emla cream. Sometimes I remember sometimes I don't. I have the chemo nurse access it now when I get it flushed instead of the triage nurses. She's is so awesome I hardly feel a thing.

Omaz

I only had the chemo nurses or the onc PA ( my favorite) access the port.  I didn't use anything, just took a big breath and as they insert the needle I exhaled.  just a little stick feeling.  But I can imagine maybe some ports are placed differently and it might be more sensitive.