Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

lago

Dragonfly I had no idea. My onc is very busy but when I was undergoing chemo I saw her at every infusion except one when she was out of town. I also saw her a few months after my last infusion. I think you made the wise choice. If her partner doesn't take you on then that's a sign that the partner is no good for you either. If you have to pull teeth to get answers then this is not the onc for anyone!

SpecialK

dragonfly - one of the reasons you have received good care is that you are smart and informed, and have asked questions along the way - I feel badly for her patients who are not as proactive as you.  You did the right thing.  My situation is like lago described - always saw onc at every appt., except for the Herceptin only - that was every three appts., and my onc is a hugger too!

AmyIsStrong

Dragonfly - GOOD FOR YOU!

I was very unhappy with my onc, who was an older man and brusque and quite patronizing. But I (who is usually extremely decisive and assertive) could not bring myself to switch during treatment. I just felt too vulnerable.  Finally, after all my herceptin was done, I saw the nurse practictioner and mentioned (again) how difficult the onc was to deal with. She INSISTED that I make my next appt with another onc in the practice and I did.  I was (irrationally) so afraid that he was going to call me up and say "Why did you switch?" or pop out from behind a corner at my next visit and confront me.  OF COURSE none of that happened. My first (and so far only) visit with the new onc (a young woman) was TOTALLY different and absolutely wonderful. She was COLLABORATIVE - i.e. we DISCUSSED whether I should switch to an AI or stay on tamox. She LISTENED. She was like a (very smart) peer!  It was an awesome visit and I am going to my next one in April and am actually LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

I did find out later (from someone else in the field) that they want to keep you in the practice, not lose you entirely, and would rather have you switch oncs and keep you than have you just leave. It was a huge step for me, and I am totally amazed that you actually brought it up to the onc herself in person. GOOD for you!!! I hope it all works out, as it did for me. Very proud of you. You go girl! 

SpecialK

Amy - I just started laughing at the mental picture you painted of your old onc popping out from behind a corner - thanks for the giggle!  Not really a laughing matter, but it struck me.

AmyIsStrong

It IS funny, b/c their office has a lot of long hallways, with lots of doors, twists and turns etc. I felt like he could be lurking behind any door, ready to pop out.

Actually what DID happen is that his nurse/assistant saw me when i was checking out (making my next appt at the desk) and said "Did you like the new doctor? Did she work out better for you?" My heart almost stopped - I felt like I'd been caught cheating or something. But I just calmly said yes and she walked away.  People have told me this happens all the time - but to me, it was such a huge big deal. 

Relda

Yes, good for you Dragonfly - your relationship with your MO is THE most important one in your cancer journey.  I am APPALLED that you only saw her 5 times during your tx's - that is horrifying.  Your association with your MO is for a VERY long time and its so important to have a great rapport.  I see my MO on EVERY SINGLE VISIT large or small, I cannot imagine going through this (coming up on 6 years this summer) without constant interaction with him, especially his kindness, compassion, great sense of humor and all around support.  I do not think I could have made it through the past 5 years without him and I dread the day he decides to retire (he's 62).  He has been my rock (as well as the hubs of course) during this recurrence journey I find myself on and I thank the gods (and mysurgeon lol) for sending him to me at the beginning.  Speak up for yourselves and get the best care possible - they work for you!

dragonfly1

Amyisstrong I can totally relate. I'm normally very assertive and advocate for myself as well but it just goes to show what BC treatment can do to your normal coping abilities. I knew I was getting all the right treatment because of my research and luckily I absolutely love my BS and RO and I have been active here which filled the gap but I still felt very sad at times knowing that it shouldn't be that way. DH and I discussed it and decided that it was best to just tell her in person so that I wouldn't feel weird about her "popping out from around a corner" or running into me in the hall (I was worried about the same thing) since it's a very small practice. She was really stunned to say the least and I don't imagine people deal with her that way often. She actually said, "well we have to cover for each other sometimes so we don't normally make changes like this" and I said I can deal with you covering now and then or we wouldn't be having this appt today:) Told you-I've got my mojo back! I'm so looking forward to meeting with another MO in the future. Thanks everyone for your encouragement as always!

Omaz

So Amy, what did you and the onc decide about staying on the tamoxifen or switching to the AI?  I am at that point too.

melly1462

Wow!  Good for you Dragonfly!  "Bonding" with my docs has been very important to me, much to the irritation of my BF.  I start TCH a week from today and have met with the MO twice already.  Had I not felt comfy with her I was prepared to move back home (moved 10 hours away 2 months before diagnosis) for chemo treatment with an MO I had seen previously for unrelated condition. 

AmyIsStrong

Omaz - I have been on Tamox for 2 years and am doing well (exc for some stubborn weight gain and hot flashes) and want maximum time coverage. So at this point, we decided to stay on tamox and then do an AI for another 5 years, which gives me the longest time to be covered. She did not have strong feelings one way or the other. Said that the AI shows slightly higher results, but the add'l 3 years i would get have benefit too. (By staying on Tamox 3 more years then AI for 5 = 10 vs switching now and having 2 years in on Tamox and another 5 on AI=7)   She said it is an individual choice and it could go either way. The other onc would have had his mind made up and said "I want you to..." and that would have been that.

We also agreed that by the time I am ready for an AI, or after I am done the AI, there very likely may be something new that has not been invented yet. So we are staying put for now and keeping our options open. It is a choice I am comfortable with. 

Omaz

Thanks for the explanation Amy, I'll pass on what my onc says later this month.

TonLee

Good for you Dragon!

The reason she suggested shutting down the ovaries (by removal or Lupron) IF YOUR PERIODS COME BACK is because the research shows up to a 30% benefit in premeno women who get their periods back...My Onc wouldn't even discuss "if" my periods come back, until they did.  It's almost like they know what the research shows but are hesitant to tell us for some reason.  Maybe because they figure most of us won't get them back?  I dunno.  But it is really frustrating!

Moonflwr912

Good for you, Dragonfly and Amy! When I was Dx, I asked the nurses what the MOs were like. A couple gave me short descriptions, like, "he is hands on" or "she is really good explaining things", and I.picked the one they said liked to explain everything and liked to be there for h is patients. I really am happy with him. Changing would be hard, if I didn't like him though, you get so dependent on them.

Eileenohio

Good evening ladies, Just home from treatment 1.(5more to go)The treatment was uneventful all went according to plan. They did give me I activan to clam me down,  I am now waiting for the 3rd to 5th day to see what side effects I might get.  I am very tired but it does not feel like fatigue.

Moomflwr Good luck tomorrow prepare for a long  day. Take a little lunch,books,magazines and/or a friend.   You will be in my thoughts and prayers all day tomorrow.  Hang in there. Regards Eileen

Thanks to everyone for your love and support,.   Hugs Eileen

lago

EileenO so glad today went without a hitch. Be sure to come back and report any SE to  your MO. Also we gals know some good remedies for constipation diarrhea etc. Don't wait till it gets bad. Sooner you do something about it the easier it is to resolve.

Moonflwer good luck tomorrow. Hope like EileenO you have an uneventful day.

Omaz

Good job Eileen!  Keep drinking and eating.  I was told by the oncology nutritionist to include a lot of protein in my diet.  I liked cottage cheese, egg whites and chicken/fish the best.  If you feel nausous be sure to take your meds.  I found that keeping a little food in my stomach helped with the nausea. But, you may not get any nausea - !  

SpecialK

eileen - good for you!  Drink, drink, drink.  Water, that is!

lago

Eileen soup also counts as fluids just try and stay away from the salty stuff. I did retain a lot of fluid on chemo.

christina0001

Ugh I have to drink, I can't stand the tacky, yucky taste in my mouth.

Dragonfly - good for you for switching oncs. It is so important to be comfortable with your doctors.

I think I need something to help me with a little bit of constipation but I don't know what. I normally go about an hour after I wake up, but now it is like 4 hours after I wake up and I have a stomach ache all morning until I do go. Any advice? I'm trying to eat more fruits and veggies than normal but it doesn't seem to be quite enough.

SpecialK

christina - my BIL the gastroenterologist says Miralax.

Relda

Christina - Miralax is the only thing that worked for me.  And I had the WORST constipation issues.  It used to be an rx but has been OTC for a couple of years.  Worked like a charm for me.

 And yes, drink as much as you possibly can. Staying hydrated is really really important.  Hang in there!

Relda

LOL Special K!  GMTA 

lago

My usual would be Phillips Milk of Magnesia, dried apricots and Probiotic but on chemo that didn't work for me. I found that I had to add Metamucil used as directed worked. First tx was the worst because I tried other things first. After that I started the Metamucil the night of chemo and continued till things moved at a nomal pace.

There is a contipation thread too here with other suggestions.

Kelloggs

Christina - I agree with the Miralax...it worked wonders for me.  That was the worst SE I had on day 2 or 3.  Tried Miralax this time the day of and day after treatment and I had no problems!

Eileen - so glad today was uneventful for you.  I will echo what the other ladies said and drink, drink, drink!  I was never a water drinker myself but I have learned to be one and it does make a difference.  I know you will probably be waiting for the other shoe to drop....but don't.  Live your life and deal with the SE's if and when they come.  Be proactive and you will do fine!

SpecialK

relda - it is funny, after my BMX my SIL (married to the gastroenterologist) came to visit.  She is also an OR nurse.  Other people brought flowers, magazines, pajamas, and she walks in with a big cannister of Miralax!

Moonflwr912

Specialk, I love your sisterinlaw! Wow, she knows what you needed.cool.

SpecialK

moon - lots of docs and nurses (and one veterinarian!) in DH's fam - makes for some interesting conversations about bodily functions!  This particular SIL had breast augmentation a few years ago and when I just saw her at Christmas with my fully filled TE's we had a hard time hugging each other because we just kind of bounced off each other - ridiculous and very funny!

Moonflwr912

I am a HUC in a hospital, my daughter is an LPN going to nurseing school for her RN, my sister is a phlebotimist, my cousin is a doc, so I know What you mean . I LOL'd at the pic of you bouncing off each other like sums wrestlers. Thanks for that visual.

SpecialK

moon - I worked in Transfusion Services in the hospital I had my BMX in.  And, yes, it was exactly like sumo wrestlers - excellent analogy!

Moonflwr912

LOL. Sumo indeed. I got my infection after returning to work for

Only 4 days. My MO says no more while on chemo, hospital too dangerous for immune system