Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

Omaz

a bug bite?

slgarcia05

no not a bug bite. 

GrandmaV

slgarcia, could it be a boil?  I seem to remember reading somewhere that people with supressed immune systems can develope boils.

GrandmaV

This article from webmd mentions it:

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/boils

slgarcia05

I don't think it is a boil either.  It doesn't look like one, and it would be a weird spot for one.  I guess I am going to watch it, and if it is still there Monday, I will call my doc.  I guess I am just extra paranoid about things.  Yikes!

slgarcia05

the other things i see are a line coming from it, that is dark in color and it is warm to the touch.  my hubby says i should call the doc, but i cannot bring myself to do it.

Omaz

slgarcia - That could be an infection starting - line, warm - please consider going to urgent care.

slgarcia05

would you call your doc?

Omaz

You are between chemo 5 and 6?  Yes, call.

GrandmaV

I agree with omaz, you need to be seen right away.

slgarcia05

yes i am about to have #6 on march 13th.  i don't feel sick and don't have a fever.

Omaz

That's good that you don't have a fever.  From what I know if I see a line coming from something red, especially if it is warm, that usually means an infection to me.  It may not be but whatever it is it does have you concerned and that's what your doc is there for.

GrandmaV

Don't wait for those symptoms to develope, if it's an infection it could easily get out of hand.  These are not normal circumstances. 

slgarcia05

thanks ladies.  i just really hate calling on the weekend, but i guess i should just to be sure.  thank you both so much!  will let u know what i find out.

slgarcia05

okay.  i have a call in to the doc.  it is not my doc, but one i've seen before....he actuaully put me in the hospital after chemo #4, so hopefully he will remember me.  just waiting for the call back.

Omaz

Good!

GrandmaV

That's good.

dragonfly1

slgarcia Better to call and describe what's going on to your doctor or the doctor on call to get some guidance. You are still in chemo so your immune system is not even close to normal so although it may seem like something you wouldn't normally call a doctor about during a weekend, these are different circumstances. "Warm to the touch" can mean infection which you don't need right now and it could lead to a more serious infection. Nothing is minor during chemo... 

dragonfly1

slgarcia Great-let us know what you find out

slgarcia05

just talked to doc.  going to er to have it evaluated.  he said i MUST go.  let u know what i find out.  please pray it is not a long wait.

lago

Glad to hear you went to the  hospital to get it checked out. Hope you're doing OK. Sounds like an infection to me.

Amelie_Rose

slgarcia, glad you called your doctor.  Hope it's nothing too serious and that you get back home quickly.  Thinking of you.

Caitlin, welcome! Good luck in making the right chemo choice.  Have you had a second opinion? MO's sometimes differ in their treatment choices and if you are undecided, it might be good to talk to more than one doctor.

Amy, thanks for the thyroid protection suggestion.  I agree: why risk more radiation exposure if you don't have to?

Ana and Ashla, I am with you on the worry aspect of our lives.  I wonder if I'll ever be carefree again.  I remember asking my MO during my first visit if there was a test that would show if I was cancer-free after treatment...  Without that kind of assurance, it doesn't matter what treatment decision we make, what stage we are at diagnosis, or what type of follow-up we have in place, we will always worry.... 

Thanks to all those who commented on my NED date question.  Surgery date it is.  Another question for those of you who had rads.  Is is common to develop a cord after rads?  I now have one under my arm that started a few days after my last tx.  Just wondering if I should call my RO or if it is normal.  

Amelie 

slgarcia05

Hello Ladies.  I went to the ER.  Here is what they said......she was concerned it is some sort of infection.  Not sure what it is, but they tried to aspirate it (hurt like hell) and nothing came out.  She said it may to be early for any puss to have formed underneath it yet.  So not sure if it is like an abcess or cellulitis.  My wbc was elevated at 11.1 so she said something was definitely going on.  They also did a doppler to make sure it is not a clot...it's NOT.  Thank goodness.   So they have put me on levaquin for 10 days.  She told me to keep an eye on it and come back if it gets worse or I get a fever.  Thank you ladies for your love and support.  Have a good night.  Hugs!

aprilmanio

Hi,

 Has any of you know of organizations who gives free herceptin medication? My mom is in need of 24 vials of 150mg herceptin, she is her2neu positive. Please help me,,,

 Thanks. April

aprilmanio

Hi,

 Has any of you know of organizations who gives free herceptin medication? My mom is in need of 24 vials of 150mg herceptin, she is her2neu positive. Please help me,,,

 Thanks. April

Laura5133388

aprilmanio, Ask her doctor if there is any sort of help for Herceptin. 

Omaz

slgarcia - Glad you are home.  Hope you have a restful night.

Moderators

April, the main Breastcancer.org site has a section about Paying for Your Care which includes Tips to Lower Your Medicine Costs. If you scroll down to the bottom of that page, there's information about several Medicine Assistance Programs. Those described are mostly in the United States, but as other members have recommended, your mother's doctor may be able to give you local information.

Judith and the Mods

dragonfly1

Aprilmanio Go to HerceptinAccessSolutions.com The company that makes Herceptin (Genentech) lists two different programs on the website-one is to assist those with no insurance coverage and the other is to help if you have insurance but can't afford the copays for Herceptin. Either way, they want to help those who need access to Herceptin and can't afford it. It explains the program, necessary forms, etc.

anafoefana

Amelie,

I talked to the RO about developing cords.  I don't have them now but I did briefly after my surgery. I am having trouble with my arm and range of motion, but I do not see any cording.  My RO said she would send me for therapy if I developed cording and I am wearing a sleeve at work.  I would call the RO and discuss your concerns.  I read an article recently that said that many drs dismiss it too easily because they don't know much about it.  My RO was receptive and seemed to be on top of it. 

I finished with rads a week ago, but my skin is still cooking. I am hoping it will heal soon! 

SLgarcia, glad to hear you are on the mend.