Chemo May 2011

oandtolivo

Hot flashes are the worst. Doctor said it's menopause, but I think not I've had 3 of the worst periods on chemo and there are right on time.  I had my first Doc w/herceptin yesterday and an over night at the hospital.  So far so good.  I'm just happy to be done with FEC and the 12h vomiting.  Hugs to everyone not feel so great, hang in there.

40-years-old-now

Bak-  Yes I am very tired of being tired. That sounds so silly. Last few days have been really bad, as usually with the neulasta shot. I had some tummy problems that caused cramps and pooping for over 7 hours. Now because I was walking to the bathroom so many times, and the mussel reaction of shaking because I was so bad. I am suffering the pain of neulasta shot worst.

My mind is working today. I had a long bath that was nice. Over all today is not horible.

Candice

Anonymous

Bak94,   That is correct, they will give you the premeds before the abraxane in an IV....usually aloxi, decadron and I forget what the other one was...pepcid? does that sound right?  It is the same family as taxol, but doesn't work the same if that makes an sense.  I had a bad time with it and it had a lot of SEs....for me at least.  There was this other woman at the office I go to and she had been on it for something like 2 yrs,, did not lose her hair, did not get funky nails, none of the SEs I had.....her only complaint was that she didn't have any appetite and I was thinking Wow, just once I would like to do a treatment that made me lose my appetite!!  I did not like abraxane, but I will say this, it was one of the few chemos  I have done that worked for me.  It is amazing how we all react so differently.  I wish you luck with it and few SEs.

It is not a huge %age who have a change in tumor status, but from what I read it recommends that you recheck every few years especially if you have been on several treatments that have failed.  When my onco did the test, he said it was a long shot...that maybe 4 out of 200 he had checked, it had changed on and it was a surprise to me that I went from - to +.....so we shall see if adding herceptin to the mix gives me any better results. 

blondelawyer

Hey Ladies.  I'm currently sitting in the infusion center getting 2 units of blood--I'm anemic and my oncologist wants me as healthy as possible for my surgery next week.  I'm nervous about it, but trying to stay distracted!

I talked to my oncologist yesterday and he said that I will need radiation because of the initial size fo my tumor and will likely need more chemo, though we won't know for sure until the final pathology is back.  I am bummed about having so much more treatment ahead, but I understand the need and want to do it all now if it will help me not have to do this again.

I'm starting to do reconstruction research and it is all so overwhelming!  I know that I have a long time until then, but I am a planner and anxious.  

BAK: did you say that you were instructed to lose weight before reconstruction?  I am wondering how all of that works.  

Hope everyone is having a good week! 

40-years-old-now

blondlawyer- sorry your in the hospital, I know I have also been worried about being animic. (sp wrong).

Look for other things on the web, maybe read fanfiction, there is alot of it out there.

Take care

Candice

Beaglesgirl

Today I finally revisited the question that I knew the answer to ,but because I wasn't given a for sure so I had held out a tiny bit of hope. I will move on to rads when my taxol is over



I guess I better get on the rads boards and figure out how this will delay my reconstruction. II should be grateful for another opportunity to kill this effing disease. Just bummed.... Thought I was almost done.

MamaV

Sorry beaglesgirl. I had #9 rad today. I will lead the way for you again ...

blondelawyer

Sorry beaglesgirl.  I hope that rads go well.

---

beaglesgirl,

are you done with Taxol?  my chemo has been prolonged and delayed because of my liver damage.  i was put on weekly treatment now and will have 5 more, argh!  like you, i will be heading to rads 3 weeks after chemo is over.  keep me posted.

laureen

Beaglesgirl

My taxol, which is weekly has been a cake walk after that walking daed experience on AC. Mostly moderate to severe bone pain controllable with meds days2-4, food aversion but no nausea, a bit of adit reflux and I'm close watch for nueropothy. My onc told me yesterday if you feel it is ramping up call asap and we will reduce your dosage. "it is not likely reversible". Constipation continues to give me trouble tthe day before thu 2 or 3 days after.



I'm one fill away frm being full on expanders, I'm going to have it filled asap and tell my Ps rads are on... Let him tell me how much longer these hard plastic things will be in.



laureen, I hope the weeklys make a deference for you... Think about you on Tuesday's when I'm in the chair.

bak94

blondlawyer-it was the ps, dr. welk, that I saw that said I needed to lose about 20 more pounds for diep, although he does not diep. My mo has also said no reconstruction until a year after treatment ends.

Candice-glad you are feeling better. I knoe, it sucks being tired, and it is not just the usual kinda tired, it is the I am going to fall asleep right here tired!

Beaglesgirl-sorry about the rads. Did they say how much of a delay in reconstruction that will be for you?

MamaV-you are cruisin' along with rads!

I start abraxane on friday, afraid of the se's. My nails are not doing well right now, lifting on the sides and the new treatment will probably finish them off! It has been nice being off chemo for 4 weeks as I feel good, but anxious to get started again and to finish off this cancer! Taxol was hard on me, worse than ac, so I worry about the abraxane.

blondelawyer

Bak:  I guess the long delay in reconstruction can be good if weight loss is needed. I will probably need to lose quite a bit.  My MO is going to recommend some PSs after surgery.  I am also looking into some of the clinics known for DIEP.  So much to think about!

My tumor is causing me so much pain right now, I almost started crying when I bumped it earlier.  I don't know what is going on with it.  I am going to call my oncologist in the morning to let him know that I am in so much pain and the area seems more red and warm to the touch.  I am guessing he might put me on antibiotics to be safe.  I do not want anything interfering with my surgery on Tuesday.  I am SO ready to get this tumor out of my body.  Though, I will admit that I am freaking out a bit about the end result of being breast-less.  I hate cancer! 

bak94

I also have been freaking out about bmx, although my surgery is not scheduled yet. Then yesterday I was looking at old pictures and one was of me running in the danskin triathlon 6 years ago (did the running and bike ride part of it, had someone else do the swim). My boobs looked so droopy and saggy and I had on a heavy duty running bra! The woman next to me looked like she had a bmx (completely flat) and I liked the way she looked better than my saggy boobs! (a bunch of us trained with team survivor). Plus mine are very lopsided because I had a large lumpectomy in 2003, so I think I am ready for some symmetry, I always wanted to get evened out! I am sure the surgery is going to be very emotional plus the physical aspects, but we will get through this and will be happy to have this cancer out! We are losing a part of our body, but a part that is diseased and is causing us harm.

So sorry you are in pain, that darn tumor. Definitely time for it to come out!

bak94

Starting weekly abraxane tomorrow, oh where did my 4 weeks off go? I have gotton used to not having weekly doctor appointments, blood draws and shots! Was almost feeling normal except for my bald head.

blondelawyer

Bak:  I hope that the infusion goes well tomorrow!  How long are you on abraxane?  I am so emotional today it is not even funny.  Hopefully it will get better soon!

bak94

Blondelawyer- 

12 weeks, weekly. I will get a ct scan at 6 weeks and if there is shrinkage i will finish off with 6 more weeks. If there is not any shrinkage I will get surgery.

This whole cancer thing is emotional, and you have all the stuff you already have been through on top of it. I can see why you are emotional. Did you talk to your doc about the tumor pain? Is your surgery still a go for next week? I hope the transfusion made you feel a bit better. I always get emotional before surgeries, scans and chemo! Although today I have a strange calmness about me, like I am in denial about chemo tomorrow. I have heard some women say they felt so much better after surgery, to have the tumor gone. That is what I must focus on. I am having a hard time with the thought of no boobs and have been trying to find the positives of it, but it still scares me.

Beaglesgirl

Blondelawyer and Bak, I felt much less at the end of my emotional rope after my BMX. It gave me a second wind to fight. My heart goes out to both of you I wish you peace for this next step.



L

Robyn_S

Blondelawyer and Bak - I feel for you both looking ahead to your BMX surgery. It can be emotional but there are positives - symmetry in reconstruction and the reduction of risk. You can choose how you want your new Foobs to look - and they will be perky when you are not feeling perky! You dont have to wear a bra if you dont want to!! I had large DDs and was so relieved to lose the problems they caused!

I meet with my PS next month to plan reconstruction and hope to have implants done ASAP. I have expanders in now since the BMX in April and will be glad to lose them for something softer. Not expanded yet as I have 25 rads to do first. What did help me emotionally was seeing other womens reconstruction journeys in the pictures forum as the results can be fantastic and better than you imagine. good to check out for reassurance before you make decisions!

hope you are feeling better blondelawyer!

Beaglesgirl - glad that the taxol is treating you better than the AC!

Good luck for your chemo tomorrow Bak!

blondelawyer

I did talk to my oncologist about the tumor pain (my breast is also swollen, red, and warm to the touch).  If it is still like this tomorrow I have to go in to see him.  The pain is a bit better today than it was yesterday, so hopefully tomorrow will be better.  Of course, the concern is infection, but I haven't had a fever, so that is good.  Surgery is still on for Tuesday--thank goodness!   As much as I am dreading the emotional journey after, the tumor NEEDS to come out.  It is HUGE.  And that alone freaks me out.  

I think that part of my issue is just knowing how much is still ahead of me.  My oncologist said that I will have to have radiation and most likely will have more chemo.  And then the whole reconstruction thing is so overwhelming--there are so many decisions and so much information out there.  

I think that not working is also hard--I feel like I have lost everything--my husband, my career, and my health.  It is just so overwhelming! 

40-years-old-now

I had to see the dr today because when I got my weekly blood draw I showed them my tounge that is sore.

Dr says I have an infection like a yeast infection in my mouth. UGGG

Gave me meds swish and swollow.

Blondlawyer- sorry you feel so overwhelmed. I do too sometimes. Take care.

OH I just saw the time. I should go to sleep iti is 3 am and I have a CT scan tomarrow at 11am

Then hubby has a meeting from 3-6 so I watch the daughter. Maybe I will take a nap after ct scan before his meeting.

Night all

Candice

bak94

Good to hear from you  Candice, I hope your ct show much regression

Blondelawyer-I get it too, like my life is in stall mode. I work very little and have not gotten much done, I feel very unproductive. Although I can't imagine what you are going through without your husband being here to support you. Please know I am here, and I know you have lots of friends, but if you need anything I am close by and that is not an empty offer. Even if you just need a shoulder to cry on or someone to vent to from someone who understands some of your battle. You will get your health and career back, but unfortunately for us it is going to take some time. I think you will feel, like beaglesgirl mentioned, so much better and stronger to fight after you get that nasty tumor out.

Thanks beaglesgirl and Robyn, it is so hard to imagine the surgery before it takes place. I can not do immediate reconstruction which makes me a bit sad, but I also realize it is the best thing for my situation. Both blondlelawyer and I were recommended to wait a year before reconstruction.

bak94

It was wonderful to have 4 weeks off from chemo! Had my first abraxane today. They gave me so much benedryl that I had to sleep for about 5 hours when I got home. It was so much easier than going into the hospital! It was so quick! Feel good, just sleepy right now. I know it will hit in a few days. my hands kept falling asleep while I was napping, that is kinda worrisome. No allergic reaction like I had on the taxol! I did not even know when it started going in. Next week they add zometa, the nurse said they basically have given it to everyone with breast cancer in their office for the past ten years with great results to prevent bone mets. Then the week after that I start Avastin with the abraxane. She also said that they do give ai's to triple negatives and it hasd been shown to have some benefit, so since I am 3% er pos, it sounds like I will be definitely getting some anti-hormonal treatment, plus my ovaries out because of brca positive. I am kinda chatty just like when I was in the hospital! Sorry for the book!

blondelawyer

bak:  Glad that the treatment went well.  Rest well this weekend!

bak94

How is everyone? I think many have moved on to the rads board! Laureen, how are your weekly taxol treatments going? I had my first abraxane yesterday and feel pretty good today, got alot done. We are trying to declutter, maybe having a yard sale in a couple of weeks. Today I did more work around the house than I have done in a long time! So why does it seem more cluttered? I think I may be the last one left here doing chemo as everyone else moves on to rads and surgery! 11 more weeks for me .

Robyn_S

Hello everyone- it has been very quiet in here, I think you are right BAK and lots are moving onto rads. I had my appointment this week to get my mapping and tats done for rads which will start in about 3-4 weeks time after my last taxotere this Tuesday. I will not be sorry to leave chemo behind, hopefully it will have done it's job! The taxotere has been okay. Apart from the fatigue and dry eyes I have not had too many SEs. Avoided the neuropathy and nail issues so count myself lucky!

I am glad the abraxane tx is treating you well BAK.

twistedsteel

I am still here. I read a lot on here. Don't post a lot.

I have finished my 12 taxol that I started in the end of May.

Tomorrow I am in the chair for #1 of 4 DD AC. Worried about SE's

I had diarrhea, sore finger tips and toe tips with nails getting iffy but ultimately staying on, so far, a little neuropathy, fatigue to beat the band, at the end of my chemo week I had muscle tightness and soreness in my legs, and I get winded way way too easily. Not to mention hair loss.

The Thursday withdrawal from the steroid IV is the hardest for me emotionally. I become a labile, weepy, whiny, needy, insecure mess. I can feel it come over me Wed night and feel it leave Th night. When I wake up Th morning I look in the mirror at myself and feel old, ugly and worthless. Every other morning when I wake up, I look in the mirror and think, wow, you're not bad looking for a bald cancer fighter. lol.

 I have explained to my closest friends that I am needy and sad on this day. That the nurses explained to me it's the steroids leaving my body. And that if they can just give me a little extra attention via text and phone, and understand this will pass, it is very helpful. Most come through for me. But I have worried that I am becoming a labile crybaby for real. But I'm not. I am a stoic, hard headed, emotionally balanced person in real life. 

I have lots of drugs for the AC nausea. I have the Claritin Aleve combo for the Neulasta pain. I have asked the docs to not give me a break between the taxol and AC bc I just want the chemo portion of my trifecta to be over. Next stop is surgery. I am doing neo-adjuvent chemo. And then rads.

 I am still here. Will be here on this board if there are any remaining women until Sept 26. My last chemo. I am so excited to start growing hair in 9 weeks. Yahoo! 

Edited to add: the steroids are IV premed. Today sat in chair for AC. Boy that huge syringe of ruby red stuff is intimidating. I forgot to get the antacids heartburn OTC stuff, so had to ask my ex-husband to go out and pick it up for me as I woke from a nap with a fast moving reflux that made me dizzy I moved to sit up so fast. lol. I am so fortunate that while my bathrooms at my house are being redone this week, my ex and his girlfriend are letting me stay all week until Fri with them.

 THe kindness people have extended me along this path of hellfire has made the thankful that I was kind enough to them in the past that they feel I deserve their aid. 

bak94

Twistedsteel. did they give you steroids before the infusions or with the infusions? With abraxane I get 10mg decadron. I hope that is not enough to have the withdrawal, as that sounds awful! I have heard others mention the withdrawal effects also. I did the ac first, but I also have surgery and rads to look forward to. I had a 4 week break inbetween ac and abraxane, my doc did not give me a choice. I think I needed it to get my counts and energy back up. Probably different with taxol first. Keep us posted on how ac is for you. I think you will do just fine!

---

bak94,

i did my first weekly Taxol this past monday.  it was more tolerable than the dose dense every two weeks.  very minimal muscle and bone pain and i did not need to take pain meds for it.  i have 5 more weekly treatments to go.  i am skipping a week this coming week as i am flying to jersey with my mom to visit a cousin.  i should be back to the chemo chair next monday, 22nd.

yeah, i think a lot has moved to radiation therapy by now.  i am anticipating to start rads sometime in october.  i was told that i will be having a 3-week rest after chemo before starting rads.

i hope everybody is doing well.

laureen

MamaV

Laureen I'm so glad weekly taxol is being nicer to you! Keep up the fight. I'm 1/3 way through rads with no SE yet! Take care!

Patriotic

Hi everyone. Glad to see you are all doing ok, relatively-speaking. I have been reading the boards periodically. Last week, I had #2 of 4 AC. Going okay, all things considered. Just very, very tired. On day 3, I woke up with a cold and on day 4, it seemed to move down into my chest so, I made a hospital visit during vacation. Ugh! Thankfully, it's only Bronchitis but it had really got me wiped, on top of the chemo-induced shortness-of-breath. I was just happy that I didn't have to be admitted.



Blonde lawyer, I am so sorry you had to get blood transfusions. You must have felt pretty good after. I keep telling my hubby that I will never ever take feeling good for granted as long as I live. I hope the upcoming surgery goes well. I've talked with 2 women (and seen one) with DIEP
reconstruction. It was amazing. Seriously.



Marybe, that is interesting about your HER2 status changing. Glad you have a new treatment
option, though. When will you begin Herceptin?



MamaV, glad to know rads won't be so bad. I know this sounds silly but I do NOT want the
tats. What else can they do instead?



Bak94 and Twisted steel, I hear you about the steroid side-effects. The problem is that they
are a double-edged sword; getting you over the worst of the side-effects but then, causing some
real emotional issues in their wake. I had never had steroids before so, it was hard to know what to
expect. And there are so many meds, countering each other......how the hell do you know all
the contraindications of them!

Here's hoping everyone has a good week. So glad that I have a week off.