Taxotere/Cytoxan starting February 2012.

shera

likeachickadee
- congrats on uneventful 1st treatment. Its such a huge relief to see how your body will react!
gayle
- congrats on the big chemo hurdle behind you!!
anntop
- I have that same thought when people - outside these boards - say your almost done... because its hard to know if they really believe its done. I usually say.." yep, then theres the final surgery".. since they think the TE is "it". Should add " and 5 years of an oral chemotherapy" . no rads for me, but add that and its a whole other "big hurdle.

on same note... Im halfway done with TC! (well..not SEs yet....) .

Today was tx #2. Thankyou for the mentions and thoughts!! it went well, like last time. Now for the side-effects -  some were bad for me last time. What my onc described as " fierce" bone pain.

Things done differently this time in hopes of less bone pain: pre-treating Neulasta shot --- took a claritin BEFORE and 400mg of ibuprofen day before infusion, day of infusion, and day after, before neulasta shot. I will continue this for a few days. trying to drink even more water this time, will take the stool softener& laxative tonight before bed instead of waiting to see if needed (I needed it last time... so will assume) tomorrow I will most likely be given a half dose of Neulasta, and take a percocet before bed. Also they slowed down the Cytoxen today, because someone mentioned this helped their headaches... and I've have a headache everyday since 1st tx. different intensities.. and not continually by the 3 week... so... I will let you know if any of this helps!

Kim48

Shera,, Hope you have an uneventful next few days.



Anntop, Thinking of you today.



I agree with you both about future treatments. I have 4th TC next week and am so glad to put it behind me. Now I find myself worrying about the five years of hormone therapy. Anntop, there's a new article on the news on this page. It suggests splitting between Tamoxifin (sp?) and AI even after menopause. I'm taking it to my MO. It is an interesting study, scared me about only AI.



And, my exchange surgery on June 6. That one I will be ready for. I'm tired of TE's for sure!



Bonnie, hope all is going well today. Up at 3:45! You amaze me!



Praying for all of you! Kim

Gayle56

Kim48  Can you put in the link to that article -  I am concerned about the AI's as well

Thanks

Gayle

Kim48

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/new_research/20110823.jsp



If this link doesn't work, this article is under the thread about hormone therapy. This really concerns me. Would love to hear thoughts on this.

RuthieG

HI all!  Hope people are having minimal SEs today...

 I had third TC today.  Went well - they were able to find a good vein, but it was on the inside crook of my elbow so my arm was flipped and hurt to bend it the whole time... but at least it didn't hurt.

Going in tomorrow for fluids and my half neulasta, and then preparing for a somewhat rotten weekend.  I do get to teach tap tonight and workout in the morning, though, while I'm still hopped up on steroids!

Question -- anyone have rads coming after this?  If so, when will you be starting?  I'm going to be meeting with the radiation oncologist soon, because we have a family trip to Disney booked and paid for for mid-June.  If I don't start rads by the second week in April, then it runs into the trip, and skipping any rads is not allowed.  So if they can't start me on rads pretty much immediately (like 3 days) after my last TC, then I'll have to wait until the end of June to start... neither option sounds great.  So if you have rads coming, has anyone told you anything about when they should start?

MO knew about this trip when we were scheduling chemo out... and he thought either way would probably be ok, but it will ultimately be RO making the decision.

NikkEliz

RuthieG: I'm having Rads after chemo too. I'm not sure exactly when I start though. My last TC is April 3 and I have my meeting with my RO April 4 to start the planning so I'll know more then. I know there are a few tests and such that have to be done first, I've heard I could start anywhere from a couple weeks after the last chemo to a month depending on how I am feeling after the last TC and such. I'll let you know more if I find out more!

 Hope everyone had a great day! 

Gayle56

RuthieG  - I finished my TC this week and was told at least 3-4 weeks to start the rads to get the chemo out of my system or it will interfere with the rads.  Also it depends on your blood tests as well.

Gayle56

Thanks Kim for the link.  My MO was very set on the AI's for 5 years.  My concern was a family history of osteoporosis as well as I have high blood pressure and am predisposed to high cholesterol.  He pretty much dismissed my concerns so I will have to do some research on my own.  I still have about 9 weeks lead time until I will start taking them.

Gayle

Amymomto5

Hi girls, I'm from the March chemo group.  I have a question for you....

Did anyone have an allergic reaction to body lotion?  I am on day 10 of tx 1 (TCx4).  Yesterday I had actual welts, some 4-5 inches wide, way worse than hives.  Benadryl slowed it down, but I had to have a decadron shot yesterday and another today when they started to come back.  Now I'm taking prednisone and benadryl as well as claritin.  My primary doc suspects it is because my white count is a whopping 29!  She thinks my immune system went into overdrive. Anyone else experience this?  I have never even had hives, only poison ivy a time or two.

Thanks for any input you have. 

onvacation

Hi ladies!  Had my first treatment today and it went really well. No SE yet, just tired but can't sleep - assuming it is from the steroids?  Have a bit a dry mouth, but other than that doing well.

Hope eveyone has a wonderful evening! 

A_FIGHTER

Evening Ladies,

mkguiterrez & skydiver:  Thoughts and prayers with you for tomorrow! After tomorrow you're half-way done!

Shera & RuthieG: Glad things went well today! 

I am home. It was an extremely LONG day! I was at the hospital for just about 12 hours. Mom's scheduled time of 7:30 am was delayed to an emergency. She wasn't take back until 11:30 am. At one point it turned very stressful as a Code Blue (death) was called over loud speaker. I was at wits end left wondering until, unfortunately, I saw the poor grief stricken sister. It was very upsetting to see! Of course, on the other hand, felt relieved, rellieved and also felt terrible for feeling relieved! What a bunch of mixed emotions!!

I was never spoken to about how mom was doing. Finally, I decided to hunt her nurse down from the Cardiac Floor. She helped me figure out what was going on. So, at this point we found out mom was in ICU for 10 minutes. This was around 5. This wonderful nurse, Kris, took me to where she was and to get the scoop of how she was doing. I wasn't allowed to see her yet! She informed me mom was doing great!

Jason & I then had to return to the waiting room for a very short time. In that short time the Dr. came out and told me he did have to do a Triple By-Pass and had to remove veins from both legs. Everything looked great and he was really pleased at the work that had been done by him and his partner. We were then called to ICU a few minutes later.

Her nurse in ICU is fantastic! At the rate mom is going she may be back in her regular room tomorrow  The nurse told me to go home as there is nothing that can be done right now. She told me to call at 8 pm to see how she was. If anything was wrong they would call. She also told me to call throughout the night as she doesn't sleep...LOL!

Thank you for ALL your well wishes!! 

For those of you doing radiation, I was curious as to what your MO's have said as to why you are receiving radiation as well? Radiation was never mentioned to me and I plan on asking MO on Monday for her reasoning as to why it wasn't mentioned.

XOXO,

Bonnie 

Life isn't a matter of milestones but of moments ~ Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy 

Anonymous

amymomto5   --  I had a reaction during TX2 and about a week later my face broke out in massive rash/acne.  It was so gross......i haven;t had skin like that even when I was a teenager.  It was so embarrassing....yet another SE from the gift that keeps on giving.  I was told it was a sever rosacea acne attack brought on by the steroids I was given during TX2.  

 I have another TX next week and the truth is that I am wigging out worrying about what is going to happen at that one.  Will I have another reaction or will it be okay?

(((Hugs))) 

NikkEliz

I had a lumpectomy, not a mastectomy which is why I need radiation to go along with it. 

shera

I had a mastectomy, with clean margins, so no rads needed. 

It does seem that more mastectomys are getting rads these days. I was glad when my MO unhesitantly said it wasn't needed, because based on my reading & research, I was prepared to choose not to. This was after I knew about the clean margins. 

Anonymous

-fighter - I am doing the radiation as I had a double lumectomy and that was a requirement with it.

(((Hugs))) 

lmlola59

Morning ladies,

Bonnie so glad your mom is on the mend but  I am sorry how stressful the wait was.They usually tell you what is going on and let you know when they are out of surgery.Not sure why this didn't happen for you but at least it is over.Give your mom hugs from us all.Also having rads because i had a lumpectomy and not a mastectomy and was told if I had done the mastectomy it would not have been needed so I would definitely readdress with you RO.

Kim48 thanks for the site on the AL.Since I was not yet menopausal I will be starting with the Tamoxafin for at least a year and then switching over.I am not thrilled with either as they have not been around long enough to know the long term effects,feel like a gineypig 

mkguiterrez & skydiver Sending you well wishes today and the days after 

Onvacation so glad to hear your first TX went so well and wishing you limited SE's

Amymomto 5 I got a bad hivey rash on my chest on day 7 so MO did not think it was caused by the roids of Chemo drugs.I had an appointment on day 10 so waited it out and by then it was no longer itchy and going away on its own.Also broke out with major acne which I haven't had in years she did give me a antibiotic for this as it showed a sign of infection.I had changed my moisturizers for both body and face as I wanted something that was everything free and decided to just go back to what I was using before Chemo.Maybe I had a reaction to this don't know will find out soon it  should show up by Monday if it is coming back

The steroids are kicking my but this time as far as sleeping so I am not going to take them today as directed.Hope it doesn't back fire.

Have a great day all going to get in my work out today as not sure whether I will have any reaction to the Neulasta shot but figure it will start between tomorrow and Monday if I do 

Myleftboob

HI All

Haven't posted here in a while, hope everyone is having mild SE's.  There are so many posts!!!!

Re RADS, I was just having the RADS discussion on the February board.  I had an MX and while my MO doesn't think its required with my path report, of course the RO does.  No nodes, fab margins.  I have to wonder what her agenda is honestly.  With my research I can't find that its indicated anywhere.  I will have to meet with her in the next while I would imagine as I finish chemo April 20.  I'll give her another kick at the can to try to convince me its warranted although right now I am leaning towards not having it done.

lmlola59

Latisse saw this post a while ago sorry don't remember who posted but want to give some info here.I have been using this for about 2 yrs because I noticed my lashes were thinning.I do not however buy the Latisse I did some research and found the actual ingredient is Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Solution under the name Careprost.I order this from overseas as I know there is a lot of controversy of whether it is safe or not but I decided it was worth the savings. I found that the brushes for application are very small and i have never gotten it in my eyes and the Latisse brush is ridiculously big.I know if you get it as Latisse it can be up to 200 or more for 1 small 3 month supply.I get 2 bottles a 6 month supply for 45 to 50 dollars.I was  down to the maintenance stage of 3 days a week ,but upped it when I knew I was going through Chemo and even started using it on my brows.Plus once you get through the first bottle you can generally start eliminated a day slowly and get it down to about 3 days a week so it last longer,but know once you stop using it they will convert as was. But in our case I am not sure how that will relate because they are suppose to come back anyways.Not sure if it will help now but I have it so I will continue.Yes I do think it will work after to get them to grow faster because how it works is not only to stimulate growth,but also helps them to stay in longer thus the longer lash. 

woodburns

Gale56: I hope your mom is doing better. I am glad you got to see her. Congrats on your last treatment.

ColdenMon: You are braver than I am.  After the 2nd stick, I would have made her get someone else.  I know this is a terrible thing to ask, but did it hurt very much when they went into you side arm? Sounds so painful.

mkgutierrez: Sorry you had an allergic reaction on the 2nd treatment.  Did you have any mild allergic reaction the first time?

NikkiEliz:  Your friend sounds like a keeper.  It is a good sign that you are comfortable around him and not self conscious.

RuthieG: Sounds like a fun weekend. Always glad to hear that when we have good days, we have GOOD days. Wow, 3 down and 1 to go.  That time seems so far away for me.

Bonnie:  Glad to hear that your mother did so well through the surgery.  ICU nurses are the best! They are the most caring and knowledgable nurses I know of.

Likeachickadee:  So glad your first treatment is behind you.  That first one is the worst because of the fear of the unknown.

Silviazara:  Vegas will be such a blast. My DH and I are planning to go gold panning on the Arkansas river in Colorado once this all over.  We had planned on going during Spring Break this year and then this happened.

Shera: Wow 2nd one down. Hope the bone pain is minimal or nonexistant this time.

onvacation: Glad your first TX went well.

I hope I mentioned everyone.  If I missed you I apologize.  I had a week of reading to catch up on.  I am praying for everyone here and their families.

This week was weird.  Monday, and Tuesday my energy was great.  Wednesday, I buzzing.  I hit every campus and got so much done.  Not only that I was like Chatty Kathy (for all those to young to remember, it was a doll that would talk to you.  Really something back then).  Thursday, I was a little on the tired side, but nothing I could not handle.  My onc. called with the news that my anc had gone from 4000 to 300. Talk about panic.  I had had my blood drawn on that Tuesday. So far so good.  No temp.  But I did find out that my buzzing was from the steroids that they gave me with my treatment.  Lets here it for steroids.  Those were the best 3 days I have had in a long long time.  Anyway.  My onc. does not like the neulasta shot so we are trying to stay away from it.  But she did not rule out getting the shot.  Today I have a few tastebuds that are swollen and painful.  I am still using the Benetine and also started using the salt and baking soda mixture.  Sure feels good on the tongue.  

By the way, what does MO stand for?

Hope everyone has a great weekend and no to mild SEs.  I am beginning to think of you all as family.  

Thank you,

Suzanne 

onvacation

Suzanne I believe MO is medical oncologist.

shera

Hi everyone -- I made a new thread with directions for making your own hair halo.Here:  http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/784615?page=1#post_2927922 I am SO not a Martha Stewart and can hardly sew... but hey... it worked!

Anonymous

Shera - That is amazing.  Here I am trying to figure out how to keep the halo I bought attached to my head and you come up with this.  Thanks for the step by steps.  You just did many girls a huge service!!

(((Hugs)))

lmlola59

Shera that is really awesome to bad I no longer have any hair.And funny I bought this same exact hat you have used here to wear with my bought Halo.

Suzanne glad you are feeling well.Surprised your MO does not like the Neulasta did he/she say why? Is it all about the side effects? Yes the steroids are crazy I weaned myself off early this time I was tired of staring at the ceiling all night,did not effect me as bad 1st TX.

shera

mthrdee - thankyou
imlola - isn't that the cutest hat! Its so comfortable and doesn't make it hard to hear with it on, that I bought two of the same hat!

if you have any friends planning to trim off a few inches for the summer months.. they might donate!

janiemomof2

Hi all,

I had a lumpectomy (clean margins!) in February with 5 nodes (all neg!) removed. Got my oncotype back (30) so I'm starting TC on the 3/29. Kind of nervous... I'm in my last semester of nursing school which is super challenging and I'm just not sure how all of this is going to play out

I have to do 4 rounds of TC and then take a few weeks off to recoup in June. July/August will have Rads.

So much for enjoying my favorite time of year

Trying to stay positive but feeling pretty down about it all right now.

firstcall

Janie, You have your hands full for sure.  I have done two treatments so far, getting ready for treatment number 3 next week.  I have continued to work, and keep up a busy schedule.  What I have found is that the week after treatment is hard, starting about 72 hours after the treatment.  I shorten my days a little for a few days.  After the first week, its a lot better, but I tire more quickly than I'm used to.  My best time is early in the day, and its hard to get much done in the evenings. 

Keep a positive attitude, and don't take on more than you have to.  Pace yourself, and know that you can get through this.  Since you're a nursing student, you should pay particular attention to your blood count numbers.  How tired you get will likely be related to how anemic you get from the treatment.  I'm sure they'll be monitoring that. 

Myleftboob

Shera

You are so talented, what a great idea. Too late for me now but I am definatley getting a halo/frace famer and some cute hats.  I think they'll be cooler for the summer.

onvacation

Myleftboob - I bought one of those Halo things too - I think it will be too hot in Houston to wear a wig except in my office where it is nice and air conditioned!  I had to order it, so will pick it up next week.  Supposed to work well with baseball hats which I already have several of!

A_FIGHTER

Hi Ladies,

mthrdee: I know how you feel about the face breaking out!! It happened to me first round. My MO said it could be from the steroids. So when I did round two we agreed no steroids the day after treatment. I did not breakout this time. However, I'm not sure if it is due to not taking the steroids. Another possibilty, I was thinking, was I had a facial the Friday before my first treatment, could this have caused the breakout...

shera: Great job on the new thread!

janiemomof2: Welcome! Wow, clean margins & five nodes negative and still rads! Interesting!

Thank you ladies for all the info on why and/or why not on the Rads. As I mentioned, I will definitely ask MO Monday.

Mom is doing great! The chest tubes were removed today. She was up walking twice today. This afternoon they moved her out of ICU  I will also ask MO on Monday about her thoughts of me being in the hospital next week.

So, Thursday night, after taking two Advil PM, I woke straight up out of bed at10 pm...My teeth/jaw on the right side were killing me! I had this first round, but NOTHING like this! It comes in waves about every two hours. It is worse than my period cramps and surgery. I used NO pain meds. while at home after surgery. I actually had to take one pain pill for cramps. I've never had to do that before either. Now, I am using the pain meds. from surgery for the teeth/jaw and not just one. I have taken four today and also Advil. It was so bad the other day I thought I was going to either throw up or pass out. Thankfully, neither happened.  This is the worst pain I have ever faced!!! It just so happens on the right side I also have two caps which seems to be where the pain stems from. 

Also, I did start my period again this time. However, there was no cramping (a first) and A LOT lighter! Perhaps third round it will cease!!! 

XOXO,

Bonnie 

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate ~ Oprah Winfrey

 

woodburns

Bonnie:  I am so glad your mom is doing so well.  It is amazing how far they have come with heart surgery.  Thank you for telling us about the jaw/tooth pain.  I plan on talking to my MO about this. My right jaw/teeth started bothering me the other day.  I have been taking my temperature hoping I was not getting an infection.  I have a few teeth implants scatter across my mouth and have had problems in the past, but did this did not feel the same.  I am going to see if there is something I can do about it before I get the pain you have.  Had no idea this could be a SE.