April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

lsharvey822

Good luck girl!

Stacie

  Hello everyone.  Hope you all have a good day.  My prayers are with all in the BGC today.  I am working pretty hard so not keeping up with everything. 

When you are PFC please PM me your date in case I miss something in the thread. 

nofear2012

Ok I am soooooo stinking bored. I am not working - took disability, but I have nothing to do during the day. What do u all do if u are not working?

IndigoMont11

PositivityRocks - Yay for last A/C!!  Warrior Activated - love that!!

Nofear - what do you like to do? I work but I can only imagine how bored I'd be without the internet.

dancetrancer

nofear - I obviously spend a ridiculous amount of time on line.  LOL

Otherwise, I have rented movies, read books, etc. when feeling really sick.  I did get really bored for a while there when I was super sick and couldn't do much.    When I'm feeling better, I do light exercise (yoga, walking), etc. and love to cook.  Of course there are always projects to work on around the house, but I put those off as long as possible.  LOL 

sandik

Im way behind here. Way behind at work too. Don't know what I've been doing! haha

As far as my MO, she's a little too meek for me. But, I like her. I think she's confident, but doesn't come across that way. My surgeon and radiologist ooze confidence. But, aren't cocky. I like that in a dr. But, I see her before every treatment. She said she wanted to watch me with the new node development back before I started treatment. She did give me a choice in treatments. She said I could have done my TAC every 3 weeks, 4x or the ACx2 DD then Taxol x12 weekly. She said the second treatment would take longer, but it's the old proven most effective. So, that's what I went with.  She always tells me how good Im doing. Which should be a good thing, but I can't help but wonder why I am having it so easy? Is it not working on me like it should? I know I shouldn't think that way. But I do. 

Chapter 4, Will be keeping you in my prayers.

Allie, I am doing rads as well. I will throw anything I can at it I can.  

Rose, hope the foot heals quick!

Positivity, be careful this week. That last AC kicks your butt! Rest as much as you can.  

Fierro6

Tomorrow is A/C three of four.  I saw MO and got blood work done today.  My blood results were better than last time and she said I'm doing great.  Since the headaches are not as bad and I can successfully control them with meds, she's not going to cut my steroids further.  I was relieved with that, since I was worried I'd get sick without them.

As far as sleep, she sort of said I should be happy with six hours.  I know that a lot of people only get six always, but I want my eight!  LOL  She's very happy with my lack of a lot of common SEs (mouth sores, nail issues, nausea, etc) and said that I'm doing great, and Taxol will be easier (We've all heard this, right?  I'm SO hoping it's true for me.)  I only lost 2 lbs this time, so no lectures.   

My BFF flew in from TX to surprise me, and will go to BGC with me tomorrow.  Tonight, DH and I decided we were going out for dinner (we VERY seldom eat out, and NEVER on weeknights) so I could pig out and eat red meat, etc before not having an appetite for 4-5 days.  We went to Texas Roadhouse and it was fabulous.  Mmmm, steak.

OK, enough of the check in.  I guess I'll be happy that MO is happy with how things are going, and I'll count my blessings that I've been so blessed in the SE department.  After tomorrow, only one A/C left.  I can do this!  I AM doing this!

lsharvey822

Almost there Fierro!!  I just told my gf I'm eating like a pig in prep for chemo this week!! haha!  I hope it's a super easy round for you and so glad your onc says all looks well!

dancetrancer

Yes, you ARE doing this Rachel!  Wahoo! 

Melrosemelrose

Fierro6 - Yah Baby.... You got it right!!!! YOU ARE DOING THIS!!!!!!  Happy that your gal pal came in from Texas to see you!!!  Even more glad to hear that your onco says you are doing well.  Wishing you an easy time in the chair tomorrow-- getting your chemo and hanging with one of your friends at the same time..... what a great combo!!!

lisa2012

Rose, heal up and enjoy your puppy!

Dancetrancer, I think the same will happen to me. Tomorrow it is 3 weeks and I envision my body starting to say, whoa, I get to keep recovering and getting back to health. I also had a small cup

If coffe this morning- first in 3 months, tasted good !!

RoulaG

Hello ladies - I hope everyone has a great week. Good luck to all those in the BGC, I wish you minimal SEs. And for those finishing treatment, a big hooray!

hopeful123

Hello everyone. Haven't posted in a while as i am on to weekly Taxol which has it's own issues. But have been trying to keep up with your posts. I do have a question for the Her2 positive folks here.

I am a little confused. I am getting weekly Taxol but herceptin every three weeks. Some studies have suggested Herceptin every week for the 12 weeks of Taxol. For those Her2 positive here what are you getting, Herceptin ever three weeks or weekly. Any info or papers that you are aware of as to which is better. Also I am getting 6mgs/kg since I am on the three week schedule. Do you know your dosage. Thanks for your help.

RoulaG

Hopeful - I am getting TCH x6, every three weeks. During the 18 weeks of chemo I will be receiving herceptin weekly. After chemo is done I will then be switched to herceptin once every three weeks for the rest of the 52 weeks, for a full year of herceptin.



Herceptin works better when given with chemo. I actually started herceptin (the loading dose), one week before I actually started chemo. I hope this post makes sense.

SadeSurvivor25

Hi Hopeful, I'm Her2+ and I'm getting weekly Taxol/Herceptin for 12 weeks then Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. My onc had originally chosen weekly Herceptin but he said there was no real evidence showing a difference in weekly Herceptin or Herceptin given every three weeks.

hopeful123

Thanks Roula and Sade. That's very helpful. The steroids make me hyper and I tend to freak out about such issues on the day of Tx.

nofear2012

Thx for all yur suggestions. Problem is I really do not have any hobbies or stuff I like to do to keep me preoccupied. So I guess this is a good time for me to start something.

SaturnRing

Hello Ladies,

It has been some time since I posted, so lots to catch up.

Positivity - Congrats on the new baby

Rose- Hope your foot feels better fast.

Yay to all the ladies who are finishing up with the chemo.

I am starting the weekly taxol tomorrow. Question to the ladies undergoing / undergone weekly taxol....

From your posts

- I have estimated a possible dull body ache on the 3rd day which lasts for a couple days

What else can I expect with Taxol ?

- Do you guys have absolutely no queasy stomach at all ?

- How are your taste buds ? Mine is now 50% shot, I still have appetite, but my portions have largely reduced.

- How r ur energy levels ?

I am a little scared to start something new, but I hope it is easier than AC.

Have a good week ladies.

hopeful123

Saturn-Weekly Taxol SE's for me- sore mouth, slight D, fatigue (exaggerated by my low hemoglobin levels). No nauseau and no real full down days look AC. Pretty able to eat everything except spicy food ( due to my sore mouth). No bone pain or neuropathy yet or me and I am done with four weeks of this. hope this helps.

babysammy

Apparently I had a reaction to the neulasta.  Bloated up like a pufferfish.  I figured it was the steroids, but my home RN and cancer centre RN says it was neulasta.  Now they want me to take benadryl, I feel like I am over it and dont really feel like adding more drugs into my system.  My mouth is quite sore too, see how the sulcrate works.  Went to the ER last night with fever.  I had just taken tylenol and ibuprofen 45 min before for aching, so was worried about it masking, but my neutrofils were good.  That was a relief.

Hope everyone is having a good day.  Having a hard time resting today, this sucks.

IndigoMont11

Babysammy, I'm sure sorry you've had such a rough time. Glad at least your neutrophils were okay. Sending you big hugs and purple energy to feel better soon!

lisa2012

Ditto Babysammy- neulasta reaction AND ER visit, that's a lot. Hope you have un-puffed by now...

PositivityRocks

Day 1 post last AC and steriods sure are working. Can't get to sleep. And when I do doze off baby Ethan is up n ready for his bottle! DH is working with the bottle feeding also. But somehow I still wake up.

Side effect: heavy eyes, insomnia, slight headache. No nausea so far and never had with previous treatments. Occasionally get a slight metallic taste in my mouth. Appetite is as normal, or sometimes even more than usual. I wonder if its the steriods. Extreme fatigue!



Wishing every1 a very restful night.

lsharvey822

Big hugs Positivity!!  If I was closer I would totally help you with baby Ethan!!  my youngest is almost 12 so I haven't had good baby time in forever!!

LyndaMarie

I haven't posted during most of my treatment so far. I have just finished 12 weeks of weekly Taxol with Carboplatin every three weeks and ABT-888 [PARP inhibitor for clinical trial] orally twice a day. I start 8 weeks [4 treatmentsts] of DD bi-weekly AC tomorrow. The taxol phase went quite smoothly. I had gome fatigue, was emotional, minor neuopathy and metal mouth. It was all worse on carboplatin weeks. During that phase I also had thrush and a very mild case of shingles. They both cleared up quickly.

Tomorrow, however, is the start of something new and the unknown is difficult. I managed a small vacation [3 days] after my last taxol infusion last Friday and just wanted to run away and skip the whole AC part. Obviously that is not an option so here I go... onto chemo phase 2...AC.

I hope you all don't mind my jumping in here so out of the blue. I welcome a place to discuss all of this. I am very optimistic but, as I said, the unknown is scary. I hear that AC is harder than taxol and I do not like that idea. I will try to check in regularly and answer any taxol questions I can.

My chemo is neoadjuvant so I have not had surgery yet. I have that coming up in September. Rads are also still up for discussion, possibly yes, possibly no... Many decisions still to be made.

 Hope you all have a fabulous evening!

Lynda

lsharvey822

I have a completely different protocal Lynda but I can tell you you couldn't have landed at a better place then here.  We have some amazing ladies here that can help quide you.  and in the meantime I can tell you that one consistent is that the unknown scares us but often times more then it really should.  And we have a motto here - no sister left behind!  so we are here to carry each other thru no matter what!

Fierro6

Lynda, welcome.  First: You have landed in the midst of some of the most knowledgable women I've ever come into contact with (seriously answers in layman's terms within an hour, instead of technical jargon that may be outdated online or waiting for a call back from a medical professional that's never had cancer.)

Second:  They are also the most welcoming bunch of women!  I was nervous at first because so many of them seemed to have formed friendships already and I felt like I was crashing the party.  After my FIRST post, I felt loved, helped, and a part of the group.  You pop in and ask whatever questions you have.  SOMEONE will have experienced it, or done hours of research on it.

I am on DD A/C, which will be followed by DD Taxol, so we're opposite.  I've been told that Taxol is easier, but you've described the side effects that I'm having on A/C.  Some fatigue, headaches, and emotional.  No metal taste or neuropathy for me yet. 

Hang in there.  You just added a LOT of friends/help to your arsenal. 

IndigoMont11

Lynda, I just finished A/C three weeks ago. I didn't have an overall awful time. I do have the bitter taste off and on, took all the meds to prevent nausea and avoided trouble every time but one. Worst for me has been fatigue and emotional ups and downs. I hope your SEs will be minimal, too, and that the neuropathy improves. Welcome aboard.

bcbarbie10

Hello, ladies! I have just been lurking the past months but i started AC last April 26. Now im halfway done with my chemo!!!! I will be doing taxotere x4 every 3 weeks starting two weeks from now with weekly herceptin x12. I prefer to see the cup half full. Im halfway through!!!

I cant help but feel apprehensive about my next step, though. I have heard that generally taxotere se's are gentler than AC, and im hoping this will be so for me.

I have learned a lot from this thread, and i feel im not alone.

God bless us all.

vballmom

Lynda, I just finished A/C last week.  Someone used the word "manageable" to me and I think it's a good one.  One day at a time, one side effect at a time.   We will help you get through and since none of us sleep, one of us is usually covering here 24/7!

bcbarbie, we are a no girl left behind group.  You are definitely not alone!  Halfway is a great milestone.  I'll be on Herceptin for a year, so we'll be in together for the long haul!