first chemo done

Woooooo Hooooooo Deb, doing a Happy Dance for you. I can't imagine how excited you must be. At least it is something to be excited about with this flipping disease. 90% shrinkage, more exciting news! But I am sorry also for the stage 3. I hope things continue to go well with your new doctor.

Barb, I don't have any suggestions about helping with the sore head or how close of a shave to do. But I was told NOT to shave with a razor. You could get a nick and possible infection, because of immune system being low. You don't want to subject yourself to that.

God Bless Us All

Lori

Thanks to all for all the encouraging words............and I was wrong with the taxol, wont be 8 treatments, will be 12....ugh....hopefully the SE's won't be too bad...........

Pinkladdy I didn't shave mine, still have some left and I plan on keeping whatever I can! LOL.....least a little hair peeks out of the scarf I wear..........and I think as far as energy goes, we're in trouble for quite some time.....but ya know what? Beats the alternative.........

Luv hugs and prayers

Deb

Debbie -

Well.. Happy Birthday !    Not sure you had mentioned it before (don't think so), but wish you would have.  That would have been an excuse to go obnoxious card hunting.   Sounds like you had a really good one despite all the physical junk happening due to the treatments.  

BTW, I love the playful relationship you have with your husband.  The wig trick was a great one.   Very funny.   And yes, buying something for yourself that your husband can get you is the ONLY way to go - and he was SO thoughtful this year.   I have done that for several years now.  But, at least I get what I want.   That said, he does manage to surprise me every year anyway with something.   My husband is nortorious for taking things apart and wrapping them up separately such that it looks like you get TONS of presents every year - when it may be only one thing.   He also does really goofy stuff like wrap up things he finds in the house like cans of Chef Boyardee (or something weird like that) to make the pile look larger.    The kids are onto him and actually look forward to it now.  Really makes Christmas interesting. 

I am hoping that your son can visit you this year.  Based on what you said earlier, that sounds like it would be great for both of you.  I take it he still lives in California ?

Kristi - I am thinking about you, lady.  I know you were dreading this past treatment.  Let us know how it is going when you feel up to it.  

As for me, yep... we go next week to California.  I do hope it warms up a bit.  The ironic thing was that we had one day here last week that was actually warmer than where you are.   But, it has since gotten cold again and will be bitterly cold this week end.   Sixty degrees sounds like heaven to me right now.   

My next treatment is Monday.   Cannot wait to get this over with.  This will really make Christmas suck this year as my "bottom out day" will be that day.    But, I did that so I could attempt to travel the next week.   I want to be with my family, even if it means I stay at the hotel.   Looks like a good time to check out the spa !   

 Deb - I do have a different SE profile on Taxol than what Cristl describes, but I think it is due to the dosage I get, which is massive.  I have a feeling since you are on the same weekly thing that she is, that yours is likely to be more like hers.  There appears to be an interesting dose response to Taxol.  But, don't forget - everyone is different.

I have not posted for a bit because I have been extremely busy.  I had my annual "white elephant" party last night with my department.    Lots of work and am extremely tired today.   I really over did it (and no, not talking about alcohol).    Party was very funny.   They out did themselves with the White Elephant gifts this year.   Also, the day before I went to a party in which there was a life size cut out of my boss (in cartoon winter garb).  I managed to steal this thing (was really difficult getting it into my car) and of course, everyone had to have their picture taken with "her" last night (she was not there in person).  I even drew a glass of wine on paper and cut it out and put it in her hand.  She managed to be all over the place last night - and of course will make several appearances throughout the city over the course of the next several weeks (wish I could figure out a way to get her into jail without having to stay there myself).  I already have another guy lined up to take her and keep it going.    We will then present a photographic "tribute" to her at some point in the upcoming year.   Nothing like a good practical joke to keep folks going throughout the year. 

Anyway, I am on vacation now.   So, I will likely talk to you all a lot next week.    I know most of us are "on" next week.  So, we can commisserate together !

Jill

Good evening everyone,

I'm sorry you and Barb are having awful times right now Kristi. I'll be in your position with my hair in about a week and a half. I do dread it, and wish I caould say something really encouraging, thoughtful, and intelligent, but I really doubt it would help either of you right now. So I'll just say, I'm so sorry two wonderful women have to go thru this during the Christmas season, or any season. I will say a special prayer for you, and hope that in some whay, some how, you can find some peace in your life that will overshadow all of the negatives happening right now.

I agree with you also, that the do this, and don't do that's are sometimes overwhelming. I was looking at vitamins, and could not believe there is so much soy used in them. So now I wonder, is it no soy, how much will allow this tumor to find a growth path again, and I am craving a turkey and bacon Subway, but I was told not to eat deli meats. Frustrating!! UGH!!!

I'm going to the movies tomorrow to see Australia. And I will have buttered popcorn as I have had no nausea all day today, and am hoping it will stay away tomorrow as well.

Last night I took a sleeping pill and was up until 3:30 am... so tonight, it's another one, and I'll go lay down and hope it works before then, if it works at all. I've taken Ambien and been up all night, so tonight it's Restoril. I don't want to fall asleep at the movies. I've been known to snore .

So-, goodnight, and I hope you all have a restful Sunday.

Debbie   

Hi everyone,

And Hi Belinda. You are 3 days ahead of me on your schedule. And, your treatment plan for the rest is the same as mine. After the 4 AC, I have the 12 Taxol, and then radiatiion. I think the only difference is that I receive Avastin, a trial drug. It's nice to know someone having the same schedule, at roughly the same time. I'll be thinking nothing but positive thoughts on the 23rd.

I never made it to the movies. Sis wasn't feeling well, and my back was sore, so we postponed it. Stayed inside and warm instead. Right now is -8 with the wind chill factor, so I don't think I want to go anywhere anyway. I believe our high today was 23.

Kristi, I hope today was a great a day for you as yesterday seemed to be. Family can sure make you feel better and I'm glad they are there to visit right now.

It seems I remember someone having sores outside of their mouth- am I right or imagining things? iI I'm right, please share what you did for them. Sores inside my mouth are gone now, but now this. Why can't all this stuff just happen at the same time and then go away and be done with it? But noooooooo, get something new it seems every few days, just enough to drive me crazy- and it's a short trip.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Debbie

Hi guys,

I feel in the need for a pitty party.  I am so tired of all of this, I want to be done, done done.  This is my worst day (day 3 after chemo).  I am either freezing or sweating.  This has been going on all night.  I also have a cough and feel like throwing up and am teary. I have taken all the drugs I can, I just want to be transformed into another place and time.  I know that tomorrow will be better I am just so tired of today. It is cold and rainy today so that is the same as my mood.  Tomorrow it will probably be sunny and hopefully I will be also. Looking forward to tomorrow, Kristi

Kristi -

I hear you Lady !   I realize this really sucks.   I saw your counts on a different thread and they looked low.   By any chance, did your doc do anything for that for you ?   If not, that could explain a lot of your lethargy.   The cough is the thing that has me more concerned, however.  What are they doing for that ?

Hang in there best you can.  I saw where your husband was really trying to help by just being there.  Take advantage of that all you can.  He sounds like a great guy.    Tomorrow is another day, and another day toward being done.   Hopefully the weather will cooperate with you and make you feel that much better.  If not, come back for another pity party.  We will be here.

I finished my LAST big old mondo dose of Taxol today.   Get the LAST Neulasta shot tomorrow.  Like you, I can hardly wait to get this over with.   While I am thrilled this phase is almost behind me, I turn around and look into the face of 6 weeks of radiation and a YEAR of Herceptin.  Just found out that dose takes about 90 minutes to give every three weeks.   Plus I still get the damn benedryl.  At least the SE profile is way less than what I have now.    But, despite my eurphoria of being done with this first phase, I think it has also made me realize how long there is to go - the realization has kicked in that I don't be "done" with treatments (me and my Port will be good friends) until early 2010 - never mind the 5 years of drugs that provide lovely SEs.  I know this is not making you feel better, but I can definitely empathize with wanting to be DONE with this.  So, let's just bitch about it together.  Sometimes you need to do that.

I think they gave the dose today quicker than usual.  It really whacked me good.  I slept it off most the afternoon, but still feeling woozy and tired.  Knee pain has already started too, which is weird.   Usually I don't get that one until about 4-5 days in.   Well, maybe it will be done quicker.

Anyway, take care ladies.   I will look for you later.

Jill

P.S. Remember that cut out of my boss ?   Well, she (in the form of the cut out) managed to make it to the treatment center today to be my "chemo buddy".  We took pictures.  The treatment staff thought it was hilarious as did the other patients.  As soon as I get the pictures downloaded, I will put it on here. 

Hello, jgallo -

Welcome to our group !  

Well... first let me say, that your diagnosis is very timely given a BIG study presented last week at the San Antonio conference.  It was a very clean study run at MD Anderson that basically recommended that ANY Her2+ tumor get systemic treatment - regardless of tumor size.  (This study specifically studied over 1000 women with tumors less than 1 cm).  The reason for the reco is that Her2+ tumors are more likely to recur than those that are not, even with smaller tumors.   If you like, I can send you this study such that you can show your docs.   My doc was thrilled to get it.   So.... first feel good about the choice you made, and don't second guess yourself.

Now.. as to Taxol/Herceptin.  I am getting a massive dose of Taxol every three weeks as opposed to the weekly.  The main reason was that my doc was trying to shut down my ovaries, which has not happened yet.  So, much for that.   On that regimen, my GI side effects have been relatively mild, although with each treatment I have gotten more nausea and heartburn than the one before.  Tonight I am a little bloated and will take the meds.  However, got to say, the meds they gave me fought off the GI stuff pretty well on this treatment.   My main and most bothersome side effects have been tingly hands/feet, joint and bone aches, sore tongue, loss of appetite for about three days, some depression, and of course, the hair loss.

Now... that said, there are SEVERAL women on this site that are on the weekly thing.   That appears to be the nouveau way of doing Taxol/Herceptin based on some recent studies.   Cristl, who posts frequently on this site and on this thread is on the weekly thing and in a situation that sounds much like your case, might be able to help you a bit more.   She said her SEs have been pretty manageable, but I will let her tell her story. (Cristl - Care to weigh in here ?)

One thing I will tell you, though, is that everyone appears to be a little different.   You might get all, some or none of the side effects they list on the paper or that someone else gets.  I know, not much help.  But, on the bright side, come back here any time you want.  There will usually be someone who knows how to deal with a particular side effect you might have.  AND... besides, there is a great group of ladies on this thread.  They will always make you feel supported.

Let us know when you get started up!

Jill

Jill, thanks for your thoughts on my pitty party.  It is Christmas Eve Eve and day 5 after chemo so I am starting to feel a bit better.  I looked at your post and nearly got depressed thinking that this thing is going to go on and on and on.  I am just trying to get done with chemo.  It is knocking me way down.  I do not want to even think about all the other stuff.  I am hoping that radiation will not be as bad, because if it is ....... well lets just not go there.  I also did not realize that Herceptin was given by IV.  I was hoping it was some kind of a pill.  I will research what my surgeons plans are for me after this chemo is done, but I know that I will also do the rad thing and the Herceptin.  I also have to check out my friendly ovaries which show a cyst.  I don't want to go into that...one thing at a time.  I go through phases of being proactive and being a patient...today I am a patient.

I hope that EVERYONE has a great Christmas.  I might even indulge in a glass of bubbly.

Kristi...stay warm!

I rereead this and it sounds like I am sad, I am not really I am just tired.  I appreciate all of your thoughts.

Yeah Yeah...thank you, thank you, they are however giving me (I went and looked at my notes) tamoxiten for 2 years and then he wrote down something called A1 for 5 years but he also stated that as things change drug regimes change, so I guess we are all moving targets.  Thanks for the Herceptin news. Good luck with the shot!  Kristi

Congratulations Deb!!!  How awesome is that, and being treated like you were, that too is awesome. Merry Christmas!!!

And, as some have awesome days, others may not. Now it's my pity party time. My hair is coming out by handfuls. I really didn't expect it until next week. So to have it start on Christmas Eve was not only a bit of a shock, but sad too.

Anyway, I'm trying hard not to be sad today, so I put my hair in a ponytail, and wrapped presents, and my grandkids will call when they wake up, and they'll put the phone on speaker so I can hear all of the excitement they have. They'll probably call in a few hours, so I might try for some sleep. The doc doubled my sleeping pills, and I slept 14 hours last night. I didn't want to take them tonight - didn't want to sleep thru the call.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Debbie 

Deb and Belinda

  I still have to go for 12 weekly taxols, the surgery and the radiation but just to be done with the A/C is a thrill for me...... I literally hate that stuff, it scares me to no end along with the SE's........I just hate to see what condition my heart will be in when it's over. My Mom died of heart disease.

  At any rate, the hair thing...it bothered me to no end at first. Mine hasn't completely fell out and I didnt have it shaved, merely had it cut into a short short mens lookin sorta haircut.....I still have  a few long strands at the top and some in the back that sorta peeks out under a hat......I imagine it will go too along with the eyebrows and lashes when I start the taxol........ I was having a hard time going out even in a hat, (especially after being stared at by a few rude people at the grocery store) until I read Renees post about how she goes out bald with no hat just to bring notice to Breast Cancer....I figure if she can be that brave, I can wear a hat.

  Merry Christmas to all......and remember "the lord said, my child, when you seen only  one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you"

Luv, Hugs and Prayers

Deb

Welcome JGallo,

I am doing the weekly Taxol/Herceptin for 12 weeks and then Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year.  I had a bilateral mastectomy for DCIS in my left breast.  When the pathology came back it indicated I was node negative but in addition to the DCIS they found a small invasive tumor of .4cm.  If it had been just DCIS no chemo would have been necessary.  However, because of the invasive tumor (although small), HER2+++ and my age (early dx is a factor) at 37 they suggested the chemo.  So then we decided on the Taxol/Herceptin.  Then decided weekly as aposed to every 3 weeks.  I am single, work full time and he was hoping to "save" my ovaries just in case....... So my Onc suggested weekly even though it is a pain to go in every week.  This has worked pretty well for me and honestly I have had minimal side effects.  Tuesday I had my 8th treatment.  It is getting harder and harded though.  It started hitting me about the 6th treatment.  Now my primary side effects are... hair loss of course, tingly hands/feet, some pain/tenderness in my nail beds, bloody nose...... GI has been good though.  So I have 4 treatments left and then Herceptin for a year... then who knows... I think Tamoxifin. 

Good luck to you!  If I can answer any questions ask here!

Cristl

Cristl,

   It is so strange that you mentioned the pain,tenderness in the nails - cause I sure have the same problem.  Tomorrow is #9 for me, Tuesday I saw my onc and mentioned it to him, he said as long as I can still button my clothes and am not dropping anything than everything is OK but it sure is a pain.  Like you I have worked every day and really did not feel anything until my 6th treatment, but boy do I feel it now.  I will be glad when #12 gets here, but then I still have 4 treatments of FEC after that, then 33 days of radiation.  Also tamoxifen for 5 years. Sometimes I feel like I am getting to the end of all this and other days, I feel like it will never be over.  4 months ago today is when I actually found out I had cancer - at lot sure has happened in that time.

  Hope everyone had a good day.  I had a house full and everyone is now gone and I am going to bed.

Joanne

Hey Kristi

  I'm glad the A/C is over with too, now if the SE's would just go away...two more days of anti nausea pills to take, actually the nausea wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the horrible, horrible gas/heartburn I get....... It doesnt matter what I eat/drink, it all does it to me......and last time it lasted until the next treatment....no relief at all from it, and that's with a daily nexium and 3-5 over the counter pepcids.....GRRRRRR...........I've lost about 5lbs so far....have to go get my neulasta shot today, am going to ask the nurse for suggestions as to what to take next.......

  Know what you mean about the hotflashes......I've had them since I had my hysto in 1993...course I was on HRT which made them not quite so bad....had one so bad last nite, my hair (whats left of it) was soaked, chest, arms, even the pillows and sheets! That's the 2nd bad one I've had like that, hope those don't continue.............

As for Christmas, it was just me and the hubby....kinda hard with 17 Grandkids....but since my white count goes so low, we didn't feel it was safe to be around alot of smaller children....I really missed them.....I didn't put up a tree anyway or even go shopping, just plain didn't have the energy....and my hubby works second shift , 7 days a week so he had no time to go either...they all seem to understand......Guess Gigi as they all call me, will make it up next year!

luv, hugs and prayers

Deb