Clinical Trial E5103

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  • brena
    brena Member Posts: 458
    edited May 2009

    Carolyn and Teresa,

    Follow the link for the bisphosphonate trial, a great investment since our bodies are depleted of calcium with an increase of bone breakdown during chemo treatment.

     http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/ft-SWOG-S0307 There is also a thread here at breastcancer.org that has a dedicated thread to this trial, check it out, Help me Get through teatment, Roll Call: Anyone in the Phase III Trial of Bisphosphonates

     Ladies,

    I have a tore tendon in my right wrist along with pain, seeing the ortho tomorrow cannot wait..just what I want..to add another doctor to my 2009 list. so I hen peck when I type and am getting really good at doing things left handed. Oh, the tore tendon is the result of a lack of eye-hand coordination, reached for a closing storm door and missed with my hand and caught the door with my wrist. Not really a big deal, turned black-n-blue no swelling. I treated with ice, rest wrap and every week it gets worse now at 10 week mark since I banged it. I know I waited to long, but I did go for two xray's and an mri.

    I am glad to see everyone is doing pretty good, welcome to the newest members. I have a small project going on and will share with everyone pretty soon, it does affect everyone who is in this trial.

    to a bunch of great ladies,

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  • Janet0527
    Janet0527 Member Posts: 141
    edited May 2009

    Tomorrow (today) will be Taxol #1 for me.  In a way I feel like I'm starting all over again.  *sigh*

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited May 2009

    Janet0527 - Another milestone sister! Although I hear ya...I felt like that too but then you tuck is treatment under your belt and you will get to the end!

    cjw/Carol - YOU DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!  Congratulations!  I am so happy to hear that you finished.  Keep us posted regarding the scar tissue.  I hope to get reconstruction after treatment is over.  Guess I have to wait a certain amount of time after radiation though, which finished 3/23.

    Brena - Ouch about the wrist.  You are quite a trooper!  So are you in the bio trial?  My clinical trial nurse was going to check with the directors of the bio and Avastin trials to see if I can qualify for the bio trial, haven't heard anything yet.  My last Avastin is Aug. 6th so I have time.

    Teresa - what was the outcome of your bone density test? 

    Those of you who went on the cruise, that's so cool!  and the trip to Vegas sounds really fun too!

    Have a great day all! 

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  • TexasRose
    TexasRose Member Posts: 740
    edited May 2009

    Hey everybody~

    Just checking back in. I start my DD AC x 4 on 5/26. Tomorrow I am going for chemo training. I have one wig already and am planning to order a couple more. I like options! After chemo training tomorrow, I have no more appointments until I go Tuesday to see my onc before I get the first treatment. Ready or not- here it comes. My plan is to enjoy this long holiday weekend and get in plenty of fun and sun to prepare myself for next week.

    Once I start, I'm sure I will be posting here more often.

    Hugs to all!

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  • Janet0527
    Janet0527 Member Posts: 141
    edited May 2009

    Hey Mary - If you're a wig gal, that's terrific and more power to ya, but you might want to wait and see how you like the first one before you order more, especially in Texas in the summer. ;)  I never planned to do wigs and have been wearing bandanas, scarves and hats, but aside from me I've read lots of posts from women who thought they would wear a wig, ordered one or more, and then wore them once or twice or never.  Just a thought. =)

    My first Taxol was uneventful, which is good.  We'll see how it goes as time progresses.

    Wishing you all a great day!

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited May 2009

    Mary-I agree with Janet about the wigs, since you will be going thru chemo in the hot summer that changes things up a bit.  I started end of last August and wore scarves, caps around the house but always my wig out, and it does get hot.  I ordered too many things and never wore half of them.  Just thought I'd give my two cents.  Good good luck with chemo, it affects us all differently, but it is no walk in the park either. The chemo class gives good info and of course we can share our experiences if you want or need.  

    Janet, good to hear the first Taxol was uneventful!! 

    Have a GREAT day! 

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  • brena
    brena Member Posts: 458
    edited May 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    I want to wish everyone here a Happy Memorial day and I hope your enjoying time with your family, friends and lots of food. Be safe and healthy!!

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  • brena
    brena Member Posts: 458
    edited May 2009

    Janet,

    I am so glad to hear your first taxol was forgiving, may the rest be the same. If you start to get tingling in your toes or fingers please bring it to your Onc's attention ASAP. I think most of us get some side effects from Taxol, mine fingers and toes took a beating but the rest of my body handled it well.

    take care,

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  • brena
    brena Member Posts: 458
    edited May 2009

    Question for you senior ladies,

    The chemo has put me into chemopause with the blasted nasty side effects, I think all of them, and I have made some decisions on my alternative. I cannot continue to deal with this crap, definitely not a quality of life going on here. Anyway, my question; did you get pushed into menopause and if so what symptoms are you having?

    thanks in advance,

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  • Janet0527
    Janet0527 Member Posts: 141
    edited May 2009

    Hi Brena - I haven't had a period since starting treatment, but I've been fortunate so far to not suffer so much from other side effects of that.  Vaginal dryness (lovely), but no hot flashes yet.  I asked my mom what her menopause was like, and she said she never really had any severe problems, so maybe I'm just genetically lucky.  Oh wait, I'm BRCA-2 positive - scratch genetically lucky, lol.

    I'm having crazy skin peeling and not healing on my feet, starting in the last few days.  I ballroom and salsa dance, so my feet take a beating, but generally I get calluses.  Now, no calluses - just peeling skin and blisters that won't heal.  I've started using a combination of band-aids and moleskin when I need to be in dance shoes, but I'm afraid it will get worse before it gets better, which SUCKS.  Fatigue, baldness, wacky taste buds, whatever - fine, but don't mess with my feet!!!!!

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  • rockbranchdeb
    rockbranchdeb Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2009

    Hi, Ladies!

       I just heard about this link from Teresa, and I've been reading it with great interest. I tried to edit my bio so that it shows up on the bottom, but I've not been successful (at least I don't think so). Can anyone help me?

       Anyway, I was diagnosed March 16, 2009. Two IDC tumors, medullary type: 1.4 cm. and 2.4 cm., Stage II, Grade 3; 1/13 nodes; triple negative. Lumpectomy April 8; began AC May 12.

       I'll have my second AC this coming Wednesday (May 27). Here's my burning question: I am getting a new grandbaby in Rhode Island in June, so I plan to travel there between my 3rd and 4th AC. Am I crazy? I NEED to be there! Surgeon says don't fly; oncologist says don't drive. What do all of you think? We live 1200 miles away, so it's a 24 hour drive, but we have a van with stow-n-go seating, so I could rest on an air mattress. On the other hand, flying would get me there faster, so I would have more "good" days with my daughter, but I worry about airplane germs. Opinions??

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  • Janet0527
    Janet0527 Member Posts: 141
    edited May 2009

    rockbranchdeb - This is a tough call.  Airplane germs are for real and you do risk catching something when you fly, but then again, I've been working all through chemo and I commute on the metro.  That's gotta be full of germs, too.  Are you getting Neulasta shots?  If so, the timing of exactly when you're flying will come into play, because your white count will be nice and high when you get chemo and for a few days after, then it will tank and remain low until the Neulasta finally kicks in.  Be aware also that you might feel a bit worse after tx 3 than you did after tx 2.  I did dose dense AC and am into Taxol now. For me, days 5 & 6 were always the worst, and tx 3 and 4 were somewhat tougher in terms of fatigue than the early rounds, but I also continued working and I dance and have been able to keep up with that.  If you're tolerating it fairly well so far, you're probably going to be absolutely fine to travel.  Give some thought to the timing.  Are you on a dose dense schedule?  If you travel just after chemo, like day 2 or 3 for example, your white count should not have tanked yet and you also will still feel pretty good for travel.  Then you'll be at your destination already when you crash on day 4/5/6.  Then if you don't come home until after the Neulasta has kicked in, close to your next tx, your white count should be back up and you'll be feeling pretty good.  If it were me, I would take the risk and fly, if you can time it appropriately, but I suppose it is a risk.  I generally haven't made any real concessions in my day to day activities or plans through all of this, so maybe I'm not the best one to give advice. ;)

    Regarding your bio, you need to put whatever you want in the Signature field of your profle.

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  • debk55
    debk55 Member Posts: 108
    edited May 2009

    Hi Brena,

    I am 53 and was starting to miss periods now and then and feeling menopause coming on and the chemo did the job.I have not had a period since 9-08.  I did not have hot flashes before but, do now and they can happen really often some days not not to bad some other days and at least 1-2 times at night I wake up. I too am trying to decide what to do. My onc says that some antidepressants help but I really do not want to take them. I am not sure why. I probably need to as I am feeling alittle of the post tramatic stress of the dx and chemo and all!!!  I think I just got thru each day the best ( I read alot of books) I could and am still having a hard time believing that I have BC. But, having my right breast gone reminds me daily. This website has been a blessing I do not post much as I am not much of a typist but I come here almost daily for strength and info. THANK YOU to all the wonderful ladies here !!!

      Oh well back to the chemopause. My onc also said some women get relief with vit E and and black cohash.   What havie you been trying or are thinking of trying???

    Deb:)

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited May 2009

    Brena, any luck yet with the chemopause side effects?  I just turned 47 and am also in chemopause.  I had one period when I started dd A/C and that was it.  My numbers are very post menopausal still.  I was told the onc will generally wait 12 months after finishing chemo before testing again to see if the overaries will recover.  My gyn doesn't think they will cause women generally start menopause in their late 40's.  I experience mild hot flashes.  My coworker has serious hot flashes, has had them for 2 years now, but she did say that her awful night sweats are over.  

    Janet, I had peeling of my right palm and fingers at the end of A/C and beginning of Taxol, then my feet decided they wanted to peel too!  Cleared up though after a few weeks.  I wore a white glove on my right hand for almost a month cause of the peeling while at work.  They called me Michael Jackson!  haha

    Iowa Deb, you had your 2nd A/C today.  How are you doing?  Did you decide about the trip?  My A/C experience was cumulative so each time felt worse.  The weird thing for me was on day 7 of each treatment I would throw up and was miserable.  I had every darn side effect it seemed!  I'm thinking of you.  That new grandbaby would be very healing !!

    Deb, I've also been told about the anti-depressants for hot flashes.  My gyn said they would give me one with a smaller dosage for the hot flashes if I needed them.  I don't want to take anything else!!!!!   

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  • brena
    brena Member Posts: 458
    edited May 2009

    Rockbranchdeb,

    Welcome and a big hug to you for several reasons; you joined the trial and therefore will make a difference in someone's life, 2nd I now have a new friend...welcome, I hope this thread supports you and your need and if we don't just yell because someone is always around no matter the time of day or night. I wish you a smooth journey.

    I flew on an airplane from Philadelphia to Texas right after my 3rd chemo, I was bald and low blood count but needed to see my dad and sister so I went with some extra caution: wore a doctor's blue mask during the time in the airport and flight, kept my distance from everyone as much as possible, washed my hands with cleaning goop. I did fine and people seemed supportive, so it is possible just take precautions.

    Don't miss a once in a lifetime event,

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  • brena
    brena Member Posts: 458
    edited May 2009

    Debk55 and Kfinnigan,

    I don't usually vent at least not frequently and really don't push my viewpoint on personal matters but please excuse me ahead of time because I am about too. I finished my last period on 12/08 and immediately started with insomnia, never more than 4 hours of sleep within 24hrs even with sleeping pills and any other meds I asked for. I did not nap just lay-ed and rested, this sleeping pattern has not changed and it is 18 months later. I have tried Black Cohosh, melatonin, sleeping pills, anxiety pills, excercise daily (ride a bike 80 miles a week since 02/08) , eat healthy on a regular basis, etc. and nothing gave/give more than 4-5 hrs of sleep within 24hrs so I did not continue with the drugs. What was amazing is how easy it is to get mind altering pills, at one point I had become so desperate for sleep that I mixed my sleeping aids with alcohol. I know not a sane person's decision and I was not, no Dr. could tell me why I could and cannot sleep. Oh yes, I was told it was the BC diagnosis, stress, fear and every other mental reasoning they could muster. NO-ONE stopped to help me just handed me another prescription. Well I had had enough of it all and started to do my own reading, research, self education you could say.......just call me Doc Brena!! I will not accept the state of my body and mind as this is not acceptable to me and I told my Onc and family Doc the very same thing. My heart goes out to every woman who tolerate these symptoms, and god bless those who never experience them (as my mother.) I am not sure if going into menopause naturally would of been different but I cannot change what is. I cannot live like this and that is the honest truth. We can send a damn man to the moon but we cannot find relief for woman with hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, mood swings, insomnia, etc. Only once in the last 18 months can I say that I have reached a deep sleep (Feb. 08.) how is that for knowing the last time you got a decent 7-8hrs of sleep w/out waking. What is wrong with current research isn't there money to be made in finding a reasonable solution please tell me. Well after doing much reading with an open mind and a little determination my new education has told me that my hormones are out of whack and it is the root cause of all my symptoms since the start of chemo. I did think it was the chemo causing them at the onset but I still have them and I did finish chemo 05/08..surprise, surprise!

    Can you tell I am on my bandwagon, don't do it very often but this pisses me off.

    I have done much research into Natural/Bioidentical Hormones and have decided to take them to get my body back into sink where it should be and hope it gives me the relief I so seek. I have read and read everything I can get my hands on and no I have not watched Suzanne Somers or Oprah Winfrey and their take on the bioidentical hormone pitch. But I praise them for stepping outside the BOX and willingness to be ridiculed and everything else they have received from the medical and pharmaceutical profession.  I have talked with a compound pharmacist, my Onc, family Dr. and now have an appointment with my Gyno next week and do anticipate her writing me my prescriptions for hormones. I have gotten my blood work completed to show where my hormone levels are for my Gyno to evaluate. My Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA and Estrogen are all low.  The bioidentical hormone is not the same as the synthetic hormones that have been proven to stimulate cell activity that cause breast cancer. Women in Asia and Europe have been using the bioidentical hormones for over 20 years with no increase in BC, trials have shown this to be true. There are some bioidentical hormones that are approved by the FDA, not that that makes me feel safe, just that my insurance will pay for the prescriptions.  To my surprise I have a compound pharmacist a few miles from my house, this is where i will get my prescriptions filled. I am so excited about my Gyno appointment next week it almost feels like xmas, look forward to feeling like a normal person again. Is there a risk to taking the hormones, yes a small risk that I am willing to take. If my hormones are balanced as they were 20 years ago then the risk of BC is no more now than then. I could still be destined for BC in 6 months or 6 years or never but I want a quality of life and I will find it, I know this is the right route for me and I cannot explain why and how I know this to be true. I am sure if I have a recurrence I will be given one of those looks like "I told you." If my Gyno decides not to support me on my request then I will keep looking until I find a knowledgable professional who will stand by my request and support meWink. Shhhhhhhh I am done at least for now.

    sleep tight,

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  • brena
    brena Member Posts: 458
    edited May 2009

    Hey,

    If any of you are interested here is the next BC cruise, as you probably have read Carolyn and me went on this years cruise and had a good time and it was sure great to meet her and her mom. I will also post a new thread so others can view. It would be great to meet you after reading and talking for so long.

    Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship: Sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale , Florida to: Key West , FL ;
    Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios , Jamaica !

    We invite every breast cancer patient and survivor, their families and friends to the 4th annual Breast Cancer Survivors Cruise.

    Sunday, May 2: Meet and Greet, a welcoming reception for you and your travel guests. We will have your welcoming gift bag and up-to-the-date cruise itenarary.
    Monday, May 3: Key West , Florida
    Tuesday, May 4: Fun Day at Sea
    Wednesday, May 5: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
    Thursday, May 6: Ocho Rios , Jamaica
    Friday, May 7: Fun Day at Sea
    Saturday, May 8: Ft. Lauderdale , Florida

    $300* P/P INSIDE
    $400* P/P OCEANVIEW
    $540* P/P BALCONY

    *Port charges and taxes $221.02 per person
    Includes free workshops and keynote presentations

    Limited cabins at this price, make your deposit today!
    Special arrangements of $100 deposit through May 31, 2009.

    For more information or to book your cruise call Shelly Williams at
    Great Southern Travel 1-800-810-8610 or email swilliams@greatsoutherntravel.com.

    Shelly Williams
    Great Southern Travel
    528 South Jefferson Ave
    Lebanon MO 65536
    417 532 8282
    800 810 8610

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  • rockbranchdeb
    rockbranchdeb Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2009

    Janet0527, Brena, and Kfinnigan,

       Thanks so much for your input and encouragement! I did indeed have A/C 2 today, and I'm still very sleepy, but so far, so good! I discussed the trip to Rhode Island with my onc. once again today, and he reiterated that I would be taking a risk, but that I should fly, not drive (too wearing to drive that far), so I'm looking for affordable tickets right now.

       Also began losing my hair in clumps in the shower yesterday, so my son & husband shaved it off for me last night. Even though I thought I had been prepared for this, we all shed many tears. It is indeed a traumatic event, for some crazy reason.

      Thanks again for your support; it means soooooo much to me!

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited May 2009

    Brena - good grief girl, you are being tortured by your own body!!  I pray you find the relief soon that you so desperately search for.  I forgot to mention that I too have not slept over a few hours either!!!!!!!!!!!  This certainly does suck!  I was so freaked out during chemo about getting hooked on the sleeping/anxiety meds, that I would rarely take them.  My onc told me if I became dependant on them, then we would deal with that post-chemo.  But I never took them enough to become hooked.  But even when I did take them, I didn't sleep either!  I switched to over the counter sleep aids, and those seemed to make it worse!  I have gone for massages, Reiki, chiropractic, exercise, stretch, yoga, etc. and I have seen NO difference either!!  I see that you are triple negative...I don't understand too much about some of this stuff, but I wonder how that differs in your getting the bioidentical hormone (I've never heard of this, I know I'm lame)??  Keep us posted.

    My older daughter is getting married 4/10/2010 in Cancun so I won't be able to make the cruise, which sounds fantastic by the way!

    rockbranchdeb -  Congrats on the 2nd A/C under your belt.  We did the same thing, shaved my head around the same time as you.  We took before, during and after photos and I emailed them out to my email support list.  Then I took photos with my wig on and sent them out. My wig was named Ginger.  Everyone was so supportive.  It takes a while to get used to being bald, well I don't know if you really get used to it or not but hey...have you signed up for the Look Good Feel Better class through the American Cancer Society?  Our classes were always booked so it took me awhile to get in one.  I remember being in that class last fall and they said ok ladies take off your wigs...I started crying!!  the whole "C" thing is traumatic but we try and roll with the punches and seek humor and comfort when we can.  While on Taxol, my eyelashes went too and my eyebrows were barely there...BUT my hair started to grow back while on Taxol (which my onc said it will).  Now eyebrows, eyelashes and hair are back, so hang in there its ONLY temporary!  Good luck with finding cheap tickets and the trip!  keep us posted.

    Have a good day girls!! 

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  • debk55
    debk55 Member Posts: 108
    edited May 2009

    Brena,

    I so feel for you I have only been having this problem a few months. The hot flashes and night sweats and not sleeping more than a few hours also. This SUCKS !!!

    My sister in Dallas has been doing the bioidentical hormones for years now and she says that is the only thhing that saved her. She just went through normal menopause (no chemo) but, got insomnia really bad and the night sweats too.  She said to google Womans International Pharmacy and they have an 800# to call and they can connect you with a compounding pharmacy. She said she had trouble finding a Dr who knew what to prescribe & they helped her. If you have trouble let me know and I can PM you her pharmacy # to give to your Dr so they know what to prescribe.  

    I keep praying this will get better but, maybe I should start checking into relief now. Ambien seems to help me get better sleep but not like I used to.  

    One of the ladies I see every 3 wks when we do chemo together was just saying yesterday she was going to ask her onc for something for sleep as she wakes up too much also and is always TOO TIRED. 

    I don't know how you keep going and doing the bike riding and work and travel you have. I am sure you just don't want to give in and let this (BC) change your life any more than it has to. You go girl and and you will figure this out!!!!!!   Let me know if you need any help and I can call my sister for info for you.

    rockbranchdeb,    Congrats also on #2 A/C. The hair thing was one of the hardest thinkgs for me. But, I did the same as you I had my husband shave my head the day it started to come out in clumps. I had a wig every one said looked great but I never liked it and only wore it out of the house. It was during this winter and I had 2-3 fleece caps that were SO comfy I wore them all the time and my hair also started growing back around taxol # 6 or 7. I was so happy. ANd now I have about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of hair. Just the "in "short hair style for spring.  You will be there before you know it.  Hang in there :):)

    Oh Brena on the cruise would love to come but my daugher is going to be a senior next year and all my extra money will be going to her for prom and homecoming and spring break and who knows what else !!!!!!    Maybe the next year :):)

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  • Janet0527
    Janet0527 Member Posts: 141
    edited May 2009

    rockbranchdeb - Flying sounds like the right choice for sure.  Consider the timing so you aren't traveling on day 4,5,6 - that's when you're most likely to feel like shit.  As others have mentioned, the AC hits you a little harder each time.

    Brena - Wow, I hope you find some relief.  I have been lucky so far - in chemopause a couple months now, but with no side effects.  I anticipate this changing as I'm going to have an oophorectomy, putting me into permanent menopause, though maybe I'll be lucky - my mom tells me she never had a rough time with menopause and we tend to have the same experience as our moms.

    debk55 - I have a thought for you.  We have similar dx, except you're triple negative and I'm not.  But we had similar size tumors, same grade, and I was also 0 of 6 nodes.  The thought is this.  You said you are having a hard time believing that you have breast cancer, but you had surgery already, right?  You had no cancer in your lymph nodes, right?  So you *had* breast cancer.  I stopped saying I have breast cancer as soon as I had surgery, at which point I started saying I had been diagnosed with it, but that I'm now cancer free and doing chemo to make sure it stays that way. =)  Of course it's all still very surreal and hard sometimes to get my head around, but I like that way of describing it and thinking about it way better - it's already past tense.

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited May 2009
    Janet0527 - referring to "C" past tense...RIGHT ON girl!!!!!  very empoweringWink
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  • foobs
    foobs Member Posts: 110
    edited June 2009

    Hi Everyone 

    I haven't posted for a long long time.  I'm on dose dense A/C,  2nd cycle, day #5 and having a

    tough time.  I thought I was ready for this but its rough.  I'm not having nausea, diarrhea, mouth

     sores, just lots of weakness and general pain all over.  The dexamethasone IV and then 4 days

     of it orally have helped the weakness, etc but I HATE what the steroids do to me---3 episodes of

    just hopeless feelings of rage.  Onc wrote me an RX for Zoloft but I'm afraid to take it. Should I

    just take the Ativan (which makes me a zombie?)   I did regain strength and had 5 good energy

    filled days just before I got this cylce #2. 

    I JUST NEED A PEP TALK.  I feel so damn sorry for all of you and I know no one else knows

     how awful this is--even tho we have wonderful hubbies, families, etc.  This is undescribably

     wretched.   I can't wait for A/C to be over.  For ALL of us.

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited June 2009

    Foobs, AC sucks!!!!!!!  I finished it last October and it still turns my stomach when I think about it.  My onc prescribed another anti-depressant for me (she and my nurse said almost ALL their patients take them thru treatment.)  Well I tried, but they made me sick to my stomach (only tried 3 days then quit)...stuck with the Ativan only at night to help me sleep...and pretty much laid around or cried all the time.  Don't be too hard on yourself.  Your body is so full of all those drugs, it doesn't know which way is up right now.  I also asked for something to help me sleep and took that sometimes or an over the counter sleep aid (it seemed nothing much helped me though.)  I also regained strength before cycle 2 then it just got to be too much, those cumulative effects really made me weak and tired.  Take what you need to - just get thru treatment!  Feel free to vent away if that's what it takes too!  We are here for each other...you are halfway through AC (I presume you are getting 4 dd AC?)

    Hang in there chicky!!

    Kari 

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  • foobs
    foobs Member Posts: 110
    edited June 2009

    Kari

    You're so wonderful to talk to me today.  yikes, feeling a little needy. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who just cried sometimes. (and I'm not a crier) You don't know how good it makes me feel to hear you say you finished and its doable!!!  But hey I'm out of bed today and moving around slow.  I think the 4 days of steroids are wearing off and I'm feeling better mentally.  I really really have decided NOT to take the anti depressant, Zoloft, as I had a severe reaction to Celexa right after my diagnosis.  I just don't think I can take them.  oh well.  YUP I'm having dose dense A/C and dread the last 2.  But I WILL do it!  Thanks Kari.  All you gals are so TUFF so I can be too!  I hope you all have a better evening and better tomorrow! 

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  • debk55
    debk55 Member Posts: 108
    edited June 2009

    Hi Foobs,

    Yes A/C SUCKS!!!!!!  I never had more than 1-2 good days so you are doing better than me :)

    I would feel good just the day or two before tx and have to start again.  I just sat and did alot of reading. I never read much before but I am really enjoying it now. Have some one bring you some used books if they can. Everyone usually wants to help. i thought I could knit but that was too much hand eye cordination and it made me nauseous.  I did take the ativan pretty regularly to get thru it. I managed to get up and showered every day. But a lot of days that was it. I did ask for something to sleep also. I think it helped as when you sit around all day even though you have no energy it is still tough to get good sleep sometimes. 

    You are HALF way done with the worst:)  Hang in there.   And yes whine all you need to we understand :):)

    Debk :)

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  • debk55
    debk55 Member Posts: 108
    edited June 2009

    Hi Janet,

    Thanks for the reminder that I HAD breast cancer. My onc did say I was in remission as I did have good margins and no node. It just feels so strange that before sx I felt fine and now after sx and tx I do not feel so fine. I am still waiting for the aches and pains of taxol to go away and it has been over 2 months. 

    I need all of you guys to keep my spirits up some days. I do good most of the time just this past week has been tuff. I think my I am having some post traumatic stress and I am just sick of feeling bad.  Although after reading Foobs post I remember how much better I feel now then during A/C.  We have to happy with the baby steps to our new normal :)  

    Thanks again to ALL the ladies here for your courage and strength :):)  

    Deb :)

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  • foobs
    foobs Member Posts: 110
    edited June 2009

    Debk   I'm so sorry you had such a rough time with weakness.  I just hate feeling that helpless and savor each time I bounce back even just a little bit.  Boy my priorities have changed recently! ha  I was thrilled today to just be able to go out and water my patio plants! 

    Debk are you on an antidepressant?  if so, which one?   If any of you ladies  would share their experience with that, I would appreciate it.  I know I probably need to try this Zoloft but am just scared with my reaction to the steroids.  Money mouth  Do they also give you steroids with the Taxol? 

     Kari---I'm wondering if you're sleeping any better now that you're done with A/C, Taxol?  I hope so and it sounds like the Avastin isn't too bad with SE's?  I'm on day 6 of 2nd cylce and my nose has started bleeding a little. Do you think that means I'm getting Avastin? 

     SO SORRY FOR THE MANY QUESTIONS!  I just appreciate having you gals nearby. 

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  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited June 2009

    Foobs  I'm taking Effexor and I truly believe it's the reason I've been able to manage this journey so far.  I finished AC and am going for Taxol #5 this Friday.  I do get steroids with the Taxol infusion.  The main s/e I get from the steroids is HUNGER--the Effexor has mellowed out the rage!  I also take an Ambien on the nights I have trouble sleeping.  So far, so good.

    I understand that a little nosebleeding is a s/e of Avastin.  Unfortunately, my nose isn't bleeding, so I suspect I'm in Arm A.  I have a friend who is in E5103, too and her liver enzymes are up--her onc told her he thinks she's getting the Avastin. 

    Deb   Hope you are feeling better.  I think  PTSS is very real, plus add all of the chemicals and drugs we're taking--no wonder we have "dysfunctional days"!   New normal is spot on--BUT, we'll adjust and move on.  Take care.  Helen

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  • Janet0527
    Janet0527 Member Posts: 141
    edited June 2009

    Taxol is so much better than AC, so for those on the AC, just hang in there - you'll be on to the next phase before you know it.  I had #3 taxol today, and since wrapping up the AC, I feel pretty close to normal.  I've been lucky, actually tolerating the AC pretty well even, but I think in large part it's because I keep making myself get out of the house to do things.  Every time, it would be soooo easy to just lay on the couch and let hours go by, but I go to work, I go dancing, I meet friends for lunch and dinner, I walk the dog, do yard work, run errands, whatever.  The effort to get up and go sometimes seems overwhelming, but I have never once regretted it once my sorry ass was back out in the world.  I can't give advice about anti-depressants, because I don't need them.  Of course I recognize that some people do legitimately benefit from them, but it seems like they are way too freely dispensed these days.  Wow, I just saw the weather forecast - looks like sunny weather for the weekend - now there's an anti-depressant. =)

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