Starting Chemo in July 2009

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  • tara35
    tara35 Member Posts: 22
    edited September 2009

    Thank you so much for the info. I'm actually still working . I finish my 4 AC treatment  already. I will we starting my first TC on 10/1/09. I heard it should be a little tolerable that the AC.I hope and pray to GOD this is true.  I have a little sore throat and a  a a runny nose. I call my doctor office and they told me that once I don't have a temperature. I'm fine.  Did any of you ladies had this problems?

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited September 2009

    I don't want tamoxifen and am opting out. Im only 25% ER and PR negative which drops the efficacy to 33% and then w/ the low ER I only imagine it even lowers so Im not doing it.  Too many horrible side effects so Im looking into alternatives - it was the bad press that got me reading into alternatives.  I don't understand wiping out your hormonal system - just seems very unnatural but to each his own.  I know ppl who did AIs/tam and are fine and I know ppl who did tam who are not. Guess thats why there are menus.

    Lauren that is so funny, I used to live in Morristown.  Small world.

    Tara, I use this sally hansen quick dry in crimson red.  I don't leave the house w/o it - it dries in two minutes. I haven't seen my nails in months when they started graying I covered them immediately and just keep shellacking away.

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited September 2009

    Please see this thread about Clinical Trial ECOG 5103 involving the use of Avastin.

     http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topic/740968?page=1#idx_5

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  • Hopeful-1
    Hopeful-1 Member Posts: 72
    edited September 2009

    Hello Triple Js -

    Congrats to all who finished chemo and for those that are nearing the finish line. I have my 3rd Taxol tomorrow and my last is on Oct 12.  My BRCA came out negative - yippee.  I was surprised when my Onc talked about radiation this past Friday and said I was in the gray zone.  I thought i wasn't having rads and now we are discussing it.  I had plans to remove my port, ovaries and right good breast in November and now I need to think about Rads.  Well I just don't know what to do about radiation???  I felt I was taking an agressive approach by removing my right good breast and my ovaries, but now I'm wondering if I should do Rads.  Any thoughts?? I was also hoping for DIEP in March of next year so I don't know how rads would impact those plans. I'm also glad that if I remove my ovaries, it gives me more options about the 5 yr hormonal treatment.  I can take Femara or Arimidex or Tamoxifen and my Onc says the aromotase inhibitors are slightly more efficacious so that is probably the kind that I'll choose.

    I also had some slight pain and discomfort in my breasts during Taxol,but my Onc said it is because the nerves in the tissue are trying to heal and Taxol affects the nerves so it is expected.

    I still suck on ice through chemo, but now try to do it for 4 hrs.  It reduces chemo affecting the mouth and decreases the affect of losing taste for food.

    I didn't shave my head and my hair has been growing the past 4 weeks.  About 2 to 3 inches long around the hairline, but only about a 1/2 to 1 inch on top and it's sparse so I still wear hats.

    Lisa - Sorry to hear about your FIL and the flood situation.  I hope your doing okay and my thoughts are with you.

    I hope everyone is doing well and has minimal SEs!

    Connie

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited September 2009

    PS73-totally know how you feel about the boob pain. I have started working out again on the treadmill and my surgery boob has some pain in it. Of course my first thought was' "It's Back!" But besides a little lumpy around surgery site it seems fine. Of course my Onc. and Rad doc. have also checked it so I'm pretty certain I'm okay. It's just nerves. I do worry to much about being triple neg. 

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited September 2009

    School is back in session! 

    Quick question to my Triple J's. Am I the only one going through chemo. induced menopause. I've been so focused on chemo. that I didn't realize that some of my SE were from CIM and not chemo. 
    Not much out there except that most oncologist don't know much about it. Wondering now if I should contact my general practice doc. or oncologist or both. 

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  • Lauren3
    Lauren3 Member Posts: 289
    edited September 2009

    I am actually getting my period more often than I used to so I wont be helpful on this topic!  When I asked my onc. about it he just said "strong ovaries" which got me to thinking about whether or not I should have them removed... 

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited September 2009

    Connie - congrats on being BRCA negative!  You must be so relieved. :)

    Lisa, my sister said you guys got rained on again, I hope all is ok. 

    I called the on call dr on fr night, was having weird pains in my breasts.  I thought I felt another lump - impossible?  My dh thinks its my ribcage.  I had had an ultrasound not a month ago on the same breast bc of clots.  This friggin disease is making me crazy but Im enjoying the week off of tx esp since my hubbie brought a cold home and we have a wedding this weekend.

    I hope everyone is doing good - I can't believe how far along we all are, it seems like a year ago this whole thing started. xo

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited September 2009

    Pauling - I am also experiencing CIM - my onc put me on Effexor XR for mood swings and hot flashes.  I am soooo grateful since my emotions were so raw and at the surface, I thought I was losing my mind...Call your onc and let them know what is going on...they should be able to help with some of the SE's.

    My last chemo T/C/H is on Wednesday the 30th then just Herceptin until Aug 2010...

    I hope everyone is doing well...

    PS has anyone heard from jacee (Joni1)???

    Hugs!!!

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited September 2009

    Taxol question, ladies.

    My nails are a bit weird - a ridge at the bottom, very red half moons and some are a little tender. Anyone else have this - and what happens next?

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited September 2009

    O2BHealthy, is Effexor used for hot flashes caused by Lupron also or only if the menopause if induced by the chemo?

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited September 2009

    Connie - After two cancers - one in both breasts, I'm thinking strongly about double mast.  My BRACA test did not come out negative or positive - inconclusive but with my history Dr. is leaning towards surgery.  Final decision is up to me - I just don't want to go through this again.   Both my surgeon and my medical oncologist say no rads, if I'm going to proceed with surgery.  I believe it has something to do with the effects on the skin if you plan to have reconstruction.

     I begin taxol on Thursday - was supposed to begin last week, but blood count was down, mouth was sore, had low great fever and foot was infected from one fire ant sting. Was placed on an antiobiotic which totally messed with my gut!  Now I'm on something to help with that.

    Pam

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited September 2009

    Onty - Effexor can be used for any hot flashes as far as I know...I do know that I get little warm spells but nothing like the hot flashes I was having.  Also my emotions have leveled out CONSIDERABLY and I feel more like my old self, mentally at least... Effexor is also used for depression and mood disorders.  I know that alot of the women on the "Bottle of Tamoxifen" thread are also on Effexor for their HF too.

    Hope you can find some relief...

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited September 2009

    Gill....I had ridges also they grew to a full ridged nails. Not red stuff but so soft it used to break right from the middle. I kept it short all the time. In time they got stronger but the ridges always remained there. This doesn't mean you will have the same reaction, also I was on Herceptin for 52 weeks. Another thing the big toe nails got so disgusting, thought they were falling off- but they didn't it took a while.

    Now they are normal.

    Good Luck.

    Wink Sheila

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited September 2009

    Gill I am on Taxotere, which I believe is in the same 'family' as Taxol. I was advised to paint my fingernails and toenails with black polish to protect them because they may become discoloured, ridged and worst case scenario come off. I have only had one round of Taxotere but my nails are doing OK so far. I did have a bit of numbness and tingling which has stopped now. I removed all the layers of black a few days ago and started again and they looked fine underneath. I did wonder if the black was just to cover up any changes :) It is not my usual style at all, but for now I am a bald Goth!

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited September 2009

    pdaw-if you can handle it, eat lots of yogurt with ACTIVE cultures for you gut during antibiotics. 

    My fingernails were weird after my first treatment but then improved. They would just get chipped easily and at odd places. But during my 3rd and 4th treatment they got real strong and grew very well.

    SallyMae has her last Chemo. tomorrow the 30th. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.  

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  • Hopeful-1
    Hopeful-1 Member Posts: 72
    edited September 2009

    Hello Triple-J's,

    Glad again to hear more are approaching or have reached the finish line with chemo.  I get my last Taxol on Oct 13th.  I thought it would be Oct 12th, but that is a holiday.  My second Taxol was slightly easier than Taxol #1, I took claritan the day before and following 4 days as recommended by fellow BC members and maybe that made it easier.  I got taxol #3 yesterday and so far I feel great.  I'll see how this week will go and plan to take claritan again.  So far nothing is happening with my nails.  My moms nails turned purple after TX1 twelve years ago.  She said they never fell off and went back to normal after chemo was done.  Maybe since I'm taking vitamins it helps with the nail thing.  I take D3 and calcium.  My onc knows which vitamins I take and my recent vitamin D test shows i'm no longer deficient.  It's not recommended that I take too much vitamin C, E or folic acid because that can affect how chemo is working to fight the cancer cells.

    I decided to go for rads after speaking with several other BC members. It seems that blood flow on the side with surgery might be compromised and can affect how much chemo is able to get all the cancer cells and another patient who is stage 4 getting chemo yesterday said they give you a toolbox to fight the cancer and sometimes you have to decide which tools to use.  I decided at that point to use the rad tool for piece of mind and never regretting the decision.

    Pam - Sorry to hear you had it in both breasts.  Even though I'm negative for BRCA, I want my ovaries removed since my cancer is ER+ and PR+ and it will give me more options in respects to which hormonal therapy I'm able to choose. I also want to remove my right good breast and avoid ever going through this again.  My docs and the genetics counselor stand behind my decision and said reoccurrence in the opposite breast is very possible with my type and grade.  They also admire me for taking the most aggressive approach which isn't easy, but will give me more piece of mind.

    Well I hope to have rads and surgery done by December and then have reconstruction in February or March. 

    Best wishes, hugs and prayers to all!

    Connie

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  • stef58
    stef58 Member Posts: 288
    edited September 2009

    Hey Triple J's. I am taking Lexapro for the hot flashes. Not as strong as Effexor. It is a very mild form of depreesant. Which I am not thrilled with but it does keep the hot flashes under control.  I am on taxotere like Jayne and have not had any nail problems. Did get some from A/C and they are growing out. Nails look better than they use to before this.

    Congrats Connie on beig BRCA Negative and getting done.

    It anybody getting fills during chemo? I am and they are going great, one more and I think I am going to be done with that also.

    congrats to all that are getting done!!!. I have 2 left and will be done by the end of the month.

    Jayne Did the thrush get healed up?

    Hugs and Strength to all

    Dianne

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited September 2009

    Hi Triple J's.

    Congratulations to all who are finished. The rest of us are getting there.

    Dianne my thrush did clear up thanks. That fluconazole did a great job on it. It's good to hear that your nails look better than they did before.

    I am not getting fills during chemo. I am not fully expanded but at the moment I would say that I don't need many more fills. However, I will do rads after this and I know it can affect the appearance of that side. So on balance my surgeon felt it was better to wait until I finish rads and see how it looks then.

    My oncologist recommended that I take an extra week between chemo treatments this time, to allow my body to heal more from the thrush and the shingles I had earlier that you can still see traces of on my face. So I should have had my next tx tomorrow, but it will be next week instead. With any luck I will also be finished by the end of the month.

    Hugs to all.

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited September 2009
    Hi everyone, i am finished chemo.... now i am just waiting for results of all blood tests. yes i had the brac test too.  my hormones are both ++ but yes i have been put into menapause. my doc wants me to take tamoxafene....i have read so much about the drug its scary.. my doctor has told me that if i dont do well on the tamox that she will consider having my ovieries removed its making me think i should just have it done , i am finished having children,  it makes me wonder if the docs really even know what there doing or are we just sitting ducks, being tested to see what happens from different treatments.  my first doc had rads on the end of my treatment ..as of my last chemo i had know idea it was even in the plan .............i was surprized.   i am doing alot of research.  I haven't told anyone here but i am a alternative health person and my mother has taught health and nutrition for 50 years, it has been a great help in my treatment mentally and physically    well anyway my mom will be on Dr Oz in the fall she is 81 .......you can see her on www.youtube.com  in the search box put Mary Bode Yoga and the video will show ....
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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited September 2009

    Eliz, Im in NJ, please let me know if you find a good ND.

    I am going to call a hormone specialist in nyc on central park south and hoping to do this vs tamoxifen and even out my hormones vs eliminating them.  My step mothers friend has been going to her for years and likes her.  I hope she takes my health care!

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited September 2009

    PS73, I'm in NJ (Union County) too!

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  • Lauren3
    Lauren3 Member Posts: 289
    edited September 2009

    Unkles check out the NJ thread in "Get Togethers" if you're interested

    I'm interested in learning more about how nutrition can help me... do you ladies recommend seeing a nutritionist?   

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited September 2009

    Lauren,

    My nutritionist's big message was to eat healthy, balanced diet, as close to your normal natural diet as possible without using too many supplements. She gave me a booklet published by NCCN and suggested that I follow the tips in that booklet based on the observed side effects, e.g for constipation, try prune juice, apple sauce, mashed banana and bran.

    That said, I think most hospitals and cancer care centers offer the nutritionist's services for free, so I suggest you see one. I will also probably write down what I am eating every day and review with her.

    Will check out the Get Togethers NJ thread.

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited September 2009

    Lauren,

    I would say anything in the realm of better health is good decison.

    It is a personal decision whether you go to a nutritionist/ND/Med Dr.  I am in NJ too and am doing tons of research to find a good one who has a mix of all. ..it has been difficult to find someone great but Im committed. I think supplementing is good, depending on where you get your supplements from and with that said, there are some foods that won't give you enough nutrition depending on where you get them and how you prepare them.  I have to supplement D3 at 50,000IUs twice a week plus 4K daily to get my very low numbers up. - Sitting in the sun hasn't helped it either.

    Its a committment indeed and I personally think a mix of all things above are good, but again, some ppl do/did pure vegetarian and some don't - we all have BC here. I ate broccoli every day for six months prior to dx so who knows about that....  maybe it helped so I wasn't worse off?  I would like to think so.

    Good luck on your journey!!!

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited September 2009

    So far every doctor, nurse and dietitian I have met has said ok for multi-vitamin and vit D but pretty much poopoohed everything else and actually said not to take any supplements during chemo. Anyone have the same experience?

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited October 2009

    Onty - I went to a Naturopath after my Bil MX and he put me on supplements for healing...also once knew what my chemo cocktail was, he put me on several supplements to help decrease/avoid the most common side effects...Naturopath sent copies of each treatment plan to ONC with dosage and reasons behind each supplement.  My Onc referred me to the Naturopath...I think they just want to make sure that we are not self medicating on supplements that may decrease effectiveness of the chemo or possibly cause worse SE's... Hope that helps!

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  • Lauren3
    Lauren3 Member Posts: 289
    edited October 2009

    I'm planning to do the whole 5-9 servings of fruits and veggies + 30 minutes of exercise a day thing at the very least... but was thinking if I saw someone they might be able to point me in the right direction of what more I can do.  Granted, it might not help but it also might.  I do feel like I need to do something that I can completely control such as this.  PS how are you doing your research?  What's a ND? 

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited October 2009

    I have been looking up clinical hormone studies with emphasis on breast cancer and per the research md in the footnotes, I look to see if they are treating physicians and/or naturopathic doctors, locations, other studies they have done, etc.  So far found one MD in Japan but that won't work for me.  ..its a long road with lots of hurdles.  At the moment, Im waiting for info back but Ive contacted a hormone specialist in nyc and asked them if they would be able to discuss options for me or to point me towards someone who specializes in breast cancer - ND/Alternative/other homone specific MDs.  NDs are Naturopathic Doctors.  There are a lot to weed thru - just like MDs. 

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited October 2009

    Good morning everyone im still doing ok i just feel really run down.  my spirits are up though chemo was very hard on my body i can feel it.. I do have a very good naturopathic doctor he dosent take some insurance but my onco puts his scripts through for blood tests and cultures, i am on high protian whey powder banana milk shakes with all kinds of stuff in them its called a power shake i make it in the blender. my health doctor took a hair sample also .....he is located is washingtons crossing in Pennsylvania near new hope pennsylvania.  i do see that some of you are in New Jersey

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