Starting Chemo Aug 09
Comments
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Ginger is great. Ideally, get fresh ginger root from any fruits/veggies store. Peel off the skin, drop the thing in a blender or juicer and sip a tea spoon full of the goodness. If the taste is too strong for you, add some honey or lemon. If you can not find ginger root, use can use ginger paste also or, in a pinch, get a powdered ginger supplement from a nutrition store.
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There is also something called Ginger gum that you can buy -- I was on a cruise ship and got very nauseated from the seasickness and someone I was with gave me some of this gum and it was amazing -- took away the nausea. Check drug stores or health food stores... sorry I can't say for sure where to get it but I know it exists and it worked wonders for my seasickness so why not chemo nausea?
Jenn -- I'm surprised they gave you something for nausea with the Taxol -- my doctor and the nurses all said Taxol doesn't cause nausea. But yeah they do give you benadryl which definitely made me sleepy for awhile; though the nurses in my chemo center said that what they give you via IV (or port) passes through you much faster than the pills you take at home... and I did find that by the end of the day I was fine.
Cheers,
Lilah
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There is also something called Ginger gum that you can buy -- I was on a cruise ship and got very nauseated from the seasickness and someone I was with gave me some of this gum and it was amazing -- took away the nausea. Check drug stores or health food stores... sorry I can't say for sure where to get it but I know it exists and it worked wonders for my seasickness so why not chemo nausea?
Jenn -- I'm surprised they gave you something for nausea with the Taxol -- my doctor and the nurses all said Taxol doesn't cause nausea. But yeah they do give you benadryl which definitely made me sleepy for awhile; though the nurses in my chemo center said that what they give you via IV (or port) passes through you much faster than the pills you take at home... and I did find that by the end of the day I was fine.
Cheers,
Lilah
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Oh dear sorry for the double posts!
Lilah -
Good luck Jen. I hope the taxol won't be as bad as the AC.
I think I might be having hot flashes. Oh joy. I've only had one period since I started chemo and it was 9 days late, which it never had been before so I guess I may be on my way to menopause land. Not what I wanted at 31 and it makes me a little sad. My oncologist said she wanted to talk to me about the possibility of a hysterectomy after I am through treatment and have less on my mind. I have a strong family history of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. I guess one positive thing will be that menopause will make a hysterectomy a lot easier to decide on.
Anyway, that's my feeling sorry for myself for the weekend. I'm going out for breakfast with a girlfriend soon and I can't wait. I hope you all have a good weekend and feel as good as possible. Take care!
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Happy Saturday Ladies!!
I had my last AC tx on Wed. and I also opted out of the Avastin Study. I must say I feel better this go round. The past 3 tx I have been down and out for Friday and Sat but this time I do not feel great but I feel ok. I have a swollen gum along my bottom teeth and that really hurts but otherwise just mild nausea and tired. I have been taking alleve and I think that really helps.
On to 12 weeks of taxol which I am really hoping will be easier. At least no neulasta shot!!
Has anyone heard about B-12 to ward off neuropathy during taxol? I have been reading about that and want to ask my onc
I feel for all of you going through a rough time and hope that everyone can have a peaceful weekend. Take care
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Good morning - Well my experience with Taxol is different so far. I do however have the worst case of heartburn I've had since my 1st pregnancy with my oldest daughter 26 years ago. I am already on Nexium, tried Tums and by midnight sent my DH out for Maalox, which takes the edge off for a few hours at a time. Now I have a severe case of the diarrhea - Ugh! My stomach doesn't feel right either. Not nauseated, feel like I should eat something, but two bites in I can't eat anymore. Also, my face is extremely flushed. The upside is that I'm not feeling as lethargic and don't have the pain I had after AC treatments. I guess I'll see as the days and weeks go by how my body continues to react.
Weety - I just got a Procrit shot for the 1st time yesterday - I am told the SE's from Procrit are nothing like Neulasta.
Lilah - I had some terrible nausea and vomiting issues early on, one of which landed me in the ER and............even before chemo my stomach didn't react well to medication. The onc did however tell me I didn't have to use the Reglan this round, just the Emend on day 2 & 3 and I should be fine.
Karen - I've been having hot flashes for several weeks now and they seem to be escalating - It's like a damn furnace is turned on from the inside out, my little bald head breaks out into a sweat, followed by the rest of my body, I rip the covers off to cool down and then I'm cold again! I talked to the onc about it and he said I was going through chemo induced menopause. Not much I can do now, but when I'm finished with chemo he'll run bone density scans. Ugh!!!
Kayel - I haven't heard about the B12 to ward off neuropathy, but will ask because I am afraid of it.
Have a great day!!!
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Thanks to all who replied about the procrit shot. I'm still wondering why my onc is making me start it when my hemoglobin is at 10.7. Most of everything else I've read seems to make me think they shouldn't worry about it until it drops BELOW 10. Maybe my onc is just being proactive.
Karen, I too am having the hot flashes (I just turned 39) My onc said that chemo induced menopause may or may not be permanent, depending on the individual, especially how close their body was to actual menopause in the first place. She said, generally, most women in their early to mid 30's regain their fertility and start their periods back up when chemo is over. Women in their late 30's and early 40's sometimes do but many do not. My cousin had the AC combo back when she was 26 and she has had 2 kids since then with absolutely no problems getting pregnant (1st or 2nd try both times). So it sounds like with your age, you might not be in permanent menopause. (I don't know if that's good or bad!)
Lilah, thanks for the tip about the ginger gum. I'm going to see if I can find that online somewhere. I am on taxotere (similar but I think a little different than taxol) and I get plenty of anti-nausea drugs before this drip. THe nurses told me taxotere is a moderate nausea inducing drug, but the carboplatin that I get with it is a high inducing one. I think she said adriamycin is also a high inducing one. I seem to be okay the first couple days after, but then seem to have the all-day "pregnancy morning sickness" feeling for the next few days. It's not terrible, but sort of just there all day long. The zofran and compazine don't seem to touch this--that's whay I wanted to try the ginger I asked about in my previous post.
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Dear Weety,
They most probably gave you pre-meds by IV before chemo. The pre-meds contain anti emetics and they prevent nausea and vomiting for the first 2 days. That may explain why you experience CINV after 2 days.
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Good morning - Today is day 3 after my first Taxol treatment. As of today the SE's are not as hard as the days following AC. However, I don't want to get my hopes up. I do have some SE's that are uncomfortable, but tolerable so far (as long as I stay close to home and bathrooms). The hot flashes seem to be more and more at night. Does anyone know if there is anything that can be done to alleviate them or make them less intense?
Weety - I think the onc may be trying to prevent you from becoming more anemic. I had to wait for my RBC and Hemoglobins to drop lower than yours before being approved for the Procrit shot, but not because the onc didn't want to give it to me, it was the insurance company (the cost of the shot is $5000). I just had my first shot Friday, he said it may take several weeks to notice a difference. I was/am to the point that after my morning walk with the dogs, shower and eating breakfast it wears me out so much I need to rest for another 3 hours. That's how I am suppose to start the day, not end it!!! For me it is an exhaustion that I've never felt before and hard to explain to people. And............ according to my onc eating all of the "right foods" isn't going to change things, it's the chemo and our bodies working hard in other areas. I say if you can get the shot - go for it. Sorry if I rambled ...........................
Today my DH gets to head out to the Saints game - I really want to go, but this year isn't the year for me to go to large venues like that. However, I've decided to invite my Mom and Sister over to watch the game with me so that I'm not alone screaming at the television.
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Aw Karen -- I think I'm having hot flashes too (and likely on my way to menopause). But you are young! You might resume menstruating when you're done. A friend of mine who was in her late 30s at the time had BC 5 years ago and did resume menstruating after chemo. Take it one day at a time.
Cheers,
Lilah
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Dear Weety - I'd not get Procrit unless the RBC and Heamo dropped way too low and then too ask your doctor to give you the lowest dose that would work to avoid transfusion. Some clinical trials have shown that Procrit reduces overall survival.
Dear Karen - the risk of going into permanent menopause with chemo goes up as you age and go near the menopausal age. The risk is considered low (5-15%) unless you are 40+ at the time of chemo. The remaining women get back their periods 2-24 months after completing chemo.
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Good Morning Ladies,
I hope all of you are feeling well and that you all had a nice weekend. I am feeling well today. I feel a little tired but other than not having any taste buds and the typical stomach issues I have no SEs. I did not do much this weekend. It seems as if everyone is sick making scared of going to public places. Has anyone had the flu shot yet? I was able to jog on Saturday but I was a bit frustrated that I can't jog as fast as I was able to before treatment. One of my dear friends is making me lasagna tonight and coming over to my house to eat dinner. I am so excited to see her and her husband. I have not socialized with friends since September 12th. It will be nice to have some fun.
Take Care everyone. I wish all of you a good week.
Karen09 - Don't you just hate those hot flashes? I am having them in the evenings. I am 31 and I was on Depo Provera when diagnosed with BC. I had not had a period for a couple years and still had no period when I started chemotherapy. Who knows if it will ever come back.
Jenn3 - I hope the SEs from Taxol continue to be easier for you than AC. Stinks that you had to miss the Saints game. Having your Mom and Sister over to watch the game sounds like fun.
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Good afternoon - Today is a rainy, cloudy, humid, hot day - where is the fall weather??? I want to decorate for the fall, but it's so hot it just doesn't feel like fall yet. So far the SE's from the Taxol seem to much much more tolerable than the AC. I do have body aches and pains, my mouth and sinuses are still really dry, but oveall it doesn't seem to be as bad as it has been. I sure hope it continues this way because I'm ready to get back to work and have more of a routine in my life other than feeling sick!
Hope everyone has a great SE free day.
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Dear Jenn,
Send the warm weather to NJ! We barely had summer this year.
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Unkle - I'll will it your way...............
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Now after reading all your posts about procrit, I'm scared to do it!
Soooo . . . . I did my research like we are supposed to do, right? And now I'm feeling like you're d###ned if you do and d###mned if you don't. I found several studies/articles that some of you must have been referring to about NOT using procrit with chemo for breast cancer. Even the FDA recommended not using it if the treatment was for a "cure." But then I started finding studies that really made me nervous about not doing it and keeping my body in a state of anemia because it can cause tumor hypoxia (low oxygen) and tumors thrive with low oxygen because it promotes angiogenesis (forming blood vessels by the tumor)!!!! I also read the anemia during chemo can reduce the response of the cancer to the tumor and reduce chemo effectiveness (probably all terms that mean the same thing, just stated a little differently.) One study even showed that anemia increases local breast cancer recurrence! And one of the studies wasn't even talking about major anemia--this study recommeded keeping the hemoglobin levels above the low normal values to prevent these negative consequences! Now I really don't know what to do!
I guess knowledge is a curse sometimes!
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Good morning - I'm still feeling sore and achy, but did get out and walk the dogs. It's still extremely hot and humid - ugh!!! Today I'm going to try to get into the garden and do some "fall" trimming - maybe that will loosen the muscles.
Weety - I am doing the Procrit shot because I had reached the point that after a 30 min walk with the dogs or a few errands I needed to sit and rest for 2 -3 hours and even after that I didn't have the energy to do much. It's an exhaustion like I've never felt before and hope to never feel again. The decision wasn't hard for me because I feel like I need energy to mentally and physically deal with everything my body is going through. I know you're having a hard time making a decision, but I'm sure you'll make the right one for you - Good luck and I'm thinking of you.
Hope everyone has a good day!
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It's been slow today............. Today is another 90 degree (humid) day - in October! I normally love summer weather, but this it going on a little too long. I want to decorate, but am having a hard time getting in the mood with such hot weather.
I woke up feeling a little better, but had terrible stomach issues - ugh!!! Usually by this point my stomach has calmed down some. I'm not sure if it's from the Procrit, Taxol, Avastain/Placebo or a combination of all. I guess I'll just have to get used to the new medication routine and how to handle the SE's. I'm really hoping that I do handle the Taxol / trial medication combo better than I did the AC so that I can get back to work and feel a little more normal.
Hope everyone else is having a good SE free day!!!
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Yasmin - I know what you mean about being afraid to go out in public with everyone so sick. Lots of germs out there and it makes me scared. I'm staying in more than usual but I get so sick of my apartment sometimes. lol!
Jenn - I hope your stomach settles down. I'm glad the Taxol seems to be easier for you and I hope that continues.
Kristin - our big day is tomorrow. Ugh!! I've been dreading it since the last one. How many more treatments do you have? This one will be my halfway mark - four more to go after this one.
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Today has been a pretty good day. I started with walking the dogs, did some weeding and finally got around to trimming my Day Lilies back. I kept waiting for a day under 90 degrees to get out in the garden, but it's just not happening this week. Then....my cousin came by for lunch (with my god-child). In between I was able to get some housework done before the weekend.
I'm feeling better, but still struggling with diarrhea and back pain. Anyone else on Taxol / Procrit / Avastin/Trial drug having this SE? I know it's a SE of each of the drugs mentioned, but during AC I would only have it a few days, not a week.
Karen - Tonight is Survivor - still watching? The halfway mark is big - how exciting!!!
Hope everyone has a good afternoon/evening.............
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Yasmin - In answer to your question about getting a flu shot. I did get the normal flu shot and had no problems. Work was having a free flu shot clinic so I just checked with the cancer center before I got it .
Well I had good news from my visit with the onc. He says I can go back to the surgeon now and do the bilateral mastectomy surgery that had to be postponed for the chemo. So as long as it works for the surgeon, I will have the surgery right after Thanksgiving. That way I am off from Thanksgiving till Christmas for recovery. Then radiation and finally hormone therapy.
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Hey Jenn -- Yeah I did have diarrhea for a week following first Taxol/Herceptin... it finally stopped. Not sure if it's because I took some Immodium (doc said it was okay) or focused on BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Apple Sauce, Toast -- though I only did Bananas and Toast). Or maybe it just stopped because it stopped. Yay! Perhaps yours will stop soon too.
Cheers,
Lilah
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TGIF Everyone!!! I had my 4th treatment last week and amazingly it went much better than the 3rd. I still have nausea but not as bad. My blood counts are finally going down reds have been consistantly low but the fourth treatment sent my whites from 13 to 6 even with the Neulasta. Two more treatments to go, I talked to the radiologist will start radiation 4 days after final chemo (trying to get all 35 treatments in before year end fro insurance). So I wont be done by new years but it will be close. I think I mentioned last time my period was still here longer and heavier than ever, funny thing is not even a hint of a period this month. Is that how it happens? I thought it would slow down and then go away, not just here one month gone the next? I have been having hot flashes for a couple of months now. Anyway, I'm going to Disney's Wide World of Sports to see my son run an 8k tomorrow. I will be careful with germs but I just have to see him when he has competitions this close to home, can't help it! Heres to a SE and DR free weekend!!!!Donna
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Good afternoon - Just got back from Taxol #2 (doing 12 weekly treatments). Tired but okay. The stomach issued finally calmed down. Hopefully they'll be better this round. However, the dr did suggest I take more immodium than I had taken. I was afraid to take too much. I also got the okay from the dr to get my free flu shot from work, which I'm going to do next Wednesday.
Kim - Glad to hear you got the news you were waiting on - and perfect timing before year end.
Lilah - Thanks for the info - As of today I'm okay, let's hope it stays that way.
Donna - Glad to hear you're feeling better with this treamtment. My husand is a volunteer track offical and has worked @ Disney's Wide World of Sports several times the week of July 4th (prelims for the Jr Olympics), great facility. Of course me and the girls loved it because we got to play at Disney for 8 days (while he worked). Like you I attend pretty much anything to do with my daughter's activities and pray that my SE's are tolerable that day. I will send good thoughts your way to feel better for tomorrow and that your son does well.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
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Hi everyone!
Good news with my foot today - I can take my boot off and it's only been 8 weeks!!! (Originally the doc thought it might take 3-4 months "with my compromised health situation.") So I healed well despite all the other stuff.
Jen - I wonder why you get weekly taxol and I get 4xDD when we had the same AC tx. I cannot figure out how they decide.
I am doing well, taxol #3 next Tuesday, then just one to go. Went out to lunch yesterday then needed a 2 hour nap and still slept at night. Guess this stuff is tiring.
Have a good weekend ladies.
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Dear Gillyone,
Whether you get weekly Taxol or Biweekly Taxol is mostly your doctor's and your preference. I believe practicing oncologists that do not participate in clinical trials prefer to do 4xDD because that's what NCCN guidelines have with 4xAC. The research hospitals have their own protocols. No one has compared 12 weekly Taxol to 4 biweekly Taxol in a head to head study. From indirect comparisons, it is believed the efficacy and side effects of the 2 regimens are similar although I have heard that most people getting weekly Taxol don't need to get Neulasta....
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Hi all!,
It's been quite a while since I've posted. I've been working like crazy and too tired to type! Treatments have been going well with minimal SEs.
Karen - Hope your treatment went well. Mine did. This tx was #4 out of 6, so I only have two more to go. I'm pretty sleepy tonight and am dreading next week. The last tx was okay so I am hoping to fare well with this one, too. As I think that I have mentioned in the past, the worst SE for me is the awful taste in my mouth. It never goes away and I end up snacking on salty things all day long to avoid the taste!
On a happy note, there is a walk here tomorrow for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer through the American Cancer Society. It's just a 3-mile walk, not a race, but it should be fun. My secretary at work organized it and called the team "Kristin's Krusaders". We'll have about 40 people walking and have raised $2,000! Of course it's only supposed to be 40 degrees tomorrow morning, so we'll have to bundle up. But at least the rain has finally stopped; we haven't had a sunny day in a couple of weeks.
I've had a cold for the past two weeks so I haven't been exercising as much as usual. It's nice to be on the exercise study so I at least see a personal trainer once a week. I also signed up for a clinical trial on bisphosphonates (e.g. Boneva), with the goal of understanding the preventative effect that they can have on metastasis to the bone. Wish me luck!
Welcome to all of the new folks! Sorry to meet you here, but hope that you find comfort.
K
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I popped back in because my DH is working late and my daughter is sleeping out - slow night in the house. I forgot to tell y'all - my RBC jumped in only one week!!! I didn't need the Procrit shot this week.
Kristen - So glad to hear from you and that you're doing well with treatments. I miss hearing from you. My family and friends are doing a 6 mi walk tomorrow, only our weather is 90 degress w/100% humidity and maybe a chance of rain. I'll be home thinking of them all. Good luck with your walk tomorrow and congrats on raising $2000 - wonderful!!!
Gill/Unkle - I was told I would be doing DD AC followed by DD Taxol. However, there was a communication breakdown/error and the dr did not realize that the trial protocol I am in calls for 12 weekly Taxol, not DD (and the facility running the trial won't change it). This information came to me two weeks before the news of the trial I am in being stopped to newcomers. I of course was not happy and thought seriously about dropping out because I just want this to be over. Then then when the news of the trial being stopped hit me I had a lot to think about and lot to discuss with the dr. However, being a triple negative doesn't give me or other triple negatives a lot of choices, so I opted to stay in. By doing the weekly dose I don't have to do the Neulasta shot and I only receive 1/3 of the dose I would if I were doing DD and I only receive the Avastin/Placebo every 3rd treament - therefore the SE's should be easier and were somewhat easier after my first treatment. Of course the downside - I'm in for 12 weeks, 10 after today.
Jenn
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Dear Jenn,
I think you made the right choice to stay in the trial. We should use all the bullets we can....
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