Clinical Trial E5103

mitymuffin,

Thanks for the encouraging push . . .I know I need to do it, but I just need to get started again.

Hugs!

Laura

Had 3rd treatment last Thrusday and I am amazed I am not having hardly any side effects.  The worst again is the taste.  Nothing tastes right but if that is the worse, I'll live with it.  One more treatment of AC on June 24th.  Can't wait till it is over since I think these are the drugs with the most side effects.  Anyone heard different.  Take care everyone.

Best of luck Jackie tomorrow!!  I remember my first, the nurse (who turned out to be my absolute favorite) told me I had a "deer in the headlights" look.  And I thought I was so cool...LOL  The first one is a mind-game, but then you get the hang of it.

Swanny, I had the awful taste thing too, and my tongue felt burnt from right after my first AC til a month or so after Taxol finished.

Jenni, I had the nausea thing after the AC's also.  on Day 7 after each one I would throw up...I swear I had the se's with AC.  Also, my right hand started to peel badly right around my 4th AC and I wore a glove on the my hand at work.  They called me Michael Jackson.

Hi Laura! 

Hugs to you gals!!   

Jackie, YAY!!  # 1 is behind you...finito!  The Avastin (Bevaciz...) will end up being a 30 minute infusion down the road.  My stomach still turns at the "A" (red devil).  I remember having all the meds lined up on the counter and notes with the times on them since I was taking them around the clock at different intervals.  Get some rest sister!  

To my surprise (because I've never know anything about it) acupuncture has helped me with the side effects. I just feel better after the treatments. 

This is hard. I've had my second AC, and feel more fatigue than after the first treatment. Its an uphill climb.

I added a picture of myself.  Not a current one.  The picture is from when I was 25.  A little heavier now (a lot) and of course NO HAIR but it gives you an idea of what I look like.

Hope everyone is doing well.  Chemo tomorrow - last AC treatment.

I am jealous Swanny, final number four for you!! You go girl.  That is great, I am halfway there with ac, can't wait for it to be done and pray that the next round is easier like they say!!!!!  Love the pic!

Hi Ladies,

I am so blessed - I had minimal SE;s after this first round.  Treatment #2 is next Tuesday.  I can only hope it goes as well as this round did.  Thinking positive and pushing on! 

Start Taxol weekly on the 8th.  Get the study drug the first time and then every 3rd week.  I had pretty bad SE's this last time but I also had unusual circumstances.  My mother passed away on Saturday (chemo was the Thursday before).  I was her caregiver so besides recovering from chemo I had to make all the arrangements.  We had a 4 hour wake that almost killed me.  I was on my feet and greeting and talking to everyone the whole time.  I should not have done that.  I should have sat in the chair and waited for everyone to come to me.  My mother did not suffer and for that I am truly thankful. I had taken care of my mother for the past 10 years and she was getting increasingly worse so I am so thankful that she did not get worse and that I did not have to put her in a nursing home.  It was coming to that.  Anyway, I am fine now.  It was bad on Wednesday and Thursday but I finally got my appetitie back on Thursday night.  I lost 9 pounds in that week.  I am doing fine now - resting and healing and putting weight back on (although I hope most of it stays off). 

I hope everyone is doing fine.  I look forward to hearing good news from everyone.  Take care.   

Swanny, I am sorry also for your loss.  Sending hugs your way.  Hoping Taxol is kind to you.

Hi Melody.  Glad you joined us.  Sorry I can't tell you anything.  I am just starting Taxol.  I am sure some of the girls that have completed/gone farther can help you.  Which drug is causing your problems?  I had a urine protein test today but don't know the results yet.  I'll have to ask when I get chemo on Thursday.

I had my 2nd muga test last Friday.  First muga had a score of 57, the second 52 so the doc said they were glad I was through with the AC.  They will have me take another muga in a few months.  They tell me anything over 50 is good but 52 is real close to 50.  Taxol they say will not affect my heart.

Thanks, Swanny and Jackie...I just want everyone that reads this thread to be aware of the kidney failure dangers from Avastin. Not to freak anyone out, but it is very serious.

http://www.healthkey.com/sns-health-avastin-kidney-damage,0,1655862.story

Just something to keep in mind. When you are having your urine protein levels monitored, make sure to get a copy of the results. I didn't realize until a couple of weeks ago just how high my protein levels were. My doctor just told me that "It's high but below the cutoff point where you can't have treatment." Now I may have permanent kidney damage.

I still would encourage everyone to participate and continue with the trial but also to keep a close watch on your kidney function.

Melody 

Had the first taxol.  Doing fine.  Seems they are most worried about having an alergic reaction to the drug so they gave me something for that first that made me fall asleep during the treatment.  Hope I was not snoring (ha-ha).  I asked then about urine levels asked and they showed me the results.  It looked good (.89).  Thanks for the heads up on that.  I'll keep checking.  Good luck everyone.

Swanny - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!  I hope you have a wonderful day and remember you aren't just going strong - YOU ROCK!!!!  Glad to hear the first Taxol went well.   May that continue!

Happy Birthday Swanny!! Glad Taxol #1 went well!!!  Hang in there!