April 2011 chemo

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  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited June 2011

    Windlass and CarlaB -- I'm close to your schedules, too.  Actually, I'm right on with you, Carla.  I start Taxotere on July 7 and won't be done until the end of September, assuming no delays.  Adn then on to radiation. But I'm very happy for the ones who are almost done with chemo.  We'll be there soon, too.  As you said, Carla, just keep showing us the way......  And best of luck to everybody.

  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited June 2011

    Windlass, Suzy and Carla, I also won't be done until 27 Spetember. I've finished AC and start weekly Taxol a week after you Carla on July 12th.



    I'll be here with you all too.



    I started with my MX, then chemo, then 5 weeks of rads starting in November. I won't be done until December and still have a reconstruction to schedule for some stage next year.

  • louis13
    louis13 Member Posts: 333
    edited June 2011

    well, i had my last chemo yesterday. having completed four rounds of taxotere and cytotoxin.

    however, just because of the sort of person i am...i am just a tad worried about the disparity in treatment approaches from different oncologists re the TC protocol ie 4 rounds vs 6 rounds...which is different to TAC of course which is i think 6 rounds...

    have asked on another board but have others queried with their oncologists about this? from trawling thru breast cancer posts i see this is a question that has been coming up since 2008. my onc is telling me that there is no data supporting more than 4 rounds of TC...just wondering what other oncs say about that???? 

  • sweetcorn
    sweetcorn Member Posts: 188
    edited June 2011

    I only  have two more rounds of Abraxane next Wednesday and then July 13, and then I will be through!  Would love to join the after chemo thread.  I have done four rounds which the onc is fine with since I didn't have any lymph node involvement.  Treated it aggressively due to Oncotype score of 28.  Then comes rads......

     Best wishes to one and all!

     Jane

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2011

    I think people misread my post. I have 16 more months of this to go.

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited June 2011

    Why so long Windlass?

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2011

    2 months of AC

    2 months of TDM1 (Herceptin-based)

    1 month of radiation

    2 months of Paclitaxel

    10 additional months of TDM1

    So I guess I have 14 months to go. 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2011

    Am I the only HER2+ person on our board? We all get a year of every-three-week Herceptin infusions. In addition to everything else.

  • CarlaB76
    CarlaB76 Member Posts: 74
    edited June 2011

    Gulp.  You're right, I did misread it.

  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited June 2011

    Windlass,  I'm HER2 positive too.  I'm doing:

    16 weekly infusions of Taxol (with daily Lapatinib pills throughout--this is the HER2 targeted drug that I'm in a trial for)  (4 mos)

    surgery

    4 rounds of AC (3 mos)

    radiation (7 weeks) although this depends on my surgery and sentinal node biopsy

    Herceptin for a year

    Tamoxifin for 5 years 

    It's going to be a long haul for me too.  I don't know.  I suggest we all just stay right here on this thread and talk about whatever stage we're in.  It's been great getting to know y'all here.  Just because we keep up the "April 2011 Chemo" board doesn't mean we all still have to be IN chemo.  Thoughts?   

  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited June 2011

    Profbee -- I'm with you -- let's all hang together here.  We're a "team" now.  And, you're right -- it doesn't have to mean we're IN chemo, but we all were IN chemo together in April and that's what brought us all together.  Now we'll all be going on to various other "things" at various times, but I think this is a good place to "hang out" and share our thoughts, cry on each other's shoulders, cheer each other on, etc.  Go Team!  We can do this!  I hope everyone has a good weekend -- a long holiday weekend for those of us in the U.S. 

  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited July 2011

    Windlass, I am HER2+, after my 6 TCH  treatments I will still have a year of Herceptin.  My ONC said they changed it, not every 3 weeks anymore, once a month a little stronger.  That is what I was just told.  It's 18 Herceptin infusions total.  Of course then RADS and 5 years of harmone therapy.

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited July 2011

    Will  you ladies that are HEr2+ get your hair back after the tch or will the Herceptin keep it out?

    Reason I am asking is I have a nice collection of scarves that I can give to someone once my hair grows a little bit if this will help, I will be glad to send them.

    Windlass, I sense so despair in your tone, are you ok?

    I think we are all headed for rads followed by 5 years of hormonal pills but I am trying to keep a positive spin in my head thinking that a few years ago we would not have these options that may very well keep us from recurrence. Having had 2 recurrence all ready and the emotional trauma that goes with that, the meds now seem like  the best of the two options to me and I am trying to feel some gratitude for my own peace of mind. Not easy though for me who never wanted to put anything unnatural in my body. My plan is to do this, & get strong in spite of it!

  • Sudzinvermont
    Sudzinvermont Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2011

    I'm Her2+ as well.

    So,,,2 more TCH...then 12 more Herceptin...6 weeks of Rads...Tamoxifin for 5 years.

    My surgery was done in Feb, but now I'm dealing with some Lymphedema. Really? Can I just have my body back please.

  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited July 2011
    Merilee - My onc said Herceptin does not affect your hair.  I also feel the same way, never put things into my body that wasn't natural, but now its a whole different ball game.  I will do whatever it takes to prevent reoccurance, and am thankful to have the options of all the meds.  I just pray that my body is able to tolerate the whole thing.  Positive spin is a great attitude Smile
  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited July 2011

    Sudzinvermont - sounds about right LOL...  I'm not sure what harmones I will be on as I am post menopausal (sp)...

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited July 2011

    Anyone know what a safe hormone level is? My most recent test  of estradiol

    was 32 way down from a year ago.

  • RangerMom
    RangerMom Member Posts: 604
    edited July 2011

    I agree with Profbee - doesn't matter if we are IN chemo or not, I want to stay with this group. I've gotten to know you all and you've been here for me when I needed you. Let's keep this going no matter what or until we can say we're a year in remission or something like that! Because you know we all are going to get there...we all are going to be cured and I want to be here with you all.

  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited July 2011

    Ditto and cheers for all you just said RangerMom

  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited July 2011

    I'm planning on hanging in here too. I like our group :)

  • artiecat
    artiecat Member Posts: 257
    edited July 2011

    This is an awesome group!

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited July 2011

    Amazing strong group of ladies. I could not have made it through this without you all. Days can get very long when  you are all full of chemicals and feeling wacked out. I feel such gratitude to each one of you for being here and for sharing everything so openly. It is one of the  beauties on an online support, I think people are more open than they might be in a group that actually met.

    I was just sharing on the April chemo girls on the mend  thread that I checked out the movie

    You can heal your life by Louise Haye.  It talks about your thoughts that are always rolling around in your head and how to use them in a positive way. I highly recommend it. It was first a book so if you prefer to read, there is that option.

    Those of you who still have more chemo to go, hang in there, there is light at the end.

    And wait for it......I have sprouted some fuzz up top! Makes me want to laugh like a mad scientist or something (only 10 days since my last treatment)

  • artiecat
    artiecat Member Posts: 257
    edited July 2011

    So - I am 64 today!  (Anyone remember the old Beatles song?)  As much as I am shocked to be this old, I am grateful that I will be here for more!  There is a reason we are going through this!!!!

  • geocachelinda
    geocachelinda Member Posts: 223
    edited July 2011

    kg1234 just how many chemo's are you getting?  I am getting 8 in all.  Finished my A/C and have 4 Taxol's to do.  Really sick this week with the A/C.  Diarrhea for the first time, nasty, smelly ugh!  Just sick to my stomach and tired.  No energy what so ever.  A little depressed too. 

    @Teckler your husband sounds like a real SOB and I'm sorry you have to deal with that on top of everything else.  How sad he has use you to garner sympathy and dates from strangers online.  What a jerk!

    @RangerMom you are having a tough time too with relationships.  I'm sorry this is happening.  

  • geocachelinda
    geocachelinda Member Posts: 223
    edited July 2011

    Happy Birthday Artiecat!

  • jackifp
    jackifp Member Posts: 185
    edited July 2011

    Happy b'day, articat! May today be excellent, and may there be many more!

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited July 2011

    Articat! Yes! We are so lucky to be here! happy birthday.

  • CarlaB76
    CarlaB76 Member Posts: 74
    edited July 2011

    Happy Birthday, Articat!  Every day is a reason to celebrate!

    Geocachelinda - We're half way there!

  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited July 2011
    Happpy Birthday Articat! and yes, "Will you still love me, will you still need me when I'm 64" Ringo Star sang it.. hehehe......  Wishing you a beautiful blessed and healthy year Innocent
  • kg1234
    kg1234 Member Posts: 95
    edited July 2011

    Hi ladies!

    Happy Birthday Artiecat!

    Geocachelinda ~ I had 3 AC (onc would not allow 4th AC) and I have completed 4 weekly taxols so far.  I have 8 more weekly taxols to go!  I originally was supposed to have 4 taxols every two weeks, but onc changed it to 12 weekly treatments.  It may be longer, but so far my SE have been minimal.  After the rough road with AC, I'll take the minimal SE! 

    I am so sorry re: your AC and bad side effects!! But the good news is your done :)

    Cheers, KG.

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