June 2011 A/C & T Groupies Unite!

Hi fellow Junies!

I've been following this thread, and decided to post my experience.  I had my annual mammo in Dec. 2010, which showed nothing, but I have dense breasts.  I found the lumps the first week of May, 2011. I have invasive mammary carcinoma, both breasts.  Both tumors started out 2-3 cm at the time of the biopsy, and then when the PET scan was done 2 weeks later, they were 5+cm.  Then, by the time chemo was started a week and half later, in June, they were 6+cm.  Very rapid growing, so I had to go with chemo first.  

I've been thru 4 rounds of AC...pretty much breezed thru it, except for a fever one weekend that landed me in the ER.  No infection, just a reaction to the Neulasta.  I started Taxol (4 rounds) this last Tues..and by Thurs, I had such bad neuropathy in my legs from the waist down.  Pain and tingling waist down, legs felt like they weighed 100 lbs each, and felt like they could give out at any minute.  Called the Dr., and am now on Neurontin and Tramadol...I was trying to take Percocet, and they said narcotics don't work very well for nerve pain, so the Tramadol helps. Meds worked right away, which is good.  I've been told I will have to put up with this the whole time, and that it takes awhile to go away after the Taxol is done. Guess that's what I get for breezing thru the AC!!  If you are having side effects, don't hesitate to call your Dr.....seems they have something for any SE that shows up along the way!

Will have BMX in mid Oct., radiation, and then reconstruction.  Long road to recovery, but we can do this!! 

I came across this today and found it very interesting.  I'm guessing you will, too:

http://foodforbreastcancer.com/articles/what-should-breast-cancer-patients-eat-during-adriamycin-%28doxorubicin%29-chemotherapy%3f

Keep eating that watermelon!

Michelle

Yes, I agree that we should always discuss dietary changes with our medical team.

I only suggested we eat watermelon

Michelle

Yeahhh Bobbie Jo!  My coffee tasted much better this morning, too.  I think the funky taste has pretty much gone away.  Your breakfast sounds yummy, I eat a lot of Greek yogurt with berries.  This morning, though, I had the other half of my florentine eggs benedict from yesterday.  I so need to hit the grocery store today.

Hope everyone has a good day!

Michelle

Mmmm...cream of wheat!  I have and love it, but forgot about it.  And the melons!  They are good.

It's day 6 since 1st Taxol.  I am plain tired.  Not much joking on infusion day (I think my MO was surprised) and not much chatting.  I couldn't sleep the first 2 nights but I finally caught up on it this weekend.  I think I slept 13 hours straight Sat night-Sunday.  I am grateful I can drink fluids OK again, but WOW--the muscle and bone aches!  I swear I've already forgotten what the AC SEs felt like and now Taxol feels, just WOW.  I feel like I can do more than I did on AC (like housekeeping).  On Taxol I'm just the tin man needing a little oil; on AC my body 'broke down' if I did too much.  Too much is all relative...  I am a little worried about the neuropathy.  My feet did feel slightly tingly.  So I do believe I will get some frozen peas and chill my feet (maybe the hands) the next infusions.   My MO and nurses seem to have never heard of icing though.

I think I might have enough wits about me to get back to some meal planning.  I've been soooo off track and have gained a little since chemo started.  Not big changes, just rebalancing.  School starts next week so I've been working on the supply lists, haircuts, seeing if clothes fit, filling in calendar, etc.  I'm looking forward to being back in a routine. 

Hi everyone - help....

I did 4 rounds of TC before surgery and now, after they found another lump in the sentinal node, back for AC and T...

I did my first round of AC last week... I was in the ER on Sunday with a pounding headache and non-stop vomiting.  The ER gave me fluids and gave me meds to cut it, but they did not go away. THen, back to oncologist on Monday- nothing but "this happens once in awhile..."

So, I have a low nagging headache.  A constant queasy, ready to vomit feeling, and my nose smells bleach -seriously...

Anyone else? 

Pebee - I also have a low nagging headache that comes and goes and it last 5 days after the infusion. I think is because my red blood count is getting lower with each treatment. My nose doesn't smells bleach, but smells everything else. Now it is extra-super-sensitive.  Interesting, after my second AC infusion I didn't have the "nasty" taste. Not complaining! Just wonder why?

Pebee - are you getting Emend for nausea?  If not, ask for it...no, insist on it!  It's amazing! 

I also have the super-sensitive nose going on.  The grocery store is brutal!  And there is something in my fridge that is driving me nuts, although I've searched high and low for it and added a container of baking soda.  I'm going to have to figure that out tomorrow.

Michelle

TSB1 - they give me the Emend as part of my pre-meds while I am getting IV hydration.  I take the package and then take one the next two mornings.

Michelle

Thank you everyone - I have my followup appointment this Thursday and then next week - another round.  I think we will talk to the oncologist.  First, Thank you for the Emend recommendation - I had never heard of it.  I am taking Zofran and it is not touching it. So even though the chemo PA insists that it should work, it is not......

Today is Wednesday- day 7.  I managed to choke down some oatmeal and then the headache, nausea, and smell came back.  My eyes hurt - they feel like there is bleach in them.  How long does this last for everyone?  I think I can make it through if I know that it will be done by day x...

I do need to talk to the doc - I had Taxotere and Cytoxin before surgery.  Now, I am getting Cytoxin again - after surgery.  The side effect management is not working -and if I am going to end up in the ER every other weekend, then I need to know and we need to take steps towards getting some things in place.  From what all of you are saying - it is the Cytoxin that causes the effects and I am on the maximum drip time for that already because I had it before.....

Pebee - another thing to ask your MO...if Zofran isn't working, ask about getting Aloxi IV as a premed while you are getting hydration before the Cytoxan.  Then you will need a RX for Compazine, as Aloxi is similar to Zofran.  If one hasn't worked, it's time to try something different. 

This has been my pre-med protocol:  scopolamine patch applied at home the day of treatment, Emend, 6 mg of Decadron, Aloxi via IV and one hour of IV hydration. Then I take Emend for two days following treatment.   I have had very little nausea.  I have Compazine and Ativan for backup.  I've taken only a couple of each in total over my 4 AC's so I feel my protocol has been very effective.

And I have not had any headaches or eye problems, with the exception that I wear monovision contact lenses and I have had to switch to my glasses for several days after treatment.  My chemo-brain doesn't seem to want to perform monovision duties!

Michelle

Heading for the first of 12 weekly Taxol/Herceptin tomorrow. A little nervous...

I'm a little behind in my reading and posting but Ralston, thank you so much for your tip on the eye treatment.  For two weeks, I have had major struggles with my eyes.  They are so irritated and water and run all the time (along with the nose).  I can't even hold them open without having to squint.  Every day I look like I've been crying.  My co-worker even asked me what's wrong.  I told her it's just my eyes, they're irritated.  She didn't believe me and told me she's there for me if I need to talk, lol!  Sweet girl.

BobbieJo - this should help your sister, this group started in June, same as us:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/770105?page=8#idx_212 

And good for you to insist on more anti-nausea meds!!!  If they are not giving you an hour of hydration prior to the Adriamycin push, insist on it!  It's better to sit there a little while longer and be properly hydrated.  And the Adriamycin push should be done nice and slow.

 Good luck today, hoping you have a much better experience!

And Stephanie, I was forced into a week off from chemo due to low WBC and I must say, I enjoyed my week.  I felt really good that week and "got over" the idea that it was pushing out my finish date.  It was very worthwhile.  Glad you were able to spend precious time with your son!  Wishing you a good experience today!

Hugs to everyone,

Michelle