January 2012 chemo

riceandbeans - I had a fog from my first treatment.  I figured out it was the anti-nausea med (Compazine) that I was taking.  I switched to a different one for the next 3 tx's and no chemo fog!  What is she taking for nausea?  They carry their own SE's like headaches and dizziness.

Riceandbeans.  Thanks (:      I like cucumbers in my water.  Sounds strange but I had it at a spa and have been hooked ever since.

Nancy - Why no steroid?  I thought you had to be premedicated for taxol?

Peggy - I was told with 12X taxol...no neulasta.  There is another drug they use that works quicker because it is a weekly infusion.  Have a nice day  (:

I am stopping taxol and will start abraxane tomorrow.  For anyone having trouble with taxol check out abraxane!!!  It is very expensive but no need for pre meds or worry about allergic reaction! my insurance covered because I had a reaction to taxol.  From what I have read I think its a shame that it is not first course of treatment.  All comes down to $$$$$  very sad

riceandbeans - Compazine sucked for me!  I take Zofran now.  There is also Ativan, Emend, Phenergan....a whole slew of anti-nausea meds.  I take 1/2 a Zofran because it can cause headaces.  I have not had a problem.  The Compazine fog was the worst, I felt almost out of my body and hated it!  Ask her MO...there are many alternatives!  Good luck!

momof2inme-  I wouldn't worry. Between the premeds and the close monitoring, they are more than prepared for any reaction.  I am sure you will do fine and after AC you will probably find it a breeze.  I have had SE but have continued to work and function pretty well other than Saturdays.  I think the worst part is the damn steroids....but I will miss all the work I got done every Friday....lol

Grateful33,



Ditto!!! SE after treatment 3 have been by far the worst and longest for me, starting on day 2 after treatment, all the way until day 11 yesterday. Definitely cumulative, too, so I can only hope and pray that #4 will not top what came after #3. - The worst was literally feeling like "being eaten" on the inside - lungs, heart, kidneys, and feeling totally weak and "broken". ;-( Curious to see what my bloodwork is going to be like on Friday, and if I "can" go ahead with treatment as planned and have my last AC then.



Wishing everyone lots of strength to get through this!!!

Sleepless - "The worst was literally feeling like "being eaten" on the inside - lungs, heart, kidneys, and feeling totally weak and "broken"  That says it all!  That is exactly how I feel!  Now I know why they give  4 txs of AC.  No one would agree to do a fifth!

I'm 7 days post 4th tx.  I stayed home from work yesterday - the first sick day I needed.  I never miss work, but just couldn't put it together to go in. I was up all night Tuesday with diarrhea, which totally wiped me out.  Not feeling much better today, but will try to put a full day in.  I can't wait for the weekend to just rest.

I'm glad to be done the AC, but not looking forward to the taxol.

Chemo sucks!

Hang in there everyone!

Hi Shera.  You ask really good questions, and while I can't give you your answer, I can share my story with you.

I noted from other posts that you've opted to forego the Oncotype test because you were going to do chemo regardless of the results (I hope I got that right).  The Oncotype test can be valuable in determining what kind of treatment you choose, too.

When I was first diagnosed I had "good" BC - smallish (1.3 cm) tumor, no node involvement, clear margins on lumpectomy.  My MO suggested 4x TC ("We'd like you to do 6 rounds, but will be happy if you'll finish 4") and that was my plan.  In the meantime, they sent the tumor off for Oncotype testing.  My score returned as a 42.  Where before the test I had a very small recurrence rate based on being ER/PR+ and HER2-, small tumor, no node involvement, etc., I now had a 28% metastatic recurrence rate (the test also changed my PR status to negative, and my ER status to "barely positive" so I'm almost TN).  Where before the doctor was telling me that chemo was my "choice," he was now telling me it was a must.  Where before I could do 4 TC treatments, I was now facing 4x AC (dose dense, every two weeks) and 12x Taxol (but instead I'm doing 6x dose dense, every two weeks).

This is what I have to do to lower my risk of recurrence by less than half.  After all of this, I am told I still have a metastatic recurrence rate of 18%.  Radiation and Tamoxifen will lower my risk more, but it'll never be 0, which is really what I want.  I have an aggressive form of "good" BC, apparently.

As Janet said, AC is doable - a little tough, but doable.  I've been blessed with minimal SEs on AC - no nausea or vomiting, but I'm tired and dealing with constipation (we all pretty much lose our hair, too - but I haven't had to shave or wax for several weeks so there's an upside).  It's four treatments, so about the time you get through the second one you say, "Oh, wow, I'm halfway done!:  :-)  (small victories seem really big right now).  It's definitely tough - but any chemo is going to be tough. 

I wish you love and peace in your decision - it's a tough one, to be certain.  Ask for a second opinion, a third opinion, a fourth - until you feel you have the information you need to make a truly informed decision.  Do what's best for you now, and in the long run.  You will find so much support in the March forum, and that will help make whatever treatment you choose so much easier (I know being here is like a lifeline for me most days).  

Good luck!

Nancy

Janet:  I hope you get more rest today.  I ended up taking yesterday off; my supervisor told me not to come back in until next Monday.  I can't express how much respect I have for those of you who continue to work full time.  I only work in the office two days a week, have one day of classes, and spend one day doing research/homework.

My bloodwork came back within normal ranges yesterday.  My onco nurse told me there's a virus going around and that I should simply stay home for the next couple of days.  My fever never broke 100, but I felt so awful I slept most of yesterday.  I am praying that it's just a virus and not the cumulative effects; tx 4 will have me crawling across the finish line if this is what I'm in for.

I realized yesterday that I'm whining more than usual not just because I feel so awful, but because I can't work out anymore.  The gym (and germs) scare the crap out of me, and it's been so cold here I can't go outside (and now, after a relatively snow-free winter, we're expecting like 7-9 inches tonight).  Even yoga is a challenge at the end of the day.  So I'm going to give myself permission to rest until after #4, then get back on that workout horse and get my butt in gear again.  

Oh Bela I'm sorry #3 is giving you such trouble.  Let the tears out...we all need to do that.  Get ready? for work?  Do you have the option to stay home?  If so, I would definitely do that and take care of yourself.  Sending gentle hugs your way.

As if this crap isn't hard enough you have to deal with an insensitive DH.  I'm so sorry....they have NO idea what we go through.  All I can say is that I feel your pain and I know you can do this, as much as it sucks.  Sending some love and hugs your way....good luck today.

Nancy and Kelly,

Thanks so much. I am back home. light heache from decodron , hopefully it will go away. funny feeling in stomach too but trying to forget that .

 Thanks for this. You guys kinda did hold my hand )

Hugs back

Bela 

Annie,

I am glad its working.:) its tough to deal with cancer but when positive news comes it cherrs all of us too.

Good I am very happy for you.

Bela 

Thanks Laura,

I didn't cry there. I wish I had.I am ok now. scared of SE but can't do anything but now deal with them so..

Thanks

bela