March 2012 chemo

Fedfan:  It sounds like we suffered from the same thing.  I will post IF I hear anything from my Dr.  I agree that it is impossible for us patients to know if something is a major deal or a minor deal. 

To any that are getting Adriamycin.  Admittedly, I did not go into a full discussion with my MO about why she chose to use this chemo (or any others), but after reading below (undated, so could be out of date), I'm starting to wonder.  I don't intend to put doubts in anyone's heads about this chemo, more just want confirmation that is still state-of-art chemo for our personal situations.

http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.PrintArticle/article_id/41

Any thoughts? 

Kam170, I'm getting Adriamycin and Cyclophasmaside (sp) every two weeks for 4 rounds; then I do 4 rounds of Taxol. I'm being treated at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. They are supposed to be one of the best in the country. So I hope that would mean I'm getting the best drugs for what I need and I hope you are too. 

I did a nice walk this morning and just finished doing my exercises (the lymphedema precautionary stretching exercises). I also incorporated some deep breathing and semi-meditation(which I know nothing about, but did what felt good and was relaxing.) Chest no longer feels tight, and my breathing feels good. This whole experience is crazy. It has to be taken not just one day at a time, but one hour at a time! Hopefully with some trial and error and a lot of suggestions from each other, we'll get through these side effects.

FedFan:   I'm happy to hear that the walk eased some of your discomfort.  You DO have to sometimes take things one hour to even one minute at a time.  I'm still feeling well but I'm going to call my Dr. right now to understand the policy. 

 With respect to Adrimyacin, my M.O. specifically told me he doesn't use it at all due to the potential heart issues.  What confuses me now is why some people get Taxol/Cytoxan x 4 while others get Taxotere/Carboplatin x 6.  As a member of the latter group, I feel like I'm getting an extra 2 doses I didn't ask for.

Brax (my chemo partner in crime):  You've been quiet.  I hope that all is well and you are coming out of your first treatment side effect blues.

Fedfan - my regimen is the same as yours. By the way, what exercises are you doing to prevent lymphedema? I had 22 nodes removed so I'm an excellent candidate for it and would like to do everything I can to keep it from happening.

I agree with all Marchers who said to be persistent with your MOs. No one knows our bodies better than we do and if it doesn't "feel right," chances are it isn't and the MO might be able to do something about it. 

Bev and Sissydi - Happy Birthday! Be sure to celebrate your special day!

Masserz - how are you? Hope your SEs are minimal.

Karri - I also am a contact lens wearer and would be interested in the answer to your questions. Its the first time I've heard it mentioned.

Karri: I am interested in the contact lense question as well; though these days I can't tolerate them very long anyway, but I feel like it might be nice to have options if it's alright. It's so nice to know you're all out there somewhere,....

lisajcj, they are exercises given to me after my first surgery back in December. At that time I had sentinal nodes removed on left and right. Later pathology found nodes on left to be positive, and after another surgery, had 13 more removed. Total 17 removed, total of 6 positive. The exercises range from the simple like turning my head from side to side and holding, touching my chin to my chest and holding, all the way up to the more stretchy ones like walking your fingers up the wall. The physical therapist at Moffitt Cancer Center gave me the instruction packet and reviewed them with me. They might have them on their website. I try to incorporate a lot of deep breathing along with the exercises. That helps a lot. 

kltb04, I am a contact lens wearer. I was told it was okay to wear them as long as they felt comfortable. Right now I'm just wearing my glasses. I'm sure my eyes are probably dry right now and wouldn't be that comfortable. I was also told to be extra diligent about the cleanliness and care of the lenses if I do wear them. So for those special times when we want to wear them, I think it's okay, just handle with care. 

Welcome to all our new folks. It's nice to have all of the support of this group, but it's making me sad to see how many of us are in this boat! And lots of us are in our 30s...not what we were expecting to be doing at this time in our lives! I would highly recommend you read through the previous posts. The wonderful women who have already started have been very kind to share their experiences with us and it's very helpful knowing what to expect and it also helps you to know what questions to ask your own doctor.



Well, I'm parked in my chair here this morning with my saline and premeds going. Should start my infusions shortly. My cheeks are hot and my DH says they are quite red...I wonder if it's from the decadron. Will have to ask next time a nurse stops by. The staff here is amazing. I feel more like I'm at a spa then a medical office. : ).



Is anyone else using a sancuso patch? I haven't read anyone mention it but I'm curious if anyone has had any issue with it.



Tc- I think that's horrible that you aren't getting call backs! The is no situation in which that is acceptable. Isn't there a nurse there to talk to? Honestly, I would have a good talk with my doctor next time you do talk to him. You aren't on antibiotics for heaven's sake! This is dangerous stuff and you need support and, if nothing else, assurance. Maybe next time you call you should tell whomever you speak to that you aren't getting call backs and need to speak with someone right away. Good luck and so glad you are feeling better now!

Amymomto5, get on top of the constipation issue before the chemo starts. You want to be as regular as possible going into this. I've been taking stool softeners for months now, but I started eating a serving of prunes everyday about two weeks before my first treatment. It seems to have worked for me. I had my infusion on Monday, 3/5, and I haven't had a problem with constipation yet. Stools aren't the same shape they were before, but have been coming out relatively easy...hope this isn't TMI, but we are all in this together, and getting a good daily BM can make a big difference in how we feel. Those of you who haven't starrted treatment yet...start incorporating some more fiber in your diet and some natural laxatives like prunes. You don't want to wait until after treatment starts, get blocked up, and have to resort to a strong laxative. Here's to healthy pooping, girls!

I had diarrhea after my first round of chemo. Glad I didn't take anything for constipation before tx or it could have been worse. Just remember to drink drink drink and drink some more water before during and after!!!!

For those on A/C tx - did you experience diarrhea OR constipation after your treatment?

Kam170...Thanks for the link on the anthracyline info.  I find it really interesting how different everyone's experiences have been.  When I went to my onc. there were no options, very little discussion, and answers to my questions went like this, you don't have an option, you have no choice, and shoulder shrugs.  It was a real turn off for me. 

I started researching on line like crazy and I saw that women with what seemed like similar scenarios...grade, size, stage, her2 status etc. were mostly receiving another chemo.  I researched that.  And then I got angry because it seemed that there was a choice, and it was never presented.  I then went for a second opinion and both treatments were given to me as options and the onc went over the risks, benefits, etc.  I had so much more respect for that doctor, I can't even tell you.

 I think the answer may be different for each of us, but we should have a part in making the decision!!! 

And I forgot to say that when I started educating myself, it was implied that I was spending too much time on the internet.

Hey Love 74, where are you in Canada?