January 2012 chemo

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2012

    Laurab69 - hugs to you.  Oh gosh, I get your feelings.  I get so mad at so many things.

    I never used to.  Maybe it is healthy.  I read most breast cancer patients have repressed anger.

    I am sure setting it out now.  Prayers for you Denise

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  • CharB22
    CharB22 Member Posts: 310
    edited April 2012

    Thanks Annie - I try not to think about being TN either. I keep telling myself that I'm putting myself through this hell because it's not coming back. I asked my BS when I could get my port out (the day he put it in - LOL), and he told me that many women keep it for a while. I said, "I won't need mine, because the cancer's not coming back. Period." I've been told a positive attitude really helps, so I'm positive mine isn't coming back.

    Best thing today (so far) - I was writing the dates of my son's baseball games on the calendar and realized - I'll be done chemo for 12 of his 16 games!! When I was first diagnosed back in Dec, it seemed like April was a long, long way off - but it's here. I have 2 more tx left - tomorrow and then in 2 weeks. I'm thrilled!

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  • denjak
    denjak Member Posts: 36
    edited April 2012

    CharB22 I am TN too. and I try to keep a positive attitude too.Funny sometimes, I look at the treatment plans for non-TN women here and we have the same chemo /surgery etc....Stay postive with me...we will not see a return. My doctor wants me to lose weight immediately after chemo is over. There may be some metabolic component to my TN (not genetic)...so now I am focused on dropping 40lbs!

     I was diagnosed back in October and April did seem like such a long way off and now we are here! Funny I looked at my son's sports schedule too as the markers of my life..... Only one more Abraxane-- April 18--- I am done.  Saw my cosmetic surgeon yesterday just to get a post chemo game plan with him. My implants are too wide, thus I struggle with getting them out from my armpits, while I could run a truck straight down the center of my body as it is flat as a pancake. He discussed a plan to "bring everything to the center" although I am angry that I have to go through another surgery to fix this. (Why didnt he listen when I told him to "go small" with implant size??? Geeze....)

    Having big ol leg cramps after #3 Abraxane...anyone else? I was walking in the parking lot this AM and almost took a face plant because these legs are not working like they used to.

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  • CharB22
    CharB22 Member Posts: 310
    edited April 2012
    Denjak - I'm curious about the Abraxane. We seem to have the same dx, yet I'm not taking Abraxane. I'm doing DD A/C and Taxol. I need to lose about 30 lbs (originally 40, but I've unintentionally dropped 10 - I was hospitalized with pneumonia and lost 6 lbs).
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  • denjak
    denjak Member Posts: 36
    edited April 2012

    CharB22:

    Its strange about Abraxane and me. My onc moved me to Abraxane after the first round of Taxol gave me bad side effects: Can't feel my feel, unstable walking and  tingling fingers. Yet, these are many of the same side effects as others on this board have....yet,everyone seems to be still on taxol!! My onc said my SE were some of the worst she has ever seen....(I still cant feel my feet). I was told Abraxane is almost the same as Taxol. but has a different delivery system. I dont have to load up on steroids and benedryl...I am infused with a bag the size of a cell phone...in and out in 45 minutes. Char...I am surprised and happy for you at how quickly you went from diagnosis to surgery. 9 days? thats super. I had to wait about one month and I chose double mastectomy with reconstruction. Have you read the research on the metabolic component to TN? I don't know how to send you the document? Let me know if you would like it...

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  • Seagrover
    Seagrover Member Posts: 46
    edited April 2012

    I'm on my bag of carboplatin now. Then one more treatment next Wednesda!



    Char, I have been on abraxane the whole time - except for the few weeks ago when they gave me taxotere instead by mistake. I have read and heard abraxane is not as bad on the body as others but just as effective.



    This time next week, I will be doing a major happy dance!

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  • BelaT
    BelaT Member Posts: 217
    edited April 2012

    Group Hug everyone. I am going for mRI and than matectomy wednesday so scared

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited April 2012

    So my abdominal US is done (unexplained pain in my liver area) and I'm already at my desk at work with my coffee. The technician said that he couldn't spot any problems but I will breathe easier after I've picked up the doctor review report this afternoon. And yes, I always open those things despite the seal that says you can't Cool.

    If there really is nothing showing up then we can all assume that this pain is a side-effect - most likely from the denosumab (bisphosphenate) as it does have "abdominal pain radiating to the back" listed as an SE. The problem was that we couldn't just assume that because it is a blinded trial and so I am either getting the drug or placebo and none of us knows which (although we all highly suspect I'm getting the drug based on some of the SEs, including blood anomalies, that I have been experiencing...

    EDITED: to say I picked up the report this afternoon and broke the seal - no lesions obvious in any of my abdominal organs - YAY!!!!!! Now just waiting on the results of the CA125 blood test I did last week as a follow-up for my gynae to check out an ovarian cyst that I have. His office have let me know that he's "away" at the moment though so not sure when I will get that result.

    regards Jenn

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited April 2012

    Jenn - I'm doing the Happy Dance here in Michigan as I get ready to head off for my chemo - YEA!!!  (I'm betting you can hear me shouting all the way over here!)  I am so glad and so grateful that your test results are turning out good.  Sounds like you can pretty well rest assured that you're not getting the placebo.  

    You mention this is a blind studied - is it double-blind?  Will the researchers be able to take note of your serious SEs for future reference?

    Just so, so, so, SO happy for you!!!

    Nancy

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  • DianeNMil
    DianeNMil Member Posts: 130
    edited April 2012

    Janet and Nancy, thank you so much for your support, you are welcome in my purse any time. I have been sick since Saturday ( se and brochitis) and struggling to get through the work week( Wish I could sleep!) And I think that has made me more emotional.



    cat - I am sorry about your kitty too! So hard to lose a beloved pet.



    jenn- great news so far! Congrats!



    Bela- I had mast 4 years ago and was terrified too, but got through it. The surgery itself was not as bad as the fear of losing a breast. I feel your pain, but you will get through. Hugs to you

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited April 2012
    Bela:  Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers next Wednesday as you have your mastectomy.  I can't know what that's going to be like before, during or after but hope and pray that all goes well and smoothly for you in this next step in your journey.  *hugs* to you.
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  • CharB22
    CharB22 Member Posts: 310
    edited April 2012

    Jennt28 - great news!!

    denjak - I lucked out with the 9 days. My BS's mom died of breast cancer and he is a 4 year throat cancer survivor. He gets it. He said so much of what we go through is emotional and that he would work 24/7 if he had to, to keep his patients from waiting long for appointments, surgeries, etc.

    I would very much like to see the metabolic component research. I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant 14 years ago, and my sugars are going crazy now due to the steroids. Is there a link you can PM me or paste here?

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  • miniwheat
    miniwheat Member Posts: 52
    edited April 2012

    Bela:  I had mastectomy pre-chemo, and honestly for myself, it really wasn't that bad.  I had hardly any pain and did not have to take pain killers.I also healed quite quickly.  The most discomfort I felt was in my arm because they removed some lymphe nodes.  Hope this helps ease some anxiety for you.  I can honestly say that the surgery was nothing compared to chemo. 

     Take care

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  • CharB22
    CharB22 Member Posts: 310
    edited April 2012

    How soon after end of chemo can I get my port removed? I hate it...hate it....hate it.

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited April 2012
    Char - no kidding!!!  I'm counting the days until I'm done, and my BS surgeon scheduled an appointment for about three weeks after I'm officially done with chemo.  Then, today, I hear a nurse in the infusion center telling the patient next to me that they like to leave the port in for *one year* past final chemo "just in case something comes back and you need chemo again."  I'm hoping and praying it had to do with that specific patient, and not cancer patients in general because this b*itch in my chest needs to find a new home!  :-)
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  • CharB22
    CharB22 Member Posts: 310
    edited April 2012

    Nancy-oh I hope it was for that specific patient!!! I have a friend with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and she has to keep her port in for 3 years!!! She has to have 1 chemo tx every 4 months.

    I told my BS that I wanted it out ASAP and he said that some women keep it in for a while. I told him I wouldn't need it because the cancer is NOT coming back (he liked my positive attitude).

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited April 2012

    As soon as March next year rolls around I'll be insisting on this )*(&^&*$$(*^ port come out. I've even thought about getting it out earlier since all I'll be getting will be Herceptin through it once every 3 weeks and I gather it's not that toxic and my veins can probably handle a stick only once every 3 weeks.

    This afternoon (in 2.5hrs) I'll be sitting down for number 5 out of 12 of Taxol/Herceptin - hate hate hate this...

    Jenn

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited April 2012

    I have no intention of this coming back so I'm planning to ask to have the port removed ASAP.  It interferes with my yoga practice (I'm sure part of that is in my mind) and I tend to bump it easily so it's often tender.  Out, you wicked thing - OUT!

    Can I just vent about steroids, please?  They loaded me up on the Decadron today, as they always do, and the Benadryl.  The latter allowed me to sleep during treatment and for a nap afterwards.  But now it's midnight and I'm wide awake, thinking my night is pretty much shot.  Maybe some jello will at least appease my soul...

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited April 2012

    uuurgh. New chemo nurse who "missed" my port with the stick (after taking forever to get through the prep process). Then had to get someone and repeat the whole process again... Been here since 2.30pm and it's 4.00pm and I'm still getting the iv premeds before the taxol and herceptin. NOT HAPPY...



    Jenn

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited April 2012

    Jenn - Oh, ouch!  I'm so sorry for that, and now for taking so much longer to complete.  How does a professional "miss" a port?  I mean, it's the size of a nickle under my skin. 

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited April 2012

    Finally got out of there at 6pm! It's only supposed to take 1.5hrs...



    Jenn

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  • denjak
    denjak Member Posts: 36
    edited April 2012

    CharB22-

    Below is a link to a general article from a recent conference in Miami. But there is an actual study called: Metabolic Syndrome and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer:

    A New Paradigm by Andrew A. Davis and Virginia G. Kaklamani. Maybe google that and you can find it.

    http://www.cancernetwork.com/conference-reports/mbcc2012/content/article/10165/2048312

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  • annie3310
    annie3310 Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2012

    Interesting about the study. Virginia Kaklamani is my medical oncologist! I'm googling for the paper now.

    Annie 

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  • CharB22
    CharB22 Member Posts: 310
    edited April 2012

    Denjak- Thanks. This reinforces what my MO has told me to do once I'm done chemo and radiation. I need to drop 30 lbs and become a gym rat. I hate to exercise, but if it means I can watch my boys graduate from middle school, high school, college, get married, and give me grandbabies, then off to the gym I go!

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited April 2012

    I was at my cancer center today - 7:30 am until 4pm.   I saw my MO to discuss after chemo appointments, met with my RO to schedule my simulation appointment, met the Genetics counselor to confirm the testing I am having, and had my last Taxol tx.  YAY!

    CharB22 - I talked to my MO about the port.  She says it can come out now if I want.  Even though I am stage III with node involvement, she thinks the risks of port troubles is not worth it.  I can always put it back in.  I saw my plastic surgeon on Wednesday to discuss a few issues.  we talked a little about revisions (tats and nips).  He suggested that he take the port out (with MO"s permission) when he does the revisions.  So, mine will come out in the fall most likely.  However, I might change my mind and have radiology take it out sooner.  I forgot that you need to have it flushed every 6-8 weeks when not in use.

    Bela - good luck with the mastectomy. I understand that mastectomy alone is rather quick and doable.  Are you having both breasts removed or one?  No reconstruction at this time?  Reconstruction can be a pain.  I hated mine for the longest time.  Now I'm glad I did it.  everything is settling down and gravity and time made the 'girls' look so  much better.

    Jenn - OUCH!!!!!  as Nancy said, how can someone miss a port????  I think I could it myself by now.  What a long day you had!!!

    Nancy - I know what you mean about the steroids!  Because I had that small reaction during the first tx, I need to double the steroids.  While the benadryl makes me tired I'm feeling the steroids at the same time.  I can't sleep or get comfortable.  I find myself walking around for an hour or so.  My ifussions took at least 3 hours.  I know I won't sleep well tonight.  Fortunately I have a good book to read.

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited April 2012
    Congratulations Janet on being done with your chemo!!  I'm so happy for you!  It is a wonderful thing to read these posts about chemo completion - gives me hope that it'll happen for me someday too.   Back in January the thought of 20 weeks of chemo was overwhelming; now I have 4 weeks and 2 days until my final tx!!
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  • CharB22
    CharB22 Member Posts: 310
    edited April 2012
    Janetanned - good to know about the port flushing. I had no idea. I have my last Taxol in 2 weeks and I'll be talking to my MO about getting this thing out ASAP. I have my appt with RO on 5/4 to get the tattoos and go over all that radiation stuff. Hopefully you got some sleep last night. I can't wait to post that I've had my last Taxol!!
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  • DianeNMil
    DianeNMil Member Posts: 130
    edited April 2012

    Janet- congratulations on finishing chemo!!!! Hurrah!! Isn't it a great feeling!



    Has anyone here had swelling issues? My ankle were soooo swollen yesterday after work. Legs still hurt and now feel swollen. Hope to hell it is abraxane( which I finished last Thursday) and not herceptin (which I get for another year) and will resolve soon. I am short of breath easily too. MO didn't think I needed diuretic last week, thought it would resolve itself. Now I am not so sure and of course no one returned my call yesterday

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  • PCBarbie66
    PCBarbie66 Member Posts: 84
    edited April 2012
    Char~sorry to hear about Mini, I am jealous of the age 20 and 18 for the daughter...mine were 15 & 16, miss my babies. My hair started growing back just before #6 of 12 Taxol which I guess would be ½ way through the 2nd treatment for you dd folks. I also noticed my Psoriasis started to coming back at the same time...dam those doctors for being right about that!!
    Bela~I had a double Mastectomy with no reconstruction on November 4th, so I do know what it is like and you will be just FINE! I'm not gonna tell you it was a "Walk in the Park", I did need those pain killers, but I for me the Chemo was far worse then the Surgery.  Are you getting reconstruction?
    Jenn28~Oh don't you just love some of those Nurses!! Have you heard the one "Guess I'm just not a good enough nurse today...? Wanted to wind up and let her have it.  Congrats to the US in your favor!

    Anyone withOUT a port having trouble?? I am. I have Ice/Fire pain that shoots up the my vein during the Taxol infusion. This started on infusion #6 in the right arm, then I switched to the Left arm for #7 with more Saline and it was better, but painful enough to turn the machine off, screw around with the Saline amounts and finish the session. There was NO pain 1-5 infusion of Taxol or the 4 dd AC's. The Head nurse feels I am starting to reject the Taxol..I am thinking of taking Pain med's to get me through the last session, since there is only 5 left...The hand tingling is getting worse, but ZERO problems with my feet. I want to finish the Taxol...the nurse mentioned that I should think about the fact that my body has been fighting the Chemo from the 1st AC and there is no way to know if it is the good cells fighting or the bad...food for thought..not really hungry for that kinda food though..

    Barb

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited April 2012

    Barb:  Sorry to hear about the problems with the Taxol.  I have a port and am grateful for it every treatment.  There was another woman having Taxol next to me last week, using an IV (waiting for her port to be installed) and she was in so much pain I wanted to cry for her.  Take the pain meds, hon, please - there is no reason for you to be in pain if you can avoid it.  I would assume that all of our bodies are fighting chemo - this is poison and toxic and our bodies do not want it!! 

    Take care of yourself and do what's best for you. *hug*  I hope you feel better soon.

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