Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

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  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 634
    edited November 2013


    yes for sure! Always have fingers crossed...and toes and anything else :)


    They did not start my Herceptin until after I finished my AC chemo - I then went for infusions every 3 weeks for a year....


    I tolerated the AC chemo really well. I am now doing TC and feel a bit more nauseous and have a terrible dry / metallic mouth. Never had that on AC. I too am tolerating the Neulasta shot well....but taking the Claritin just as an insurance policy...not convinced it matters for me bc I don't remember issues with Neulasta 7 years ago and I def didn't take Claritin back then.....

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited November 2013

    Keeping my fingers crossed that everyone will come through all of this just fine!!!!  I had regular quarterly 2D ECHO's while I was on Herceptin and fortunately my heart function has remained high.  That is an interesting study, MinusTwo about the heart risks of Herceptin on older women.  Hopefully we won't have any future issues because we did have Herceptin.  It is always a tradeoff here.... to help prevent something, one may also help cause something else.  Just keep moving forward. 

    Sending all, many many (((HUGS))) and lots of positive calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy!!!!

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited November 2013


    Jeri - I hope you are able to get the blood sugars under control. My husband is diabetic, so I know firsthand how crummy it makes you feel when blood sugar is out of whack in either direction. I had no idea that pancreas damage could be a result of chemo.... (((Hugs)))


    KBeeee -- good luck with all those decisions and news today -- hope you get some peace with a final plan you can live with.


    Pat -- I lost all of my head hear between days 14-16. I had it buzzed to 1/2 inch, and there is still a little stubborn fuzz holding on, but I am not going to shave it. Pubic hair looks like someone took a lawn mower to the center, but parts on the side are normal and full. Very odd look, but who's lookin? Leg hair grows a bit between cycles, but only have to shave once a week to keep them smooth. Arm hair is normal and underarm hair is nonexistent. Have thinning nose hair and outer 3rd of eyebrows have thinned too. No effects to eyelashes yet. Really hoping I don't lose the eyebrows and eyelashes -- I think I would look like an alien.


    Tx 3 is done, Neulasta today. I am on so many meds that I had to make a chart so that I don't forget anything. Blessed that I have been able to work throughout, with only two days off per cycle right after infusion. My SEs have been annoying, but manageable, so I am so very fortunate.... One more session on the big girl chair on Dec 12, and I am done with chemo and on to rads!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited November 2013


    My oncotype was low!!!!!! He said that he felt 4 was more than adequate, and 6 would definitely do more harm than good. He was glad that we got the oncotype. So...that means I am sitting down for my last chemo!!!!!!!!!!! I was NOT expecting those results! I am over the moon excited, and think I may stop and buy a lottery ticket on my way home.

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  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 94
    edited November 2013


    Congratulations, KBeee!!!

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  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 634
    edited November 2013


    yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy KBeeeee! Sooooooo so so so happy to see those results!!!!

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited November 2013

    Good for you Kbeee!:) Awesome news! I hope your SE's are minimal at worst on this last go round.

    I will be starting my chemo on Dec 3rd. It's good to hear that some of the SE's really aren't so bad for most of you. I picked up my pre-meds today. I have been so fortunate up to this point in my life that I have not had to be on anything. Nurse said Claritin prior to Neulasta was fine.

    I hope you all have a comfortable and pain-free week-end!

    ((HUGS))

     

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited November 2013


    Yeah Kbeeeee!!!!!!!!!

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November 2013


    KBeee that is fanatastic news. I am so happy for you.

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited November 2013

    Yippee  KBeee!!!!!  Last one!!!!

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited November 2013


    Yay!!!!!!!! KBeee!!!!!!!! Doing the happy dance with you, girl!!!!!!

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  • Headeast
    Headeast Member Posts: 619
    edited November 2013


    Kbeee, I just read your news! That is awesome! Yes, play your lotto!


    What were the numbers on your Oncotype and what is your ki67?


    I am psyched with your news, yay!

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  • FairyDogMother
    FairyDogMother Member Posts: 253
    edited November 2013


    so called my Onc they think I might have an infection in my throat. Now I'm on steroids, amoxicillin , and fever watch. The mouth wash they subscribed won't be in until Monday. I slept well last night and got up and walked 1.5 miles today. I feel like I'm not going to let the SE win. I have a dog detection trial Sunday and need to be well so I can ride in a car for 7 hours. I figure if my temp stays at 98.6 I should be fine. Am I being stubborn? I figured I can rest in the car and at the hotel.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited November 2013


    I never got a Ki 67 score. My oncotype was 16, in the low category. I planned to do 6 if it was moderate or high. I asked him since this is close to moderate, if he felt 6 would be better, but he said absolutely not; that the risk would outweigh the benefit. One of the things chemo puts us at increased risk for (though very, very very outside chance) is leukemia. I have a very dear friend who is my age that just died of leukemia last week. This was not due to prior chemo; just leukemia diagnosed late. Nevertheless, she was weighing very, very heavily on my mind. I also ran an ecg at work (which I do from time to time just for my own info) and it came up with changes that were not there prior. nothing acute, but changes nonetheless....and they were not good changes. I will repeat it in the near future and bring it up to MO if it continues. both of those things just reaffirmed the decision to treat it appropriately, but not overtreat it. I did the happy dance all the way across the sidewalk to my car, and have not stopped smiling. Tht smile may go away once side effects kick in, but I'll enjoy the good feeling while it lasts!


    Fdm, if your fever stays down and you feel better, live your life. You can always check with your MO for advice about travel. My MO was very clear on day 1 that I was to live my life and do everything I could every day during treatment. I did, and it really helped me,not only physically, but mentally too. I hope your infection clears up and you feel better soon. After my first treatment, my throat was terribly raw. it took me until midway through the second one to realize heartburn was contributing to mine. i had never had heartburn, so i had no idea. It has not gone away, but has decreased comsiderebly (which is easy to say now before this round's side effects set in...it's kind of like being pregnant, you forget the worst really quickly until they creep up next time around!!!)

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  • Headeast
    Headeast Member Posts: 619
    edited November 2013


    Kbeee, I am so happy the MO and you agree, with tests on hand, that 4 is enough. If I may add my two cents, I agree too!


    I hope you keep doing your happy dance until the end of the chemo treatment. We get so crazy trying to find the right answer for this, the right number of treatments, what ifs, and nobody know, it is safe enough to have the best guess. You should be done with SEs and all before Xmas!

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  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 94
    edited November 2013


    KBeee, I'll be interested in hearing how your fourth TC treatment progresses and if the side effects are stronger than the third. I liked what you said about how the side effects might be worse for the fourth but it doesn't seem so bad since you know it's your last one. That makes sense psychologically, just wondering if it's true for you. I'll have my fourth and final on Dec. 6th.

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited November 2013


    even with Claritin , Motrin and Advil, the bone pain is wow. Does walking make it better? Wishful thinking, I am so wiped right now.....,

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited November 2013

    SC, Sry you are having pain....did you have a neulasta shot also?  I'm not there yet, so I can't tell you if walking will help. Maybe someone else here can.  The neulasta makes the bone marrow expand and thus, the pain. If nothing else, maybe Dr can give you something else for pain relief. Don't suffer! 
    I hope you feel better soon:)

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  • Headeast
    Headeast Member Posts: 619
    edited November 2013


    bondsy, my last TC is on 12/4, we are so close to the final leg of this!

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited November 2013


    SC-


    uh-oh, I thought the Claritin helped? So sorry you are in pain...this sucks!


    I am asking for the neulasta next time as my wbc went to 2...and I felt like I was dying...I guess you have to think that it is helping you...no pain no gain? Not funny I know...just trying to put a positive perspective/spin...


    Wishing you get better asap!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited November 2013

    SchoolCounselor- Call your onco to let him/her know that you need something for the bone marrow pain from the Neulasta shot.  I know it's the weekend, but there is always an on call onco.  If you opt to wait to Monday to call, just make sure you do.  You just don't want to suffer through the Thanksgiving holidays.  I don't know if a heating pad or a warm shower/ a warm tub soak will help make you feel better.

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited November 2013


    That's a great idea! Call! Don't spend the weekend in pain!

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited November 2013


    Thanks ladies. Believe it or not , I am now at the mall with my family. They seemed so sad watching me in pain. So I took a Xanax and here I am. Sitting while my girls are shopping at Clair's!! The things we so for normalcy. It also hurts less when I move. Sigh.......

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited November 2013


    SC, I am getting my Neulasta shot this evening, so I will probably be joining you in pain tomorrow. It is my first one, so i am a bit nervous, but hoping it keeps me out of the hospital this time. I hope you can get some relief. Glad you got out to the mall. Distractions do help ... a little bit.

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited November 2013


    Warm bath helps the Neulasta pain -- so does moving around, if you can summon the energy, and Motrin, if you MO allows it. I haven't tried it, but some suggest heating pad. I also have those Thermaheat instant pads, but my pain has been bad enough to justify using them. MO has me on alternating Tylenol and Motrin for the day yesterday when I got the Neulasta! and so far no fevers this time. Just feeling wiped out... Normal for my Day 3....

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited November 2013


    This sucks!! I know it would be hard but... I'm still taking Motrin and Tylenol and have wrapped myself in an electric blanket. The movement in the mall did help. I have a picc line so I can't get in the tub, boy I wish I could right now.


    This too shall pass ladies....

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  • FairyDogMother
    FairyDogMother Member Posts: 253
    edited November 2013


    schoolcouncelor- I found walking for at least 30 minutes helped with the bone pain. My nurse told me to take Claritin for 5-6 days.

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  • Nocompromises2013
    Nocompromises2013 Member Posts: 292
    edited November 2013


    KBee. Your TC was pretty similar to mine - you may not even have bone pain with neulasta. I had only a very mild sensation. Nothing much at all and I took nothing for it !!


    As to 4th TC. I flew from AUS to UK 2 weeks post 4th TC and did a full on Disney holiday ..... minimal fatigue


    Psychologically u are on a high ( well I was).

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  • Headeast
    Headeast Member Posts: 619
    edited November 2013


    Kbeee, how are you feeling?

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited November 2013


    sc-


    Good for you to get out with kids when you feel so bad. Did you take the Claritin and still bad? I was hoping that works as I 'm begging for neulasta next time so I won't get soooo sick and low counts.


    Everyone sure responds differently.


    I am finally feeling some energy today..Yesterday a little and then showered and was exhausted. But later got some more and folded clothes and did some things around the house. This couch has become my 'command center' I have bibles, books, ads, phone, computer and it just stays there for me day to day...funny if it weren't so hard to adjust to the 'resting'.


    I am having mental challenges, yesterday woke up at 0400 with horrid dreams of reoccurrence, cancer all over liver, etc. Then I just couldn't shake the negative bad thoughts and I got up. Have had these of and on since diagnosis, through surgeries and this whole few months. Does this happen to everyone? Is it just the worries and what ifs? How do you all deal with it? I am trying to pray and positive thinking and making sure happy / comedy/ before bed...it just overcomes me at times this feeling of doom and awful thoughts...maybe post traumatic diagnosis from the cancer appointment itself? Or the I have cancer feeling? How do you get over that/make it go away??!!

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