Chemo group starting December 2014

Options
1…101112131416»

Comments

  • Cjfishergal
    Cjfishergal Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2015

    Wheelygirl - How are you feeling? Any side effects? Do you have any advice? I heard that you should moisturize like mad the night before...

    I have a "patient education" session on Thursday this week. I'll share with the group what they teach me.

    On another note...my toe and finger nails are totally painful. Even having sheets on my toes in bed hurts. I've taken Tylenol - however I don't want to continue to take pills...any one know how long this lasts after last chemo?

    Connie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WheelyGirl
    WheelyGirl Member Posts: 181
    edited March 2015

    cjfishergal - Only my big toe nail on my right foot is painful like that, I though I was going to lose it but I cut it back as far as I could and it is feeling much better.  All of my fingernails are growing down at the end which is weird so I cut them back and hope they grow out normal.

    I asked my tech about moisturizing and she said not now, they only do markings, no tattoos so she does not want me to use stuff that will wipe them off.  She said they will tell me if and when I need to moisturize.  She said if I really need to just stay away from the markings but that would be nearly impossible since the are all over.

    I developed a cough Saturday morning but my cardiologist thinks it could have been the lasix so he changed my diuretic.  Hope it goes away, it is annoying. 

    Good luck hope your treatments go well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjfishergal
    Cjfishergal Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2015

    Thanks Wheelygirl - I hope your treatments go well too!

    Take Care

    Connie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jcfree
    jcfree Member Posts: 105
    edited March 2015

    Had treatment # 5 yesterday. My onc reduced the taxotere before treatment #4 due to neuropathy, has helped that some. He gave me good news yesterday. He said I have shown exceptional results from early first couple of treatments, which showed on pet scan after treatment #3 that lobular tumor in right breast reduced 50%, chest lymph node reduced 50%, lymph nodes that were positive in right arm area no longer show any cancer, and ductal tumors in right breast are gone. He said I am in a small group of patients who are showing dramatic results early on in chemo treatment. I asked him how these patients are faring and he said they are having long term remission with good quality of life and that H & P have really lengthened longer remission and reduced recurrences. So after #6 will go on H & P indefinately with zometa every other month. My SE's are getting better after each treatment, he said I am tolerating chemo very well. That was a ray of sunshine for me and our family to hear. My onc is heading a new BC research study and asked if I would donate four vials of blood for this. He said I would not benefit from this as this will be years but women who get BC later will get the benefits of this research. Was glad to donate the blood for this research study.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjfishergal
    Cjfishergal Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2015

    Hi jcfree - I am really happy to hear about your results! 50% reduction is awesome and amazing!! Thank you Jesus! I am so happy for you...

    Neuropathy is not fun is it! My OC reduced the taxotere for my last treatment as well...it's like my toes are sleeping...except for the nails!! Balancing can be a challenge sometimes when you can't feel your toes.

    You are very strong...a fighter...survivor! It is in my opinion that is why you are tolerating chemo so well. We have no other choice but to fight and kick cancer's ass! One more chemo to go for you...my wish for you is no side effects and energy to do what makes you happy.

    I agree - four vials of blood to help eradicate BC from this earth is worth it. I donated a slice of my tumor and six vials of blood for further studies.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jcfree
    jcfree Member Posts: 105
    edited March 2015

    Cjfishergal, thanks for the encouragement! I feel blessed that I am getting treatment at the Cleveland Clinic and that my onc has a strong resume in BC research so he is very up on what is going on in clinical trials now. My family has been so supportive and have stepped up to help me get to and from my treatments as it is a one hour commute one way for treatments, tests etc. Also doing what I can as far as changing my diet, exercising regularly when I feel well enough in between treatments and taking supplements (approved of course by my doctor), destressing my life as much as possible and having a positive mindset. This diagnosis rocked my world, it was a shock for sure. I have a lot more living to do yet so going to give it all I got! You sound like you have the right mindset too. This forum does help so glad I found this as soon as I got diagnosed I wanted to find a good support group, and found this one. Good to hear that you were able to donate blood and tissue for BC research. All good stuff, and blessings to you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • april25
    april25 Member Posts: 772
    edited March 2015

    I had my taxotere reduced after the first cycle because of my SEs of severe diarrhea and dehydration. It didn't really seem to do that much to fix that, however, as I had to be hospitalized again 2nd round, and 3rd and 4th put on home IV drip to stay out of the hospital... BUT I have to say that I'm not getting a lot of OTHER SEs... so maybe that's good?

    I saw a surgeon and he said it looked like my tumor has shrunk a bit... looking at an MRI taken during my 3rd cycle... maybe shrunk from 3cm to 2cm. Not amazing, but any shrinking is fine by me! He also said that a lumpectomy should be fine... which I worried about because my breasts on the smaller size... So that's a relief, too.

    I just had my 5th round on Friday. Had my Neulasta shot this morning. So have have not had any bone pain at all, and no problem with fevers or white blood cell counts. I'll be starting my home IV drip for 2 weeks again on Wednesday. Right now--feeling a bit tired, but OK...

    I'm kind of weak, though. Not able to get out and walk enough (hurt my ankle and dragging around IV bag is a pain). I'm just hoping I can build up strength after chemo! geeesh... This has been harder than I hoped, but as long as I'm not getting the more serious and lasting SEs, I'm good enough!

    It's also great to know that I'm over the chemo hump and only have to get through this round and the next! whew! Hopefully the cumulative effects won't build up and cause problems... But so far, I think my body is just getting used to getting hit by chemo and is dealing... I really am getting used to having to lie around a lot and have iv drips and pop a lot of pills and hit the toilet a lot... *sigh*

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KillTheCancer
    KillTheCancer Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2015

    Tuesday, March 24th is my final chemo (TC), I'll be doing Herceptin(H) until December. I'm so happy I'm almost done with chemo.

    I'm seeing that you girls have gotten PET or MRIs about half way through your chemo treatment, I didn't get that. I was told I'm getting a PET scan in early April to see the results. We've only been going by feel during treatment - is that normal? My tumor and lymph nodes were very palpable at the start. We can verify by feel that they are much smaller now.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • april25
    april25 Member Posts: 772
    edited March 2015

    I actually only had the PET at the beginning--just to get a base-line before chemo.

    I had some scans after chemo started only because things were so crazy that I hadn't had enough time before chemo to get them all! That's what happened with the MRI... I was supposed to get it before chemo, but it ended up being around my 3rd cycle! I think insurance cos might have a problem with getting them more frequently, because my Surgeon wants one right after chemo and they worried insurance might kick up a fuss--but it turned out to be far enough apart... AND because I happened to get that MRI... the surgeon looked and he said he thought the tumor had shrunk a little bit... But the MRI wasn't taken for that reason... My MO just was checking to see if there was anything in the other breast or any tumors they missed originally...

    I wondered about getting scans--or an ultra-sound to see if chemo was working, but none of my docs seemed to think this was important. They were doing the by-touch thing only... (and these guys are usually pretty test-happy).


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjfishergal
    Cjfishergal Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2015

    Hey everyone - just popping in to say hello - and wishing everyone a blessed Easter!

    Radiation therapy is going well - did treatment #12 today. Starting to get red and a bit sore - but more like a sunburn...totally manageable. I hope all is going well with each of you!

    C


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • april25
    april25 Member Posts: 772
    edited April 2015

    I'm almost a week into my 6th of 6 cycles....

    Gotta say that although it's not terribly different, I'm feeling a lot ,more tired and worn out than before. The only good thing is that I sort of know what to expect by now... and that it's the last cycle, so I can just deal with it and hope things improve!

    I've hit the no-appetite days... really don't feel like eating anything. I'm not nauseous, just nothing looks appetizing or tastes appetizing.

    I'm getting home IV drips, so at least I don't have to worry about getting dehydrated. Hopefully I'll feel better in a week and start eating again...

    My nails have those white bands, but so far no dark areas or areas that are separating. A couple want to be chipping slightly in a delaminating kind of way, but I'm using nail-nourishing protection and that seems to be keeping them from splitting and peeling.

    Hair: most everything is out, but still have bits of eyebrows and eyelashes and some bits of fuzz on head. Appreciate the eyebrow bits because it's easier to draw them in when I have a bit of a guide!

    Finger tips and toes ache a bit, but no other pain. I still have numbness and drop-foot in my left foot, but I can still walk around... a bit awkward if I want to go fast, but slow walking is no problem. Hopefully the nerves there will improve eventually! I don't feel like it's getting worse, anyway, so that's good.

    I will have a nerve test for that in a week or so to check on that.

    ---

    It's been pretty quiet here. I'm guessing most everyone has finished? I'm glad that we're all at the end of this business!!! I hope you all are well and recovering from all the chemo!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MaggieCat
    MaggieCat Member Posts: 346
    edited April 2015

    April.. Really not so quiet... guess lurkers abound! Always enjoy reading your snippets! Maggie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jcfree
    jcfree Member Posts: 105
    edited April 2015

    Just completed my 6th and last chemo treatment last week. Fatigue seems to be worse, maybe just an accumulation of all of it, definately lacking appetite and food does not taste good, was not that bad during previous treatments. Now on to H & P treatments. Have to have CT scan and bone density and just did echo. Thankfully the echo was good EF actually went up some. I haven't lost my eyebrows or eyelashes yet, so hoping I won't. Just happy to make it through all six, my onco said I had exceptional early response to the treatment. Just hoping to get back some semblance of normalcy now that chemo treatment is done.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited April 2015

    April congratulations!!!!!!

    Your done. I finished only 4 cycles of TCHP. I felt so horrible and had numbness too. It's been 4 weeks Monday. I feel pretty good and can taste food better. Have fatigue but I can get out and walk. My hair is starting to grow but it looks like it may take years. I did one Herceptin only infusion. Some achy ness for a couple days. The biggest SE I still have is drippy eyes. Special K said it was Taxotears. Lol

    What are your next steps?? So happy you made it to the other side!

    Patty

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited April 2015

    jCFree

    Congratulations for you!! You will start feeling better!! Glad you still have eyebrows and eyelashes!! I have some too. Are you getting more than 6 Perjeta? My Perjeta completed with chemo and now I just get Herceptin. Hope you continue to do well!!

    Patty

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jcfree
    jcfree Member Posts: 105
    edited April 2015

    Thanks PMR53. I will be on H & P long term and have to have Zometa every 6 weeks. Now just have to get the CT scan to see how it looks after the 6 treatments. OMG, I can so relate to the dripping eyes and nose. I have allergies so had some of this every fall and spring. But during this 4 months of treatment, this has been a real problem SE. I sure hope it clears up now that done with taxotere. Was told it will take a couple of months for SE to subside, but that it will get better. So ready to feel better!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sophie14
    sophie14 Member Posts: 44
    edited April 2015

    Hi Ladies ... So happy for everyone that has finished their chemo ... I started Taxol last Wednesday .... 1 down , 11 to go once a week ... I have 3 more perjeta, and herceptin every 3 weeks for as year .... The taxol made me feel so weird, and the abdominal cramps were pretty bad... I don't think my body likes T/H/P at all ... The PA keeps saying this will be so much easier than the A/C , but I don't think so right now ... Do you'll see your MO very often ? ... I only saw mine for just a few minutes when I was in the hospital in Feb. .... I always see the PA at the center before treatme

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jcfree
    jcfree Member Posts: 105
    edited April 2015

    Well sophie14, so you are getting chemo once a week for 12 weeks, that sounds like a tough schedule. As far as abdominal cramps, I got them real bad after my first chemo treatment. Did not have them again, and many of the SE's did subside in severity as the treatments went by. Hopefully, yours too will go that way. My onco I see most of the time when I have treatments, but sometimes I see the PA, a few times my onco was at medical conferences out of town or he was doing rounds in the hospital. Sure hope your SE's at least reduce in severity as your treatments go on.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • april25
    april25 Member Posts: 772
    edited April 2015

    jcfree-- Congrats on having your last chemo! But you're still getting H&P? ... was that because they were delayed from heart issues? There seem to be so many variations with all these treatments, it's hard to tell what's what.

    I got TCHP for my 6 cycles. I'll continue with Herceptin every three weeks, but not Perjeta as far as I know.

    PMR53 -- The drippy eyes are very common I think. I actually went the other way and had dry eyes... chemo can cause tear ducts to clog, but I didn't have that... just OTHER causes for dry eyes! I guess it isn't ALL chemo's fault! :)

    I next get an MRI, then see my surgeon and get surgery, since I was doing neoadjuvent chemo. That starts at the end of next week. Today I'm getting a nerve test because of the numbness in my foot. That should be interesting! *___* (Although, really, I don't mind tests at all... they are never as uncomfortable as all the chemo! I can't wait until my stomach and GI tract gets back to normal and I can eat things. I don't care if I balloon up, either--even though my sister is all upset about me not eating healthier foods. I'd just be happy to be able to eat!)

    sophie14 -- My abdominal pain during this last cycle has been the worst! Pepcid (or some anti-acid) seems to help a bit, though. Good luck with that! A/C is tough because it can cause heart damage and other things... but the taxols are pretty rough even so.

    MO frequency can vary a lot. My first one only checked me once a cycle... but the one I have now (switched to a better one!) sees me sometimes once a week. He's fantastic. I get my bloodwork done that often, too, so he can make sure my cell counts are OK, and other things. He's the one who sent me off to the ER the first two cycles because I was dehydrated, and now makes sure I get IV drips at home. I have the IV until next week and then I'm hopefully free of them for good! YAY.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited April 2015

    April25- I just saw your post. Have you completed all 6 cycles?? How are you doing?? Do you have a surgery date yet? I completed 4 cycles TCHP and getting the Herceptin now every 3 weeks. My eyes are getting better. Some blurriness and some numbness in left heel. The GI system is so much better too. 5 weeks PFC last Monday. Getting ready for surgery on May 4th.

    How was your MRI?

    PMR53

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sophie14
    sophie14 Member Posts: 44
    edited April 2015

    Hi Ladies ... I hope everyone's day was ok ... I was suppose to have my third of twelve taxol treatments yesterday ( Wed ), but my white blood counts were to low. The neutrophils were point 8 ... white count was 1.4 ... So I will try again next week. Maybe I will have a weekend without severe abdominal cramps ...I think my body doesn't like Taxol ... I have not felt well all week, now I know why maybe... Take care everyone .

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jcfree
    jcfree Member Posts: 105
    edited April 2015

    april25-Yes I will be on H&P now for a long time every three weeks. Got my first infusion of just the H&P this week. So glad taxotere is done! No pre-meds with it which means I don't crash 48 hr. after infusion like I did with taxotere. Actually feel pretty good. Had an echo a couple of weeks ago and it was good, my EF went up some from 59 to 62. I am exercising and eating healthier and doing what I can do to keep my body and heart strong. Had CT scan this week also and all was clear, had Bone scan yesterday so waiting to hear on that. My eyes and nose are still runny, hope that clears up too.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • april25
    april25 Member Posts: 772
    edited April 2015

    PMR53 -- Yes! I've finished my 6 cycles of TCHP! I just finished my 2 weeks of home IV drips yesterday. I had an MRI this morning and will see my surgeon on Monday. So I don't know when surgery will be. Last appointment I had with the surgeon, he said he thought he could do a lumpectomy with no problem.

    I haven't seen a Radiologist yet... so all that still needs to be decided.

    I was very much wiped out this last cycle... Had to rest more than any others. Lots of stomach aches. Really had no appetite at all... But I'm feeling a bit better now. My appetite is coming back. Things taste better now. I have a bit more energy. Still am hovering close to being dehydrated, but hopefully I can stave that off through normal drinking of stuff!

    I'll be getting just Herceptin every three weeks, now, starting on Tuesday. I really hope I don't get any bad side effects from just the Herceptin...

    Good luck with your surgery! Hope everything goes smoothly for you.

    sophie14 -- Have you been getting Neulasta or Neupogen shots to keep WBC's up? Some people seem to get them and some don't... and sometimes they don't work for some people. I was lucky and had the shots with no major side effects and never had my WBC drop.

    Taxols seem to be pretty tough on a lot of people. My MO had to reduce my taxotere after my first cycle... And I was still getting bad SE's.

    jcfree -- Good to know that the H&P doesn't seem as bad. I hope that continues. I think most people seem to find the target treatments not as tough as the chemo, but you never know! Great that you feel OK--and that your tests are all coming back with good news.

    I had lots of tests before and early during chemo (Bone scan, echo, CT), but it seems that I'm only getting a breast MRI requested by my surgeon so he can tell what he needs to do, I'm guessing? I wouldn't mind getting another echo, since I feel out of breath easily... I last had one during my 2nd cycle. But I guess if i've gotten this far (done with chemo), hopefully the risk of any heart problems is low...?!

    My eyes are on the dry side... but I do have the drippy nose! I was worried when I was lying on the MRI table that I might drip while I had to stay still for so long, but fortunately that didn't happen. whew! Hopefully that will clear up for you (and me!). It's not a big problem, but a bit annoying.



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories